Fostering STEM Institute

Strengthening teacher-leaders

Now recruiting for a second year, the Fostering STEM Institute helps instructional specialists and teacher leaders foster STEM culture and instructional practices in their schools. The institute is designed around essential tenets of effective instructional coaching, transformational professional learning, and quality STEM education.

The Fostering STEM Institute supports the outcomes of other Ohio STEM Learning Network programs, including the Innovative Leaders Institute and STEM/STEAM school designation. However, past participation in these programs is not a requirement.

Intended participants come from schools with an established STEM focus but not necessarily from STEM/STEAM designated schools. Participants will leverage and strengthen their existing knowledge of STEM pedagogy to gain expertise in effective coaching practices.

students in classroom

Core topics

During the Fostering STEM Institute, the cohort participants will engage in multiple workshops, coaching supports, and leverage their collaborative teams. 

The core topics addressed throughout the institute include the following:

  • Characteristics of high-quality STEM education
  • STEM culture of the school community and its stakeholders
  • Coaching strategies to enhance and foster:
    • STEM pedagogy
    • STEM culture and STEM identity
    • Habits of mind
  • Core attributes of STEM instructional approaches
  • Onboarding new faculty
  • Setting, implementing, and assessing coaching goals related to STEM practices

Residency

The Fostering STEM Institute includes both workshops and a residency opportunity. Over this year-long professional learning program, participants learn and share coaching approaches that advance instruction, and build strong STEM culture and identity. Workshops over the 2023-2024 school year will detail various facets of STEM education and coaching approaches.

Additionally, participants will be offered a 1-3 day residency opportunity. During the residency, participants visit and immerse themselves in a model STEM/STEAM school, observing and learning. The insights they gain will strengthen STEM-based approaches in their own schools.

Residency host schools are purposefully selected to meet the needs of every Institute participant. 

2022-2023 residency schools:

2023-2024 residency schools will be selected based on cohort needs. Residency travel costs for the upcoming year are covered by the Ohio STEM Learning Network, thanks to generous support from the State of Ohio. 

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Program details

Applications for the Fostering STEM Institute are currently closed

Eligibility

Applicants must: 

  • Provide instructional support to teachers on a regular basis (instructional coach, lead teacher, etc.)
  • Work in a STEM or STEAM designated school, or a school with an established STEM focus
  • Upon acceptance, the school principal submits the commitment form supporting the applicant’s participation in the Fostering STEM Institute

Expectations

Thanks to Ohio’s generous support of the Ohio STEM Learning Network, the $1,250.00 program fee for the 2023-2024 Fostering STEM Institute is waived.

The program expectations include:

  • Attending program meetings (virtual and in-person)
    • In-person meeting on September 27 and 28, 2023 in Columbus
    • Virtual booster call on October 17, 2023
    • In-person meeting on November 30 and December 1, 2023 in Columbus
    • Virtual meeting on February 22, 2024
    • In-person meeting on May 2, 2024 in Columbus
  • Completing program tasks and activities
  • Implementing the strategies learned in the cohort during the 2023-2024 school year

Deadline

The in-person workshops will be held in Columbus. Applications are currently closed. The selected cohort participants will be notified by June 17, 2023.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided for all participants during the in-person workshops.

The 2023-2024 cohort is limited to 30 participants.

 

Eligibility

Applicants must: 

  • Provide instructional support to teachers on a regular basis (instructional coach, lead teacher, etc.)
  • Work in a STEM or STEAM designated school, or a school with an established STEM focus
  • Upon acceptance, the school principal submits the commitment form supporting the applicant’s participation in the Fostering STEM Institute

Expectations

The $1,250.00 program fee for the 2023-2024 Fostering STEM Institute is waived for participants that:

  • Attend all program meetings (virtual and in-person)
    • In-person meeting on September 27 and 28, 2023 in Columbus
    • Virtual booster call on October 17, 2023
    • In-person meeting on November 30 and December 1, 2023 in Columbus
    • Virtual meeting on February 22, 2024
    • In-person meeting on May 2, 2024 in Columbus
  • Complete all program tasks and activities
  • Implement the strategies learned in the cohort during the 2023-2024 school year

Deadline

The in-person workshops will be held in Columbus. Applications close June 2, 2023. The selected cohort participants will be notified by June 17, 2023.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided for all participants during the in-person workshops.

The 2023-2024 cohort is limited to 30 participants.

 

 

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