AAES 亞太STEM教育協會
    AAES LEVEL 1

    STEM.org Certification System Overview

    About People CertificationAbout Venue CertificationAbout Product Certification

    People Certification FAQ

    1. Value of the credential

    Is this certificate internationally recognised?
    Yes. It is issued under licence from STEM.org™ in the United States and recorded on a global blockchain registry, so anyone can verify it online at any time. AAES is STEM.org's sole authorised body for the Asia-Pacific region.
    What does certification actually change in my teaching?
    It strengthens your ability to design lessons around AI and digital literacy, and the framework maps closely onto cross-disciplinary K-12 curricula. Certified teachers may also nominate their students for the STEM.org International Student Certificate, which gives learners a verifiable record of achievement.
    Am I eligible to apply?
    The programme suits kindergarten and K-12 teachers, curriculum designers at education organisations, and professionals who want internationally recognised teaching credentials. An early-childhood background is entirely welcome.

    2. Training path and attendance

    What does the training path look like?
    Four stages: register and pay online, complete the 17-unit pre-course video series (Version 2 runs over 5.5 hours), attend two days of intensive hands-on training, then receive your digital and printed certificates once assessment is passed.
    Are the pre-course videos compulsory?
    Yes, they are a required task. Both Version 1 and Version 2 are included. Participants who have not finished the videos cannot join the in-person sessions and must defer to a later cohort.
    Can I attend online, and how does that differ from attending in person?
    The course is delivered in blended format. In person: only six seats per cohort, with direct access to the teaching kits and to your mentors. Online: live participation over Google Meet, suited to overseas or out-of-town participants, with cameras on throughout the session.
    When and where are the sessions held?
    Both practical days run from 09:00 to 16:00 with a one-hour lunch break. Sessions are usually held at TCCC Chang'an in Taipei (near Shandao Temple MRT station) or at the III Living Lab.

    3. Assessment and grading

    How is the assessment scored?
    Four mentors assess each participant simultaneously. They observe participation, focus, and the quality of your questions and interaction in Google Classroom. A total of 80 points is required to pass.
    Is there homework or a final exam?
    No. After several cohorts we removed post-course assignments and moved to live grading. All scoring happens through classroom interaction across the two days.
    Can I miss part of a session or leave early?
    We strongly advise against it. Instructors call the register at random points, and being absent or unresponsive can result in a Fail. The administrative team cannot override an instructor's assessment.

    4. Return and deferral policy

    What is the fee, and what does it cover?
    The standard fee is NT$30,000, with an early-bird rate of NT$25,000. It covers one year of access to the online video series, both practical days, the certification review, and issuance of the digital and printed certificates.
    Can I get a refund if I cannot attend after registering?
    Because registration constitutes an application for a certification credential, fees are non-refundable. If you commit to the sessions, AAES will support you all the way to meeting the pass standard. You may defer attendance once within one year.
    Will the slide decks be shared as files?
    The presentation decks are the instructors' intellectual property and are for use during the session only. They are not distributed as downloads.

    5. Validity, renewal and ownership

    How long is the certificate valid, and how do I renew it?
    The certificate is valid for three years. Renewal costs NT$17,500 for a further three years and includes access to the AAES Asia-Pacific STEM talent network, plus one free seat on that year's certification course so you can refresh your skills.
    I certified directly through the US site rather than through an AAES course. Can AAES handle my renewal after three years?
    Yes. All certification matters in Asia are handled by AAES; applications submitted through the US site are routed to Taiwan. Asia-region cases cannot be processed by the US site and are transferred to AAES directly, renewals included.
    What do I need to submit at renewal — a teaching outcomes form, a lesson plan, a 10-minute teaching video?
    None of those. In response to developments in AI we removed the lesson plan and the 10-minute video requirement. From 2026 the instructor records and scores participants directly, and the administrative team has no influence over that assessment.
    Which currencies can I pay the renewal fee in?
    New Taiwan dollars or US dollars.
    How long does renewal take end to end?
    Roughly one to two months from submitting the application to receiving the certificate.
    Any requirements on video language or lesson plan format?
    Those requirements have been withdrawn; nothing needs to be prepared.
    Do I have to fly to Taiwan to renew or to attend?
    It is not mandatory. In practice, though, face-to-face sessions produce noticeably better learning and interaction than the online format, so we recommend attending in person where possible.
    If I leave my job, does the certificate stay valid?
    Paid for personally: the certificate belongs to you and remains valid after you move on. Paid for by an institution: the institution owns the certificate, and you lose the right to nominate students once you leave.
    Can I become an AAES seed instructor after certifying?
    This programme is Level 1. Once certified you can progress to the Level 2 AI certification course, which is the prerequisite for applying to the seed instructor programme.

