National STEM™ Honor Society


Our mission is to inspire innovation and recognize student excellence from K to Career in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
From K to CAREER™

Sample Chapter Bylaws

[NAME OF SCHOOL] CHAPTER
NATIONAL STEM HONOR SOCIETY™
SAMPLE CHAPTER BYLAWS

ARTICLE 1
NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the [name of school] Chapter of the National STEM Honor Society (“Chapter”).

Section 2. The purpose of the Chapter shall be to inspire student participation in science, technology, engineering and math (“STEM”) disciplines and projects; to provide recognition of student achievement in STEM; to provide opportunities to engage underrepresented youth in STEM; [and] to work in conjunction with the National STEM Honor Society™ (“NSTEM”™) to promote, encourage, and build a culture of STEM awareness and literacy[.][; and to develop graduates who will pursue STEM majors and minors in higher education.]

ARTICLE 2
THE CHAPTER DIRECTOR

Section 1. The [Principal/ Headmaster/ Dean/ Director/President] of the school shall be the Chapter Director.  The Chapter Director shall have the right to approve all activities and decisions of the Chapter.

ARTICLE 3
THE CHAPTER ADVISOR [AND ADVISORY COUNCIL]

Section 1. The Chapter Director shall appoint annually an individual or organization as the Chapter Advisor. The Chapter Advisor may serve consecutive terms and must not be a student. The appointment of the Chapter Advisor shall be in accordance with the existing rules and regulations of the school.

Section 2. The Chapter Advisor shall be responsible for the direct, day-to-day supervision of the Chapter, and shall act as a liaison between faculty, administration, students, and community.

Section 3. The Chapter Advisor shall maintain files on membership, chapter history, activities, and financial transactions. The Chapter Advisor shall send an annual report to NSTEM on an NSTEM approved form.

Section 4. The Chapter Advisor frequently shall review each member of the Chapter (“Member”) for compliance with the standards and obligations of NSTEM and the Chapter.

Section 5. The Chapter Advisor shall pre-approve all STEM enrichment activities, as described in Article 4, Section 2(c) below, that are provided by any organization or group other than the Chapter or its sponsoring school. The Chapter Advisor shall approve such activities as being age and content appropriate for a STEM enrichment activity.

Section 6. Chapters can prorate the requirements of their members if a Chapter is created after the school year is in progress. 

[Optional if the Chapter will have officers:  
Section 7. The Chapter Advisor shall manage the officers of the Chapter (“Officers”) as described in Article 7.]

[Optional if Chapter will have an Advisory Council:
Section 8. The Chapter Advisor, with the approval of the Chapter Director, shall form an Advisory Council consisting of the Chapter Advisor and [ ____] other individuals who shall be [STEM] faculty members or counselors. The role of the Advisory Council shall be to elect students for membership and to determine awards and recognition.]

ARTICLE 4
MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

Section 1. Membership is an honor bestowed upon a student.

Section 2. Each Chapter shall decide whether to charge individual member annual dues. The amount of such dues, if any, shall not exceed $20 per member.

Section 3. A student must satisfy the following to be eligible for membership, and then must satisfy this criteria each year in order to maintain membership. A Chapter may impose higher or more extensive criteria for membership in its bylaws. Chapters can prorate the requirements of their members if a Chapter is created after the school year is in progress. The minimum number of hours discussed below shall be prorated for members based on the number of months remaining in the year.

