Institute of Play Offers Free PD for Math Teachers in Grades 6-12

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 08/21/18

A non-profit design studio founded by a group of game makers in New York City is reaching out to educators who want to participate in a free professional development fellowship specifically for math teachers working in grades 6-12. MathQuest NYC, an initiative of the Institute of Play, has six days of PD, starting in mid-October. Participants will learn how to use game-design principles and tie games into their lessons. Teachers have until September 21 to get their applications in. Teams of two or three from the same school or district will receive preference in the selection process.

Educators will also receive access to the institute's TeacherQuest Online platform, which delivers online courses through the year, as well as on-going support and feedback opportunities and tools and resources. According to the organizers, "fellows" will learn to how to embed games into their curriculum, integrate them into the classroom, create their own games, set up learner-centered design challenges and assess learning outcomes.

Sessions will run from 9:30 to 3:30 over two concurrent days in October, November and January and will take place at the Adelphi University Manhattan Campus. While there's no registration fee, those accepted will need to handle their transportation and confirm support from the appropriate supervisor, such as a principal or superintendent, and get release time for the workshops.

The application asks four short response questions:

  • What the applicant's teaching philosophy is;
  • What the greatest challenges in teaching math are;
  • How the use of game-like learning might improve teaching math; and
  • How the school or district could benefit from the program.

The online application is available on the Institute's website.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • A teacher and students gather around a glowing crystal ball containing a miniature school building surrounded by clear AI symbols, including holographic interfaces, neural networks, circuits, and data streams

    2025 Predictions: AI's Impact on Education

    What should schools and districts expect from the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in the coming year? Here's what the experts told us.

  • digital illustration of Estonia with glowing neural network-like connections spreading across the map

    Estonia to Roll Out ChatGPT Edu for all Secondary Schools

    In a nationwide artificial intelligence program dubbed "AI Leap 2025," the country of Estonia plans to provide free access to leading AI applications for all secondary school students and teachers. The initiative will launch with a rollout of ChatGPT Edu to 20,000 high school students in grades 10-11 and their 3,000 teachers, beginning Sept. 1.

  • A middle school student wearing safety goggles and a lab coat uses a microscope in a science lab, surrounded by beakers and test tubes filled with colorful liquids

    2025 Young Scientist Challenge Seeks Students Using Science to Solve Everyday Problems

    The entry period is now open for the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge, a science competition from 3M and Discovery Education for students in grades 5-8 recognizing individuals across the United States who have "demonstrated a passion for using science to solve everyday problems and improve the world around them."

  • young child sitting at a table, using a tablet with an AI-generated interface

    Research: 1 in 3 Kids Use AI for Learning

    In a survey of parents with children aged 8 or younger, nearly a third of respondents (29%) said their child has used AI for school-related learning, according to a new report from Common Sense Media.