by Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press

Tuesday April 21, 2009, 5:59 PM

GRAND RAPIDS -- A Grand Rapids Public Schools program and two local colleges have been tapped by Michigan Technological University to help create a national model for teaching science through a $4 million federal grant.

The National Science Foundation awarded the five-year grant to the Houghton-based university, which also is planning to partner with Grand Valley State University and a Davenport University program.

Other partners are the American Geological Institute, National Park Service and the Colorado School of Mines.

University leaders plan to be in Grand Rapids at 3 p.m. Wednesday to announce details at Creston High School's Grand Rapids Area Pre-College Engineering Program.

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote science and advance national health, prosperity and welfare. The foundation has an annual budget of $6 billion.