SPS Future Teacher Scholarship

The purpose of the Society of Physics Students scholarship program is to encourage the study of physics and the pursuit of high scholarship. The SPS Future Teacher Scholarship is presented annually to an SPS member who is participating in a teacher education program and who plans to pursue a career in physics education.

Scholarship at a Glance

• One $2500 award may be made each year
• Awarded to undergraduate students on the basis of scholarship, SPS participation, and teaching experiences and ambitions

Eligibility

• Applicants must be undergraduate members of the SPS national organization
• Applicants must be participating in a teacher education program
• Students who expect to complete their bachelor's degree in physics in the spring or summer following the March 15 deadline are not eligible

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete an online application no later than March 15 (if this date falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday). The online system will guide applicants through completing the individual steps of the application process listed below, including requesting letters of recommendation. All pieces of the application must be in by the deadline in order to be considered for the scholarship.

The application consists of several parts:

• General information form
• Transcript: An official, current transcript must be sent directly to the SPS Scholarship Program by the applicant’s college or university. 
• Outline of the physics and related courses the applicant has taken and plans to take
• Written statement of the applicant’s career objectives, including experiences and ambitions with regard to teaching physics
• Written statement of the applicant’s participation in SPS activities
• Written statement from the applicant's SPS Advisor certifying the applicant's participation in a teacher education program
• Certification from the Department Chair that the applicant is in good standing with the department and making satisfactory progress toward the degree
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty members familiar with the applicant and his or her qualifications. The recommenders should comment on the applicant in light of each of the three criteria:
  • high scholarship performance both in physics and overall studies,
  • the exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics, and
  • active participation in SPS programs.

Selection Criteria

In determining the recipients, the SPS Scholarship Committee shall consider the applicant's teaching experiences and ambitions, and the following criteria:

1. high scholarship performance both in physics and overall studies,
2. the exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics, and
3. active participation in SPS programs.