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About SSEATS

In 2002, the SSEC’s Professional Development Center (PDC), through support from the Lucent Technologies Foundation, developed and subsequently launched a series of courses designed to enhance the content and pedagogical knowledge of grades 5 – 12 science teachers using the SSEC’s research-based science curricula. Since then, the PDC has used these courses to train over 250 middle school teachers and trainers across the country. Building on the success of this initiative, the PDC was awarded a generous grant from the Lucent Technologies Foundation to support the design of its first five-day Smithsonian Science Education Academy for Teachers (SSEAT) for grades 5 – 12 in July 2005. 

 

The PDC expanded its efforts in 2006 by offering a second Academy on Biodiversity in late July. In 2007, the PDC offered a third Academy called Ecological Field Studies in the Smithsonian facility in Front Royal, VA, and a fourth Washington-based Academy called Electricity and Magnetism. The PDC is now part of Professional Services that promotes leadership development and professional development for grades K-12.  This year our Academies are Biodiversity, Earth’s History & Global Change and Energy’s Innovations and Implications.

 

Academy Overview

The Earth History and Global Change Academy engages up to 20-25 teachers from grades K–12 over five days. Each day, participants engage in carefully selected science experiences directly related to concepts addressed in the content and pedagogical training, and guided by scientists, curators, and educators from a variety of facilities including the Smithsonian. The goals and design of the Academy align with the Smithsonian’s goals and the Smithsonian’s Strategic Plan for Science. The Smithsonian Institution strongly supports the initiative, which it sees as complementing its education outreach work of promoting and providing a framework for the participation of their staff in the professional development of teachers. 

 

This Academy focuses on physical sciences, and in particular, the topic of Earth’s History and Global change. The Academy is based on physical science concepts and processes for grades K–12 in the Next Generation Science Standards and integrates pedagogic and science content inquiries with behind-the-scenes interactions with Smithsonian Institution collections and scientists and other organizations in the region. The Academy represents a unique and innovative approach to teacher professional development. 

Our Goals

What are the goals of these Academies?

 

  • Improving teacher understanding of scientific concepts that pertain to the science themes of each academy

  • Providing teachers with experiences of pedagogical approaches designed to increase student achievement

  • Engaging teachers in dialog with scientists and engineers who are conducting research

  • Expanding teacher awareness of the nature and history of science and technological innovation

  • Familiarizing teachers with the resources available at the Smithsonian and elsewhere that may be used to support the teaching and learning of science

 

OUR BRANCHES

NY, USA

London, UK

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Cape Town, South Africa

Marrakesh, Morocco



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