Outline for SMART Funding/Planning

1.Endowed Directorship/Chair - $2.5 million

  • The Director/Chair of the SMART program will steer initiative activities and will be a catalyst for further expansion of math and science education programs at UNT. The Director/Chair will also focus on generating external funding to advance the SMART mission and will recruit talented faculty and scholars whose time and expertise will propel student achievement and fosternew levels of excellence.
  • Timeline for search, hire, and orientation – TBD

2.Doctoral Scholars - $2 million

  • Teaching professionals and graduate students who desire to advance their careers will benefit from the SMART Doctoral Scholars Program, which will provide the opportunity to study alongside some of the best faculty in math and science education. The SMART Doctoral Scholars program is designed for students and teachers who desire to become effective, dynamic faculty at universities and colleges, and who seek to prepare and inspire future generations of math and science educators and education leaders.

3.Developing Scholars - $1.5 million

  • Undergraduates can enhance their education through the SMART Developing Scholars program, which will engender a love of teaching, interest in research, and focus on pedagogy in talented undergraduate students – all of which are essential to create successful teachers who will go on to influence the next generation.
  • The developing scholars will also be for teachers who are returning for graduate study in Math, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. It will be designed for teachers who desire to be master teachers.
  • They scholars would earn degrees MS, EDD, or PhDs in either education or their discipline. They would work with UNTeach program and students.(? – clarify – do PhdD’s belong in the Doctoral Scholars Program)

4.Summer Scholars Program Endowment - $1 million

  • The SMART Summer Scholars program gives high school students the opportunity to learn about degree programs and careers in math and science education. The SMART Program staff will include some of UNT’s most exceptional math and science educators who will also conduct research and explore new ideas, content and methods for teaching and learning with participating high school students.
  • The summer scholars would be experienced math and science educators who would return to work with faculty on possible advanced degrees or research and work with the UNTeachers.(?-Clarify – is Summer Scholars for high school students coming into college – or experience math and science educators?)
  • The goal would be to pay a stipend to the summer scholars and support their research with faculty.
  • Summer Scholars would be a Summer Workshop for Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors. They would have classes with faculty in Math, Science and Education.
  • Field Trips would be to corporations such as Texas Instruments, Verizon, and Alcon.
  • Summer Scholar students would have the opportunity to 'shadow' professionals and learn more about the companies that require a high skill set in the Math and Science divisions.
  • TAMS would be involved with teaching classes and TAMS students being a mentor to these students for the week.(?) – clarify -
  • Partnerships could be formed with Fort Worth ISD and Dallas ISD, rotating each week. Guest speakers could come from each school district.
  • The students would receive a UNT Math/Science Workshop Certificate at the end of the session.
  • Students would be recruited from all over the state.