Professional Development Opportunities

Professional Development is a great way to build skills and to learn about the most current information. Some programs might offer continuing education units or even graduate credit.
Do you know of a Professional Development opportunity that should be on our list? Let us know!

Exploring Landscapes Through Project Based Learning (PBL)

Understanding our landscapes - where we live and how we interact with our natural resources - is a critical part of understanding natural resource issues. Webinar presenters Breanna Trygg and Erica Baker will introduce the Project Based Learning Model (PBL). In PBL, students explore their local landscape by structuring and organizing an action project and sharing what they have learned.

This webinar covers information from two CE Strategy resources: Landscape Investigation Guidelines and Project Based Learning Model.

NSTA Science Objects

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules, developed by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. The Science Objects are free online and include such topics as Coral Reef Ecosystems and Ocean's Effect on Weather and Climate.

NSTA Web Seminars

NSTA Web Seminars are 90-minute, live professional development experiences that use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts, NSTA Press authors, and scientists, engineers, and education specialists from NSTA partner organizations. Educators use online tools that allow them to mark-up and annotate presenter's slides or share desktop applications in addition to engaging in chat with others online and answering quizzes and poll questions. Seminars may be archived and available for viewing after the live event has occurred.

Polar TREC

PolarTREC is an educational research experience, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and managed by the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S., in which K-12 teachers participate in polar research, working closely with scientists as a pathway to improving science education.

Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History

The mission of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History is to continue the legacy of Roger Tory Peterson by promoting the teaching and study of nature, thereby creating appreciation and responsibility for the natural world. Their online Nature Journal course offers educators the opportunity to learn more about nature journaling and how to bring it into the classroom.

ROLE Model Webinars

COSEE-Ocean Systems offers a Fall series of Research-Based Online Learning Event (ROLE) Model webinars featuring ocean scientists and educators from across the country. Join scientists as they present marine science content through concept-map presentations of their research and hear from educators who've used concept mapping in ther work in innovative ways. The hour-long webinars are free and offer direct access to scientists as well as customizable, take-home resources.

Siemens STEM Academy Webinars

The Siemens STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Academy offers a series of webinars on topics such as integrating STEM into everyday classroom learning, using technology as a teaching tool and how to prepare students for science and technology jobs of the 21st century. STEM Academy webinars are free and educators can register online.

Smithsonian Education Online Conferences

Smithsonian Education offers free online conferences for educators on a variety of science and history topics. Access archived versions of past conferences and learn more about upcoming events on the website.

Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program

The Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program links National Park units with teachers from low income school districts. Under this program, selected teachers spend the summer working as park rangers, often living in the park. They perform various duties depending on their interests and the needs of the park, including developing and presenting interpretive programs for the general public, staffing the visitor center desk, developing curriculum-based materials for the park, or taking on special projects.

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