Teacher services

The Coaching Project Cycle is a collaborative partnership between a WMSI coach and a classroom teacher to design and implement a project-based learning activity that complements existing curriculum goals. Coaches provide hands-on support throughout the process, including planning meetings, lendable supplies, technical trainings, lesson resources and development, select classroom visits, and lesson evaluation. Students benefit from a PBL environment that deepens their understanding of concepts, strengthens problem-solving skills, and builds resilience. Just as importantly, teachers walk away with the skills and confidence to independently facilitate PBL and STEM activities long after the coaching cycle ends.

• Example offering:

  • A 3rd grade classroom tied in simple machines into their Social Studies, Oregon Trail unit and created their own covered wagons which they displayed at their end of year play. 

  • K-12th grade

  • Typically 2-3 months, or the length of a unit
    

The Professional Development Workshop is a targeted training session that dives deep into a specific STEAM concept, strategy, or tool: whether that's a particular PBL technique, technology, or a hands-on skill like robotics or circuitry. Unlike our longer coaching engagements, these workshops are designed for efficiency and scale, equipping larger groups of educators with practical, ready-to-use strategies in a condensed timeframe. Facilitated by WMSI's professional instructors, each workshop combines hands-on practice with actionable takeaways, giving teachers the confidence to bring new PBL approaches into their classrooms right away.

Example offering:

• On a school PD day, WMSI will offer a half or full day workshop on Novel Engineering