Georgia Intern-Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT)
Founded in
1991 as a program of the Georgia Institute of
Technology's Center for Education Integrating Science,
Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC), the Georgia
Intern-Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT) program is a paid
4-7 week summer internship for science, mathematics and
technology teachers. GIFT offers teachers real world
immersion into the disciplines they teach, letting them
experience firsthand the connections between classroom
activities and real work applications. 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 for
enriched instruction and teaching practices based on
evidence based experiences.
Since its
founding, GIFT has placed teachers in more than
1400
positions statewide.
Meet GIFT Program Manager Bonnie
Harris on YouTube:
GIFT
2008 Greeting.
See also a detailed video summary of the 2008 GIFT summer experience.
2009 Teacher Application:
We are happy to announce that the
GIFT 2009 Teacher Application is
now available.
Click Here to Apply
Frequently Asked Questions About GIFT
When does the GIFT program take place?
The teacher fellowships run from six to eight 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: Through sponsor participation,
the teacher has the opportunity to experience the
application of science, mathematics, and computing in
"real world" inquiry, problem solving and reasoning. The
teacher then develops an implementation plan for
integrating new perspectives, knowledge, and insights
gained from the fellowship experience into the classroom
to stimulate student interest in science, mathematics,
and computing. The increased level of student interest
can lead to sponsor involvement in the classroom,
student internships with sponsors, and ultimately
enhanced employment opportunities. By participating,
sponsors receive an enthusiastic employee who becomes an
advocate for the sponsoring organization while making a
contribution to the organization by delivering a sound
product.
System: School systems gain teachers who have
experienced real work applications of math, science and
technology. These teachers share their experiences with
students through the development of inquiry-based
activities. GIFT teachers often take on leadership
positions in their schools and share these experiences
and their enthusiasm with colleagues and students.
Teacher: 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; and
develop inquiry-based relevant mathematics, science, and
technology lessons in 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 communicate
with 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 the 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.
|
