Integrative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Endorsement

The Education Program offers a post-baccalaureate certificate program leading to the Integrative Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) Education Endorsement.

This program is designed for in-service teachers seeking further understanding of pedagogy, resources, methods, and curriculum designed to promote integrative STEM learning. The program is a combination of coursework and field experiences that will prepare teachers to construct, implement, and evaluate integrative STEM educational programming.

It affords students the advantages of a unique and practical curricular focus in curriculum and instruction supported by a constructivist course sequence that promotes individualized assessments, real application to current classroom practice, and applied research relevant to grade bands across the PK-12 continuum.

Student Learning Outcomes for the Integrative Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) Education Endorsement:

STEM Competencies (as specified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education; please note that these competencies will be developed across the entire program duration)

Content

• Demonstrate knowledge of the following standards: Next Generation Science Standards, PA Mathematics Standards, PA Science and Technology Standards.
• Understand STEM Education as an integrated approach across disciplines, connected to other disciplines beyond science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
• Recognize that STEM Education is general education with the intent to prepare a citizenry who can function in a science and technology rich society.
• Utilize problem solving approaches and the design process to answer complex questions, engage in critical thinking, investigate societal issues, and develop solutions for challenges and real word problems.
• Demonstrate knowledge of inquiry-based teaching and learning methodologies as applied to STEM education.

Skills and Abilities

• Apply practices that integrate STEM disciplines through the design and implementation of multiple, integrated, developmentally appropriate learning experiences for all students.
• Represent real world phenomena through a variety of scientific, mathematical, technological, or engineering models.
• Explore basic fundamental concepts and major principles of science, technology, engineering and math through connections with other areas, especially history, language, arts, and culture, etc.
• Utilize the design process and a variety of resources (educational technology, information, materials, tools, machines) to safely and efficiently develop solutions to problems that require integration of concepts and skills from multiple disciplines, including science, technology, engineering, math, language arts, social studies, arts, and/or physical education.
• Use mathematical and scientific formulas, principles, reasoning, and precise language to predict outcomes and solve technological and engineering problems.

Instructional Practices

• Design, implement, and reflect on lessons and units that incorporate an integrative STEM learning cycle approach and developmentally appropriate methodology.
• Select, modify, and develop learning activities that support higher order thinking and creative problem solving which foster an understanding of the interconnectedness of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
• Establish and maintain a physically and emotionally safe learning environment that encourages and supports innovation, design thinking, and intellectual risk taking.
• Incorporate reading, writing, and questioning strategies through integrative and active strategies that supports the development of STEM literacy for all students.
• Engage students in the purposeful use of instructional technologies to increase access and extend their abilities to understand, transfer, and adapt STEM knowledge, skills, and dispositions.

Assessment

• Create differentiated learning experiences in integrative STEM education to meet the needs of all students.
• Elicit students’ conceptions, reasoning and understanding through multiple forms of meaningful assessments including formative/summative and individual/group.
• Enable students to utilize strategies for self- assessment to build their capacity to monitor their own learning.
• Utilize diverse and authentic assessment strategies to monitor and adjust instruction across STEM disciplines and grade levels.