Renzi Announces Major Math and Science Grant for Diné College

$2.5 million grant will be used to improve math and science studies WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi (AZ-01) announced on January 30 that Diné College will be receiving $2.5 million in federal funds to promote educational studies and career choices in the areas of math and science. The funds, provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF), will be used for a project entitled "Olta'i shohnizingo doo binaanish yaanidiyigo ohoollah: Taking a Math and Science Pathway." "I am very pleased that Dine College will be receiving this important funding to encourage more young people to study math and science," said Congressman Renzi. "Simply put, the United States is not producing enough math and science students, posing a major threat to our global competitiveness. I applaud the NSF for providing Dine College with this grant, and look forward to continuing to work with parents, students, teachers, and administrators to boost educational standards for all our schools." The funds, which will be spread out over five years, will be used to help strengthen Diné College in the areas of math and science. Diné College hopes to increase Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) student recruitment, STEM student retention, and STEM faculty development with this grant money. The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that was created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science. During the 109th Congress, funding for the National Science Foundation was approved by Congress through the Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006 (H.R. 2862) with the support of Congressman Renzi.