Environmental Education Professional Development
Supporting Equitable and Engaging Science Learning
Our professional development opportunities are designed to support place-based, culturally responsive learning experiences that connect to students’ lives and communities. In this time of increasing awareness and activism, we are joining with teachers in working to address the vast racial, economic, and environmental disparities in our communities and classrooms.
Through our courses, workshops, and individualized planning sessions, we hope that you’ll join us in creating community, sharing resources, and building a way forward together within the unpredictable landscape of remote teaching and learning, collective anti-racist action, and a growing commitment to addressing climate change through an intersectional lens.
As a result of our workshops, teachers will:
- Incorporate local phenomena and NGSS Science and Engineering Practices into science units
- Practice the use of NGSS-aligned teaching practice and pedagogy while investigating locally relevant phenomena
- Use the schoolyard and local community as a learning space
- Understand how using local phenomena, engineering design, and community-based engineering projects supports greater equity in science learning
- Incorporate climate science and water systems content into science units
- Share ideas and resources with other educators (formal and informal) to support students
STEM Clock Hours are available for both courses and workshops, pending approval. Stipends will also be provided to teachers upon successful completion of each course. Clock Hours must be claimed and paid for through pdEnroller. Please contact Brad Street at brads@islandwood.org for any questions about claiming your Clock Hours or stipend.
All of our workshops and courses include:
- Ideas for application in both classroom and distance learning settings.
- Conversations around how to embed equity and justice in your teaching.
- Clock hours (pending approval from educational service districts). You will need to claim and pay for clock hours online after completing each workshop.
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)* call for students to use the practices, concepts and content of science and engineering to understand phenomena and solve problems that are relevant to their lives. Starting from a student’s own experiences and community makes the science meaningful and increases engagement while helping students understand how global issues like climate change are present and addressable in their lives. In our courses and workshops, we examine how you can use the new science standards and your community to understand and address real world environmental problems and explore together how to integrate NGSS into your district’s classroom science units.
* Next Generation Science Standards is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this PD series, and do not endorse it.
“I was feeling really insecure about switching to NGSS, but after this planning session I’m really looking forward to engaging my students with engineering practices and watching them problem-solve real issues in our environment.”
– Teacher
For Elementary Teachers
When it comes to science education, one size doesn’t fit all. That’s even more true during a global pandemic, when learning environments vary widely by district, school, and classroom.
This spring, we’re offering three new professional development opportunities to meet teachers exactly where they are. Whether you’re teaching in person or online, following a national curriculum or have more flexibility, working with students in grades K-2 or 3-5, we’re here to help you navigate the changing landscape of teaching science during COVID-19.
Read on to find the option that works best for you!
COURSES
When | Begins March 6, 2021
Who | K – 2 Teachers
Clock Hours | Teachers who complete the course can earn up to 10 STEM Clock Hours.
Stipend: Washington state public school teachers will receive a $400 stipend upon completion of the course.
Incorporating your schoolyard into your classroom can be a powerful tool for meaningful and engaging science learning. Local and relevant phenomena can connect to student’s prior knowledge, better reflect their interests and identities, and help engage all students in science. Plus, taking learning outdoors reduces COVID-19 risk!
In this online course, IslandWood staff will share strategies for schoolyard science learning, and easy-to-use activities that incorporate core Science and ELA Standards. You’ll join IslandWood educators and fellow teachers for an introductory online session to try out a few activities and make a plan for implementing outside learning with your students. Then, you’ll have two weeks to implement an outside activity with your students before coming back together as a group to debrief and brainstorm next steps. We’ll meet again a month later to discuss your experiences and take about lessons you can carry forward into future science units.
When | Begins March 13, 2021
Who | 3 – 5 Teachers
Clock Hours | Teachers who complete the course can earn up to 10 STEM Clock Hours.
Stipend: Washington state public school teachers will receive a $400 stipend upon completion of the course.
Unlock students’ wonder by using your own schoolyard or local community to provide endless opportunities for rich learning. Join islandWood educators and fellow teachers as we use a simple clump of dandelions to anchor a Next Generation Science Standards-aligned storyline that will get your students outside and engaged with science this spring. We’ll provide the activities to implement in our initial workshop, as well as a chance to debrief and adapt with other 3-5 grade teachers in subsequent sessions.
WORKSHOPS
When | March 27 from 9am – 12pm
Who | K-12 Grade Teachers
Clock Hours | Teachers who complete this workshop can earn up to 2 STEM clock hours.
The workshop will center on a key aspect of being an effective, inclusive educator: self-exploration and reflection. We will use concepts from education and social justice scholarship to discuss how our identities impact our teaching, explore our approach to education and passion for this work, and clarify our role in creating equitable learning opportunities for our students.
When | April 22 from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Who | K-12 Grade Teachers
Clock Hours | Teachers who complete this workshop can earn up to 2 STEM clock hours.
This workshop supports teachers in locating and organizing local assets to be used in phenomenon-based science instruction. By engaging with neighborhood resources and opportunities, students will gain access to an empowering tool for problem-solving and build investment in science and engineering. We’ll work on strategies for teachers to use (with or without students) to create and utilize a community asset map.
FOCUSED SUPPORTS
We know that making science relevant and meaningful to students is crucial for their learning, and that many teachers are finding it difficult to make those connections when implementing national curriculums that use generic phenomena that don’t connect to students’ lived experiences. Are you implementing or supporting a science curriculum that was built for a national audience? Have you been wondering how to make it more relevant and meaningful for your students? Collaborate with IslandWood educators to incorporate local phenomena and investigations into your science unit.
