America's STEM Solution

STEM Education

There is a well-recognized need for the United States to prepare more of its citizens to participate in STEM-related careers. The careers of the 21st Century require the ability to reason, innovate, adapt, use and understand technology. Students need access to coursework that builds analytical and quantitative reasoning and puts them on a pathway to STEM careers.

Why Physics and Chemistry?

Take a look at any undergraduate catalogue and you will see physics and chemistry are the two most required science prerequisites for STEM careers. They teach students analytical and quantitative reasoning while providing an application for math. However, there is a physics and chemistry teacher shortage, and far too few students even take these courses in high school. In New Jersey, there are over twice as many biology teachers as chemistry teachers, and five times as many biology teachers as physics teachers.

Start with Physics First

If you want to put all students on a pathway to STEM careers, start by offering all students physics first. The Progressive Science Initiative® (PSI®) physics-chemistry-biology sequence provides a logical flow of science content as well as practical applications for algebra and geometry (“Opening Access to STEM careers”). This opens up opportunities for students to take more AP science courses as well.

This approach has been proven to work for all learners. Of the top 12 schools for AP Physics participation in New Jersey, half are schools that have switched to the PSI science sequence (“Ninth Grade Physics Reverses Science Achievement Gap”).

Your Current Teachers Can Become Physics and Chemistry Teachers

The New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) can help your school correct the science sequence, offer all students physics and chemistry, and open access to STEM education and careers. CTL is approved by the NJDOE to provide physics and chemistry endorsements for already certified NJ teachers. Since 2009, CTL has taught 125 certified teachers from other content areas - biology, math, history, special education, etc. - how to teach physics, making CTL the #1 producer of physics teacher in the country. CTL has also certified a number of chemistry teachers. These teachers are successful because they already have the skills, empathy, and experience needed to work with students in their district, and CTL provides the free, digital course content and methods needed to become great physics and chemistry teachers.

Act Now

Is your school providing all student access to STEM careers? How many more physics and chemistry teachers do you need? Teacher endorsement courses are starting near you soon! For more information, or to schedule a meeting with us, call (609) 310-1285 or email CTL at info@njctl.org.

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