K-12 Professional Development Opportunities
This resource is the brain child of the NGSS-ESS Working Group, which is a collaboration between the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA), the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), and the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). The mission of this collaboration is to support Earth and space science educators in all aspects of NGSS-ESS implementation.
Use the interface below to search through professional development opportunities available for K-12 teachers across a variety of topical areas, grade levels, and formats. The webpages will be updated regularly as new opportunities come up, and old opportunities are retired. If you are associated with a professional development opportunity that should be included in the collection, use the submission form to tell us about it. Please contact Aida Awad, Missy Holzer, or Ed Robeck if you have questions.
Content Area
Grade Level
Cost
- Free 48 matches There is no fee to apply or to take the course.
- Cost to enroll 22 matches There is a fee to apply and/or to take the course.
- Optional cost 2 matches If the course is "free to enroll" but there is optional additional payment (e.g., for credit/CEUs that the participant has the option of having documented.)
- Stipend paid 5 matches Some amount of money is paid to participants for their time.
- Expenses paid 7 matches Some amount of money is provided to offset travel, supplies, and/or other costs.
Professional Development Format
Results 1 - 10 of 71 matches
Teach Earth Fellowships
As Earthwatch's flagship teacher fellowship program, Teach Earth provides selected teachers with an opportunity to field on an all-teacher Earthwatch expedition team. Fellows engage directly in scientific field research alongside leading scientists and participate in facilitated workshops to help translate their field experience into a lesson plan or community action plan for use in their own school or community.
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Free, Stipend paid, Expenses paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only
EPI Yellowstone Winter Teacher Fellowship
This unique professional development opportunity allows participating teachers to experience the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in winter, a time of solitude and beauty that you can't find during the crowded and bustling summer months. Each day, you'll head into the snowy landscape to explore thermal features or collect data about wildlife movements and behavior. EPI's instructors will introduce you to our unique model for creating positive learning environments in the field and applying field science at home.COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:- Observe wild wolves in the world-famous Lamar Valley- Collect data on ungulate species with the National Park Service- Experience Yellowstone's geothermal wonders under snow cover- 40 hours of professional development coursework with a focus on conservation biology, wildlands management, and scientific process.
Grade Level: Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: January to May
Cost: Cost to enroll, Expenses paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only
The Teacher Institute for Watershed Education and Conservation
Join The Ecology School in Maine this July for an engaging and inspiring professional development opportunity. Teachers will be challenged to explore water's connection to human systems and its impacts on the environment. Immersed in field-based ecology lessons, attendees will have opportunities to network and collaborate with colleagues from schools around the country to reimagine their teaching to include outdoor learning, place-based experiences, and community partners. This opportunity is designed for K-8 classroom educators, but others may apply as well (e.g. high school teachers, school administration, non-profit educators, etc.)Offered in two cohorts: attendees will attend either July 17 - 20 or July 27 - 30, 2023. **The Institute is free for teachers, and attendees will receive a 0 stipend and be reimbursed for most travel. Event participation is face-to-face only. Attendees will receive 30 contact hours for participating, and are eligible to receive university credit and an additional 0 stipend for post-Institute implementation. Attendees may also apply for scholarships to cover additional expenses accrued during the training.** "Some of the best PD I've attended and it was right in my own state, I highly recommend!" ~D. Allen"I've been in this profession for 25 years, and this was the most impactful opportunity I've had professionally. And personally!" ~ B. Hallowell
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Free, Stipend paid, Expenses paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only
EPI Costa Rica Teacher Fellowship
EPI's Costa Rica Teacher Fellowship offers an amazing opportunity to engage with Costa Rica's immense biodiversity, both on the coast and in the rainforest. While at our sea turtle reserve, you'll monitor the beach, guided by trained research assistants. Our instructors will introduce youto EPI's unique model for creating positive learning environments in the field and applying field science at home.COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:- Protect leatherback sea turtles- Engage in hands-on research alongside fellow teachers- Hike through biodiversity hotspots- 40 hours of professional development coursework with a focus on sea turtle biology, rainforest ecology, and conservation
Grade Level: Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: January to May
Cost: Cost to enroll, Expenses paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only
EPI Hawaii Educator Course
This onsite Professional Development program takes place in Maui, Hawaii. From the summit of Haleakalā to Maui's colorful coral reefs, the Valley Isle has so much to teach us about endemic species, biodiversity, and our shared connection to the land. Learn to design inquiry-driven, interactive lesson plans for your students as you assist our Hawaiian partners with ongoing research and conservation projects. Come away with a better understanding of environmental literacy and the tools to foster the next generation of environmental stewards.COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:- Camp on Maui's North or West shores- Contribute to ongoing research on fish & reef health- Help restore a traditional Hawaiian village or harvest taroInterested participants can receive 4 graduate credits through the University of Montana for participating in this course. Separate registration and tuition fee are required.
