- Year 2018
- NSF Noyce Award # 1660540
- First Name Barbara
- Last Name Silver-Thorn
- Discipline Other: STEM, STEM
- Co-PI(s)
Ellen Eckman, ellen.eckman@marquette.edu
Jill McNew-Birren, jill.birren@marquette.edu
Leigh van den Kieboom, leigh.vandenkieboom@marquette.edu - Presenters
Leigh A. van den Kieboom
, Marquette University
, College of Education
, leigh.vandenkieboom@marquette.edu
Need
The Noyce Scholar Graduate Program at Marquette University integrates teaching cooperative education experiences (intensive clinical-based field experiences) with education pedagogy and STEM content knowledge to meet the need for highly qualified STEM teachers in the state of Wisconsin. Our graduate Noyce Scholar program responds to the call to prepare STEM teachers to implement inquiry-based instruction by supporting STEM majors in learning how to use the content they know well through an educational perspective that focuses on teaching and learning.
Goals
The goals of Marquette’s Noyce Scholar Program are to: 1. Develop a STEM teacher preparation providing a graduate level program for individuals with a B.S. in mathematics, science or engineering, 2. Provide an exceptional STEM master’s level teacher licensure program specifically targeted to address the challenges of high-needs schools, and 3. Mentor and retain these highly trained STEM teachers through various networking, support, and professional development activities. The hallmark of our Noyce Program includes four distinct teaching co-ops that provide extensive educational field experiences in informal and formal STEM learning environments to support our scholars in: learning about adolsescent development and diverse learners, planning STEM lessons and units, rehearsing core teaching practices supporting effective STEM instruction, reflecting on practice.
Approach
Marquette University’s Noyce graduate teacher preparation program integrates educational theory, teaching practice, and STEM content, providing scholars opportunities to learn about STEM teaching in a clinical-based field setting. Coursework throghout the program focuses on core practices supporting ambitious science and mathematics instruction, teaching and learning that supprots students of all racial, ethnic, gender, identity, and socioeconomic backgrounds in making sense of concepts and engaging in rigrous learning of academic content.
Outcomes
The Noyce Scholar graduate teacher preparation program at Marquette University will extend the literature related to core teaching practices supporting ambitious mathematics and science instruction. Research findings and programmatic assessments regarding our Noyce graduate program and its potential for addressing the STEM teacher shortage through its unique educational model will be disseminated in scholarly publications and research meetings.
Broader Impacts
This graduate-level STEM teaching co-op program will improve the efficacy of STEM instruction and the level of student achievement in STEM content. The graduate-level Noyce scholars will bring a deep level of content knowledge to their STEM classrooms. In addition, as the school partners in this project serve a highly diverse population, graduate-level Noyce scholars placed at these schools will heighten awareness of STEM fields in general for middle and high school students, while also serving to improve STEM instruction.
