The Science Olympiad USA Foundation, Oklahoma Science Olympiad, Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) proudly announced a partnership supporting the Science Olympiad Diverse Teachers Initiative (DTI), a grant program aimed at recruiting and retaining more young people in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teaching careers. Each fall from 2023-2025, we recruited a new class of up to five young educators. This cohort has now closed.
Juniors in the OSUTeach and UCO teaching programs from minoritized or marginalized populations, including first generation, LGBTQIA+, or women in certain underrepresented disciplines (e.g., physical sciences), were invited to apply to the DTI cohort.
Through a partnership between the OSU College of Education and Human Sciences, the OSU College of Arts and Sciences, University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma Science Olympiad, students received mentoring from experienced Science Olympiad coaches, in-depth professional development from state Science Olympiad officials, and were introduced to a peer network of Science Olympiad educators and subject-matter volunteers from academia and industry. Each student chosen to be in the cohort received a $5,000 tuition grant, paid in two segments as scholarships. Upon graduation, students in the Science Olympiad DTI cohort will be encouraged and incentivized to teach in a secondary education classroom, but it is not required.
Program Summary
What’s expected? About 40 hours of engagement each academic year, or more than $50/hr.! You’ll have a hello Zoom with OSU, Oklahoma Science Olympiad and Science Olympiad folks, and be expected to keep in touch via email, and answer a closing survey.
Year 1: You’ll be introduced to a local Oklahoma Science Olympiad team and coach, attend some practices and/or tournaments, receive the Science Olympiad Coaching Program Curriculum and receive professional development from Science Olympiad and Oklahoma Science Olympiad.
Year 2: You’ll attend the Oklahoma Science Olympiad Fall Coaching workshop, be assigned a mentor teacher with Science Olympiad experience, commit to 10 hours of assistant coaching hours for a Science Olympiad team, utilize the Coaching Program, and volunteer at a Science Olympiad event or tournament.
The Science Olympiad USA Foundation is a 509a3 nonprofit organization dedicated to carrying out the charitable, educational and scientific purposes of Science Olympiad, Inc.
Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. Through leadership and service, OSU improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation and the world. Built on the value of high-quality teaching, research and outreach, OSU gives students the resources and education they need to make a difference in the world.
University of Central Oklahoma is the home of Oklahoma Science Olympiad and one of the premier teaching colleges in the state. Since 2013 UCO has hosted the Oklahoma Science Olympiad State Tournament.
