STEMucation Academy touts teacher training methods

STEMucation Academy is a professional development program for K-12 teachers to incorporate engineering design into their STEM teaching. The program was developed with National Science Foundation funds through the Cincinnati Engineering Enhanced Math and Science Partnership at the University of Cincinnati. 

STEMucation Academy is presenting a brief video, "Implementing Challenge-Based Learning in the Classroom,” at the 2020 STEM for All Video Showcase. The online event features more than 170 innovative projects aimed at improving STEM learning and teaching, which have been funded by the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies. Researchers, practitioners, policy makers and members of the public are invited to view the short videos, discuss them with the presenters online, and vote for their favorites. Voting and discussion ends on May 12, 2020.

The video looks at the success achieved in classrooms using challenge-based learning integrated with the engineering design process that is the focus of STEMucation Academy.  

“Our on-site and online workshops fill the gap between the science and mathematics practice standards and the practices of engineering design. When you incorporate engineering design into your classroom, it enables student engagement through the use of hands-on problem solving,” said Anant Kukreti, Professor Emeritus, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science. 

Kukreti led the UC partnership that launched STEMucation Academy. That partnership was a joint effort of the College of Engineering and Applied Science; College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services; College of Arts and Sciences; and 14 local school districts.