  • (a) Academic Standards: Chapter student members must maintain an average grade of a minimum of 85 (or a B, 3.0 on a 4.0 score, or equivalent standard of excellence) in all STEM courses only. A Chapter may require a higher level of academic performance in STEM disciplines. A Chapter may not impose academic standards for non-STEM courses.
  • (b) Academic Curriculum: To fulfill NSTEM’s member minimum requirements for STEM curricular hours, the Chapter Advisor decides which STEM courses from their existing course of studies they propose for their members. NSTEM requires that courses are in STEM disciplines and interdisciplinary courses that include STEM disciplines are encouraged. Chapter student members must complete the following minimum number of hours of STEM courses/per year during normal school hours:
    • (i) Grades Kindergarten through 2: [no] hours
    • (ii) Grades 3 through 5: 180 hours
    • (iii) Grades 6 through 8: 240 hours
    • (iv) Grades 9 through 12: 360 hours
    • (v) College/University (years 1 & 2):
      • Part-time: 3 credit hours per semester
      • Full-time: 6 credit hours per semester
    • (vi) College/University (years 3 & 4):
      • Part-time: 4.5 credit hours per semester
      • Full-time: 9 credit hours per semester
  • (c) Participation in STEM Enrichment Activities: NSTEM Chapter student members must participate in one or more STEM-related extracurricular activities designed to increase a student’s knowledge of and engagement in STEM related topics. Enrichment activities may be sponsored by the chapter or any other organization or group, as long as the activity has been reviewed and pre-approved by the Chapter Advisor as being age and content appropriate for a STEM enrichment activity. Each grade level of NSTEM has required hours its members must engage in enrichment activities to remain an active member of their Chapter. Each Chapter must offer or approve a sufficient number of STEM extracurricular activities/programming to permit a student to satisfy the STEM enrichment activity requirements outlined in this subsection  The required minimum number of hours is as follows:
    • (i) Grades Kindergarten through 2: 30 hours annually
    • (ii) Grades 3 through 5: 60 hours annually
    • (iii) Middle School: 80 hours annually
    • (iv) High School: 120 hours annually
    • (v) College/University (years 1 & 2):
      • Part-time: 60 hours annually
      • Full-time: 120 hours annually
    • (vi) College/University (years 3 & 4):
      • Part-time: 90 hours annually
      • Full-time: 180 hours annually

    Examples of STEM enrichment activities include: science fairs and competitions, math contests, STEM-related clubs (e.g. science, math, cyber, Lego, robotics), tutoring other students in STEM disciplines, coding, individual or group STEM projects, attending a lecture or film on STEM topics, working at a STEM-related internship/job, drone and gaming technologies, computer sciences, etc. 

    [Optional Subsection (d) if Chapter wants students to obtain supporting signatures for membership:

  • (d) Supporting Signatures: For initial membership and annual membership renewal, the student must obtain signatures on a form approved by the Chapter from the following number of STEM teachers, academic advisors or counselors indicating their support for the student’s membership. This support should be based on the student’s character and level of interest/engagement in one or more STEM disciplines.  The number of required signatures is as follows:
    • (i) Grades Kindergarten through 5: 1 signature
    • (ii) Grades 6 through 8: 2 signatures
    • (iii) Grades 9 through 12: 2 signatures
    • (iv) College/University: 2 signatures

Section 4. A Member must maintain behavior that is acceptable to the guidelines of the school.

Section 5. A Member who transfers from the school shall be provided a letter signed by the Chapter Advisor setting forth the status of the student’s membership.

Section 6. A member of any other NSTEM chapter who transfers to this school will be accepted for regular membership in this Chapter when proof of NSTEM membership at the previous school is provided. The minimum number of hours set forth above for STEM academic courses and STEM enrichment activities shall be prorated for the transferring member based on the number of months remaining in the academic year.

Section 7. A Member must pay annual dues in an amount set each year by agreement of the Chapter Director and Chapter Advisor and which shall in no event exceed $20 per Member. Member dues are non-refundable.

ARTICLE 5
SELECTION OF MEMBERS

Section 1. Students who have satisfied the criteria for membership outlined in Article 4 are eligible for regular membership. Students who have satisfied such criteria except that they do not have the required number of hours of STEM academic curriculum and/or STEM enrichment activities may be admitted to the Chapter as provisional members to permit them to belong to the Chapter while completing their required hours. Provisional members will have all of the rights and obligations of regular members [except that they shall not be elected as an officer of the Chapter]. Provisional members will have one academic year to complete the required number of hours of STEM academic curriculum and/or enrichment activities and attain regular membership.

