The state's five tribal colleges are collaborating with North Dakota State University to boost interest among American Indian students in math, science, and engineering. The program is designed to motivate Indian children to pursue careers in those fields and then nurture them during their studies at tribal colleges and ultimately NDSU, says G. Padmanabhan, the university's chair of civil engineering and construction.
The program will include a series of student summer camps, as well as semimonthly problem-solving sessions for high school students that will be conducted over the state's Interactive Video Network during the school year. American Indian students also will be eligible for scholarships and will be mentored as they progress through the college and university system.
The program is funded at least through the summer of 2002. The project is getting a $575,000 grant from a U.S. Navy program aimed at generating interest in engineering among minorities. An additional $700,000 is available for fiscal year 2003-2004 if the project proves successful.
The tribal colleges involved are Fort Berthold Community College, Sitting Bull College, United Tribes Technical College, Little Hoop Community College, and Turtle Mountain Community College.
Native Americans make up less than 5 percent of the students at NDSU majoring in math, science, or engineering fields, according to Padmanabha.
For more information contact Padmanabhan at (701) 231-7043.
The National Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE) has announced the availability of as many as 50 grants to be awarded to public school teachers, higher education faculty, and educational support personnel in 1999-2000 through its Leadership Grants Program. The grants are to help recipients deepen their content knowledge, improve their teaching skills, and share their expertise with colleagues.
Successful applicants will receive one-year grants of $1,000 to be used for professional development activities of their choice. These activities must focus on the needs of the student population served. Grantees are also expected to provide collegial leadership in efforts to improve teaching and learning.
To be eligible, applicants must propose professional development and leadership activities that are based on the learning needs of students and colleagues. These activities must address the ideas and recommendations described in NFIE's 1996 report, Teachers Take Charge of Their Learning: Transforming Professional Development for Student Success.
To obtain a copy of the report, grant applications, and guidelines — and for further information — contact the foundation at (202) 822-7840, or visit the Web site at <www.nfie.org>.
