STEM 40303/50303 Introduction to STEM Education
This course provides an introduction to the foundations of STEM education disciplines and the strategies used to deliver integrated STEM education in the elementary and secondary school setting. The nature of STEM education disciplines, STEM pedagogy, teaching strategies, integrated STEM learning, STEM careers, and project-based instruction are addressed.
Fall 2026 – STEM 4033 Tentative Schedule – Updated – 9-8
STEM Content Standards
- Arkansas Science Standards
- Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL) – The Role of Technology and Engineering in STEM Education
- Arkansas Mathematics Standards
- Additional Arkansas Learning Standards
Week 6
Tuesday, September 22
- Design Loop/Process Presentations
- Conversation about Design Fixation
- Reading Review – Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy and STEM Education
- Weekly Reading: Developing Big Ideas and Essential Questions and Reading Reflection
- Due by Thursday
Thursday, September 24
- The Literature-based STEM Curriculum – Writing a STEM Design Brief
- Major Assignment – Literature-Based Curriculum
- AR State Standards -STEL standards and benchmarks
- Literature-based Design Challenge Development
- Rough Draft (Part 1) – Get started this week. This will be submitted by next Thursday morning.
- Weekly Reading: Weekly Reading Assignment – Integrating Literacy and Engineering Instruction for Young Learners and Reading Reflection
- Due Tuesday
Week 5
Tuesday, September 15
- The Engineering Design Process PP – The great integrator
- Major Assignment – The Engineering Design Loop/Process
- Due Monday, September 21 by noon
Thursday, September 17
- The Happy Hat Engineering Design Challenge (in-class)
- Weekly Reading Assignment – Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy and STEM Education and Reading Reflection
Week 4
Tuesday, September 8
- Using Tools
- Madeline’s Treehouse Engineering Design Challenge (in-class)
Thursday, September 10
- Madeline’s Treehouse Engineering Design Challenge (in-class) – presentations
- Weekly Reading Assignment – A Framework for STEM Problem-Solving and Major Assignment – The Engineering Design Loop/Process – complete the Reading Reflection
- Due on Tuesday before class
Week 3
Tuesday, September 1
- Reading Review
- Tool School PP – Measuring, Materials, Tools, and Processes
- Challenge (in-class) – Space Frame Building Challenge
Thursday, September 3
- Tool School PP – Measuring, Materials, Tools, and Processes (cont.)
- Challenge (in-class) – Space Frame Building Challenge (cont.)
- Madeline Engineering Design Challenge
Week 2
Tuesday, August 25
- Reading Review – The Nature of Interdisciplinary STEM Education
- Challenge (in-class) – Engineering Design Challenge – A Bridge to Nowhere
- Weekly Reading Assignment – Connecting Compassion Empathy’s Role in STEM and Literacy Integration and Reading Reflection
- Due on Thursday
Thursday, August 27
- Reading Review – Connecting Compassion Empathy’s Role in STEM and Literacy Integration
- Challenge (in-class) – The Water Princess
- Tool School – Measuring, Materials, Tools, and Processes
- Weekly Reading Assignment – Enhancing the Technology and Engineering in Elementary Classrooms: Safer Tool Usage and Reading Reflection
- Due on Monday
Week 1
Tuesday, August 18
- Syllabus and Schedule Review
- Introduction to STEM Education PP
- Challenge (in-class) – Climer Cards/Earth Ball Introductions
- Challenge (at-home) – YouTube Introduction Assignment (Due by Friday)
- Weekly Reading Assignment – The Nature of Interdisciplinary STEM Education chapter and Reading Reflection
Thursday, August 20
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- Introduction to STEM Education PP (continued)
- Challenge (in-class) – Engineering Design Challenge – Teacher Trophy Challenge
- Weekly Reading Assignment – The Nature of Interdisciplinary STEM Education chapter and Reading Reflection
- In this course you will complete reading reflections in a variety of formats, including handwritten reading annotations and reflections. Your reading reflection is a written analysis of a text, where you capture your thoughts, feelings, and understanding of the material in your own handwriting. It’s a way to engage with the text more deeply, making personal connections and fostering critical thinking.
- Due before our next class next meeting – You will turn this assignment in to me during class.
- In this course you will complete reading reflections in a variety of formats, including handwritten reading annotations and reflections. Your reading reflection is a written analysis of a text, where you capture your thoughts, feelings, and understanding of the material in your own handwriting. It’s a way to engage with the text more deeply, making personal connections and fostering critical thinking.
Course Resources
Developing Big Ideas and Essential Questions
Potential-Materials-and-Tools List