STEM Education, M.Ed.

Program Description

The STEM Education program prepares K-16 teachers to utilize digital resources to foster the innovative engagement of diverse learners associated with integrated science programs such as STEM. The courses offer a holistic overview of historical and current issues and trends impacting integrated science education while cultivating research-based strategies to improve student learning. The courses are designed to provide the educator experience with integrated curriculum utilizing the technological and didactic skill sets required for empowering 21st century learning in a global, digital society.

Program Outcomes

1. Design environments for scientific investigations, fostering integrated STEM curriculum which engages diverse learners and builds the capacity for accessing, evaluating, and utilizing learning resources in authentic problem-solving scenarios that accurately reflect those used by the scientific and engineering community.
2. Utilize theories and standards within a research framework to facilitate scientific inquiry through scaffolding, differentiation, and assessment strategies in the field of integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to identify best practices for engaging learners.
3. Construct a framework for the seamless integration of authentic technology to enhance scientific literacy in a variety of venues, including reading and writing, acquiring and managing information, and communicating ideas effectively.
4. Employ strategies to promote intellectual skill development in selecting testable questions, establishing appropriate variables and controls, choosing the kind of data and method of collecting it, and utilizing appropriate tools to correctly make hypotheses and predictions.
5. Establish environments supporting the capacity for collaborative interactions to promote independence and interdependence which support conflict resolution, self-discipline, time management and team-building.
6. Investigate relevant issues and problems and demonstrate evidence-based decision making appropriate for the needs of a global society.
7. Promote personal inquiry as an aspect of developing dynamic relationships between ideas and individuals supporting expectations with the fields of STEM.

Mission Statement

The M.Ed. in STEM Education program prepares committed and involved K-16 teachers to develop innovative learning environments for students. Through systematic problem solving and evidence-based strategies, students become leaders in a technical world.