STEM

“First, STEM is an acronym for four different fields, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These are the elements of STEM education and all teaching and learning in STEM is related to building capacity in these areas. Second is the interrelationship of these elements. While each one is something distinct, these fields are not treated as wholly separate entities. STEM education seeks to take advantage of the similarities and interplay of skills and knowledge among these fields to weave together a rich and meaningful learning environment. Lastly, STEM teaching is dedicated to engaging students in ways that other areas cannot, in order to develop unique cognitive skills, habits of mind, and attitudes that will benefit learners throughout their lives. STEM teaching also recognizes that a learner who masters the STEM curriculum is uniquely empowered to enter into the world of the 21st century.” From the National Institute for STEM Education website.

Moreno Valley High School is the most recent school in Cimarron School District to earn the National Certificate for STEM Excellence (NCSE) - Campus Certification from the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE). The NCSE recognizes individual school campuses for their commitment to and systematic support of teachers’ understanding and use of high-impact, evidence-based STEM instructional strategies.

As part of earning the NCSE - Campus Certification, all MVHS educators also earned the National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST), further contributing to the school’s collective STEM expertise.

About the National Institute for STEM Education

NISE is a research-based support system for campuses and teachers seeking to strengthen STEM instruction and outcomes. Based on 15 STEM Teacher Actions that evolved from STEM professional development originally created at Rice University, NISE’s Campus and Teacher Certificates help school leaders and teachers understand and apply research and best practices in STEM, 21st-century learning, and professional development. For information, visit http://nise.institute.

As NISE STEM certified teachers, we focus on three domains. These domains reflect three big ideas that we believe are essential for effective STEM teaching. Built into these domains are 15 teacher actions which reflect not only these three big ideas, but also the guiding principles outlined by the NISE Foundation.