The I-STEM Resource Network connects post-secondary education with business, K-12 education, non-profits and government agencies, all with an interest in advancing the STEM skills of Indiana’s PK-12 student. I-STEM provides science curriculum for 53,000 students in grades K-8 in 152 schools in Indiana through the Indiana Science Initiative (ISI) (www.indianascience.org ). I-STEM provides professional development for ISI teachers and others who want to learn about its inquiry-based approach to STEM education. Studies of student success with the ISI curriculum show increase in ISTEP+ performance at ISI schools. I-STEM is funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment. A two page summary of ISI is available here.
I-STEM also co-leads the Indiana STEM Taskforce with the Indiana Afterschool Network which has over 400 members from education and business across Indiana. Based on Change the Equation’s Vital Signs report for Indiana, the Taskforce has developed five specific policy recommendations to advance STEM education in Indiana:
- Set high expectations for student learning in STEM disciplines.
- Ensure effective STEM teachers in every classroom and out-of-school setting.
- Develop, advance, and evaluate effective STEM strategies and programs.
- Align learning and curricular resources to standards.
- Provide students with relevant, up-to-date information and mentoring on STEM careers.
Policy Teams have been formed for each of the five recommendations and are working with discrete timelines towards specific deliverables.
Download a two-page summary here.
For further information contact:
Dr. Jennifer Hicks
Acting Managing Director, I-STEM Resource Network
765-494-2757
jenny@istemnetwork.org
www.istemnetwork.org