Project InTERSECT
With the addition of Project InTERSECT, we will be able to offer local educators and teacher candidates STEM and computational thinking training. Project InTERSECT focuses on Inquiry to Transform Educator Readiness for STEM+C Early Childhood Teaching. This Supporting Effective Educator Development grant (SEED) will expand existing partnerships with Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) and Northeast Florida Regional STEM2Hub to provide teachers with evidence-based professional development activities that address the need of DCPS students as well as evidence-based professional enhancement which includes activities leading to advanced credentials.
Who is Project InTERSECT for?
COEHS is seeking four cohorts to enroll in Project InTERSECT. The fourth cohort will begin Fall 2023. Each cohort will include 3 different options for participation:
- STEM +C Teacher Leader Graduate Coursework,
- STEM+C Teacher Professional Development Modules, and
- STEM+C Teacher Candidate Badging.
Teacher Leaders
PK-3 DCPS teacher leaders will deepen their expertise in STEM+C classroom instruction and serve as teacher leaders in STEM+C instruction. For those educators who will remain in the PK-3 classroom and serve as teacher leaders for their colleagues in the area of early childhood STEM+C instruction.
Professional Development
Current PK-3 DCPS Teachers will participate in online professional development modules, PLC's and coaching to prepare them to integrate STEM+C into your classroom.
Teacher Candidates
Current COEHS juniors and seniors pursuing degrees in early childhood, elementary education, deaf education, or exceptional student education will complete 3 online badges coupled with individualized mentoring.
What does a Project InTERSECT Classroom look like?
The early childhood STEM+C classroom brings to mind a vision of young students in small groups, engaged in playful standards-driven exploration with a variety of manipulative materials, robots, building blocks and other tech toys. The young learners, informally stationed around the room, are carefully investigating the process needed for building a new home for a story character. Some are building content knowledge through direct teacher instruction on measurement standards. Others are engaged in creating a vehicle that can move their building materials to the imaginative construction site. Others are testing their structures by collecting and analyzing data. Some are exploring books in the literacy area on the subject related to the work the vehicle perform, while others are writing a sequel to the original story using the new home they have created. As they apply an increasingly varied range of student-led learning, they develop self-regulation, persistence, and collaboration through lively discussion with classmates.
Consider the teacher working to support student learning in this learning environment. What skills, knowledge, and dispositions does this teacher need to scaffold student learning, redirect misconceptions in math and science, and lay the foundation for critical computational thinking skills that young children will need to successfully move from early childhood learning into the challenging content needed to innovate and solve the problems they will face as adults? Envision this class with a teacher who is a leader in STEM+C education, accomplished in both CK and pedagogy, ready to facilitate in this rich learning environment. This is the vision to be brought to life through Project InTERSECT.
Enroll in Project InTERSECT
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STEM+C Teacher Leader
STEM+C Teacher Leader Academy is a year-long program comprised of graduate level coursework for PK-3 teacher leaders to integrate STEM+C instruction into their classrooms. Teacher Leaders take four UNF graduate level online courses coupled with an online PLC and coaching community. We are seeking highly motivated and innovative PK-3 DCPS teacher leaders to participate in an exciting opportunity to deepen their expertise in STEM+C classroom instruction and serve as teacher leaders in STEM+C instruction. We are seeking those educators who remain in the PK-3 classroom and serve as teacher leaders for their colleagues in the area of early childhood STEM+C instruction. Our primary focus is to provide teacher leaders working at schools among low-income communities STEM+C professional development opportunities.
Eligibility
- Be a PK-3 classroom teacher for 3 or more years*
- *3 or more years experience as classroom teachers are required. Media Specialists and VE Teachers are not eligible.
