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 2023. 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 2023 Theme will be announced November 2022.

Participants are encouraged to attend i-STEM with colleagues from their own school, district or organization so that you can learn together, share ideas and collaboratively implement what you have 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.

Status: Closed

Fees for 2023: TBD

Eligible Applicants: All educators – formal and informal

2023 Funding Schedule

Open: February 10, 2023
Close: March 17, 2023
Award date: TBD

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

i-STEM Institute Locations:

College of Southern Idaho

Lewis-Clark State College

Idaho State University

College of Eastern Idaho

North Idaho College

College of Western Idaho

Questions? Email istem@stem.idaho.gov

Click on the logos below for Institute information.

2022 Strands (for reference)

* Indicates this strand is appropriate for informal educators.

CSI (College of Southern Idaho) Strands

*Earth’s Place in the Universe (Grades: PK-8)
*Making with Micro:bits (Grades 5-12)
*Farm to Classroom: Connecting Students to their Food (Grades 3-12)
IDX: Engineering Solutions with 3D Design & Fabrication (Grades: 5-12)
*Ready, Set, Drones (Grades: 4-8)
*Healthy smiles to help you thrive! (Grades: PK-5)

LCSC (Lewis-Clark State College) Strands

*Drones. The Sky is No Longer the Limit! (Grades: 8-12)
*Water Science Investigations and Awareness (Grades: 3-11)
*LEGOS and Building a Community of STEM Learners (Grades: 2-6)
*LEGOs in the Primary Classroom (Grades: PK-2)

ISU (Idaho State University) Strands

*Integrated STEM in Early Elementary Education (5-8 years) (Grades: PK-3)
*Cracking the Code: Computer Science for K-2 and Beyond (Grades: PK-4)
*Amplifying STEM Research (Grades: 6-12)
*Ready, Set, Drones (Grades: 4-8)
*What are the Ingredients Required to Survive Regardless of Time, Space, and Place? (NCCE) (Grades: 3-12)
*Power of Earth & Space Sciences (Grades: 1-6)

CEI (College of Eastern Idaho) Strands

*Farm to Classroom: Connecting Students to their Food (Grades: 3-12)
*Testing the Limits: Experience & Adapt a STEM Project-Based Learning Unit for High School Biology (Grades: 9-12)
*Creative Mathematics for All! (Grades: 1-10)
*The Science of Magic and Toys (Grades: 1-9)
*Showcase the STEM: Tips, Tricks & Tools for Video Creation and Curation on Social Media (NCCE) (Grades: 3-8)
*Think like an Inventor! (Grades: 3-4)

NIC (North Idaho College) Strands

*STEMpowered Play (Grades: PK-3)
*Water Science Investigations and Awareness (Grades: 3-11)
*LEGOS and Building a Community of STEM Learners (Grades: 2-6)
*LEGOs in the Primary Classroom (Grades: PK-2)
*Ready, Set, Drones (Grades: 4-8)

CWI (College of Western Idaho) Strands

*Earth’s Place in the Universe (Grades: PK-8)
*Making with Micro:bits (Grades: 5-12)
Biology at Every Scale: From Virus to Carbon Cycles (Grades: 8-12)
*Ready, Set, Drones (Grades: 4-8)
*STEM Careers 6-12 (Grades: 6-12)
*Build, Create, and Innovate (Grades: PK-12)
IDX: Engineering Solutions with 3D Design & Fabrication (Grades: 5-12)
BrickLAB (Grades: K-6)

2022 Professional Development Credits (for reference)

i-STEM 2022 BSU Syllabus – 2 credits (pdf format)

COURSE HOURS: 2

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 15, 2022, midnight MST

Location and Course Dates.

In Person Training at one of the i-STEM Institutes:
- College of Southern Idaho June 13-16, 2022 8am-5pm
- Lewis-Clark State College June 13-16, 2022 8am-5pm
- Idaho State University June 14-17, 2022 8am -5pm
- North Idaho College June 21-24, 2022 8am-5pm
- College of Eastern Idaho June 21-24, 2022 8am-5pm
- College of Western Idaho June 21-24, 2022 8am-5pm
Final Survey Due: July 15, 2022

Course Cost: $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 Amplify STEM. 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, 2022 by midnight MST via the Community Grants Portal.

TRANSCRIPT DATE: Summer 2022

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.