Innovative Educator Workshops provide teachers with the resources and skills they need to expand STEM learning both inside and outside of the classroom. These professional development opportunities are offered by each Hub to assist in expanding high-quality STEM teaching and learning throughout the state.

If you have any questions regarding upcoming workshops, please contact Dr. Gregory Rushton, MTSU at (615)494-8738 or midtnstem@mtsu.edu.

Upcoming Workshops

 

Integrating New Technology “Learning Toys” in Meaningful Ways in STEM Learning

June 20, 2019 at MTSU 

Audience: Elementary Teachers and Early Middle School Teachers in STEM Subjects
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Presenter: Ginger Holmes Rowell, Allison Hardee, Rachel Strayer

During this three hour workshop, teachers will learn about using newer technology-based “toys” to engage students in learning tasks in meaningful ways to promote learning in STEM subjects.  The Middle TN STEM Innovation Hub has a new Lending Library, which includes some of the following technology learning toys:  Class sets of Dash and Dot robots for elementary school children, Spheros, Ozobots, and Edison coding robots.  In small groups, teachers will select the technology that is most appropriate for their grade level, learn how to use it in their class in a meaningful way that is standards-based, and then share with their lessons with other participants.    

This workshop is supported by a TSIN, MTSU, and the TN STEM Education Center.  A $40 stipend or 3 hours of PD credit will be provided for teachers who attend. 

Registration is now closed.

Introduction to Modeling Instruction in High School Chemistry

June 4th & 5th, 2019 at MTSU 

Audience: High School Chemistry Teachers
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Presenter: Chris Manor of Independence High School

This two-day workshop is designed to introduce participants to the Modeling Instruction methodology in Chemistry.  Modeling Instruction (MI) was intentionally developed to correct many weaknesses of the lecture-demonstration method of instruction.  MI in Chemistry is centered around a series of particle models of increasing complexity in which students will continually ask themselves three questions:

1. How do I view matter?
2. How does matter behave?
3. What is the role of energy in the changes I observe?

During the two-day workshop participants will move between teacher-mode and student-mode as they work through the modeling cycle, practice white-boarding, and learn to facilitate board meetings to promote classroom discussions.  The strategies and activities used during the workshop will focus on students developing a particle model of matter based on evidence, using proportional reasoning to describe (qualitatively and quantitatively) the behavior of gases, recognizing the role of energy in physical and chemical changes, and developing a conceptual understanding of stoichiometry.

Registration is now closed for Introduction to Modeling Instruction.

Developing STEM Teacher Leaders

May 28 & June 13 at MTSU

Audience: Teacher/Leaders in STEM Education
Time: 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Place: New Science Building, Rm 2004
Presenter: Dr. Gregory Rushton, MTSU

This two-day workshop will equip emerging STEM teacher leaders from the MT Hub region and mobilize them to lead efforts at the school, district, and state level to improve STEM education outcomes.  Specific topics that will be addressed include professional vision; professional identity; locus of control; motivated reasoning; and risk tolerance.

Parking will be in the Library lot, and parking passes will be given. Dinner is included. 

Registration is now closed for STEM Teacher Leaders. 

 

A Day in the Life of a PBL Unit

June 18th, 2019 at Overall Creek Elementary School

Audience: Elementary School Teachers
Time: 9:00am- 3:00pm
Presenters: Cherry Ross, Academic Coach & Lea Bartch, Gifted Coordinator

Participants will use state standards and real-world events to drive the creation of PBL units that will increase student engagement.  The training will begin with breaking down standards and finding connections to real-world problems.  Guided steps and documents will be provided throughout the training to tackle the daunting task of creating the units.  Participants will leave with a finished product and steps to guide them through future PBL units.

Registration is now closed for PBL Unit.