STEMACES For Improved Science Learning
Science Technology Engineering Math And Computer Education Success (STEMACES) builds on Learning by Making (LbyM)’s decade of success in ninth-grade classrooms. What was a year-long curriculum in our ninth grade course has been simplified and transformed into a set of activities that teachers can pick and choose from to create their own plan for their eighth-grade classrooms. Following a few introductory lessons, students will have all of the supporting skills and background that they need to begin whatever project the teacher has in mind. This, ideally, empowers both teacher and student. We want students to feel what engineers and scientists “in the field” do, that is, doing the work to answer questions, solve puzzles, and keep communities moving forward. Science and engineering are not abstract ideas, despite the assumption that only adults can do it. Ideally, students connect the work and things they learn in the classroom to real jobs and real careers, empowering them and igniting curiosities that can fuel lifelong pursuits of learning.
To request more information or sign up to participate in the study, please use the links below.
Eligible teachers will be compensated for their participation in the program!
All 8th grade science teachers who are new to STEMACES are eligible to participate.
Sonoma State University, together with Angelo State University and WestEd will be implementing an educational research study with eighth-grade teachers to integrate the Learning by Making technology, engineering and coding platform into science classrooms. If interested, please fill out our interest form by following the link at the bottom of this page.
Founded in computational thinking, STEMACES aims to prepare students for an increasingly technological world. Hands-on interactive classroom activities have been designed to increase students’ science learning and teacher success.
The STEMACES program incorporates successful elements of the ninth grade LbyM curriculum:
- Professional Learning Summer Institute led by WestEd in Summer of 2025
- Materials (modular guides, teacher materials, kits of breadboards wires and tools)
- Ongoing responsive teacher support
- Virtual Professional Learning Community Sessions
The U.S. Department of Education is funding Sonoma State University, Angelo State University, and WestEd to rigorously examine the impact of the STEMACES program on eighth grade student achievement in science during the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, the research will investigate questions pertaining to:
- The use of computational thinking in the classroom
- The effectiveness of STEMACES teacher professional learning
- The importance of supporting teachers in implementing the program
To request more information or sign up for the study:
If you are a teacher or school administrator from Texas, please click here to fill out the interest form.
If you are a teacher or school administrator from California, please click here to fill out the interest form.
For more information about the STEMACES theory of action and a general schedule for implementation.
Recruitment Flier for California (Mendocino County)
Recruitment Flier for California (all other counties)
WestEd’s Study of the 9th grade Learning by Making Curriculum
Scaling an innovative STEM And Computing Education Support (STEMACES) Model for Improved Science Learning, an “Education Innovation and Research” (EIR) program, is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under award number S411B230042 to Sonoma State University, working in partnership with Angelo State University, and WestEd. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Education.
Partners include Sonoma State University (CA), Angelo State University (TX), Redwood Coast K16 Educational Collaborative, and WestEd.
Grant Number S411B230042, Department of Education.