STEM Professional Development at WPI & Online
The STEM Education Center offers a variety of professional development workshops for teachers during the academic year as well as throughout the summer. We focus on enriching STEM education in the classroom at both the subject specific level and as fully integrated subject content & practices across STEM fields. Scroll down to review the upcoming PD offerings.
Please note: All workshops require a minimum number of registrations to run. For more information about any of these professional development opportunities, please email Donna Taylor at dltaylor@wpi.edu
Find Teacher Resources HERE
STEM PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2025-26
OpenSciEd Launch
The STEM Education Center at WPI is offering a 3-day OpenSciEd Launch training for K-12 science teachers, coaches, and/or administrators. The training will guide educators through the shift toward student-centered science teaching & learning, where students ‘figure out' and explain real-world phenomena, as well as the implementation of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Throughout the training, participating educators will experience the different routines & pedagogies associated with the OpenSciEd units, as well as work with colleagues to review a subject-specific OSE unit and plan for implementation in their classrooms.
This course can be taken for PDPs or as a 3-credit course as part of the Master’s in Integrated STEM Education.

Dates: Nov. 12-14, 2025 OR Feb. 17-19, 2026
Time: 8:30 am - 3:15 pm (ET)
Location: Online via Zoom
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Contact Donna with any questions.
AI in STEM Education
Unlock the Future of Teaching and Learning!
Are you ready to integrate the power of Artificial Intelligence into your STEM classroom? Join us for a dynamic 5-part workshop series designed to equip educators with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to leverage AI for enhanced teaching and learning.
No prior experience with AI is required. The course is designed as a virtual, interactive, and collaborative experience. Discount provided if you register for all 5 sessions!
Dates: Select Wed. evenings Jan-March 2026
(1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/11, 3/4)
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm (ET)
Location: Online via Zoom
Registration NOW OPEN!
Contact Donna with any questions.
Seeds of STEM
Problem Panda has a LOT of problems! Join this info session to learn about this exciting and FREE STEM curriculum for PK/K learners.
Info Session Dates:
October 15, 2025 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm (ET)
Location: Online via Zoom
Contact Mia with questions or for more information.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Summer Research Experiences at WPI
Apply to be part of the WPI RET (Research Experiences for Teachers) Site: Engineering for People and the Planet for middle and high school STEM teachers to conduct paid research for 6 full weeks at WPI in a team with a WPI faculty member and pre-service teacher. Research experiences focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for an integrated approach of learning and doing science, math, and engineering through real-world problems. Teachers will participate in professional development to translate their research experience into classroom activities, as well as present their work to broader audiences.
Dates: Summer 2026; and up to 4 follow-up sessions during the academic year
Location: WPI Research Labs on Campus (in person)
Applications will open in January 2026
I am STEM Workshops
Bring STEM to your classroom during STEM Week! The I am STEM – STEM I am Lesson Library includes 36 unique lessons for students in grades PK-7 that focus on solving problems in books and stories. All lessons are designed as five 45-min experiences, are aligned with grade-level ELA and math, STE or DLCS standards, could be done in the classroom or remotely, and use every-day & recyclable materials.
The virtual PD is free and open to any PK-7 educator (in and out of school) interested in implementing a STEM challenge with their students. This interactive and engaging 90-minute session will introduce you to the problem solving process, show you how to navigate the library, allow you to briefly explore grade level lessons, and try out an activity with colleagues. All participants will receive a certificate for 1.5 hours of PD.
Location: Online via Zoom
Dates/Times:
Wed. 10/8 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Mon. 10/13 from 9:30 - 11:00 am
More dates may be added - check back soon!
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
AI in STEM Education
This course explores how AI can shape the future of K–12 STEM education by providing educators with the skills and tools to effectively incorporate AI into their teaching. Participants will discover how AI can enhance learning experiences, simplify administrative tasks, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in students. The course will also discuss the strengths and current limitations of existing AI technologies, providing practical advice on its appropriate use and the safeguards educators need to consider. Through interactive workshops, case studies, and discussions on ethical implications, the course focuses on making AI accessible and actionable for educators of all experience levels. No prior experience with AI is required. The course is designed as a virtual, interactive, and collaborative experience.
This course can be taken for PDPs or as a 3-credit course as part of the Master’s in Integrated STEM Education.
Dates: July 8-11, 2025; those taking the course for graduate credit will continue to meet July 15-17 also.
Time: 8:45 am - 3:30 pm (ET)
Location: Virtual and Interactive on Zoom
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
Contact Donna with any questions.
Classroom Climate that Supports Diverse STEM Learners
This online synchronous course addresses several elements of high-quality teaching, as well as laying the foundation for the variety of teaching & learning styles in different contexts (PreK-12 classrooms, out of school time settings, etc.). Students will discuss research related to family & community, culturally & linguistically sustaining practices, social & emotional learning, Universal Design for Learning, and engaging all learners in STEM. The course will also address different ways of knowing and learning, and connecting STEM learning to learners’ culture and place. Participants will develop concrete plans to apply course topics into their practice, aligned with professional standards
This course can be taken for PDPs or as a 3-credit course as part of the Master’s in Integrated STEM Education.
Dates: August 12-15, 2025
Time: 8:45 am - 3:30 pm (ET)
Location: Virtual and Interactive on Zoom
Note: Graduate course extension occurs on Thursday evenings from 6-8:30 pm (ET), Oct. 21-Dec. 9, 2025. (No session on 11/27/25)
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
Contact Donna with any questions.
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