The Northrop Grumman Foundation Earthwatch Educator Program
Fellowship Overview
The Northrop Grumman Foundation has partnered with Earthwatch Institute to develop an innovative environmental education program for teachers. Educators from Northrop Grumman communities across the country will have the opportunity to participate in an Earthwatch expedition focused on climate change or oceans preservation. This is an invaluable experience intended to be transferred to the classroom and shared with students year after year.
There is a growing concern regarding the declining number of students in the United States entering science, technology, engineering and mathematic careers. One way to reverse that trend is to make science and math fascinating and applicable for students. To accomplish that goal, The Northrop Grumman Foundation is helping Earthwatch to provide educators with a hands-on professional development opportunity, which will ultimately impact students' math and science education and help create our next generation of environmental ambassadors.
2011 Fellowship Eligibility
All Middle School teachers (grades 6-8) from Northrop Grumman communities are eligible. The fellowship covers all costs associated with the research, food and accommodations. Travel to and from the site is covered by the fellow. Upon completing all fellowship requirements, fellows will be awarded a travel reimbursement of up to $850.00 for travel to and from the site. This stipend will cover the majority if not all of the travel costs to and from the research site. Details for the fellowship requirements can be found on Earthwatch’s Fellowship Obligations page. Educators from year-round schools will need to secure vacation and substitute teacher time before applying for the fellowship. Educators who have participated in Northrop Grumman Foundation’s Weightless Flight of Discovery program in either 2009 or 2010 or teachers who participated in the 2009 and 2010 Northrop Grumman Foundation Space Academy for Educators are not eligible to apply for the Earthwatch fellowship.
Expeditions
Excited yet? Here is an overview of the expeditions:
- Coastal Ecology of the Bahamas
Help save the beaches and reefs of the Bahamas
Dates: 6/27 – 7/8, 2011 - Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge
Help monitor the Arctic's vast stores of greenhouse gasses
Dates: 6/19 – 6/29, 2011 - 2011 Earthwatch Fellowship overview flyer (PDF)
Application and Awards Process
Earthwatch awards Educator Fellowships through a competitive application process. The applicant's geographic region, potential contribution to the research, and follow-up curriculum plans are all taken into consideration. Criteria used to assign fellows to expeditions include interests, skills, and availability, along with project need. Contact us directly with any specific questions regarding our review process at: FellowshipAwards@earthwatch.org
Fellowships applications should be submitted by February 4, 2011. Those applications will be considered for expeditions fielding in the summer of 2011. Fellowship applicants will be considered for ALL opportunities for which they are eligible; there is no need to submit multiple applications to Earthwatch. Please keep in mind that you may receive a fellowship only twice, typically from a different funding source and it cannot be in consecutive years. You are not eligible for a fellowship if you have already reserved a seat on an expedition.