Professional Development Workshops

GP STEM Staff have been busy at providing professional development for several happy clients who include:

June, 2013

SEPUP:Waste Disposal:Computers and the Environment June 17-18,2013
(Middle School and High School)
A curriculum based on issue-oriented problems. This workshop will address the concerns of electronic wastes and finding potential solutions to the problem. The module and lab experiences include investigations on how we produce toxic waste,reclaiming waste through metal replacement, investigating sanitary landfills, recycling, reuse, and source reduction. The module provides an opportunity to use scientific inquiry and assist students in learning 21st Century Skills of Critical thinking skills, Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication. Each teacher will receive a module binder for implementation in their classroom.
VCSU STEM ED 700 #9381 $125/$75*

Check out the SEPUP-LabAids website to learn more...


STEM Picture Perfect Science Lessons June 24-25,2013
(Grades 1-5)
The appeal of children's picture books with standards-based science content, and the identification of STEM are used to teach in the elementary classroom. Each book is accompanied with science activities, teacher strategies that combine science and reading in a natural way, and provide easy-to-grasp background in physical science, life science, and earth and space science. During the workshop teachers will be assisted in identifying the STEM connection for their classroom. Each teacher will receive the book Picture Perfect Science Lessons that contains strategies and lessons for each of the children's books.
VCSU STEM ED 700 #9383 $125/$75*

Learn more about the Picture Perfect series that is available through NSTA.org


STEM Building Math:Everest Trek (Museum of Science,Boston) June 25-26,2013
(Middle School)
The Building Math: Everest workshop provides participants with innovative practices for integrating engineering with math to help middle school students develop algebraic thinking. Everest puts the students on a quest to climb Mt. Everest with three challenges to design a coat to survive cold temperatures, build a model bridge to go over crevasses, and a zip line to get off of the mountain. All exercises require the use of Critical thinking skills, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication. The module blends the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to make it an application of STEM unit. Modules identify and address Math Common Core Standards. Each teacher will receive the module (Lesson book and strategies). VCSU STEM ED 700 #9384 $150/$100*

Building Math Series website...


SEPUP:Investigating Food Safety June 27-28,2013
(Middle School/High School)
A curriculum based on issue-oriented problems in regards to Investigating Food Safety. The module and lab experience includes introducing food-borne illness, optimum conditions for microbial growth, inhibiting microbial growth, chemicals in foods, vitamin C titration, and testing for pesticides. Yeast is used for microbial growth and testing of chemicals and pesticides is done through hands on simulations. Each of the teachers will receive the binder for Investigating Food Safety.
VCSU STEM ED 700 #9385 $125/$75*

Check out the SEPUP-LabAids website to learn more...


July, 2013

STEM Picture Perfect Science Lessons July 8-9,2013
(Grades 1-5)
The appeal of children's picture books with standards-based science content, and the identification of STEM are used to teach in the elementary classroom. Each book is accompanied with science activities, teacher strategies that combine science and reading in a natural way, and provide easy-to-grasp background in physical science, life science, and Earth and space science. During the workshop teachers will be assisted in identifying the STEM connection for their classroom. Each teacher will receive the book Picture Perfect Science Lessons that contains strategies and lessons for each of the children's books.
VCSU STEM ED 700 #9386 $125/$75*

Learn more about the Picture Perfect series that is available through NSTA.org


STEM Building Math:Stranded (Museum of Science,Boston) July 15-16,2013
(Middle School)
The Building Math: Stranded workshop provides participants with innovative practices for integrating engineering with math to help middle school students develop algebraic thinking and geometry concepts. Stranded puts students on an isolated island in the South Pacific through the use of engineering and math students are able to take on the challenges of "Where are We?", designing shelter, how to collect drinkable water, and balancing a boat to get off the island. All the challenges require the use of Critical thinking skills, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication. The module blends the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to make it an application of a STEM unit. Modules identify and address Math Common Core Standards. Each teacher will receive the module (Lesson book and strategies).
VCSU STEM ED 700 #9388 $150/$100*

Building Math Series website...


