STEM Certification offered at VCSU

Elementary Education Option:

Required Courses 3 Hours

STEMED 355 STEM CURRICULUM AND METHODS 3 Hours
Foundational course for fully implementing effective elementary-level STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education. Reviews and explores current trends in STEM Education; standards-based education and backward design; integration of content; evolution, philosophy, purpose, methods, and standards of STEM disciplines; and trans-disciplinary methods for successfully engaging students and achieving STEM literacy. (Spring)

Electives 9 Hours

STEMED 342 BUILDING MATH 3 Hours
This course focuses on hands-on trans-disciplinary investigations integrated with project-based engineering design activities. It emphasizes algebraic thinking skills through the collection and analysis of data to solve real problems. Students develop abilities to apply math knowledge and concepts to their investigations and the use of the engineering design process. (Fall)

STEMED 306 & 306L INVENTIONS & INNOVATIONS-Technology Education for Children 3 Hours
The course focuses on innovation while providing tools and methods, including student-centered cooperative and project-based learning, to empower the prospective teacher to use technology and engineering as the integrators for providing trans-disciplinary STEM Education in the elementary self-contained classroom. (Fall)

STEMED 310 & 310L DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING FOR CHILDREN 3 Hours
The course focuses on the engineering design process while providing tools and methods, including student-centered cooperative and project-based learning, which will expand the range and trans-disciplinary nature of activities possible in the elementary classroom through the use of technology and engineering. (Spring)


Secondary Education Option:

Required Courses 3 Hours

STEMED 411 CURRICULUM & METHODS 3 Hours
Course covers the history and evolution of Technology and Engineering Education from the 19th century to present, including the standards and STEM Education movements. Methods and management techniques appropriate to the middle school and high school technology and engineering education laboratory are studied including the management of student organizations. (Fall)

Electives 9 Hours

STEMED 342 BUILDING MATH 3 Hours
This course focuses on hands-on trans-disciplinary investigations integrated with project-based engineering design activities. It emphasizes algebraic thinking skills through the collection and analysis of data to solve real problems. Students develop abilities to apply math knowledge and concepts to their investigations and the use of the engineering design process. (Fall)

STEMED 331 & 331L INNOVATION & ENGINEERING DESIGN 3 Hours
Course prepares prospective teachers to teach a middle school course emphasizing engineering design activities to understand how criteria, constraints, and processes affect designs. Brainstorming, visualizing modeling, constructing, testing and refining designs will be studied. (Fall)

STEMED 431 & 431L DESIGN FOR ENGINEERING 3 Hours
Course provides an orientation and exposure to the careers and challenges of engineering. Major engineering concepts included are modeling, systems, optimization, technology-society interaction, design and ethics. (Fall)

STEMED 450 ENGINEERING THE FUTURE 3 Hours
This course focuses on a strong foundation in Physics, the Engineering Design Process, and the opportunity to explore the social, historical, and environmental contexts of emerging technologies. Students develop a practical understanding of influences of society on future technological development. (Spring)