Section 2: Members shall be selected for membership

  • [Option 1: in any manner deemed reasonable and fair by the Chapter Director and the Chapter Advisor.]
  • [Option 2: by the Chapter Advisor after consulting with the STEM teachers.]
  • [Option 3: by a majority vote of the Chapter Advisory Council.]

Section 3: All new Members shall be inducted at an induction ceremony held at the end of the academic year. The substance of such ceremony shall be determined by the [Chapter Advisor/Members of the Chapter].

Section 4. A student who has satisfied the membership eligibility criteria must complete and submit a Chapter Student Membership Application Form to the Chapter Advisor in order to be considered for membership. The minimum number of hours required by each member shall be prorated for members based on the number of months remaining in the academic year.

ARTICLE 6
DISMISSAL

Section 1. A Member may be dismissed as a member of the Chapter if the Member violates the standards or requirements of NSTEM or the Chapter.

Section 2. Any Member who fails to satisfy the standards and requirements set forth in these Bylaws shall be promptly warned. If such failure continues, then dismissal shall be approved and carried out by the [Chapter Advisor/Advisory Council].

Section 3. Upon dismissal, the Member shall return the membership card to the Chapter Advisor and the Member shall be divested of all benefits of membership in the Chapter and NSTEM.

Section 4. A Member may appeal dismissal by submitting a written request to the Chapter Director and Chapter Advisor. The decision of the Chapter Director shall be final.

ARTICLE 7
CHAPTER OFFICERS

Section 1. Officer positions and responsibilities shall be determined by the Chapter Advisor to fit the needs of the Chapter. Officers shall serve one-year terms.

[Optional Sections 2 through 4 if the Chapter will have officers:

Section 2. The Officers shall be chosen by:

  • [Option 1 for lower grades: the Chapter Advisor.]
  • [Option 2 for upper grades: majority vote of the Chapter members (with approval from the Chapter Advisor)

Section 3.  The Officers shall be [elected/appointed] at the last regular meeting of the academic year.]

Section 4. The Chapter Advisor shall [manage the election process for the Officers and] help the Officers understand and carry out their duties.]

ARTICLE 8
MEETINGS

Section 1.  Regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held [a minimum of __ times] during the academic year on dates and at times designated by

  • [Option 1 for lower grades: the Chapter Advisor, ]
  • [Option 2 for upper grades: majority vote of the Officers, ]

and in accordance with school policy and regulations.

Section 2. The Chapter Advisor shall supervise and moderate all Chapter meetings.

Section 3. The agendas for the meetings shall be set by [mutual agreement of] the Chapter Advisor [and the Officers].

Section 4. Members are expected to attend all Chapter meetings, the induction ceremony for new Members, and any awards ceremonies.

[Optional: Section 5. The Chapter shall conduct its meetings

  • [Option 1: following acceptable rules of conduct.]
  • [Option 2: in accordance with the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.].

ARTICLE 9
OFFICIAL INSIGNIA AND LOGO

Section 1. The Chapter has an official insignia and logo provided by NSTEM.

Section 2. The distribution of the NSTEM insignia and logo, and the rules for their use are under the exclusive control of the NSTEM National Board of Directors. Graphics of these items are available on the NSTEM website and may be used by the Chapter only in connection with its NSTEM activities, and only on paper (excluding induction certificates, graduation certificates, membership cards and any other items that are otherwise distributed by NSTEM) or in digital format. These items shall not be affixed to or printed on any clothing, banners, pins, certificates, or merchandise. Additional rules and conditions for use of the insignia and logo are set forth in the Trademark Usage Guidelines available on the NSTEM website.

Section 3. Each Member shall be entitled to wear the NSTEM insignia.

ARTICLE 10
NSTEM CONSTITUTION

Section 1. These Bylaws are designed to amplify provisions of the NSTEM Constitution and cannot contradict any provisions thereof. The Chapter shall adhere to the provisions of the NSTEM Constitution in all of its activities and undertakings.

Section 2. A copy of these Bylaws and any amendments thereto shall be filed with NSTEM.

ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended by (a) the Chapter Advisor at any time the Chapter Advisor deems necessary or appropriate, or (b) by affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members with the approval of the Chapter Advisor.

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