The Arkansas STRIVE program, based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock campus, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. About 725 teachers have participated in the program, including 13 this year.

STRIVE is a statewide summer professional development initiative for secondary school teachers in science, mathematics, and computer disciplines.

The program places teachers on projects with public and private sector organizations, so the teachers experience how their disciplines are used outside the classroom. They get to observe organizations conducting research, solving problems, or developing new products. Teachers work full time for their host organization for eight weeks.

STRIVE also promotes inquiry-based and problem-based teaching through workshops and lesson plan development.

Through this program, teachers bring back real-world experiences to their classroom. They receive a $4,500 stipend and 60 professional development hours for participating.

On July 31, STRIVE honored its 2015 participants and mentors with a recognition luncheon for participants and their mentors. The two-day conference included oral project presentations by teachers and a keynote speaker, Rob Nankervis, GED teacher for the Arkansas Correctional School District. Nankervis spoke of techniques he uses to motivate and teach a challenging population of students.

STRIVE gets its funding from the state Legislature, with UALR serving as the central office. Program directors and UALR professors Dr. Janet Lanza and Dr. Jim Winter have both been involved with STRIVE for nearly 20 years.

“It is really amazing how much teachers accomplish in eight weeks on their projects and the great results that they obtain,” Winter said.

Note: Image features Brandi Culp from Hamburg Middle School measuring a tree at the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge as part of a study to improve wildlife habitat.