Does your state have any specific requirements for you or your license/credentials if you want to teach in one or all of the STEM disciplines? Is that process any different if you work with younger students rather than older elementary students?
Arizona has. specialized secondary STEM certificate 6-12. The holder of that certificate is authorized to teach any one of those subject areas in those grades. Teachers who already have a secondary certificate in a STEM area do not need this certificate. To apply you will need the normal coursework, but in addition, you will need a verification of 5 years of work experience in a STEM industry, like an engineer or scientist.
In Indiana, we have similar requirements for those teaching grade 6 up through 12. For elementary teachers, there is a STEM certification that you are able to obtain after taking coursework that has been designed by the state of Indiana. Upon completion of the coursework, you have to take the Praxis STEM elementary certification test and once you pass that you are then considered to be STEM elementary certified.
Michigan does not offer a STEM or STEAM endorsement. Michigan also does not offer an engineering endorsement. However, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Michigan State Board of Education have approved educator preparation standards for separate science, technology and math endorsements. These endorsements are offered at various educator preparation universities throughout the state.
I didn’t know this… but looked it up in MDE - Michigan’s ed website!
Florida does not have a requirement that in needed for STEM/ STEAM. Most of these disciplines are addressed in the science courses. At my school (elementary) we have a STEAM special area built into the rotation.
In Kentucky, in a STEM field, means your degree program falls under the umbrella of science, technology, engineering or mathematics. While you can't major in STEM itself, programs in this category include ones that emphasize research, innovation or the development of new technologies.
Yes, Illinois does have specific requirements for teaching in STEM disciplines. To teach in these areas, educators typically need a Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and a valid teaching license with an endorsement or certification in the specific STEM area they plan to teach. The process may vary depending on whether you're teaching younger or older elementary students, but generally, the requirements for content knowledge and teaching skills remain similar.
