STEM Teach IV

Funder: Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) - Indiana STEM Teacher Recruitment Fund

Administrator: Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) in partnership with Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL)

Program Status: Active (Fourth iteration; originally awarded in 2013)

Geographic Scope: Indiana (statewide)

Award Amount: $2.4 million (STEM Teach IV allocation; largest of 16 awards totaling $9.6 million)

Program Focus: Support high school and K-12 teachers in STEM disciplines to earn graduate-level credentials and maintain teaching certifications

Program Eligibility

• Target Audience: In-service K-12 teachers in Indiana public schools (including charter schools)
• Must be employed at public schools, including charters, in Indiana
• No cost to teachers for tuition, books, or materials

What They Fund

1. Graduate-level STEM courses for high school teachers needing credentials by 2022 (Higher Learning Commission requirement for teaching dual-credit courses)
2. Regional STEM workshops offered by local colleges and universities to boost STEM instruction
3. Undergraduate courses to help teachers enhance STEM instruction and/or add STEM content areas to existing teaching licenses
4. Scholarships for teachers to attend STEM-based statewide conferences
5. All tuition, books, and materials costs fully covered

Participating Institutions

• Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) member institutions
• Public colleges and universities across Indiana
• Collaboration between ICI colleges and public institutions

Program History

• Fourth time STEM Teach received this grant (as of 2019)
• Fund designed to increase number and quality of teachers in STEM areas where school districts experience shortages

Contact Information

Independent Colleges of Indiana

• Address: 601 South Meridian Street Suite 2A, Indianapolis, IN 46225
• Phone: 317.236.6090
• Website: icindiana.org

Application Process

Timeline:

• Online application portal opens in late October
• Rolling admissions based on priority status
• Registration for courses and workshops available several months before each semester

Eligibility & Application:

• In-service teachers apply through online application
• Teachers who successfully completed STEM Teach III courses do not need to reapply for STEM Teach IV
• Acceptance based on application review

Required Materials:

• Specific form requirements not detailed in available materials
• Likely includes proof of employment at public school
• Evidence of STEM teaching assignment

How It Works:

• Teachers accepted into program register for courses based on priority status
• Tuition, books, and all materials fully funded by the grant
• Teachers participate in regional workshops, graduate-level courses, and/or undergraduate courses depending on needs
• Can attend STEM conferences with scholarship funding

Note: Specific application forms and detailed requirements should be obtained from ICI or participating college/university STEM Teach coordinators.