The Belin Blank Center at the University of Iowa College of Education has received two grants to enhance the STEM Excellence and Leadership (SEAL) program, which focuses on math and science education for high-ability rural students.  

The National Science Foundation awarded the Belin-Blank Center a grant of $1.9 million to study the academic outcomes of the  SEAL program, which is currently offered in 10 rural Iowa schools. The award starts July 15, 2017 and ends June 30, 2021.

The center will also receive a two-year, $200,000 grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to expand the SEAL program to more rural schools across Iowa. The program offers students rigorous math and science enrichment classes before and after school. The expanded program will serve more than 600 students each year.

“SEAL is about opening doors to advanced learning and enhanced aspirations,” says Susan Assouline, director of the Belin-Blank Center. “By opening the door to more students and their teachers, we offer service that will impact them in high school and beyond.”