Who We Are
The Notre Dame Center for STEM Education aims to create a more just society by providing access to high-quality STEM education for all students and supporting the growth of learning opportunities that authentically drawn upon young peoples’ linguistic and cultural practices, prior knowledge and experiences, and community-based ways of knowing to make sense of and contribute to the natural, symbolic, built, and technological world.
We conceptualize STEM in two complementary ways. In some contexts, we refer to STEM as the acronym representing the four primary disciplines of science, technology/computer science, engineering, and mathematics, and the disciplinary core ideas and practices embedded within these fields. In other cases, we reference STEM as a distinct, integrated form of instruction that authentically draws upon two or more of the STEM disciplines for problem-based, contextualized learning. We believe that STEM education in both of these senses is essential for creating a better world, and that STEM teachers are strategically positioned to use their expertise as a force for good in this pursuit.
As a Center, our approach is grounded in four foundational tenets that guide our work: elevating the dignity of the individual, promoting the common good, empowering the marginalized and vulnerable, and acting with rights and responsibilities.
Explore Our Foundational Tenets
Our Activities
Faculty and staff in the Center for STEM Education are integrally involved in the major functions of the University of Notre Dame–research, service, and teaching. All faculty and staff are involved in one or more of the Center’s research or evaluation efforts and participate in the design and implementation of one of our two flagship teacher professional formation opportunities: the Notre Dame STEM Teaching Fellows program and the Notre Dame Partnership for Advanced Coursework Teachers. In addition, our faculty and staff hold various teaching responsibilities, including undergraduate courses through Notre Dame's Education Schooling, and Society program and graduate courses through Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education.
Our History
The Notre Dame Center for STEM Education, housed within the Institute for Educational Initiatives, was founded in 2013 to make a lasting impact in STEM education through its research and the translation of evidence-based findings into programs that have broader impacts on student interest in, identity with, and learning of the STEM disciplines. The Center connects with researchers and practitioners at Notre Dame and across the nation to collaboratively advance STEM teacher and learning for an ever-widening number of students and school communities.
The Center for STEM Education is proud to be accredited by AdvancED (Cognia) as a Platinum Status STEM Certified Provider.