Building Math:Amazon Mission (Museum of Science,Boston) July 18-19
(Middle School)
The Building Math: Amazon Mission workshop provides participants with innovative practices for integrating engineering with math to help middle school students develop algebraic thinking, geometry concepts,identify the constant of proportionality in tables, equations, and diagrams. Amazon challenges students to help the Yanomami tribe in the Amazon jungle. The challenges include designing a carrier to transport medicine, design a water filter that can filter out at least 75% of the mercury, design a plan for interventions in a virus outbreak. All the challenges require the use of Critical thinking skills, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication. The module blends the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to make it an application of a STEM unit. Modules identify and address State Common Core Standards. Each teacher will receive the module (Lesson book and strategies).
VCSU STEM ED 700 #9389 $150/$100*

Building Math Series website...


STEM-LEGO Mind storms NXT & FIRST Lego League July 22,2013
(Middle School and High School)
In groups of 2-3, participants in this workshop build and program real-life robotic solutions. The software is icon based and incorporates a Robot Educator step by step guide to programming, from beginner to advanced levels. FIRST Lego League is for potential leaders to help them introduce their students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.
VCSU STEM ED 700 #9390 $100/$50*


STEM-Engineering is Elementary (Museum of Science,Boston) The Best of Bugs: Designing Hand Pollinators July 23-24,2013
(Grades 1-5)
This workshop aims to foster engineering and technological literacy among children using a research-based, standards-driven, and classroom-tested curriculum from the Boston Museum of Science that integrates engineering and technology concepts and skills with elementary science topics. This workshop promotes K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, but also connects with literacy and social studies. Some of the units covered include Just Passing Through:Designing Model Membranes; Water, Water, Everywhere:Designing water filters; Thinking inside the Box:Designing Plant Packages; Now You're Cooking:Designing Solar Ovens; To Get to the other side:Designing Bridges plus other units available. Each school participating will get their choice of one of the module binders.
VCSU STEM ED 700 #9391 $125/$75*

To learn more about Engineering is Elementary materials...


SEPUP:Groundwater Contamination:Trouble in Fruitvale July 25-26,2013
(Middle School and High School)
This is a module based on issue-oriented problems. Participants are introduced to Fruitvale's water problem and asked to find a potential solution to the water contamination. Through inquiry investigations participants are assisted in understanding ground water, exploring the water cycle, interpreting various types of maps(street, topographic, and geologic cross sections), modeling groundwater contamination, and testing for pollutant concentrations and potential solutions to groundwater contamination. The module provides an opportunity to use scientific inquiry and assist students in learning 21st Century Skills of Critical thinking skills, Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication. Each school will receive a complete module for implementation in their school.
VCSU STEM ED 700 *9392 $125/$75*

Check out the SEPUP-LabAids website to learn more...


STEM-Engineering is Elementary (Museum of Science,Boston) An Alarming Idea:Designing Alarm Circuits plus other Physical Science Modules July 30-31,2013
(Grades 1-5)
This workshop aims to foster engineering and technological literacy among children using a research-based, standards-driven, and classroom-tested curriculum from the Boston Museum of Science that integrates engineering and technology concepts and skills with elementary science topics. This workshop promotes K-6 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, but also connects with literacy and social studies. Some of the units covered include The Attraction is Obvious:Designing Maglev Systems; Lighten Up:Designing Lighting Systems; A Slick Solution:Cleaning an Oil Spill; and Bubble Bonanza:Engineering a Bubble Wand. Each school participating will get their choice of one of the module binders.
VCSU STEM ED 700 #9393 $125/$75*

To learn more about Engineering is Elementary materials...


August, 2013

STEM-Engineering is Elementary (Museum of Science,Boston) It's a Long Way Down:Designing Parachutes plus other Earth and Space Science August 1-2,2013
(Grades 1-5)
This workshop aims to foster engineering and technological literacy among children using a research-based, standards-driven, and classroom-tested curriculum from the Boston Museum of Science that integrates engineering and technology concepts and skills with elementary science topics. This workshop promotes K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, but also connects with literacy and social studies. Some of the units covered include Catching the Wind:Designing Windmills; A Stick in the Mud:Evaluating a Landscape; Sounds Like Fun:Seeing Animal Sounds; plus many other units available. Each school participating will get their choice of one of the module binders.
VCSU STEM ED 700 #9394 $125/$75*

To learn more about Engineering is Elementary materials...

*Graduate Continuing Credit/non-credit costs shown for each, e.g. $125/$75.

NOTE:All 2-day workshops will be available for one Continuing Education Credit at an additional cost of $50.00. Most workshops can be taught at your location (minimum of 10 participants, maximum of 15 participants).

Please contact Gary Ketterling , our Great Plains STEM Education Center Coordinator with any questions or
to register online visit here.