STEM Courses for Teachers: What they Need to Learn to Teach STEM

Digital learning has taken over the traditional model of learning. STEM education is a product of digital learning. It is an innovative way of teaching subjects like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM courses follow a practical approach towards teaching. This simply means that the way of teaching in STEM education is such that students can apply the knowledge learned through books and in classes to solve real-life problems and get practical exposure.

A teacher plays a very vital role in the success of students. So, it is very important that a teacher herself/himself possesses the required skills to impart STEM education to students. Several courses are available for teachers, from where they can learn how to become skillful STEM teachers. Here in this article, we will take a closer look at that.

STEM Teacher’s Training

STEM Teacher’s Training helps a teacher develop a particular skill to the desired level, by following instructions and with the help of practice exercises. Teacher’s training enables a teacher to reach a position where he/she can teach STEM courses accurately, effectively, and conscientiously without mistakes. To train a person as a STEM teacher, a trainer should be a Subject Matter Expert in any one of the STEM subjects. Training a teacher can be considered an easy job, as they already know the basic concepts. But, sometimes it can be difficult also, as trainees may know more, leaving no scope of making a mistake.

How to Become a STEM Teacher

There are multiple ways you through which can become a STEM teacher, but it varies according to the individual’s specific requirements. The traditional method of becoming a STEM educator is graduating from a teacher preparation program from an accredited college or university. The course must include-

• A Bachelor’s degree program
• STEM specific courses in the curriculum
• Must have Student Teaching Experience
• Pass National Teacher’s Certification Exam

Master of Arts in Teaching

If you want to become a STEM teacher and you already have a bachelor’s degree in STEM education, you can also pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. This will help you gain classroom training and help you qualify for the certification exam. Having a master’s degree equips you with the skills required to meet the challenges faced by STEM students in learning the skills and techniques to solve real-life problems with the help of STEM education.

Having a master’s degree increases your chances of employability while increasing your income. Besides this, with a master’s degree, you can also move into administrative and leadership roles in STEM schools and colleges.

Scope of Career Growth for STEM Educator

STEM online courses have completely altered the way students are taught. It prepares students not only to pass tests and annual exams, but it thoroughly prepares students to become efficient in solving real-life issues and problems. It makes a student’s future-ready. Looking at the advantages that STEM education provides, guardians today are more inclined toward sending their kids to STEM schools.

Research conducted in the US shows that maximum jobs in the coming future would demand a person to be knowledgeable in the STEM stream of subjects. This also increases the demand for more STEM educators. In US and India only, the requirement of a STEM educator has increased multifold in just a few years. STEM-certified teachers are not only helpful in the field of education, but they can also partner with businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies to help them come out of difficulties faced by them.

Resources for Current and Future STEM Educators

As a present or future online STEM course educator, you have access to virtually unlimited resources that can guide you to become an excellent STEM educator. There is a wide range of public and private organizations today that are offering opportunities related to STEM education, professional development, curriculum planning, and even financial support to STEM educators.

Various online courses available for STEM educators offer the degree as well as individual courses that can help an educator gain a degree or refine their skills in a particular area of STEM learning. Möbius is such a platform that helps both STEM students and teachers, to learn and advance their skills.

MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) is another platform run by various colleges and universities for free. However, before enrolling for a STEM course at MOOC, you need to ensure whether it will fulfill your requirement or not.

If you become a STEM educator, there are plenty of career opportunities that you can take advantage of. It gives you career opportunities not in the field of education, but also in other sectors as mentioned above. Moreover, if you keep enhancing your skills as a STEM educator, opportunities will only widen.