Welcome to our landing page for UF/IFAS Extension online courses for Facilitating STEM* For All Learners.
All individuals can learn complex STEM topics. Learners in this course will explore how to bring a STEM For All lens and approach to their STEM Education to support a variety of learners. We designed the course especially for facilitators of secondary school level learners in agriculture, natural resources, or STEM-specific programs. However, we have had ESL and support staff, 4-H Agents and volunteers, and elementary level teachers and facilitators as well.
Sign up to be notified when new cohorts open.
*We mean a broad definition of STEM and its component topics as well as courses where the content could be integrated – agriculture and natural resources, environmental science, computer sciences, language and literacy, history, classroom support staff, etc. are welcome.
Content on this page will be updated as course availability and dates change.
Our current offering:
Research Study Participants wanted! Facilitating STEM* for All Learners (UF IRB 202302076)
Pilot a 10-hour asynchronous facilitated online course and complete a survey.
Who: STEM* Educators and facilitators from formal and informal settings in the U.S., especially those who work with learners ages 14-20.
Course open: October 4 – November 15, 2025 (scheduled). We suggest dedicating 1-2 hours each week to complete the course in 6 weeks.
Successful completion of all elements including course evaluation survey by mid-November 2025 will result in a Certificate of Completion and a $250 stipend for eligible U.S. residents age 18 and up who are teaching or facilitating STEM in the 2025-2026 school year, including virtual or homeschool settings. We can also work with you to support needed documentation for district or state professional development credits.
Enroll in the course: https://ifas-engagestem.catalog.instructure.com/courses/2025-facilitating-stem-for-all-learners
We encourage users with disabilities to take part to ensure maximum accessibility.
We designed all course materials to be accessible for users who are blind/low vision as well as deaf or hard of hearing. The asynchronous format and multiple learning modes are designed to meet learning needs of a variety of thinking styles and physical needs. We are also committed to providing additional accommodation or redesign as needed.
People from marginalized backgrounds themselves or who work with marginalized learners are also highly encouraged.
Future Courses in Development for 2026:
- Facilitated, asynchronous course with assessment of mastery and higher credential reflecting mastery.
- Completely asynchronous, self-directed course providing resources for Facilitating STEM For All Learners. No certificates offered.
Other currently existing resources include UF/IFAS Ask IFAS documents ssuch as:
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Environmental Interpretation: How to Communicate Persuasively
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Getting Engaged: Program and Event Planning for Clients of All Abilities
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Getting Engaged: Facilitating Virtual Events for Maximum Accessibility
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Promising Practices for Working With Youth With Disabilities
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Visualizing Spatially Based Data for Various Stakeholder Audiences
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Emphasizing the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in Agricultural Extension
- And more in topic areas such as Education, 4-H, and curricula about authentic Florida STEM research that could be incorporated to provide context to abstract STEM concepts.
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Check back for more info as we roll out these offerings!
Contact
For questions, comments, or accommodations requests, please contact us at STEMForAll@ifas.ufl.edu or (352) 273-3690.
Course designers
Dr. Katie Stofer, PhD, Research Associate Professor, UF Dept. of Agricultural Education and Communication, Research Study Lead
Dr. Heather Kent, PhD, Interim Northwest Extension District Director and Regional Specialized Agent for 4-H, UF/IFAS Extension
Laura Kleckner, BS, UF UTeach STEM Education program Alum and Natural Resources major
Funding
Part of the UF Collaborative Curriculum Design for Authentic Agriscience Literacy Project
Funded by USDA NIFA 2021-67037-34216
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