Aggie STELLAR
Aggie STELLAR: STEM Teacher Education, Learning, Leadership and Resources
Inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders
Inspiring the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) starts with ensuring their teachers have access and support to help them find their love of learning. Aggie STELLAR (STEM Teacher Education, Learning, Leadership and Resources) is a program spearheaded by Continuing and Professional Education at Texas A&M University to provide teachers with access to the necessary resources, strategies and support to engage students in meaningful hands-on STEM learning experiences.
The program seeks to deliver sustained professional development for teachers in STEM education with a focus on sixth to eighth grades. In 2024, Texas A&M launched Aggie STELLAR as a pilot program targeting school districts in and around Houston and the Rio Grande Valley to assess the needs and effectiveness of this kind of program. Each cohort will complete the program with at least the STEM Graduate Certificate offered through the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture in the College of Education and Human Development. If the teacher does not have a master’s degree, they will have the option to complete the online Master of Education in STEM Education.
“Aggie STELLAR has been impactful to my learning experience and growth as a teacher because they taught me to think out of the box and how to overcome classroom challenges.”
– Aggie STELLAR participant
How It Works
The program begins in the summer with coursework for the STEM graduate certificate and an in-person workshop hosted at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. During the two-week workshop, teachers will be exposed to the latest STEM education curriculum and teaching methodologies. Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort will open in October 2024 for teachers in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Rio Grande Valley areas.
Following the two-week workshop, Aggie STELLAR teachers participate in monthly meetings to help build and extend the knowledge gained from the summer institute. Guest speakers, curriculum implementation and other topics will be offered.
Aggie STELLAR teachers will have the opportunity to attend several STEM-focused professional development conferences. The program will support all teachers attendance at the STEM4Innovation Virtual Conference and one of the following conferences will be provided to each teacher: Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching (CAMT) or the Texas Computer Science Education Association’s annual conference.
They will be provided online support using the Texas A&M Continuing Education and Professional Development’s Canvas Learning Management System. The “course” will be a place for teachers to collaborate and post issues or successes they had with lessons. It will also allow key personnel a location to provide updates, activities and information for the fellows.
Eligibility Requirements
Selection to participate in Aggie STELLAR is based off the following eligibility requirements:
Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Must have active/valid Texas Teaching Certificate in a STEM area with no suspension history
Must be a full -time classroom teacher in grades 5-8 in a STEM subject
Must teach in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston or Rio Grande Valley areas
Must have at least 3 full years of teaching experience
Must provide official transcripts for any colleges or universities attended
Must apply with another eligible teacher from your campus (see below for more details)