Suzanne Kucharczyk
Department Head, Curriculum and Instruction
216 Peabody Hall
479-575-4209
Email: suzannek@uark.edu
The Department of Curriculum and Education offers a minor in STEM Education and a Certificate of Proficiency in STEM Education, both of which are open to students majoring in the STEM fields — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — and who are interested in acquiring valuable communication skills in these complex subject areas, in developing a deeper understanding of how people learn science, mathematics, and computer science, and in applying research-based strategies to engage others in understanding these subjects.
The certificate and minor in STEM Education are also initial pathways into the undergraduate teacher licensure program that prepares secondary teachers in the following subjects: mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, or computer science.
Requirements for Minor in STEM Education
A minimum GPA of 3.0 required to earn the minor. Of the 15 credit hours, a minimum of 9 credit hours must be STEM, CIED, SEED, or CATE courses.
The 15-credit-hour minor in STEM Education is not a teacher licensure program. However, these courses can be applied to the undergraduate teacher licensure program that prepares students for secondary licensure in the following subjects: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Computer Science. For questions about teacher licensure, please visit the Office of Teacher Education. Students may also consider the one-year Master of Arts in Teaching program as a path to teacher licensure.
Course Requirements
| STEM 2003 | The Art of STEM Communication | 3 |
| or ARSC 1201 & ARSC 1212 | Introduction to Teaching STEM Subjects and Inquiry Approach to Teaching STEM Subjects | |
| STEM 2103 | Knowing and Learning in Science and Mathematics | 3 |
| STEM 3203 | Classroom Interactions | 3 |
| Electives chosen from: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Teaching STEM Subjects 1 | ||
| Inquiry Approach to Teaching STEM Subjects 1 | ||
| The Art of STEM Communication 1 | ||
| History and Philosophy of Science for Science Teachers | ||
| Inquiry and Modeling in Science Education | ||
or CHEM 3273 | Inquiry and Modeling in Science Education | |
or PHYS 3273 | Inquiry and Modeling in Science Education | |
| Functions, Foundations and Models | ||
| Introduction to Teaching Programming in the Secondary Schools | ||
| Teaching Secondary Science | ||
| Teaching Secondary Mathematics I | ||
| Teaching Secondary Mathematics II | ||
| Teaching in Inclusive Secondary Settings | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
Can be used only once for the minor.
Certificate of Proficiency in STEM Education
The Certificate in STEM Education is for STEM majors interested in acquiring valuable communication skills in these complex subject areas, developing a deeper understanding of how people think about and learn these subjects, and applying research-based strategies to engage others in understanding these subjects.
The 9 credit hour Certificate in STEM Education is not a minor or teacher licensure program. However, these courses can be applied to the undergraduate Minor in STEM Education and also the teacher licensure program that prepares students for secondary licensure in the following subjects: mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, or computer science. Contact a STEM Education faculty adviser at teach@uark.edu.
| STEM 2003 | The Art of STEM Communication | 3 |
| Electives chosen from: (3 hrs must be 3000/4000 level) | 6 | |
| Introduction to Teaching STEM Subjects and Inquiry Approach to Teaching STEM Subjects | ||
| Knowing and Learning in Science and Mathematics | ||
| History and Philosophy of Science for Science Teachers | ||
| Introduction to Teaching Programming in the Secondary Schools | ||
| Inquiry and Modeling in Science Education | ||
| Inquiry and Modeling in Science Education | ||
| Inquiry and Modeling in Science Education | ||
| Functions, Foundations and Models | ||
| Teaching and Funding Outdoor & Informal Education | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
