This project is awarding scholarships to forty junior and senior students who are pursuing science or mathematics degrees and who simultaneously enroll in a teacher certification program. The scholars will be credentialed to teach secondary math or science upon graduation. The project is a cooperative effort between the university, its main feeder community colleges - Bakersfield College and Antelope Valley College - and the largest high school district in California, Kern High School District. Scholars are being supported through a number of proven strategies, including mentoring, targeted advising, and induction support. Internships are also being offered to seven first-year and second-year students to participate in summer programs or to work with a local museum. The project is being rigorously assessed to determine the effectiveness of the recruitment and retention strategies and to determine the impact of the program on the scholars' content knowledge, instructional practices, and attitudes about teaching and learning.
