The University of Findlay has been selected as the recipient of a $637,500 Ohio Core Support grant from the Ohio Department of Education. This grant will be used to prepare 60 college graduates to become licensed high school science teachers. The grant award will cover tuition expenses, leaving each student responsible only for fees and books. This is the second year that The University of Findlay has received this grant.

Click here to hear comments from participants in the first BeST cohort.



Project BeST (Building Excellent Science Teachers) is an accelerated one-year teacher preparation program designed by The University of Findlay in response to a need for additional teachers in math, science and foreign languages in Ohio.

UF faculty members Alice Anderson, Ed.D., dean of the College of Education, and Judith Wahrman, Ph.D., associate professor of education and director of graduate outreach and partnerships, developed the program and submitted the grant proposal.

Project BeST aims to develop life science and integrated science teachers who will be prepared to work effectively with culturally diverse students and families, utilizing state-of-the-art science practices. During each of the next two years, the program will recruit cohorts of 30 college graduates, both teachers and other mid-career professionals, who have a desire to teach science to adolescent students.

The program will be conducted through eight courses (24 semester hours) on a trimester framework. Participants will take two courses at a time, allowing them to earn 24 semester hours over four sessions in 12 months.

The program is designed to accommodate those who work during the day. Each course will be 90 percent online, with monthly face-to-face sessions scheduled on Saturdays. Participants will also need to log 90 hours of field experiences during the year.

In addition, there will be an intensive one-week, face-to-face institute on campus July 21-25, 2008, that culminates in participants developing a web-based science laboratory demonstration. Graduates of the program will be required to complete the appropriate testing requirements to become a fully licensed teacher.

Application materials for those who wish to participate in Project BEST may be obtained by e-mailing rossman@findlay.edu or calling 419-434-4512.

Completed forms must be received by Sept. 4, 2007. All selected candidates will be required to attend an orientation session Saturday, Sept. 15, at The University of Findlay.