STEM Focus Schools for the Future

The program implementation plan aligns with research-based best practices for professional learning and STEM education. The four pillars of the program include: 

1. 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 100 hours of professional learning.
2. 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. 
3. 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.
4. STEM Schools Mentors – 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.

The program will be delivered synchronously online using the Zoom platform and the Google suite of tools. Therefore, reliable internet, web cam, and a Google account are required for participation. Site visits from CSTL personnel may occur in person.

Spring 2022

• Saturday, April 23, 2022
• Saturday, May 21, 2022

Summer 2022

• Monday-Wednesday, July 11-13 and Saturday, August 6

Fall 2022

• Site visit by CSTL program staff (Dates TBD)
• Four Saturdays of professional learning for your leadership team: August 13, September 24, October 29 and December 3, 2022
• Two hours of virtual meetings with school leadership teams (Dates TBD)

Spring 2023

• • Four Saturdays of professional learning for your leadership team: January 28, February 11, March 25 and May 6, 2023.
  • Two hours of virtual meetings with school leadership teams (Dates TBD)
  • Two school site visits by CSTL program staff (Dates TBD)

• Participants will receive $125 per day during non-contract times.  
• Participating schools will receive $500 to assist with becoming STEM focused. 

• Access to a resource lending program (e.g. Engineering is Elementary kits)
• Technical support for one year.
• A banner to display at your school announcing your participation in the program
• Opportunity to network, share resources, and learn with other STEM focused schools across Arizona.