--- title: Blog | National Institute of STEM Education | Whitney Dove --- [![National Institute for STEM Education](https://blog.nise.institute/hubfs/NISE_August2019%20Theme/img/logo-nise.png "National Institute for STEM Education - Go to Home Page") ](http://nise.institute/index.php) # [NISE](http://nise.institute/index.php) [ Get STEM Certified! ](http://webstore.nise.institute/) [* * ](https://www.facebook.com/NISE.STEM/) [* * ](https://twitter.com/NISE_STEM) [* * ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-institute-for-stem-education) - About NISE - [Program Overview](https://nise.institute/program-overview.php) - [Philosophy & Design](https://nise.institute/philosophy-and-design.php) - [Research](https://nise.institute/resources/nise_stem_observation_protocol_teacher_actions_that_matter_wp.pdf) - Certification - [Micro Certification](https://nise.institute/micro-certification.php) - [Teacher Certification](https://nise.institute/teacher-certification.php) - [Campus Certification](https://nise.institute/campus-district-certification.php) - University Partnerships - [SNHU Graduate Programs](https://nise.institute/#university-partnerships) - [ACE Graduate Programs](https://nise.institute/#ace) - Resources - [News](https://nise.institute/news.php) - [Blog](https://blog.nise.institute/) - About NISE - [Program Overview](https://nise.institute/program-overview.php) - [Philosophy & Design](https://nise.institute/philosophy-and-design.php) - [Research](https://nise.institute/resources/nise_stem_observation_protocol_teacher_actions_that_matter_wp.pdf) - Certification - [Micro Certification](https://nise.institute/micro-certification.php) - [Teacher Certification](https://nise.institute/teacher-certification.php) - [Campus Certification](https://nise.institute/campus-district-certification.php) - University Partnerships - [SNHU Graduate Programs](https://nise.institute/#university-partnerships) - [ACE Graduate Programs](https://nise.institute/#ace) - Resources - [News](https://nise.institute/news.php) - [Blog](https://blog.nise.institute/) ## Whitney Dove ### Recent Posts ## [Distance Science Teaching | Four-Part Video Series](https://blog.nise.institute/distance-science-teaching-four-part-video-series) Posted by [Whitney Dove](https://blog.nise.institute/author/whitney-dove) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) In my last [post](https://blog.nise.institute/science-education-facing-a-choice), I shared my perspective on the choice I believe we, as a science education community, are facing as we make the transition to distance learning. To summarize, I believe that science educators are at a decision point. Do we allow our current challenges to move us backwards, toward teacher-centered, didactic science learning? Or do we move forward toward student-centered, constructivist science learning, embracing the current challenges along the way? I am taking the stance that we must move forward. We must apply the educational theories and paradigms that have guided our classroom approach to design high-quality distance learning.  [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/distance-science-teaching-four-part-video-series) 2 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/distance-science-teaching-four-part-video-series#comments-listing) Topics: [science](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/science), [distance learning](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/distance-learning), ["remote learning"](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/remote-learning), [Making Online Instruction Work - Now!](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/making-online-instruction-work-now), [virtual teaching](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/virtual-teaching) ## [Science Education: Facing a Choice](https://blog.nise.institute/science-education-facing-a-choice) Posted by [Whitney Dove](https://blog.nise.institute/author/whitney-dove) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States has been hard on all of us. That’s for sure. Schools have closed for extended periods of time, some indefinitely, and parents are at their wits’ end trying to balance the regular demands of managing households while providing school-like structure and normalcy for their children.  [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/science-education-facing-a-choice) 3 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/science-education-facing-a-choice#comments-listing) Topics: [teaching online](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/teaching-online), [distance learning](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/distance-learning), ["remote learning"](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/remote-learning), [Making Online Instruction Work - Now!](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/making-online-instruction-work-now), [virtual teaching](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/virtual-teaching) ## [Teaching Online? No worries. Let us help! | Making Online Instruction Work - Now!](https://blog.nise.institute/teachingonlinenoworries) Posted by [Whitney Dove](https://blog.nise.institute/author/whitney-dove) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## **Getting Started** Unexpected, extended school closures have required many teachers to provide online instruction with minimal training or practice. If you are feeling a little anxious or overwhelmed, that absolutely makes sense! In this short series of “[Making Online Instruction Work - Now!,](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/making-online-instruction-work-now)” we hope to help you see:  [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/teachingonlinenoworries) 3 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/teachingonlinenoworries#comments-listing) Topics: [COVID-19](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/covid-19), [teaching online](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/teaching-online), [nise](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/nise), [distance learning](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/distance-learning), [Making Online Instruction Work - Now!](https://blog.nise.institute/tag/making-online-instruction-work-now) ## [Donald Elementary Becomes First Texas Elementary School to Earn National Certificate for STEM Excellence from National Institute for STEM Education](https://blog.nise.institute/donald-elementary-becomes-first-texas-elementary-school-to-earn-national-certificate-for-stem-excellence-from-national-institute-for-stem-education) Posted by [Whitney Dove](https://blog.nise.institute/author/whitney-dove) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) *Lewisville ISD’s first STEM academy earns campus certification integrating research and best practices in STEM, 21st century learning, and professional