Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
How do we ensure rural elementary teachers have the tools and support needed to teach high-quality science and engineering? Discover STEM STRONG (Supporting Teachers in Rural communities for the Next Generation), an NSF-funded project led by the University of North Dakota.
Rural teachers often face unique challenges, including geographical isolation and limited access to affordable professional learning opportunities compared to their urban counterparts. Furthermore, educational research shows that traditional, one-time workshops are often ineffective at creating lasting changes in instructional practice.
STEM STRONG addresses these gaps by combining intensive professional learning with ongoing virtual "modest supports" to help teachers stay connected and promote enduring improvements in their teaching.
In this video, you will learn how STEM STRONG:
Connects educators across North Dakota, Montana, California, and Wyoming, allowing them to build professional networks and collaborate with colleagues hundreds of miles away.
Demystifies engineering, making it approachable for teachers so they feel confident helping students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Provides dedicated time and access for teachers to understand and implement the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Helps teachers identify local phenomena to connect STEM learning directly to their rural communities.
Above: A visual representation of the diverse rural educational landscapes and the multi-layered supports provided by the STEM STRONG initiative.
Program Details: STEM STRONG is a $2.9M National Science Foundation (NSF) Discover Research K-12 funded project focused on grades 3–5. The program investigates how combining intensive professional development with ongoing supports affects rural elementary teachers’ science and engineering practices.
Partner Institutions:
- University of North Dakota (Lead)
- Purdue University
- University of Wyoming
- WestEd
- K-12 Alliance
📄 Learn More & Contact: For general inquiries about the program, please contact und.stem.strong@und.edu.
👍 If you found this video valuable, please like, share, and subscribe to the University of North Dakota channel for more impactful research and educational initiatives!
#STEMeducation #RuralEducation #ScienceTeachers #EngineeringInSchools #UND #NSFfunded #ProfessionalDevelopment #NGSS #TeacherSupport
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Founded in 1883, six years before the state itself was established, the University of North Dakota is a busy 521-acre campus, the state’s largest. We're an innovator in engineering, medicine, aviation and unmanned aircraft systems with colleges of business, arts, sciences, nursing, aerospace, education, engineering and medicine. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered online and on campus.
WEBSITE: https://und.edu/
ABOUT: https://und.edu/about/index.html
MAJORS: https://und.edu/programs/
VISIT: https://und.edu/admissions/visit/
APPLY: https://und.edu/admissions/apply.html
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: instagram.com/uofnorthdakota
Facebook: facebook.com/UofNorthDakota
Twitter: twitter.com/UofNorthDakota
How do we ensure rural elementary teachers have the tools and support needed to teach high-quality science and engineering? Discover STEM STRONG (Supporting Teachers in Rural communities for the Next Generation), an NSF-funded project led by the University of North Dakota.
Rural teachers often face unique challenges, including geographical isolation and limited access to affordable professional learning opportunities compared to their urban counterparts. Furthermore, educational research shows that traditional, one-time workshops are often ineffective at creating lasting changes in instructional practice.
STEM STRONG addresses these gaps by combining intensive professional learning with ongoing virtual "modest supports" to help teachers stay connected and promote enduring improvements in their teaching.
In this video, you will learn how STEM STRONG:
Connects educators across North Dakota, Montana, California, and Wyoming, allowing them to build professional networks and collaborate with colleagues hundreds of miles away.
Demystifies engineering, making it approachable for teachers so they feel confident helping students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Provides dedicated time and access for teachers to understand and implement the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Helps teachers identify local phenomena to connect STEM learning directly to their rural communities.
Above: A visual representation of the diverse rural educational landscapes and the multi-layered supports provided by the STEM STRONG initiative.
Program Details: STEM STRONG is a $2.9M National Science Foundation (NSF) Discover Research K-12 funded project focused on grades 3–5. The program investigates how combining intensive professional development with ongoing supports affects rural elementary teachers’ science and engineering practices.
Partner Institutions:
- University of North Dakota (Lead)
- Purdue University
- University of Wyoming
- WestEd
- K-12 Alliance
📄 Learn More & Contact: For general inquiries about the program, please contact und.stem.strong@und.edu.
👍 If you found this video valuable, please like, share, and subscribe to the University of North Dakota channel for more impactful research and educational initiatives!
#STEMeducation #RuralEducation #ScienceTeachers #EngineeringInSchools #UND #NSFfunded #ProfessionalDevelopment #NGSS #TeacherSupport
---
Founded in 1883, six years before the state itself was established, the University of North Dakota is a busy 521-acre campus, the state’s largest. We're an innovator in engineering, medicine, aviation and unmanned aircraft systems with colleges of business, arts, sciences, nursing, aerospace, education, engineering and medicine. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered online and on campus.
WEBSITE: https://und.edu/
ABOUT: https://und.edu/about/index.html
MAJORS: https://und.edu/programs/
VISIT: https://und.edu/admissions/visit/
APPLY: https://und.edu/admissions/apply.html
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: instagram.com/uofnorthdakota
Facebook: facebook.com/UofNorthDakota
Twitter: twitter.com/UofNorthDakota
