SCIENCE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS

Whether you're passionate about physics, chemistry, biology, Earth science, computer science, or any other scientific discipline, there are numerous science education scholarships available to start applying your skills within the K-12 classroom.

Science teachers play an important role in helping bring science alive in the school community through hands-on experiments, exciting field trips, science fairs, and research competitions. Since many of the highest paid and most in-demand professions of the 21st century revolve around science, there's a large demand for aspiring educators to focus their teaching skills in STEM subjects to ensure the health of our economy's future. In fact, statistics report that jobs related to science, engineering, technology, and math will grow rapidly by 17 percent before 2025!

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Below we've provided details on 20 great scholarships for science education that can be used to cover training costs for future science teachers.

1. AFCEA STEM Teacher Scholarships

Deadline: May 1st

With generous contributions from Booz Allen Hamilton, the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) has created the STEM Teacher Scholarships to award $5,000 to graduate students who are actively pursuing a master's degree or credential/licensure for teaching science, technology, engineering, and/or math. Eligible STEM scholarship candidates must be U.S. citizens, attend an accredited on-campus program, have a declared major in secondary education for teaching STEM subjects, carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.5, and be currently in their second semester. Applications must include a current official transcript and at least two letters of recommendation from education faculty.

Contact

AFCEA STEM Teacher Scholarships
4400 Fair Lakes Court
Fairfax, VA 22033
(800) 336-4583

2. Barbara Lotze Scholarships for Future Teachers

Deadline: December 1st

Sponsored by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), the Barbara Lotze Scholarships for Future Teachers are granted annually for $2,000 to outstanding undergraduate students who are enrolled in or planning to enroll in a physics teacher preparation program. Qualified candidates must be accepted at an accredited two or four-year college, have U.S. citizenship, wish to pursue a career in teaching high school physics, and show promise for success in their education studies on official transcripts. Recipients will also be given a complimentary one-year AAPT Student Membership and attend the AAPT Winter Meeting.

Contact

Barbara Lotze Scholarships for Future Teachers
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 209-3311

Scholarship Link

3. Calvin Secondary Science Education Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st

Created in memory of an alumni member's two deceased grand babies, Megan and Chiai, the Calvin Secondary Science Education Scholarship is designed to provide $2,400 in financial support to an undergraduate student at Calvin College who is planning to teach biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, geology, environmental science, integrated science, or physics. Eligible applicants must be enrolling full-time, have attained at least sophomore-level status, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, show some evidence of financial need, and be committed to a career teaching science in secondary schools. Students may also qualify for Calvin's Veltkamp Secondary Science Education Scholarship.

Contact

Calvin Secondary Science Education Scholarship
1740 Knollcrest Circle SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 526-6200

Scholarship Link

4. Edwards Lifesciences Scholarship Program

Deadline: June 18th

Annually, the Edwards Lifesciences Scholarship Program is hosted to distribute $2,500 for up to 10 current graduating high school seniors in Orange County, CA or Salt Lake County, UT who are planning to continue their studies in college with a major in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM), including science education. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, plan to enroll full-time at an accredited university, exhibit financial need, and carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Selection will be based on applicants' academic achievement, leadership potential, participation in extra-curricular activities, work experience, and future STEM aspirations.

Contact

Edwards Lifesciences Scholarship Program
One Scholarship Way
Saint Peter, MN 56082
(507) 931-1682

Scholarship Link

5. Frank Pennington Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: February 15th

In honor of the former chemistry professor and Dean of the College of Natural Sciences from 1969 to 1977, the Frank Pennington Memorial Scholarship is presented annually for up to $5,000 through the Center for Mathematics and Science Education at California State University - Chico. Qualified applicants must be accepted into the teaching credential program for math or science, carry a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.5, be committed to the teaching profession, and show potential for making a difference as high school science or math teachers.

Contact

Frank Pennington Memorial Scholarship
Holt Hall Room 101
Chico, CA 95929
(530) 898-4322

Scholarship Link

6. Genzyme Biotechnology College Scholarship

Deadline: May 15th

With the goal of supporting America's science education, the Genzyme Biotechnology College Scholarship was founded to award $1,000 to $10,000 to two graduating high school seniors and current college students who are pursuing degrees to teach in the life sciences or engineering, including biology, chemistry, microbiology, and health sciences. Qualified candidates must have resided in Allston or Brighton for the past three years, be accepted into an accredited four-year university, and demonstrate academic promise. Along with the application, students must submit a list of their extra-curricular activities, official academic transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, two letters of recommendation, and a personal essay.

