STEM Teacher Education and School Strengthening Activity Project (STESSA) Quarterly Report April 1st through June 30th, 2019

The project is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by 21PSTEM. The program focuses on two main components: STEM Teacher Education and School Strengthening. During the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2019 (April-June 2019), STESSA achieved significant milestones in both components. In Component 1, STEM Teacher Education, the project completed the selection of the last two Egyptian partner universities, Zagazig and Minya, based on agreed-upon selection criteria. Four Egyptian universities, Ain Shams, Mansoura, Assuit, and Zagazig, fully participate in Component 1 activities. To introduce the universities to STEM teacher preparation and best practices in U.S. universities, STESSA organized a five-day study tour for the Deans of the Faculties of Education, Science, and Engineering in the four partner universities. The study tour aimed to expose the Deans to U.S. universities' approaches to STEM education and to facilitate the development of learning outcomes and course descriptions for the STEM Diploma programs. STESSA assisted the Egyptian universities in developing learning outcomes and course descriptions, which constitute the by-laws of the STEM Diploma programs. These by-laws were approved by the Faculty and University Councils of each university and submitted to the Education Sector Committee (ESC) for endorsement. In Component 2, School Strengthening, the STEM Unit conducted a survey with STESSA's support to assess the needs and priorities of school leaders. The survey aimed to identify areas where school leaders require guidance and support. Based on the survey results, STESSA provided training for school leaders to support their professional growth. The training emphasized curriculum integration, reduced repetition, and improved practical training and TOT manuals. To improve the Capstone system, STESSA trained the STEM Unit's capstone team to design capstone challenges and item writing and grading. STESSA also assisted the STEM Unit in reviewing students' Learning Outcomes and curriculum implementation to ensure the fidelity of curriculum implementation. STESSA's technical experts assisted the STEM Unit through training trainers and reviewing the training materials for developing teachers. Additionally, STESSA organized an orientation workshop for the Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MOETE) undersecretaries in STEM governorates to initiate discussions and agreement on the roles and responsibilities of the local STEM Unit and professional development system for local supervisors. The project's activities are focused on developing sustainable STEM teachers and leadership education programs. STESSA has initiated discussions with the Deans concerning the communication, decision-making, and information sharing between the Faculties and their relevant Sector Committees. The Education Sector Committee has approval authority over the by-laws of the diploma and undergraduate tracks. STESSA has also facilitated discussions among the Deans of the Faculties of Education, Science, and Engineering and university representatives to set parameters for required equipment necessary to support STEM education at the university level. The Deans agreed that preparing the Faculties of Education's IT labs to support students' research and virtual learning will be a priority. The project's progress has been significant, with four Egyptian universities fully participating in Component 1 activities and the STEM Unit conducting a survey to assess the needs and priorities of school leaders. STESSA has provided training for school leaders and assisted the STEM Unit in reviewing students' Learning Outcomes and curriculum implementation. The project's focus on developing sustainable STEM teachers and leadership education programs is crucial for enhancing STEM education in Egypt. STESSA's activities aim to support the development of effective STEM education programs that can be sustained in the long term.