STEM+Code+of+Professional+Conduct

Developed by Stephanie Ogden for the Advisory Committee of 2011-2012 Objectives: Develop students’ email use, introduce idea of professionalism and begin career exploration. E-mail sent to faculty:
 * Introduce STEM Student Code of Professional Conduct**

‪Good morning!

Overview: The theme for today is professionalism. We will complete an activity culminating in the submission of as many of the steps outlined below that students can accomplish in 20 minutes. You may want to charge them to work in groups or you may prefer to lead a group discussion. They may submit their work electronically, on paper, or even as a photograph of board work. In any form, I will need these for Student Government.

With the remaining time, students will save their Student Handbooks in iBooks and you will distribute the picture envelopes placed in your mailboxes. Students will have emails including instructions for the activity and their Student Handbooks.

Last Thursday, advisories explored the meaning of professionalism. Students tended to identify the following features of professions: (1) special training; (2) membership in a professional organization (often including a license); and (3) an expectation of professional autonomy within the bounds of professional standards.

Activity (20 minutes, including submission of work)

In the spirit of professional autonomy/standards, students will work today to create their advisory group's proposal for a STEM Student Code of Professional Conduct. The Student Government Association will use the proposals from advisory groups to draft a STEM Student Code of Professional Conduct, to be adopted by the students. "PREAMBLE: The educator, believing in the worth and dignity of each human being, recognizes the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, and the nurture of democratic principles. Essential to these goals is the protection of freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal educational opportunity for all. The educator accepts the responsibility to adhere to the highest ethical standards.
 * Identify two or more principles to which STEM students should commit. [Example: the TEA's principles are Commitment to the Student and Commitment to the Profession.]
 * Under each broad principle, identify positive goals you aspire to achieve and a list of behaviors STEM students shall not do. [TEA example of positive goals: "The educator strives to help each student realize his or her potential as a worthy and effective member of society. The educator therefore works to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals." The TEA follows these positive goals with 8 behaviors educators shall not do because they work against their professional mission.]
 * Consider beginning your code of conduct by adapting the following Preamble quoted from the TEA code of ethics(http://jc-schools.net/teacher/ethics.pdf):

The educator recognizes the magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the teaching process. The desire for the respect and confidence of one’s colleagues, of students, of parents and of the members of the community provides the incentive to attain and maintain the highest possible degree of ethical conduct.

The Code of Ethics of the Education Profession indicates the aspiration of all educators and provides standards by which to judge conduct."

Thank you for your hard work, and good luck! -Stephanie