Cal State-Bakersfield has won a five-year, $7.3 million federal grant that will be used to improve science, technology, engineering and math education in rural communities.

Spokesman Kevin McCusker says the money will establish a new residency program that will have two specific goals.

“Improvement both in our students going forward, and we’re going to see improved test scores and STEM achievement in these school districts,” he said.

He says teaching students will be stationed at schools in Lamont, Buttonwillow and Wasco. The new program will be called “GRO STEM,” which stands for “Growing Rural Opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.”

– Anthony Pollreisz