--- title: Blog | National Institute of STEM Education (3) description: (3) --- [![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/) ## [How to connect STEM to your Standards](https://blog.nise.institute/connecting-stem-to-your-standards) Posted by [Amanda James](https://blog.nise.institute/author/amanda-james) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Most teachers we talk to agree that their students struggle with critical thinking, problem-solving ability, and reasoning. We also know that many students lack the skills they need to read information, extract important points within the text, and synthesize what they have read (Barrow, 2006). [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/connecting-stem-to-your-standards) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/connecting-stem-to-your-standards#comments-listing) ## [Why Do Teacher Actions Matter in STEM Education?](https://blog.nise.institute/why-teacher-actions-matter) Posted by [Amanda James](https://blog.nise.institute/author/amanda-james) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Think back to your first year of teaching. Whether you had just graduated from college where you majored in education or had completed an alternative certification program, most people can remember their first year of teaching like it was yesterday. At the end of  your first year, your sense of satisfaction came from surviving all the unexpected trials you encountered. You were required to observe master teachers and take notes on how they ran their classroom. So, what made their classes good? [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/why-teacher-actions-matter) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/why-teacher-actions-matter#comments-listing) ## [What is Mastery Learning in STEM?](https://blog.nise.institute/mastery-learning-in-stem) Posted by [Amanda James](https://blog.nise.institute/author/amanda-james) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) One of the biggest challenges teachers face in the classroom is ensuring learning for all. What do I do if some of the students get it and others do not? How do I challenge the students that grasp the content at a faster rate than other students? How can I support my struggling students who get lost early in the material but do not ask for help? How can I challenge my students to think critically and problem solve? What activities can I use to provide my students with creative opportunities while still interacting with content? [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/mastery-learning-in-stem) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/mastery-learning-in-stem#comments-listing) ## [The National Institute for STEM Education Named SIIA CODiE Award Finalist for Best Professional Learning Solution for Faculty & Administrative Staff](https://blog.nise.institute/the-national-institute-for-stem-education-named-siia-codie-award-finalist-for-best-professional-learning-solution-for-faculty-administrative-staff) Posted by [Marissa Alonzo](https://blog.nise.institute/author/marissa-alonzo) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The National Institute for STEM Education (NISE)[ has been named a finalist](http://acceleratelearning.com/news/2017_07_11_nise_codie_finalist.pdf) in the 2017 SIIA Education CODiE Awards for Best Professional Learning Solution for Faculty & Administrative Staff. In its 34th year, the SIIA CODiE Awards is the software and information industry's only peer-reviewed awards program recognizing  product excellence. [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/the-national-institute-for-stem-education-named-siia-codie-award-finalist-for-best-professional-learning-solution-for-faculty-administrative-staff) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/the-national-institute-for-stem-education-named-siia-codie-award-finalist-for-best-professional-learning-solution-for-faculty-administrative-staff#comments-listing) ## [Preparing Graduates to Meet STEM Needs and Opportunities](https://blog.nise.institute/preparing-graduates-to-meet-stem-needs-and-opportunities) Posted by [Judy Zimny, Ed.D.](https://blog.nise.institute/author/judy-zimny-ed-d-) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) STEM needs and opportunities in education and the workplace continue to expand exponentially in the United States. In the past 16 years, STEM jobs [increased by 26 percent compared to six percent across all occupations](https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2014/spring/art01.pdf). Meanwhile, the comparatively low rates of STEM graduates require U.S. employers to rely on skilled foreign workers. The reality to be confronted is that educators -- and I include myself here -- are not yet developing the workforce needed to fill our country's STEM needs today or in the future. As a result, our graduates are not prepared to grasp the many STEM opportunities available to them. [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/preparing-graduates-to-meet-stem-needs-and-opportunities) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/preparing-graduates-to-meet-stem-needs-and-opportunities#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) ## [Investigating Phenomena that Change Slowly](https://blog.nise.institute/investigating-phenomena-that-change-slowly) Posted by [Terry Talley, Ed.D.](https://blog.nise.institute/author/terry-talley-ed-d-) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) One of the most enjoyable investigations that I recently observed was during science time in a pre-K classroom. After the teacher reminded students to wash their hands and not to squeeze the little creatures, the excitement built as each student was given a worm to study. The students, holding out their hands as if they were waiting for a prize, immediately began to smile and ask questions. [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/investigating-phenomena-that-change-slowly) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/investigating-phenomena-that-change-slowly#comments-listing) ## [Literacy in Science and Scientific Literacy](https://blog.nise.institute/literacy-in-science-and-scientific-literacy) Posted by [Terry Talley, Ed.D.](https://blog.nise.institute/author/terry-talley-ed-d-) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Recently I had a conversation with my younger brother, who is the residential and commercial plumbing inspector for one of the large counties in northwest Ohio, about the time it takes to read and understand the complex codes and regulations associated with the construction industry. He shared that in his preparation for the numerous certification and recertification examinations associated with his role, his ability to read closely for details, discuss the application of the code, and retain the nuances of what he read was developed much later in his career. [Read More](https://blog.nise.institute/literacy-in-science-and-scientific-literacy) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.nise.institute/literacy-in-science-and-scientific-literacy#comments-listing) [Previous](https://blog.nise.institute/page/2) [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)