The National Institute for STEM Education (NISE) embodies a movement to clearly define the practices of a successful STEM program and those of the classroom teacher by identifying the fundamental actions and pedagogical strategies that are aligned with the research supporting an effective STEM classroom. The National Certificate of STEM Teaching for classroom teachers and the The National Certificate of STEM Excellence for campus/districts provides a means to recognize excellence at the classroom, campus, and district levels. Through participation in the certification programs, teachers, campuses and districts will be immersed in an experience that assists them in understanding and aligning their practices to the research defining quality of STEM instruction.