STEM Institute helping teachers make STEM learning relevant

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. » Despite the uncertainty around the next school year, 12 local teachers are spending several weeks this summer partnered with research labs and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) professionals at Capital Region businesses, participating in projects and research under a professional mentor.

The intent is for them to learn more about the industries and then develop curricula based on their workplace experience for use in their classrooms.

As participants in Questar III’s STEM Research Institute, the teachers – called “STEM Fellows” – make a two-year commitment and agree to share the lesson plans they develop with other teachers at upcoming professional development workshops. Previous STEM Fellows report a tremendous gain in their understanding of how to make content and skills relevant for students.

This year, teachers will be working with mentors from Plug Power, Simmons Machine Tool, the Tech Valley Center of Gravity, the University at Albany/NY Mesonet, GlaxoSmithKline, John W. Danforth Company, and Vicarious Visions.

This year’s STEM Fellows come from the East Greenbush, Schodack, Averill Park, North Colonie, Berlin, Shenendehowa, and Catskill school districts. These educators are involved in work relative to:

-Toothpaste manufacturing process

-Machine tool and automated systems for railway wheel set production

-Fuel cell technology -Video game design -Atmospheric and environmental measuring data collection

-Metal fabrication

Now in its sixth year, officials said the Questar program has significantly enhanced the interest and proficiency of students in the classrooms of participating teachers, as indicated by greater participation in science competitions and afterschool science programs and a higher success rate on Regents Exams in science.