OAR 581-017-0335: Definitions and Establishment of STEM Lab Schools

(1) The following definitions apply to 581-017-0335 TO 581-017-0347: (a) “Achievement Gap” means the gap in achievement (state test scores in science and mathematics as well as postsecondary degree attainment in STEM) that often exists between students who are economically disadvantaged, students learning English as a second language, African American, Hispanic or Native American compared to their peers. (b) “Authentic Problem-Based Learning” means using real world questions, problems, and tasks — often drawn from local community issues and industries — as the focus to drive the learning experiences, deepen understanding, and developing rich contextual connections across a variety of STEM and non-STEM disciplines. (c) “Career and Technical Education (CTE)” is a comprehensive educational program for students based on industry needs. CTE includes coursework in areas such as health care, engineering, and computer science. (d) “Community Engagement” means a broad collaboration and participation between multiple sectors of the community for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources to identify local needs and contribute to larger conversations on visioning planning which may include, but not limited to parent groups and advocacy groups, industry and STEM agencies, economic and workforce groups, student input, and educators. (e) “Effective STEM Instruction” means the use of evidence-based practices that support interconnected, relevant STEM instruction as stated in definition number fourteen. (f) “Effective STEM Leadership” means identifying schools, school districts, postsecondary institutions, business & industry, student-focused nonprofits and community leadership to support implementing and improving STEM teaching and learning in addition to creating a culture that fosters STEM learning with evidence-based resources. Effective STEM leadership develops an understanding of what effective and interconnected STEM education looks like in the classroom and supports the development of learning environments that empower educators to implement innovative STEM education approaches. (g) “Effective STEM Learning Environments” means supporting student interaction with STEM education during formal and informal settings in ways that promote deeper understanding of real-world concepts. Such learning environments must engage all students in solving complex problems, using highly interactive learning opportunities that create new opportunities for STEM learning across the core curriculum. (h) “Oregon Equity Lens” means the equity lens as defined in OAr 581-017-0010. (i) “Postsecondary Institution” means: (A) A community college operated under ORS Chapter 341. (B) The following public universities within the Higher Education Coordinating Council: (i) University of Oregon. (ii) Oregon State University. (iii) Portland State University. (iv) Oregon Institute of Technology. (v) Western Oregon University. (vi) Southern Oregon University. (vii) Eastern Oregon University. (viii) Oregon Health and Science University. (C) An Oregon-based, generally accredited, not-for-profit institution of higher education. (j) “Regional STEM Hub” means a commitment of a group of key stakeholders from different sectors such as, but not limited to school districts, informal education providers, postsecondary institutions, business & industry, student-focused nonprofits, students, families, community members and policy makers to advance state and local educational goals related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics and career & technical education (CTE). (k) “School” means a public middle school, high school, community college, or postsecondary institution offering a comprehensive instructional program. A school may include a discreet comprehensive instructional program within a larger school or college. (l) “Statewide STEM Network” means a supportive collaboration between and across Regional STEM Hubs to share knowledge, expertise, insights, and leadership to assist other communities in their efforts to create similar STEM partnerships. (m) “STEAM Education” means the incorporation of strategies to enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education by integrating art and design, and promoting creative possibilities. (n) “STEM Education” means an approach to teaching and lifelong learning that emphasizes the natural interconnectedness of the four separate STEM disciplines which mirrors the practices and rich contexts of STEM practitioners. Developing and deepening content knowledge and skills in science and mathematics is the foundation of STEM teaching and learning. The natural connections among science, mathematics and STEM are made explicit through collaboration between educators resulting in authentic and appropriate context built into instruction, curriculum, and assessment. The common element of problem solving is emphasized across all STEM disciplines allowing students to discover, explore, and apply critical thinking skills as they learn. (o) “STEM Lab School” means to establish a school that has a student-centered school culture of inquiry with meaningful and authentic learning environments that integrate STEM and/or STEAM education aligned with state, national and industry standards. This cutting-edge learning center will deepen connections between other educational institutions, business, industry, out-of-school educators, and the local community to create and promote STEM career pathways for students. An intentional focus of a lab school is to support the professional learning of current and future educators, the implementation of innovative education models, and educational research in a manner that increases knowledge and capacity of systems and institutions beyond the school itself. (p) “STEM Practitioners” refers to individuals engaged in STEM-related professions such as but not limited to, natural resources management, high-tech manufacturing and product development, information technology, industrial design, health sciences, software, scientific research, engineering, data analytics, etc. (q) “Student-Focused Nonprofits” means an organization that meets all of the following requirements: (A) Is established as a nonprofit organization under the laws of Oregon; (B) Qualifies as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as defined in ORS 314.011; and (C) Is focused on providing services to students or educators whose goal or mission is focused on improving student outcomes in STEM education. (r) “Underserved Students” are students whom systems have placed at risk because of their race, ethnicity, English language proficiency, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, differently abled, or geographic location. (s) “Underrepresented Students” in STEM are from demographic groups whose representation in STEM fields and industries does not mirror regional and national focus populations specifically, women, African American, Native American, Hispanic and Pacific Islander students which systems have provided insufficient or inadequate balance of opportunity. (2) The STEM Lab Schools Grant is established as part of the Connecting to the World of Work Program. (3) The purpose of the STEM Lab School Grant is to: (a) Engage middle school, high school and/or community college students in authentic, inquiry-based learning environments that increase experiential learning opportunities focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and design-related industries to improve, enhance, and enrich students’ problem-solving capabilities and to foster 21st Century Skills. (b) Address ongoing access, opportunity, interest and attainment gaps for underserved and underrepresented students in STEM and design-related industries consistent with the Equity Lens. (c) Promote more effective STEM and design-related industries instructional practices consistent with Common Core State Standards, Oregon State Science Standards and Oregon State Arts Standards by offering educator professional learning opportunities.