Fill out this form to submit your request. We’ll follow up to schedule two zoom sessions with you and your team (and/or other teachers implementing the same curriculum). We’ll then collaborate on brainstorming engaging, locally-relevant you can incorporate into your science unit.
Washington State Public School employees who move forward with adapting their curriculum can receive an implementation stipend of up to $200 dollars.
For Middle School Teachers
Explore courses, workshops, and individualized supports designed for middle school teachers.
COURSES
By popular demand, we have added a second cohort of our Community Science professional development course!
When | Beginning April 24 from 10 am – 2:30 pm
Who | 6-12 Grade Teachers
Clock Hours | Teachers who complete this course can earn up to 9 STEM clock hours.
During this course, you will explore with IslandWood staff and other teachers how local phenomena and investigations in YOUR community can be centered in a Next Generation Science Standards storyline to connect to the interests and identities of your students and support understanding of the impact of climate change.
WORKSHOPS
When | March 27 from 9am – 12pm
Who | K-12 Grade Teachers
Clock Hours | Teachers who complete this workshop can earn up to 2 STEM clock hours.
The workshop will center on a key aspect of being an effective, inclusive educator: self-exploration and reflection. We will use concepts from education and social justice scholarship to discuss how our identities impact our teaching, explore our approach to education and passion for this work, and clarify our role in creating equitable learning opportunities for our students.
When | April 22 from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Who | K-12 Grade Teachers
Clock Hours | Teachers who complete this workshop can earn up to 2 STEM clock hours.
This workshop supports teachers in locating and organizing local assets to be used in phenomenon-based science instruction. By engaging with neighborhood resources and opportunities, students will gain access to an empowering tool for problem-solving and build investment in science and engineering. We’ll work on strategies for teachers to use (with or without students) to create and utilize a community asset map.
FOCUSED SUPPORTS
We know that making science relevant and meaningful to students is crucial for their learning, and that many teachers are finding it difficult to make those connections when implementing national curriculums that use generic phenomena that don’t connect to students’ lived experiences. Are you implementing or supporting a science curriculum that was built for a national audience? Have you been wondering how to make it more relevant and meaningful for your students? Collaborate with IslandWood educators to incorporate local phenomena and investigations into your science unit.
Fill out this form to submit your request. We’ll follow up to schedule two zoom sessions with you and your team (and/or other teachers implementing the same curriculum). We’ll then collaborate on brainstorming engaging, locally-relevant you can incorporate into your science unit.
Washington State Public School employees who move forward with adapting their curriculum can receive an implementation stipend of up to $200 dollars.
For High School Teachers
Explore courses, workshops, and individualized supports designed for high school teachers.
COURSES
By popular demand, we have added a second cohort of our Community Science professional development course!
When | Beginning April 24 from 10 am – 2:30 pm
Who | 6-12 Grade Teachers
Clock Hours | Teachers who complete this course can earn up to 9 STEM clock hours.
During this course, you will explore with IslandWood staff and other teachers how local phenomena and investigations in YOUR community can be centered in a Next Generation Science Standards storyline to connect to the interests and identities of your students and support understanding of the impact of climate change.
WORKSHOPS
When | March 20 from 10am – 12pm
Who | K-12 Grade Teachers
Clock Hours | Teachers who complete this workshop can earn up to 2 STEM clock hours.
We interact with water systems every day, but don’t often think about how the water on our streets, under our streets, and in our homes is connected and impacts our regional ecosystem – and how climate change will impact each of those systems. Join IslandWood staff to uncover the often-hidden water systems in our region, and collaborate with fellow teachers to brainstorm ways to integrate this content and related phenomena into your teaching.
When | March 27 from 9am – 12pm
Who | K-12 Grade Teachers
Clock Hours | Teachers who complete this workshop can earn up to 2 STEM clock hours.
The workshop will center on a key aspect of being an effective, inclusive educator: self-exploration and reflection. We will use concepts from education and social justice scholarship to discuss how our identities impact our teaching, explore our approach to education and passion for this work, and clarify our role in creating equitable learning opportunities for our students.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & COURSES
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP: MAPPING COMMUNITY ASSETS
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: COMMUNITY SCIENCE
“The workshop is a great way to deepen understanding of the NGSS and to recognize opportunities to connect learning to local phenomena.”
– Kristen Soltman, teacher at Louisa Boren STEM K-8
OUR IMPACT
WHEN STUDENTS SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN THEIR EDUCATION, THEY THRIVE.
After participating in our professional development workshops, 96% percent of teachers reported an increased ability to connect to their students’ interests and identities, up from just 56% before. Learning that connects to students’ lives fosters deeper engagement, honors multiple ways of knowing, and helps students synthesize information better.
30+ SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 100+ SCHOOLS. 300+ TEACHERS. 8,000+ STUDENTS.
Each year, our teacher professional development courses create an exponential ripple of positive change and care for the environment.
“It got me thinking about how I can use students’ home environments to help them discover natural phenomena and develop their own scientific questions to explore and research based on what they are curious about.”
– Chantal Fleck, 2nd and 3rd Grade Teacher, Emerald Heights Elementary School
Our teacher professional development opportunities are made possible thanks to generous support from King County and a grant from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Environmental Education Professional Development Environmental Education Professional Development Environmental Education Professional Development Environmental Education Professional Development Environmental Education Professional Development Environmental Education Professional Development
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