Research-Based Pedagogy

1. Materials are well aligned to current research, and alignment is clearly documented. 

2. Comprehensive materials, tools, and/or guidance are provided to support identified pedagogical strategies. 

STEM Content Integration

1. To the extent possible and strategic, STEM content is presented in an integrated, multidisciplinary approach in which students have multiple opportunities to apply STEM skills and knowledge in the context of STEM activities, problems, and/or practices (e.g., modeling, argumentation). Alignment of STEM content to relevant policy initiatives (e.g., local or national economic development efforts and workforce needs) and instructional frameworks (e.g., grade-level standards) is clear and documented. 

Real World Application

1. Content is embedded in scenarios that relate to problems or challenges students are likely to encounter outside of school at some time in their lives. 

2. Relationships between instructional content and real world application are made explicit to students. 

3. Supports for the identification and use of scenarios related to challenges or activities of local or regional STEM industries are provided to teachers. 

Project or Problem Based Learning

1. Projects or problem-based activities vary in length and complexity, and are used throughout the curriculum. 

2. Students have multiple opportunities to work collaboratively to identify a problem, identify and implement one or more solutions, and present their work to various stakeholders. 

3. Supports are provided for teachers to help students identify problem

Scaffolding

1. Materials provide clear guidance for teachers, or embedded student supports, to scaffold instruction and move students progressively toward deeper understanding and greater independence in the learning process. 

2. A variety of instructional techniques are presented to support teachers in scaffolding students of varying abilities and backgrounds. 

3. There are clear milestones to reach, multiple techniques for achieving the same milestone, and strategies to remove scaffolding as milestones are achieved.

Assessment

1. Materials and opportunities for formative and summative assessments are provided. 

2. Assessments align to learning objectives, and include a variety of formats as appropriate. 

3. Assessments include necessary scoring materials, guidance about using outcomes to make data-driven decisions, and pedagogical strategies to address conceptual challenges identified by assessments. 

Cultural Sensitivity & Relevance

1. Content is situated within a range of diverse historical, cultural, and political contexts, referencing social studies standards as appropriate. 

2. The role of historical, cultural, and political context in current and past STEM work is discussed. 

3. Activities, teacher materials, and supports consistently value multiple cultural perspectives. 

4. Teacher supports include guidance to lead student discussions and activities to acknowledge and value the backgrounds, cultures, and experiences of others. 

Technology Integration

1. Students use technology as a tool throughout the curriculum. 

2. Technology is used to support student learning, enable a broad range of activities, and enhance collaboration. 

3. Activities take advantage of how students use technology outside of school, and encourage teachers and students to use technology in novel ways. 

4. Teacher and student supports include guidance and training in the use and benefits of technologies.