The Qatar University–ExxonMobil STEM Teachers Academy (QUESTA) is one of the distinguished national initiatives aimed at enhancing teaching and learning in the State of Qatar. Established in 2012 through a partnership between the National Educational Development Center (NEDC) at Qatar University's College of Education, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and ExxonMobil Qatar, the academy aims to empower science and mathematics teachers in Qatar with the knowledge, skills, and instructional practices necessary to implement the STEM approach in their classrooms effectively.
The academy seeks to promote progress and innovation as key pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030. The program plays a pivotal role in supporting human development by building teachers’ capacities in STEM education, enabling them to become producers of knowledge and facilitators of the learning process. This, in turn, enhances the quality of education and contributes to preparing a generation of leaders and innovators in STEM fields, supporting the nation’s economic advancement in alignment with labor market needs.
The program offers a comprehensive and interactive training experience delivered in two integrated phases.
The first phase consists of 45 hours of training workshops provided by the National Educational Development Center. These workshops aim to deepen teachers’ understanding of STEM instructional practices, including Project-Based Learning (PBL) and the Engineering Design Process (EDP). This phase focuses on building teachers’ knowledge, motivating them, and providing them with hands-on experience to engage students in diverse STEM learning practices.
The second phase focuses on school-based mentoring, during which teachers apply the skills and knowledge gained from the academy in their classrooms. Throughout this phase, teachers continue to refine their instructional practices through conducting STEM activities and projects with their students. Support during this phase is provided by NEDC professional development specialists as well as science and mathematics supervisors from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
In addition, the program is committed to collecting data from teachers and students using research-based tools to monitor progress and measure the program’s impact on teaching practices and student learning. These data contribute to improving future cycles of the program, ensuring its continued adaptability and responsiveness to the evolving needs of teachers and learners.
The Qatar University–ExxonMobil STEM Teachers Academy (QUESTA) aims to enable participants to:
Plan and design STEM activities and projects based on effective STEM instructional practices.
Implement STEM projects in their classrooms.
Reflect on their planning and implementation practices related to STEM projects.
Build professional learning communities that support communication and the exchange of experiences among teachers in STEM education.
• Science and mathematics teachers at the preparatory stage in Qatar’s schools.
• Science and mathematics teachers affiliated with the Teach for Qatar organization.