Phoenix Suns Charities (PSC) STEM Schools for the Future
We are recruiting schools for this fully funded program from PSC!
We are seeking three schools each year for the next 3 years, from City of Phoenix districts/schools (see list below) who want to begin their journey to become STEM Schools.
Application deadline Feb 10, 2020 by 5:00pm MST
Please contact: Kenric Kesler with questions or to receive an application for this great opportunity.
928-523-0929
Kenric.Kesler@nau.edu
Program Summary
The Phoenix Suns Charities (PSC)- STEM Schools for the Future is a K-8 professional learning program designed for schools who are beginning or are currently focused on integrating STEM learning school-wide. The program’s purpose is to assist Phoenix public schools to develop a more STEM literate workforce by building school capacity to design and implement effective STEM instruction.
The Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL) at NAU will guide schools to provide experiences which encourage students to use an interdisciplinary STEM approach to solve real world issues in order to develop critical 21st century skills and become better prepared for living in a complex global society.
Implementation Plan:
The program implementation plan aligns with research-based best practices for professional learning and STEM education. The program will have 3 distinct cohorts of 3 schools using the semester model (summer, fall, spring).
The PSC STEM School cohorts will focus on four main pillars with the participant schools.
- STEM School Systemic Change – Each school will identify a leadership team consisting of an administrator, four teachers from the school, and a community partner (e.g., a local food bank) to participate in the program in order to facilitate long term and sustainable school change. School leadership team will receive 138 hours of professional learning.
- STEM Teacher Academy – Of the four teachers on the leadership team, two will be enrolled in the Academy. They will become experts in STEM instruction and planning and will receive a certificate documenting their professional learning experiences.
- STEM Assessment – Leadership teams will engage with existing STEM teaching protocols and develop their own STEM teaching assessment for use at their school. Student level STEM assessments will also be examined. Schools will decide on the types of data they will collect to inform their continued growth as a STEM school. These data will be managed in a STEM school portfolio.
- STEM Schools Advisory Board – Past APS STEM Focus School teachers and administrators will work with the NAU project staff to continually improve the program and will advise the current schools’ leadership teams.
Implementation Timeline:
Fall 2019 and winter 2020 planning and recruiting schools, Cohort 1 spring 2020-spring 2021
Cohort 2 spring 2021-spring 2022
Cohort 3 spring 2022-spring 2023
Spring Semester
- One day Saturday orientation April 18, 2020 hosted by a program school to introduce leadership teams to the program and begin STEM school self-assessment and action planning. (Location TBD)
Summer Institute
- Five day summer institute June 1-5 2020 at a program host school. (Location TBD)
Fall Semester
- Site Visit by NAU program staff to coincide with school kick off celebration to bring awareness to school communities about PSC STEM Schools for the Future program, this may be your back to school night and may include a visit from members of the Phoenix Suns. (Dates TBD)
- Two (2 day) Leadership team weekends hosted by participant schools (Dates and location TBD)
- Two hours of virtual meetings with school leadership teams (Dates TBD)
Spring Semester
- Two (2 day) Leadership team weekends hosted by participant schools will include final presentations by current cohort of STEM schools. (Dates and locations TBD)
- Two hours of virtual meetings with school leadership teams (Dates TBD)
- Two school site visits by NAU program staff – one for preview of school portfolio, one for final data collection by evaluator (Dates TBD)
Compensation/Reimbursements
- Participants will receive $125 per day during non-contract times (Saturdays and summer dates). Eligible travel costs will also be reimbursed to participants.
- Participating schools will receive $500 to assist with becoming STEM focused.
Additional Support for Schools
- Schools will have access to a resource lending program (e.g. Engineering is Elementary kits)
- Continued technical support for one year.
- Schools will receive a banner to display at their school announcing their participation in the program
Eligibility
Schools must apply. Selection will be made through a competitive process. CSTL staff will review applications and identify successful teams, and notify them of their school’s acceptance.
- Schools must be located in the districts listed below. Priority will be given to schools that serve student populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM professions (e.g. African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Latinos)
- Selected schools will be required to sign statements of commitment from four teacher-leaders, one administrator, and a leading representative from community partner organization.
- School applicants must commit to participating in all aspects of the PSC STEM Schools for the Future program
- Schools/districts must provide reimbursements for mileage and/or fuel or provide district vehicles for program travel
- Schools/districts must provide substitute coverage for leadership team during fall and spring professional development meetings
Eligible districts
- Alhambra Elementary School District
- Balsz Elementary School District
- Cartwright Elementary School District
- Creighton Elementary School District
- Fowler Elementary School District
- Isaac Elementary School District
- Kyrene Elementary School District
- Laveen Elementary School District
- Littleton Elementary School District
- Madison Elementary School District
- Murphy Elementary School District
- Osborn Elementary School District
- Pendergast Elementary School District
- Phoenix Elementary School District
- Riverside Elementary School District
- Roosevelt Elementary School District
- Tempe Elementary School District
- Tolleson Elementary School District
- Union Elementary School District
- Washington Elementary School District
- Wilson Elementary School District