Initiative: STEM Integration

Initiatives boost students’ skills and knowledge in STEM are deeply integrated throughout the state’s existing education reform plans and don’t exist as a stand-alone effort.  Specifically, the Colorado Academic Standards were designed to ensure that all students master a rigorous course of study in math and science that ensures their P-12 experience prepares them for successful entry into the increasingly technical and technology-driven worlds of work and 6 postsecondary education. In addition, each academic content standard includes specific “21st century skills” (defined as critical thinking and reasoning, information literacy, collaboration, self-direction, and invention) essential to the ability to effectively enter advanced study. Also,
Colorado’s newly adopted Teacher Quality Standards explicitly require the effective use of technology in classrooms. Colorado proposes to build upon this strong foundation by ensuring that implementation of key education reform efforts continues to embed STEM across all content areas and supporting all teachers in integrating STEM into their instruction.

Colorado proposes investing over $1 million over four years in STEM activities across its Phase 3 projects by:

1. Hiring and supporting a STEM coordinator to work with the eight Content Collaboratives to ensure that STEM themes, lessons, and content are integrated into the Collaboratives’ new tools; and
2. Connecting educators to STEM resources outside their school and LEA boundaries through activities that bring STEM content alive for educators and their students through a STEM in Action grant program.