RI, MA Teachers Attend STEM Teaching Workshops

Teachers from 11 high schools across southeastern New England were awarded grants for STEM education, worth over $10,000. The 26 educators will come together in Warren, Rhode Island this week for workshops to help integrate low-cost hands-on activities with cutting-edge online resources.

The 13 teams of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and special education teachers will attend the workshops at the East Bay Educational Collaborative on Thursday. The teachers come from the following schools:

• Arlington High School, MA
• Billerica Memorial High School, MA
• Central High School, RI
• Exeter West Greenwich Senior High School, RI
• Johnston Senior High School, RI
• Lincoln High School, RI
• Middletown High School, RI
• Mt. Hope High School, RI
• North Kingstown High School, RI
• North Providence High School, RI
• Scituate High School, RI
• Smithfield High School, RI

The program, called "Physics 360," is in its second year. Funded by the Office of Naval Research, teachers attend a series of three workshops. The first, on Dec. 6, focused on waves of energy.

"It was gratifying to watch teachers from across New England collaborate as a community of learners at EBEC," said Kathryn Eller, the science specialist at the professional development facility. "Our workshops provide teachers an opportunity to explore new ways for engaging students in dynamic, multi-disciplinary STEM subjects like Oceanography and Climate Change. This provides a framework for math, science, special education and technology teachers to connect STEM with the arts and literacy and helps create a multicultural classroom."

Back in the classroom, the teachers will have access to a variety of resources, including the talks, lessons and webinars.

Robin Borges, a math teacher at Exeter-West Greenwich High School, said she loves that program's interdisciplinary applications.

"I enjoyed seeing activities relevant to the ocean that I can present in my math classroom. As a math teacher, it is often difficult to find time beyond the curriculum to incorporate useful, interesting lessons with application," Borges said. "I am excited about the resources [the program coordinators] showed us, particularly the possibility of a cross-curricular partnership with our music technology program and the cymatics and other sound and wave curricula."