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.
Content Area
Grade Level
Cost
- Free 48 matches There is no fee to apply or to take the course.
- Cost to enroll 22 matches There is a fee to apply and/or to take the course.
- Optional cost 2 matches If the course is "free to enroll" but there is optional additional payment (e.g., for credit/CEUs that the participant has the option of having documented.)
- Stipend paid 5 matches Some amount of money is paid to participants for their time.
- Expenses paid 7 matches Some amount of money is provided to offset travel, supplies, and/or other costs.
Professional Development Format
Results 1 - 10 of 71 matches
Online Earth Science Teacher Education Content & Demonstrations
This intensive, online course will provide basic content material for teachers concerning geology, astronomy, oceanography, and meteorology. Topics include the origin of the universe and the life cycle of stars; the origin of the solar system and its components; the composition and structure of the Earth; plate tectonics; the rock cycle and water cycle, energy resources; the atmosphere, weather, and climate; and Earth's oceans. Participants will receive 6.0 CEUs for 60 clock hours. There is no cost for educators to register for this class--contact our office in order for the registration fee to be waived! cepetroleumtraining@midland.edu or 432-683-2832
Grade Level: Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
PD Timing: January to May, September to December
Cost: Free
Professional Development Format: Online 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.
Grade Level: High School (9-12), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Expenses paid, Free, Optional cost, Stipend 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
Grade Level: Middle (6-8), Intermediate (3-5), Primary (K-2)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Expenses paid, Free, Stipend paid
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.
Grade Level: High School (9-12), Middle (6-8), Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Cost to enroll
Professional Development Format: In-Person only
Introducing the Earth Science of the Northwest-Central & Midwestern United States on Earth@Home
Rich with interactive content about Earth and its life, climate, energy, geology, paleontology, and the ways in which Earth systems interact, PRI's website, Earth@Home is your home for learning and teaching Earth systems science.Visit the site at: https://earthathome.org/hoe/Join us to learn about this free and growing set of resources for you and your students.Earth@Home includes a new and growing collection of online interactive textbooks, virtual field guides, 3D models of specimens, virtual laboratory and fieldwork activities, and more.
Grade Level: High School (9-12), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8)
PD Timing: September to December
Cost: Free
Professional Development Format: Online only
EPI Galapagos Islands Educator Course
This intensive 10-day professional development program will give you the opportunity to work with some of the world's most fascinating wildlife. Through EPI's partnership with the Ecuadorian nonprofit ECOS, you'll leave the touristic sites behind to collect meaningful data and contribute to broad conservation efforts. Engage with astonishing phenomena and collaborate with other educators to develop lessons that drive student inquiry. Come away from the course equipped to connect your students to the wonders that inspired Darwin through your own storylines and insights. COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:- Monitor giant Galapagos tortoises- Explore 3-dimensional learning- Join a community of science professionals
Grade Level: High School (9-12), Middle (6-8)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Cost to enroll
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.
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), High School (9-12), Middle (6-8)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Expenses paid, Free, Stipend paid
Professional Development Format: In-Person only
Summer Institute for Climate Change Education
Climate Generation's Summer Institute for Climate Change Education is a three day climate change education conference structured to allow time for learning and networking. During the first two virtual days hosted by Climate Generation, educators can select from keynote presentations and concurrent workshops. During the third day, educators will attend a cohort workshop facilitated and hosted by a regional cohort leader to focus on place-based climate change education and the need for ongoing support throughout the year. Cohort days may be in-person or online, depending on educator and cohort leader needs in that region. Each group of 20-50 educators will explore local impacts, actionable solutions, connections to local experts, and planning and networking. DetailsDates: July 17 & 18, 2022, plus one day on July 19th, 20th, or 21stTimes: 10am CT to 6pm CT on July 17 & 18, times T.B.D. for cohort daysLocation: Virtual Registration: 0Scholarships Available20 hours of Continuing Education CreditsGraduate Credit Optional, offered through Hamline UniversityRegistration for the Institute Includes:Attendance to the Summer Institute20 Hours of Continuing EducationAutomatic enrollment in Climate Generation's Teach Climate Network; includes ongoing support throughout the year through teaching tips, resources, training, and online community networking with educatorsAccess to the Teach Climate Network Hub, an online platform for members to connect
Grade Level: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), High School (9-12), Middle (6-8)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Cost to enroll, Expenses paid
Professional Development Format: Online only
EPI Colorado Educator Course
This onsite Professional Development program takes place in the Colorado Rockies, a fascinating place to investigate the effects of human impacts on our environment. You'll spend seven days exploring the phenomena of an alpine ecosystem as you contribute to ongoing research projects, collaborate with fellow educators, and brush up on 3D learning techniques.Come away with phenomena-based, inquiry-driven lesson plans that will connect your students to the natural world-and change the way they see their relationship to the environment.Course Highlights:- Engage in aspen and pika research- Explore the social and ecological implications of wolves- Connect and collaborate with a community of peersInterested participants can receive 4 graduate credits through the University of Montana for participating in this course. Separate registration and tuition fee are required.
Grade Level: High School (9-12), Middle (6-8)
PD Timing: June to August
Cost: Cost to enroll
Professional Development Format: In-Person only
EPI Costa Rica Teacher Fellowship
EPI's Costa Rica Teacher Fellowship offers an amazing opportunity to engage with Costa Rica's immense biodiversity, both on the coast and in the rainforest. While at our sea turtle reserve, you'll monitor the beach, guided by trained research assistants. Our instructors will introduce youto EPI's unique model for creating positive learning environments in the field and applying field science at home.COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:- Protect leatherback sea turtles- Engage in hands-on research alongside fellow teachers- Hike through biodiversity hotspots- 40 hours of professional development coursework with a focus on sea turtle biology, rainforest ecology, and conservation
Grade Level: High School (9-12), Middle (6-8)
PD Timing: January to May
Cost: Expenses paid, Cost to enroll
Professional Development Format: In-Person only