The status of STEM education in the United States has been well publicized and documented.  The United States is not meeting its current or projected needs for engineers and scientists with ominous portents for our nation’s future and posterity.

Headquartered at Garrett College in McHenry, Maryland, CASE was established in June 2006 with funding from the U.S. Department of Defense.  CASE is a response to President Bush’s 2006 State-of-the-Union Address during which he announced the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) to encourage American innovation and strengthen our nation’s ability to compete in the global economy.  This ambitious strategy will increase federal investment in critical research, ensure that the U.S. continues to lead the world in opportunity and innovation, and provide American children with a strong foundation in math and science. 

CASE believes that a comprehensive and balanced program is needed; one that excites the curiosity of learners and that rains and supports teachers as they adopt new and effective instructional strategies.

One promising teaching innovation is inquiry- and design-based instruction or “I&D.”  Although the methodology has roots that can be traced back to John Dewey, it has never been practiced on a wide scale in America’s STEM classrooms.  But, now the approach is experiencing a resurgence of interest and vitality.  Teachers are being trained in the method, and instructional materials are being created to support their efforts in the classroom.

Training will include use of the latest technology and cutting-edge best practices to better prepare teachers for the 21st-century classroom.  A variety of instructional tools will be introduced, including Materials World Modules (MWM), developed by Dr. Robert Chang of Northwestern University.  The Center will train teachers to integrate current technology, such as:  Ipods, digital cameras, cell phones, educational “games,” etc.

The youth of today are completely comfortable with every aspect of technology.  These “Millennials” are technically literate like no generation before them.  Thus, classrooms can not be conducted as they were in the past.  Teachers have no choice but to fully integrate technology into their curriculum if they hope to keep their students excited about learning.

A support system will include a variety of mechanisms designed to ensure that the teachers are able to use the new tools they have learned.  Center support will include demonstration projects, teacher training, field trips, research opportunities, speakers’ bureau, and help desk.

CASE will work with partners from around the country to create teacher training programs that will immerse the teachers and students in activities associated with inquiry- and design-based learning that supplements the normal science curriculum.