Professional Development for STEM Teachers

CeMaST offers a variety of STEM professional development opportunities for in-service teachers, informal educators, and college/university instructors. We charge a modest fee to cover materials, travel to your site, and the facilitator's time. Discounted rates are provided according to the Illinois State Board of Education's Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) categorization. EBF Tier 2 districts are automatically provided a 10% discount, while Tier 3 and 4 districts are automatically provided a 50% discount. Currently, we are prepared to offer the following workshops. We can also create a customized experience to meet your allotted time and specific needs. We are able to arrange for participants to receive continuing education units for their participation. Please complete the Professional Development Request if you are interested in CeMaST coordinating a STEM professional development for your organization!

Avoiding Burnout: Using Self-Determination Theory to Foster Well-Being in Both Ourselves and Our Students

Workshop Description: Participants learn theoretical concepts related to human motivation and mindfulness. We engage in several activities to cultivate these for ourselves and then work to apply them to our STEM classrooms. There are two versions of this workshop. The half-day version involves a simple brainstorm of how these ideas can be applied in STEM classrooms, while the week-long version includes a structured redesign of some aspect of the STEM learning environment, identified by each participant, to foster mindfulness and motivation in students.
Required Time: Customizable (3 hours to 3 full days)
Intended Participants: STEM educators at any level
Leaders: Dr. Rebekka Darner (Director, CeMaST) and Dr. Ashley Waring-Sparks (STEM Programs Coordinator, CeMaST)

Calculus and Pre-Calculus: Enhancing Instruction and Preparing Students for Standardized Assessments

Workshop Description: Participants will examine some of the most important topics in Calculus and then work collaboratively to develop rich questions for instruction and assessments. This session provides opportunities for educators to explore some relevant and practical research, share insights with each other, and examine a wide range of problems that will provide insights for both calculus and pre-calculus teachers. 
Required Time: Customizable (3 hours to 3 full days)
Intended Participants: Calculus and Pre-Calculus Educators
Leaders: Dr. Bradley Heller (Mathematics Instructor, Normal Community High School)

Concrete Day!

Workshop Description: In this 1-day, hands-on workshop, participants will get to know about the fundamentals of cement and concrete. Specifically, participants will learn how to prepare concrete mixtures and specimens (both cylinders and beams). Further, participants will learn how to test concrete mixtures for air content and specimens for compressive and flexural strength using hand-operated as well as computer-operated hydraulic testing machines. 
Required Time: 1 full day
Intended Participants: Middle-level and high school STEM educators
Leader: Dr. Pranshoo Solanki (Technology faculty)

Exploration of Standards-Based Grading Practices

Workshop Description: Participants will explore Standards-Based Grading (SBG) practices by discussing relevant research and collaborating with each other. Join Dr. Heller and Dr. Darner as they discuss practical methods for implementing SBG in the classroom in such a way that is meaningful for students, parents, and educators. This workshop is intended for any educators who are exploring SBG for the first time or who have already implemented SBG and are seeking opportunities to enhance their assessment and instructional practices relating to SBG. 
Required Time: Customizable (3 hours to 3 full days)
Intended Participants: Mathematics and Science Educators, Grades 6–12
Leaders: Dr. Bradley Heller (Mathematics Instructor, Normal Community High School) and Dr. Rebekka Darner (Director, CeMaST)

More Movement in the Classroom!

Workshop Description: This workshop describes the development of motor skills and milestones across childhood, from infancy to adolescence, and connects this development to cognitive changes. How does motor movement influence a child's ability to learn? Is it possible to enhance learning using movement? The lecture and activities will demonstrate how instructors can channel a child's predisposition for wiggling into fuel for learning and curiosity towards subject matter. We will examine the development of the nervous system and the current research on incorporating movement activities into the academic day.
Required Time: Customizable (3 hours to 5 full days)
Intended Participants: PreK–12 STEM educators, informal educators
Leader: Dr. Julie Campbell (Psychology faculty)