Simpson Receives National Science Foundation Grant

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Simpson College a $338,000 STEM grant. The grant will be used over a three-year period to redesign Simpson’s data analytics minor. Simpson’s math department, led by faculty Dr. Marilyn Vazquez and Dr. Heidi Berger, collaborated with Dr. Colin Payton, former director of the College’s Writing Center, to develop the successful proposal.

“We’re excited about what this NSF grant will do for new students coming into the data analytics minor,” said Dr. Vazquez, assistant math professor. “Our students will become better data communicators while improving their self-efficacy and gaining highly marketable skills.”

Dr. Berger is likewise eager to see the many fruits of the partnership between the Writing Center and math department.

“Working together we want to ensure that students of varying backgrounds have increased access to this in-demand field of study,” said Berger, math professor. “And this is really just the beginning. We hope this project will pave the way to future grants for growing our impact in STEM-related education.”