34 Teachers Will Attend Smithsonian STEM Academies This Summer
The Dow-CH2M Smithsonian Teacher Scholar Program,
designed to help teachers
develop skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
education,
will bring 34 teachers from five states to Washington, D.C., this
summer to
participate in professional development academies at the Smithsonian.
The program is part of the Smithsonian Science Education Academies for
Teachers (SSEATS), a series of annual week-long professional
development
academies for teachers held by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. This
year, SSEATS will offer three six-day programs developed in partnership
with
Dow.
The Dow Smithsonian Teacher Scholar Program
includes:
- Biodiversity Academy from June 19-24;
- Energy's Innovations and Implications July 10-15;
and
- Earth's History and Global Change July 17-22.
"This experience affords teachers the opportunity
to
engage in authentic STEM experiences by working directly with
scientists and
going behind the scenes at our Smithsonian museums and research
centers," said
Smithsonian Science Education Center Director Carol O'Donnell.
Following
the program, they will receive continued support from other
teacher-participants in their areas who have participated in previous
academies.
Likewise, Dow and CH2M employee volunteers will also interact in
organized
programs with teachers in their areas on STEM-related classroom
demonstrations,
career talks and technical expertise.
Dow Chemical has sponsored the Smithsonian program since 2007 and CH2M became a partner
sponsor this year. Since 2007, more than 240 teachers have been
involved in the
summer academies.
About the Author
Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.