About | Center for STEM Education
The Notre Dame Center for STEM Education was founded in 2013 to make a lasting impact in STEM education.
Through its research and the translation of evidence-based findings into programs and longitudinal teacher professional development, the Center is focused on increasing student interest and learning in the STEM disciplines. The Center collaborates with departments and programs across the Notre Dame campus, across the state, and across the nation to address emerging needs in STEM education, especially through its broad network of Catholic school partners. The Center for STEM Education is located in Carole Sandner Hall located at the heart of campus behind the Main Building and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Mission
The University of Notre Dame Center for STEM Education believes that all young people, especially those from underserved communities, deserve a high-quality STEM education in order to shape their own futures. By conducting research and implementing programs, the Center improves STEM teaching and learning in both Catholic and public schools.
Vision
To be a premier, transformative center for the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Conceptual Framework
The Notre Dame Center for STEM Education conducts and applies research for the benefit of all students. As part of the University of Notre Dame, the Center is uniquely positioned to engage the nearly two million students in our nation’s Catholic schools, for which STEM education research and outreach are greatly needed.
The Center focuses on two levers to effect change:
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Improving STEM teaching quality
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Increasing students’ access to high-quality STEM programs. While applicable across the K-16 spectrum, the work of the Center is specially situated across grades K-12
Trustey Family STEM Teaching Fellows
To address the first lever of change, the Center has launched a unique, multi-year fellowship program, the Trustey Family STEM Teaching Fellows. The Center also helps form STEM teachers through its work with South Bend Catholic middle school teachers in the CREST program and by training science and math teachers in the M.Ed. Program at Notre Dame through the Alliance for Catholic Education. Professional development is also an embedded part of many current research projects.
STEM-focused summer camps
To address the second lever, the Center partners with schools around the United States to host STEM-focused summer camps that address science, engineering, and computer programming, especially for under-served populations. High school students across Indiana are benefiting from increased access and the improved quality of AP courses in math, science, and English through the AP-TIP IN program. A new initiative between the Discovery Cube and the Diocese of Orange, in California, is bringing Next Generation Science Standards-based kits to 4th and 5th-grade classrooms across the diocese.
Professional Formation
Excellence in Teaching Conference
Making STEM a Force for Good | April 3 - 5, 2020 | University of Notre Dame
About the Conference
STEM education serves more than an economic means. STEM education can be used as a force for good throughout our communities and as a means for helping young people shape their own futures. This 2-day conference will draw on research and the wisdom of practice to help teachers from the STEM disciplines as well as the humanities integrate core concepts and practices from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in ways that address problems that are meaningful to our nation’s youth.
Speakers will address issues of curriculum, instruction, and assessment at the intersection of problem-based learning and authentic, relevant contexts as a means for generating agency among STEM learners. Break-out sessions will provide opportunities for different teachers of different grade bands – from pre-school to advanced level high school settings – to explore developmentally appropriate ways for young people to engage in rigorous STEM education as a means for respecting the dignity of all people and fostering the common good.
Special sessions for principals and administrators will be offered. Topics will focus on leading STEM initiatives in schools.
Sample Schedule
Friday, April 3, 2020
3 PM - Campus Tour - Departing from the Eck Visitor's Center
5 PM - Welcome Mass (optional)
6 PM - Welcome Reception
Saturday, April 4, 2020
8:30 AM - Continental Breakfast
9 AM-10 AM - Large Group Session
10:15 AM-12:15 PM - Break-out Sessions
12:15-1:45 PM - Lunch
2 PM-4 PM - Break-out Sessions
5 PM - Vigil Mass at the Basilica (optional)
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Dinner and Keynote Presentation
Sunday, April 5, 2020
8:30 AM - Breakfast
9 AM - 9:30 AM - Large Group Session
9:30 - 11:15 AM - Break-out Workshops
Accommodations
Blocks of rooms have been reserved at both the Fairfield Inn and Suites in nearby Eddy Street Commons and at the Morris Inn on Notre Dame's campus. Please visit the booking links below to reserve a room today!
Fairfield Inn and Suites South Bend at Notre Dame – 1220 East Angela Boulevard South Bend, IN 46617
Morris Inn at Notre Dame – 1399 N. Notre Dame Avenue South Bend, IN 46617
Or, call 800-280-7256 to make your reservation. Reference the "Excellence in Teaching Conference" to receive the group rate.
Pricing and Scholarships
Price: $250.00 per person
Cancellation Policy: The registration fee, less a $50 charge, will be refunded if a written cancellation of enrollment is received three weeks prior to the conference.