Professional Development
The STEM Connection provides professional development to empower educators and youth workers by sharing STEM content knowledge, developing STEM practices, and building confidence to provide more meaningful STEM experiences for children.
Due to Covid-19, our current Professional Development opportunities have shifted to virtual opportunities.
Upcoming Webinars include:
Click on webinar title to register.
Best Practices for Outdoor Learning: August 20, 2020 4:00 p.m. Educational institutions and youth-serving organizations are in the process of determining the best ways to reopen schools for students and provide educational opportunities for youth in safe and healthy ways in response to the COVID-19 health crisis of 2020. One idea getting a lot of attention and consideration is the utilization of outdoor learning spaces. Join us to learn more about the benefits of and best practices for outdoor learning and begin planning how you can utilize outdoor learning spaces to positively impact the youth and families you serve.
Unplugged Coding: September 17, 2020 4:00 p.m. The Indiana Strategic Plan for Computer Science Education in Indiana states “After June 30, 2021, every school in Indiana will include computer science in the school’s curriculum for students in kindergarten through grade 12.” Not all computer science education needs to be taught using electronic devices. Join us to learn more about how to get a jumpstart on implementing computer science educational opportunities through the use of hands-on unplugged coding activities.
STEM and Literacy: October 15, 2020 4:00 p.m. Using literature connections in conjunction with STEM experiences fosters interest in STEM disciplines, encourages curiosity and creativity, and helps students develop positive STEM identities. Join us to learn more about the benefits of connecting STEM and children’s literature and how to create effective STEM lessons based on children’s literature.
STEM and PBL Connect for Success: November 19, 2020 4:00 p.m. Join us to learn more about STEM and Project-Based Learning, how STEM, Project-Based Learning, and the engineering design process are aligned and can be used together, and how to implement Project-Based Learning opportunities through hands-on STEM experiences for youth.
Professional Development Workshops
We know science, technology, engineering, and math have an ever-increasing role in our world, and STEM experiences provide an opportunity to engage students early in their academic journeys in order to increase interest in and build positive attitudes toward STEM disciplines. The STEM Connection compliments and supplements current STEM curriculum and programs. We expect to offer in-person and virtual PD opportunities in the Fall.
PD Workshop Offerings for 2020 Include:
STEM for Today and Tomorrow
STEM and Nature – The Perfect Match
STEM and PBL Connect for Success
Engaging Students (Youth) with the Engineering Design Process
STEM Quick Wins
STEM Professional Development Workshops
Brilliant Books: Using Children’s Literature to Positively Impact Youth
How to Host a Family STEM Event
Developing a STEM School Identity
STEM by the Numbers
The training has excellent content and well-paced. Angela tailored the presentation to our needs and provided our teaching artists with useful materials that prompt further thinking on how to integrate the Arts in teaching STEM concepts. – Ploi Pagdalian, Senior Director of Programs, Arts for Learning
Pike Township has partnered with The STEM Connection for summer programming, field trips, after-school clubs, STEM kit distribution, and professional development. They continue to be thoughtful in meeting the needs of our students, teachers, and our community by offering rich, engaging opportunities in all that they do. All staff is knowledgeable in STEM teaching and learning and goes above and beyond to make STEM education equitable. – Erin Naylor, District STEM Coach at MSD Pike Township
The team at The STEM Connection immediately engaged all staff members in meaningful dialogue and activities that effectively created a sense of ownership in STEM education for all students. Through a series of realistic examples, our staff felt supported and encouraged to explore after the professional development experience. – Eric Schommer, Principal, St. Monica Catholic School