Summer Teacher Institute
"The experience was awesome! We have so much to share and hope other teachers from Arkansas get to have this experience." These words were spoken by a teacher who had returned from a four-week workshop in San Francisco, California.
For over 22 years, the Summer Teacher Institute at the Exploratorium has been training teachers from all over the country in inquiry learning techniques. The workshops are a rich mix of hands-on activities based on Exploratorium exhibits, content-based instruction, web-based teaching resources and machine shop experiences.
About the Institute
Now teachers of Arkansas can experience this "awesome" workshop, thanks to the grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. Each summer the Arkansas Discovery Network will send middle school and high school science and math teachers to the Teacher Institute. Participants will study at the Exploratorium for five and one-half hours each day, Monday through Friday, for four weeks. Each participant will be awarded a stipend of $1100 after completion of the workshop. Professional development hours will be awarded through the University of Arkansas Center for Mathematics and Science Education. Attendees of the Institute must agree to share new skills and information with their schools, school district, coop and/or at the Arkansas Conference on Teaching.
2007 Teacher Institute
The Arkansas teachers have been chosen to attend the 2007 Summer Teacher Institute.
The Institute is open to Arkansas middle and high school math and science teachers only. Those who have attended a previous Institute are not eligible to re-apply.
2006 Teacher Institute
Read the Press Release About the 2006 Teacher Institute.
Pictures from the Teacher Institute
Teachers rev competitive (fruit) juices
Exploratorium showdown forces competitors to get creative in their pursuit of affordable classroom science demonstrations
San Francisco Chronicle; July 15, 2006
2006 Iron Science Teacher Competition
On your mark, get set: Science
Christian Science Monitor; July 20, 2006
Summer Institute Graduates Present at the Arkansas Conference on Teaching, November 2, 2006
2006 Teacher Institute Attendees:
James Arce
Cutter Morning Star High School
Hot Springs, AR
Press Release: James Arce attends Exploratorium Summer Institute
Press Release: James Arce presents at Arkansas Conference on Teaching
Renay Autrey-Treat
West Fork Middle School
West Fork Schools
West Fork, AR
Press Release
Tami Davis
Rogers High School
Rogers School District
Rogers, AR
Press Release: Tamayra Davis attends Exploratorium Summer Institute
Press Release: Tamayra Davis presents at Arkansas Conference on Teaching
Allan Wade Geery
Norfolk Elementary School
Norfolk Schools
Norfolk, AR
Press Release: Allan Wade Geery attends Exploratorium Summer Institute
Press Release: Allan Wade Geery presents at Arkansas Conference on Teaching
Local teachers share hands-on science
Gail Hayes
Bentonville High School
Bentonville, AR
Press Release: Gail Hayes attends Exploratorium Summer Institute
Press Release: Gail Hayes presents at Arkansas Conference on Teaching
Lynn Kelsh
Pinkston Middle School
Mountain Home School District
Mountain Home, AR
Press Release: Lynn Kelsh attends Exploratorium Summer Institute
Press Release: Lynn Kelsh presents at Arkansas Conference on Teaching
Local teachers share hands-on science
Connie Tenberge
Huntsville Middle School
Huntsville School District
Huntsville, AR
Press Release
Lisa Tice
St. Joseph Catholic School
Fayetteville, AR
Press Release