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STEM Professional Development
Supporting Equitable and Engaging Science Learning
IslandWood’s free professional development courses provide science teaching strategies to increase equity, student engagement, and student understanding needed to address climate change.
Courses are eligible for STEM clock hours, implementation stipends, and are free thanks to funding through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) ClimeTime initiative.
STEM Clock Hours and $300 stipends are available for all teachers upon successful completion of each course. Clock Hours must be claimed and paid for through pdEnroller. Please contact Brad Street at [email protected] for any questions about claiming your clock hours or stipend.
We provide professional development opportunities for K – 8th grade teachers.
All of our courses include:
- Ideas for application in both classroom and distance learning settings.
- Conversations around how to embed equity and justice in your teaching.
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.
Free Upcoming Courses and Workshops
Community-Centered Climate Action
3rd – 5th Grade Teachers | Mar 2 – May 25
Schoolyard Science Storyline:
What Makes a Weed a Weed?
3rd – 5th Grade Teachers | Mar 29 – Jun 2
“This course has made me realize, first and foremost, about the inequities and injustices in science education. I now realize I must be much more intentional in providing instruction that is accessible to all students and to be sure their voices, stories, perspectives and background knowledge are heard, considered in the planning of my curriculum and instruction and that they have equitable access to all curriculum.”
– Professional Development Course Participant
Teacher Working Group
Localizing Amplify Science
IslandWood, Puget Sound ESD, and Olympic ESD are looking for experienced K-8 teachers, TOSAs and District Science Leads to be a part of a year-long working group that will develop materials to support local connections in Amplify Science Units. STEM clock hours, a stipend, and a summer stay at IslandWood are included in the Working Group!
K-8th Grade Teachers | August 2022 – July 2023
“I would recommend Islandwood as partners in developing science units because of their focus and expertise in bringing in local phenomena, connecting with science standards, and the wealth of resources they provide.
Their emphasis on hands-on, outdoor learning experiences engage all students and help them see themselves as scientists who can make their own claims using evidence in their environment to support their ideas. Students are not just engaged during the lesson or unit, but develop a curiosity about the world around them and the changes they observe to become lifelong learners who see the world through the lens of a scientist .
This is not a one and done experience, but carries the learning throughout the year. 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 F., Teacher, Emerald Heights Elementary School
OUR IMPACT
INCREASING CLIMATE LITERACY.
91% of teachers reported feeling more prepared to incorporate climate science into their teaching after participating in our professional development, up from just 41% prior to participation.
SUPPORTING JUST AND EQUITABLE EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS.
96% of teachers reported increased confidence in their ability to support equitable and just science education, up from 46%.
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.
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.
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