Minor in STEM Education
About the Minor
This minor can be coupled with a variety of STEM majors. It will provide an opportunity to explore STEM education and to develop core knowledge and practices in secondary STEM education. Successful STEM Education minor candidates may build upon the minor's coursework which leads to recommendation for Pennsylvania teaching certification as a secondary teacher (grades 7-12) in one or more STEM content areas. Additional coursework for teacher certification includes student teaching and requires Special Education and English Language Learner courses (an additional 2 courses + student teaching).
Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components.
Program Requirements
| Introductory Courses | ||
| ESTM 201 | DragonsTeach: Step 1 | 1.5 |
| ESTM 210 | DragonsTeach: Step 2 | 1.5 |
| STEM Education Core Courses | ||
| ESTM 301 | Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science | 3.0 |
| ESTM 302 | Classroom Interactions | 3.0 |
| ESTM 350 | Project-Based Instruction | 4.0 |
| History of Science or Mathematics Course * | ||
| ESTM 362 | Perspectives in Science and Mathematics Education | 3.0 |
| or MTED 428 | Cultural and Historical Significance of Mathematics | |
| or HIST 285 | Technology in Historical Perspective | |
| STEM Teaching Methods Course | ||
| MTED 419 | Teaching Secondary Mathematics | 3.0 |
| or EDUC 315 | Secondary Science Teaching Methods | |
| or ESTM 335 | Teaching Secondary Computer Science | |
| STEM Research Methods ** | ||
| ESTM 364 | Methods of Research and Inquiry in Science and Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Special Education or English Language Learner Elective | ||
| EDEX 142 | Special Education Foundations: Referral and Assessment | 3.0 |
| or EDEX 344 | Inclusive Practices | |
| or EDUC 365 | Foundations in Instructing English Language Learners | |
| Total Credits | 25.0 | |
- *
Specific course selected in consultation with a School of Education academic advisor and is dependent on student's aspirations for teacher certification.
- **
A Research/Methods/Design course from a student's home department may be substituted in consultation with a School of Education academic advisor.
NOTE: If pursuing PA teaching certification requirements beyond the STEM Minor, all three Special Education or English Language Learner Elective courses listed above must be taken as well as ESTM 410. In addition, students specifically pursuing secondary level Mathematics PA Teacher Certification must also complete ESTM T380: Functions and Modeling.
Additional Information
For more information, please visit the School of Education website.