STEM project-based instruction is a pedagogical approach that is gaining popularity across the USA. However, there are very few teacher education programs that focus specifically on preparing graduates to teach in project-based environments. This book is focused on the UTeach program, a STEM teacher education model that is being implemented across the USA in 46 universities. Originally focused only on mathematics and science, many UTeach programs are now offering engineering and computer science licensure programs as well. This book provides a forum to disseminate how different institutions have implemented the UTeach model in their local context. Topics discussed will include sustainability features of the model, and how program assessment, innovative instructional programming, classroom research and effectiveness research have contributed to its success. The objectives of the book are: • To help educators gain insight into a teacher education organizational model focused on STEM and how and why it was developed • To present the theoretical underpinnings of a STEM education model, i.e. deep learning, conceptual understanding • To present innovative instructional programming in teacher education, i.e. projectbased instruction, functions and modeling, research methods • To present research and practice in classroom and field implementation and future research recommendations • To disseminate program assessments and improvement efforts

There is a critical need to prepare diverse teachers with expertise in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with the skills necessary to work effectively with underrepresented K-12 students. Three major goals of funded STEM programs are to attract and prepare students at all educational levels to pursue coursework in the STEM content areas, to prepare graduates to pursue careers in STEM fields, and to improve teacher education programs in the STEM content areas. Drawing upon these goals as the framework for Recruiting, Preparing, and Retaining STEM Teachers for a Global Generation, the 15 chapters contained herein highlight both the challenges and successes of recruiting, preparing, and sustaining novice teachers in the STEM content areas in high-need schools. Recruiting, retaining and sustaining highly-qualified teachers with expertise in STEM content areas to work in hard-to-staff schools and geographic areas are necessary to equalize educational opportunities for rural and urban Title 1 students. High teacher turnover rates, in combination with teachers working out-of-field, leave many students without highly-qualified teachers in STEM fields. Most of the chapters in this volume were prepared by scholars who received NSF funding through Noyce and are engaged in addressing research questions related to these endeavours. Contributors are: Lillie R. Albert, Cynthia Anhalt, Saman A. Aryana, Joy Barnes-Johnson, Lora Bartlett, Brezhnev Batres, Diane Bonilla, Patti Brosnan, Andrea C. Burrows, Alan Buss, Laurie O. Campbell, Phil Cantor, Michelle T. Chamberlin, Scott A. Chamberlin, Marta Civil, Lin Ding, Teresa Dunleavy, Belinda P. Edwards, Jennifer A. Eli, Joshua Ellis, Adrian Epps, Anne Even, Angela Frausto, Samantha Heller, Karen E. Irving, Heather Johnson, Nicole M. Joseph, Richard Kitchen, Karen Kuhel, Marina Lazic, Jacqueline Leonard, Rebecca H. McGraw, Daniel Morales-Doyle, Sultana N. Nahar, Justina Ogodo, Anil K. Pradhan, Carolina Salinas, David Segura, Lynette Gayden Thomas, Alisun Thompson, Maria Varelas, Dorothy Y. White, Desha Williams, and Ryan Ziols.

Computer science has emerged as a key driver of innovation in the 21st century. Yet preparing teachers to teach computer science or integrate computer science content into K-12 curricula remains an enormous challenge. Recent policy reports have suggested the need to prepare future teachers to teach computer science through pre-service teacher education programs. In order to prepare a generation of teachers who are capable of delivering computer science to students, however, the field must identify research-based examples, pedagogical strategies, and policies that can facilitate changes in teacher knowledge and practices. The purpose of this book is to provide examples that could help guide the design and delivery of effective teacher preparation on the teaching of computer science. This book identifies promising pathways, pedagogical strategies, and policies that will help teacher education faculty and pre-service teachers infuse computer science content into their curricula as well as teach stand-alone computing courses. Specifically, the book focuses on pedagogical practices for developing and assessing pre-service teacher knowledge of computer science, course design models for pre-service teachers, and discussion of policies that can support the teaching of computer science. The primary audience of the book is students and faculty in educational technology, educational or cognitive psychology, learning theory, teacher education, curriculum and instruction, computer science, instructional systems, and learning sciences.

This edited volume discusses the need to increase quantity and enhance quality of science education focused on preparing rural students to thrive in an interconnected, interdependent, and complex world. It acknowledges that globally integrated education incorporates local knowledge and culture with global trends. Additionally it highlights globally competent science teaching is not included in most preparation programs, and teachers enter schools unprepared to address students’ needs. Rural schools lack opportunities to keep up with reform efforts and may have limited experiences with diversity, particularly at the global level. These chapters describe globalization in authors’ respective academic institutions by sharing global competence action research projects for preservice teachers. The studies presented were conducted in elementary and secondary science methods, and science content courses. The book’s research is unique as the contributors have carried out action research in science teacher preparation programs and participated in peer discussions that helped them fill gaps in global science teaching while advancing the field of teacher preparation programs.

This unique, edited book is a must for science educators who desire to improve upon traditional methods for science teaching and learning. It provides background, theoretical research-based frameworks, guidelines, and concrete examples for the implementation and assessment of innovative models of science learning, teaching, and professional preparation.

Many national initiatives in K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education have emphasized the connections between teachers and improved student learning. Much of the discussion surrounding these initiatives has focused on the preparation, professional development, evaluation, compensation, and career advancement of teachers. Yet one critical set of voices has been largely missing from this discussion - that of classroom teachers themselves. To explore the potential for STEM teacher leaders to improve student learning through involvement in education policy and decision making, the National Research Council held a convocation in June 2014 entitled "One Year After Science's Grand Challenges in Education: Professional Leadership of STEM Teachers through Education Policy and Decision Making". This event was structured around a special issue of Science magazine that discussed 20 grand challenges in science education. The authors of three major articles in that issue - along with Dr. Bruce Alberts, Science's editor-in-chief at the time - spoke at the convocation, updating their earlier observations and applying them directly to the issue of STEM teacher leadership. The convocation focused on empowering teachers to play greater leadership roles in education policy and decision making in STEM education at the national, state, and local levels. Exploring Opportunities for STEM Teacher Leadership is a record of the presentations and discussion of that event. This report will be of interest to STEM teachers, education professionals, and state and local policy makers.

Bridging a gap in the literature by offering a comprehensive look at how STEM teacher education programs evolve over time, this book explores teachHOUSTON, a designer teacher education program that was created to respond to the lack of adequately prepared STEM teachers in Houston and the emerging urban school districts that surround it.