Introduction
There is a limited amount of research that examines the prerequisite skills, beliefs, knowledge bases, and experiences
necessary for teachers to implement integrated instruction (Fykholm & Glasson, 2005). For integrated Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, since it is relatively new, this statement rings even more true. The
importance of focusing on what teachers need to effectively teach STEM education was noted by the National Science
Board (NSB) in the document A National Action Plan for Addressing the Critical Needs of the U.S. Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics Education System. The NSB in this document state that well-qualified and highly effective
teachers should teach STEM classes. They call for more national attention on attracting, preparing, and retaining qualified
and committed teaching candidates (NSB, 2007). The best way in which to attract, prepare, and retain qualified teachers
remains to be answered.
This paper will describe support for a middle school’s implementation of the integrated curriculum Project Lead The Way
(PLTW). According to PLTW, they are the largest non-profit provider of middle school and high school STEM education
programs (Lock, 2010). Recommendations for how teachers can be effective at teaching integrated STEM education will be
discussed. The recommendations are based on a support, teaching, efficacy, and materials (s.t.e.m.) model that was
developed by the authors from the literature and work with the middle school in implementing the PLTW curriculum.