Professional Development
From the teacher–writers of PhD Science®
Created by the team of teacher–writers behind PhD Science, our in-person and virtual professional development (PD) sessions include options for teachers and leaders. These sessions ensure strong initial implementation as well as sustained success.
Private Professional Development
Come together with educators from your school or district for an in-person or virtual PD session. Great Minds® facilitators will work with up to 30 participants in each session.
Looking for modeling and observation of day to day classroom practices? Or to better understand the nuances of the curriculum so you can customize it in your classroom? If so, PhD Science Personalized Coaching might be a good option for you.
PD to support new implementers and seasoned users of PhD Science
FOUNDATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Foundational PD sessions build and deepen new educators' understanding of the curricular design and pedagogy of PhD Science. Sessions help both teachers and science leaders learn how to implement PhD Science with confidence.
Launch PhD Science Levels K–2, 3–5, and K–5
Educators explore the curriculum’s learning design, approach to knowledge building, and curricular structure and its use of authentic phenomena, hands-on investigations, trade books, and fine art.
DOWNLOAD LAUNCH PhD SCIENCE AGENDA (PDF, 143kb)
WATCH LAUNCH PhD SCIENCE SESSION PREVIEW
Lead PhD Science K–5
Participants build understanding of the what and the why of PhD Science and receive guidance for planning, preparing for, and supporting successful implementation.
DOWNLOAD LEAD PhD SCIENCE AGENDA (PDF, 225kb)
WATCH LEAD PhD SCIENCE SESSION PREVIEW
Module Level Study K–5
This session helps educators better understand the process of internalizing a module, including the curriculum’s science, knowledge, and investigation progressions.
DOWNLOAD MODULE LEVEL STUDY AGENDA (PDF, 150kb)
WATCH MODULE LEVEL STUDY SESSION PREVIEW
Focus on Instructional Techniques I K–5
Educators study the three-dimensional teaching and learning and the scientific investigation of real-world phenomena that form the basis of the curriculum’s learning design. They build knowledge of the curriculum, its resources, and its practical planning tools to gain confidence with implementation.
DOWNLOAD FOCUS ON INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES I AGENDA (PDF, 157kb)
WATCH FOCUS ON INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES I SESSION PREVIEW
Focus on Instructional Techniques II K–5
Educators explore the importance of using collaborative conversations to advance science instruction and build student knowledge while developing tools and strategies to support the nuances of crucial curriculum components such as the anchor visuals.
DOWNLOAD FOCUS ON INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES II AGENDA (PDF, 242kb)
WATCH FOCUS ON INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES II SESSION PREVIEW
Focus on Instructional Techniques III K–5 (coming soon)
Focus on Instructional Techniques IV K–5 (coming soon)
This session deepens educators’ understanding of the curriculum’s design, reviews its formative and summative assessment opportunities, and provides guidance for connecting science learning to other content areas.
ON-DEMAND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Module Study Series
This video series, hosted on Canvas, orients educators and coaches alike to a module in PhD Science. The series takes a deep dive into the content of the module, detailing the phenomenon-based learning specific to the module.
DOWNLOAD MODULE STUDY SERIES AGENDA (PDF, 168kb)
WATCH MODULE STUDY SERIES SESSION PREVIEW
Implementing PhD Science with Fidelity
To set educators up for success with PhD Science, our team of teacher–writers created the three-year plan below, which integrates both PD and personalized coaching so all teachers can feel confident with the curriculum. Because we know that when teachers feel prepared and well-versed in the curriculum, students thrive.
Year 1:
Professional Development
SUMMER
(before implementation)
Foundational Professional Development Sessions
- Launch PhD Science Levels K–5
FALL/WINTER/SPRING
Foundational Professional Development Session
- Module-Level Study
Personalized Coaching
SUMMER
(before implementation)
- Lead PhD Science
FALL
- Guided Observations for Leaders
WINTER
- Nurturing a Student-Driven Classroom*
SPRING
- Guided Observations for Leaders
*An alternative, more relevant session based on needs may be identified.
Year 2:
Professional Development
SUMMER/FALL
Foundational Professional Development Session
- Focus on Instructional Techniques I
WINTER/SPRING
Sustaining Professional Development Session
- Focus on Instructional Techniques II
Personalized Coaching
SUMMER
-
Managing a Student-Driven Classroom*
-
Pacing for a Student-Driven Classroom*
FALL
- Guided Observations for Leaders
WINTER
- Prepare a Lesson Collaboratively
- Discourse for a Student-Driven Classroom*
SPRING
- Guided Observations for Leaders
*An alternative, more relevant session based on needs may be identified.
Year 3:
Professional Development
SUMMER/FALL
Sustaining Professional Development Session
- Focus on Instructional Techniques III (coming soon)
WINTER/SPRING
Sustaining Professional Development Session
- Focus on Instructional Techniques IV (coming soon)
Personalized Coaching
SUMMER
-
Planning and Preparing by Using Checks for Understanding
FALL
- Guided Observations for Leaders
- Differentiation for a Student-Driven Classroom*
WINTER
- Prepare a Lesson Collaboratively
SPRING
- Guided Observations for Leaders
- Leveraging Related Phenomena in a Student-Driven Classroom*
*An alternative, more relevant session based on needs may be identified.