STEM certifying teachers begins with self-evaluation of competency across the actions of the three domains. Move at your own pace, concentrate on your growth areas, and quickly demonstrate your strengths.
The National Institute for STEM Education (NISE) offers competency-based programs leading to the National Certificate for STEM Teaching. Successful teachers who wish to build their skills and teachers looking to grow their STEM teaching skills now have the opportunity to do so. Partnering with the globally recognized American College of Education (ACE), the STEM certificate conferred by NISE grants access to a low-cost, accelerated master’s in STEM Teaching and Doctorate at the American College of Education.
The National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST) certifies STEM professionals in STEM education. Once enrolled, participants are guided through the development of a portfolio that demonstrates proficiency across 15 teacher actions essential to STEM learning. Because the certificate is competency-based, skilled teachers do not need to “sit through content” they already comprehend. Rather they are invited to demonstrate proficiency through their portfolio, self-evaluation, documentation, and examinations of student work.
Cost: $625 per teacher
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The teacher actions used in the certification program will seem familiar to anyone who is familiar with research into effective teacher practice. Our list is not exhaustive but reflects both our understanding of current research into teacher practice and many hours of reflective discussion by our team of experienced professionals. Our goal was to develop a list of teacher actions that meet the criteria of 1) being highly influential according to research, 2) include those actions that are generally effective but are dominated by actions most appropriate to a STEM classroom, and 3) will be most susceptible to observation and coaching.
The online Master of Education in STEM Leadership at American College of Education prepares educators to incorporate digital resources into the curriculum to enhance integrated science program education like STEM programs.
Through this program, candidates learn to promote skills in developing testable questions, establishing variables and controls, selecting data and data collection methods, and using tools to test hypotheses in ways that engage elementary, middle, and high school-aged students, leading to better student outcomes in STEM subject areas. Candidates should finish the program confident in their understanding of the content, and in leading other educators to discover the value of integrated learning.
Based on 2012-13 Conferred Degrees IPEDS data http://nces.ed.gov/IPEDS/datacenter -->
| *Course Plan | |
|---|---|
| RES5323 | Research Design and Application |
| ED5383 | Principles of Integration |
| ED5023 | Assessment Strategies |
| SCI5203 | Foundations of Integrated Science Education |
| SCI5213 | Engaging Diversity in the Science Classroom |
| SCI5223 | Modern Learning and Integrated Science Education |
| SCI5233 | Inventing and Reinventing Mathematics and Science Curriculum: Elementary, Secondary, and College Level |
| SCI5243 | Creating an Environment for STEM Learning** |
| SCI5253 | Building Scientific Understanding in Students |
| SCI5263 | Applied Science and Engineering Practices** |
| SCI5091 | Capstone Experience for STEM Leadership |
The NISE campus certification experience has been extremely valuable to our district as we continue to grow our STEM program.
Ian Frank, Assistant Superintendent, and Lindsay Windatt, Elementary Assistant Principal
Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy
The NCSE process has helped transform three of our campuses from a condition of STEM awareness to that of STEM excellence.
Pam Walker, K-12 STEM Coordinator
Douglas County School District, Georgia
The NISE campus certification has given our schools a foundation to support STEM implementation. We appreciate the coaches making the sessions easy, stress free and interesting. We are following up with the STEM best practices throughout the schools and encourage our teachers to continue on the path that NISE has started us on. The NISE process is well thought out, easy to understand and with the guidance of our coach, an extremely pleasant experience.
Cat Morgan, District Elementary STEAM Specialist
Longview ISD, Texas
The campus certification process has allowed our leadership team to identify areas of strength and refinement for our campus as we seek to develop future ready learners. We believe that aligning our instructional practices with the 15 STEM Teacher Actions will definitely help us to reach this vision for our students.
Danielle Record, Principal
Pink Elementary, Frisco ISD, Texas
NCSE streamlined the development of STEM education sustainability and growth catered to our learning community.
Phil Johnston, STEM Coordinator
Central High School, Grand Junction, Colorado
Working through the campus certification has been one of the most impacting experiences we have undergone as a STEAM Academy. It has provided our team a deeper understanding of STEM education, provided our teachers with specific teacher actions to help them attain higher student achievement, and helped create a culture of responsible thinking and teaching.
Elsa Lambert, Principal
Raul Garza STEAM Academy, San Benito ISD, Texas
