The United States system of higher education isn’t producing enough scientists and engineers. Bethel College, recipient of a recently awarded major grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), wants to help address that reality.
In August, two Bethel science faculty were notified that they had successfully written a $257,600 NSF grant proposal, awarded in the category Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or S-STEM.
With the grant, Bethel plans to offer 42 scholarships from $3,000 to $10,000, each renewable for up to four years. S-STEM’s aim is to attract academically qualified students to study astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, mathematics, neuroscience or physics, targeting students with limited financial means.
In addition, Bethel’s program will place special emphasis on attracting Hispanic, African-American and female students. Bethel science faculty hope the scholarships will increase the number of students graduating each year in STEM fields by 40-80 percent.