Teach STEM

The STEM Teaching Program is an innovative collaboration between sciences and education that supports students seeking teaching certification in science and mathematics fields.

Students seeking teaching certification and endorsement through the STEM Teaching Program complete an approved science, mathematics or computer science degree in addition to the STEM Teaching Program major.

Teacher certification information may be found by contacting Central's Teacher Certification Office at teachercertification@cwu.edu or through phone at 509-963-2660.

For additional information regarding admission, courses, and graduation requirements, please visit the current course catalog.

This program is located in Discovery Hall on the Ellensburg, WA campus. Please visit the Office of the Registrar's site for information about cost. 

Due to the high demand of science and mathematics teachers across the country, over 90% of CWU’s Teach STEM graduates find jobs immediately after graduation. Whether graduates pursue teaching, graduate school, or an alternate career path, students in this program are thoroughly prepared to lead in the classroom and beyond.

Middle Level Math and Middle Level Science majors complement each other.

Minors frequently taken include:

• Bilingual Education Dual Language
• Psychology
• Spanish
• Sport Coaching

Complete the following pre-admit courses:

• STP 201 Inquiry Approaches to Teaching and STP 202 Inquiry Based Lesson Design *Course Fees: $10 per class
  • Or STP 300 Inquiry Approaches to Teaching and Lesson Design *Course Fees: $20
• STP 303 Knowing and Learning

Complete the following courses:

• STP 304 Classroom Interactions I *Course Fees: $30
• STP 307A, 307B, or 307C Functions and Modeling *Course Fees: $20
• STP 308 Perspectives on Science, Mathematics, and STEM Education
• STP 309 Research Methods *Course Fees: $10
• STP 405 Classroom Interactions II *Course Fees: $20
• STP 406 Project-Based Instruction *Course Fees: $20
• STP 450 Planning Inquiry Based STEM Education

*Courses have sequencing. Contact the Teach STEM advisor before enrolling in classes.

• EFC 480 Student Teaching
• STP 465 Instructing and Assessing Inquiry Based STEM

STP 201

An introduction to theory and practice for effective math and science teaching in grades K-12. This field-based career exploration course enables candidates to observe and identify essential components of content, equity, and professional practice. *Offered Winter, open to any CWU student. $10 Course Fee.

STP 202

This field-based course builds on knowledge and skills developed in Inquiry Approaches to Teaching, emphasizing middle school learners. Candidates adapt and teach lessons that implement essential components of content, equity, and professional practice. *Offered Spring. $10 Course Fee.

STP 300

In this field-based introductory course candidates observe and identify essential components effective math and science teaching in grades K-12. Then candidates design and teach lessons that implement essential components of content, equity, and professional practice. *Offered Fall. $20 Course Fee.

STP 303

Examination of learning theories and research for effective STEM teaching and assessment, including implications for content literacy, language diversity, cultural responsiveness, technology, and professionalism. *Offered Fall and Winter.

STP 304

Candidates plan, instruct, and assess STEM lessons based on research-supported practices. This field-based course applies principles of student centered equitable teaching to classroom context and practice. *Offered Winter and Spring. $30 Course Fee.

STP 405

Candidates plan, instruct, and assess field-based culturally responsive STEM lessons that bridge differences in language, heritage, race, socioeconomic status, and academic performance. Candidates intentionally apply culturally responsive instruction and classroom management pervasive throughout teaching. *Offered Fall. $20 Course Fee.

STP 406

Candidates plan, instruct, and assess field-based STEM lessons using a project-based approach that engages learners in exploring authentic meaningful questions of concern to K12 students. Candidates apply principles of student-centered equitable teaching to inquiry-based projects. *Offered Winter. $20 Course Fee

STP 307A (Science/Middle Level)

Engages students in explorations and lab activities designed to strengthen and expand their understanding of functions at the secondary level. Topics of investigation may include, function properties, patterns, linear, exponential, trigonometric and logistic models. *Offered Spring. $20 Course Fee

STP 307B (Secondary Math)

Candidates will use inquiry explorations and peer collaborations to derive and explain results, models, and proofs related to important secondary math concepts. Candidates will examine the secondary math curricula relative to CCSS, math and society. *Offered Spring.

STP 307C (Computer Science)

Candidates will engage in explorations and lab activities to strengthen and expand their understanding of software engineering development, computer science practices, and their equitable application to the K-12 classroom environment.

STP 308

An exploration of the history and philosophies of science and mathematics in the context of public education with an emphasis on how these ideas are related and can be applied to the STEM classroom. *Offered Fall and Winter.

STP 309

Candidates experience and apply educational, scientific, and mathematical research methods by designing, carrying-out, and communicating investigations applicable in teaching middle or secondary STEM courses. *Offered Winter and Spring. $10 Course Fee.

STP 450

Candidates reflect on their teaching practices and set goals for improvement in student teaching, as well as plan for their professional teaching career. *Must be taken with STP 406.

STP 465

Support for STEM Teaching candidates as they transition into professional teachers and completing assessment requirements during student teaching. *Must be taken with EFC 480.

EFC 480

Teacher Candidate must demonstrate their competence by being the lead teacher for a full quarter in their major endorsement area. Includes mandatory seminars at a time and place designated by the University Supervisor. Grade will be S or U. *Offered Fall, Winter, and Spring.

Students can major in the following approved major degrees in addition to the STEM Teaching Program to obtain their teacher certification:

• Biology (teaching grades 5-12)
  • Biology Majors, BA & BS options
• Chemistry (teaching grades 5-12)
  • Chemistry Majors, BA & BS options
• Computer Science (teaching grades 5-12)
  • Computer Science, BS 
• Environmental Sciences (teaching grades 5-12)
  • Environmental Sciences BS, Environmental Geology Specialization
• Geology (teaching grades 5-12)
  
  • Environmental Geological Sciences Major, BS
  • Geology Majors, BA & BS options
• Mathematics (teaching grades 5-12)
  • Mathematics: Secondary Education, BA
  • Applied Mathematics, BS
• Middle Level Math (teaching grades 4-9)
  • Mathematics: Middle Level Education, BA
• Middle Level Science (teaching grades 4-9)
  • Science: Middle Level Education, BA 
• Physics (teaching grades 5-12)
  • Physics Majors, BA & BS options