Science Teacher Enhancement Program (STEP)
How to Participate: Teaching Science with TOYS
How to participate if you are an NPRA member company
Sponsor a teacher
The cost for sponsoring a teacher is minimal and is a onetime cost to the company. All fees include travel expenses and a $300 stipend. NPRA covers the cost of the instruction and teaching materials.
How to find a teacher:
- Choose a teacher from one of your company's adopted schools
- Request the NPRA teacher signup sheet to choose a teacher in your area. (NPRA maintains a list of teachers that have requested sponsors)
- Contact the local school board to help generate interest
- Insert an item on STEP in your company newsletter. This has generated a lot of interest from employees.
Sponsor a session
Each year, we need two companies to volunteer to sponsor a session. This commitment requires providing a space from Monday thru Friday, with room to accommodate 24 teachers and 2 instructors and room for experiments. Session sponsors also provide breakfast and lunch for the class for the 5 days. The session may be held in any location but must have access to a refrigerator, freezer and running water. In the past several years, the sessions have been held at company headquarters, training facilities and even hotels.
- Provide room space with access to refrigerator, freezer and running water
- Supply breakfast and lunch for 5 days
How to participate if you are a teacher
STEP is open to science teachers grades K-8 who want to make science more fun and more meaningful for their students. NPRA provides the supplies and instructional costs, and (if needed) an NPRA member company will sponsor your travel and lodging. Participants will receive a stipend upon completion of the program. STEP is held annually over the summer with a one day follow up session in January.
For more information, please view our teacher info sheet and enrollment form.
To participate in the next STEP program or for more information, please contact us at info@npra.org