Rising concern about America’s ability to maintain its competitive position in the global economy has renewed interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The challenge, according to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor Ron Eglash, is that minority students are often disinterested in STEM academics because they do not see its relevance to their own lives and communities. To provide a solution, Eglash has received a U.S. National Science Foundation research grant to support the development of “The Triple Helix” project, which is dedicated to producing “civic scientists.” The grant will fund up to eight graduate fellows from Rensselaer, who will focus on STEM research projects related to community-based issues. These issues including health, the environment, poverty, crime, and information access.Source: PR Newswire