Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

University of Nebraska Omaha logo
Academic Affairs STEM TRAIL Center
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
  • About Us Backback to Main menu
    • About Us
    • Donate
    • Leadership Directory
    • Strategic Plan
    • Workforce Development
  • Programming Backback to Main menu
    • Teaching Practices Workshops
    • STEM Grants Writing Workshop
    • Student Programming
    • Past Programming
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • IMPACT
    • Research Overview
    • Noyce NebraskaSCIENCE
    • Noyce NebraskaMATH
    • SPARCS
    • S-STEM EMPLOYEE
    • Teacher-Researcher Partnership Program (TRPP)
  • Outreach
  • Resources for Faculty & Staff Backback to Main menu
    • Supporting You
    • IRB Resources
    • Proposal Development Resources
    • Additional Resources
    • Professional Development Funding
  • Resources for Students Backback to Main menu
    • Students
    • Events
    • Noyce NebraskaMATH
    • Noyce NebraskaSCIENCE
    • S-STEM EMPLOYEE
  • Impacts & Media Backback to Main menu
    • Key Impacts
    • Testimonials
    • Videos
    • News
    • Newsletters
  • Calendar & RSVPs

Noyce | NebraskaSCIENCE

  1. UNO
  2. STEM TRAIL Center
  3. Research
  4. Noyce | NebraskaSCIENCE

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) provides scholarship funding, research opportunities, and internship programs for future teachers with help from a National Science Foundation grant.

Noyce Scholarship Overview

Noyce Scholars

Noyce Interns

Eligibility Requirements Application Information Information for References
FAQs & Resources Supervising Faculty Acknowledgments

Noyce NebraskaSCIENCE Participant Follow-Up Survey


Noyce Scholarship Overview

The National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program seeks to encourage talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science (including engineering and computer science) teachers. The program invites creative and innovative proposals that address the critical need for recruiting and preparing highly effective elementary and secondary science and mathematics teachers in high-need local educational agencies. This opportunity is extended to undergraduate students, graduate students, and K-12 educators.


Noyce Scholars

The program offers up to $17,500 per year to encourage talented undergraduate science students to major in one of the science fields, earn a teaching credential, and commit to teaching in high-need school districts.

Juniors and seniors who are selected as Noyce Scholars will be paired with faculty mentors. Each Scholar will work with an assigned mentor to prepare a personal professional development plan. In the plan, a commitment to leadership in science education initiatives will be outlined, including specific examples.

Possible activities may be:

(1) leading student professional development efforts such as NE STEM 4U and other outreach efforts on campus, and

(2) completing a research project in science or science education, including a poster presentation at the Student Research and Creativity Fair or a regional conference, and

(3) teaching opportunities in science (formally & informally). Students interested in becoming a Scholar are welcome to submit an application at any time, but applications submitted mid-cycle may not be immediately reviewed.

Apply to be a Noyce Scholar

Noyce Interns

Each summer, Noyce Interns are selected to participate in educational and teaching opportunities. Activities include:

(1) Serving as a learning assistant for courses,

(2) writing and editing curriculum for NE STEM 4U and/or Aim for the Stars, and assisting with Girls, Inc. Eureka! STEM summer camps, and

(3) providing summer camp instruction for partners of the Nebraska Department of Education and other statewide entities.

Similarly, professional development opportunities exist during each summer including meetings with current teachers from high needs schools, participation in journal clubs discussing science and science education articles, interacting with other Interns and Research Interns, and working directly with faculty mentor(s). Noyce Interns are awarded up to $4,000 for their full-time summer work. Internship applications will be accepted at any time, but applications submitted mid-cycle may not be immediately reviewed.

