STEM Student
STEM students should graduate from a STEM program with the following attributes (NSTA, 2014; National Academies Press, 2014): / STEM Course and Teacher
A STEM teacher and course will facilitate the development of a STEM student through the utilization of research supported approaches (NSTA, 2014; National Academies Press, 2014; National Research Council,2011 ): / STEM Program and School:
A STEM Program and School will provide structure for the teachers, courses and students which includes the following (NSTA, 2014; National Academies Press, 2014): / STEM PD:
STEM PD will assist professional educators in providing quality STEM instruction and provide a framework for developing a high-achieving STEM Student. STEM PD may include the following attributes (NSTA, 2014; National Academies Press, 2014):
Students will have the ability to:
  • Make informed decisions and solve problems with relevant and credible resources and technology
  • Be innovative with the ability to provide qualitative and quantitative solutions to relevant issues.
  • Communicate effectively as a member of team and as a leader.
  • Relate and connect concepts across disciplinesand career fields.
  • Have a mastery and command of STEM subject matter.
  • Be aware of STEM professions, research and opportunities.
/ Teachers and course will utilize:
  • Real-world, problem-based applications.
  • Content rich instruction.
  • Project-based learning with engineering design process and application.
  • Technology to enhance and reinforce content.
  • The integration of essential science, mathematics, technology (ISTE) and engineering practices.
  • Data to inform, drive and individualize instruction
  • Essential career related materials and resources.
/ A program and school will provide:
  • Opportunities for Vertical and Horizontal alignment of STEM curriculum within and across departments.
  • A student progression with STEM coursework each semester/year for all students.
  • Access to STEM Curriculum, materials and technology for real-world problem solving.
  • Professional development in STEM integration, pedagogy and applications.
  • Opportunities to collaborate and develop partnerships with industries, local businesses and community leaders – including internship and shadowing opportunities.
  • Opportunities for Lesson Study, and professional learning communities.
* A STEM School supports a variety of STEM programs. / Instructional Professional Development will include:
  • Content specific – Standards aligned immersion; a focus on disciplinary core ideas and practices.
  • Opportunities to develop essential concepts and ideologies over an extended period of time.
  • Current research and applications to pedagogy to include:
  • Increasing achievement
  • Developing interest
  • Project based instruction
  • Cooperative learning
  • Multi-modal experiences
  • Co-teaching models
  • Divergent and convergent thinking models
  • Engineering principles
  • Integration techniques
  • Utilization of data to individualize instruction
  • Utilization of technology to individualize instruction
  • Utilizing real-world research and applications
  • Developing and utilizing formative assessment.
  • Opportunities to design and adapt curriculum.
  • Utilization of lesson studies and Professional Learning Communities.
  • Career related research and connections to career practices.
  • Ongoing job-imbedded professional learning follow-up
  • Alignment among standards, curriculum, assessments, and PD, as well as support from School and District leaders.
*See Appendix A: Some Key Findings Related to Effective
Professional Development in Science: 1996-2014