Secondary STEM Education

Boise State’s STEM Education program offers “two degrees in one” for talented STEM majors who want to make a difference in their community, gain cutting-edge knowledge in their field, and build valuable teaching skills.

Explore Degree Options

The Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundation Studies (CIFS) department is dedicated to providing STEM majors with quality education, field experience, and content knowledge to help them become exceptional STEM Educators. Led by an interdisciplinary team of expert faculty, STEM ED partners with degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geosciences, Mathematics, and Physics to provide a pathway to teacher certification in the various disciplines.

Overview of Secondary Education

Materials Request Form

Why Teach?

Fun Facts About Teaching!

Application Timeline

Explore STEM-ED

Complete at least two courses in a STEM subject area. Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Complete STEM-ED 101 (1 credit), STEM-ED 102 (1 credit), ED-CIFS 201 (3 credits), and STEM-ED 210 (FS) (3 credits)
Choose a STEM Education degree path and meet with content and Education advisors

Apply to Teacher Education

Apply through Taskstream when notified that applications have been opened (the announcement will be posted here). Deadlines are always the 1st Friday in February or the 3rd Friday in September.
Complete an interview with STEM Ed Faculty

Mid-Program

Pass your subject-area Praxis exam(s).
Complete STEM-ED 220, STEM-ED 310, and STEM-ED 350 (non-math only)
Maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Apply for Professional Year

Apply for Professional Year via Taskstream. Deadlines are always the 1st Friday in February or the 3rd Friday in September.
If approved, complete STEM-ED 410 and STEM-ED 480

To see all STEM-ED Field Course websites, please click here.

Once admitted into Teacher Ed, you will work toward your STEM degree while completing the Secondary Education Emphasis courses listed in the Undergraduate Catalog. You must maintain a 3.0 degree-box GPA. It is a good idea to check in at least once per semester with your content and Education advisors.

Mid-Program STEM-ED Courses

STEM-ED 220: Perspectives on Science and Mathematics (3 credits)
STEM-ED 310: Classroom Interactions (3 credits)
STEM-ED 350: Research Methods (3 credits, non-math only)

Praxis Exam(s)

When you are ready to apply to the Professional Year, you’ll need to prepare to register for and take the Praxis exam in your subject area(s) and earn a score that meets or exceeds minimum scores required by the Idaho State Department of Education.

Praxis Exams by Content Area

Praxis exams are challenging, and registration times are limited, so plan ahead.

Application Deadlines

FALL – Applications due first Friday in February
SPRING – Applications due third Friday in September

Professional Year Application Requirements

To be admitted into your Professional Year of Teacher Ed, you must complete the following:

Access your Taskstream Account – Login to the same account as your Initial Application.
Meet Praxis Requirements – Elect for your official scores to be submitted to Boise State University. In addition, upload your unofficial results to Taskstream as a PDF. (Note: You do not have to have your Praxis tests taken to be admitted into Professional Year, but it is a good idea to get started on them around this time.)
Criminal Background Check – The packet for the background check can be picked up on the 7th floor of the Education Building.
Unofficial Transcripts – Meet the minimum degree-box grade point average of 3.00.
Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment passing score – STEM-ED students should have taken the ICLA at the end of STEM-ED 310. Anyone who has taken the course in Fall 2021 or later needs to have a passing score of 70 to be admitted. Please upload your scores in Taskstream.
Professional Year Placement Preferences – Please complete this form regarding your professional year placement preferences.

Professional Year Teaching Courses

If approved for the Professional Year, plan to complete these two courses in consecutive semesters:

STEM-ED 410: Project-Based Instruction (3 credits)
STEM-ED 480: Apprentice Teaching (6-12 credits)

Materials Request

Pick up and drop off materials in EDUC 441
9:00AM – 3:00PM Monday – Friday

All materials requests need to be submitted one week prior to the requested pick-up date. If you need materials sooner than a week, please email Maggie Post at magspost@boisestate.edu. Or, ask your instructor for help. It’s important to review the inventory sheet prior to submitting your order to make sure we have the supplies you need, especially food items.

List of pre-made kits, materials inventory and request form can be found HERE

Resources and Opportunities

Boise State’s STEM Education faculty and students partner with area schools and organizations to bring STEM education to K-12 students. See our resources below or Contact Matt Wigglesworth for more information.