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.
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. All sessions are available in virtual and in-person formats.
Launch PhD Science Levels K–2, 3–5, and K–5
Educators explore instructional shifts within the curriculum's learning design, approach to knowledge building, and curricular structure through its use of authentic phenomena, hands-on investigations, and coherent storyline.
DOWNLOAD LAUNCH PhD SCIENCE AGENDA (PDF, 143kb)
WATCH LAUNCH PhD SCIENCE SESSION PREVIEW
Lead PhD Science K–5
Leaders will learn how to support a successful implementation by developing knowledge of the curriculum components and learning design and identifying key indicators of a successful PhD Science implementation.
DOWNLOAD LEAD PhD SCIENCE AGENDA (PDF, 225kb)
WATCH LEAD PhD SCIENCE SESSION PREVIEW
Module and Lesson Study K–5
This session helps educators better understand the process of internalizing a module and a lesson, including the progression of science content knowledge, standards addressed, assessments, and investigations.
Learn PhD Science K–5
Choose from two of the three-hour sessions listed below to complete your foundational professional development journey.
- Using Models in a Student-Driven Classroom
- Discourse for a Student-Driven Classroom
- Using Questions to Drive Student Learning
These sessions cover important topics and components that are beneficial in laying a strong foundation for a successful implementation.
DOWNLOAD DISCOURSE FOR A STUDENT-DRIVEN CLASSROOM AGENDA (PDF, 115kb)
SUSTAINING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Seasoned practitioners who have completed our foundational sessions can deepen their understanding of the curriculum and strengthen their implementation through this advanced coursework. All sessions are available in virtual and in-person formats. Note that a minimum of five hours is required for in person PD, which equates to two sustaining PD sessions.
Nurturing a Student-Driven Classroom
Participants discover how to nurture and empower students to drive their own learning by establishing and maintaining a positive classroom culture and classroom norms.
DOWNLOAD NURTURING A STUDENT-DRIVEN CLASSROOM AGENDA (PDF, 158kb)
Managing a Student-Driven Classroom
Educators identify the components that are necessary for managing and facilitating a student-driven classroom as they plan and prepare for upcoming instruction.
DOWNLOAD MANAGING A STUDENT-DRIVEN CLASSROOM AGENDA (PDF, 126kb)
Building Knowledge with the Content Learning Cycle
This session deepens understanding of the curriculum learning cycle, demonstrating the cyclical process students use to build knowledge, emphasizing the importance of using phenomena to drive instruction, engaging in scientific practices, and exploring coherent storylines.
Using Models in a Student-Driven Classroom
This session explores the importance of using collaborative conversations to build student knowledge while developing tools and strategies to support the nuances of crucial curriculum components such as the anchor model and anchor chart.
Using Questions to Drive Student Learning
Pacing for a Student-Driven Classroom
Teachers identify pacing challenges, explore curricular resources, and hear from experienced implementers to support pacing decisions when planning and preparing for instruction.
DOWNLOAD PACING FOR A STUDENT-DRIVEN CLASSROOM AGENDA (PDF, 123kb)
Discourse for a Student-Driven Classroom
Participants identify how discourse supports a student-driven classroom and explore a process for discourse that includes support in laying a solid foundation, planning, facilitating, and reflecting on student-led discourse.
DOWNLOAD DISCOURSE FOR A STUDENT-DRIVEN CLASSROOM AGENDA (PDF, 115kb)
Differentiation for a Student-Driven Classroom
Educators build upon their understanding of differentiation and explore additional differentiation resources as they plan and prepare for instruction.
DOWNLOAD DIFFERENTIATION FOR A STUDENT-DRIVEN CLASSROOM AGENDA (PDF, 157kb)
Planning and Preparing by Using Checks for Understanding
Teachers see how the formative Checks for Understanding assessment tool can help them monitor learning as well as guide planning and instructional decisions.
DOWNLOAD PLANNING AND PREPARING BY USING CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING AGENDA (PDF, 157kb)
Leveraging Related Phenomena
Teachers discover how to leverage related phenomena to support students in transferring and applying science content knowledge.
DOWNLOAD LEVERAGING RELATED PHENOMENA AGENDA (PDF, 157kb)
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
We know that when teachers feel prepared and well versed in the curriculum, students thrive. To set educators up for success with PhD Science, our team created the three-year plan. With integrated PD and personalized coaching, this plan will help all teachers feel confident with the curriculum.
Year 1:
Professional Development
SUMMER
(before implementation)
Foundational Professional Development Sessions
- Lead PhD Science
- Launch PhD Science
FALL/WINTER/SPRING
Foundational Professional Development Session
- Module and Lesson Study
Personalized Coaching
FALL/WINTER/SPRING
- Personalized Coaching
- PLC Supports
- Prepare a Lesson Collaboratively
Year 2:
Professional Development
SUMMER/FALL
Foundational PD
- Using Models in a Student-Driven Classroom*
- Using Questions to Drive Student Learning*
WINTER/SPRING
Sustaining PD
- Nurturing a Student-Driven Classroom*
- Managing a Student-Driven Classroom*
Personalized Coaching
FALL/WINTER/SPRING
- Guided Observations for Leaders
- Personalized Coaching
- PLC Supports
- Prepare a Lesson Collaboratively
Year 3:
Professional Development
SUMMER/FALL
Sustaining PD (Full Day)
- Discourse for a Student-Driven Classroom*
- Pacing for a Student-Driven Classroom*
WINTER/SPRING
Sustaining PD
- Building Knowledge with the Content Learning Cycle*
Personalized Coaching
FALL/WINTER/SPRING
- Guided Observations for Leaders
- Personalized Coaching
- PLC Supports
- Prepare a Lesson Collaboratively