About The Urban Stem Center
The mission of the Urban STEM Center (U-STEM) is to advance STEM education and research in urban schools and communities. Through partnering with the local community, we aim to develop, implement, promote, and evaluate STEM education initiatives.
The U-STEM Center, located in Zook Hall 430, serves as an umbrella organization for many activities with the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education and in collaboration with STEM-related activities on campus and in the community.
Meet the Faculty
Learn more about the faculty behind the Urban STEM Center!
Dr. Karen Plaster - Urban STEM Director
In Fall of 2024, Dr. Karen Plaster is named the Urban STEM Center Director.
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Operation Teach
UA helping military personnel transition to teaching careers
In response to critical teacher shortages across the United States, The University of Akron will support the launch of Operation Teach, an initiative designed to assist military personnel and their spouses in transitioning to teaching careers. The University has been awarded a $482,389 grant from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce as part of the Governor's Ohio Military Veteran Educators Fellowship Pilot Program to support the initiative.
Computer Science Endorsement Program
Teachers can add the Computer Science endorsement to an existing or expected Ohio teacher’s license (any grade band or subject).
Rubber City Math Circle (Formerly Math Teacher Circle)
The Rubber City Math Teacher Circly invites you to The Perfect Shuffled. The first meeting is scheduled:
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00 pm, 9/14 (Thursday)
Location: Summit County ESC 420 Washington Ave. Cuyahoga Falls
The requested dates to be announced.
The meetings will be held from 4-6 pm.
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Video Gallery: Think Tank |
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Video: ZIP to STEM |
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Open House Photo Gallery |
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Video: Opening Ceremony |
In the News
» 'Operation Teach': University ofAkron program to support veterans to become teachers
» UA opens Urban STEM Education Center
» U Akron Teacher College Opens STEM Education Center
» UA’s new center aims to expand access to STEM education in urban districts
Ohio K-12 Computer Science Standards
Urban STEM Center's Mrs. Karen Plaster and Dr. Lynne Pachnowski served on the writing committee for the Ohio K-12 Computer Science Standards.
If you have any questions about these standards, please reach out to them via email: kbp9@uakron.edu or lmp@uakron.edu
STEM Opportunities
- Math Tutoring - Project Zips Tutoring Crew
- Code Hopper
- FIRST LEGO League
- Girls Who Code
- Rubber City Math Teacher Circle
- Think Tank to Shark Tank
- ZipsTeachMath - student organization