Training K-12 teachers in STEM education: A multi-disciplinary approach

Currently, the US ranks 25th in math and 17th in science among our international peers. U.S. colleges and universities will need to train 25,000 new science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers each year to meet President Obama´s challenge to train 100,000 STEM graduates over the next decade. Improving STEM education is critical for the economic stability of the nation. The nation´s changing demographics and continued need to remain globally competitive make it clear that colleges and universities must increase the number of teachers trained in STEM New York Institute of Technology School of Education and School of Engineering and Computing Sciences is addressing this urgent need to improve STEM education through a multi-disciplinary approach to train teachers to become effective leaders in STEM education. One hundred and fifty students in the Advanced Certificate in STEM program were recruited to participate in the study. A Questionnaire Design was utilized to collect data on students´ perceptions of improved knowledge and skills in teaching STEM subjects after completion of the certificate program.