Meeting Idaho STEM Standard 3: Professional Development at Bear Lake Middle School

Bear Lake Middle School demonstrates a robust and systematic approach to meeting Idaho STEM Standard 3 by fostering continuous, relevant professional learning opportunities designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of staff and leaders in STEM education. This commitment is evidenced by program-wide processes, consistent professional development (PD) initiatives, and data-driven monitoring aligned with measurable goals.

Structured Systematic Approach

Bear Lake Middle School has established a structured approach to professional learning that integrates STEM-focused training across its school improvement processes. The Professional Development (PD) agenda from March 27, 2024, illustrates a targeted focus on Project-Based Learning (PBL) and the Engineering Design Process (EDP). These sessions equip department heads with the tools to integrate STEM principles and align them with cross-curricular strategies. Department-led walkthroughs, peer-to-peer reflections, and hands-on training reinforce a shared understanding and application of STEM practices, ensuring alignment with the latest research-based resources and best practices​.  In addition, we also support new and experienced teachers through individualized coaching and mentoring, allowing them to deepen their understanding of STEM pedagogy and PBL.

The school has formal processes for staying current with the latest research and best practices in STEM education.  For instance, following the guidance of (Heidi) at a recent STEM leadership summit, new strategies for integrating engineering design into middle school curricula were shared and implemented across grade levels.

Artifacts such as the School Improvement Plan (SIP), dating back to 2020, illustrate Bear Lake’s data-driven strategy for addressing professional learning gaps. Regular ISAT interim assessments and formative reviews guide the identification of PD needs, ensuring sessions are tailored to current educational trends and student performance data​.

Consistent and Sustainable Efforts

Professional development at Bear Lake Middle School is not episodic but embedded within its culture. All staff consistently participate in STEM-related PD sessions, with these opportunities often integrated into Individual Professional Learning Plans (IPLPs). This approach is evident in the continued emphasis on integrating EDP vocabulary across subjects and encouraging cross-curricular STEM projects, as shown in curriculum maps and STEM-focused cross-curricular projects​. Through PD’s, a committee of teachers designed a citizenship program called COW MILK (artifact #5 shows students creating logos). This program supports student ownership of all aspects of learning to include STEM.

Bear Lake Middle School sustains its efforts through strategic planning and resource allocation. For instance, the school’s SIP outlines a phased STEM Designation Plan initiated in 2018 and re-prioritized in 2024-2025​. The plan includes ongoing training in STEM best practices, procurement of resources like robotics kits, and professional learning communities (PLCs) for collaborative growth​.

Monitoring and Alignment

Bear Lake monitors the effectiveness of its PD initiatives through multiple data sources, including ISAT performance data, MAP testing, and quarterly reviews in PLCs​. Data informs adjustments to PD sessions, aligning them with measurable goals such as increasing ISAT proficiency rates or integrating STEM principles across curricula​. Peer observation forms and reflections further enhance accountability, providing evidence of practical application and opportunities for refinement​.

Representatives from all departments are actively involved in setting program-level PD goals, ensuring that professional learning remains relevant and inclusive. Instructional staff develop Individualized Professional Learning Plans (IPLPs) that align with the school’s strategic STEM goals, such as increasing student proficiency in coding and fostering collaborative problem-solving skills.

Evidence During On-Site Visits

Review teams can observe the systematic implementation of these practices during the on-site visit. Evidence includes:

1.   STEM Integration in Classrooms: Artifacts such as cross-curricular projects showcase how EDP and STEM concepts are interwoven into subjects like Social Studies, Math, and ELA​.

2.   Collaborative Professional Growth: Documentation of peer-to-peer observations and reflections highlights how teachers engage in continuous learning and application​.

3.   Alignment with Strategic Goals: The SIP demonstrates a clear trajectory for sustaining STEM certification through professional development​.

Bear Lake Middle School's comprehensive approach to professional learning underscores its commitment to STEM excellence, ensuring all educators are well-equipped to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation among students.