University of Arkansas graduate Angela Watson of Fayetteville recently visited U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, to discuss STEM education in the College of Education and Health Professions.

Watson was in the nation’s capital attending the weeklong Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Teacher Institute. Watson graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and is currently attending Harding University. She has enrolled for the fall semester at the U of A to complete a graduate certificate in STEM education, which is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics and represents an integrated approach to teaching the four disciplines.

The College of Education and Health Professions began offering a STEM certificate last year that students in the elementary and childhood education programs can pursue in addition to their initial teaching license. It requires four project-based courses.

Watson said Boozman and his education aide were interested to hear about the STEM program.

“I told him all about the STEM program at the U of A being geared toward getting STEM into elementary classrooms,” Watson said. “He asked to be kept informed about the STEM initiative.”

Michael Daugherty, department head of curriculum and instruction, said studies have repeatedly shown that students decide their aptitudes for math and science in elementary school.

“By the time students reach the fourth grade, about 30 percent of boys and girls have lost interest in STEM,” Daugherty said. “By eighth grade, another 20 percent have decided that STEM is not connected to their education or future.”

The goal of the STEM certificate is to reduce this trend and keep young students interested with project-based learning.

“It’s all hands-on,” said Cathy Wissehr, assistant professor of childhood education. “With STEM, you’re giving the kids something interesting and fun to work with and making it real to their lives.”