The National Institute for STEM Education (NISE) has been named a finalist 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.
NISE is one of four finalists in its category, one of 34 education technology categories this year. Winners will be announced on July 26 at the Education Impact Symposium, hosted by the Education Technology Industry Network (ETIN), a division of SIIA.
"The nation's growing demand for graduates and workers proficient in STEM fields can only be met by providing educators with higher level training in the instruction of STEM courses," said Judy Zimny, vice president of NISE. "The National Institute for STEM Education is meeting this need by providing self-paced, competency-based programs where participants can learn and apply their proficiency in the key domains essential to increasing student achievement in STEM. This national recognition is a clear indication that our mission and our approach are helping to fill a vital need."
With STEM certification programs for teachers and school campuses, NISE is based on curricula and STEM professional development originally developed through thousands of hours of research and educational leadership. Using an online learning platform and supported by an online academic coach, educator participants produce a digital portfolio of work that demonstrates proficiency across 15 STEM teacher actions. For campuses and districts, the program leading to the National Certificate for STEM Excellence (NCSE) helps participants develop an in-depth understanding of what it takes to transform into a STEM campus of excellence. For individual teachers, the National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST) helps teachers align their teaching practices with research based and proven STEM strategies.
