PRESS RELEASES

AFCEA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE STEM TEACHERS SCHOLARSHIP

Thirty-Five Scholarships Awarded to Students Studying to Teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Subjects

For Immediate Release August 12, 2010

AFCEA Media Contact

Rachel DeAngelo

(703) 631-6180

rdeangelo@afcea.org

FAIRFAX, VA – The AFCEA Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Teachers Scholarships. Funded by a $200,000 grant from AFCEA International, 35 students will receive $5,000 scholarships for the 2010-2011 school year. The students are pursuing education degrees or licensures for the purpose of teaching a STEM subject in a U.S. middle or secondary school.

In addition to the scholarships, once they are in teaching positions the winners will receive $1,000 AFCEA Science Teaching Tool Grants each year for three years, provided they remain teaching a STEM subject. Science Teaching Tool Grants are intended to augment the needs of the STEM teacher to enrich the learning experience of his/her students.

The scholarship represents AFCEA’s three-year initiative aimed at addressing the nation’s shortfall in STEM education. By increasing the number of inspired and inspiring teachers working in the field, AFCEA hopes to encourage approximately 5,000 students over a three-year period to pursue STEM studies and careers.

To put an AFCEA chapter face to this program in an area where educational assistance is critical, the Hawaii Chapter was selected this year to work with the Foundation to award five STEM Teacher Scholarships and $25,000 in Science Teaching Tools Grants. A special presentation featuring the STEM scholarship winners and Science Teaching Tool Grant recipients will be made at TechNet Asia-Pacific in October. 

AFCEA received 165 completed scholarship packages for the STEM Teachers Scholarships and applicants came from 108 schools and 36 states. AFCEA’s partnerships with the National Science Teachers Association and the National Math Teachers Association were instrumental in notifying students throughout the country of the availability of the scholarships.

“We are thrilled with the STEM Teachers Scholarship results,” states AFCEA Educational Foundation Vice President Fred Rainbow. “The number of applications far exceeded our goal, and the winners represent an elite group of future teachers. We hope that this scholarship will play a significant role in turning the tide on STEM education in the United States. Thank you to our volunteers and staff who invested significant time and effort to make this scholarship program a success.”

To see the list of scholarship winners, as well as details for next year’s STEM Teachers Scholarships, go to www.afcea.org/education/scholarships/STEMTeachers.asp.

About AFCEA International and the AFCEA Educational Foundation

AFCEA International, established in 1946, is a non-profit membership association serving the military, government, industry, and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, IT, intelligence, and global security. For more information, visit www.afcea.org.

The AFCEA Educational Foundation works closely with the chapters, raises funds, and provides leadership, guidance, and rewards to help motivate more students to become scientists and engineers. The Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing educational incentives, opportunities, and assistance for students and teachers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines (broadly known as STEM). In 2009 the AFCEA Educational Foundation awarded more than $1.5M in scholarships and grants. The AFCEA Educational Foundation has been granting scholarships and grants to college students in STEM disciplines for 30 years. Working with AFCEA local chapters, the Foundation’s Science Teaching Tool program annually reaches 200+ teachers and an estimated 50,000+ students in grades kindergarten through high school.

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