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.


Results 1 - 10 of 71 matches

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.

Content Area: Earth Science, Environmental Science
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

G-Camp
G-Camp is a 14-day field camp for 5th - 12th grade science teachers that provides first-hand experience with the principles of geology in the field, helps you develop new curriculum and virtual fieldtrips for your classroom, and makes learning fun and exciting out-of-doors. This field experience puts you on the outcrops through Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. G-Camp is only run face-to-face. CEU's are currently being developed by the Texas A&M Education department. Applications are due near the end of April and only 30 teachers will be selected to attend G-Camp, see the website for more information about the registration process, daily activities, etc.

Content Area: Earth Science, Geology, Environmental Science
Grade Level: Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Free, Optional cost, Stipend paid, Expenses paid
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.

Content Area: Earth Science, Environmental Science
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

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

Content Area: Earth Science, Geology, Space Science / Astronomy
Grade Level: Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: January to May, September to December
Cost: Free
Professional Development Format: Online only

Science in the Virtual Pub
Science in the Virtual & Actual Pub is a twice monthly program where you can grab a drink and engage in some friendly science! Join us on second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7:00 pm Eastern from September through May, excepting holidays.Topics range widely from the science of puppetry to the social life of ants, but the most common issues addressed are climate, energy, paleontology and evolution.

Content Area: Earth Science, Geology, Environmental Science, Space Science / Astronomy
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: January to May, September to December
Cost: Free
Professional Development Format: Online only

Introducing the Earth Science of the Northwest-Central & Midwestern United States on Earth@Home
Rich with interactive content about Earth and its life, climate, energy, geology, paleontology, and the ways in which Earth systems interact, PRI's website, Earth@Home is your home for learning and teaching Earth systems science.Visit the site at: https://earthathome.org/hoe/Join us to learn about this free and growing set of resources for you and your students.Earth@Home includes a new and growing collection of online interactive textbooks, virtual field guides, 3D models of specimens, virtual laboratory and fieldwork activities, and more.

Content Area: Earth Science, Geology, Environmental Science
Grade Level: Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: September to December
Cost: Free
Professional Development Format: Online only

Pop-Up Working Group: Review The Essential Principles of Climate Literacy
Join in this interactive discussion to dig into The Essential Principles of Climate Literacy as they exist now and think about how they can be useful moving forward. Climate Generation and many other non-profits, government agencies, environmental educators and teachers have used the principles to align climate change resources and programming for years. The authors of this document are calling for public feedback on an updated version of the principles. This review is a great opportunity to ensure the principles reflect the current state of climate change and justice education. A document will be developed from this discussion which participants can use to inform their own review.

Content Area: Earth Science, Environmental Science
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: January to May
Cost: Free
Professional Development Format: Online only

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.

Content Area: Earth Science, Environmental Science
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 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

Content Area: Earth Science, Environmental Science
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

STEM Teacher Leadership Academy 2023
Join this inaugural 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 teacher 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 and educational resources for their classroom.The Academy will take place on-site in Washington, D.C., and Chantilly, Virginia from Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Applications are due by March 15, 2023.

Content Area: Space Science / Astronomy
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Stipend paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only