Center For STEM Education
The Bradley University Center for STEM Education: Research, Teaching and Learning is dedicated to increasing STEM literacy and improving STEM education and career opportunities for all citizens.
Bradley University
Established: 2011
http://www.bradley.edu/academic/cio/stem/
Profile submitted by Sherri Morris
Vision and Goals
The objectives of the Center for STEM Education are:
To design, seek resources for, and deliver programming to enhance the preparation of P-20 STEM educators and administrators;
address the shortage of qualified educators in the STEM areas which threatens U.S. competitiveness in the global economy;
increase recruitment and retention and the preparation of students entering STEM fields;
increase recruitment and participation of groups historically under-represented in STEM areas, including women and minorities;
increase the scientific literacy of all Bradley students;
provide science education opportunities for all citizens.
To add to the knowledge base by disseminating research findings from projects in the Center regarding effective and best practices for the education and professional development of STEM educators and STEM practitioners.
To serve as an incubator and foster collaboration among scholars in all areas of STEM education research.
To provide opportunities to explore pedagogical approaches related to transdisciplinary, inquiry-based education using both on-site and distance delivery of instruction.
Center/Program Structure
The Center for STEM Education at Bradley University serves the colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Education and Health Science, and Engineering. It is run by two Co-Directors, one faculty member from LAS (.25 FTE) and one faculty member (.25 FTE) from EHS. We have one half time support staff member and one graduate assistant. The Co-directors report directly to the provost, and is an independent unit. Internal collaboration is expected. The rest of the faculty are volunteer members of the center. The faculty of the center are involved in all levels of programming.
Description of Programming
The Center for STEM Education runs two professional masters programs that serve in-service teachers (35 graduates in the last five years). We focus a large number of activities for in-service teachers, including several state funded programs (workshops for over 100 participants in summer 2015). We also work extensively with high school students. Our focus is research immersion experiences, wherein we place high school students in research labs over a 10 week period during the summer (20 participants per year). In addition we also participate in the National Lab Network day each year hosting approximately 100 4th graders on our campus for hands on activities one day each spring.
Successes and Impacts
Our greatest success would be the range of high school teachers impacted. Our two professional masters programs graduated 35 in-service teachers in the last five years. More importantly, we have the assessment data to support that we increased their STEM knowledge and inquiry skills As part of this program we developed a video series to help additional teachers. Data collected supports the value of this series for the target audience (in-service teachers) and the participants involved.
Elements Contributing to Success
Our center is growing in terms of importance and value on campus. Our faculty have contributed the most to our success. They all value the mission of the center and give their time and talent to the Center as often as possible.