Focus Workshops are multi-day professional learning opportunities that provide a deep dive into content and inquiry investigations focusing on one STEM discipline. Read on to learn more about our current Focus Workshops, or visit our Past Focus Workshops page to learn more about past offerings!
Rise to the Challenge Focus Workshop Series
Get ready to Rise to the Challenge in this Focus Workshop series based on the Wade Institute’s Massachusetts STEM Week Challenges!
In each workshop you’ll experience a variety of hands-on, inquiry-based STEM activities designed to support your students in using the Science and Engineering Practices. You’ll also explore how phenomena can spark curiosity, drive investigation, and make the learning relevant for students. The Challenges are designed for middle school students but are easily adaptable to upper elementary or high school settings. You have the option to take one or both workshops. At the conclusion of each workshop you’ll receive a curriculum packet and materials kit to implement the Challenge in your classroom. PDPs and optional Graduate Credits are offered for both workshops.
Animal Adaptions and Bioengineering
Challenge: Your team of engineers specializes in creating prosthetics for injured animals. You have been hired by a local organization that providesthis service and need to create a prototype for a specific injured animal. Investigations include understanding prosthetics, what they are used for, and why they are necessary; exploring animal adaptations and using new knowledge to create a new species; researching a specific terrestrial or marine animal and creating a fact sheet for it; and the final Challenge.
Location: Massasoit Community College, Canton, MA
Collaborating Partners: Lloyd Center for the Environment; Buttonwood Park Zoo
Hurricane Heroes
Challenge: A category 4 hurricane has hit fictional Storm City, Massachusetts. The city faces several problems that can only be solved by your engineering team. Investigations include evacuating citizens, building shelter, moving floodwaters, and designing alternative energy sources. The Challenge culminates in a redesign of the city’s resources to prevent future disaster. During the workshop you will participate in all elements of the Challenge and have the opportunity to collaborate and reflect with instructors and fellow attendees.
Dates: April 11th and April 12th, 2025 (8:30 AM – 3:30 PM ET)
Hurricane Heroes location and Collaborating Partners to be announced!
Rise to the Challenge Focus Workshop Series Registration Info:
Registration Cost: $250 per workshop; $450 for both workshops
PDPs and Optional Graduate Credit for Each Workshop: 14 PDPs available without graduate credit.
22.5 PDPs and 1 graduate credit from Cambridge College available for $75. Additional work is required for credit.
Ready, Set, Access: Preparing for the Performance-Based MCAS
Starting in Spring 2025, all students in grades 5 and 8 will take a performance-based STE MCAS. Educators and leaders in grades 3-5 and 6-8 are invited to attend our one-day workshops this winter to learn more about these shifts in the STE MCAS, the implications for instruction and assessment in your classroom, and how best to prepare your students.
You will walk out of this program with:
- An understanding about the upcoming shifts to the grades 5 & 8 STE MCAS, the principles behind them, and the implications for instruction in grades 3-8
- Insight into students’ experiences when taking the new STE MCAS
- Tools and resources to make the necessary shifts in science instruction to support students
- A plan to support your school and your students
- Collaboration with grade-level colleagues
- 10 PDPs for attendance at both virtual and an in-person session
Separate workshops are offered for educators and leaders in grades 3-5 and 6-8 to best meet the needs of each grade band.
|
Grades 3-5 Teachers and Administrators |
Grades 6-8 Teachers and Administrators |
|---|---|
| In-Person Workshop Date: Wednesday, January 29th, 2025 (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET) |
In-Person Workshop Date: Thursday, January 30th, 2025 (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET) |
| In-Person Workshop Location: Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA |
In-Person Workshop Location: Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA |
| Virtual Workshop Sessions: Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 AND Thursday, February 6, 2025 (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET) |
Virtual Workshop Sessions: Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 AND Thursday, February 6, 2025 (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET) |
Registration Information:
Registration Cost:
$250 (includes continental breakfast and lunch)
PDPs: 10 PDPs available for full attendance at both virtual sessions and one grade band appropriate in-person
session.