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Educator Services Teaching & Learning Curriculum Resources
2009 Professional Development Institutes

Science & Technology/Engineering

Laboratory-Based Physics

For Teachers in Grades 7-12
Prerequisites: None

This course helps participants develop competencies in physics and in teaching according to the Massachusetts state framework. The academic content in physics is centered on concepts of motion, changes in motion, forces, work, energy and power. Participants learn to connect an object's motion to Newton's force laws and relate and interpret graphs of distance-time, velocity-time, acceleration-time, and force-time. Notions of energy, work and power are studied, and participants learn about kinetic energy, potential energy, and the conditions under which mechanical energy is conserved. Content learning is achieved through inquiry and laboratory experiences.

Laboratory-Based Physical Science & Technology/Engineering

For Teachers in Grades 3-5
Prerequisites: None

This course addresses the dual needs of teachers for foundational content and experimental work in physical science and technology/engineering, along with pedagogical strategies for successful classroom implementation. It focuses on content through guided inquiry in topics found in the MA Framework, including forces and motion, simple machines, chemical and physical processes, and energy. Both implementation of an experiment in the participant's classroom with supported classroom coaching and one-on-one mentoring is done by an Institute instructor in the fall.

Implementing Technology/Engineering Standards

For Teachers in Grades 6-12
Prerequisites: None

This institute provides the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and deliver a technology/engineering course that meets the Massachusetts Framework. Laboratory activities for teaching technology/engineering standards are demonstrated and examined. By the end of the institute, participants will have collaboratively designed a course syllabus and units, employing a student outcome-based approach to design. Teachers learn technology/engineering content and approaches for design-based curricula that integrates science and mathematics through engineering.

Improving Middle Grades Science through Effective Formative Assessments

For: Middle School Science Teachers and Special Education Teachers who teach or support science instruction
Prerequisite: Middle grades science content knowledge and some teaching experience

This institute will focus on the development of foundational knowledge about the effective use of formative assessments in the middle grades and special education science classrooms; the provision of adult learning experiences with formative assessments in parallel with science content development; and the appropriate instruction to enable teachers to design their own formative assessments.

Teachers will be introduced to standard formative assessments found in enhanced selected response and open response items in physical science, earth science, and life science. Content topics presented will address the most commonly misunderstood science concepts as identified in the science education research. These topics include: force and motion, properties of matter, physical and chemical changes, conservation of matter, flow of energy through an ecosystem, energy transformations, and astronomical phenomena, including interactions of the Earth-Moon system. The content delivered will be refined based upon the results of the pre-assessments. Science content knowledge will be further enhanced through hands-on experiences using easily obtainable materials and equipment. These experiences will be aligned to the content needs identified through the formative assessment work and will allow each teacher to confront his or her own misconceptions about science content. All institute components will model effective instructional strategies.

Teaching High School Biology

For Teachers in Grades 6-12
Prerequisites: None

Participants in this course learn inquiry-based approaches to teaching biological topics that teachers and students find most challenging, including genetics evolution and cell biology. Participants reflect on theory of lesson design, draw on a media-rich learning environment, learn how to use multimedia in biology teaching, and apply these to promote student learning of specific biology content knowledge in Genetics, Evolution, DNA, etc.

Science and Literacy

For Teachers in Grades 3-8
Prerequisites: None

This institute integrates reading, writing and language skills with the teaching and learning of science content. Educators in this institute will use firsthand investigative materials, texts, vocabulary development, and writing assignments as an integral part of developing science content knowledge and literacy skills. Topics addressed include: choosing appropriate science-focused reading materials, reading comprehension strategies, facilitating reading-driven lessons to support student science learning, developing writing tasks and prompts that support science learning, assessment of reading and writing in the context of science, and supporting science discourse. Strategies and implications for supporting diverse populations and struggling readers will be explored. Priority will be given to teams that include classroom teachers, special education teachers, English as a second language teachers, library teachers, and/or administrators.