Center for STEM Education and Research (C-SER)
The Center for STEM Education and Research (C-SER) was created in response to and supported by a grant from the Texas Education Agency and the Texas High School Project.The purpose of the Texas-STEM Centers is to design innovative science, engineering, and math curricula; deliver professional development to teachers; and create strategic partnerships among business, higher education entities, and school districts to support the effective implementation of the T-STEM Initiative.
Vision: To design and strengthen STEM education in the North Texas region
Mission: Designed from a learning environments approach, C-SER will impact students’ 21st Century skills, cultivate local STEM Academies, equip educators with innovative tools, serve as a base for business/industry/university partnerships, and connect constituents to our future workforce.
Approach: C-SER will conduct research and implement programs that will provide best practices for innovative teaching and learning in STEM education, with a special focus on project-based learning (PBL). The research will allow us to continue to improve professional development offerings. This research also allows for identification of materials and equipment that support rigorous curriculums for teacher and administrator instruction. The PD institutes, delivered face-to-face and online, will integrate the research and curricular materials that support best practice.
Through development of outreach programs, we have already created regional partnerships among businesses, a high-need LEA, an ESC, nonprofit organizations, informal STEM institutions, and other organizations to support this STEM Center initiative. These partnerships will help establish and implement programs that allow STEM teachers to develop long-term relationships with STEM practitioners and professors to expand teachers' content knowledge and opportunities for research in STEM fields.
Methods: The C-SER upholds six overarching objectives:
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Align high school, postsecondary education and economic development activities in STEM areas with the broader high school curriculum.
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Lead the transformation of teaching methods, teacher preparation, and instruction in STEM areas.
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Demonstrate how the implementation of STEM teaching and learning increases the number of Texas high school students from diverse backgrounds graduating prepared to succeed in postsecondary study and careers in STEM-related fields.
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Train administrators, principals, and teachers in effective leadership strategies for supporting STEM instruction.
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Disseminate promising practices and research-based strategies for integrated STEM teaching and learning.
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Improve student achievement outcomes in mathematics and science and increase the number of students who pursue postsecondary studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Partners: We are proud to partner with the established STEM Academies in the DFW area as well as leaders in business and industry.
Dallas Ft. Worth Semiconductor & Technology Executive Council (DFW S-TEC) |
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| Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC) | |
| Science and Engineering Education Center (SEEC) |
*Funded by TEA and THSP (Texas High School Project)
- Updated: August 22, 2012
