Noyce Scholars
Noyce Scholars Program
Be a part of redefining science and math education in Chicago Public Schools—while earning financial support.
The LUC-Noyce Scholars program aims to prepare a diverse and talented group of science and math teachers who can make a positive difference in the lives and education of high school students in high-need schools and districts. Loyola students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in secondary education can earn up to $40,000 for working to solve the nation’s shortage of qualified and dedicated math and science educators.
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Data Nuggets Educator Workshop
June 20, 2024 9am-4pm
Loyola University Chicago’s Lakeshore Campus
*(In-person; 6.5 CPDUs available)
Bringing Authentic Research to the Middle & High School Science Classroom with Data Nuggets Hosts: Data Nuggets Team, Drs. Mike Grillo & Lara Smetana
Calling all middle and high school STEM teachers and teacher educators. Join the developers of Data Nuggets and Loyola University Chicago for an introduction to the Data Nuggets resource collection. Educators will participate in sample learning scenarios as they learn how this resource collection can help teachers incorporate authentic data and graphical analysis in the classroom and develop meaningful research opportunities for their students.
*Registration closes June 14, 2024
Research Experience
Summer Research Internships for Teacher Candidates
Ten students will be selected to work alongside a Loyola faculty lab for a paid summer internship that focuses on biodiversity in an urban setting. The loss of biodiversity is one of the biggest challenges of our time and thus biodiversity science is one of the fastest growing and most integrative fields in all of science and incorporates questions and methodologies from a range of disciplines including biology, chemistry, geology, computer science, math, and statistics.
Learn More
Learn More
Check out videos from Noyce Scholars and Fellows to learn more about the great work being done and hear their stories!
Appointments and Events
The School of Education offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better. LEARN MORE.
Meet your Noyce Project Team
Lara Smetana, Science Education
Julie Jacobi, Center for Science & Math Education
Mary Beth Talbot, Center for Science & Math Education
Eric Chang, Mathematics
Michael Grillo, Biology
Sandra Helquist, Chemistry
Tania Schulser, School of Environmental Sustainability
Megan Leider, LUC-Noyce Mentoring Program
Krishna Millsapp, LUC-Noyce Mentoring Program
Kayla Cherry, STEM Coach
Saswati Koya, STEM Coach
LUC Noyce Scholar Alumni Profile
Meet Adam Davenport and Audrey Brinkers and learn how they're making a difference in Chicago Public Schools. Click to read the full interviews:
Scholarship Details
One Year |
Two Years |
|---|---|
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Tuition support: up to $35,000 Obligated years of service: two years |
Tuition Support: up to $20,000/year ($40,000 total) Obligated years of service: four years |
Service Obligation
In exchange for each year of financial support, Noyce Scholars are obligated to teach in an eligible high-need school district in the United States. The LUC-Noyce Scholars program works to help scholars identify schools where they can offer the most impact and find the best preparation for their future careers. If the service obligation is not fully completed, the balance of financial support will be treated as a loan the student must repay.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) defines a high-need school district as one that meets at least one of the following criteria in each of the sections A and B below:
A high-need school district is one that meets at least one of the following criteria in each of the sections A and B below:
A)
i. not less than 20% of the children served by the agency are from low-income families;
ii. serves at least 10,000 children from low-income families;
iii. is eligible for funding under the Small, Rural School Achievement Program under 20 U.S.C. 7345(b); or
iv. is eligible for funding under the Rural and Low-Income School Program under 20 U.S.C. 7351(b);
and
B)
i. has a high percentage of teachers not teaching in the academic subject areas or grade levels in which the teachers were trained to teach; or
ii. has a high teacher turnover rate or a high percentage of teachers with emergency, provisional, or temporary certification or licensure
$35,000
One Year Tuition Support
$40,000
Two Years Tuition Support
Meet the Noyce Scholars
Class of 2023
Olivia Doe
Doe earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. She teaches biology and chemistry at Lake View High School. The flexibility and immersive nature of Loyola’s secondary education program have allowed Doe to flourish as an educator. Doe’s favorite thing about teaching is helping her students to remove the mystery from everyday objects.
Class of 2022
Abigail Letts
Letts earned a Master of Education in Secondary Mathematics. She currently serves as a high school mathematics teacher at John Hancock College Preparatory High School. Along with teaching, she is also a cross-country and track coach. She connects her previous work in data analytics to her role as a teacher by incorporating data in the classroom to use as a means of bettering her skills.
Class of 2023
Samantha Miller
Miller earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. She teaches mathematics at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. Miller loves seeing students have epiphanies as they figure out concepts that are challenging to them. Thanks, in part, to her Loyola education, Miller values engagement with and service to her students. She hopes to inspire the next generation of mathematicians.
Class of 2022
Leah Peitzman
Peitzmann earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. She currently teaches honors chemistry and physics at John Hancock College Preparatory High School. Peitzmann has embodied the Jesuit value of cura personalis in her work as she deeply cares for each of her students and enjoys incorporating their lives into her instruction.
Class of 2022
Niki Safakas
Safakas earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. She teaches chemistry at William Howard Taft High School. In line with Loyola’s Jesuit values, Safakas treasures engaging and connecting with her students. Her favorite part of teaching is building relationships with her students and watching as they grow throughout the year.
Class of 2021
Nicholas Stochmal
Stochmal earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. He currently teaches chemistry and physics at Wells High School. Stochmal’s time at Loyola taught him the importance of creativity and innovation in all academic endeavors. His favorite thing about teaching is helping his students to connect their interests with class material as it creates a more engaging and motivating experience for learners.
Class of 2022
Matt Zator
Zator earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. Zator currently teaches anatomy and physiology at Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School. As Loyola hopes for all of its students, Zator values curiosity, innovation, and creativity. He enjoys showing his students how lessons in the classroom connect to the world around them.
Scholars Not Pictured
- Katarina Alvarado
- Aaman Arshad
- Kate Bove
- Audrey Brinkers
- Antonio Castillo
- Scarlet Chan
- Cassandra Cowperthwaite
- Adam Davenport
- Emily Dennis
- Isabella DiPaolo
- Dennis Fisher
- Alyssa Hoffman
- Shannon Le
- Maksymilian Malec
- Valerie Nevarez
- Trang Nguyen
- Matea Nikolic
- Kemunto Ondande
- Emily Petersen
- Joseph Remeika
- Bri Saab
- Sarah Wohler
Questions?
Please contact: noycescholars@LUC.edu
Interested in Applying?
Want to learn more about eligibility and application requirements? Visit our Apply page!
Data Nuggets Educator Workshop
June 20, 2024 9am-4pm
Loyola University Chicago’s Lakeshore Campus
*(In-person; 6.5 CPDUs available)
Bringing Authentic Research to the Middle & High School Science Classroom with Data Nuggets Hosts: Data Nuggets Team, Drs. Mike Grillo & Lara Smetana
Calling all middle and high school STEM teachers and teacher educators. Join the developers of Data Nuggets and Loyola University Chicago for an introduction to the Data Nuggets resource collection. Educators will participate in sample learning scenarios as they learn how this resource collection can help teachers incorporate authentic data and graphical analysis in the classroom and develop meaningful research opportunities for their students.
*Registration closes June 14, 2024
Learn More
Check out videos from Noyce Scholars and Fellows to learn more about the great work being done and hear their stories!
Appointments and Events
The School of Education offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better. LEARN MORE.
Interested in Applying?
Want to learn more about eligibility and application requirements? Visit our Apply page!