New NSF Centers

NSF is establishing five new Centers for Learning and Teaching. Three will focus on K–12 curriculum development and teacher training, and two will concentrate on education practices and faculty development at universities and colleges. Each center will receive $10 million over the next five years.

The three new K–12 centers, at the University of Georgia at Athens, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, DC, will bring to 10 the number of NSF K–12 learning and teaching centers nationwide. The seven existing centers were established in 2000 and 2001. The NSF plans to spend about $100 million overall to increase the numbers, professionalism, and diversity of K–12 math and science teachers through the learning and teaching program.

The higher-education centers are a new component of the NSF program and are designed to focus on undergraduate education in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering, with the goal of developing future faculty. “We want to increase the mathematics and science achievement levels of our students and prepare them for a society increasingly shaped by science and technology,” said Judith Ramaley, NSF’s assistant director for education and human resources.