Berkshire Region (MA) 2022 Summer Professional Development Institute for Grades 3-8 Educators

Does taking field trips, conducting experiments, learning directly from scientists and STEM professionals, and connecting with fellow educators from across the state sound like a fun way to spend a week this summer?

Join the Wade Institute for Science Education and our collaborating partners Housatonic Valley Association, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Berkshire Environmental Action Team, and Hoosic River Watershed Association for a unique, graduate level course. Engage in  hands-on, minds-on, inquiry-based investigations and increase your STEM content knowledge! Connect with scientists, engineers, and STEM professionals, and work with educators at our collaborating partner institutions to explore real-world phenomena through standards-aligned, hands-on, minds-on investigations that you can bring back to your classroom. 

What affects water quality in rivers that flow through your community? Investigate first-hand how important our watersheds are and what it takes to protect them as we visit mountain, forest, river, and stream habitats. Explore a variety of methods for investigating a watershed. Sample macroinvertebrates, learn water quality monitoring techniques and explore how communities use green infrastructure to improve the health of a watershed. Put science and engineering design practices to work as you participate in citizen science projects that your students can engage with to protect watersheds in your area.

Throughout the course, instructors will weave pedagogy through the science content, highlighting ways to shift your lessons towards inquiry, incorporate the Science & Engineering Practices, and implement phenomena-based units. Earn Professional Development Points and optional graduate credit while you connect and collaborate with educators, scientists, engineers, and STEM professionals. You’ll leave the course with investigations to bring your new science and engineering knowledge into your classroom!

Learn more and register at Wade Institute for Science Education!