Teacher Professional Development

The Towson University Center for STEM Excellence is committed to supporting in-service science teachers in Maryland with high-quality professional development experiences. We offer a variety of workshops that help teachers build content knowledge, increase technical skills and explore learner-centered, inquiry-based pedagogy.

Professional Learning Opportunities

all k—12 educators

K—12 Engineering Education Workshop

Please join us for a FREE 1–day event on Engineering and STEM education. The day will feature speakers and hands-on workshops.

Free lunch and parking are provided.

Date & Time: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM

Location: Towson University's Center for STEM Excellence in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore at 701 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

What's it About? The Pre-College Division of the American Engineering Education Division in cooperation with Towson University's Center for STEM Excellence are thrilled to offer a day of hands-on and minds-on workshops for K–12 educators on how to include engineering in engaging and powerful ways in their settings.

Who Should Attend? Any K–12 educator (formal, informal, public, private) who is interested in learning more about Engineering in STEM education. 

How to Register? Visit K–12 Engineering Workshop Registration to pre-gister for the FREE workshop.

Questions? Email Mary Stapleton ().

 

elementary Teachers

Harbor Scholars

The Harbor Scholars workshop is designed exclusively for Baltimore City grade 3–5 teachers to explore how to effectively engage their students in action projects as part of the Save the Bay! science unit. Educators learn about critical issues affecting the Chesapeake Bay as well as best practices around engaging students in MWEEs (Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences). Support for Harbor Scholars is provided by NOAA.

For more information about the workshop and to apply, visit Harbor Scholars

For questions, email Annemarie McDonald, .

Insect Investigations

The Insect Investigations is a 3-day in-person summer professional learning workshop for Maryland elementary teachers of grades 1–5. Join us to learn more about using live insects in your classroom to engage students in NGSS-aligned learning.  Support for the Insect Investigations is provided by a generous grant from Wells Fargo. 

For more information about the workshop and to apply, download Insect Investigations (PDF)

Just a few seats left!  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until workshop is filled.

 

secondary science teachers

B'More Codes Hi-Tech Loaner Lab

The B'More Codes Hi-Tech Loaner Lab provides middle school STEM teachers with the opportunity to borrow free class sets of programmable robots (Vex GO and Sphero Mini). Teachers must complete a professional development workshop in order to be eligible to borrow the kits.

The professional development program includes two in-person summer sessions and a follow up virtual session in December. During the workshop, participating teachers will have the opportunity to practice using the Vex GO and Sphero Mini bots, develop a lesson using one of the robots, and collaborate with other middle school teachers.

Learn more about the Hi-Tech Loaner Lab and sign up.

For questions, email

B′More Secure GenCyber Professional Learning Community

The B’More Secure GenCyber program is open to middle and high school Maryland teachers (from any discipline) who are interested in infusing cybersecurity lessons in their teaching. The program is primarily designed for teachers with little to no cybersecurity content knowledge. However, teachers with existing cybersecurity content knowledge and teaching experience are also encouraged to apply, as a focus on the pedagogy of teaching of cyber, career connections, and social justice issues related to cybersecurity will be benefit all teachers.

The program begins with an intensive, in-person Summer Camp at Towson University (June 26–30).  During the 2023–2024 school year, participants will implement at least two cybersecurity lessons in their classrooms, participate in virtual meetings and attend a final in-person session in May, 2023.

This workshop is made possible by funding from the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation.

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2023-2024 cohort. Click here for more information about the program and to submit your name to our waiting list and to receive notifications about next year's program (pending funding).

Maryland Loaner Lab Hybrid Training

The Maryland Loaner Lab loans secondary science teachers free kits of materials that include equipment, reagents, and lessons. Teachers who participate in a training workshop are eligible to borrow from the Maryland Loaner Lab. In our new hybrid training, participants will learn about and gain hands-on experience with kits offered through the Maryland Loaner Lab through asycnrhonous assigments and a synchronous session. 

Learn more about the MDLL Hybrid Training and sign up

For questions, email