2 Education Students Win Prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

Two graduate students in the NC State College of Education won prestigious Graduate Research Fellowships from the National Science Foundation.

The students’ names, area of study, and titles of the research proposals they submitted to NSF follow:

• Stephen Gibson, a master’s student in educational psychology for “The Experiences of African American STEM Majors at HBCUs: The Role of Belonging.” His research project will explore how media consumption and sense of racial identity impacts the sense of belonging by African American college students enrolled in STEM education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). “The NSF GRFP is a humbling honor,” he says. “I was at a loss for words when I received notification of my acceptance. This is an amazing fellowship that can be a big launching pad for my academic career.”

• Danielle Scharen, a May 2019 graduate of the master’s in elementary education science specialist program for “Reading Engagement and Discovery Science (READS): Structure of Elementary Science Instruction and Relation to Student Outcomes.” Her research will identify how teachers are navigating district-imposed practices of incorporating literacy and science instruction, as well as identify how science instructional practices relate to student achievement in science and literacy. “I intend to use this fellowship as a stepping stone to draw support and attention to the needs of science and STEM education,” she said. “I am honored to be able to represent the College of Education and this award proves how hard-working and supportive the faculty and staff are. I credit them for creating an environment in which I feel successful, challenged and supported.” She will begin the Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences’ program of areas in study in elementary sciences this fall.

The fellowship program recognizes outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees.

Fellows benefit from an annual stipend of $34,000 for three years, a $12,000 allowance for tuition and fees, opportunities for international research and professional development, and the freedom to conduct their own research.