NSTA New Science Teacher Academy Now Accepting Entries for the 2015-2016 Program

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is now accepting applications for the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy. The year-long program was established to help reduce the high attrition rate in the science teaching profession by providing professional learning and mentoring support to early-career science teachers. Lockheed Martin, a leading employer of scientists, technologists and engineers, will fund the selected teachers’ participation in the Academy during the 2015-2016 academic year.

“Our nation’s teachers are key in setting a solid foundation in science and preparing students for success in a technology-driven workforce,” said Dr. David Evans, NSTA executive director. “Our goal for the teachers who participate in the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy is to empower them so that they can remain in the classroom with renewed energy and creative ideas that spur powerful student learning.”

“At Lockheed Martin, we understand that providing support for one teacher means that hundreds of students will benefit,” said Emily Simone, Lockheed Martin’s director of Community Relations. “The teachers who are selected to participate in the New Science Teacher Academy are among the best and brightest and will drive innovative ideas into our nation’s science classrooms.”

Fellows selected for the program receive a comprehensive membership package, online mentoring with trained mentors who teach in the same discipline, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional learning activities, including web seminars. In addition, each fellow receives financial support to attend and participate in NSTA’s 2016 National Conference on Science Education in Nashville.

U.S. science teachers, who will be entering their second through fifth year of teaching and whose schedule is a minimum of 51 percent middle or high school science, can apply to become a fellow. For more information about the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy or to learn how to apply, please visit the Academy website. Applications must be submitted no later than Aug. 15, 2015.

About the New Science Teachers Academy

Launched during the spring of 2007, the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy was designed to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve teacher content knowledge. Since its inception, the Academy has provided high-quality professional learning opportunities to 1,300 science teachers nationwide. According to an informal survey conducted last year of past New Science Teacher Academy Fellows, 95 percent of those who responded indicated that they are still in the teaching profession. Further, 87 percent of respondents cited their experience in the Academy as a main reason for them remaining in the teaching profession.

About NSTA

The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.

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