Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today applauded the National Science Foundation (NSF) for awarding over $1 million in funding to the University of Nevada Las Vegas to research, design and develop programs aimed at helping middle school and college students succeed in STEM classes.
“Fostering the talent of our students in science, math and technology is of the upmost importance for the future of Nevada and our 21st century economy. I applaud the National Science Foundation’s efforts to identify and support students struggling in STEM courses and am proud of the work UNLV is doing to encourage and retain students who have not traditionally persisted in STEM fields. I will continue to do my part in Congress to ensure our future leaders have the tools they need to thrive.”
BACKGROUND:
The National Science Foundation provides grant funding to research and education programs in the fields of science and engineering with a focus on supporting colleges, universities and K-12 school systems throughout the United States.
The University of Nevada Las Vegas is the recipient of two NSF grants. The funds will be awarded as follows:
- $964,236 to UNLV researchers and professors to help design, develop and test a research-based professional learning approach to help middle school science teachers support and sustain student motivation and academic success during science classes.
- $990,386 to UNLV researchers and professors, in partnership with University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the College of Southern Nevada, to develop models to identify struggling students in introductory STEM courses and develop interventions to help those students succeed in active-learning formats.
In addition to working to secure National Science Foundation grant funding, Senator Cortez Masto introduced the Code Like a Girl Act last year. This legislation would create two new National Science Foundation grant programs to encourage young girls to pursue computer science. The legislation would also provide funding to understand what motivates young girls to pursue STEM or STEAM education.
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