STEM K12 Research Initiatives and Teacher Preparation Programs

  As STEM education gaps continue, US STEM occupations have increased four times the rate of total employment (Batts & Lesko, 2011). According to the 2010 President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, funding and research targeted to address challenges include a two-pronged approach, to prepare all students to have a rich foundation in STEM and to inspire and motivate students to learn about STEM subjects in hopes more choose to enter a STEM career field (Raju & Clayson, 2010). The purpose of this paper is to explore K12 research and curriculum approaches to improving teacher preparation, which will assist in creating positive student perceptions and interest towards STEM and STEM career pathways using an online MOOC platform.

The following full academic paper presentation explores current literature and research exploring face to face and MOOC STEM teacher training programs.