- 3.0 GPA on last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework
- Have a passion for learning
- Commit to four semesters of graduate coursework
- Commit to STEM+C integration in your classroom
- Interest in teacher leadership and supporting the learning of other educators
- Teachers will be selected from those working within qualifying opportunity zones and Title I schools
Still unsure if you meet the eligibility requirements to participate in the STEM+C Teacher Leader Academy? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
Program Benefits
We provide each DCPS PK-3 participant a stipend to recognize their participation outside the regular school day. Participation includes engagement in 4 semesters of professional development and participate in research and evaluation materials. UNF will provide Teacher Leader participants the following:
- Enhance STEM+C instruction, student engagement, and learning in your PK-3 Classroom.
- Earn a stipend that recognizes your implementation and expertise in creating STEM+C classrooms.
- Become a part of a PLC and network committed to profoundly impacting the lives of children.
- Support from your Principal and through coaching.
- Stipend of $2,700 for semester 1 and $3,700 for semester 2-4 per semester, for 4 semesters equaling a total of $13,800
- UNF provides cost of TUITION and fees (valued at $5,922)
- UNF provides all classroom materials
- Be a difference marker in the community.
Exclusive Online Program
- Get paid to earn 12 credits of your Elementary Education graduate degree
- Designed to accommodate working elementary teachers
- Coursework begins Fall term (August 2022)
- This competitive program consists of four fully-online classes over four semesters that will provide an in-depth view of integrated STEM research, theory, and the application of current best classroom practice
STEM Concentration Courses:
- Computational Thinking in STEM Plus C Environments
- Teaching Elementary Mathematics Using Tech
- Engineering in the Elementary Classroom
- Classroom Inquiry for Teachers
How to Apply
- Prepare the necessary documents you will need to provide for the initial application including:
- Updated copy of your CV or Resume
- Completed and signed Principal Support Form (pdf forms can be requested by emailing Jamey Burns at jamey.burns@unf.edu)
- A copy of your Active Teacher License
- Complete the application form by selecting the "Apply Now" button below:
Important Dates
Program Starts August 22, 2022 (Fall Semester). This is the last time this program will be offered. Apply now to be a part of the final cohort.
Space is limited for this highly competitive program. After the application deadline we will review all applications and let each applicant know if they have been accepted for cohort 4 and next steps.
- Cohort 1 will participate and take coursework Summer 2021 - Summer 2022
- Cohort 2 will participate and take coursework Fall 2021 - Fall 2022
- Cohort 3 will participate and take coursework Spring 2022 - Spring 2023
- Cohort 4 will participate and take coursework Fall 2022 - Fall 2023
- Be a PK-3 classroom teacher for 3 or more years*
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STEM+C Professional Development for Current Teachers
STEM+C Professional Development for teachers is a year-long program comprised of four online modules for PK-3 teacher leaders to integrate STEM+C instruction into their classrooms. We are seeking highly motivated and innovative PK-3 DCPS teachers to participate in an exciting opportunity to deepen their expertise in STEM+C classroom. Our primary focus is to provide teachers working at schools among low-income communities STEM+C professional development opportunities.
Eligibility
- Be a PK-3 classroom* teacher.
- *Media Specialists and VE teachers are not eligible
- Have a passion for learning
- Commit to four online course modules over the course of one year
- Commit to STEM+C integration in your classroom
- Interest in STEM education
- Teachers will be selected from those working within qualifying opportunity zones and Title I Schools
Still unsure if you meet the eligibility requirements to participate in the STEM+C Professional Development for teachers? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
Program Benefits
We provide each DCPS PK-3 participant a stipend to recognize their participation outside the regular school day. This competitive program consists of four fully-online classes over four semesters that will provide an in-depth view of integrated STEM research, theory, and the application of current best classroom practice. UNF will provide participating teachers the following:
- Enhance STEM+C instruction, student engagement and learning in your classroom
- Earn a stipend that recognizes your implementation and expertise in creating STEM+C classrooms
- Be a part of a STEM+C learning community across schools
- Support from your Principal
- UNF provides a stipend of $6,000
- UNF provides all classroom materials
- No tuition and fees
- Be a difference marker in the community
Exclusive Online Program
- Get paid to participate in four UNF online professional development modules, PLC's and coaching to prepare you to integrate STEM+C into your classroom
- Designed to accommodate working elementary teachers
- Coursework for cohort 4 begins Fall term (August 2022)
STEM Professional Development Modules:
- Computational Thinking in STEM Plus C Environments
- Teaching Elementary Mathematics Using Technology
- Engineering in the Elementary Classroom
- Classroom Inquiry for Teachers
How to Apply
- Prepare the necessary documents you will need to provide for the initial application including:
- Updated copy of your CV or Resume
- Completed and signed Principal Support Form (pdf forms can be requested by emailing Jamey Burns at Jamey.burns@unf.edu)
- A copy of your Active Teacher License
- Complete the application form by selecting the "Apply Now" button below:
Important Dates
Program Start Date is June, 2023 (Summer term).