Grade Level: Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Cost to enroll
Professional Development Format: In-Person only
Climate and the Earth System Teacher Workshops
Join the UCAR Center for Science Education at their 2024 Teacher Professional Development workshops aimed at ways to teach students of all ages about climate and the Earth system! Learn more and register at: https://scied.ucar.edu/.../teacher-professional-developmentVirtual workshops will take place in April and include sessions for all grade levels. In-person workshops will take place in June at the NCAR Mesa Lab in Boulder, CO, and will also cover all grade levels.All teachers will receive a certificate of participation. Teachers who attend the in-person workshops in June will also have the option to receive continuing education credit through the Colorado School of Mines.
Grade Level: Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: January to May, June to August
Cost: Free, Cost to enroll, Optional cost
Professional Development Format: Hybrid
STEM Teacher Leadership Academy
Join our second cohort of accomplished STEM educators as they take on deep inquiry and informal learning connections alongside engineers, researchers, and museum specialists. Be a part of a community of leaders who wish to expand upon their practice, engage in reimagined engineering challenges, and return to the classroom feeling energized and empowered.This program is designed for K-12 teachers in the National Capital Region who wish to infuse science, technology, engineering, and math into their lessons and explore interdisciplinary project design. Participants in this program will receive a ,000 stipend, educational resources for the classroom, and 40 continuing education credits. All programming occurs at the National Air and Space Museum July 29-August 2, 2024.
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Free, Stipend paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only
National Summer Teacher Institute on Innovation, STEM and Intellectual Property
The USPTO's National Summer Teacher Institute on Innovation, STEM and Intellectual Property (NSTI) is an excellent opportunity for K-12 educators to learn techniques that foster and unleash the innovator in every student through invention education. The program has no fee for participants, and applications are accepted until March 31 for the summer session from July 16-21 in St. Louis. Intellectual property touches nearly every sector of daily life, so the concepts in the NSTI program are applicable across all educational fields, and the value goes beyond the classroom. At NSTI, educators will build the skills needed to incorporate key intellectual property and STEM topics into their curricula, develop strategies to help students understand and appreciate the importance of innovation and creativity, and commercialize their own inventive works. Participants will work with USPTO experts to explore patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and have access to several "maker spaces" focused on various technologies. Educators will also receive valuable resources to take back to their classrooms, including teaching materials, lesson plans, and activities aligned with national standards. By participating in NSTI, educators will gain valuable knowledge and skills and become part of a network of educators committed to making a positive impact on their students.
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Free
Professional Development Format: In-Person only
Galapagos Islands and Ecuador Andes Mountains
This nine-day (8 night) field trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands will expand your knowledge of plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and volcanic hazards by visiting two textbook settings. The group will visit a volcanic site high in the Andes Mountains before flying together to spend 7 days in the Galapagos Islands. This trip will provide up close and hands-on exploration of volcanic features on three islands across the chain. Sites will include the rim of a shield volcano, lava tunnels in the tropical highlands, lava flows along the seashore, and snorkeling to see submerged features.
Grade Level: Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Cost to enroll
Professional Development Format: In-Person only
Online Earth Science Teacher Education Content & Demonstrations
This intensive, online course will provide basic content material for teachers concerning geology, astronomy, oceanography, and meteorology. Topics include the origin of the universe and the life cycle of stars; the origin of the solar system and its components; the composition and structure of the Earth; plate tectonics; the rock cycle and water cycle, energy resources; the atmosphere, weather, and climate; and Earth's oceans. Participants will receive 6.0 CEUs for 60 clock hours. There is no cost for educators to register for this class--contact our office in order for the registration fee to be waived! cepetroleumtraining@midland.edu or 432-683-2832
Grade Level: Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: January to May, September to December
Cost: Free
Professional Development Format: Online only
