Table 1 Coding categories and frequencies of participants discussing each
Present integrated STEM instructional activities | Supports needed to advance integrated STEM |
• Integrated a combination of some subjects (14) | • Time to collaborate and plan (8) |
• Integration of technology (11) | • Teacher professional development (7) |
• Application to real life problems (8) | • Resources (6) |
• Already doing integrated STEM classes/programs (4) | • Supportive STEM ethos/culture (4) |
• Minimal or no integration (4) | • Communication between departments (4) |
• Integration of student-driven labs (1) | • More instructional time (3) |
|  | • Shift in teacher attitudes (1) |
Challenges to achieving integrated STEM | • More manageable class sizes (1) |
• Lack of teachers understanding (8) |  |
• Lack of time for collaboration and planning (8) | How to improve pre-service education |
• Barriers of school organization (6) | • Integrated multidisciplinary approach (9) |
• Lack of instructional time (5) | • Observe effective STEM lessons (5) |
• Testing culture as competing value (5) | • More classroom experience (4) |
• Lack of understanding disciplinary content and standards (5) | • Good teaching mentor (3) |
• Teacher resistance (4) | • More rigorous science/math training (3) |
• Lack of technology (4) | • Better understanding of NGSS (2) |
• Lack of finances (3) | • Experience writing objectives (1) |
• Lack of resources (3) | • Learn how to reduce direct instruction (1) |
• Lack of administrative support (1) |  |
• Lack of time for planning (1) | How to improve in-service education |
• Lack of professional development (1) | • More integrated STEM training (7) |
• Lack of student motivation (1) | • See examples of effective lessons (7) |
• No barriers (1) | • Talk to/observe out-of-district teachers (3) |
|  | • Rely on expertise of district teachers (2) |
|  | • Create a supportive community (2) |
|  | • Require follow-up after trainings (2) |
|  | • More time to for teacher collaboration (2) |
|  | • More individualized lesson plans (1) |
|  | • Review and use emerging technologies (1) |
|  | • Discipline-specific training (1) |