Contact

Genzyme Biotechnology College Scholarship
500 Kendall Street
Cambridge, MA 02142

Scholarship Link

7. Grace Ohrtman Endowed Scholarship

Deadline: February 15th

At the University of Northern Iowa, the Science Education Department delivers the Grace Ohrtman Endowed Scholarship annually for approximately $2,000 to two science teaching majors who have chosen a concentration in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, earth science, or physics education. To qualify, candidates must demonstrate financial need, attend UNI full-time, intend to teach in Iowa for at least three years upon graduation, be committed to science education, and carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Completed applications must include a statement of teaching goals, a FAFSA form, and two faculty references.

Contact

Grace Ohrtman Endowed Scholarship
McCollum Science Hall Room 153
Cedar Falls, IA 50614
(319) 273-6049

Scholarship Link

8. Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

In the amount of $6,000 for full-time study or $3,000 for part-time study, the Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship is awarded by the American Chemistry Society (ACS) to professionals in the chemistry field who are pursuing a master's degree in education. Eligible applicants must have a bachelor's degree related to chemistry, possess at least one year of full-time work experience in a chemistry profession, be accepted into an accredited graduate teacher certification program, have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and plan to work as a secondary chemistry or science teacher.

Contact

Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship
1155 Sixteenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(800) 227-5558 ext. 8178

Scholarship Link

9. Hardwood Forest Foundation Educator Scholarship

Deadline: January 31st

Each year, the Hardwood Forest Foundation offers the Educator Scholarship to provide up to $2,000 to college students currently enrolled in an accredited bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree program for science teacher education in the United States.

RELATED: Top 10 Cheap Master's in Science Education Online Degree Programs

Qualified candidates must be entering their senior year or graduate studies, have financial need to afford college costs, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, be interested in teaching conversation or sustainability, and wish to boost youth's knowledge on the forestry industry. Applicants must write a 40-word statement telling why they deserve this scholarship opportunity.

Contact

Hardwood Forest Foundation Educator Scholarship
P.O. Box 24518
Memphis, TN 38184
(901) 399-7555

Scholarship Link

10. Knowles Science Teaching Fellowships

Deadline: October 29th

Since the program's inception in 2002, the Knowles Science Teaching Fellowships have been providing up to $10,000 in tuition support to young teachers who have recently earned a bachelor's or graduate degree in science, engineering, and math from accredited institutions in America. Eligible recipients must be committed to teaching high school science or math, possess good content knowledge, have no more than one year of full-time teaching experience, already have valid state teaching licensure, and exhibit teacher leadership potential. Fellows will be given monthly stipends and benefit from receiving one-on-one mentoring with experienced STEM teachers.

Contact

Knowles Science Teaching Fellowships
1000 North Church Street
Moorestown, NJ 08057
(856) 608-0001

Scholarship Link

11. Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award

Deadline: November 30th

Administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award is given each year for $1,000 for up to 25 young K-12 teachers in their first five years of full-time teaching who have shown exemplary use of science education in their classrooms. For consideration, teachers must be NSTA members in good standing, have been active in association activities for at least two years, submit a letter of support from a mentor or supervisor, and write a 750-word narrative describing their professional development goals. All recipients will also be invited to attend the NSTA Annual Conference.

Contact

Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award
1840 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 243-7100

Scholarship Link

12. McCarthy Science Teacher Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

Established by Denise and Gregory J. McCarthy within the Center for Science and Mathematics Education (CSME) at North Dakota State University, the McCarthy Science Teacher Scholarship is presented annually for $500 to two undergraduate students. Qualified students must be enrolled full-time in a bachelor's degree program for physical or earth science, be pursuing certification for a secondary science teaching profession, and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Recipients are chosen by a faculty committee based on academic achievement, science education goals, teaching experience, and financial need.

Contact

McCarthy Science Teacher Scholarship
P.O. Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108
(701) 231-5323

Scholarship Link

13. Missouri Minority Teaching Scholarship

Deadline: June 1st

Through the Missouri Department of Higher Education, the Minority Teaching Scholarship is granted for up to $3,000 per academic year to African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American students who are accepted into an approved math or science teacher preparation program. Eligible candidates must be enrolled full-time at a participating university in Missouri, rank in the top 25 percent of their class, reside in Missouri, have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and carry a minimum overall GPA of 2.5. Recipients will be obligated to teach science or mathematics for five years full-time in a Missouri public school.

