Leaders in education and industry agree on this much: To better prepare students for the careers of the future, a solid foundation in science and engineering is vital in the United States.
And with Texas educating more than 5.5 million public school students — more than 11% of the nation’s total — there’s a real chance to vastly improve STEM education nationwide.
To that end in North Texas, grants of various sizes will help teachers improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics lessons.
SMU leads
One of the bigger awards — a $5 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation — is fueling an SMU initiative to enhance how science and engineering are taught in Texas elementary and middle schools, the university announced in a press release.
“By investing in teachers’ professional growth and leadership, we aim to both improve instruction and increase teacher retention, which is a critical need in Texas,” said the project’s lead, Jeanna Wieselmann, an assistant professor of STEM Education at SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development.
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The 5-year grant will be used to recruit a select group of outstanding teachers into a Texas STEM Teacher Corps, provide them with professional learning and leadership opportunities, and connect them with other teachers across the state and country.
“Through this project, about 100 teachers will directly participate, and we estimate more than 12,000 students will benefit from improved instruction during the 5-year project,” said Wieselmann. “That number will grow each year as these teachers continue in their careers and share what they’ve learned with colleagues.”
Co-researchers Anthony Petrosino, professor in the Simmons School, and Janille Smith-Colin, an associate professor at SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering, will assist Wieselmann.
Three colleagues at Tarleton State University will also be helping with the educational programs, along with SMU graduate students.
Less than 10% of U.S. elementary and middle school teachers have ever taken a college course in engineering, and most reported feeling unprepared to teach engineering, according to a 2018 study.
In Texas, the challenge is compounded by high teacher attrition. In the past year, the Texas Education Agency reported that more than 12% of teachers left the profession, compared to roughly 8% nationwide.
SMU is looking to turn that around by building strong teacher support.
TI and JLD
Leaders in industry and the nonprofit sector are also supporting teachers.
For example, the Junior League of Dallas (JLD) through its Grants for Innovative Teaching program has awarded $2.27 million to Dallas ISD educators through the years —including $77,400 in the fall of 2025.
Donors including Texas Instruments (Presenting Sponsor) and The Agnes Cluthe Oliver Foundation made possible the awards of $2,500 each for 33 Dallas ISD educators, JLD announced in a press release.
The recipients included Ward Coates, whose Thomas Jefferson High School students are researching key protein complexes critical for pancreas formation. This interdisciplinary project combines biology, computer science, and engineering.
“No other classroom factor influences student academic achievement more significantly than teachers,” said Andy Smith, TI director of giving and volunteering. “They not only act as mentors and advocates for their students but also equip them with skills for future achievements.”
