collaborate 2 create - Reimagining STEM Education
![[creative commons]](/images/creativecommons_16.png)
To shape and implement transdisciplinary STEM education collaborative efforts that impact teaching, learning, research, and engagement at all levels, locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.
College of Education, University of Kentucky
Established: 2015
Profile submitted by Margaret Mohr-Schroeder
Vision and Goals
The Center is the catalyst for innovation and change in STEM education, research, engagement, and service through:
(1) Collaboration: Serves as a point of collaboration point and connection in STEM learning working with... with internal and external partners on projects and community outreach in order to facilitate change in STEM learning, teaching, research, and engagement.
(2) Research: Supports and strengthens the capacity to conduct education research within STEM fields to advance the knowledge and quality of STEM education and research.
(3) Community | Partnerships: Enhances the recruitment, training, and retention of P-20 students, their teachers, and industry partners in order to prepare the nation's most STEM-capable citizens to thrive in the 21st century global economy.
(4) Policy: Advocates for and informs policymakers on the critical role STEM education plays in a 21st century global economy and policies that will improve STEM education at every level
Center/Program Structure
The center is a transdisciplinary collaborative research center currently housed within the College of Education. Activities involve scientists, mathematicians, engineers, STEM educators, education specialists, teacher leaders, etc. from many units including the College of Engineering, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Center for Applied Energy Research, Next Generation Labs, and the National Center for Innovation in Education.
Description of Programming
The center is in its infancy and is building on over $30 million in grant funding over the past 20 years at UK. We are currently developing more several grant-funded programs and research initiatives to fulfill our mission. Some of our programs include: STEM PRIDE (a research and industry internship opportunity for inservice teachers); STEM PLUS (an undergraduate STEM certification program), NSF Noyce Scholarships and workshops, several project based instruction long term job-embedded PD opportunities, REU program for undergraduates interested in STEM Education, See Blue STEM Camp, and the See Blue STEM club (collaborates with Tau Beta Pi in College of Engineering).
Successes and Impacts
Our biggest impacts have been through the multitude of examples of true STEM Education experiences for our preservice and inservice teachers and community they are involved in. While you may only be interested in science or mathematics, our programs work to broaden perspectives and attitudes towards STEM and all the opportunities it presents.
Our STEM Education programs within our Department of STEM Education are very unique and offer the opportunity for double major and certification at the undergraduate level, and rigorous Masters and PhD programs in STEM Education.
Elements Contributing to Success
Our successes can be attributed to the longstanding history of interdisciplinary collaborations, especially across the Colleges of Education, Arts & Sciences, Engineering, and Agriculture, Food and Environment.