Pacific Lutheran University

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PLU purposefully integrates professional studies with the liberal arts for a comprehensive education to successfully prepare students for "lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership and care - for other people, for their communities, and for the earth."

NextGen STEM implementation at Pacific Lutheran University uses tools and expertise from the Clinical Practice Working Group (BEST Mentor Training and debrief protocol for working with cooperative teachers); the Education for Sustainability Working Group (the Framework for EfS developed by the Working Group); and resources gathered by the Math in STEM Working Group.

Metrics of successful implementation of NextGen STEM Teacher Preparation include:

• Revisit Noyce-funded course with natural science and math departments to create a clear, seamless, pathway into the MAE program and further discuss scope of second grant to ensure that a strong partnership continues to best support students in both departments.
• Implement course in Natural Sciences for STEM undergrads to see possibilities in becoming teachers and entering a masters in education program (connect STEM undergrads to teaching).
• Design the first of a two-course sequence combining science content knowledge and pedagogy for incoming elementary teachers, in order to be more involved and guide the types of undergrad experiences students have with science prior to applying to our program and thus laying a solid foundation.
• Design and implement a set of observational rounds for elementary science teachers.

By 2025

• Increased enrollment in BAE and MAE programs with a stronger focus in STEM to balance our current strengths in special education and literacy (per PEAB recommendations)
• Hire an additional STEM faculty (math emphasis),
• Development and Implementation two science/pedagogy courses to support incoming elementary teachers
• Strengthen field placement program with supervisory skills from the state BEST Mentor Program and stronger ties to our K-12 schools.
• Create a STEM endorsement pathway using strong meaningful linkages across campus to connect faculty around STEM and integrative STEM-endorsement (math, business, innovation studies, natural sciences, education)

Barriers and Strengths:

Recent Faculty and Administration hires and redesign of MAE and First Year Experience creates a state of change that offers opportunities and challenges. We have strong commitment to STEM education and support for improving field placement programs.