This program supports fellowships and associated training that enable graduate students and advanced undergraduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to serve in K-12 schools as resources knowledgeable about both the content and applications of these disciplines. Academic institutions apply for awards to support fellowship activities. Institutions are responsible for: 1) selecting Fellows; 2) partnering with school districts for placement of Fellows in schools; 3) providing appropriate training for Fellows, and 4) designing and implementing an effective mechanism for documenting the outcomes of the project. The Fellows serve as resources for teachers in science and mathematics instruction. Expected outcomes include improved communication and teaching skills transferable to a variety of occupations, and enhanced ability to function within and capitalize on working partnerships and teams for the Fellows, enriched learning by K-12 students, professional development opportunities for GK-12 Teachers, and strong partnerships between institutions of higher education and local school districts. As an agency-wide activity the GK-12 program supports projects from the full spectrum of National Science Foundation (NSF) disciplines including the social, behavioral and economic sciences, mathematical and physical sciences, biological sciences, engineering, computer and information science, and the geosciences. Awards are for initial projects of up to three years (Track 1, Initial Track) with the potential to apply for a follow-on project of up to five years (Track 2, Follow-on Track).   Additional information concerning the program and presently funded projects can be found in the GK-12 website. http://www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/gk12/.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12) program recognizes that graduates of higher education programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) can contribute to the national effort to address the challenging issues in K-12 education across a broad spectrum of schools and educational levels. In particular, STEM graduate students can partner with K-12 teachers to work towards improving the content of science and mathematics taught in their classes. While the focus of this initiative is on graduate students serving as resources for K-12 education, advanced undergraduate STEM majors may be included as appropriate to further the goals of individual projects. NSF anticipates that the GK-12 experience will benefit both the graduate and undergraduate Fellows in their chosen STEM professions as well as provide a basis for them to contribute toward the improvement of the nation's educational enterprise.

The purpose of GK-12 is to enable institutions to experiment with and then make a permanent part of their institutional graduate opportunities a program that features:

• opportunities for K-12 students to increase their STEM content knowledge and skills, and to work with STEM professional role models with whom they can relate;
• strong and enduring partnerships with schools and school systems; 
• opportunities for STEM graduate students and upper division undergraduates to learn new teaching methods within their discipline and to improve their communication skills;  and,
• opportunities for K-12 teachers to serve as mentors to STEM graduates and upper division undergraduates and, in the process, become more knowledgeable about STEM content and concepts and more confident in their skills within STEM.

The Foundation offers two tracks within the GK-12 program: Track 1 (Initial Track) for Principal Investigators in departments that have not previously been awarded a GK-12 project and Track 2 (Follow-on Track) for Principal Investigators in departments or institutions who currently or in the past have been awarded a GK-12 project and are now poised to sustain GK-12 activities as a permanent feature of their STEM graduate education programs and to disseminate models for the nation. Awards within each track are each one-time awards with no potential for renewals within that track. Approximately $17.2 million is expected to be available to support approximately 15 Track 1 awards and 15 Track 2 awards. Track 1 awards are expected to be in the range of $300,000 to $660,000 per year for up to three years. Track 2 awards are expected to be for a total of up to 5 years with decreasing amounts each year as the institutional support increases; the amount in any one year not to exceed $500,000 and a total for the award not to exceed $2 million.

Although there may be exceptions, based on the potential impact and quality of the proposal, it is anticipated that no more than one Track 2 award will be made to an institution. Track 1 is designed to provide an opportunity for institutions to develop an effective GK-12 model. Track 2 is designed for institutions to build on the initial GK-12 experiences, expand and improve these initial efforts, and establish the approaches developed through their GK-12 program as an integral part of their graduate program.

GK-12 is an NSF-wide activity.  It is supported and managed by all NSF's Directorates, including the Directorates for Social and Behavioral and Economic Sciences, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Biological Sciences, Education and Human Resources, Engineering, Geosciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and the Office of Polar Programs. Additional information concerning the program and presently funded projects can be found in the GK-12 website. http://www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/gk12/.

The GK-12 program provides universities an opportunity to experiment with and then make a permanent part of their institutional graduate opportunities a program that features outreach to K-12 schools in a manner that is of mutual benefit to their faculties and students.

Expected project outcomes include:

• improved communication and teaching-related skills for Fellows;  
• incorporation of GK-12 like activities as an integral part of the institution's graduate programs in STEM;
• content gain and professional development opportunities for GK-12 Teachers;  
• enriched learning by K-12 students;  
• strengthened partnerships between higher education institutions and local school districts; and, 
• documentation of project outcomes to provide a research base to inform development of GK-12 like activities and partnerships.

GK-12 Fellows, selected by awardee institutions, will work directly with GK-12 Teachers in and out of the classroom to, for example:

• connect K-12 learning to scientific methods needed for further study in STEM disciplines;  
• provide role models for future STEM professionals;  
• enhance GK-12 Teachers' content knowledge and understanding of principles of mathematics and the sciences; and  
• jointly design and deliver K-12 science and mathematics instruction.

Principal Investigators (PIs), school representatives, GK-12 Teachers and STEM faculty must work together in the development of the GK-12 proposal. It is imperative that a partnership among all potential parties involved in the proposed project be developed early. For example, PIs and school representatives are encouraged to discuss such issues as the types of incentives and resources necessary to support participation of teachers in GK-12 projects and the projects that will best serve the needs of the participating schools and teachers.

Although training activities on the campus of an institution of higher education may be part of the project plan, it is expected that the preponderance of GK-12 Fellows' activities with teachers and students will occur in K-12 schools. PIs are encouraged to establish collaborative arrangements with other institutions (e.g., two-and four-year institutions, industry, non-profit organizations, and museums) to support their activities.