The Integrative STEM (iSTEM) Education program prepares students with a broad understanding of all four STEM disciplines, focused on the PreK–8 grade range. Society needs professionals, especially in the elementary and middle-grade ranges, who can help young learners understand STEM principles, technological forces, and design.
The Integrative STEM Education major is designed as a multidisciplinary major for K-6 education majors. Through the iSTEM program, students choose a specialization in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or technology. Most iSTEM students complete enough math and science coursework to be eligible for middle school endorsement in these two subject areas, and more than 65% also take enough technology education coursework to be eligible for endorsement in that discipline.
Dual Education Major Requirements
This disciplinary content major is open to students in the following education majors: elementary education, early childhood education, special education, elementary education of the deaf and hard of hearing, or urban education. The iSTEM disciplinary content major cannot be taken as a stand-alone major and must be coupled with one of the above-listed School of Education majors.
Required Major Courses (Content)
- TST 161/Creative Design
- MAT 127/Calculus A
- ETE 261/Multimedia Design
- ETE 271/Structures and Mechanisms
- TED 460/Integrated STEM for the Child/Adolescent Learner
Notes
- Other required courses in math, science, and/or technology and engineering education depend on a student’s specialization.
- A student is required to choose an area of (STEM) Specialization.
- There are 5 choices for a specialization: technology, mathematics, biology, chemistry, or physics.
- Graduates of the iSTEM program are eligible for K–6 initial certification (early childhood majors receive PreK–3 certification but are also eligible for K–6 certification). Students in the major receive careful course advisement so that they qualify to add endorsements to teach middle school math and/or middle school science. Students seeking either or both of these endorsements must complete at least 15 credits of coursework in math and/or science and must also pass the pertinent PRAXIS exam(s). Students who choose the technology specialization can also become eligible for K–12 certification in technology and engineering education, in addition to K–6 certification with endorsements for middle school math and middle school science.