Professional Development Workshop Catalog

Research indicates that good teaching is defined by more than test scores but involves knowledge of diversity, critical thinking skills, and insights into ethical reasoning.
Read More

Research indicates that good teaching is defined by more than test scores but involves knowledge of diversity, critical thinking skills, and insights into ethical reasoning. This workshop helps educators identify classroom roadblocks to successful teaching and learning and how to incorporate strategies that precipitate parity and student engagement.

In addition, an ongoing ethics conversation will be incorporated throughout the workshop geared toward empowering K-12 teachers to both confidently and competently discuss ethics with their students. Topics will provide insights into a more sophisticated understanding of ethics for the purposes of: (1)increasing sensitivity to ethical issues; (2)developing an appreciation for the complexity of ethics; and, (3)enhancing the ability to effectively grapple with ethical concepts and problems.
Read Less

Discover how engineering design and engaging, real-world projects can be used to help students learn and apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts.
Read More

Put the ‘E’ in STEM education. Discover how engineering design and engaging, real-world projects can be used to help students learn and apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts.

Apply the Texas Tech University FRAME© engineering design model to provide solutions for favorite hands-on engineering challenges that can be easily applied in classrooms. Learn best practice teaching and assessment techniques to engage students in rigorous learning by integrating content through STEM applications.

Work with experienced instructors to develop an engineering challenge that's tailored for your classroom curriculum. Specific themes for individual workshops (i.e., Physics of Wind Chimes) can be arranged.
Read Less

EiE is creating a research-based, standards-based, and classroom-tested curriculum resource that integrates engineering and technology concepts and skills with elementary science topics.
Read More

The Boston Museum of Science's Engineering is Elementary (EiE) project aims to foster engineering and technological literacy among children. EiE is creating a research-based, standards-based, and classroom-tested curriculum resource that integrates engineering and technology concepts and skills with elementary science topics. EiE materials also connect with literacy, social studies, and mathematics. Through interesting engineering design challenges children are invited to apply their knowledge of science, engineering, and their problem solving skills, as they design, create, and improve possible solutions.

This unit addresses the increasingly important issue of water quality through lessons that teach students about water contamination and the ways that people ensure the quality of their drinking water. Students plan, construct, test, and improve their own water filters.

Upon completion of the training, all participants will receive the Engineering is Elementary Teacher's Guide which includes the storybook, lesson plans, background materials, assessments, and differentiation strategies for ELL, as well as CSCOPE correlations and TEKS alignments.
Read Less

Learn how to include project-based learning into existing teaching models and curricula.
Read More

Learn how to include the Educate Texas (EDTX) project-based learning into existing teaching models and curricula.

Participants will gain an awareness of the essential elements of Project Based Learning by using research based materials and pre-existing PBL models. Participants will experience a whole group project and craft their own individual projects. Each essential element of a project based learning structure will be addressed to facilitate the development of teacher crafted projects.
Read Less

Discover the earth-friendly side of STEM in this workshop dedicated to exploring Environmental Engineering Experimentation using chemistry and biology principles.
Read More

Uncover the greener side of engineering. Discover the earth-friendly side of STEM in this workshop dedicated to exploring Environmental Engineering. Experimentation using chemistry and biology principles, with an emphasis on sustainability through engineering applications, guide participants to clean polluted water to meet EPA drinking standards. Classroom instruction will be supplemented with a field excursion to water treatment facilities.

Emphasis will also be placed on understanding what engineering for sustainability really means. Connections between sustainable engineering and ethical justice will be examined.

Participants will receive a selection of environmental education resources and curriculum materials.

*Available only on the Texas Tech University campus
Read Less

Build a firm foundation for using robotics in your science and technology classrooms as you design and build with Lego® Mindstorms® NXT.
Read More

Build a solid foundation for using robotics in the K-12 classroom.

Find out how you can use robotics in your science and technology classrooms as you build with Lego® Mindstorms® NXT. Then watch your creations come alive using the interactive Lego® Mindstorms® Education Software designed for easy point-and-click programming.

