STEM Academy & CSSA Collaboration with 100K in 10 Network

STEM Academy project with the 100K in 10 Network is to engage the network of STEM educators and leaders in an effort to develop and maintain the first quality assurance framework in the US and beyond, to help community-based STEM programs meet Licensing, Accreditation and Certification standards. The projects outcomes and goals are to build, apply and maintain uniform standards that will govern STEM programming, educator skills and tools employed to deliver and improve the quality STEM learning necessary for participants to meet the problem-solving career demands of the future dynamic markets in the STEM and STEAM space.

As a 100K in10 ally, CSSA and the STEM Academy are working in collaboration with the network to develop standards for STEM community-based and extracurricular agency licensure, STEM program and standards accreditation and STEM teacher professional certification. The objectives of the project are as follows:

·      Provide a pathway to STEM Licensure of community institutions/organizations providing community-based STEM programs. And the services necessary to maintain licensing standards.

·      Provide for the Accreditation of STEM program curriculum, learning methods and tools employed to achieve STEM learning outcomes

·      Provide for the certification of community-based educators in STEM teaching methods and competency through formal continuing education programs. Certifying the individual community program STEM teachers.

For more information about accreditation of STEM and STEAM Programs, please visit CSSA.

STEM ACADEMY & GAMe-BASED LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES

The STEM Academy is incorporating and testing the application of Game-based learning technology and programming as an important resource for supporting STEM learning activities and training programs This project employs tools like “Breakout EDU” to engage learner in active problem-solving engagement through game challengers and activities. Gaming technology is employed and integrated with STEM programming as well as teacher training applications. The deployment of gaming technology will be examined to assess its efficacy in creating a learning environment and culture that facilitates problem-solving and promotes motivation to learn.

The STEM Academy believes that games will have an important role in changing the landscape of learning by mapping educational gaming applications to solve real-life problems by building critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity competencies in learners now and preparing them to solve future problems in science and technology.

Breakout EDU has created and assembled a wide range of game-based learning tools and educational resources classified under physical, digital and hyper-games targeting the objectives of STEM 4Cs and Tony Wagner’s Seven Survival Skills. The application of the Breakout EDU resource will be assessed during this project. 

The STEM Academy is currently evaluating the STEM Scouting program of the Boys Scouts. The project is underway in Sterling, Virginia to assess the compliance of STEM Scouts programs with established STEM standards and methods. It is anticipated that the results of the project will produce STEM education programs content and methods that will be replicated in other STEM scouts programs in Virginia and California as well as serve as a standards framework for STEM programs for the Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and other community-based STEM programs and extracurricular programs for K-12 schools. 

Also, Sigma Consulting & Training DBA Stem Academy in UAE conducted the first STEM Scouts summer camp in DUBAI for UAE- MOE 2017.

Collaboration with University of Massachusetts (Umass)

This project is designed to train and certify STEM Teachers in United Arab Emirates (UAE) through a rigorous teacher certification and program accreditation processes. The certification of STEM teacher competencies by UMass College of Education will apply the same standards used to certify US STEM teachers. And CSSA would be the accrediting and licensing body. CSSA is maintaining continuous contact with the Ministry of Education and other partners to ensure a successful outcome.

CSSA and the STEM academy are currently in the process of establishing an Academy in Dubai exclusively for providing learning lab to support teacher training and negotiating with a local partner to provide ongoing Continuing STEM Teacher Education Programs under standards established by CSSA, the STEM Academy and UMass College of Education.

STEM Academy Project in Egypt

Sigma for Consulting and Training and the STEM Academy are currently in discussion with a STEM education agency serving the private school community in Egypt, to provide STEM consultation and training services to improve STEM programming and promote teacher development in STEM learning methods. This project is in its early stage of discussions. 

STEM Truck Collaboration

STEM Truck is an extracurricular and after-school program located in Atlanta Georgia providing mobile STEM lab programs to underserved communities. The STEM Truck provide STEM programming to children served by school that do not have adequate lab facilities or materials. CSSA and the STEM Academy are in discussions with the STEM Truck to provide program accreditation services and consultation. STEM Truck bring a unique capability to the STEM education space by providing a mobile lab program and CSSA can provide accreditation standards and services to the program. It is anticipated that this collaboration will serve the mutual interests and goals of both organizations.

Cultural Engagement Project

Starting in 2020 CSSA and the STEM Academy will develop projects to help learners to successfully engage cultural difference that often present barriers to collaborative learning and problem-solving. Differences in religion, socio-economic status, parenting, and education present cultural barriers to communication and collaboration. Overcoming these barriers will require interpersonal competencies in understanding, valuing and promoting the capabilities difference can bring to the STEM problem-solving challenges presented by globalization. 

STEM Academy will start by surveying parents, school principals, teachers and possibly the students themselves to solicit their engagement and approval for introducing STEM games that recognize and promote the commonality of respect, understanding and values represented by cultural differences as a foundation for building effective STEM team problem-solving.