The National Certificate for STEM Excellence transforms school culture and raises student achievement by helping your campus become a 21st century STEM learning center.
National Certificate for STEM Excellence
Certified Campuses
Certifications In Progress
What is the National Certificate for STEM Excellence (NCSE)?
The National Certificate for STEM Excellence (NCSE) recognizes individual school campuses for their commitment to – and growth in – teachers’ implementation of 21st Century and STEM strategies. Evolving from STEM professional development and curriculum created at Rice University, NISE STEM certificates integrate the most recent research and best practices in STEM, 21st Century Learning and professional development.
Congratulations to these schools that have already received, or are in the process of earning, their National Certificate of STEM Excellence - Campus Certification.
Why the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE)?
The National Institute for STEM Education is more than a certifying body. NISE is a support system for campuses seeking to improve their implementation of STEM practices. With the support of an experienced STEM leadership coach, campuses craft and implement a STEM Action Plan to become a 21st-century STEM campus.
Support Throughout the Process
Your NCSE STEM Leadership Coach will advocate and guide your success through:
- Initial planning and ongoing virtual support
- Responsive needs-based coaching
- Comprehensive program guide and anchor readings
- 15 STEM Teacher Actions
- Classroom observation protocol
- Research-based resources
- Customized professional development
- Recognition and networking locally, regionally and nationally
STEM Campus Certification Requirements
- Identify and collaborate with site-based STEM Leadership Team members to enhance the school's STEM efforts as they relate to 27 program indicators.
- Authentically apply processes and resources to elevate a culture of STEM teaching and learning across your campus.
- Increase STEM instructional capacity on your campus by having a minimum of five (5) educators complete the National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST).
Cost
The National Certificate of STEM Excellence costs $12,500 and includes up to five enrollments in the National Certificate for STEM Teaching.
Plan, Implement, Sustain
Campus Certification
| Phase One: PLAN | |
|---|---|
|
1
|
Complete a STEM self-assessment |
|
1A.
|
Complete campus-wide STEM assessment |
|
1B.
|
Establish inter-rater reliability using protocol |
|
1C.
|
Complete teacher walk-throughs |
|
2
|
Communicate STEM vision and goals |
|
2A.
|
Identify opportunity gaps |
|
2B.
|
Involve stakeholders |
|
2C.
|
Finalize STEM vision and goals |
|
3
|
Create a STEM Action Plan |
|
3A.
|
Prioritize needs and outcomes |
|
3B.
|
Clarify roles, responsibilities, timelines, and interim metrics |
|
3C.
|
Share Action Plan with stakeholders |
| Phase Two: IMPLEMENT | |
|---|---|
|
4
|
Integrate STEM into accountability measures |
|
4A.
|
Align high-stakes assessment with STEM practices |
|
4B.
|
Refine campus-wide assessments to include STEM practices |
|
4C.
|
Implement shared accountability for STEM practices |
|
5
|
Integrate STEM into curriculum |
|
5A.
|
Evaluate current curriculum |
|
5B.
|
Analyze current scope and sequence documents |
|
5C.
|
Embed STEM strategies into required learning outcomes and resources |
|
6
|
Integrate STEM into instruction |
|
6A.
|
Integrate STEM into existing structures for instructional planning (PLCs) |
|
6B.
|
Plan for STEM instruction horizontally, vertically, and across content areas |
|
6C.
|
Implement classroom walk-throughs using the STEM Protocol |
| Phase Three: SUSTAIN | |
|---|---|
|
7
|
Use the STEM Protocol to guide instructional decisions |
|
7A.
|
Determine root cause for sub-optimal STEM instruction |
|
7B.
|
Provide targeted STEM support to individual teachers and groups of teachers |
|
7C.
|
Adjust schedules and resources as needed to support STEM excellence |
|
8
|
Implement comprehensive STEM PD |
|
8A.
|
Provide professional learning beyond district dedicated days |
|
8B.
|
Monitor and adjust professional development based on student performance |
|
8C.
|
Teachers identify and pursue their own professional development needs |
|
9
|
Monitor and adjust the STEM Action Plan |
|
9A.
|
Regularly measure progress toward goals and adjust the plan as needed |
|
9B.
|
Maximize community partners and external resources |
|
9C.
|
Publicize and celebrate STEM success! |
Campus Recertification
Already a NISE STEM Certified Campus? Click here for information about the 3 year recertification process.