During this five-day workshop, participants will investigate the SUPER6 components of Lego® robotics: Lego® Mindstorms® NXT brick, Lego® Mindstorms® Education software, design journal, robot construction, programming and problem solving.

Teachers will also be provided guidance on how to discuss potential robotics applications and the ethical issues these applications are likely to introduce.

Teachers will leave prepared to start a robotics program at the campus or district level with lesson plans designed to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts with an inquiry-based approach.
Read Less

Expand your construction and programming skills as you explore the full classroom potential of robotics with Lego® Mindstorms® NXT.
Read More

Learn project-based strategies for integrating robotics into the K-12 curriculum. Hone your construction and programming skills as you explore the full classroom potential of robotics with Lego® Mindstorms® NXT. Designed for hands-on learning, Lego Mindstorms® NXT provides project-based opportunities that reach across subject areas and scale vertically for students of all ages.

Learn to develop robotics curriculum activities for interdisciplinary, technology-driven instruction. Build on previous robotics training and discover ways to get more out of robotics by making it part of the classroom STEM curriculum. Specific themes for individual workshops can be arranged.

Teachers will leave prepared to start a robotics program at the campus or district level with lesson plans designed to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts with an inquiry-based approach.

Teachers will also spend time critically discussing some of the ethical issues raised in the development and use of robots. Discussions will touch upon the ethical dimensions of software programming, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the social impacts of robots.
Read Less

Have fun learning about the forces and underlying physics that determine stability in rockets by seeing their effects on rockets that you will design and build during this workshop.
Read More

Have fun learning about the forces and underlying physics that determine stability in rockets by seeing their effects on rockets that you will design and build during this workshop. Experience the excitement and engagement of project-based teaching and learning as you explore and apply a range of STEM knowledge and skills necessary to resolve design problems and predict the performance of your rockets.

Topics include the history of rocketry, design principles, safety, rocketry organizations and competitions, as well as the basic physics and mathematics that relate to rocketry such as Bernoulli’s Principle, Newton’s Laws of Motion, etc. The characteristics and considerations for various kinds of rocket propulsion are discussed — from air-powered stomp rockets to ammonium perchlorate composite motors used in high-power rocketry. Other topics include such as cost, safety, launch procedures, regulations, locating mentors and launch sites, and other practical considerations. Participants also learn to use simulation software to test and refine the design and performance characteristics of their rockets.

Participants take home a five seat, site license of the RockSim simulation software, materials for several rockets, and workbooks and other instructional resources used in the workshop.
Read Less

Move beyond basic rocket kits in this course focused on bigger rockets capable of flying faster and carrying payloads.
Read More

Move beyond basic rocket kits in this course focused on bigger rockets capable of flying faster and carrying payloads.

Learn how to safely build and launch rockets with the capability of carrying on-board experiments as you earn the certification necessary to incorporate these projects into your classroom.

Participants receive a Tripoli Rocketry Association membership and supplies needed to complete a 48” tall rocket. Upon successful launch and recovery of their rocket, participants may be certified as Level 1 members of the Tripoli Rocketry Association.
Read Less

Prepare to become a Project Based Learning (PBL) Super STAAR!
Read More

Participants attending this four-day professional development training will participate in a series of interactive workshops that provide in-depth trainings including: cross-curricular connections; standards based curricula; STAAR and EOC exams; literacy/writing to learn; team building and integrating content material; incorporating engineering design and technology; understanding ethics and diversity; project based learning; implementing critical thinking, writing, and researching skills; data collection and journaling; and learning outcomes and assessments.

This workshop integrates aligned physics and algebra concepts into an energy design-based project. Wind turbines are used to model one form of energy. Other forms and economic feasibility are included in discussions and lesson design. Teachers will design lessons (paper or digital) appropriate for their curriculum, grade level and classrooms. Economics, ethics and writing will be included to make the curriculum real to life.

