Wheelock is proud to present STEP—the STEM Teacher Enhancement Project—a dynamic set of eight online professional development courses focused on science and math education for teachers of elementary-age students.

With all eight of Wheelock's STEP courses offered exclusively online, current teachers can improve their math and science content knowledge and teaching skills working from anywhere with Internet access!

On October 5, 2012, these courses became the first fully online course clusters approved by the state department in combination with a  master's degree, to advance the following initial licenses:  Early Childhood Teacher of Students with and without Disabilities PreK-2; Elementary Teacher 1-6; Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities PreK-8; Mathematics 1-6 or General Science 1-6 (as appropriate to the 12 credits completed and for the teacher's initial license).

Professional Development Courses for 21st Century Educators

Wheelock's online courses are designed to help you—the current elementary teacher—take the next step in your career by offering coursework that is:

• Graduate-level (3 credits per course), academically rigorous, and contained within a condensed eight weeks of instruction. (Estimated effort per course: 15 hours/week)
• A balance of content knowledge, teaching theory, and practical applications and classroom skills.
• Mindful of the increasing diversity of today's students.
• Able to be converted to 67.5 PDPs each.

Each course is designed to be a collaborative "online community," where you interact frequently with both the instructor and other class members through chat rooms and discussion forums. There will be required assignments and weekly deadlines, rather than a self-paced course approach. Wheelock provides a mandatory "Getting Started in Moodle" training to ensure that you are comfortable with the online technology before beginning your class.

Read our Online Learning FAQ page to see if Wheelock's online courses are right for you!

Course Offerings

Summer Session I (May 6-June 28, 2013)

*Registration closes April 22nd

EDU 634: Teaching and Learning Elementary Science
3 Credits
This course will be offered beginning May 6, 2013. The deadline to register is April 22, 2013.  See course listings and descriptions of the STEP course for more information. Registration information below.

Credit Option: $325/credit or $975/course (67.5 PDPs)
Non-Credit Option: $585/course

This online course examines the role of inquiry in science teaching and learning using some basic concepts of physical science, including properties of materials and motion of objects. Students will be engaged in at-home inquiry investigations with liquids, states of matter, and properties of materials. In addition, science inquiry will be intertwined throughout the course. Issues related to teaching and learning in elementary classrooms will be introduced. Graduate. No Prerequisite.

Summer Session II (July 1-August 16, 2013)

*Registration closes June 17th

EDU 624: Numbers and Operations
3 Credits - Enrollment limited
This course will be offered beginning July 1, 2013. The deadline to register is June 17, 2013.  See course listings and descriptions of the STEP course for more information. Registration information below.

Credit Option: $325/credit or $975/course (67.5 PDPs)
Non-Credit Option: $585/course

This online course offers participants an opportunity to build their own mathematical knowledge as well as pedagogical knowledge. Using a wide range of physical and virtual models, they will explore number theory and computational strategies that illuminate the NCTM Number and Operations content strand and Common Core Standards. Graduate. No Prerequisite

BPS TEACHERS: Please use the paper registration form in the "Register Now" box above.

EDU 630: Inquiry into Life Science
3 Credits
This course will be offered beginning July 1, 2013. The deadline to register is June 17, 2013. See course listings and descriptions of the STEP course for more information. Registration information below. 

Credit Option: $325/credit or $975/course (67.5 PDPs)
Non-Credit Option: $585/course

This online course uses scientific inquiry in life science through hands-on investigations. Begins with characteristics of living things followed by examination of the various structures (and their function) found in plants and animals, adaptations in response to the environment, and how life science concepts are taught in the elementary classroom Graduate. No Prerequisite.

EDU 632: Teaching and Learning Physical Science
3 Credits
This course will be offered beginning July 1, 2013. The deadline to register is June 17, 2013. See course listings and descriptions of the STEP course for more information. Registration information below.

Credit Option: $325/credit or $975/course (67.5 PDPs)
Non-Credit Option: $585/course

This online course examines basic concepts of physical science including forces and motion of objects as well as the earth in space. Topics include ancient ideas of motion, Newtonian mechanics, gravity, and the teaching of these concepts in the elementary classroom. Implements hands on at home investigations. Graduate. No Prerequisite.

Student Learning Objectives

By taking STEP math courses, students will master knowledge and understanding of concepts important for teaching elementary school mathematics in the following areas: numbers and operations; patterns, functions, and algebra; geometry and measurement; and data analysis and probability.

By taking STEP science courses, students will master knowledge and understanding of concepts important for teaching elementary school science in the following areas: physical science (forces and motion of objects as well as earth in space, ancient ideas of motion, Newtonian mechanics, and gravity) and life sciences (characteristics of living things, including the various structures and functions of plants and animals, and adaptations to the environment).

These courses are also under review by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to qualify as advanced coursework required for teachers to move from initial to professional licensure. They are also aligned with Common Core Standards.

How to Register

Non-matriculated students, those who are not enrolled in a degree program, have two options to register for Wheelock's online STEM education courses. They may click here to use our online registration system or they may download either the paper registration form for summer session I or summer session II and fax the completed form to 617-879-2099 or by mailing it to: Office of Graduate Admissions, Wheelock College, 200 The Riverway, Boston MA 02215. Payment must be made at the time of registration. Students interested in being formally admitted into one of Wheelock's online degree programs should visit the Online Degree Programs web page.

Testimonials

"I have taken several online courses in the past and have to say the quality of the two instructors and the setup of the courses are impeccable." - STEP Participant, Summer 2012
Click here for a list of student testimonials.