General Motors awarded more than $260,000 to Wayne State University for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education programs led by faculty members in the College of Education.

The award will launch three new programs dedicated to STEM teaching and learning in Detroit: the STEM Camp for Aspiring Teachers, the Immersive Experience for Mid-Career Professionals and the STEM Lesson Research. The STEM Camp is a college readiness program that will engage young leaders enrolled in grades 9-12 interested in teaching careers. The Immersive Experience for Mid-Career Professionals is a residency program that will bring teachers to STEM businesses and engineers into schools. The STEM Lesson Research program will work with teachers in Detroit schools to study STEM curricula, create innovative lesson plans, and observe and analyze both teacher and student work in classrooms.

“General Motors has a long history of working with Wayne State to cultivate talent in our hometown,” said Terry Rhadigan, vice president of corporate giving at GM. “This new project is building a groundswell of STEM innovation by engaging students and investing in teachers. In turn, this is an investment in our region and collective future.”

“The Wayne State University College of Education is working across the spectrum to provide quality programs for current and future teachers,” said Boris Baltes, interim dean of the College of Education, senior associate provost for faculty affairs, and associate vice president of academic personnel. “The college appreciates GM’s support of this work, which is critical to preparing residents of metropolitan Detroit and beyond for careers in high-growth industries. We provide schools with highly qualified teachers who are not only strong educators, but also mentors and role models who ensure students are seen and heard.”

The three programs focus on improving student access to quality education and careers in STEM while addressing the region’s teacher shortage and teacher diversity challenges.

“Wayne State is excited about the GM education initiatives aimed at providing learning opportunities for STEM educators at different stages of their careers,” said Jennifer Lewis, professor of mathematics education. “Together, these programs will build a system of excellence across the work-life trajectory of teachers in Detroit schools.”

Roland Sintos Coloma, professor of teacher education, said, “As the metro Detroit region continues to grapple with teacher shortages, especially in the STEM field, this generous award from GM will be a game changer by helping us promote STEM teaching as a vital educational pathway and career.”