K-12 Professional Development Opportunities

This resource is the brain child of the NGSS-ESS Working Group, which is a collaboration between the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA), the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), and the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). The mission of this collaboration is to support Earth and space science educators in all aspects of NGSS-ESS implementation.

Use the interface below to search through professional development opportunities available for K-12 teachers across a variety of topical areas, grade levels, and formats. The webpages will be updated regularly as new opportunities come up, and old opportunities are retired.  If you are associated with a professional development opportunity that should be included in the collection, use the submission form to tell us about it.  Please contact Aida Awad, Missy Holzer, or Ed Robeck if you have questions.


Results 1 - 10 of 71 matches

Discover Iceland – Fire and Ice on a Mid-Ocean Ridge
This 7-day (6 night) field trip to Iceland highlights the amazing geology of this Mid-Ocean Ridge country. We will walk across a plate boundary, see recent active volcanism, climb amazing craters, walk to glaciers and so much more. Each and every turn of the road has amazing sites, waterfalls and the greenest landscapes imaginable.Iceland is an amazing place to learn about Plate Tectonics and glacial landforms.

Content Area: Earth Science, Geology, Environmental Science
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Cost to enroll
Professional Development Format: In-Person only

ASM Materials Camp®-Teachers - Virtual - July 10-14 or August 7-11(see description)
ASM Materials Camp®-Teachers is a free, week-long, idea-generating workshop introducing teachers to methods that make math and core science principles more enticing and relevant to their middle and high school students. Materials topics are great motivators in any engineering, technology or science course as students learn concepts that are reflected in their everyday lives.Participants are eligible to receive four (4) Continuing Education Units(CEUs) and can opt for two (2) graduate level credits.

Content Area: Other
Grade Level: Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Free
Professional Development Format: Online only

EPI Yellowstone Winter Teacher Fellowship
This unique professional development opportunity allows participating teachers to experience the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in winter, a time of solitude and beauty that you can't find during the crowded and bustling summer months. Each day, you'll head into the snowy landscape to explore thermal features or collect data about wildlife movements and behavior. EPI's instructors will introduce you to our unique model for creating positive learning environments in the field and applying field science at home.COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:- Observe wild wolves in the world-famous Lamar Valley- Collect data on ungulate species with the National Park Service- Experience Yellowstone's geothermal wonders under snow cover- 40 hours of professional development coursework with a focus on conservation biology, wildlands management, and scientific process.

Content Area: Earth Science, Environmental Science
Grade Level: Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: January to May
Cost: Cost to enroll, Expenses paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only

G-Camp
G-Camp is a 14-day field camp for 5th - 12th grade science teachers that provides first-hand experience with the principles of geology in the field, helps you develop new curriculum and virtual fieldtrips for your classroom, and makes learning fun and exciting out-of-doors. This field experience puts you on the outcrops through Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. G-Camp is only run face-to-face. CEU's are currently being developed by the Texas A&M Education department. Applications are due near the end of April and only 30 teachers will be selected to attend G-Camp, see the website for more information about the registration process, daily activities, etc.

Content Area: Earth Science, Geology, Environmental Science
Grade Level: Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Free, Optional cost, Stipend paid, Expenses paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only

STEM Teacher Leadership Academy
Join our second cohort of accomplished STEM educators as they take on deep inquiry and informal learning connections alongside engineers, researchers, and museum specialists. Be a part of a community of leaders who wish to expand upon their practice, engage in reimagined engineering challenges, and return to the classroom feeling energized and empowered.This program is designed for K-12 teachers in the National Capital Region who wish to infuse science, technology, engineering, and math into their lessons and explore interdisciplinary project design. Participants in this program will receive a ,000 stipend, educational resources for the classroom, and 40 continuing education credits. All programming occurs at the National Air and Space Museum July 29-August 2, 2024.

Content Area: Earth Science, Environmental Science, Space Science / Astronomy, Other
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Free, Stipend paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only

EPI Baja Teacher Fellowship
The EPI Baja Teacher Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to assist with international conservation efforts in the Gulf of California, a World Heritage Site that's home to 39% of the world's marine mammal species.COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:- Complete 40 hours of professional development coursework with a focus on marine biology, desert ecology, and conservation- Snorkel with sea lions, tropical fish & whale sharks- Explore marine diversity in the Gulf of California

Content Area: Earth Science, Environmental Science
Grade Level: Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: January to May
Cost: Cost to enroll, Expenses paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only

The Teacher Institute for Watershed Education and Conservation
Join The Ecology School in Maine this July for an engaging and inspiring professional development opportunity. Teachers will be challenged to explore water's connection to human systems and its impacts on the environment. Immersed in field-based ecology lessons, attendees will have opportunities to network and collaborate with colleagues from schools around the country to reimagine their teaching to include outdoor learning, place-based experiences, and community partners. This opportunity is designed for K-8 classroom educators, but others may apply as well (e.g. high school teachers, school administration, non-profit educators, etc.)Offered in two cohorts: attendees will attend either July 17 - 20 or July 27 - 30, 2023. **The Institute is free for teachers, and attendees will receive a 0 stipend and be reimbursed for most travel. Event participation is face-to-face only. Attendees will receive 30 contact hours for participating, and are eligible to receive university credit and an additional 0 stipend for post-Institute implementation. Attendees may also apply for scholarships to cover additional expenses accrued during the training.** "Some of the best PD I've attended and it was right in my own state, I highly recommend!" ~D. Allen"I've been in this profession for 25 years, and this was the most impactful opportunity I've had professionally. And personally!" ~ B. Hallowell

Content Area: Earth Science, Environmental Science, Other
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Free, Stipend paid, Expenses paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only

Teach Earth Fellowships
As Earthwatch's flagship teacher fellowship program, Teach Earth provides selected teachers with an opportunity to field on an all-teacher Earthwatch expedition team. Fellows engage directly in scientific field research alongside leading scientists and participate in facilitated workshops to help translate their field experience into a lesson plan or community action plan for use in their own school or community.

Content Area: Earth Science, Environmental Science
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Free, Stipend paid, Expenses paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only

Galapagos Islands and Ecuador Andes Mountains
This nine-day (8 night) field trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands will expand your knowledge of plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and volcanic hazards by visiting two textbook settings. The group will visit a volcanic site high in the Andes Mountains before flying together to spend 7 days in the Galapagos Islands. This trip will provide up close and hands-on exploration of volcanic features on three islands across the chain. Sites will include the rim of a shield volcano, lava tunnels in the tropical highlands, lava flows along the seashore, and snorkeling to see submerged features.

Content Area: Earth Science, Geology, Environmental Science
Grade Level: Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Cost to enroll
Professional Development Format: In-Person only

Discover Iceland – Fire and Ice on a Mid-Ocean Ridge
This 7-day (6 night) field trip to Iceland highlights the amazing geology of this Mid-Ocean Ridge country. We will walk across a plate boundary, see recent active volcanism, climb amazing craters, walk to glaciers and so much more. Each and every turn of the road has amazing sites, waterfalls and the greenest landscapes imaginable.Iceland is an amazing place to learn about Plate Tectonics and glacial landforms.

Content Area: Earth Science, Geology, Environmental Science
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Cost to enroll
Professional Development Format: In-Person only