Phoenix Suns Charities (PSC) STEM Schools for the Future
Now recruiting three schools in Phoenix to join this fully-funded program to begin their journey to become STEM Focused.
Application deadline Feb 26, 2021 by 5:00pm MST
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Program Summary
The Phoenix Suns Charities (PSC)- STEM Focus Schools for the Future in the City of Phoenix is a professional learning program designed for K-8 schools who are interested in integrating STEM learning school-wide. The purpose is to assist Arizona 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, 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 four pillars of the PSC STEM School Program include:
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 to facilitate long term and sustainable school change. School leadership teams 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 STEM Focus School teachers and administrators will work with CSTL project staff to continually improve the program and will advise the current schools’ leadership teams.
COVID-19 precautions: This opportunity has been designed to be delivered online to the participant schools using the Zoom platform. At this time all spring and summer meetings are scheduled to be online. Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 dates and locations will be decided by the participant schools. If and when schools return to face to face learning and the CDC releases new guidelines for in-person meetings, it is possible that we would have in person meetings at that time, hosted by participant schools.
Implementation Timeline:
- Cohort 2 – spring 2021- spring 2022
- Cohort 3 – spring 2022 – spring 2023 (application opens spring 2022)
Spring 2021
- Saturday, April 17, 2021, to introduce leadership teams to the program and begin STEM school self-assessment, community partnerships and action planning. (Virtual)
- Saturday, May 22 , 2021. Beginning the Change process of becoming a STEM school (Virtual)
Summer 2021
- June 28-30, 2021 and July 24, 2021 (Virtual)
Fall 2021
- Site visit by CSTL program staff to coincide with school kick off celebration to bring awareness to school communities about participation in the PSC STEM Schools for the Future program (this may be your back to school night – Dates TBD)
- Two (2 day, Friday and Saturday) Leadership team weekends hosted by participant schools (Dates and locations TBD)
- Two hours of virtual meetings with school leadership teams (Dates TBD)
Spring 2022
- Two (2 day, Friday and Saturday) Leadership team weekends hosted by participant schools will include final presentations by the 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 CSTL 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
- Opportunity to network, share resources, and learn with other STEM focused schools across Arizona.
Eligibility and Requirements
Schools must apply. Selection will be made through a competitive process. CSTL staff will review applications, identify successful teams, and notify them of their school’s acceptance in March, 2021.
- Schools must be located in the city of Phoenix (see list below)
- Priority will be given to schools that serve student populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM professions (African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Latinos)
- Selected schools will be required to obtain signed statements of commitment from four teacher-leaders, one administrator, a leading representative from a community partner organization and a district level representative.
- School applicants must commit to participating in all aspects of the PSC STEM-Focus Schools for the Future in the City of Phoenix 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
Please contact Kenric Kesler with questions about this great opportunity.
928-523-0929/Kenric.Kesler@nau.edu
APPLY NOW (Google Account Required)