Contact

Missouri Minority Teaching Scholarship
P.O. Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(800) 473-6757

Scholarship Link

14. NAGT-FWS Geoscience Teaching Scholarships

Deadline: February 14th

Within the Far Western Section of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT-FWS), there are three Geoscience Teaching Scholarships offered for $750 apiece to academically superior college students who are currently accepted or enrolled full-time in an accredited university within Hawaii, Nevada, or California with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Qualified applicants must be high school seniors, current undergraduates, or graduate students with a commitment to using their geology training to teach geosciences in secondary schools. Applications must include official transcripts, two instructor evaluation forms, and three 150-word question responses.

Contact

NAGT-FWS Geoscience Teaching Scholarships
6650 Inglewood Avenue
Stockton, CA 95207

15. Oklahoma Future Teachers Scholarship Program

Deadline: Varies

Administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE), the Future Teachers Scholarship Program is designed to provide up to $1,500 per academic year to students who are preparing to teach in critical shortage areas, including science education. Eligible candidates must reside in Oklahoma, rank in the top 15 percent of their class, be enrolled in an accredited education program at an in-state institution, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and have potential for classroom success. Recipients must agree to teach at least three consecutive years full-time in Oklahoma public school districts.

Contact

Oklahoma Future Teachers Scholarship Program
655 Research Parkway Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
(800) 858-1840

Scholarship Link

16. Paul E. Klinge Science Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

At the University of Indiana at Bloomington, the School of Education has established the Paul E. Klinge Science Scholarship to deliver $2,000 to $4,000 annually in honor of a beloved high school biology teacher who had a keen interested in furthering career preparation in science and health education. Qualified students must have completed their sophomore year, be committed to a career in science teaching, carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, and exhibit financial need. Selection will be based on candidates' academic purpose, previous academic record, professional teaching experiences, letters of recommendation, and future promise.

Contact

Paul E. Klinge Science Scholarship
201 North Rose Avenue Suite 1000
Bloomington, IN 47405
(812) 856-8578

Scholarship Link

17. Robert Noyce Scholarship in Science

Deadline: April 29th

On an annual basis, the Robert Noyce Scholarship in Science is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide multiple awards for up to $20,000 each to outstanding junior and senior-level undergraduate students who are completing bachelor's degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics to become K-12 STEM teachers in America. Interested students must submit an application, official college transcripts, two recommendations, and a maximum three-page personal essay. Recipients are expected to spend at least two years full-time teaching science in high-need school districts for each year of funding.

Contact

Robert Noyce Scholarship in Science
4201 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22230
(703) 292-2109

Scholarship Link

18. SPS Future Teacher Scholarship

Deadline: February 17th

As part of the Society of Physics Students (SPS), the Future Teacher Scholarship is presented annually for $2,000 to one deserving undergraduate student who is currently enrolled full-time in a participating teacher education program with the goal of pursuing a career as a high school physics teacher. Qualified individuals must have SPS national membership, attend an accredited U.S. institution, and be completing a bachelor's degree in physics or physics education. Students must submit official transcripts, certification from their department chair, two letters of recommendation, a written statement from their SPS advisor, and a personal essay.

Contact

SPS Future Teacher Scholarship
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 209-3007

Scholarship Link

19. Thermo Scientific Pierce Scholarships

Deadline: July 27th

Every year, the Thermo Scientific Pierce Scholarships are granted for $5,000 and $10,000 to six exemplary college students who are currently enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students to receive a major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, science education, or a related life science field. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, attend an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution, exhibit financial need, and show promise as a leader of the future generation of scientists. Completed applications should include college transcripts, two letters of recommendations, a scientific project sample, and a current resume.

Contact

Thermo Scientific Pierce Scholarships
3747 North Meridian Road
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 968-0747

Scholarship Link

20. WSTA Science Leadership Scholarship

Deadline: May 13th

Sponsored by the Washington Science Teachers Association (WSTA), the Science Leadership Scholarship is granted annually for up to $2,000 to defray tuition or certification program costs for individuals who intend to become certified in secondary science education or in elementary education with a concentration in science. Preference will be given to aspiring science teachers of underrepresented groups, including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and women. Qualified pre-service teachers must submit a completed application with unofficial transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and an outline of their future certification objectives.

Contact

WSTA Science Leadership Scholarship
2911 88th Street SE
Everett, WA 98208
(425) 337-5552

Scholarship Link

If you're committed to inspiring young people to become the future generation of scientists, then you'll need to finance at least four to six years in post-secondary schooling first. Although tuition costs continue to skyrocket, there's many scholarships and grants available for aspiring STEM teachers to reduce the amount of student loan debt borrowed. Consider applying to some of these excellent science education scholarships to begin igniting a passion for scientific discovery within our nation's youth.

See also: STEM Scholarship for Women