STEM Lexicon

A common challenge in the start of any new initiatives is the use of new language and acronyms (STEM). In our acknowledgment of this, we hope the following glossary of terms helps to decipher the important work we are pursuing. This is not an exhaustive list and in fact could benefit from collaboration. If you would like to add to our STEM glossary,  please submit your suggestion here and we will advise you via email if we plan to add your word.

Curriculum – (plural curricula) A plan of instruction that details what students are to know, how they are to learn it, what the teacher’s role is, and the context in which learning and teaching will take place.

Founding Partners (of the HUB) – The group of 10 original organizations committed to advancing STEM in Northeast Ohio. The founding partners are: Battelle, Case Western Reserve University, The Cleveland Foundation, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College, First Ring Superintendents Collaborative, The George Gund Foundation, Greater Cleveland Partnership, National Society of Black Engineers.

Interdisciplinary Curriculum – A curriculum that consciously applies the methodology and language from more than one discipline to examine a central theme, issue, problem, topic, or experience.

Mastery – A type of assessment in which students display their grasp of knowledge and skills using methods such as skits, video presentations, posters, oral presentations, or portfolios. Does not use standard alpha numeric grading systems.

NAEP – National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the “Nation’s Report Card,” NAEP assesses the educational achievement of elementary and secondary students in various subject areas.

NCLB – No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (full title included “An act to close the achievement gap with accountability, flexibility, and choice, so that no child is left behind”) was enacted by Congress in January of 2002 at the behest of then president George H.W. Bush.

Ohio HB 119 – Ohio House Bill 119 signed into law by Gov. Strickland in June of 2007 provided for up to $200,000,000 in support for STEM initiatives across the Pre-K-16 education spectrum, building student and teacher capacity throughout the system.

OSLN – Ohio STEM Learning Network, the organization in Columbus tasked with managing the statewide network of STEM educational initiatives. Parent organization to MC2STEM Hub.

OSTP – Office of Science and Technology Policy in the executive office of the President of the United States. Established by Congress in 1976 with the broad mandates to advise the President and his staff on matters involving emerging science an technology findings.

Partners (of the HUB) – Organizations from the business, philanthropic, higher education and government communities that have committed to advancing STEM education in the region by providing support to the HUB in the form of financial, human capital, technical assistance or goods and materials. As of Fall 2009, over 55 institutions have committed support to the Cleveland Hub.

Project Based Learning – A project based learning method is a comprehensive approach to instruction in which students participate in projects and practice an interdisciplinary array of skills from math, language arts, fine arts, geography, science, and technology around the same curriculum topic.

STEAM – Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics, derivative of the STEM concept.

STEM – Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics, education that focuses on these disciplines. Sometimes referred to as STEM-ed.

STEMM – Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and Medicine, derivative of the STEM concept.