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STEM Education Minor – UCA STEMteach

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Program Co-Director, Professor, and Dean: Dr. Stephen Addison (College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics), saddison@uca.edu / 450-3199
Program Co-Director and Assistant Professor: Dr. Gary Bunn (Teaching and Learning), garyb@uca.edu / 852-0920

[1] STEM Education Minor

The undergraduate STEM education minor (STEMteach) is available to mathematics and science majors (chemistry, physics, biology, environmental science biology and chemistry tracks, and general science) and represents the 26 credit hours to complete the UCA STEMteach program. The minor is the pathway for those wishing to earn a 7-12 secondary teaching license in life science, physical science, or mathematics. Courses provide the necessary pedagogical skills in a mathematics and science context to prepare candidates to be secondary teachers in their respective disciplines.

Completing the STEM education minor does not limit candidates to a career in education. Candidates have the same preparation for graduate school and other professional opportunities as all other mathematics and science majors. The STEM education minor adds an option to the Bachelor of Science degree for those who might wish to enter the education field after graduation or at some point later their careers.

The program is a collaboration between the College of Education and The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and seeks to equip candidates to do the following:

  • Prepare, practice, implement, and reflect on engaging and effective lessons that are aligned with state and national standards.
  • Explore the implications of learning theories on individual learning, social learning, and within the contexts of larger social justice issues.
  • Apply theoretical and practical frameworks to analyze various instructional activities, focusing on content development through teacher-student, student-student, and group interactions.
  • Design and implement problem- and project-based curricula and processes.
  • Explore historical perspectives that have shaped the content and direction of the sciences and apply that historical content and information to educational contexts.
  • Engage in problem-solving and problem-based learning through exploration and activities that strengthen, deepen, and expand knowledge of secondary mathematics and science topics.
  • Design and implement scientific inquiries employing the tools and technology used by scientists.
  • Practice the tools and strategies needed for effective teaching through intensive and integrated field experiences, which allow candidates to put to use their classroom experiences and to form a context by which concepts are better understood.

The required courses to earn the STEM education minor include:

EDUC 1100 Step 1: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching
EDUC 1101 Step 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design
EDUC 1301 Knowing and Learning
EDUC 2301 Classroom Interactions
EDUC 3300 Project-Based Instruction
STEM 3305 Perspectives on Mathematics and Science
STEM 3310 Research Methods in Mathematics and Science
STEM 4305 Apprentice Teaching Seminar
STEM 4600 Apprentice Teaching

In addition to completing coursework, candidates must meet College of Education teacher education admission requirements and Arkansas Department of Education licensure requirements to be eligible for the teaching license.

[2] STEM Education Course Links

Follow this link for EDUC courses: course link.

Follow this link for STEM courses: course link.