Catalog Year

2023-2024

Degree

Certificate

Credits

20

Locations

Mankato

Normandale

Update Your Major

Elementary Education STEM (CERT)

Provides teacher candidates with the preparation needed to become effective Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teachers at the elementary level. 

The Elementary Education STEM Certificate provides teacher candidates with the preparation needed to become effective Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teachers at the elementary level. This undergraduate certificate is comprised of coursework in the existing elementary education BS program in the areas of biology, physics and mathematics. Additionally, other coursework focuses on elementary STEM pedagogy. Students will take courses in elementary engineering, new technologies for elementary learners and developing integrated STEM units of study. Also, students engage in special topics that are most current in elementary STEM programs such as robotics and computer programing.  

Another highlight is that students completing this certificate will participate in a four-week field experience in a STEM school in which they will gain first-hand knowledge of how elementary schools are integrating STEM into the elementary curriculum. Students take these pedagogy courses after gaining admission to professional education and complete them during their elementary methods courses.     

Additionally, students seeking the undergraduate STEM certificate have the option to take these courses for graduate credit. Those who are admitted to the graduate program can double count the STEM courses for both the undergraduate certificate and the Elementary Education MS program.    

 

Program Requirements

Major Common Core

This course provides hands-on experiences through which students learn the basics of engineering. Topics include the engineering design process, reverse engineering, and engineering fields/professions. The course focuses on the engineering strand of the K-6 Minnesota State Science Standards.

Prerequisites: none

Elementary education teacher candidates will study the technology skills needed in order to become effective STEM teachers.

Prerequisites: none

This course provides students with familiarity in regard to emerging topics of importance in elementary STEM education.

Prerequisites: none

In this pedagogy course, elementary teachers will learn to integrate the four disciplines of STEM; science, technology, engineering, and math.

Prerequisites: none

Field experience focusing on the struggling reader and instruction in an integrated approach to teaching science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Prerequisites: none

Major Restricted Electives

Mathematics - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Concepts of algebra (real numbers, exponents, polynomials, rational expressions), equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices and determinants, conic sections, sequences and series, probability, and binomial theorem.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.

Goal Areas: GE-04

An introduction to statistical concepts and methods that is applicable to all disciplines. Topics include descriptive measures of data, probability and probability distributions, statistical inference, tests of hypotheses, confidence intervals, correlation, linear regression, and analysis of variance. The use of statistical software will be emphasized. Prereq: ACT Math sub-score of 19 or higher, successful completion of MATH 098 or appropriate placement scores (see Placement Information under Statistics) Fall, Spring, Summer GE-4

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-04

Major Unrestricted Electives

Choose 6 credits from two different areas in Science, including Biology, Geology, and/or Physics.

4-Year Plan

First Year

Fall - 4 Credits

Concepts of algebra (real numbers, exponents, polynomials, rational expressions), equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices and determinants, conic sections, sequences and series, probability, and binomial theorem.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.

Goal Areas: GE-04

Spring - 3 Credits

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and flooding are three examples of naturally recurring events on the Earth that ultimately influence all of our lives. This course introduces the physical features and processes of the Earth that control these events. The course has a laboratory component.

Prerequisites: none

Second Year

Fall - 3 Credits

Provides experience with a wide variety of biological laboratory exercises to prepare prospective elementary teachers. Emphasis is on building knowledge, skills, and confidence. The course will cover major biological concepts and environmental education through classroom-ready examples selected to illustrate each concept.

Prerequisites: none

Third Year

Fall - 2 Credits

This course provides hands-on experiences through which students learn the basics of engineering. Topics include the engineering design process, reverse engineering, and engineering fields/professions. The course focuses on the engineering strand of the K-6 Minnesota State Science Standards.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 4 Credits

Elementary education teacher candidates will study the technology skills needed in order to become effective STEM teachers.

Prerequisites: none

In this pedagogy course, elementary teachers will learn to integrate the four disciplines of STEM; science, technology, engineering, and math.

Prerequisites: none

Fourth Year

Fall - 5 Credits

This course provides students with familiarity in regard to emerging topics of importance in elementary STEM education.

Prerequisites: none

Field experience focusing on the struggling reader and instruction in an integrated approach to teaching science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Prerequisites: none

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