Share Paper: Tomorrow’s STEM Leaders: Enacting STEM Education in Rural Schools and Maintaining Momentum

  1. Zoe Falls, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, United States
  2. Amy Sokoll Bauer, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, United States
  3. Amanda Thomas, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, United States

Abstract: This study is a continuation of our focus on rural elementary STEM teachers, and explores how individual community needs influenced their choice in study topic, their understanding of STEM, and how this will assist as they emerge as STEM leaders in their communities. This qualitative study explored the STEM topics researched by 13 rural elementary teachers who completed a Master’s degree. Through analysis of their thesis documents and interview transcripts, our initial findings show how connected each rural STEM teacher is to the community, and the students in the school. Each discussed the success of their STEM initiative project and ...