STEM in Arizona

Gila County Schools Education Service Agency News:

May 2015 - Education Matters

"Business leaders in Arizona have sounded an alarm. They cannot find the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent they need to stay competitive. Students' lagging performance in K–12 is a critical reason why.

To address this challenge, Arizona is raising the bar. The state has joined 44 others in adopting rigorous math standards for K–12—the Common Core State Standards—and it is working with other states to create robust tests aligned to those standards. These are promising developments, but to succeed amid profound practical, political and financial challenges, the state has to maintain its resolve.

The state needs to ensure that schools and students have opportunities to meet a higher bar. Not enough Arizona students, least of all minorities, have the chance to learn challenging content to prepare them for college and careers, and math and science teachers say they lack the resources they need. In addition, science does not yet seem to be a priority in Arizona. Students spend little time on science in elementary grades, and the state sets the passing score on its 8th-grade science test very low.

On the bright side, STEM degrees and certificates awarded in Arizona colleges have nearly doubled in the past decade. Still, they account for fewer than 10 percent of all degrees and certificates. Business leaders stand ready to work with educators and states to keep widening the pipeline." ("Vital Signs." Vital Signs. Change the Equation, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2015.)

- See more at: http://vitalsigns.changetheequation.org/#az-Arizona-Overview

Change the Equation/STEMworks recently notified us that Teachers in Industry has been admitted to Change the Equation’s STEMworks database as an “Exemplary” STEM learning program. Reviewers selected Teachers in Industry as one of very few to receive this recognition. The application reviewers tell us they couldn’t be more pleased as Teachers in Industry now becomes the Arizona benchmark leading the way for other Arizona STEM programs that follow. Teachers in Industry crossed the highest bar, where less than 30% of applicants are accepted at any level. Being so recognized helps make the STEMworks Database of programs a critical resource for STEM learning advocates, program developers, educators and funders who are looking for programs that have been measured and proved to be effective.

We invite middle- and high-school STEM and CTE teachers to apply to this nationally recognized program. Teachers in Industry is well established across the state of Arizona, with classrooms in Tucson, Chandler, and distance access for teachers in rural areas. Our application window is open through the end of February, and earlier applications are encouraged!

Teachers in Industry has two options for STEM/CTE Teachers:

Our Masters of Arts in Teaching and Teacher Education with a focus in the teacher's content area is for early/mid-career teachers who have not yet earned a masters degree: participating teachers work for three consecutive summers in a STEM industry while also completing a master’s degree that helps them translate their industry experiences to their classrooms while learning to think deeply about their teaching practices. Participating teachers take seven education courses and four content courses (33 units) during their three years in the program. All participants remain in their teaching positions throughout the duration of this program - our classes are hybrid/online in spring/fall and online face-to-face on Fridays in the summers. Teachers admitted to the MA program may receive up to 65% tuition subsidy through our grants programs, in addition to the salaries they earn each summer from their industry work.
Teachers who are accepted into the PD option take one graduate level course each summer, for up to three summers as they are also working in a paid industry position. The course focuses on a different issue relevant to both business and classroom teaching each summer, such as motivation, learning, or assessment. Each summer, PD teachers create a Problem Based Learning unit based on their industry work experience to take back to their classroom. Teachers earn the same salaries as teachers in the MA program, but do not receive tuition subsidies.

We have additional information and the program application on our website, http://teachersinindustry.arizona.edu/. We have openings for at least 2-3 teachers in Globe, at Freeport McMoRan and at the APS power station. Teachers receive industry wages for working 4 days per week (Mon-Thur) in the summers, with summer coursework on Fridays as described above.