STEM Studies at Hofstra University is a bachelor of arts degree program, designed for students also majoring in elementary education. Students who major in STEM will have a broad understanding of the scientific and mathematical foundations of the natural and human-made worlds. This is exactly the type of knowledge that elementary school teachers tend currently to lack, but increasingly need, in order to provide more meaningful educational experiences for their students.
The courses for the major are primarily those from science, math and engineering disciplinary offerings from Hofstra College for Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Why choose STEM as a major?
As societies become more technologically complex, and as that complexity affects the natural world, the development of greater understanding of the natural and human-made worlds becomes increasingly important. There is a need locally, regionally, and nationally for better prepared elementary school teachers, especially in the area of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
This liberal arts science program will allow future elementary school teachers, who are simultaneously taking courses in the School of Education, to develop academic strength in STEM. Students who complete this major will have a broad understanding of the scientific and mathematical foundations of the natural and human-made worlds.
This is exactly the type of knowledge that elementary school teachers tend currently to lack, but increasingly need, in order to provide more meaningful educational experiences for their students. Our primary mission is to have students, primarily those who wish to be elementary school teachers, understand the many aspects of science and technology. This requires thinking broadly about the natural and human-made worlds. Scientific inquiry and engineering design are processes by which scientific investigations and engineering designed solutions are undertaken.
Programs
BA in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
This bachelor of arts degree is designed as a co-major for future elementary school teachers majoring in elementary education who wish to have a broad background in the liberal arts with a focus on STEM areas.
Minor in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
A minor in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) consists of 18 s.h. in courses listed as required for the STEM major.
Career Potential
"Today I am announcing a renewed commitment to education in mathematics and science. Through this commitment, American students will move from the middle to the top of the pace in science and math over the next decade. For we know that the nation that out-educates us today -will out-compete us tomorrow.
We cannot start soon enough. We know that the quality of math and science teachers is the most influential single factor in determining whether a study will succeed or fail in these subjects."
President Obama
The National Academy of Sciences
April 27, 2009
A BA in STEM will allow future elementary school teachers, who are simultaneously taking courses in the School of Education, to develop academic strength in STEM. Students who complete this major will have a broad understanding of the scientific and mathematical foundations of the natural and human-made worlds.