Apply to be a Noyce Scholar

Eligibility Requirements

Noyce Scholars

  1. Be a United States citizen, national, or permanent resident alien at the time of application.
  2. Major in science at the baccalaureate level and be on track to complete the requirements of undergraduate secondary teaching certification.
  3. Demonstrate a commitment to pursue a teaching career in a high-need school.
  4. Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or above on all collegiate courses or, for first-year undergraduate applicants for Noyce internships, a 2.75 or above cumulative high school GPA. (This requirement aligns with admission requirements for UNO’s teacher education program.)
  5. Demonstrate financial need.
  6. Able to pass a background check to be able to work with youth.

Noyce Interns

  1. Be a United States citizen, national, or permanent resident alien at the time of application.
  2. Cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or better (or if in high school, 2.5 high school GPA or better).
  3. Have an interest in science and/or teaching.
  4. Able to pass a background check to be able to work with youth.

Application Information

Noyce Scholars

  1. Complete the online form and written personal statement that reflects your motivation to teach.
  2. Submit transcripts.
  3. Submit at least two (2) letters of recommendation from past instructors/teachers (see below).
  4. If applicable, demonstrate financial need (usually done with your completed FAFSA information).
  5. Send the completed application form and direct your transcripts and letters of recommendation to:
Dr. John Conrad

jaconrad@unomaha.edu

Noyce Interns

  1. Complete the online form.
  2. Submit transcripts.
  3. Send the completed application form and direct your transcripts to:
Dr. John Conrad
jaconrad@unomaha.edu

Information for References (Noyce Scholars Only)

Thank you for writing a letter of reference for a student applying to the Noyce Scholars Program. We are particularly interested in reading your opinion about the student's following characteristics:

  • relationship with you (e.g., first semester chemistry instructor, science fair project mentor).
  • attributes that suggest good potential as a science teacher.
  • experiences, either inside or outside your class, that suggest significant preparation for a science teaching career.
  • personality qualities compatible with successful teaching at the middle school or high school level.

Please use your institutional letterhead stationery and be sure to indicate your name, title, institution, and contact information at the close of your letter and send it via email to:

Dr. John Conrad
jaconrad@unomaha.edu


FAQs

Am I limited to teaching in Nebraska or can I teach anywhere?
You can teach anywhere in the USA, as long as it is considered a “high-need school.”

What is a “high-need school”?
The term "a high-need local educational agency" as defined in section 201 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1021) means a local educational agency (school district) that serves an elementary or secondary school located in an area that is characterized by at least one of the following:

  • a high percentage (≥50%) of individuals from families with incomes below the poverty line;
  • a high percentage (≥35%) of secondary school teachers not teaching in the content area in which they were trained to teach; or
  • a high teacher turnover rate (≥15%/yr).

Must I demonstrate financial need to apply?
Anyone can apply, but preference is given to those who demonstrate financial need.


Resources

Get the Facts out: A user-friendly guide to engaging people in discussion about careers in secondary math and science teaching. (PDF)

Get the Facts out: Secondary Teaching Benefits Compared to Industry and University Teaching. A Noyce MythBusters workshop. (PPT)


Supervising Faculty


Acknowledgments

The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, authorized under the National Science Foundation responds to the critical need for K-12 teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by encouraging talented STEM students and professionals to pursue teaching careers in elementary and secondary schools.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DUE-1659058.

Logo of the national science foundation. graphic design of earth with yellow lines surrounding it.

The National Science Foundation

Learn more about the National Science Foundation and the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program on their website

More Information

Contact Us

  • STEM TRAIL Center: unostemtrailcenter@unomaha.edu

  • Dr. Chris Moore: jcmoore@unomaha.edu

STEM TRAIL Center

  • 204 Thompson Alumni Center
  • 6705 Dodge Street
  • Omaha, NE 68182  map this location
  • 402.554.3459
  • unostemtrailcenter@unomaha.edu
  • Next Steps
  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)
  • Just For You
  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List
  • Popular Services and Resources
  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • Bookstore
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence
  • Affiliates
  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • © 2023  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • Report an Incident or Concern

Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.

scroll to top of page