Professional Development

The RSRC is dedicated to providing teachers and administrators with professional development opportunities which increase their understanding of mathematics and science and support their teaching of students. Courses are offered during the summer. Quarterly network meetings provide ongoing opportunities for teachers and administrators to meet and discuss classroom issues during the school year.

Want to see some photos of our Professional Development courses in action?
Choose a course below:

Student Conceptions in Physical Science 2012

Click the link below for detailed information for Summer Opportunities

2013 Summer Opportunities 

             COURSE OFFERINGS                    NETWORK MEETINGS

COURSE

 DESCRIPTION

REGISTER

Massachusetts Intel Mathematics Initiative (MIMI)

This 80-hour institute focuses on a conceptual understanding of arithmetical operations (and fractions) for the first half of the course and foundational algebra (Linear functions) the the second half, with the relationship of arithmetic, geometry, and algebra highlighted throughout the course.  All topics are taught using a viriety of problem solving strategies and technology resources that relate directly to the K - 9 mathematics classroom with 10% of the course devoted to pedagogical connections.

Dates:  July 8 - 11, July 15 - 18, and July 22 - 24, 2013

Time: 8am - 4:30pm

Location: Framingham State University

No Fee:  Funding provided by MA DESE

PDPs / Graduate Credit: 120 PDP's or 6 credits from Framingham State University at $75/credit.

For questions contact: Sandra Mayrand

sandra.mayrand@umassmed.edu

508-856-5097

Click here to register

Student Conceptions in Physical Science

Massachusetts Professional Development Institute 2013 Summer Professional Development for Teachers in Grades 3 - 8

This course will focus on identifying and developing students' conceptual thinking about physical science, whether concrete, emerging, or mis-constructed.  Participating teachers will see how to support the conncetion and development of concepts across and within grade spans by actively engaging with colleagues in investigations.  They will learn about tools, strategies and approaches to assess students' initial ideas, including possible misconceptions.  Course participants will learn how to plan for and support student learning to advance student conceptual thinking in productive ways as they learn science.  Multiple resouces will be used for effective planning and instruction, including the Massachusetts Science Curriculum Standards, formative assessments, differentiation strategies, models of student work, learning progressions and strand maps.  Through this course participating teachers will also deepen their fundamental knowledge in physical science conceps and learn how students' conceptual thinking develops in: Force and Motion, Properties of Matter, and Energy Transformation:

Dates & Times: July 16 -19 and July 22 - 24 from 8:30am - 3:00pm; and one afternoon in the fall from 4 - 7pm

Location: Worcester State University, Fuller Room, Student Center

3 graduate credits from Worcester State University @ $100/credit / 67.6 PDP's

Contact: Sandra.Mayrand@umassmed.edu for more information

Click here to register

Increasing Accessibility to Algebra & Geometry for All Students

The institute offers foundational math content and pedagogical strategies for general education, inclusion and special education teachers of grades 5 through 10.  It strengthens teachers' understanding of relationships between concepts in geometry and algebra.  Teachers will learn universal design strategies and techniques to increase accessibiliyt of rigorous mathematics to a broad range of learners.

Dates: July 30 - August 2 and August 5 - August 7

Time: 8:30am - 3:00pm each day

Location: Mashpee High School, Mashpee, MA

Follow-up Session: Saturday, October 19 (9:30am - 11:30am)

No Fee: Funding Provided by MA DESE

PDPs / Graduate Credit: 67.5 PDPs will be awarded for institute completion or 3 graduate course credits through Fitchburg State University with an additional fee of $275.

For questions contact: Wendy Cleaves

wendy.cleaves@umassmed.edu

508-856-5348

Click here to register

MTEL Preparation Course for High School  Math Licensure

Dates: July 29, August 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 2013

Time: 9:00am to 12:30pm

Location: Regional Science Resource Center in Shrewsbury. 

Fee: $400.00 

Registration Form

Teaching Advanced Mathematical Decision Making

This institute will prepare teachers to implement Advanced Mathematical Decision Making (AMDM) during the 2013-14 school year.  AMDM is a mathematics course designed to follow Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.  It involves the use of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and discrete mathematics to model a range of situations and solve problems in diverse areas such as statistics and financial mathematics.  The institute facilitators, including experienced AMDM teachers, will help participants to develop the unique combination of mathematical content as well as pedagogical skills called for in implementing AMDM.  Although the mathematical content of the course is rigorous, teachers enthusiastic about learning contextual mathematical ideas using the standards of mathematical practice aligned with the newly adopted common core mathematics frameworks are encouraged to enroll.  Participants will be expected to attend two follow-up days, participate in a facilitated online community, and have access to a wide range of web resources.

Dates: August 5 - 9, 2013 and 2 fall days TBD

Location: Cameron Middle School, Framingham, MA

No Fee: Funding provided by MA DESE

PDPs / Graduate Credit: 67.5 PDPs or 3 graduate credits from Worcester State University at $100/credit

 For questions, Contact: Sandra Mayrand

 sandra.mayrand@umassmed.edu

508-856-5097

Click here to register

Classroom Connections

Examining the Intersection of the Standards for Mathematical Content and the Standards for Mathematical Practice.  A professional development experience designed for Math Caoches, Specialists, and Lead Teachers.  Each grade band session(Elementary, Middle School and High School) will experience two PD modules around important math ideas that will encourage teachers to identify student practices exhibited in written work.  Click on the link (to your right) for more information and registration.

Dates: October 7, 2013 - Elementary Session, October 21, 2013 - Middle School Session, October 28, 2013 High School Session

Location: The Kaput Center for STEM Education, Dartmouth, MA

Fee: $400.00 per session 

Questions?  Contact Wendy Cleaves @ 508-856-5348 or wendy.cleaves@umassmed.edu

Click here for flyer and registration

NETWORK

DESCRIPTION

NEXT MEETING

AP Biology

The AP Biology Network was initiated this fall for any interested AP Biology teachers. The meetings, held four times throughout the year, will address interests, questions, and issues of the participating teachers. There is no charge and all teachers, veteran and novice, are invited to join the group.

Spring 2013 TBA at the Regional Science Resource Center, Shrewsbury MA

AP Chemistry

The AP Chemistry Network meetings address interests, questions, and issues of the teachers participating. There is no charge and all teachers, veteran and novice, are invited to join the group.

AP Calculus

The AP Calculus Network is facilitated by Pat Scenna, Westborough Public Schools (retired), and Carol Hynes, Leominster Public Schools (retired). Network meetings include opportunities to explore calculus content, find out about updates and changes to the AP exam, and ask questions of facilitators and colleagues. If there are new AP teachers in your district and other districts that you know, please extend an invitation for them to join us. Please feel free to bring along copies of resources you would like to share with the group.

Carol Hynes and Pat Scenna are looking forward to seeing you again!
Please RSVP to Wendy Cleaves if you are planning to attend.

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CONTACT TO REGISTER FOR NETWORK MEETINGS

Wendy Cleaves
508-856-5348
wendy.cleaves@umassmed.edu

Karin Spahl Lebeau
508-856-1529
karin.lebeau@umassmed.edu