Starting this fall, Towson will become the 30th campus to host the UTeach program, a 15-year-old program designed to increase the number of math and science teachers.

Originating at the University of Texas in Austin, the UTeach program offers financial incentives for those in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs on college campuses.

UTeach reaches out to current STEM students by offering a free one-credit course to introduce them to teaching skills and allow for opportunities to join with mentors at local schools for hands-on experience.

“It’s a great idea,” senior sports management major Ashley Nalley said. “I think a lot of students often push aside the idea of teaching because they don’t have any exposure to what it actually entails.”

Towson will be receiving $1.33 million from the Maryland State Department of Education and $680,000 from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation along with $300,000 a year from the state university system to maintain operations.

A one-credit course is low-stress, according to the Dean of the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics David Vanko.

“The program is big into science and math majors thinking about teaching when they might not necessarily be thinking about it,” he said.

While Towson already produces more teachers than any other state school, the goal for the program is to increase the number of teachers by 250 by the year 2016.

“It will take several years to build up the curriculum and hire new faculty members,” Vanko said. “The plan is four or five years down the road we’ll be in full swing.”

Four more information about STEM programs and scholarships, visit the Fisher College of Math and Sciences website  at  towson.edu/fcsm/community_engagement.