Professional Development
We provide ongoing programs for educators, school teams, and districts to enhance teaching and learning and support the advancement of STEM education goals.
We are a Massachusetts Department of Education-approved professional development provider and award PDP certificates for programs of 10 or more hours in length. Our teacher educators work with the Educator Resource Center to make the rich expertise of the Museum and its library available to support the needs of teachers as professionals and adult learners.
Learn about the Educator Resource Center
Educator Workshops
Engage in science and engineering practices while exploring new content, teaching ideas, and Museum resources in our educator workshops. Most workshops are offered free of charge to Teacher Partners.
Register for current workshops
Teacher-in-Residence
Interested in spending your summer at the Museum? We are currently accepting applications for our 2015 Teacher-in-Residence program.
Programs for Educators, by Appointment
Field Trip Planning
Would you like to focus your next field trip to make it a valuable learning experience for your students? Museum educators can help you integrate your objectives and make connections to your educational standards in science, technology, and engineering.
Make an appointment and bring a colleague or a PTO member! Support can also take place via phone and/or email conversations. To schedule an appointment, email library@mos.org at least one week in advance.
Engineering is Elementary® (EiE®) Professional Development
EiE provides comprehensive professional development for teachers, schools, and districts — at our location or yours. Flexible, learner-centered workshops prepare you to implement our award-winning curriculum — or teach other educators about EiE. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of engineering concepts, skills, and pedagogy and leave prepared to teach engineering with confidence and foster student-centered, inquiry-based learning.
Learn more about EiE Professional Development
Professional Development for Teachers
Engineering the Future® Teacher Sessions
Engineering the Future: Science, Technology, and the Design Process™ is a full-year course designed to introduce high school students to the world of technology and engineering. Throughout the year, we provide a variety of dynamic, hands-on sessions to teachers who are making this course part of their curriculum.
Get an overview with our half-day informational session, or delve deeper with a three-day institute or topic-focused session. An online course is also available.
Team Professional Days
Teams of five to eight educators are encouraged to schedule professional development time in the Educator Resource Center. Half- or full-day sessions are available at no cost. Group size, date, and program focus are negotiable. Teams have access to our print and media resources, exhibits, educational programs, and talented staff in support of their learning goals. We offer wireless Internet and photocopy resources, and parking is included.
Appointments are required. To make an appointment, contact library@mos.org.
Example topics of focus (feel free to suggest your own):
- Resource and Curriculum Review
Looking for excellent, teacher-reviewed, K – 12 science, technology, and engineering resources all in one location? Our staff will introduce you to our collection and get you started in reviewing materials that might support your classroom or district needs.
- Imagining Engineering in the Classroom
Our staff will introduce you to the Museum's engineering curriculum and our Design Challenges program in order to kick off a discussion about engineering education. Ample time will be allowed to explore a variety of engineering education materials.
- Inquiry Science Refresher
Scientific inquiry provides an underpinning of many Museum of Science exhibits and programs. Our staff will immerse you in several inquiry learning experiences as a catalyst to your group's discussions about inquiry in your learning environment.
- Connecting Science and Language Arts
Learn how to maximize your time in the classroom by utilizing cross-curricular methodologies that highlight science skills through literature. Our staff will show you how inquiry is the perfect launching pad to incorporate science into reading and writing activities.
- Connecting Math and Science
Examine how Museum exhibits provide opportunities for developing mathematical skills. Measure, collect, and interpret data, explore graphs, find geometric patterns in nature, and discuss connections to school-based math and science lessons.
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Take time as a team to familiarize yourselves with our "classroom" and work with our staff to plan a Museum field trip that supports your curriculum and learning goals.
Pre-Service Teacher Program
University professors are encouraged to bring their pre-service education classes to the Museum for an introduction to learning in informal education settings.
Our staff provide an overview of the Educator Resource Center services and programs, emphasizing support for teachers as learners. Following a mini-lesson on inquiry science or engineering design, students have time to interact with our print and media resources. They also visit our Exhibit Halls in support of a discussion on planning effective field trips. Course professors are involved in program planning and co-facilitate to ensure that the lessons support overall course goals.
Appointments are required. To make an appointment, contact library@mos.org.
The Gateway Project
Endorsed by the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council as an @Scale educational model and replicated across the U.S., this project helps school districts develop strategic plans to implement K-12 technology and engineering programs, while introducing educators to resources supporting standards-based curricula and assessments.
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