In the environmental economics component of this workshop you will learn about why pollution and pollution abatement are a pressing concern for both society and business. The intricate relationship between profitability and social responsibility will be discussed with an eye towards incentive mechanisms that drive the development of renewable energy generation.

Though not always emphasized or recognized, ethics is an integral part of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The development and deployment of technology, for example, often raises many ethical issues. Some of these issues are fairly straightforward while others are subtler and very complex. It is, therefore, important that educators help prepare their students for the ethical challenges they will face; whether as STEM professionals or citizens in our modern society.

In the ethics portion of this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to engage some of the issues alluded to above. We will first define what ethics is and discuss several distinctions that are critical to teaching ethics. Participants will learn about both engineering and environmental ethics with an emphasis on how both relate to the project for this workshop. Participants will be asked to identify and discuss the ethical dimensions of wind and other forms of alternative energy. Finally, participants will have the opportunity to develop specific strategies for incorporating ethics into their current curricula. Interdisciplinary discussions are encouraged. We believe an integrated approach to this content will be most effective.

The math and science concepts will be introduced and outlined before the project begins and emphasized again during the design and build phase of the project.

Effective STEM teaching starts with classroom strategies grounded in solid pedagogy.
Read More

Effective STEM teaching starts with classroom strategies grounded in solid pedagogy. Learn strategies for Concept Development (inductive), Concept Attainment, Suchmann Inquiry and other inquiry-based teaching methods.
Read Less

Redefine your understanding of instructional technology as you explore the spectrum of online and computer-based tools available for classroom teaching.
Read More

Redefine your understanding of instructional technology as you explore the spectrum of online and computer-based tools available for classroom teaching.

Designed to close the technology gap that often exists between teachers and their students, the workshop will explore blogs, podcasts, online chats and a variety of Web 2.0 software applications. Participants will look a the teaching merits of new media technology and discuss the possible pitfalls of using cutting-edge technology in the classroom.
Read Less

This workshop takes a practical, hands-on approach to teaching engineering design in a high school setting.
Read More

Discover the roots of engineering and its contributions to society. The engineering method is revealed as both intuitive and practical. This workshop dispels a multitude of myths about the engineering profession and makes the engineering profession accessible to anyone who is interested in making the world a better place to live. A specialized knowledge of mathematics, physics or science is not required to attend.

The topics presented in the workshop address the "Test Framework for Field 174: Mathematics/Physical Science/Engineering K-12 with an emphasis on Domains XI and XII." The text for the workshop is the NRC Publication: Engineering in K-12 Education – Understanding the Status and Improving the Prospects. This publication emphasizes engineering design as the key approach to learning.

The workshop takes a practical, hands-on approach to teaching engineering design in a high school setting. The key strategy is reverse engineering of an existing consumer product. Four hours per day are devoted to presentation and discussion following by four hours per day of hands-on activities. The total duration of the workshop is 60 hours over a two week period.

During Week 1 the hands-on activities involve small group learning connected with reverse engineering an existing consumer product and developing an engineering design specification. Each step of the reverse engineering process is keyed to one of the daily topics. At the end of Week 1 the participants have completed the "laboratory" work involved in reverse engineering of an existing consumer product. The workshop is writing and communications intensive.

During Week 2 the focus shifts to the engineering profession. Participants continue to work on the reverse engineering specification as a background task while additional factors are brought into focus such as professionalism and ethics. By the end of Week 2 the participants complete their engineering design specification and are ready for presentations. Each day during Week 2 provides time for the participants to "consult" with the workshop leaders on topics needed to complete their design specification. By the end of the workshop the participants are well versed in Domains XI and XII of the test framework and able to direct project based learning exercises using reverse engineering to present engineering design concepts and habits of mind.

Workshop participants will be given the opportunity to reflect on the ethical issues that arise in engineering and will be provided guidance on how to facilitate meaningful ethics discussions with students. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the social impact of engineering and the importance of cultivating sounds engineering judgment.
Read Less