The National Science Foundation awarded a $5 million grant to UF education researchers, who are using the money to revise science programs in Florida middle schools.
UF researchers are focusing on a graduate degree program called Teacher Leadership and School Improvement, according to a UF news release. Through the five-year project, 40 middle school science teachers from 20 school districts will graduate with their master's degree in science education.
Teachers in the program will receive money to cover tuition, about $21,000, said Dr. Lynda Hayes, affiliate faculty member at UF's College of Education and director of P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School.
This money is funded by the grant, she said.
Hayes said graduates of the program will become "Science Teacher Leaders," who will train 400 other middle school science teachers in their home districts.
Hayes said retraining middle school teachers will help them increase students' interest in biology, chemistry, physics and earth science.
"It's not a text," she said. "It brings to life a very interactive, hands-on science experience."
