Custom Professional Development

Bring engaging, inquiry-based science to your school! The Nature Museum offers a variety of professional development workshops tailored specifically for your school’s needs and designed to help teachers address STEM learning and Common Core Standards. Perfect for teacher institute days, curriculum planning meetings, or professional development, these workshops can be held at the Museum or at your school. Choose from the following topics:

Teaching Inquiry

Discover the secrets of teaching hands-on, thought-provoking science using the Nature Museum’s model of inquiry. Discuss how to implement inquiry in the classroom and learn practical strategies to help students succeed with inquiry-based science lessons. Receive a variety of resources for incorporating inquiry activities into classroom teaching.

Schoolyard Science

Connect students to the nature on your school grounds. From nature walks and journaling to experiments and data collection, schoolyard activities are a great way to explore science and connect students to their communities. Explore hands-on, interdisciplinary techniques and activities for using the natural resources right outside your school to get students interested in learning science.

Literacy and Science

Learn new strategies to incorporate non-fiction science books into your literacy curriculum and conduct hands-on science activities with direct ties to these books. Receive an array of resources and ideas about connecting reading to scientific investigations and projects.

Science Beyond the Fair

Experience science in a new way. Identify ways to sustain students’ science process and critical thinking skills throughout the entire school year. Explore ways to help students develop authentic questions and utilize unique methodologies in the science classroom. Teachers analyze current science lessons and activities and discuss potential applications and modifications for their classrooms.

$200/hour for up to 30 teachers; $300/hour for 30 to 60 teachers. Workshop fee includes workshop supplies, printed materials, administrative fees and Nature Museum staff time and/or travel. Teachers will receive packets of teaching resources.

For more information or to schedule a custom workshop, contact Teacher Programs at teacherprograms@naturemuseum.org or 773-755-5165.