STEAM in the Community: Supporting Pre-Service Teachers
The CA STEAM Initiatives’ blog celebrates stories of STEAM education in California. To learn more about our work, visit steamcalifornia.org.
This past February, a group of University of California Los Angeles pre-service teachers traveled to participate in the Winter of CS at the annual California STEAM Symposium. The team of future educators joined over 1400 TK-12 educators and STEAM education stakeholders in a two-day event focused on professional development, networking, and access to new STEAM-related resources.
“It warms my heart to know that there are so many people who are so willing to support us in our journey to improve and grow as teachers,” said Celine Cheng, a student teacher and ninth-grade Biology teacher. “I hope I can take the lessons I’ve learned to pay it forward to our students in the future.”
The cohort spent the two days engaged in the learning opportunities. This included over a hundred breakout session options, two keynote speakers, and structured and unstructured time to connect with teachers, district and policy leaders, developers, and students. “One of the most rewarding aspects of the Symposium was the opportunity to network with a diverse range of professionals in the STEAM community. From fellow educators and school administrators to tech industry professionals and coders, I had the chance to engage with individuals who share a passion for STEM education,” said Brandon Lo. “These interactions not only provided me with valuable connections but also allowed me to gain insights from different perspectives and experiences.”
Each member of the team created their own professional learning journey by selecting sessions across the two days that felt especially vital to their learning. Adrian Soto Jr, a pre-service science teacher placed in Centinela Valley Union High School District, said, “I focused my attention on all of the STEAM and BIPOC-focused workshops because as a person of color catering to a populous that is mainly formed from students of color, I want as many perspectives on how to approach BIPOC students to exist in the STEAM space.”
Another cohort member, Kyle Lee, attended a breakout session series, one on each day of the event. “The first segment was titled Creativity for STEAM Engagement. This seminar focused on building interest in STEM among Middle/High school female students, by taking a different approach where class instruction involved opportunities for creative “maker” projects into STEM applications.”
The cohort of teachers also built upon the knowledge and skills they have learned in the program and their growing experience in the classroom. Natalie Hernandez described, “One session titled Historical Accounting of Oppression in STEM Spaces was particularly impactful with connecting to the history of Long Beach while at the conference. Remembering that our students’ lives have history through their location and family and that those backgrounds should be supported in their science education.”
Providing pre-service teachers with the opportunities to connect with their peers and expand on the learning they are doing in their education programs is a critical lever for preparing and supporting the teacher workforce. As educators move into a new school year, these resources will serve as an artifact for the pre-service teachers in sustaining their practice.
Pre-service teachers and postsecondary students are eligible for a reduced registration rate at the 12th annual CA STEAM Symposium, happening February 7–8, 2025 at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego. Group registrations of six or more also receive a reduced rate of 15%. Review our Make the Case document for sample language to send to your administrator, district staff, or supervisor to advocate for funding to attend the 2025 STEAM Symposium. Register today at steamcalifornia.org.
This experience was made possible with the support of a coalition that included Google, The Residency Lab, STEAM Initiatives, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
