Rethinking high school STEM education
The STEM Learning Institute is pioneering a new frontier in high school science teaching and learning through a holistic and research-based program.
About the STEM Learning Institute
The STEM Learning Institute offers a coherent system of educational support that connects curriculum, professional learning, and classroom practice—addressing one of the most persistent challenges in high school STEM education. Through a new, invested approach, SSP International aims to strengthen the high school science experience, with a focus on chemistry and the development of inquiry and critical thinking skills, while building long-term capacity within schools and districts.
The STEM Learning Institute’s program pairs research-based instructional materials—developed in partnership with BSCS Science Learning, an industry leader in inquiry-based instruction for over 65 years—with ongoing professional learning. This model supports educators in refining their instructional practice over time and fosters a strong, collaborative community. Currently, the STEM Learning Institute is implementing a year-long high school introductory chemistry course and professional learning program designed to support teachers and students through relevant, inquiry-driven, and engaging classroom experiences.
This is the future of STEM education.
SSP International’s STEM Learning Institute launched in 2026 to address persistent gaps and deficiencies in U.S. high school STEM education. These gaps are especially evident in chemistry, which often receives less instructional support despite serving as a critical gateway to advanced STEM coursework and careers. Scientific literacy is foundational to student success in today’s world, from understanding public health to climate change to participating meaningfully in a technology-driven economy. Yet many high school teachers, especially those in under-resourced schools, lack access to high-quality materials and sustained professional learning needed to support this level of instruction.
The STEM Learning Institute introduces research-based chemistry curriculum that fosters rich learning experiences connected to real-world, relevant phenomena and centers student sensemaking through inquiry, critical thinking, and their own questions of interest. Pairing this instructional approach with intensive and ongoing professional learning for educators and district leaders provides a holistic foundation for a transformational educational experience.
Institutional Timeline
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January 2026 | Curriculum Development Begins
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July 2026 | Summer Teacher Academy / One Leadership Day
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July 2026 – June 2027 | Field Test and Evaluation
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August 2026 – May 2027 | School-Year Workshops and Coaching / Two Leadership Days
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June 2027 | Research Experience for Teachers
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Summer 2027 | Program Refinement and Scale-Up
The core components
Curriculum development
In partnership with BSCS Science Learning, curriculum developed is research-based, student-centered, and NGSS aligned. The STEM Learning Institute’s year-long high school introductory chemistry course, designed for students in grades 9-12, is built around real-world phenomena and emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, and student sensemaking. Materials include teacher guides, student resources, formative assessments, and embedded support for learners with diverse needs.
Professional learning
Teachers engage in an intentional year-long professional learning program aligned to the chemistry course, including an immersive on-site introduction over several days in the summer and staggered unit launch workshops. Through this sustained model, teachers build the skills and confidence to deepen inquiry-based instruction, expand their impact across classrooms and over time, and contribute to a growing community of practice. School district leaders participate alongside teachers, as well as attending separate sessions to support program implementation. Districts participating in the research and evaluation phase receive the ongoing professional learning and classroom materials at no cost, ensuring that schools are not only adopting new resources, but building the internal capacity and infrastructure needed for long-term success.
Instructional coaching
Teachers benefit from ongoing virtual and onsite coaching, both individually and in small groups. Coaching focuses on implementing inquiry-based instructional strategies, strengthening chemistry content knowledge, and reflecting on practice through cycles of classroom observations and analysis of practice.
Evaluation and impact
Teachers and students partake in data collection to aid program improvement and measure impact on teaching, learning, and student engagement. Evaluation will inform program updates and help maintain quality and integrity.
Request more information
SSP International seeks school districts to participate in the STEM Learning Institute program. If your school district is interested in partnering to implement the year-long high school introductory chemistry course and professional learning model, or seeks more information, please reach out.