Hundreds of Teachers Benefit From Specialized Science Workshops

As students and teachers return to classrooms across Connecticut, hundreds of teachers responsible for delivering the science curriculum to students in communities throughout the state will have the benefit of specialized instruction provided by the Connecticut Science Center.

A series of workshops conducted during the summer months were attended by 249 teachers who provide instruction to students in the elementary, middle school and high school grades. For the Connecticut Science Center, the focus on providing up-to-date science instruction methodology and best practices - transforming science classrooms through professional learning - is an essential part of the mission.

“The Mandell Academy offers robust professional learning experiences and comprehensive follow-up and support. As a result, science educators are able to expand their expertise, said Matt Fleury, President & CEO of the Connecticut Science Center. “We are proud to provide opportunities to advance how they present science instruction, with the aim of increasing student engagement and content comprehension across the state’s diverse student population. This is an indispensable element in our efforts to encourage and inspire students in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

Even before ground was broken a decade ago, the Connecticut Science Center was providing Connecticut educators with opportunities to learn effective science practices and strategies for implementation. In 2013, this work was formalized with the establishment of the Joyce D. and Andrew J. Mandell Academy for Teachers, supported generously by the Mandell Family Foundation.

As Connecticut adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the Mandell Academy, in collaboration with the State Department of Education, designed workshops to explore NGSS and engage educators in experiences that provide immersive three-dimensional learning. “Three dimensional learning” approaches the teaching and learning of science as both knowledge and evidence-based, focusing on three dimensions: Disciplinary Core Ideas, Cross Cutting Concepts and Science and Engineering Practices. Those sessions - including half-day, full day, and multiple days - have been well-received and are well-attended by teachers from throughout the state.

As the Connecticut Science Center marks its 10th anniversary during this year, its achievements include the professional development services which it has offered to more than 11,000 teachers since inception, bringing what they’ve learned into their own classrooms to share with tens of thousands of students.

This summer, the professional development sessions included:

• Next Generation Science Standards Workshops, where teachers learn more about the NGSS and how to improve science education through three-dimensional learning. The Connecticut Science Center NGSS workshops are wide ranging, from introductory, to transitioning classroom instruction, to curriculum and district work.
• The Inquiry for Teaching and Learning Series, which focuses on inquiry-based teaching and learning practices during a series of week-long immersion workshops, with available follow-up support. Teachers learn to transform classroom learning, engaging and exciting students.
• Engineering Is Elementary Workshops, which integrate engineering and technology with science, language arts, social studies, and math via storybooks and hands-on design activities for 1st through 5th graders. The Connecticut Science Center is the state’s official professional development provider for Engineering Is Elementary workshops, in partnership with the Museum of Science Boston.

“The type of learning that occurs in our workshops is the same type that we want to have happen in the classroom,” said Holly Hollander, director of the Mandell Academy. “We don’t tell teachers how to teach; we learn together, we build meaning, we problem solve together.”

The Mandell Academy also serves as a bridge connecting the state’s teachers with the more than 165 exhibitions in 10 galleries throughout the Connecticut Science Center, and teachers are provided with ways to effectively connect the science curriculum to the range of hands-on science and other exhibits and programs throughout the Science Center. NGSS-aligned guides have been developed for educators to share with students, providing ways to engage students during field trips and other interactions with science education.