Center for STEM Education
The Center for STEM Education is dedicated to advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education through research, training, and collaboration. As a hub for innovation and leadership, the Center supports the preparation of STEM educators and professionals while working to improve STEM literacy for all. By empowering teachers and engaging the community, the Center helps ensure a competitive, innovative future in a global economy.
Programs
Professional Master of Arts In STEM Education
The Professional Master of Arts in Elementary Math, Science, and Technology Education (K-8) and Environmental Science Education (6-12) is a professional master’s degree for teachers who want to become teacher-leaders in science, technology and math education. The program offers learning experiences that will allow teachers to enhance their competence as educators of mathematics, science and technology. The degree contains the appropriate courses and experiences to lead to new endorsements — one in Elementary Math and Science Specialist (for Elementary Math, Science and Technology program), and another in Teacher Leadership (both programs). Both programs are comprised of approximately 33 hours of graduate (500 level) courses, the majority of which are in math, science and technology (MST) content areas, and in MST education. Students may use Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) coursework to satisfy some MST program requirements with permission from an adviser.
SCI 101
Science 101 is a model science course for education majors, as well as a professional development idea for in-service teachers. It is a laboratory-based biological and physical science course with content developed along interdisciplinary themes. The course is taught in an inquiry format and offers an introduction to investigating science applications in Pre-K-12 classroom settings. In addition to having published outcomes from this course and receiving national level invites to speak, SCI 101 is the basis for Bradley University’s selection to a national level education project focused on Facilitating Interdisciplinary Learning (FIDL).
BEST: Building Excellent Scientists for Tomorrow Internships for High School Students
This Building Excellent Scientists for Tomorrow (BEST) program is for high school students interested in pursuing careers in science and technology-based areas. This is not a residential program. The program is run by Continuing Education in conjunction with the Center for STEM Education. Interns research in labs throughout the Peoria area for a required total of 150-300 hours for the duration of the program. They work side-by-side with top researchers and their teams to learn first-hand about the research process. Interns will also receive additional training in scientific methods, research ethics safety and related topics in a three-day-long orientation at Bradley University. Students must be at least 15 years of age to apply. If you have questions, contact Dean Campbell, Ph.D., at campbell@bradley.edu.
STEM Career Exploration Camp
Explore exciting engineering and scientific fields through daily field trips, hands-on activities and group projects at this STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) camp for students entering sixth, seventh and eighth grades. This weeklong camp provides job shadowing, workshops and teambuilding exercises. Imagine the possibilities of future careers in this exciting field! The camp is partnered with Bradley University Center for STEM Education, Greater Peoria EDC Workforce Alliance, University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Illinois Informatics Institute and University of Illinois Extension.
University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit, Bradley University and the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council sponsor this camp.
Registration fee is $200, a limited number of scholarships are available. For scholarship information, contact the University of Illinois Extension, Peoria County Office at (309) 685-3140.
World of Wonder
World of Wonder (WOW) is a series of one-week summer programs at Bradley University designed to provide a variety of challenging, hands-on courses for gifted and talented students entering first through ninth grades.
Students may take up to three classes that are one-to-two grade levels above each student’s current school grade. Our curriculum features courses in multiple disciplines that promote collaboration and experiential learning, including language arts, social sciences, literature, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and art.
High School Chemistry Contest
As a means of encouraging students to pursue further studies in science, Chem Contest is an annual event during which 300-500 high school students compete by taking a written test of chemical knowledge. Their high school teachers have the opportunity to interact with Bradley faculty and facilitate discussions on the subject of teaching chemistry. Following the test, students view an educational chemical demonstration show. This event is co-sponsored by the local section of the American Chemical Society.
STEM Resources for High School Students: Institute for Broadening Participation Pathways to Science
Are you a high school student looking for more STEM opportunities? The Institute for Broadening Participation (IBP) works with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA to recruit eligible high school students for research and professional development opportunities. Simply fill out an application, and they will help find and send you information on programs that are compatible with your interests. IBP also has opportunities available for undergraduates, graduates and post-doctoral students.
Bradley University DAPCEP Program
The Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) was founded in 1976 in order to increase the number of historically underrepresented students who are motivated and academically prepared to pursue degrees leading to STEM careers. Currently the DAPCEP programs reach more than 11,000 youth annually through school district, college/university and numerous corporations. Students in grades 4th to 12th can pursue advanced STEM educational pathways at Bradley. Each course meets once per week for five weekends in a row, and covers important STEM inspired topics such as robotics, aerodynamics, coding, chemistry, biology, actuarial science, mathematics, environmental science and engineering. More information can be found at https://www.dapcep.org/pathfinders-at-bradley-university/.
Undergraduate students can get involved in doing STEM events such as science demonstration shows both on and off campus. For more details about specific events, contact Dean Campbell, at campbell@bradley.edu.
Students can sign up for periodic (4-6 emails per year) notifications about deadlines for programs that match their disciplinary interests and level of study.
BEST: Summer Internship Program
The Building Excellent Scientist for Tomorrow (BEST) is for undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers in science and technology-based areas. The program runs in June and July. BEST is run by Continuing Education in conjunction with the Center for STEM Education. Interns research in labs throughout the Peoria area, working with top researchers and their teams to learn first-hand about the research process. Interns must be able to commit 200-300 hours for the duration of the program and serve as peer mentors to high school interns participating in the BEST programs. Interns will also receive additional training in scientific methods, research ethics and safety, and related topics in a three-day long orientation at Bradley University. Interns are also strongly encouraged to participate in the various seminars and workshops held throughout the summer for BEST interns. The program concludes in late July when all interns will share their research at the Interns’ Symposium. For more information about the application cycle, please contact Dean Campbell campbell@bradley.edu.
Contact
Information coming soon!
