Sally Ride Science Academy Debuts Online STEM Professional Development Program

  • By Sharleen Nelson
  • 08/15/13

To help educators effectively teach a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)-based curriculum in the classroom, the Sally Ride Science Academy has launched an online professional development training program.

Founded in 2001 by the late Sally Ride, America's first woman in space, the academy is devoted to encouraging students to pursue careers in STEM-related fields.

The more convenient and affordable online format will provide elementary teachers of grades 3-8 and school counselors with online STEM training in background preparation, classroom activities, and teaching strategies, and allow them to progress through the same key topics with discussions and project-based work moderated by course instructors as the traditional academy.

Based on the Canvas Learning Platform, the online training program includes real-time tools that allow users to interact with the instructor, as well as collaborate with peers. The program also features a notification tool to remind teachers about class discussions and assignments and an interface designed to provide easy access to online sessions that include videos, e-books, integrated media recordings, and virtual labs.  Additionally, the Canvas App Center offers a variety of smartphone apps for iOS and Android mobile devices.

"We know most students are engaged and curious about science and math in the early elementary grades," said Sally Ride Science CEO Sheryle Bolton, in a prepared statement. "But too many students — particularly girls and under-represented minorities — lose interest in those disciplines by the end of middle school. Economists tell us that more than 80 percent of all jobs in the coming decades will require some kind of STEM background. It is essential for our nation's future that we help prepare students to seize this opportunity."

The following school districts have access to the new online academy:

The Sally Ride Science Academy, which is sponsored by ExxonMobil, provides college and career readiness training and tools to promote students' interest in STEM fields and careers and offers professional development and STEM training to elementary and middle school students. The Sally Ride EarthKAM, a NASA-funded educational outreach program, helps students, teachers, and the public learn about Earth from the unique perspective of space. Visit sallyridescience.com for more information.

About the Author

Sharleen Nelson is a freelance journalist based in Springfield, Oregon. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • classroom scene with students gathered around a laptop showing a virtual tour interface

    Discovery Education Announces Spring Lineup of Free Virtual Field Trips

    This Spring, Discovery Education is collaborating with partners such as Warner Bros., DC Comics, National Science Foundation, NBA, and more to present a series of free virtual field trips for K-12 students.

  • glowing padlock shape integrated into a network of interconnected neon-blue lines and digital nodes, set against a soft, blurred geometric background

    3 in 4 Administrators Expect a Security Incident to Impact Their School This Year

    In an annual survey from education identity platform Clever, 74% of administrators admitted that they believe a security incident is likely to impact their school system in the coming year. That's up from 71% who said the same last year.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • pattern of icons for math and reading, including a pi symbol, calculator, and open book

    HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

    Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.