Tag - Hands-on Science Workshop

Junior League of Greater Princeton Hosts Teachers for Science Training

I just returned from New Jersey where I got a chance to once again work with a great organization that really supports teachers and science education. I first met the leaders from the Junior League of Greater Princeton (JLGP) in 2007 when I presented a full-day science training for teachers in their ROCKET program. ROCKETS (Raising Our Children’s Knowledge by Educating Through Science) is a program that brings hands-on science activities to at-risk children through innovative teacher training and field trips for the children and their families. Eighty teachers gathered at Rider University in New Jersey for last week’s hands-on science training sponsored by the Junior League. The teachers ranged from early childhood through middle school, but their primary goal was the same… to get kids excited about doing more hands-on science. If you’re a teacher who might benefit from the efforts of the ROCKET program, I highly encourage you to contact the Junior League of Greater Princeton.

As always, I invited the teachers from the workshop to test out a few of the hands-on science activities and share a comment on the blog.

Not Your Typical Summer Science Workshop – Science in the Rockies

Just look at these pictures from Science in the Rockies last year and you’ll see why we don’t consider this your typical summer science workshop for teachers. Do not plan to attend Science in the Rockies 2008 if you are motivated by PowerPoint presentation, like quiet reading time from an outdated science text, hate to get your hands dirty, or have a fear of flying potatoes. One teacher described Science in the Rockies as the science methods class she never had but really needed!

Science in the Rockies 2008 is scheduled for July 9-11 in Denver at the Sheraton Denver West conference center. Registration is still open, but as of this morning there are fewer than two dozen spots available. Years ago, teachers who took this workshop called it a “science boot camp” – an intensive experience designed to inspire, motivate and move you into action… and the concept stuck. This boot camp is for K-5 teachers who need creative science integration strategies… who are tired of trying to “squeeze” science into their already packed teaching schedule… and who want to make science even more
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Boot Camp Update – Dedicated Teachers in Pittsburgh Area

We just wrapped up the final leg of our teacher boot camp tour with workshops in Pittsburgh and New York. While everyone on the team is exhausted, the one thing that keeps the energy high is meeting other teachers who are truly making a difference. I met teachers in both cities who paid to come to boot camp on their own – no funding from their schools or the district. I asked the same question you’re probably asking, “Why did you do it?” One self-funded teacher in the Pittsburgh workshop described answered with this…

I’m a professional who believes that training is important. I think that teachers who isolate themselves to their classroom never grow. I really enjoy teaching science and I came to the workshop to find new ways to get my kids fired up. Once my Principal sees the results, she’ll support more and more. I know it.

It’s tough to believe that we work in a profession where our leaders don’t believe in or support professional staff development, but I can’t help but be inspired by her dedication to teaching and to her students.

I also
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