POMEROY — The emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in rural Ohio is getting a special boost from a scholarship program aimed at encouraging new teachers to pursue math and science education in Appalachia.

Kayla McCarthy, a Meigs High School graduate, and University of Rio Grande student has been named a Robert Noyce Scholar, which entitles her to two years of scholarship support, up to $17,000 each year.

A math education major, McCarthy was one of seven regional students chosen for this prestigious national honor. For each year of accepted funds, the graduates will agree to teach mathematics or science in a high-need, Appalachian school for two years.

“The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program seeks to encourage talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science teachers,” according to the National Science Foundation website (www.nsf.gov).

The scholarship is supported by funds received from the National Science Foundation and is administered by the Southeast Ohio Center for Excellence in Mathematics for Excellence in Mathematics and Science (SEOCEMS).

This is the first year the scholarship is being offered to area students, and SEOCEMS plans to award over 30 more Noyce scholarships over the next three years.

The importance for quality math and science education has been highlighted in numerous forums and research — such as the Ohio Board of Regents Science and Mathematics Education Policy Advisory Council Final Report:

“To attract and retain 21st century businesses — and to create and sustain high-skill, high-wage jobs — Ohio must meet its talent challenge. It must produce more workers with advanced knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — the so-called STEM disciplines. Not meeting this challenge will have devastating consequences for the state’s economy, just as it will limit Ohioans’ opportunities in a fiercely competitive, global economy.”

It’s a need that McCarthy understands: “I think this scholarship is going to financially help a lot of people wanting to be a teacher,” she said. “I enjoy working with kids, and I enjoy math. So I hope I can help kids learn to enjoy math too.”

Dr. Robert Noyce was one of the very first scientists to work in the silicon valley, inventing the integrated circuit computer chip in 1959, one of the stepping stones along the way to the microprocessors in today’s computers. It was only natural that a scholarship be created in his name in an effort to further support for up-and-coming STEM teachers.

SEOCEMS was established in 2003 to meet the diverse needs of southeast Ohio’s mathematics and science educators and their students, and is a partnership of Ohio University, the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College, Shawnee State University and the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools. SEOCEMS has been active in supporting mathematics and science teacher education through a variety of programs.

Dr. Barbara Hatfield, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs for the University of Rio Grande, and a former high school math teacher herself, had some words of encouragement for the scholars, “I commend you for choosing to be teachers. The most important thing is that you care about your students and expect them to do well.” Dr. Hatfield spoke to the recipients during their recent orientation. As the first recipients of the Noyce Scholarship, “we have great expectations for you.”

Students interested in scholarships for next year should contact Al Cote with SEOCEMS at 888.258.0118.

For more information about SEOCEMS, please visit the website at www.seocems.org.