July 12-24, 2009
Application Deadline: June 1,  2009

The Pre-Service Teacher STEM Institute is a two-week summer  residential  program where prospective grades 4-8 teachers are housed at Hampton University; participate in an integrated, inquiry/ standards -based STEM curriculum; interface with NASA engineers; design and  teach an engineering lesson , over a two day period, to 5th grade children at Cooper Technology Magnet School; and receive instructional feedback from staff and in-service teachers.  Students receive a $500 stipend, and earn 3 college credits through Hampton University.    The course is:  
EDUS 502  Problem-Based Inquiry Learning  (3 Credits)

• This two-week intensive course is designed to introduce undergraduate and graduate education students to a curriculum organizer and instructional strategy called problem-based inquiry learning, using Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM) as topic areas. 
• Problem-Based Inquiry Learning (PBIL) champions the idea that knowledge gained through investigation produces greater student understanding and achievement. 
• This strategy is particularly useful in mathematics and science instruction at the elementary and middle grade levels.  
• During the two-week course, learners will experience PBIL in STEM areas through sessions taught by university education professors and NASA instructors. 
• Students will design and teach a PBIL STEM lesson to 5th graders using national content standards, and NASA’s educational materials.

 Institute Objectives

• Increase familiarity  with, and use, NASA facilities, personnel, and  materials  in the development of hands-on  standards/Inquiry-based STEM  lesson plans.
• Increase understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematical concepts..
• Increase understanding of learning and personality styles, and teamwork.