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Georgia Intern-Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT)
Founded in
1991 as a program of the Georgia Institute of
Technology's CEISMC, the GIFT program is a paid
4-7 week summer internship for science, mathematics and
technology teachers. GIFT offers teachers real world
applications of the subjects that they teach. Teachers are
exposed to inquiry and problem solving, cutting-edge
scientific research, and data analysis. By offering
business and industry internships and public science
institute and research fellowships, teachers increase
content knowledge and gain practical examples of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics applications for
enriched instruction and teaching practices based on
evidence-based experiences.
Since its
founding, GIFT has placed teachers in more than 1400
positions statewide.
GIFT on YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions About GIFT
When does the GIFT program take place?
Teacher fellowships run from 4 to 7 weeks
during the summer. GIFT follows up with its teachers
during the school year to provide support and oversee
the transfer of the summer experience into the
classroom.
What are the benefits of the GIFT program?
- Sponsor: Sponsors receive an enthusiastic employee who becomes an
advocate for the sponsoring organization. Because teachers transform their summer work experiences into classroom implementation plans, opportunities arise for sponsor involvement in the classroom environment. As a whole, the GIFT experience is dedicated to raising student interest in science,
technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM). Thus, the program helps to shape a more capable STEM workforce for tomorrow, which is of future benefit to the sponsoring organization.
- System: School systems gain teachers who have
experienced STEM applications in contemporary settings. They transfer their experiences and observations to their students. GIFT teachers often take on leadership
positions in their schools and share their experiences
and enthusiasm with colleagues.
- Teacher: The teacher gets to apply
contemporary STEM applications in a workplace environment. The teacher gains opportunities to
network with business mentors, faculty and staff of
higher institutions, and teachers from other school
systems. Teachers feel renewed and confident. Teachers
develop inquiry-based relevant mathematics, science, and
technology lessons for their classrooms.
- Student: Students are motivated to learn more
about science, mathematics, and technology because they
can make the connection of how these topics apply to the
real world. Students have opportunities to learn from business professionals and research scientists.
GIFT believes this exposure for students can lead to
increased interest in the desired fields of study,
higher test scores and graduation rates, and an increase
in qualified applicants for science, mathematics and
technology positions in tomorrow's workforce.
Where does GIFT take place?
GIFT takes place across Georgia, with concentrations in
metro-Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, Augusta, Athens, Tifton
and Albany; plus Georgia Power Plants across the state.
Do teachers receive a
stipend?
Teachers receive $728 per week for their participation in the program, as well as 10 staff
development units, upon completion of all program
requirements. |
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