While many magnet schools have a common theme of STEM, this theme can look different in each school. One school may focus on engineering while another focuses on environmental science; one school may provide each student with a tablet while another does not. But are there common elements of the learning that takes place in these schools?
There are studies trying to answer this question. One study, the STEM School Study (
http://outlier.uchicago.edu/s3/) has so far identified eight elements of STEM schools. The first six are core elements that the study equates with the STEM schools’ key educational goals, and the last two are supporting and contributing elements:
1. Problem-Based Learning
2. Rigorous Learning
3. School Community and Belonging
4. Career, Technology, and Life Skills
5. Personalization of Learning
6. External Community
7. Staff Foundations
8. Essential Factors
Another study, Opportunity Structures for Preparation and Inspiration in STEM (OSPrI) (
https://ospri.research.gwu.edu/), focuses on inclusive STEM high schools. The study has found fourteen important elements:
1. College-prep, STEM-focused curriculum for all
2. Reform instructional strategies and project-based learning
3. Integrated, innovative technology use
4. STEM-rich, informal experiences
5. Connections with business, industry, and the world of work
6. College-level coursework
7. Well-prepared STEM teachers and professionalized teaching staff
8. Inclusive STEM mission
9. Flexible and autonomous administration
10. Supports for underrepresented students
11. Dynamic assessment systems for continuous improvement
12. Innovative and responsive leadership
13. Positive school community and culture of high expectations for all
14. Agency and choice
You can learn more at the STEM School Study at this year’s MSAP Project Directors Meeting, taking place December 5-6 in Washington, DC, where the principal investigator, Melanie LaForce, Ph.D. will present study findings. In addition, at the 2013 MSAP Project Directors Meeting, Sharon Lynch, Ph.D. presented initial findings from the OSPrI study. Log on to the private workspace to download the presentation about OSPrI. After this year’s meeting, you can also download the STEM Schools Study presentation.
How do you define a STEM school? Does your STEM program contain the elements these studies list? Would you add or remove any elements? Tell us in the comments!