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 201DragonsTeach: Step 11.5
ESTM 210DragonsTeach: Step 21.5
STEM Education Core Courses
ESTM 301Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science3.0
ESTM 302Classroom Interactions3.0
ESTM 350Project-Based Instruction4.0
History of Science or Mathematics Course *
ESTM 362Perspectives in Science and Mathematics Education3.0
or MTED 428 Cultural and Historical Significance of Mathematics
or HIST 285 Technology in Historical Perspective
STEM Teaching Methods Course
MTED 419Teaching Secondary Mathematics3.0
or EDUC 315 Secondary Science Teaching Methods
or ESTM 335 Teaching Secondary Computer Science
STEM Research Methods **
ESTM 364Methods of Research and Inquiry in Science and Mathematics3.0
Special Education or English Language Learner Elective
EDEX 142Special Education Foundations: Referral and Assessment3.0
or EDEX 344 Inclusive Practices
or EDUC 365 Foundations in Instructing English Language Learners
Total Credits25.0
*

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.