Texas Tech University officials announced Wednesday that a $3 million grant from the foundation will fund a new master's program designed for current middle school math and science teachers. Twenty-two universities across Texas competed for the $3 million award, the largest amount ever granted by the Bryan-based organization.

The new master's program, called Middle School Math and Science (MS)2: Understanding by Design, is an endeavor of the College of Education in collaboration with the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Engineering.

"Improving math and science education is a national imperative," said Wynn Rosser, executive director of the foundation. "Texas Tech University, through a number of impressive programs, is already addressing the issue. Greater Texas Foundation believes the MS2 program is complementary, and we are quite pleased to invest in Texas Tech and our state's science and math teachers."

According to Jennifer Wilhelm, principal investigator on the project, the (MS)2 program will allow teachers from throughout Texas to pursue the distinctive master's degree at a distance, with minimal on-campus requirements, over a three-year period. The first cohort will begin the course of study in the fall of 2009.

"This program is unique in that it aims to improve instruction for teachers who serve underserved student populations as well as provide opportunities for math and science teachers to accomplish several other goals," Wilhelm said.

The grant will provide up to 100 participating teachers with a laptop computer and pay tuition and fees, as well as their housing during their face-to-face summer coursework.

"We believe in the importance of having high-quality teachers in our state's classrooms; MS2 is perfectly designed to address this need," Rosser said.

Key project members include Zenaida Aguirre-Muñoz and Rebecca Ortiz from the College of Education, Mary Baker from the College of Engineering; and Dom Casadonte, Jerry Dwyer, David Lamp, Mark McGinley from the College of Art & Sciences.

Teachers interested in participating in the program should contact Wilhelm at 806-742-1997 ext. 229 or e-mail her at jennifer.wilhelm@ttu.edu.