development* [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/donald-elementary-becomes-first-texas-elementary-school-to-earn-national-certificate-for-stem-excellence-from-national-institute-for-stem-education) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/donald-elementary-becomes-first-texas-elementary-school-to-earn-national-certificate-for-stem-excellence-from-national-institute-for-stem-education#comments-listing) ## [NISE STEM Teacher Certification was an eye-opener for program’s 400th graduate](https://blog.nise.institute/nise-stem-teacher-certification-was-an-eye-opener-for-programs-400th-graduate) Posted by [Whitney Dove](https://blog.nise.institute/author/whitney-dove) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)   Gena Schleimer says earning the National Certificate for STEM Teaching has given her more confidence in preparing her students for their futures. [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/nise-stem-teacher-certification-was-an-eye-opener-for-programs-400th-graduate) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/nise-stem-teacher-certification-was-an-eye-opener-for-programs-400th-graduate#comments-listing) ## [Whitesburg Elementary Becomes First School in Georgia to Earn National Certificate for STEM Excellence from National Institute for STEM Education](https://blog.nise.institute/whitesburg-elementary-becomes-first-school-in-georgia-to-earn-national-certificate-for-stem-excellence-from-national-institute-for-stem-education) Posted by [Whitney Dove](https://blog.nise.institute/author/whitney-dove) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) *Rural, Title I school in Carroll County earns certification integrating the most recent research and best practices in STEM, 21st century learning, and professional development * [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/whitesburg-elementary-becomes-first-school-in-georgia-to-earn-national-certificate-for-stem-excellence-from-national-institute-for-stem-education) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/whitesburg-elementary-becomes-first-school-in-georgia-to-earn-national-certificate-for-stem-excellence-from-national-institute-for-stem-education#comments-listing) ## [What’s in a Grade?](https://blog.nise.institute/whats-in-a-grade) Posted by [Whitney Dove](https://blog.nise.institute/author/whitney-dove) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) In ninth grade, I did a leaf collection project for my biology class. My grandfather, a science professor, and my dad, a medical doctor, helped me make sure that my specimens were correctly identified, prepared, mounted, and labeled. I remember painstakingly typing out the genus and species’ names, capitalizing the genus, and using lowercase for the species’ names. I remember thinking the rule quite odd, but followed it nonetheless. I was very proud of that project, and handed it in with a sigh of relief, knowing I had done my very best work. A few weeks later, the teacher handed my project back to me with every single name of every single species circled in red, and a giant “-5 points” scrawled across each page. I remember fighting back tears and approaching my teacher. “What did I do wrong?” I asked. “Well, you didn’t capitalize the species’ names!” she barked back. [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/whats-in-a-grade) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/whats-in-a-grade#comments-listing) [All posts](https://blog.nise.institute/all) ### Subscribe Here! ### Posts ![Scroll To Top](https://blog.nise.institute/hubfs/NISE_August2019%20Theme/img/icon-top.svg) Ready to Change Your World and Theirs? [ Get STEM Certified! ](http://webstore.nise.institute/) ![National Institute for STEM Education](https://blog.nise.institute/hubfs/NISE_August2019%20Theme/img/logo-nise.png "National Institute for STEM Education - logo") ## What NISE STEM Certified Teachers Are Saying The NISE campus certification experience has been extremely valuable to our district as we continue to grow our STEM program. ** Ian Frank, Assistant Superintendent, and Lindsay Windatt, Elementary Assistant Principal ** Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy The NCSE process has helped transform three of our campuses from a condition of STEM awareness to that of STEM excellence. ** Pam Walker, K-12 STEM Coordinator ** Douglas County School District, Georgia The NISE campus certification has given our schools a foundation to support STEM implementation. We appreciate the coaches making the sessions easy, stress free and interesting. We are following up with the STEM best practices throughout the schools and encourage our teachers to continue on the path that NISE has started us on. The NISE process is well thought out, easy to understand and with the guidance of our coach, an extremely pleasant experience. ** Cat Morgan, District Elementary STEAM Specialist ** Longview ISD, Texas The campus certification process has allowed our leadership team to identify areas of strength and refinement for our campus as we seek to develop future ready learners. We believe that aligning our instructional practices with the 15 STEM Teacher Actions will definitely help us to reach this vision for our students. ** Danielle Record, Principal ** Pink Elementary, Frisco ISD, Texas NCSE streamlined the development of STEM education sustainability and growth catered to our learning community. ** Phil Johnston, STEM Coordinator ** Central High School, Grand Junction, Colorado Working through the campus certification has been one of the most impacting experiences we have undergone as a STEAM Academy. It has provided our team a deeper understanding of STEM education, provided our teachers with specific teacher actions to help them attain higher student achievement, and helped create a culture of responsible thinking and teaching. ** Elsa Lambert, Principal ** Raul Garza STEAM Academy, San Benito ISD, Texas - About NISE - [Program Overview](https://nise.institute/program-overview.php) - [Philosophy & Design](https://nise.institute/philosophy-and-design.php) - [Research](https://nise.institute/resources/nise_stem_observation_protocol_teacher_actions_that_matter_wp.pdf) - Certification - [Micro Certification](https://nise.institute/micro-certification.php) - [Teacher Certification](https://nise.institute/teacher-certification.php) - [Campus Certification](https://nise.institute/campus-district-certification.php) - University Partnerships - [SNHU Graduate Programs](https://nise.institute/#university-partnerships) - [ACE Graduate Programs](https://nise.institute/#ace) - Resources - [News](https://nise.institute/news.php) - [Blog](https://blog.nise.institute/) [* * ](https://www.facebook.com/NISE.STEM/) [* * ](https://twitter.com/NISE_STEM) [* * ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-institute-for-stem-education) - Support: 800.531.0864 - Fax: 281.833.4510 - [support@nise.institute ](mailto:support@nise.institute) - [Terms and Conditions ](http://nise.institute/terms-and-conditions.php) - © 2019 [Accelerate Learning ](http://www.stemscopes.com/?__hstc=125739797.78144e289a43c1599a436f7c838581f7.1565929192840.1565929192840.1565933173864.2&__hssc=125739797.20.1565933173864&__hsfp=3899845357)