This introductory course places strong emphasis on the understanding of inquiry, project, and problem-based approaches to STEM, grounded in state and national standards and Pennsylvania’s Standards Aligned System (SAS). In this course, K-12 educators will explore past and present social and political influences impacting STEM education, STEM-related careers as well as the foundational principles of Integrative STEM Education to include: transdisciplinary standards-based curriculum, supportive learning environment, and rigorous content. STEM curricular programs that reflect research-based practices will also be reviewed and critiqued.

This course will prepare early childhood (K-2), elementary (3-5), and special education teachers to use and apply problem-solving and design processes to develop and answer questions and pose solutions to real-world problems in STEM. Participants will implement the engineering design process developed by NASA, entitled “Beginning Engineering, Science and Technology” (BEST) and NASA Summer of Innovation Curriculum grades 4-9. Using these approaches, participants will learn how to introduce STEM careers and tie STEM education to other disciplines such as social studies, arts, health, and movement. This course includes five hours of field experiences.

In this course, educators will integrate learning from previous coursework into meaningful STEM instruction through a job embedded field experience in their own classroom. Students will document and compile projects and products from an integrative STEM unit through the use of a digital portfolio. This culminating course will prepare educators to: 1) implement appropriate assessment and technology tools to enhance STEM teaching, learning, student achievement and college career readiness, and 2) implement innovative problem-based approaches to teaching, learning and the integration of STEM practices. This course includes 37 hours of field experience.