Teacher Services

Coaching, Workshops, Curriculum Development

WMSI offers a wide range of
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT opportunities:

PD WORKSHOPS

PD PROJECT CYCLES

Learn engaging, hands-on STEM skills and tools, as well as how to incorporate them into the classroom through our Professional Development workshops. Options for these workshops include:

A project cycle with WMSI is a modular, customized approach that can be designed to fit specific classroom needs and goals. The overall goal is for WMSI to support in building teacher capacity for STEM and project-based learning in the classroom. The project cycle can include some or all of the following methods:

In-School Workshops

WMSI can work with schools to facilitate custom professional development workshops at schools during in-service days. These workshops can be focused on both skill-building and/or project-based learning resources and best practices in the classroom. The format is flexible, can consist of one or multiple visits, and includes both the tools and professional WMSI instructors. This opportunity is best for medium-large groups (6-20 teachers)

Virtual Workshops

From the comfort of your own home, join one of WMSI’s professional development workshops and connect with teachers from around New England! These virtual workshops are centered around a specific STEM tool or topic, such as robotics, coding, or engineering. WMSI generally provides the opportunity for lendable kits to accompany these workshops, and/or will utilize browser-based educational tools.

Workshops at WMSI

Come to WMSI at 23 Ammonoosuc in Littleton! Primarily during the summer months, WMSI facilitates engaging professional development workshops at our Makerspace in Littleton. Our in-person workshops offer the most customization and flexibility, allowing you to work closely with WMSI instructors on integrating STEM tools and topics of your choice into meaningful, project-based lessons.

Instructional Coaching

Individual and small-group teacher coaching is one of our most impactful services for schools. Our goal is to establish a longterm relationship to support project-based learning in the classroom. This can include small group design sessions, flexible check-ins, and classroom shadowing.WMSI’s aim is to build teacher capacity through developed activities, units, lesson strategies, and technical expertise for long-term increased STEM fluency. This opportunity is best for small groups (1-4 teachers).

Curriculum Development

Broad-scale curriculum development contracts support schools with the whole process of STEM-based curriculum change, including: broad scale vision setting; interviewing teachers and assessing current state of curriculum; finding, developing, and organizing new resources; facilitating workgroup meetings; and reviewing and finalizing draft manuscripts. Overall, these efforts will help your school take innovative ideas and turn them into thorough, digestible institutional knowledge.

Modeling Projects & Units

WMSI instructors in the classroom can model engaging, hands-on STEM projects. Project modeling can give teachers insight into how project-based learning lessons can work in their classroom with live examples facilitated by experienced WMSI instructors. Project modeling is most meaningful when combined with an instructional coaching project cycle.

Lendables Library

WMSI’s library of STEM tools can be lent to teachers for designated periods of time as they work to incorporate them into engaging project-based lessons in the classroom. Lendables are always paired with instructional coaching and/or curriculum development work.

Topics and Tools:

Any of the teachers services listed above can be customized to incorporate the topics and tools listed below.

TOPICS:

  • Computer Science (NSTA standards)

    • Curriculum planning, unplugged activities, plugged in projects

    • Integrated into math, engineering, literacy, and history/social studies

    • Project and play-based

  • STEAM

    • Focus on project-based learning

    • Assessment of impact- how do we know it’s working?

  • NGSS Science and Engineering

  • Community-based projects

  • Robotics

  • Novel Engineering

  • Electricity & Magnetism

TOOLS:

  • LEGO Education Spike Prime & Spike Essentials

  • LEGO Education EV3

  • High Altitude Balloon

  • Technology units such as:

    • 3D printers & TinkerCAD

    • Makey Makey

    • Animation

    • LASER-cutting

    • Micro:bit

    • Minecraft Education

  • Solar Panels

  • Wind Turbines

  • Code.org, Scratch, Python

Partners

A map of our participating schools and organizations

 

Past schools/organizations that we’ve worked with on teacher trainings and planning include:

  • Milan Village School

  • Berlin Elementary, Berlin High School

  • Ed Fenn, Gorham Middle High

  • Errol Consolidated School

  • Colebrook Elementary School

  • Stewartstown Village School

  • Pittsburg School

  • Profile High School

  • White Mountain Regional High school (WMRHS)

  • Lancaster Elementary School

  • Lafayette Elementary School

  • Bethlehem Elementary School

  • Monroe Consolidated School

  • Sant Bani

  • Technology Student’s Association (TSA)

  • FIRST Robotics

  • North Country Education Services

  • 24 Hours of STEM

  • Tufts CEEO (Massachusetts)

  • UNH Leitzel Center

Highlight Projects and Testimonials

WMSI Programs

Growing Creative Problem Solvers