Elementary Education (BS): Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Concentration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

North Carolina State University Raleigh

Program Overview

The Elementary Education (BS): Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Concentration at North Carolina State University prepares aspiring teachers to make science, technology, engineering, and mathematics engaging and accessible for elementary-school learners. Students develop a strong foundation in teaching methods, child development, curriculum design, and hands-on STEM learning, preparing them to create interactive classroom experiences that build curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year: Students establish a foundation in general education, communication, mathematics, and the principles of child development. Introductory coursework in elementary education, mathematical reasoning, and science learning helps them understand how young learners develop essential academic skills and explore the world around them.

Second Year: Students build their understanding of teaching strategies and the elementary curriculum, with an emphasis on connecting STEM subjects to children's everyday experiences. Coursework in educational psychology, elementary mathematics instruction, and science education supports the development of age-appropriate lessons and strategies for encouraging inquiry-based learning.

Third Year: Students deepen their knowledge of curriculum planning, instructional assessment, and interdisciplinary teaching. The STEM concentration encourages connections among science, technology, engineering design, and mathematics, helping future educators develop hands-on activities that strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving.

Fourth Year: Students focus on professional preparation and supervised classroom experience, applying their teaching knowledge in elementary-school settings. Through clinical teaching, lesson planning, and classroom assessment, students strengthen their instructional skills and prepare for the requirements associated with elementary teacher licensure in North Carolina.

Focus Areas: Elementary education, STEM education, science instruction, mathematics teaching, technology integration, engineering design, child development, curriculum planning, inquiry-based learning, classroom assessment, inclusive teaching.

Learning Outcomes: Design elementary lessons, integrate STEM subjects, develop problem-solving activities, support scientific inquiry, teach foundational mathematics, integrate educational technology, assess student learning, adapt instruction to diverse needs, manage classrooms, prepare for elementary teaching licensure.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The program prepares students for elementary teaching and aligns with North Carolina's educator licensure pathway. North Carolina teacher licensure requirements apply, and students must satisfy the university's professional program requirements and relevant state standards. NC State University holds institutional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); this should not be confused with a separate program-specific accreditation.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): NC State's College of Education emphasizes STEM-focused teacher preparation, and the university reports that its STEM Education department is a leading producer of STEM teachers in North Carolina. The university also states that most STEM Education graduates receive job offers upon completing their degrees; a specific employment percentage for this elementary education concentration is not stated.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At NC State, students combine STEM subject knowledge with hands-on teacher preparation, collaborative learning, and classroom experience. The program requires at least 27 credit hours of STEM-focused coursework, including calculus for elementary teachers, conceptual physics, and design thinking. Students begin professional education coursework and field experiences in their junior year, building toward supervised student teaching in elementary schools.

Practical Learning Opportunities:

STEM-Focused Coursework: Study MA 151: Calculus for Elementary Education I, PY 131: Conceptual Physics, and additional mathematics and science electives to strengthen STEM subject knowledge.
Engineering Design: Take ELM 340: Children Design, Create and Invent, which focuses on helping children explore design, creativity, and invention.
Science Teaching: Study ELM 320: Teaching Science in the Primary Grades and ELM 420: Teaching Science in the Intermediate Grades to develop age-appropriate science instruction.
Mathematics Education: Explore ELM 310: Children's Thinking and Additive Reasoning and ELM 410: Children's Thinking and Multiplicative Reasoning to understand how children develop mathematical understanding.
Collaborative Learning: Participate in collaborative groups and benefit from the program's schedule, which allows substantial blocks of time for classroom learning and practical activities.
Classroom Assessment: Complete ED 311: Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices and ED 312: Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab to develop assessment skills.
Inclusive Teaching: Study ELM 440: Teaching Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Elementary Classrooms to prepare to support diverse learners.
Student Teaching: Complete ELM 484: Student Teaching in Elementary Education, a nine-credit-hour experience, to apply teaching methods in a supervised school setting.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates develop the knowledge and professional skills to pursue elementary teaching careers, particularly in classrooms that integrate STEM learning. The program combines broad elementary subject preparation with specialized STEM knowledge, helping future teachers create engaging lessons that encourage scientific inquiry, mathematical reasoning, and creative problem-solving.

Typical Career Opportunities:

Elementary School Teacher: Teach core subjects and integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into classroom learning.
STEM Elementary Educator: Design practical STEM activities that encourage inquiry, experimentation, and problem-solving.
Curriculum and Instructional Resource Developer: Help develop educational materials, lesson plans, and learning resources for elementary STEM subjects, subject to role-specific requirements.
Education Program Coordinator: Support STEM enrichment programs, educational outreach, or elementary learning initiatives, depending on experience and qualifications.

University Career and Employment Support:

Career Development: Access university career services for professional development, career planning, and job-search preparation.
School-Based Experience: Use supervised field experiences and student teaching to build classroom skills and professional relationships with educators.
School and Community Connections: Benefit from NC State's education network and opportunities to engage with schools and educational partners through the teacher-preparation program.
Employment Outcomes: NC State reports that most graduates from its STEM Education department receive job offers upon completing their degrees. A concentration-specific employment rate and salary figure are not stated.
Professional Licensure: Eligible graduates can pursue North Carolina elementary teaching licensure after meeting the relevant program and state requirements.
Long-Term Career Development: Teaching experience and additional qualifications may support progression into STEM curriculum development, instructional coaching, educational leadership, or specialist education roles.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates may pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching, advanced study in education, or postgraduate qualifications in STEM education, curriculum development, or educational leadership. Further study can help teachers strengthen their instructional expertise, explore educational research, and progress toward leadership or specialist roles.