    About STEM.org Venue Certification

    Venue assessment covers 26 indicators across three domains, each with observable behaviours and outcomes. A venue must meet at least 80% of the standard to be certified.

    Learner Readiness — 8 indicators

    • •Curiosity Cultivation
    • •Personalized Learning Pathways
    • •Foundational Skills Preparation
    • •Cultural Relevance
    • •Inclusivity Support
    • •21st Century Skills Integration
    • •Learner Agency
    • •Assessment and Feedback Mechanisms

    Instructional Design — 9 indicators

    • •Interdisciplinary Curriculum Design
    • •Problem-Based Learning
    • •Design Thinking Application
    • •Technology Integration
    • •Innovation and Creativity Guidance
    • •Differentiated Instruction
    • •Assessment Alignment
    • •Professional Development Support
    • •Curriculum Coherence

    Environment Support — 9 indicators

    • •Safe and Inclusive Spaces
    • •Resource Availability
    • •Technology Infrastructure
    • •Collaborative Learning Spaces
    • •Hands-on Labs
    • •Sustainability Awareness
    • •Community Partnerships
    • •Continuous Improvement Mechanisms
    • •Ethics and Responsibility Education

    Venue certification questions

    • Why it matters: Students at a certified venue can earn the STEM.org Student Certificate, the school strengthens its brand, admissions gain a clear differentiator, and staff may use the licensed teaching kits and lesson plans.
    • Requirements: At least one third of the teaching staff must hold People Certification, and the venue must submit a venue certification application.
    • Categories and pricing: Categories include kindergartens, public and private K-12 schools, maker classrooms and after-school centres. Contact our official LINE@ account for a formal quote.
    • Validity and renewal: Venues re-align with headquarters every three years and are reassessed on that cycle.

    About Educational Product Certification

    STEM.org's global clients include Insect Lore, Kano Computer, UBTECH Robotics, Piper Inc., Merge Edu, Educational Insights, IKOS, Magformers, Rubik's, Learning Resources, ETA hand2mind, Geomag, Oregon Scientific, Newsweek, The New York Times, the NHL and the NBA. SER™ is the longest continuously operating private STEM education research and accreditation body in the United States.

    Eight criteria for educational products

    1. STEM SUBJECTS
    Whether the product genuinely engages science, technology, engineering and mathematics as connected disciplines.
    2. 21ST CENTURY SKILLS
    Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and information literacy.
    3. SUPPORT MATERIALS
    Textbooks, websites, apps and hands-on activities that extend classroom teaching.
    4. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
    Respect for difference, equity and fairness, and narrowing gaps in access.
    5. Socialisation and communication
    Encourages collaboration and clear, concise expression.
    6. Imagination & Cognition
    Invites thinking beyond the frame and grounds learning in real-world experience.
    7. Kinesthetic & Active Play
    Construction sets, robotics, science and mathematics kits.
    8. STEM CAREER
    Builds the skills students will need in future STEM careers.

    Product certification process (5 steps)

    1. Submit the product concept application, including patents, awards, safety compliance reports, three product samples and three sets of supporting materials
    2. AAES conducts an initial review against the eight criteria
    3. Approved applications are forwarded to the STEM.org committee in the United States for a second review
    4. The committee grants certification
    5. The record is written to the STEM.org blockchain and becomes publicly verifiable worldwide
    Fee

    Certification costs NT$25,000 per product (approximately USD 850) and is valid for one year, with a discounted rate for the second year. Brands that certify three or more products receive three-year brand-wide certification.

    Where to go next

    Where to go next

    See the next educator certification cohortDates, seats and fees, so you can decide right away.Read more

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