This program is open to all Missouri K-12 educators and will enhance their science teaching by providing live virtual training in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Cohorts will meet virtually 6-8 times on a schedule determined by the members of each. The first meeting will be around the beginning of September, and cohorts will culminate at fall conference on November 2, 2024.
Member who finish the cohort program will be given a certificate of completion and micro-credential badges. They will also be eligible to serve as leaders on future cohorts. The first classes are for beginners or novice educators (not advanced). The classes may be taken by informal educators that would like a stronger background in 3-D learning. More advanced classes will be offered next session.
Cohort participation is no-cost with a requirement to attend fall conference in Columbia (registration fee $85). Need-based scholarships are available courtesy of our sponsors, hand2mind and Savvas.
The four cohorts being offered this round are:
Three Dimensional Elementary Science
Three Dimensional Secondary Science
Deep Dive into NGSS
Science and Technology with AI
Rationale
As Missouri moves forward in preparing students to enter the workforce, it is critical that students receive high-quality science instruction. According to data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), jobs in the STEM fields are projected to be a valuable part of Missouri’s employment future. In fact, Missouri’s projected growth rate for all STEM occupations from 2012-2022 is 10.2%. In comparison, the overall projected growth rate for the state during this period is 8.6%. Additionally, STEM jobs are expected to be among the most high-paying in Missouri. As a group, STEM occupations earn 75% more than the Missouri average.
Some Missouri schools are offering more STEM classes and funding for STEM. Schools like Mary Institute and Westminster Christian Academy are focusing on STEM. These are upper echelon private schools. However, there is little funding for public school teachers across Missouri, especially in urban and rural communities. The intent of The Next Generation MO Science Teacher program is to serve teachers across the state. Teachers will engage in high-quality science instruction that will allow them to employ their gained knowledge into the classroom. This will transfer from teacher to student and help create higher-level learning for everyone.
STOM is committed to supporting all teachers of science in Missouri, whether they are in the classroom, in an informal setting, or homeschooling parents. Impacting teachers in a positive way by instructing and supporting them with current pedagogical practice, (i.e., three-dimensional teaching, AI and technology, and place-based practices) will empower students to be successful in STEM fields because of their foundation of science.
