AEL is proud to sponsor two of the nearly 20,000 projects currently receiving funds from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The NSF is an independent federal agency that promotes and advances scientific programs in the US. It invests more than $3.3 billion each year to support research and education projects in science, mathematics, and technology.

AEL's experimental Voices of Girls project is one such effort. The project is designed to promote middle school girls' interest and achievement in science, mathematics, and technology. The project's two sites-- one rural and one more urban-- will help educators understand and alleviate cultural and environmental barriers to girls participation in science, mathematics, and technology course work and careers.

The second NSF-supported effort at AEL is partnership in the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative, a consortium of educators, business and civic leaders, and community members working to promote systemic improvement in science, mathematics, and technology for students in rural, economically disadvantaged areas. A variety of education, economic, and community factors influence student achievement levels. NSF's rural initiatives support long-term change by encouraging education change in conjunction with economic and community development activities.