GIFT is a professional development program for Georgia K-12 teachers which provides STEM internships in university research labs, industry, and informal science educational institutions. GIFT, created in 1991, is managed statewide by Georgia Tech's Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC). GIFT internships are supported by local partnerships throughout Georgia.
GIFT is designed to:
- Immerse teachers in workplace integrated learning;
- Enhance Fellows' mathematics, science, engineering and/or technology skills, content knowledge, and abilities;
- Foster teaching based on inquiry, problem solving and real-world relevance; and
- Foster an increase in student inquiry skills and positive attitudes toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
All GIFT experiences share the following core components:
- A mentored and paid summer internship experience in science, mathematics, engineering or technology research and applications;
- Real world context and experiences to build innovative, relevant curricula for use in the classroom, and to promote career awareness for students; and
- Summer and school year professional development meetings, workshops, discussion groups and networking opportunities.
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New teacher fellowship in Thomasville brings real-world manufacturing job skills into the classroom
The K-12 InVenture Prize has established a new GIFT partnership with metal stamping and tool and die manufacturer Check-Mate Industries, Inc. in Thomasville. These fellowships are funded by the Georgia Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Corridor (Georgia AIM) grant.
CEISMC high school internship program celebrates 20 years
For the last two decades, close to 500 high school students have participated in the R.E.A.L. Program, an initiative of GIFT. The students, identified and invited by their respective teachers selected for GIFT, conduct research in university labs with them. Vincent Batts and Lauren Russell describe their experiences as past participants.
