Call for Proposals

The STEM Education Institute and the School of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst will be hosting a conference entitled Science, Technology, Engineering and Math -Alternative Certification for Teachers (STEM-ACT) Friday - Sunday, May 5th-7th, 2006 in Arlington, VA. The conference will focus on alternative certification programs for the preparation of science teachers. The overall purpose of the conference is to identify key features and issues relating to the alternative certification of science teachers as a basis for developing a more systematic approach to the study of these efforts.

STEM ACT will bring together representatives of three groups interested in alternative certification for science teachers.  These include

• academic researchers and administrators

• policy makers in states and large cities

• alternative certification providers and teachers who have gone through these programs

There will be three corresponding threads in the conference. Everyone attending will be expected to present a paper or to respond to a specific paper. Expenses including travel, hotel, and food will be covered for approximately 60 people, but others may request the opportunity to attend at their own cost.

If you would like to participate in the conference please prepare a proposal of no more than 1000 words that describes the work in the area of alternative certification of science teachers that you would like to present. Please include questions for discussion that arise from your work.

While the number of paper presentations is limited, all conference participants will have the opportunity to present poster presentations. Proposals should also include an abstract of no more than 100 words and a brief vita or resume that highlights your experience or expertise in the field.

Proposals should be submitted by December 15. Late proposals will be considered if space allows.

Click here for the Proposal Application Form