Professional Development

Elevate Your STEM Teaching: Professional Development Workshop Offerings

Teachers take soil samples during PD field work.

Our comprehensive Professional Development (PD) workshops are meticulously designed to empower K-12 educators with the confidence, innovative techniques, and hands-on strategies necessary to excel in STEM education. By participating in these sessions, teachers will be equipped to teach STEM subjects with greater ease, inspire their students, and foster cross-disciplinary collaborations.

PD workshop at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Workshop Benefits:

  1. Enhanced Confidence in STEM/STEAM/STREAM Instruction: Teachers will gain a deeper understanding of STEM subjects, enabling them to teach with assurance and clarity. They will learn new, interactive, and hands-on techniques to make STEM learning engaging and accessible for all students. Additionally, you will be able to integrate language arts and reading into your classroom to increase student engagement in STEM subjects.
  2. Interactive and Practical Techniques: Our workshops provide teachers with practical, hands-on strategies that they can immediately implement in their classrooms. These techniques will help students grasp complex STEM concepts through engaging, real-world applications.
  3. Inspiration for Teachers and Students: These PD sessions are designed to reignite teachers’ passion for teaching and inspire their students to develop a love for STEM. By integrating creativity and curiosity into STEM education, teachers will create a dynamic learning environment that captivates students’ interest.
  4. Cross-Subject Collaboration: Teachers will learn how to create opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing the overall learning experience. For example, a science teacher conducting a cloud lesson will teach students about cloud cover and types, fulfilling several Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This can then lead to collaboration with math teachers to analyze and graph the data collected, and further integration with art and language arts for comprehensive projects.
Soil Characterization PD at a Conference

Example Lesson: Clouds and Collaboration

When a science teacher conducts a lesson on clouds, students will:

  • Learn about Cloud Types and Cover: Gain knowledge about different types of clouds and how to observe and categorize them.
  • Develop Categorization Skills: Enhance their ability to classify and organize information systematically.
  • Meet NGSS Requirements: Fulfill specific standards in science education.

Following this lesson, teachers can collaborate with:

  • Math Teachers: To analyze and graph the collected cloud data, teaching students data analysis and graphing skills.
  • Art Teachers: To create visual representations of different cloud types and their impact on weather.
  • Language Arts Teachers: To write descriptive essays or reports on their observations and findings.

Workshop Formats:

  1. Assembly and Workshops:
    • Assembly: Introduce STEM concepts in a fun, engaging manner to spark students’ curiosity.
    • Workshops: Follow up with in-depth, hands-on workshops to deepen students’ understanding and engagement. These can be scheduled for single or multiple days, depending on the school’s needs.
  2. Project-Based Programs:
    • Going Green Program: This long-term partnership includes an assembly, workshops, and a collaborative project. Students develop STEM skills, teamwork, and meet NGSS standards in an engaging, project-oriented manner.

About the Instructor:

Led by Izolda Trakhtenberg, a former NASA Earth Science Master Trainer and Small Footprint Advocate, our workshops bring a wealth of knowledge, excitement, and practical experience to the classroom. Izolda’s background ensures that each session is both educational and inspiring, leaving teachers and students motivated to make a positive impact on their environment and their community.

Why Choose Our Workshops?

Our PD workshops not only enhance STEM education but also create a ripple effect of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration among students and teachers. By making learning relevant and exciting, we help schools foster a culture of inquiry and innovation that prepares students for the future.

Contact us today to bring these transformative Professional Development workshops to your school and inspire a new generation of STEM enthusiasts!