i-STEM

i-STEM Summer Institutes

Opportunity Goals & Objectives:

To empower Idaho educators to gain STEM content knowledge and pedagogical skills, and to build local communities of learning to increase student excitement for and interest in STEM.

Brief Description:

i-STEM is a summer professional development opportunity for educators (PK-12) working in both classroom and informal settings. During the Institute, participants attend a strand on project-based, hands-on learning in a chosen content area, as well as general sessions tied to the Institute theme. Strand topics vary by location and can be accessed at the Institute links below in January 2024. Each participant will receive a kit of instructional materials unique to their strand, so that they can implement what they have learned in their own teaching environments.

i-STEM 2024 theme is STEM Leaders: Launching a STEM Identity

Participants were encouraged to attend i-STEM with colleagues from their own school, district or organization so they could learn together, share ideas and collaboratively implement what they had learned.

STEM AC is reaching out to businesses throughout the state to sponsor registration fees. We will reach out to you once you are accepted into the program and let you know if your registration fee is covered by a sponsor.

Your district may have funds to pay your registration fee to attend STEM AC PD opportunities. Learn more about Title 4 funding here and talk to your local administrator for guidance.

Click on Institute Locations to view the Strands available at each location.

Status: Closed

Fees for 2024: $50, 25% discount for group registrations

Eligible Applicants: All educators – formal and informal

2024 Funding Schedule

Open: February 5, 2024
Close: March 15, 2024
Award date: April 1, 2024

PD Credits: PD credit is available for participation in this program.

i-STEM Institute Locations

(click on each location for strands)

June 10-13, 2024 @
College of Western Idaho

June 10-13, 2024 @
College of Eastern Idaho

June 11-14, 2024 @
College of Southern Idaho

June 17-20, 2024 @
North Idaho College

June 24-27, 2024 @
Lewis-Clark State College

June 25-28, 2024 @
Idaho State University

Questions? Email istem@stem.idaho.gov

Organized in collaboration with:

Click on the logos below for Institute information.

2023 i-STEM Sponsors

Thanks to our 2023 Sponsors!

All 2023 Strands for reference

* Indicates this strand is appropriate for informal educators.

Click on location for more details.

LCSC (Lewis-Clark State College) Strands

* Earth’s Place in the Universe (Grades: 1-12)
* Drones. The Sky is no longer the limit. (Grades: 8-12)
* Circuits and Coding (Grades: 6-8)
* The Story of Forests (Grades: PK-8)
* (FULL) LEGO in Elementary Classrooms (Grades: PK-5)
* Extending the Code to Support 3-5 Educators (Grades: 3-5)

CWI (College of Western Idaho) Strands

* Water Science Investigations! (Grades: 3-12)
* Energy Flows Where SySTEM Thinking Goes (Grades: 6-12)
* Addressing Literacy Using Inquiry-based Science Activities for Upper Elementary and Secondary Students. (Grades: 5-12)
* FIRST LEGO League and using LEGO SPIKE or MINDSTORMS in the classroom (Grades: 3-8)
* (FULL) Build, Create, and Innovate (Grades: PK-12)
* The Discovery of Data (Grades: 4-8)
* Embedded Systems – Physical Computing and Programming with the Micro:bit (Grades: 6-12)
* Extending the Code to Support 3-5 Educators (Grades: 3-5)
* IROAM: STEM on the Range (Grades: 3-8)
* (FULL) Drones II (Grades: 4-8)
* (FULL) IDX: Engineering Solutions with 3D Design and Fabrication (Grades: 5-12)

ISU (Idaho State University) Strands

* STEM Gone Nuclear (Grades: 4-10)
* Beyond this World with STREAM (Grades: 1-8)
* i-STEM Hackathon (Grades: 9-12)
* INVENTING & STEM: A Team Approach (Grades: 2-12)
* The Supports and Scaffolds that Support STEM (Grades: PK-12)
* Electronic Circuits and Coding (Grades: 5-12)
* Extending the Code to Support 3-5 Educators (Grades: 3-5)
* Machine Learning (Grades: 6-12)

