The new STEM Education Center will serve as a hub for STEM education and instruction throughout the state, as well as a pipeline for future STEM teachers.
Ball State University has launched a new STEM Education Center, housed within the university’s College of Sciences and Humanities, that will advance STEM learning and teaching across the state of Indiana.
According to an article on Ball State University’s website, Dr. Andrew Gatza, the director of the STEM Education Center, was quoted as saying of the new center, “Indiana and the nation are facing a real shortage of qualified STEM teachers, and the STEM Education Center is designed to be part of the solution. This center brings together the people, partnerships, and research that already exist across Ball State—and gives us a stronger structure to expand what works: hands-on learning experiences for young students, support for teachers and schools, and a clear pathway that helps more Ball State students see themselves as future STEM educators.”
The STEM Education Center was designed and developed via collaboration between Dr. Gatza, Dr. Richard Petts, who is the associate dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities, and the university’s Teachers College.
As stated on the webpage for the STEM Education Center, its mission is “To expand access to high-quality STEM teaching, prepare the next generation of outstanding STEM teachers, and position Ball State as a state and national leader in STEM education.”
To achieve these goals, the STEM Education Center will be the home to initiatives like summer STEM camps, family STEM nights, and professional development workshops, and will focus on redesigning teacher preparation through hands-on learning and classroom innovation. The Center will become a hub for youth programs, school and community partnerships, and faculty-led research.
Becca Rice, who serves as the university’s vice president for governmental relations and industry engagement, said, “Ball State has long been committed to preparing educators and building partnerships that strengthen communities. As Indiana continues to focus on addressing the STEM teacher shortage, the STEM Education Center positions Ball State to help lead—with stronger talent pipelines, deeper partnerships with schools, and research-informed approaches that translate into real classroom impact. This is the kind of work that supports students, employers, and local economies across our state.”
For more information about Ball State University, visit the school’s website.