All about STEP-ing into
Alaska Science & Math

STEP offers professional development for K-12 teachers across Alaska.

The Science Teacher Education Program (STEP) is a University of Alaska professional development course for Alaska's rural and urban teachers. STEP offers K-12 teacher training in two forums.
   1. Two-week STEP Summer Institutes at University of
       Alaska research centers and field sites help K-12
       teachers learn cutting-edge Arctic research.

   2. STEP Field-Test Courses help teachers apply
       whatthey learned during Summer Institutes to
       classroom instruction during the academic year.

Arctic Scientists and Master Teachers provide STEP instruction.

During STEP Summer Institutes, teams of University of Alaska scientists provide field trips, lab visits, and interactive lectures on research occurring throughout the Arctic. Alaska Science Consortium Fellows help teachers translate science and math instruction into K-12 classroom lessons aligned with Alaska state standards and Grade Level Expectations.

STEP scientists provide cutting-edge science content.

A total of 29 university researchers have guided STEP sessions in a variety of research centers and off-campus field sites, such as Poker Flat Research Range, the Permafrost Tunnel, and even Denali National Park. Find out more about STEP scientists by clicking the “Scientists” tab.

STEP teachers can earn 9 professional development credits annually.

As a University of Alaska professional development course, STEP offers 6 upper-level university credits for successfully completing a two-week STEP Summer Institute, plus 3 credits for successfully completing the STEP Field-Test Course.

STEP topics change annually, so teachers can earn 9 credits annually.

STEP focuses on Arctic research occurring from the center of Earth to the sun. The 2006 STEP focus was on the Aurora and Space Physics; the 2007 STEP focus was on Climate Change in the Arctic; the 2008 STEP focus was on Earth Science; and the 2009 STEP focus was on Alaska's Erupting Volcanoes.

The STEP Lesson Bank is a valuable resource that houses more than 500 lessons.

More than 500 standard-aligned science lessons focused on volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, permafrost, climate change, the aurora and many more subjects exist in the online STEP lesson bank, which is permanently maintained by the University of Alaska Geophysical Institute.

The STEP Lesson Bank was created by Alaska teachers for Alaska teachers.

STEP Summer Institute teachers created or helped create all lessons in the STEP Lesson Bank. Arctic scientists have reviewed each lesson to ensure STEM content accuracy. Alaska Science Consortium Fellows have reviewed each lesson to ensure alignment with Alaska standards and Grade Level Expectations. STEP teachers have field tested each lesson to ensure it engenders student enthusiasm and is useable in Alaska classrooms.

STEP lessons are scientifically accurate, standard-aligned, field-tested, and FREE.

All STEP lessons contain scientific information from Arctic scientist editors, and have been field tested by Alaska teachers. A list of Grade Level Expectations is included on each lesson. All STEP lessons and resources can be downloaded for free.

STEP has helped teachers from 28 Alaska districts earn 1,248 University credits.

Teachers across Alaska have applied credits earned through STEP toward obtaining pay raises, highly qualified status, science degrees, and recertification.

Nearly 150 teachers from across Alaska have participated in STEP.

The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development funded STEP from 2006 – 2009. During that time, nearly 150 K-12 teachers from across Alaska participated.

Need more information about STEP?

Contact STEP Program Manager Glenda Findlay at the UAF Geophysical Institute Education Outreach Office, phone (907) 474-2722.