Applications for the fall semester — due Thursday, July 23 — can be obtained at www.louisianabelieves.com/teaching/continuing-education-opportunities-for-educators.

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A state initiative to provide free college courses to educators will prioritize science, technology, engineering and math teachers.

Program participants will be part of a new group of STEM Fellows created by the Louisiana Board of Regents to promote STEM education.

“Louisiana strives to make STEM education available to all students to help build a workforce and a citizenry fluent in future technologies,” State Superintendent John White said in a news release.

“That will necessitate fully prepared teachers with every opportunity to further their own education.” 

Calcasieu Parish school system STEM initiatives include the Innovation Academy at E.K. Key Elementary School, as well as robotics and computer coding programs available through a partnership with Carnegie Melon University at Sulphur High, Westlake High and College Street Vocational Center.

Alayna Guillory, spokeswoman for the Lake Charles charter schools, said STEM subjects are “fundamental in scholastic success.”

“Science, technology, engineering and math are the future and we must better equip our students for these fields,” Guillory said.

“Our charter schools are collectively focused on this year’s implementation and looks forward to the addition of STEM as a focal graduation pathway.”

Twenty-one seats are available for the 2018-2019 school year, and teachers may enroll at any regionally accredited college or university and some private universities.

Applications for the fall semester — due Thursday, July 23 — can be obtained at www.louisianabelieves.com/teaching/continuing-education-opportunities-for-educators.