UHCL welcomed to partnership with national STEM-centered coalition

March 15, 2016 | Jean Rudnicki

University of Houston-Clear Lake School of Education has been welcomed into partnership with the 100Kin10 coalition, which comprises more than 280 corporations, foundations, museums, non-profits, school districts and other universities committed to delivering 100,000 new science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM educators by 2021.

The 100Kin10 organization formed after President Barack Obama called for the preparation of “100,000 new teachers in the fields of science and technology and engineering and math” during his 2011 State of the Union address. The call was in response to the growing crisis as fewer and fewer students today opt for STEM-related careers at a time when nearly every aspect of our daily lives are deeply intertwined with technology, and when 26 percent of the current STEM workforce (scientists and engineers) is preparing for retirement.

“We’ve long recognized the STEM need,” says UHCL School of Education Dean Mark D. Shermis. “We’re honored to have been nominated and approved for membership in the 100Kin10 organization.

“It’s not only a testament to our dedication and commitment in helping solve the STEM crisis, but it also presents the opportunity for us to learn from other partner programs and share our own expertise across the network.”

UHCL Assistant Professor in STEM Omah Duncan recently attended a 100Kin10 conference representing the university. Duncan is the former director of STEM for KIPP Houston Public Schools, a high performing public charter school district. She has high regard for the 100Kin10 organization and is thrilled the UHCL is now a part of it.

“It’s a very thoughtful organization,” Duncan says. “They make a point of asking and being very persistent and choosing people who are about the business of work. It’s one thing to say that you want to do something, and something completely different if you do it. So, they are looking for people with lots and lots of ‘do-ability,’ along with the capability, capacity, support and encouragement to implement these ideas when they become available.”

Duncan explains that partnership requires an ambitious commitment toward the 100Kin10 organization’s goal of 100,000 STEM teachers. She adds that UHCL has stepped up to the challenge, pledging that by 2020 it will not only train 400 pre-service teachers to integrate STEM curriculum into their future classrooms, but also develop a STEM certificate to complement the current degree programs for Texas Teacher Certification. In addition, the university pledged to graduate 20 students from its new doctoral program – the Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a STEM focus. The degree, at the forefront of this emergent field and one of the first of its kind in the nation, specializes in preparing professionals to be leaders in recruiting additional K-12 STEM teachers.

In return, Duncan explains that the 100Kin10 organization recognizes that for its partners to be successful in achieving such ambitious goals, it must pledge to provide tools and resources that allow members to think “outside the box,” and “partner in uncommon, nontraditional, but hugely successful ways.” 

In fact, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator Shanna Graves has already submitted a fellowship grant proposal to investigate introducing STEM activities in pre-K through third-grade classes. While the outcome of the grant proposal is still unknown, Duncan is pleased with the many additional opportunities and idea exchanges that the national network offers.

“We’re excited about the 100Kin10 partnership,” says Associate Professor of Teacher Education Brenda Weiser, who serves as the program coordinator for the new Curriculum & Instruction doctoral program with STEM focus.

“It’s a win-win-win for all,” she adds.

The School of Education has a long history of STEM-focused activities. In the past, UHCL received several multiyear science and mathematic grants that brought area classroom teachers to the UHCL campus for professional development and master level classes — programs like the Texas Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching and the UHCL Mathematics Institute. In 2014, the university initiated a partnership with the Deer Park Independent School District to have the district’s Parkwood Elementary serve as a UHCL Professional Development Laboratory School for STEAM (a STEM program that includes the Arts) activities. This mutually beneficial partnership offers Parkwood Elementary many creative and innovative teaching strategies, and allows UHCL teacher candidates real time, on-campus training. And, in 2015, the School of Education added its second doctoral program -- the Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with STEM focus.

To find out more about opportunities in the School of Education, call 281-283-3615, email education@uhcl.edu or visit http://www.uhcl.edu/soe.