The Arizona Department of Education wants to help teachers “Get SET for STEM!” Our Scholarships for Effective Teachers program offers Arizona educators $2,000 per year for up to three years to pursue coursework or programs that will prepare them to add a STEM area (calculus, physics, biology, etc.) or CTE Certificate and bolster their STEM teaching knowledge & skills!
Who’s eligible? Arizona certified teachers with a current contract at an Arizona public school are eligible to apply. This includes secondary teachers, K-8 teachers, SPED educators, etc. who are interesting in building their STEM education skills. Coursework must be taken through a regionally or national accredited public or provide post-secondary education institution in Arizona (like ASU, UA, NAU, GCU, or an Arizona community college).
What’s the commitment? Scholarship recipients must agree to teach in an Arizona public school for three years after completing their coursework or program. For example, if a teacher receives a “Get SET for STEM” scholarship every year for three years, their commitment to teaching in an Arizona public school will be 9 years — three years of teaching for each year of scholarship!
How often are scholarships awarded? Applications are accepted year-round and scholarships and awarded on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted prior to enrollment in a program or coursework. Funding is awarded directly to the recipient after submitting paperwork that proves you have enrolled & paid for a course or program.
Eligible STEM Courses
Coursework should help current Arizona educators prepare for content exams and/or add a STEM or CTE certification or credential to their teaching certificate. Scholarships can be used towards courses at a masters, undergraduate, or community college level and can be taken in-person or online.
Examples of appropriate STEM coursework & programs include:
Biology
- Introduction to Life Sciences
- Molecular Biology
Chemistry
- Biochemistry Theory
- Introductory Chemistry
Earth Science
- The Changing Earth
- History of the Earth
General Science
- Intro to Geology
- Applied Statistics
Mathematics
- Introduction to Calculus
- Probability and Statistics
Middle Grades Mathematics
- Algebra Basic Concepts
- Discrete Mathematics
Physics
- Astrophysics I
- Introduction to Physics
Anatomy and Physiology
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body
- Neuroanatomy
Botany
- Forensic Botany
- Botany of the Sahar Desert
Computer Science
- Intro to Computer Science
- Basic Coding
Education Technology/Technology
- Technology for Educators
- Multimedia Strategies and Methods
Engineering
- Clinical Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics
Environmental Science
- Environmental Education
- Aquatic Issues in the World
Industrial Technology
- Fundamentals of Business Systems Development
- Data Programing Languages
Physical Science
- Introduction to Physical Science
- Patterns in Nature
Zoology
- Vertebrate Zoology
- Animal Life in the Desert
Eligible CTE Courses
Coursework should help current Arizona educators prepare for content exams and/or add a STEM or CTE certification or credential to their teaching certificate. Scholarships can be used towards courses at a masters, undergraduate, or community college level and can be taken in-person or online.
Examples of appropriate Career & Technical Education coursework include:
- CTE Agriculture
- CTE Business and Marketing
- CTE Education and Training
- CTE Family and Consumer Sciences
- CTE Health Careers
- CTE Industrial and Emerging Technologies
Apply Now!
Ready to get SET for STEM? Download the application and email it to TPDS@azed.gov.
Adding a STEM area or CTE Certificate
Click here to see the requirements for adding an approved subject area to your teaching certificate. More information can be found on our website or by reaching out to our Certification Team: certification@azed.gov or 602-542-4367.
Contact Us
For more information about the Get SET for STEM program, call 602-364-3345 or e-mail the Teacher Professional Development Inbox at TPDS@azed.gov.
For questions about Certification, e-mail certification@azed.gov or call 602-542-4367.