Do you want to increase confidence among your science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers?
STEM education professional development may be the most important investments that schools can make. If teachers lack the proper training and support, students are not going to be able to develop the necessary skills.
Here’s what we’ll discuss in this article:
- Why STEM teacher training is more important than ever
- The key components that go into effective professional development
- Three actionable strategies that have been shown to work
- How to get started on your own STEM education training
Why STEM Teacher Training Is More Important Than Ever
Right now, a teacher shortage is taking place across the United States.
Hiring qualified STEM teachers has become one of the most challenging tasks. In fact, 41 states report shortages of science teachers and 40 states cite math shortages in the 2024-25 academic year.
That’s almost the entire nation that is having trouble filling these roles.
But the issue doesn’t stop there…
It seems that new STEM teachers are not entering the market at the necessary rate. Educators like Steve Spangler who are dedicated to STEM education engagement and professional learning in practice have to step in and offer alternative options.
We need teachers that are trained in an experiential and hands-on learning format that’s aligned with how the next generation of learners learn. Without proper STEM education professional development, the classroom experience is at risk.
It’s hard to make the next tech leader if the instructor is afraid of the subject material. Teachers with confidence because of high-quality professional development can make a positive change in students.
The Key Components that Go into Effective Professional Development
STEM education professional development isn’t all the same.
Training opportunities for teachers can look completely different, and only the best ones provide the essential elements that make the process worthwhile. Before jumping in with both feet, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of the foundation that must be established.
Let’s take a look at what sets strong programs apart from the others:
- Hands-on learning experiences. Teachers have to engage in the process rather than being a passive participant.
- Collaboration with others. Learning in conjunction with fellow instructors allows for the sharing of best practices.
- Consistent support for an extended period of time. One-day seminars are unlikely to have an impact on a large scale.
- Connection with the daily practices in the classroom. The skills acquired during training have to be transferrable to the learning environment.
Multiple studies indicate that teachers who are given professional development have more confidence than those who are not. The same findings are especially true when the training includes these components.
The most important part to note is that change does not occur overnight. When we want to take something from a normal state to a great level, time and patience are two important factors. Allowing teachers the opportunity to fully learn and apply their newfound knowledge is essential.
Three Actionable Strategies that Have Been Shown to Work
There are many different ways to make a difference, and several of them have proven to be successful time and time again.
The three strategies below are practical methods that are known to help students grow in the STEM fields. The beauty of each of the concepts is that they are not hypothetical.
Instead, these methods have been put to the test and have achieved amazing results.
Give Teachers Immersive Industry Placements
Have you ever considered what it would be like for teachers to step into a professional setting?
STEM teacher training that places educators in real science labs or other business environments has proven to be more than worthwhile. When science and math teachers spend time immersed in the “real world” of the workforce, they are equipped with ample opportunities to see how these subjects are used in the future.
This approach is particularly effective because it connects the textbook materials to practical purposes. If educators have more of an understanding of how these lessons are applied, then students are more likely to benefit from them.
Encourage Peer Learning Communities
STEM teachers are not required to go on this journey alone.
Peer-to-peer communities are instrumental in building confidence as they share problems and solutions with one another. This collective group of educators would meet on a regular basis to reflect on what is and is not working.
- Teachers would no longer feel as isolated as before.
- Sharing of best practices would be rapid.
- Each member of the group would be accountable for their performance.
- Innovative ideas would develop through the mixture of others’ viewpoints.
When these practices are implemented, both teacher retention and student outcomes improve drastically. Therefore, investing in community will continue to pay off in the long run.
Make Use of Technology-Enhanced Training
Training using the latest technological advancements has also become a great way to go above and beyond.
Virtual and simulated practices using this method have allowed educators to hone their craft. Moreover, online platforms have given teachers the access that they need in terms of expert support and additional resources.
Technology is not the only effective means to achieve success; however, the combination of these tools with an in-person experience is the best. Therefore, this hybrid approach is the most effective.
How to Get Started With Your Own Training
If you are ready to improve STEM education in your school, then it’s time to take the plunge.
Getting started is easier than you might think. There are just a few simple steps that you need to take in order to initiate a successful experience.
- Begin with an assessment to determine which areas of STEM education make the teaching staff feel the least confident.
- Establish what success would look like. Do teachers need better content knowledge or do they have to improve with respect to classroom management or engaging lessons?
- Select a program that provides the components discussed above and has a history of yielding positive results.
- Accountability has to be included, and this means providing teachers with the resources to transfer what they have learned back to the classroom.
- Measure the results to see if the return on your investment is paying off.
Building towards a better tomorrow does not happen overnight. However, through the incorporation of professional development in the STEM subjects, schools will be able to transform the learning experience.
Wrapping Things Up
STEM education professional development is not a luxury item. It’s a necessity.
Because of the growing teacher shortages in 41 states for science and 40 for math, it is of the utmost importance for schools to invest in those who are already there. The right kind of training and support for teachers will build confidence and provide better outcomes for students.
According to Education Week, there were close to 50% less science teacher certifications from 2011 to 2021. This is why it is important to focus on those who are already available to teach.
To recap in a flash:
- There are STEM teacher shortages that are occurring in almost all states.
- There are some key components that go into great professional development.
- There are strategies that have been used that have achieved positive results.
- To begin, it’s important for a school to create a strategic plan when it comes to quality professional development.
We have given you an inside scoop as to what can be done to build upon the foundation that is present in STEM education. If you are a school that is willing to make a difference, then these are some of the ways to go above and beyond.
Don’t let size be an issue. Just do something, no matter how small it might be.
The future of the next leaders in the tech world rests upon confident and capable teachers who are given ample support through ongoing professional development.