A generous gift to Oregon State University - Cascades will support the creation of an endowed scholar position within the Master of Arts in Teaching program. The position will accelerate the impact of science education research underway at OSU’s Bend campus, create new research avenues, and seed teacher development in K-12 science instruction.
The $75,000 gift was made by the Roundhouse Foundation, a Sisters, Ore. based foundation, and establishes the Roundhouse Foundation Faculty Scholar of Science Education. The Roundhouse Foundation supports a broad variety of projects in Central Oregon and rural communities in the Northwest, and has supported the OSU-Cascades campus expansion, its net zero initiative and faculty research.
“This generous gift from the Roundhouse Foundation will deepen the already strong connection between OSU-Cascades and our local K-12 classrooms,” said Becky Johnson, vice president of OSU-Cascades. “It is a wonderful example of how an investment in a faculty researcher at OSU-Cascades can have valuable impact throughout our community.”
The scholar position was awarded to Michael Giamellaro, an assistant professor in the graduate teaching program. Giamellaro works with fellow researchers and teaching faculty, student teachers and with partners including the High Desert Museum, Central Oregon Community College, local school districts, Central Oregon STEM Hub, and businesses and non-profits to advance how K-12 teachers teach science, technology, engineering and math.
“Today’s young students need fluency in STEM subjects to solve complex local and global challenges in the future,” said Giamellaro. “I’m grateful to the Roundhouse Foundation for their generous support, and for their vision for improving how teachers engage young people in math and science subjects.”
OSU-Cascades’ MAT program offers degrees in elementary and secondary education, with endorsements in multiple subjects, language arts, science, mathematics, and social studies, as well as coursework to support the professional development of teachers. The MAT program is accredited by NCATE, the national standard for teacher preparation. Nearly 500 students have graduated from the teaching licensure program.
About OSU-Cascades: Oregon State University’s branch campus in Bend, Ore., features outstanding faculty in degree programs that reflect Central Oregon’s vibrant economy and abundant natural resources. Nearly 20 undergraduate majors, 30 minors and options, and four graduate programs include computer science, energy systems engineering, kinesiology, hospitality management, and tourism and outdoor leadership. The branch campus expanded to a four-year university in fall 2015; its new campus opened in fall 2016.