STEMTEC has affected a variety of routes to science and mathematics teacher preparation on all eight campuses of the Collaborative. Three innovative programs for students include the Teaching Scholars Program, the Pre-Education Program, and the Summer/Fall Certification Option. The NSF/STEMTEC Teaching Scholars Program was the first part of the STEMTEC Student Program and is now in its third year. The Program provides scholarships for science, mathematics, and education students at all eight campuses of the Collaborative with an interest in K-12 teaching. A variety of support services and activities rounds out the program. Some of the graduated Teaching Scholars are already teaching (in elementary, middle, and high schools), and others are enrolled in teacher education programs. We have an active "New Teacher Support Group" and we hope to continue to support our former Teaching Scholars.

Out of this nucleus arose the Five College Science and Math Pre-Education Program, just launched in spring 2000. This Program is for students who are interested in a career in K-12 science and/or mathematics education, but who are not necessarily in a teacher-education track. Students can enroll in the program at any time; there is no financial support (it is not a competitive program). Rather it is designed to provide all interested students with advice on courses, information on teaching as a career and the certification process, mentors, and other assistance to help them toward their goals of becoming educators. Program requirements include STEMTEC math and science courses, a math/science/education seminar, and education or psychology course, teaching experiences, and a portfolio. When the program is completed, students receive a STEMTEC letter of endorsement, attesting to their strong backgrounds in math and/or science and education. The first students completed the Pre-Ed program last spring.

Many of the students in the Teaching Scholars Program and the Pre-Ed Program became interested in K-12 teaching (and knowledgeable about the opportunities that STEMTEC provides) through K-12 teaching experiences offered as a regular part of a STEMTEC math, science, or education course.

In Summer 2000, STEMTEC sponsored the new Summer/Fall Certification Option in secondary mathematics and science at UMass, which enables students completing their bachelor's degree to take education courses in the summer, do their student-teaching in the fall semester, and be certified to teach by December. Six students enrolled in the Summer Fall Certification Option the first summer; all six have completed the student teaching portion of the program and are certified to teach.