CEI (College of Eastern Idaho) Strands

* Integrating Biotechnology with the Life Science Classroom (Grades: 7-12)
* Beyond this World with STREAM (Grades: 1-8)
* Earth’s Place in the Universe (Grades: 1-12)
* INVENTING & STEM: A Team Approach (Grades: 2-12)
* Wildlife Conservation in Your Backyard (Grades: 1-8)
* Cracking the Code: Computer Science for K-2 (Grades: K-2)
* (FULL) Ready, Set, Drone (Grades: 4-8)

CSI (College of Southern Idaho) Strands

* (FULL) IDX: Engineering Solutions with 3D Design and Fabrication (Grades: 5-12)
* STEM/CS Career Exploration – A Deep Dive into Learning Blade and Career Blade Lessons (Free Statewide STEM/CS Resources) (Grades: 5-9)
* Think like an Inventor! Integrate STEM by Infusing Maker Space, PBL and the 7 Davician Principles across Curriculum (Grades: 3-6)
* Energy Flows Where SySTEM Thinking Goes (Grades: 6-12)
* (FULL) The Science In Magic and Toys (Grades: 1-9)
* Cracking the Code: Computer Science for K-2 (Grades: K-2)
* BrickLAB (Grades: K-6)
* FIRST LEGO League and using LEGO SPIKE or MINDSTORMS in the classroom (Grades: 3-8)
* Ready, Set, Drone (Grades: 4-8)

NIC (North Idaho College) Strands

* Thinking Inside the Box: Integrating STEAM Challenges into Curriculum Content (Grades: PK-8)
* Water Science Investigations! (Grades: 3-12)
* Math Rules Science Learners (Grades: PK-5)
* Drones. The Sky is no longer the limit. (Grades: 8-12)
* How To Launch a Near-Space Balloon: Cross-Curricular PBL Through Citizen Science (Grades: 5-12)
* Cracking the Code: Computer Science for K-2 (Grades: K-2)

2023 Professional Development Credits

PDF Syllabus

i-STEM 2023 BSU Syllabus – 1 credit (pdf format)
i-STEM 2023 BSU Syllabus – 2 credits (pdf format)

i-STEM 2023: Step up to STEM-Increasing Integration

Course Syllabus – Summer 2023

COURSE HOURS: 1 credit (Course B) or 2 credits (Course A)

Register for 1 credit
Register for 2 credits

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 15, 2023, midnight MST

Location and Course Dates.

In Person Training at one of the i-STEM Institutes:
- Lewis-Clark State College June 12-15, 2023 8am-4pm
- College of Western Idaho June 13-16, 2023 8am-4pm
- Idaho State University June 14-17, 2023 8am-4pm
- College of Southern Idaho June 20-23, 2023 8am-4pm
- North Idaho College June 20-23, 2023 8am-4pm
- College of Eastern Idaho June 20-23, 2023 8am-4pm
Final Survey Due: July 15, 2023

Course Cost: 1 credit: $60 / 2 credits: $120

Instructor Email: Katie Bosch-Wilson, katie.boschwilson@stemidaho.gov, 208-332-1727

COURSE DESCRIPTION: i-STEM is a four day professional development institute focused on STEM education. This year’s theme is Step up to STEM-Increasing Integration. General sessions during the institute will focus on how to develop successful partnerships within participants’ organizations and communities to further STEM education for their students. Participants will attend workshops that cover science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) content within a project-based learning framework and learn how the content is applicable to local interests. Participants will network with one another, hear from keynote speakers and go on field trips.

COURSE OBJECTIVES & LEARNER OUTCOMES:

Participants will demonstrate an understanding of project-based learning in the context of STEM education.
Participants will learn how to read, understand, and incorporate state content standards into their teaching.
Participants will learn about a specific STEM topic and receive a kit of materials to implement what they have learned into their teaching practice.

COURSE ASSIGNMENT:

Educators will attend all four days of an i-STEM Institute (36 hrs).
Educators will submit a final survey via the Community Grants Portal (https://idahostem.force.com/gms/)

FINAL ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE: July 15, 2023 by midnight MST via the Community Grants Portal.

TRANSCRIPT DATE: Summer 2023

i-STEM Libraries

The i-STEM Libraries area is a collection of STEM tools, kits, equipment and other resources available for Idaho educators to check out and use in their classrooms or programs – for free!

Visit the i-STEM Libraries page to learn more and access the Online Catalog.