About USI STEM

USI STEM Homepage

Contact SwISTEM:

Kara Becker
Director
(812) 228-5008
kgbecker@usi.edu

Allison Grabert
Science Coordinator
(812) 228-5019
afgrabert@usi.edu

About SwISTEM

The focus of SwISTEM is on improvement of STEM-related education through curriculum redesign, realignment, and professional development for educators in the nine counties within the region. SwISTEM is supported by:

Indiana STEM (I-STEM) Network- In 2007, USI was selected as a lead institution in the development and implementation of the new Indiana STEM (I-STEM) Resource Network. USI has primary responsibility for STEM related efforts for the entire southwestern Indiana region.
WIRED Grant- In 2007, USI became the lead institution in the $5,000,000 Southwest Indiana Regional WIRED grant from the US Department of Labor to enhance regional STEM. A portion of this grant will fund activities to:
- Develop new alliances and partnerships (public and private);
- Focus on regional STEM education and workforce development;
- Identify and support existing STEM programs;
- Develop a web-based clearinghouse of information for all constituents (parents, teachers, students, community, industry, etc.);
- Communicate with constituents about the importance of STEM education and career path options;
- Expand Project Lead the Way (PLTW) opportunities into every school in the region and develop closer ties between schools and universities;
- Develop STEM summer camps, weekend workshops, etc. to encourage and recruit students with interest in one or more of the STEM disciplines;
- Develop traveling science laboratories with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and high-tech instrumentation;
- Redesign K-16 STEM curricula by developing new and innovative lessons and hands-on inquiry-based laboratories; and
- Identify and remedy curriculum gaps in K-16 STEM Education.
NSF STEP Grant- In 2008, USI received a five-year $1.2 million NSF grant for four component programs:
- Development and implementation of an Early Undergraduate Research Program;

Funding for a Pathways Leading to Undergraduate Success in the Sciences (PLUSS) Program;
Increased community and K-12 involvement through a formal Outreach Program; and;
Improved pedagogical approaches through a formal Professional Development Program for K-16 teachers.

The proposed Initiative seeks to address a number of goals, including: Increasing the number and quality of students selecting STEM majors; providing opportunities to engage high school and college students in hands-on research opportunities early in their schooling; developing a more nurturing and team oriented approach to STEM education; providing enhanced academic and career advising for students majoring or intending to major in any of the STEM areas; improving the retention and graduation rates for STEM students; improving the success rates in mathematics and science courses; providing professional development for regional K-16 STEM teachers, developing community, business, industry partnerships to generate additional interest in STEM careers, and increasing community awareness of the need and importance of a STEM-focused education.

What SwISTEM Can Do For...

Teachers: The SwISTEM Resource Center offers a nurturing, team-oriented approach to STEM education for teachers. The center distributes and demonstrates best practices in STEM education, such as: SwISTEM Professional Development for K-16 teachers, and Summer STEM workshops in biology, chemistry, geology, physics, math and engineering.

Middle & High School Students: The SwISTEM Resource Center encourages students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM activities motivate students to select STEM majors. Also, the SwISTEM Resource Center advocates STEM-related competitions and camps; these contests and activites give students and teachers the opportunity to experience the STEM discipline. Some examples of activities are: Tri-State Science and Engineering Fair, Project Lead the Way Conference, and many others.

Parents: The SwISTEM Resource Center equips parents with way to identify STEM-related activities and courses, both inside and outside the classroom, so they can support their child's STEM education.

School Administrators: Schools need highly skilled educators who can motivate and educate students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Teachers will be given recent research-based practices in STEM subjects.

8600 University Boulevard - Evansville, IN 47712-3596 - 812/464-8600