STEM Teaching with Embedded Primary Sources (STEPS) at the CMSE
Empowering Mississippi Educators with Primary Sources in STEM
Empowering Mississippi Educators with Primary Sources in STEM
The Center for Mathematics and Science Education provides professional development experiences in which participants will find, evaluate, and use historical primary sources from the Library of Congress.
Participants develop and revise a science, mathematics, or STEM-focused lesson plan or course module using the Library’s Teaching with Primary Sources materials.
"STEM Teaching with Embedded Primary Sources" project has been made possible in part by funding from the Library of Congress.
Upcoming Online STEPS Workshops
Online Session – From Resources to Classroom Implementation: CEUs: 1.0 | SEMIs: 5 | Cost: Free.
Asynchronous Online — Self‑Paced (FREE)
A flexible, self‑paced option designed for educators new to the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program and for past STEPS participants who want additional guided practice. Build knowledge and confidence through structured instruction, examples, and practice activities focused on finding, evaluating, and using LOC primary sources in STEM lesson planning. Suitable as a standalone option or as preparation for the in‑person workshop.
- April 20, 2026 - November 30, 2026
- Deadline to register is October 18, 2026.
- Online
Upcoming In-Person STEPS Workshops
Summer In-Person Sessions – 250 Years of Innovation & Invention: CEUs 0.6 | SEMIs: 5 | Cost: $20 (lunch included)
In‑Person — One‑Day Workshop
A hands‑on, practice‑focused session that supports teachers in locating, evaluating, and integrating historical primary sources from the Library of Congress into science, math, and other STEM lessons. Emphasis on using primary sources to humanize the history of innovation and to design classroom‑ready STEM activities tied to local and national examples. Prior completion of the online module is helpful but not required.
- July 16, 2026
- Deadline to register is July 8, 2026.
- Museum of the Mississippi Delta in Greenwood, MS
In‑Person — One‑Day Workshop
A hands‑on, practice‑focused session that supports teachers in locating, evaluating, and integrating historical primary sources from the Library of Congress into science, math, and other STEM lessons. Emphasis on using primary sources to humanize the history of innovation and to design classroom‑ready STEM activities tied to local and national examples. Prior completion of the online module is helpful but not required.
- July 20, 2026
- Deadline to register is July 8, 2026.
- Toyota Mississippi Experience Center, Blue Springs, MS
STEPS Teacher Leaders
STEPS Teacher Leaders have been identified as exemplary Mississippi educators who actively use primary sources in their classrooms.
These teacher leaders will engage with the STEPS project staff to design lesson units, curate Mississippi primary source sets, and assist with leading STEPS workshops across the state.
- Kimberlin Foster, Warren Central Junior High School, Vicksburg, MS
- Patricia Irby, Chickasaw Elementary School, Olive Branch, MS
- Faith Major, Denman Junior High School, McComb, MS
- Ashley Ridings, Belle Shivers Middle School, Aberdeen, MS
Resources from the Library of Congress
Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network
Engage with teachers across the United States who are utilizing Primary Sources in their classrooms. Be sure to join the "STEM Teaching with Embedded Primary Sources" group to follow the work of the STEPS Project.
Grant Awards to Enhance Teaching with Primary Sources
The Library of Congress announces grant awards to enhance Teaching with Primary Sources. The current grants awarded provide one year of funding, with the possibility of two additional one-year grants.
Conference Presentations
James, J., Shreiner, T., Taylor, L., & Lowry, M. (2026, March). Strategies for using primary sources to interpret U.S. History: STEM [Conference Session]. TPS Consortium Meeting, Montgomery, AL.
LaValley, B. & Carpenter, J. (2026, January 9). Inspiring science learners with historical primary sources from the Library of Congress archives [Conference Session]. NASA Mississippi Space Grant Consortium 2026 Annual Teachers Conference, Oxford, MS.
James, J., LaValley, B., & Steimle, A. (2025, November). Developing Teachers’ Knowledge of Primary Sources to Elevate STEM Identities in Rural Communities. [Conference Session]. 2025 School Science and Mathematics Association Annual Convention, Ft. Worth, TX.
LaValley, B., James. J., & Steimle, A. (2025, March). STEM teaching with primary sources to expand partnerships and prioritize local history in ruralMississippi [Poster Presentation]. National Council for History Education Conference, St. Louis, MO. National Council for History Educations Conference Poster Presentation.
LaValley, B. (2025, February 6-8). STEM teaching with embedded primary sources: A cross-curricular professional development for K-12 STEMeducators [Poster Presentation]. Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators Annual Conference, Reno, NV. Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators Annual Conference.
LaValley, B., King, E. (2024, October). Inspiring STEM Learners With Primary Sources [Conference Session]. Mississippi Science Teaching Association Annual Conference, Biloxi, MS.
Richardson, K. & LaValley, B.(2024, October). STEM Teaching with Embedded Primary Sources: A Cross-Curricular Professional Development for K-12 STEM Educators. [Conference Session]. Mississippi Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Conference, Hattiesburg, MS.
Watson, S. A. & James, J. (2023, March 22-25). Teaching Science with Primary Sources [Conference Session]. National Science Teaching Association National Conference, Atlanta, GA.
Community / Research News
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi's Center for Mathematics and Science Education has selected four K-12 educators for its new teacher leadership initiative aimed at engaging more students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
-
Community / Events / Alumni News -
Alumni News / Honors & Awards -
Arts & Culture / Community