Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for Education (STEM for Elementary Education)

Rezac (MATH) (director), Hickson (GEOL), Gittins (CHEM), Besser (ENGR), Verhoeven (BIOL), Johnston (PHYS), Werness (CISC) 

Co-major with Elementary Education (K-6).
Note: A Co-major cannot be a stand-alone major.

See Co-major with Elementary Education (K-6).

This co-major provides an integrated background in science, technology, engineering and mathematics appropriate for individuals who will teach in the elementary grades. The STEM for Elementary Education major is designed as a co-major to elementary education and should be considered by students planning to pursue a degree in elementary education who wish to enhance their skills in the STEM fields.  Students who complete the STEM for Elementary Education program can choose their STEM specialization sequence in one of several tracks.  Two tracks: 5-8 Science and 5-8 Mathematics, will help students to pursue completion of the Minnesota Board of Teaching 5-8 Endorsement in Science or Mathematics.  A third track, Engineering, will help students pursue further integration of their STEM skills and take advantage of the University's Center for Engineering Education. STEM Education students in this track can complete the Engineering Education minor with two additional classes. Lastly, for students who have specific interests in any one discipline: Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Information Science, Geology, Mathematics or Physics can complete a two-course specialization in one of those areas, with approval from the program director.  Students should contact the program director, the Department of Teacher Education, or members of the program faculty for further information on this co-major.

STEM for Elementary Education is only available as a co-major for those students also majoring in elementary education.  Students must complete the requirements for Elementary Education plus the following STEM program.

• STEM 181 Science Seminar (0 credit)
• STEM 182 Science Seminar (0 credit)
• STEM 359 Integrated Studies in Science and Mathematics (4 credits) or EDUC 327 Engineering in the P-12 classroom (4 credits)

Plus:

• CISC 120 Computers in Elementary Education (4 credits)

Plus a specialization sequence of eight credits in one of four tracks:

• 5-8 Science Track - students who choose this track will complete the Science content required for the MN BoT 5-8 License endorsement.
  PHYS 104
  And one of PHYS 105, ENGR 130, ENGR 171

• 5-8 Math Track
  MATH 113
  MATH 128

• Engineering Track
  ENGR 130
  ENGR 171

• Department Specific Track
  Consisting of eight or more additional credits in one department, to be approved by the student's STEM adviser.  These courses will build on the "core courses" in math and science that are required for the Elementary Education major and develop specialized knowledge in one of the areas served by the Division of Science and Mathematics (Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Information Science, Geology, Mathematics or Physics) or Engineering.  Students must complete the initial four credits in each department as listed in the allied requirements for the Elementary Education major, but may use further credits in one department for this specialization sequence.  For example, a student who completes the sequence BIOL 207, BIOL 208, BIOL 209 may use BIOL 208 and BIOL 209 for the eight-credit specialization sequence.