The Scientist in the Classroom Partnership (SCP)
Elementary and Middle School Programs
°Õ³ó±ðÌýScientist in the Classroom Partnership Program (SCP), previously the National Science Foundation GK-12 Graduate Teaching Fellows Program, began serving Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools in January 2000. Currently, the SCP is a collaboration between five educational institutions of higher learning in the greater Nashville area. In affiliation with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, the participating institutions include 91ºÚÁÏÍø, Fisk University, Meharry Medical College, Tennessee State University, and Middle Tennessee State University.
This year, the SCP will take a step forward by establishing the 91ºÚÁÏÍø Scientist Teacher Educator Partnership (VSTEP). The goal this year is to recruit 10 graduate students/postdocs and 10 middle school science teachers to participate in the 2026 Cohort of the STEM Educator Learning Community to:
- Learn and implement best practices in STEM education and
- Deliver innovative & hands-on curriculum to middle school learners.
This is a training program for graduate students and postdocs to learn and implement STEM education practices in collaboration and service with classroom teachers and their students. Upon completion of the year-long program and all required training components, participants will earn a certificate of program completion in Innovation in K-12 STEM Education. Scientist educators are eligible for a service-free stipend of $7,500. Teacher educators receive stipends for attendance and participation.
