2012-2013 Minneapolis Public Schools STEM Leadership Initiative

July 9-13, 2012 at the Science Museum of Minnesota's Science House followed by an additional 2-days together during the school year (dates to be announced)

The Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) STEM Initiative and the Teacher Professional Development Group of Science House at the Science Museum of Minnesota invite MPS Academic Leaders to participate in a professional development opportunity designed to bring together a community of MPS leaders from a wide range of disciplines and departments to support STEM education across the district. The goal of the MPS STEM Leadership Institute is to develop a supportive community of leaders who work productively together to improve STEM teaching and learning and eliminate achievement gaps in STEM education. We will work together to build a rigorous foundation in equity in STEM education using a research-based framework focused on disparities and beliefs, pedagogy and curriculum, the nature of STEM, identity, and community transformation. We will learn about strategies to integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a trans-disciplinary manner, raise awareness surrounding the national STEM frameworks, and identify and support best practices related to STEM education in Minneapolis Public Schools.

The institute will weave together adult-level STEM investigations with culturally relevant pedagogical content knowledge that provides insights into identifying opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants will engage in project-based investigations related to the Elwha River Restoration project in the Olympic National Park and our own watersheds in Minnesota while simultaneously exploring effort-based learning theory, groupwork and social status, reconstructing the nature of STEM, identity formation, and leadership. The STEM Leadership Institute is based on the museum's Nexus and PAGE STEM leadership Initiatives that have received national accolades and support from the National Science Foundation for closing achievement gaps. During the program we will work together to adapt, refine, and implement strategies, frameworks, and professional development resources that promote the achievement for all students in STEM that we can use in our work with teachers. The Institute will support academic leaders in translating their new understandings into strategic classroom applications that support MPS teachers and the Minnesota Science, Engineering, and Math Standards.

Registration Includes:

• 7 days (42 hours) of professional development:
  Wednesday-Thursday, October 10-11, 2012
  Thursday, November 1, 2012
  Thursday, January 24, 2013
  Thursday, February 21, 2013
  Thursday, March 21, 2013
  Thursday, April 25, 2013
• Lunch and continental breakfast, a science notebook, relevant texts, and all consumable materials
• MSP funding for this training is being supplemented by the Cargill STEM Coordination grant, Teaching and Learning, and the Office of Extended Learning.

Participant Eligibility:
By recommendation of your MPS departmental director or area superintendent. Attendance at all 7 days of training is required. Please check your calendars carefully before applying.

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