An Integrated STEM Learning Model for High School in Engineering Education

The primary driving force of the US economy depends on the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Historically, the "E" of STEM has been virtually silent in U.S. elementary and secondary schools. In recent years, K-12 engineering education started to gain attention from educators and policy makers. However, there is a strong need for more standardized engineering curriculum and assessment in K-12 classrooms across the country. It is imperative that more efforts are introduced at the local, district, and federal level that help create strategies, education reforms and opportunities to boost the current meagre national STEM talent pool for a sustained U.S. economy and meet the STEM workforce demands by the year 2020. It is imperative that more efforts are introduced at local, districts, and federal level that helps create strategies, education reforms and opportunities to boost the current meagre national STEM talent pool for a sustained US economy and meet the STEM workforce demands by the year 2020. a team of experts was convened by the NRC at the request of Representative Frank Wolf (VA) to identify highly STEM focused K-12 schools and programs across the country, however this was focused on the science and mathematics of STEM. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Cooperative Remote Sensing Science and Technology Center at the City College of the City University of New York funded by NOAA's Educational Partnership Program created a unique project-based integrated STEM learning model that introduces an holistic learning approach to instill college-readiness and STEM motivation among HS students especially students of color and underserved communities.