Specific Examples of Professional Development Programs
Created by Jennifer L. B. Anderson, Ph.D., SERC, Carleton College.
Masters Programs in Science Education
Definition: A program that provides professional development for teachers toward a Masters Degree in Science Education, Geoscience Education, or another specialized Education Degree.
Wright University (W. Slattery ESSAY)
- University of Maryland (& PhD) (ESSAY)
- Michigan Technological University (Applied Science Ed.) (ESSAY)
- College of Charleston (ESSAY)
Geoscience Education Masters Degree through Geoscience Department
Western Washington University
A faculty member in the Geology Department had a Masters student who completed her Masters work on a Geoscience Education topic, yet received a Masters Degree in Geology.
Professional Development Courses
Definition: An established course at a university with a course number that awards graduate credit toward a Masters, Certificate, or Licensure Program.
Earth Science for Educators (GEOG 8500, Univ. Nebraska - Omaha)
This Earth science content course is offered in the summer for practicing K-12 teachers working toward a Certificate in Urban Education or a Masters of Education.Carleton College (ESSAY) -- CHAR
- Grand Valley State University (ESSAY)
- San Jose State University (ESSAY)
- College of Charleston (ESSAY)
- Wright University (W. Slattery ESSAY)
- GVSU (S. Mattox ESSAY)
Professional Development Institutes
Definition: A series of intensive courses typically intended for a specific audience, funded through grants, not necessarily associated with a particular university, and not offered on a regular basis.
NCOSP Summer Academy
This is the three-week academy used to familiarize teachers with the NCOSP program and curricula.Teachers Earth Science Institute
This hands-on professional development course for practicing 8-12 teachers is run by the Michigan Technological University. Teachers participate in field-based activities that link geoscience with social science by investigating mineral resource use. The course is run for two weeks during each of two consecutive summers.Science CentrUM Summer Institute -- CHAR
Professional Development Workshops (Longer than One Day)
Definition: A workshop that teachers attend for more than one full day; not necessarily associated with a university; teachers are rewarded primarily by contact-hours.
Minnesota Minerals Education Workshop
A three-day workshop for teachers that focusses on mineral and mining concerns in local regions of Minnesota. Offered through the DNR and associated each year with a different university across the state.- William and Mary Geo. Dept. (ESSAY)
- "Careers in teaching science and math, K-12", Colorado (M. Ramirez ESSAY)
Professional Development Workshops (One Day or Shorter)
Definition: A workshop that teachers attend for a few hours, no longer than one full day; not necessarily associated with a university; teachers are rewarded primarily by contact-hours; the workshop is typically focussed on a single topic.
- William and Mary Geo. Dept. (ESSAY)
- "Careers in teaching science and math, K-12", Colorado (M. Ramirez ESSAY)
Conference Interactions
Definition: A professional development program for Earth science teachers run by or otherwise involving a faculty member that is presented as part of a local, regional, or national geoscience conference or teacher's conference.
- NONE
Regional University-School Partnerships
Definition: A partnership between one or more universities and one or more school/school districts on a regional scale (i.e. multi-city or state-wide).
North Cascades and Olympic Science Partnership
A regional partnership including 5 universities, 5 education partners and 26 school districts.
Local University-School Partnerships
Definition: A partnership between one or more universities and one or more school/school districts on a local scale (i.e. one city or a region of a city).
Reaching Out to Communities and Kids with Science in San Francisco (SF-ROCKS)
A K-12 outreach program maintained and supported by the geoscience department at San Francisco State University. The program is partnered with local universities, colleges and K-12 schools. Also offers professional development opportunities to local K-12 science teachers.
Individual-School Partnerships
Definition: A partnership between a single university/department/faculty member and a single local school district/school/teacher.
