| GIFT's History
GIFT was initiated in 1990 by the Georgia
Institute of Technology with the assistance of the
Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education
in Washington, D.C., and the California-based Industry
Initiatives for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering (IISME).
Recognizing the importance of university, business and
industry involvement in K-12 schools, GIFT and similar
programs nationwide evolved in response to declining
student achievement in mathematics and science.
GIFT throughout Georgia:
Since its inception, GIFT has facilitated over 1300 summer
placements, principally in metro-Atlanta, Tifton,
Augusta, Columbus and Macon/Middle Georgia. In addition,
clusters of GIFT summer experiences currently exist in
Middle Georgia (Macon) and in the Columbus region. There
are typically three types of intern-fellowships:
- Business/Management: Work experiences in leading Georgia businesses through corporate sponsorships. Corporate sponsors have included, Bellsouth, EMS Technologies, Georgia Power, Georgia Pacific, GE Energy, IBM, SunTrust, and UPS.
- GIFT Scientific or Technological Research: Experiences in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, bioengineering, materials science and physics.
- Training/Curriculum Development: Work/research and education materials' development in informal science education organizations (science museums and zoos, for example) and public agencies.
Characteristics of the Internship
- $728 per week stipend for teachers in 6 - 8 week program; and up to 10 professional learning units (staff development credits), upon completion of all program requirements.
- Internships are open to middle and high school mathematics, science, and technology teachers. Priority is given to teachers who have taught for two years or more.
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