Introduction to the history and concepts of STEM education using a transdisciplinary, hands-on, problem-based learning approach. As a community of learners students will explore how, in educational settings, disciplinary knowledge and practices from each of the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) can be applied to complex real-world problems.

Investigation and elaboration of the complex relationships between the STEM fields, as well as the fundamental principles of STEM education. Students will develop, analyze, and evaluate age-appropriate transdisciplinary STEM lessons for use in educational settings that develop knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Explores STEM related career interests by applying knowledge to practical experiences. Internship sponsor sites may include museums of science, farm-based education sites, nature conservancy operations, and organizations that provide community-based science and technology education. Regular attendance at field site and at on-campus seminars is required. Enrollment capped at 4 students.

Students build upon knowledge of the principles of STEM education established in STEM 342. Working in collaborative grade-level teams, students will develop age-appropriate STEM curriculum materials that build knowledge and skills in each of the STEM fields while engaging students in transdisciplinary problem-solving.