STEM Education

Undergraduate Minor College of Liberal Studies

PLU students Jimmy Aung and Jamie Escobar leading a science class at Four Heroes Elementary as they explore the education through a grant funded program, Wednesday, April 17, 2019. (Photo/John Froschauer)

About:

Passionate about science or math? Curious about teaching? There’s a growing need for skilled teachers with strong backgrounds in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). At PLU, the STEM Education minor combines courses in both Education and STEM, along with hands-on experience in local schools where you’ll design and teach real lessons in collaboration with classroom teachers.

This program focuses on more than just content—it’s about teaching in ways that promote critical thinking, justice, equity, and inclusion. You’ll learn how to support all students in a multicultural, multilingual society. If you enjoy STEM subjects, are interested in teaching or science communication, and care about making a positive impact, the STEM Education minor is a great fit for you.

Skills you'll gain from this program:

Interdisciplinary STEM Knowledge — Explore how STEM fields overlap — and why that matters in classrooms, communities, and the world.
Communication Skills — Learn how to explain complex STEM ideas clearly and confidently across contexts and ages.
Inclusive Teaching Strategies — Explore how STEM subjects can be taught in ways that support all learners, especially those who’ve been historically left out of these fields.
Critical Perspective-Taking — Reflect on who gets included in STEM, how it’s taught, and how you can help make learning more just, accessible, and engaging for everyone.
Flexible, Transferable Experience — Whether you're interested in teaching, tutoring, or public outreach, you'll gain tools to connect with learners of all ages and backgrounds.

PLU graduates serve as STEM teachers in many of our local school districts. Here are some grads from the last 5 years:

Science Teacher, Sumner-Bonney Lake School District
Science Teacher, Highline Public Schools
Science Teacher, Federal Way Public Schools
Biology Teacher, Bellevue School District
Math Teacher, White River School District
Physical Science Teacher, Auburn Public Schools
Math Teacher, Franklin Pierce School District
Chemistry Teacher, Franklin Pierce School District

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It's been really eye-opening. I've learned a lot about the most difficult aspects of teaching that you might not even think about, like how to be culturally inclusive in STEM fields and why that is important.

— Titus P. ’25

This minor provided the initial preparation I needed to step into the field of education as a prospective STEM teacher. The program encouraged me to face my biases and limitations with bravery and gave me the tools I needed to feel confident in a classroom space.

— Angela H. ’24

STEM education minor students have the chance to co-plan and co-teach STEM lessons in K-12 classrooms with a mentor teacher. I get to observe my students as teachers bringing dynamic science lessons into K-12 classrooms in our community. I love teaching this class because I get to see how my students transform into confident, engaging STEM educators.

— Dr. Shannon Seidel, Associate Professor of Biology

I've gotten a lot of help from my adviser on what the next steps are and how to go about taking them, pointing me to good scholarships and internships and post graduate programs. There was also a practical skills class on making resumes, how to find jobs or programs that would be helpful, and how to best communicate with other people in that field.

— Titus P. ’25

100

of STEM Education minors get classroom experience as part of the minor.

Co-teach with Educators

STEM Education minors participate in an education partnership where they team up with a fellow student and a local K-8 teacher to co-develop and co-teach a series of classroom science or mathematics lessons.

Inclusive Teaching in Action

The STEM Education minor focuses on culturally sustaining teaching practices that prepare you to work with and support diverse K-12 student populations.