Teacher Professional Development
The Bell Museum is proud to partner with local organizations and other University of Minnesota departments and colleges to provide exciting, science-based professional learning opportunities for educators. You can find information about our recent offerings below.
Teacher Professional Development Workshop: Ancient Geology, Climate, and Biology
Wednesday, July 10-Thursday, July 11, 2024
9am-3pm
In person at the Bell Museum, St Paul, MN
Designed for teachers of grades 6-8
Join the Bell Museum and researchers from the University of Minnesota’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences for this 2-day teacher development workshop. We will delve into environments of the past and learn how they teach us about environments of the present. How do Earth’s organisms impact their environment and how do changes in climate and environment impact the behaviors and the distribution of Earth’s organisms? Scientists will discuss their research questions, methods, and findings. They will provide resources for guiding student learning through engagement with experiments and data, fossil specimens, and the practices of science.
This workshop is designed to allow Middle School teachers (grades 6-8) to learn and practice hand-on activities to impact classroom learning. The workshop will make use of resources at the Bell Museum, including its Minnesota Journeys galleries, to illustrate core topics. Teachers will leave the workshop with standard-aligned activities for their classrooms.
Lunch and parking will be provided to all attendees. Attendees will receive a $250 stipend if they participate in both days of the professional development. Science is for everyone, and all educators are encouraged to apply. In case of overwhelming demand, preference will be given to those teachers who can fully participate in the program and implement science in their classrooms.
Registration for this workshop is now full.
Questions? Please email Sarah Riemer at sriemer@umn.edu
Smithsonian Science Education Academy for Teachers: Earth’s History and Human Activity
Tuesday, July 23-Thursday, July 25, 2024
9am-4pm
In person at the Bell Museum, St Paul, MN
Recommended for teachers of grades 4-8
This 3-day teacher professional development opportunity was developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center and the Bell Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate museum. Learn about the Earth’s history, including topics such as plate tectonics, seismology, stratigraphy, paleobiology, geology, natural hazards, and global climate change. This workshop focuses on educating teachers to improve their understanding of topics related to Earth’s history, and their comfort teaching them in the classroom.
Participants will engage in inquiry-based hands-on activities designed to increase adult knowledge and understanding. Participants will also have the opportunity to network with experts in the field, get resources for their classrooms, and explore the Bell Museum, including its wildlife dioramas, Touch & See Lab, and exhibits that use data and images to reconstruct the story of Earth’s origins.
Goals of this academy include:
- Increasing pedagogical content knowledge related to Earth’s history with a focus on life in the Anthropocene.
- Forming rich connections through dialogue and shared experiences with a cadre of scientists and educators.
- Engaging in pedagogical techniques that facilitate a hands-on, inquiry-based, integrated approach to teaching.
Lunch and parking will be provided to all attendees. Attendees will receive a $600 stipend if they attend and participate in all three days of the professional development. Science is for everyone, and all educators are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to those teachers who can fully participate in the program and implement science in their classrooms.
Registration is limited to 30 teachers. A wait list will be available in case of cancellations.
To apply, fill out the registration form available through the Smithsonian Science Education Center.
Questions? Please email Katie Fancher.
