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, 247kb)
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)
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, 57kb)
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, 60.2kb)
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, 233kb)
Focus on Instructional Techniques III K–5
Focus on Instructional Techniques IV K–5
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.
Grade Band Progression
Educators study the progression of learning across a grade band and map the coherence of science concepts.
ASYNCHRONOUS 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)
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:
Profesional Development
SUMMER
(before implementation)
Foundational PD Sessions
- Launch PhD Science Levels K–5
FALL
Foundational PD Sessions
- Module-Level Study
SPRING
Foundational PD Sessions
- Focus on Instructional Techniques I
END OF YEAR
Personalized Coaching
SUMMER
(before implementation)
Personalized Coaching Sessions
- Lead PhD Science
FALL
Personalized Coaching Sessions
- Guided Observation for Leaders
- Nurturing a Student-Driven Classroom
- Managing a Student-Driven Classroom
SPRING
Personalized Coaching Sessions
- Guided Observation for Leaders
- Pacing for a Student-Driven Classroom
END OF YEAR
Personalized Coaching Sessions
- Guided Observations for Leaders
Year 2:
Profesional Development
SUMMER/FALL
Sustaining PD Sessions
- Focus on Instructional Techniques II
SPRING
Sustaining PD Session
- Focus on Instructional Techniques III
END OF YEAR
Personalized Coaching
SUMMER/FALL
Personalized Coaching Sessions
-
Guided Observations for Leaders
-
Discourse for a Student-Driven Classroom
SPRING
Personalized Coaching Sessions
- Guided Observation for Leaders
- Prepare a Lesson Collaboratively
END OF YEAR
Personalized Coaching Sessions
- Guided Observations for Leaders
Year 3:
Profesional Development
SUMMER/FALL
Sustaining PD Sessions
- Focus on Instructional Techniques IV
SPRING
Sustaining PD Session
- Grade Band Progression
Personalized Coaching
SUMMER/FALL
Personalized Coaching Sessions
-
Guided Observations for Leaders
-
Planning and Preparing by Using Checks for Understanding
SPRING
Personalized Coaching Sessions
- Guided Observation for Leaders
- Prepare a Lesson Collaboratively
END OF YEAR
Personalized Coaching Sessions
- Guided Observations for Leaders