Professional Development
Teacher training takes on many guises:
Teachers New to Needham
New NPS teachers meet Science Center staffers, take a guided tour of our facilities, and learn about Science Center offerings. They learn how to request equipment and book programs. They receive grade level science content, documents, and information.
Grade Level Workshops
Teacher in-service workshops bring grade level staff together at the Science Center. Teachers work collaboratively with hands-on materials to learn content, inquiry-based instructional practices, and more. Grade-level workshops give teachers the background information they need to teach the science curriculum appropriate to their grade level.
Coaching
NPS staff can contact the Science Center for a personal coaching session. The Science Center staff will work with you to develop a strategy to help you feel comfortable using science materials, tools, and teaching methods. Model lessons, classroom coaching, and co-teachng opportunities are also available.
Curriculum Support
NPS staff members can drop by the Science Center during regular operating hours to look at materials and plan curriculum. Private consultation with a Science Center staff member are available by appointment.
Observational Sketching
NPS staff can request a one-hour Observational Sketching lesson in their classrooms. Science Center staff members model a guided sketching lesson followed by students practicing the skills taught.
Tea Time Workshops
The Science Center staff offers informal, after-school workshops. Tea and snacks are provided as NPS staff collaborate with teachers from other districts around topics in science. Topics may include but are not limited to: Inquiry-based instruction strategies, scientific process skills, integration of science and literacy and science content.
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