Biology Student Receives $5,000 STEM Award

Stephanie Stranz ’11, a biology secondary education major, was recently awarded a scholarship of $5,000 for undergraduates pursuing a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.

Words by TCNJ's editorial staff

Stephanie Stranz ’11, a biology secondary education major, was recently awarded a scholarship of $5,000 for undergraduates pursuing a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. The award was from the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA), and only about 35 students nationwide receive the competitive scholarship.

Stranz was the only recipient in the state of NJ.

AFCEA International and the AFCEA Educational Foundation today started the scholarship program this year to address the nation’s shortfall in STEM education.
“The best way to get more students interested in a particular field of study is to increase the number of inspired and inspiring teachers working in the field,” said AFCEA Educational Foundation Vice President Fred Rainbow. “The ideal way to achieve this end is by focusing on the young people who are now studying in our country’s universities and colleges in preparation for careers as STEM teachers. There are approximately 171,000 STEM teachers in U.S. middle and secondary schools. On average, each teacher reaches 150 students per year. If an additional 35 teachers each could inspire 150 more students each year with a passion for the sciences, this would translate into 5,250 more students taught by motivated teachers who hopefully will encourage these students to pursue STEM studies and careers.”