Higher Education Initiatives
Recruiting and preparing the next generation of STEM teachers
The National Center for STEM Education works with universities to strengthen the full STEM teacher development pipeline, from recruitment and early exploration to preparation, certification, and long-term program sustainability. Building on the national impact of UTeach, we help institutions adopt, adapt, and improve models that prepare excellent STEM teachers and expand pathways into the profession.
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Whether your institution is ready to explore a full STEM teacher preparation model, strengthen recruitment, build an onramp into teaching, or learn from other universities working on similar challenges, the National Center for STEM Education can help.
Our work in higher education
STEM teacher preparation models
The Center supports universities in designing and implementing high-quality STEM teacher preparation models that meet institutional needs while maintaining a clear focus on strong preparation, early field experiences, STEM disciplinary expertise, and long-term teacher success.
UTeach STEM Teacher Preparation Model
UTeach is the Center’s most comprehensive university-based STEM teacher preparation model. It integrates STEM degree pathways with teacher certification, early and sustained classroom experiences, strong clinical preparation, and collaboration between STEM and education faculty. For institutions seeking a full, proven model for preparing secondary STEM teachers, UTeach remains the gold standard.
Building Onramps to STEM Teaching
Building Onramps to STEM Teaching offers institutions a flexible way to introduce more STEM students to teaching and create early points of entry into a path to preparing for the profession. This model can help universities build student interest, strengthen recruitment, and create a foundation for deeper preparation work over time.
Recruitment resources for universities
Recruitment is not a one-time campaign. It is a long-term system of messaging, advising, outreach, relationship-building, and evidence-based communication that helps students see STEM teaching as a respected, intellectually meaningful, and high-impact career. The Center provides tools and resources to help universities strengthen recruitment over time.
One of our key initiatives is Get the Facts Out, which helps programs use research-based messaging to address persistent misconceptions about teaching and communicate the value, impact, and opportunity of STEM teaching careers.
Tools and resources
- STEM teacher recruitment guides and planning tools
- Webinars and professional learning opportunities
- Recruitment needs assessment instruments
- Messaging resources for STEM majors, advisors, faculty, and program leaders
- Strategies for engaging alumni, current students, STEM faculty, and campus partners