GK-12 Fellowship Program
Graduate students in the Geology department are funded to work with teachers two days per week for the entire school year. These graduate students are not future teachers, but rather future scientists.- NASA Explorer School (ESSAY)
- Work individually with teachers in their classrooms (ESSAY)
Geoscience Department - Local Agency Partnerships
Definition: A partnership between an individual faculty member or geoscience department and a local agency or business that provides professional development opportunities for Earth science teachers.
Minnesota Minerals Education Workshop
A three-day workshop for teachers that focusses on mineral and mining concerns in local regions of Minnesota. Offered through the DNR and associated each year with a different university across the state.
Geoscience-Education Department Partnerships
Definition: A partnership between the (geo)science departments and the departments of education, in which faculty from both departments are involved.
Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Program
The Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Program at Western Washington University is dedicated to the enrichment and education of K-12 pre-service teachers. The SMATE program is engaged in the reform of undergraduate courses in the respective disciplines as well as in education.STEM Education Institute
A program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, that links the education department, the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics departments, and other campus resources to create a center for professional development and outreach opportunities for the local K-12 community.- Lead Workshops (D. Gosselin ESSAY)
- Integrated Research and Education Project (D. Gosselin ESSAY)
- NESEN (D. Gosselin ESSAY)
Education Resource Centers
Definition: A central location reserved for educational materials, including the geosciences, that are made available to pre-service and practicing Earth science teachers. Materials may include a library, classrooms, electronic resources, classroom materials, curricula, or a list-serve.
Learning Resource Center
A large on-campus facility that houses classrooms, resources, a library, and website for use by practicing teachers, preservice teachers, and the general public.- College of Charleston (ESSAY)
- online web page with resources -- Colorado (M. Ramirez ESSAY)
- Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Math and Environmental Education at Michigan Technological University (J. Huntoon ESSAY)
Curriculum Development
Definition: An individual faculty member or department involved in developing curricula for Earth science teachers, either on their own or through supporting agencies.
- Science CentrUM (R. Low ESSAY)
- BAESI (ESSAY)
TERC, CESSE (D. Barstow ESSAY)
- CLTW (R. Narode ESSAY)
Development of Professional Development Programs
Definition: An individual faculty member or department involved in developing professional development programs for Earth science teachers, either on their own or through supporting agencies.
- Science CentrUM (R. Low ESSAY)
- BAESI (ESSAY)
TERC, CESSE (D. Barstow ESSAY)
- CLTW (R. Narode ESSAY)
Research Experiences for Teachers
Definition: A teacher is hired on campus to do a particular research project in collaboration with a geoscience faculty member.
NCED
- UMass-Amherst (ESSAY)
- TEA Program from Office of Polar Programs
- Stonybrook
- Oceanography example -- U of WA, V. Robichaux
Outreach to K-12 Schools
Definition: A faculty member who goes into the local schools on a short-term basis (i.e., an hour, a day). This outreach is not a part of an ongoing partnership, but rather, stands alone.
Washington Earth Science Initiative
An outreach program put together by a faculty member in geoscience who directly participates with students in their classrooms.- (College of Charleston) -- Individual (ESSAY)
- Washington Earth Science Initiative (S. DeBari ESSAY)
- William and Mary "Geology on Wheels" (ESSAY)
In-Reach with K-12 Students and Teachers
Definition: A faculty member invites a group of teachers or students in to the university for a presentation, a tour of facilities, or some other short-term activity. This in-reach is not a part of an ongoing partnership, but rather, stands alone.
- NONE
Advocacy and Science Education Policy
Definition: An individual or group of scientists acting as member of the community (not on behalf of their institution) and advocating for effective science education practices, or involved at the local, state, or national level in science education policy work (writing, advising, reviewing, etc.)
- NONE
St. Olaf Speaker Series -- CHAR (is this where this goes?)
"Broader Impacts"
Definition: An organization that supports the development of curricula or professional development programs by matching faculty and teachers and providing support to faculty incorporating science education into their "Broader Impact" statements.
- Science CentrUM (R. Low ESSAY)
- Portland State Univerisity (R. Narode ESSAY)