PIQUED Curiosity: A STEM Professional Development Project

• In Event: 72.043 - Teacher Education and Professional Development in STEM Education

Abstract

Teachers from elementary schools in a mid-Atlantic school district received ongoing professional development in the area of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) implementation. The aims of the project were: 1) Increase K-8 teacher STEM content knowledge, expertise, and self-efficacy in understanding the NGSS. 2) Build a grade level based scaffold of fundamental STEM questions and hands-on activities, in order to pique the curiosity of students and set the course for designing NGSS aligned curriculum. The teachers worked together with university faculty mentors to strengthen their science STEM knowledge, and to develop engaging NGSS aligned activities for their classrooms. Teachers then developed hands-on workshops and lead a summer institute to provide STEM professional development to a wider audience of educators.

Authors

• Angela McRae, The Catholic University of America

• Otto Wilson

• John Philip

• Sofia Castro, The Catholic University of America