National Certificate for STEM Excellence

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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:

  1. Initial planning and ongoing virtual support
  2. Responsive needs-based coaching
  3. Comprehensive program guide and anchor readings
  4. 15 STEM Teacher Actions
  5. Classroom observation protocol
  6. Research-based resources
  7. Customized professional development
  8. Recognition and networking locally, regionally and nationally

STEM Campus Certification Requirements

  1. Identify and collaborate with site-based STEM Leadership Team members to enhance the school's STEM efforts as they relate to 27 program indicators.
  2. Authentically apply processes and resources to elevate a culture of STEM teaching and learning across your campus.
  3. 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.