UNO Receives Grant Aimed at Preparing the Next Generation of STEM Educators

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is taking steps to tackle an increasingly important issue; the lack of qualified STEM educators at the elementary and secondary levels.

➡️ What’s New: UNO has been awarded a grant to launch the UNO NoyceSTEM Program. The program supports prospective teachers in fields like biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, math, and physics through scholarships, mentoring, targeted support, and extensive fieldwork in local high-need schools and districts, including Omaha Public Schools.

⏱️ Catch up quick: The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program is part of the National Science Foundation and seeks to encourage talented STEM students and professionals to consider teaching roles in K-12 education to prepare the next generation of STEM research, students, and professionals.

💡Why it matters: STEM educators in the K-12 setting have been declining for years. Programs like UNO NoyceSTEM provide the opportunity for STEM students to turn their passion for discovery into mentorship, strengthening the next generation of learners in Omaha.

The program provides prospective teachers with the high-quality education and support they need to become exceptional, long-term educators who make a lasting impact while simultaneously strengthening the local workforce and closing educational gaps.

• In Nebraska, math and science have faced educator shortages for the last 15 years, according to the state’s Department of Education
• A recent study shows that only 16% of U.S. high school students are “STEM ready,” and just 3.2% enter the STEM workforce

🔎 Zoom in: The UNO NoyceSTEM Program marks the fourth Noyce grant program at the university in the last 10 years, and is followed by the UNO NoyceSCIENCE Track 1 program, and two UNO NoyceMATH projects.

• Former UNO Noyce scholars have become leaders in their districts and are leading locally and nationally in their fields
• Noyce scholars have made up 32.5% of UNO secondary science teaching graduates over the past five years
• Noyce scholars have made up 64% of secondary math teaching graduates over the past 10 years

Data from the recent NoyceMATH programs show significant impacts and the achievement of increasing the number and quality of math educators in the area.

• Provided 81 individual Noyce internships (across UNO and MCC) and 31 Noyce Scholars/stipend awardees supported by the program at UNO.
• Research by Noyce scholars & leaders led to 4 papers published in peer-reviewed academic journals
• The phase 2 NoyceMATH program produced 14 program graduates who are now teaching in high-need area schools with a 100% retention rate as of 2025
• 76% of all graduates/certified teachers from both phases of the NoyceMATH program from 2014-2025 have been retained as secondary math teachers

🙌 Success stories: Scholars from UNO’s NoyceMATH programs share their own experiences:

• “I think the best part of this semester was getting the chance to work in classrooms. It allowed me to gain more experience in the classroom and gain confidence being in the classroom,” says one student on becoming a teacher.
• “Many of those [Noyce] activities expose you to varying levels of students and you quickly learn how to interact with them as their teacher,” says one scholar on pedagogy and growth within the NoyceMATH program.
• “The support of the Noyce team has helped me grow not only as a math teacher, but as a leader in my school,” adds another student on mentorship and community in the program.
• “The [learning assistant] experiences have been very beneficial in reinforcing my skills as an educator and as a math major,” another student says about the program’s professional development and outreach.

🎤 What they’re saying:

• Deanna Johansen, STEM TRAIL Center Project Coordinator and Noyce Project Manager: “UNO’s NoyceSTEM Program is a natural next step for the university following several other successful Noyce grant partnerships, each of which have produced dedicated and celebrated K-12 educators in communities, districts and schools that need them most. UNO is proud to connect and provide our students with the resources they need to move confidently into the workforce and build stronger local STEM communities starting with our younger generations.”
• Kelly Gomez Johnson, Ed.D., Associate Professor of STEM Education: “The NoyceSTEM Program is truly about education for the future, providing UNO students with the tools, support, and community they need to continue their passion in STEM while inspiring and educating future STEM leaders. We are grateful and proud that UNO continues to be federally funded for these STEM education programs that invest in our amazing students and hence, future STEM talent in Nebraska.”

🧑‍🎓Who qualifies? UNO undergraduate students majoring in a STEM field, and STEM professionals who hold a degree in a Noyce-eligible STEM field

🌎 The big picture: Collaboration with the Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program further exemplifies UNO’s commitment to educating all learners, providing real-life experiences that prepare students for today’s challenges, and developing the workforce to build a better and stronger community for all.

⚡️What’s next: The second round of applications for the UNO NoyceSTEM Program opens in Spring of 2026, with new scholars beginning the program in the fall. Interested students can view Noyce scholarship information, eligibility requirements and the application link on the STEM TRAIL Center website.

📌 Grant info:

• Funding source: National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Funding amount: $749,979
• Award number: #2448147