Immediately following the 10-day Festival, the Flagstaff Festival of Science hosts multiple workshops for STEM presenters and teachers in Flagstaff.
When it comes to STEM education, the Festival recognizes the need to offer continuing education opportunities for educators in our community, including professional teachers and professional scientists who present science topics to K-12 classrooms. Collaborating with several professionals and groups, the Festival has organized a series of workshops for STEM educators and presenters. These workshops will equip teachers with skills they can use to be more effective in the classroom and equip STEM professionals with ideas for better communicating STEM concepts to youth. By adopting innovative teaching practices, workshop attendees can more effectively connect with students and improve learning outcomes.
On October 1, from 4:30-5:30 p.m., join Festival Board Member, Marti Canipe for “Bringing Science into K-12 Classrooms”. This workshop, for scientists and other STEM professionals, offers tips and best practices for presenting STEM topics to younger audiences. Sharing science with young learners is an important way to help encourage the next generation of STEM enthusiasts and professionals. However, it can be daunting to figure out how to accomplish this with a room full of K-12 students. As part of the workshop, participants will have an opportunity to apply new ideas to the STEM topic(s) they are passionate about sharing. Whether one is new to this or has years of experience presenting to K-12 students and teachers, there are always more ways to improve communication skills and methods.
On October 5, two teacher professional development workshops will take place for STEM educators. From 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. join facilitators from the Arizona Science Center in a workshop geared towards pre-K through first grade educators. In “Dramatic Science: Playful Learning in the Classroom” attendees can expect to elevate their science instruction. In a dynamic workshop designed to ignite creativity and engagement in your teaching practice, this session empowers educators to weave dramatic play and storytelling into science instruction, turning everyday lessons into thrilling adventures.
Discover how to create and implement scenarios where students envision themselves in STEM careers, helping them connect more deeply with the material. These playful learning experiences not only enhance understanding but also inspire curiosity and foster critical thinking.
Through dramatic play, children can explore various roles within STEM fields, allowing them to see the relevance of science in real-world contexts and envision their future contributions. This approach encourages students to imagine themselves as problem-solvers and innovators, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-life applications.
Join presenters, Noortje Nelissen and Brenna Chambers Follett, to explore practical strategies for creating a classroom environment where science becomes an exciting and relatable adventure, paving the way for students to see themselves as future STEM professionals. Through hands-on activities and real-life examples, you’ll gain insights into creating dynamic, playful learning environments that stimulate curiosity and foster a love of science.
Also on October 5, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., attend the “Hydrological Focused Professional Development Workshop”! This is a unique opportunity for educators in the Flagstaff area presented by Arizona Project WET. This workshop provides experiential, environmental education, allowing educators to integrate science instruction with local geographical and environmental contexts. Enhance your teaching with authentic, place-based learning that connects scientific concepts to the local landscape. Key focus areas include: water cycle, groundwater, watershed, and water sustainability. Enrich your learning and your classroom with place-based, experiential learning. This is your opportunity to contribute to water stewardship!
Arizona Project WET promotes water stewardship and STEAM literacy through engaging educators, students, and communities with relevant educational strategies. They offer teacher professional development, state standards-based curricula, and experiential environmental education programs to enhance math and science practice. APW aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills for water stewardship and to pique interest in STEAM-based careers.
Each of the workshops is free but have limited spots and require registration. Continuing education credits are offered for both educator workshops. Workshops will be hosted at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center, Building 6 conference room (2255 N Gemini Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001). Registration: www.scifest.org.
For more information about the Festival of Science, visit scifest.org or our Facebook page, LinkedIn page or Instagram page. You can also download our app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Board member, Adam Marsh, and lead paleontologist at Petrified National Forest, works with a team of scientists to uncover an approximately 300 million-year-old fossil skeleton discovered at Canyonlands National Park in Utah (June 2024)