Innovative Educator Workshops

The TN STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) and the Middle TN STEM Innovation Hub, hosted at the TN STEM Education Center (TSEC), continue their long-standing collaboration to bring exciting professional development credit opportunities to educators all over the mid-state through the annual Innovative Educator Workshop series.

These professional development opportunities provide teachers with the resources and skills they need to expand STEM learning both inside and outside of the classroom.  The day-long workshops offer catered lunch, mileage reimbursement, and PD credit alongside the expert knowledge offered by local educators. These speakers, leaders in their fields, guide middle TN k-12 teachers through many different challenges they may face, from school STEM designations to implementing experiential learning.

Empowering Minds in STEM: Unlocking the Potential of Inquiry-Based Learning

June 6, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at MTSU

Designed for middle school/high school teachers

Inquiry-based learning isn't just another buzz phrase - it's a proven teaching method that encourages students to explore real-world problems and think critically through investigation. This workshop will cover the theory and application of inquiry-based learning through both student and teacher perspectives. In this interactive workshop, you'll experience inquiry-based learning from both the student and teacher perspectives. We'll guide you through a hands-on inquiry-based lesson that will leave you motivated to try it out in your own classroom. Then, you'll discover how ANY lesson can be moved up the inquiry spectrum, giving you the freedom and flexibility to apply these techniques to any topic. By the end of the workshop, you'll have a boosted lesson plan that's ready to implement, as well as the tools and resources to keep the inquiry-based learning momentum going. So bring a lesson you want to take to the next level and get ready to open a whole new world of options for your instruction toolkit.

1. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of inquiry-based learning, including its underlying theory, principles, and benefits, as well as how it can be used to promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students.
2. Through hands-on activities and demonstrations, participants will learn how to implement inquiry-based learning strategies and techniques in their classrooms, regardless of the subject matter or grade level.
3. By the end of the workshop, participants will have developed and refined a lesson plan using inquiry-based learning and will have access to a range of tools and resources to help them continue using this powerful teaching approach effectively in their classrooms.

• Designed for Middle / High School Educator focus
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Lunch & Refreshments 

Expert Panel

REGISTER*
*Space is limited to first 30 teachers that register

How to Spike Your Lesson Plans

June 8, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at MTSU

Designed for elementary school teachers

Do you find yourself being dragged through scripted lesson plans that lack fun? Are students walking into your class in a fog of noninterest? Well, it's time to SPIKE your lessons with CS & Robotics!!! As we all know, TN will be implementing Elementary CS standards in 2024/2025, so why not get a jump on it? The object of this class will be to:

1. Gain insight into the new TN standards;
2. Utilize beginning coding skills through basic drag-and-drop software;
3. Build a working robot;
4. Explore how CS & Robotics can be used throughout all content/learning levels; and
5. Where to go to seek out grants and funding because ain't nobody got money in the classroom!  Best news ever....you get to KEEP your Spike Essential Robotics kit to be added to your awesome classroom!

• Designed for elementary school teachers
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Lunch & Refreshments 

Expert Panel

REGISTER*
*Space is limited to first 20 teachers that register

Questions?

Contact Dr. Kevin Ragland, TSEC Associate Director, at midtnstem@mtsu.edu.