STEM ACTION CENTERHB 150

Applied Science 7th and 8th Grade

STEM Pathways and Certification

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES

Math Instruction Professional Development Endorsement Middle School – 7th and 8th Grade Applied Science High School – STEM Certifications

SUMMARY OF FUNDING

Up to $5,000,000 for STEM education related instructional technology and related professional development to support mathematics instruction as described in and related assessment, data collection, analysis, and reporting;

Up to $5,000,000 for developing the STEM education endorsement and related incentive program

One-time---up to $5,000,000 for STEM education high quality professional development application

One-time ---up to $3,500,000 for STEM education middle school applied science initiative

One–time---up to $5,000,000 for the high school STEM education initiative

WHAT IS STEM?

STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons as students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise enabling the development of STEM literacy and with it the ability to compete in the new economy.

STEM education is an approach to teaching and learning that integrates the content practices and processes of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM education prepares students to be “option ready” for science, technology, engineering and math in the students’ next learning opportunity.

Practices and Processes

Learn and apply rigorous content Integrate STEM content Interpret and communicate scientific and technical

information Engage in inquiry Engage in logical reasoning Collaborate as a STEM team at the school and district level Apply technology appropriately 

EXPOSE Student to Career and Learning Opportunities

Adult role models

Field trips

Career exploration through classroom discussion and connections to curriculum

 

INTEGRATE Practices and Processes into Classroom Instruction

Real problems, real world situations, problem-based learning.

A STEM classroom is defined through the practices and processes used to teach content.

 Provide opportunities for Enrichment and Extension outside the classroom.

Competitions

Clubs

Internships

Service 

In 2006, the United States National Academies expressed their concern about the declining state of STEM education in the United States. Its Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy developed a list of 10 actions federal policy makers could take to advance STEM education in the United States to compete successfully in the 21st century. Their top three recommendations were to:

increase America’s talent pool by improving K–12 science and mathematics education;

strengthen the skills of teachers through additional training in science, math and technology; and

enlarge the pipeline of students prepared to enter college and graduate with STEM degrees.

63M-1-3210. STEM education middle school applied science initiative.

(Up to $3.5 million)

(1) The STEM Action Center shall develop an applied science program for students ingrades 7 and 8.

(2) The program described in Subsection (1) shall include:

(a) a STEM applied science curriculum with instructional materials;(b) STEM hybrid or blended high quality professional development that allows for face-to-face applied learning; and(c) hands-on tools for STEM applied science learning.

(3) The STEM Action Center may, through the request for proposals process, select aconsultant to assist in developing the program described in Subsection (1).

63M-1-3211. High school STEM education initiative. (Up to $5 million)(1) Subject to legislative appropriations, the STEM Action Center shall award grants to school districts and charter schools to fund STEM certification for high school students.

(2) (a) A school district or charter school may apply for a grant from the STEM ActionCenter, through a competitive process, to fund the school district's or charter school's STEM certification training program.(b) A school district's or charter school's STEM certification training program shall:

(i) prepare high school students to be job ready for available STEM positions of employment; and

(ii) when a student completes the program, result in the student gaining a nationallyindustry-recognized employer STEM certification.

(3) A school district or charter school may partner with a Utah College of Technology college campus or Salt Lake Community College; Snow College; or private sector employer to provide a STEM certification training program.