Are you an HPU STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) major interested in pursuing a career in education? HPU’s Project SHAKA offers an exciting opportunity for you, providing financial support and hands-on experience in your STEM education career.
Thanks to a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, eligible HPU students and recent graduates can receive up to $18,500 per year in scholarships to develop the skills needed for a successful career in teaching STEM education.
Project SHAKA—short for STEM High-Achieving Kumu Akamai—represents both excellence in STEM education and a strong connection to Hawai‘i. The program addresses the shortage of qualified STEM educators by preparing motivated STEM majors with the pedagogical training and classroom experience needed to teach at the secondary level.
Project SHAKA is open to HPU juniors, seniors, and recent graduates with a STEM major who have a strong interest in teaching. Selected participants will become part of a network of future STEM educators dedicated to improving science and mathematics education.
Noyce Scholars Benefits:
- Up to $18,500 per year in scholarship funding
- Monthly professional development sessions featuring guest speakers and workshops
- A one-year post-baccalaureate teacher training program
- A science teaching internship at a local secondary school to gain real-world experience
Application Process:
To apply, click on this link to begin the process.
Students will be invited to an informational session in March 2025, where program administrators will explain the application procedures and eligibility requirements.
Applications will be reviewed in April 2025, with selected scholars notified by the end of the month. Scholarship funding and program participation will begin in Fall 2025.
For more information on eligibility and the application process, contact HPU Assistant Professor Eugene Guillian, Ph.D., at eguillian@hpu.edu.