Space is limited for this highly competitive program. Fall 2022/ Cohort #4 is the final cohort and last chance to participate in Project InTERSECT. After the application deadline we will review all applications and let each applicant know if they have been accepted for cohort 4. Complete the application form by selecting the above "Apply Now" button.
- Cohort 1 will participate and take coursework Summer 2021 - Summer 2022
- Cohort 2 will participate and take coursework Fall 2021 - Fall 2022
- Cohort 3 will participate and take coursework Spring 2022 - Spring 2023
- Cohort 4 will participate and take coursework Fall 2022 - Fall 2023
- Be a PK-3 classroom* teacher.
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STEM+C for Teacher Candidates
STEM+C for teacher candidates is a year-long program comprised of three online modules for teacher candidates (UNF COEHS students) to gain an in-depth look at STEM+C instruction and curriculum while earning 3 badges. We are seeking highly motivated and innovative teacher candidates in their junior or senior year to participate in an exciting opportunity to deepen their expertise in STEM+C before they head out into schools as first time teachers.
Eligibility
- Be a current COEHS junior or senior pursuing a degree in elementary education, pre-K primary licensure, deaf education or exceptional student education
- Have a passion for learning
- Commit to four online badges over the course of one year
- Interest in STEM education
Program Benefits
We provide each teacher candidate who chooses to participate a stipend to recognize their efforts to continue their learning outside the regular college curriculum. This competitive program consists of four fully-online modules over the course of one year that will provide an in-depth view of integrated STEM research, theory, and the application of current best classroom practice. UNF will provide participating teacher candidates the following benefits:
- Enhance STEM+C instruction, student engagement and learning in your future classroom
- Earn a stipend that recognizes your implementation and expertise in creating STEM+C classrooms
- Be a part of a STEM+C learning community across schools
- Support from a mentor
- UNF provides a stipend of $1,200
- UNF provides all classroom materials
- Earn a graduation cord
- Earn a $500 BONUS for completing the full program
Exclusive Online Program
- Get paid to participate in four UNF online badges
- Receive coaching from a mentor to prepare you to integrate STEM+C into your future classroom
- Designed to accommodate current UNF students
- Coursework begins Summer term, June 2023
- This competitive program consists of three online badges over three semesters that will provide an in-depth view of integrated STEM research, theory and the application of current best classroom practice
STEM Badges for Teacher Candidates:
Each badge will be completed one semester at a time. Badges can be completed at your own pace within that semester. Badges are sequential. All participants will complete the same badge during the same term, one at a time.
- Computational Thinking
- Mathematics and Technology*
- Engineering in the Classroom*
How to Apply
Teacher Candidates have been selected for the 2023 school year. Applications are now closed.
Information Sessions
Previously recorded information sessions have been made available on our YouTube Channel so interested students can learn more about the program.
Contact Us
For questions about the College of Education and Human Services, our programs and services, and applying to UNF as a part of Project InTERSECT, please contact Jamey Burns at jamey.burns@unf.edu.
Learn more about the program via the UNF News Article: UNF College of Education and Human Services awarded $4M grant to prepare PK-2 teachers in STEM Curriculum