Participants in this course will design and implement a project-based learning (PBL) unit in a STEM-related field to engage their elementary and secondary students in deeper learning. Participants will explore the nuts and bolts of designing an effective PBL unit while ensuring the Indiana Standards are the cornerstones of the unit. Participants will also investigate research-based practices for implementing high-quality PBL. Participants will be introduced to the theory and practice of PBL.

This course is designed to explore, identify and address implicit biases that influence student behaviors and interactions with the STEM curriculum and field. It will examine how to create school practices, academic programs, and learning environments that provide equitable access and opportunities for all students, especially those from underrepresented populations. A focus will be placed on research-based STEM pedagogies to promote connected, scaffolded STEM curricula that break down stereotypes, contribute to a positive STEM identity, and encourage students to join a STEM field. The ultimate goal of this course is to create a culture of STEM learning.

This course is designed for K-12 inservice teachers who want to expand their practice to integrate more engaging, hands-on engineering principles and projects into their classroom. Teachers will be introduced to the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and strategies to embed inclusive design into classroom projects, books, and games. Modules are designed to enable teachers to flexibly apply the engineering design process to projects within a content area. A set of engineering devices will be shipped to the participants to use during the course and in their classrooms. Participants will be requested to provide basic project materials, such as cardboard, scissors, tape, binder clips, etc.

Technology supports teachers in their efforts to empower and engage students. Modules are designed to help participants interact with different roles that technology plays in STEM education as educational/instructional technology; as coding or computational thinking; and as content-specific technology as tools and practices used by science, mathematics, and engineering practitioners. In each module, participants will not only explore new technologies as learners, but also design learning materials and activities that integrate those new technologies.