DePauw is Among Six Colleges Awarded $795,000 for Midwest Science Cluster

November 9, 1988

November 9, 1988, Greencastle, Ind. - DePauw University is among six leading colleges and universities that have been awarded a $795,000 grant by The Pew Charitable Trusts for a project to improve undergraduate science education. Collaborating with DePauw are Earlham and Wabash colleges in Indiana and Allegheny College (Pennsylvania), Columbia University (New York) and the University of Rochester (New York).

The six colleges and universities, recognized leaders in science education, were invited by The Pew Charitable Trusts to form the Midwest Science Cluster. They will explore the variety of ways of teaching science to those students who are planning scientific careers, those who are investigating science as a possible choice for an academic major, and those who are entering non-science professions. Each of these student groups has different learning needs. The grant will stimulate the development of new science teaching ideas and courses.

The project, which is supported by a grant of $795,000 to be distributed over three years, will fund curricular conferences, summer and short-term faculty research fellowships, student research associates, traveling scholars, and teaching fellows. It will expand opportunities for undergraduates to participate in research, assist science teachers in learning new research techniques, and promote the exchange of scientific and teaching information.

Out of their cooperation, the institutions will initiate a significant program to prepare the next generation of outstanding liberal arts and science teachers. Newly graduated doctoral students from Columbia University and the University of Rochester will apply for positions combining teaching and research at cluster liberal arts institutions. Master teachers at Allegheny, DePauw, Earlham and Wabash will receive release time to serve as mentors for the teaching fellows.

The Pew Charitable Trusts consist of seven individual charitable funds established between 1948 and 1979 by the sons and daughters of Joseph N. Pew, founder of the Sun Oil Company. The Trusts support nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for people and communities and encouraging personal growth and self-sufficiency. Grants are awarded in the areas of conservation and the environment, culture, education, health and human services, public policy and religion. Five other clusters to improve science education are being supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Wabash College will administer the grant.

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