College of Education & Human Services
Workshops & Professional Development
Project Learning Tree is a collection of multi-disciplinary environmental education activity guides for educators and students in Pre-K through grade 12. It is offered regularly as part of several professional development opportunities for WIU pre-service teachers who are enrolled in science methods courses. Typically, Elementary, Early Childhood, Special Education, Middle Level Education, as well as RPTH majors participate in this 5-6 hour workshop on a Friday during the fall or spring semester. Workshop participants will recieve a PLT guide that has a range of activities that can be conducted both in the classroom as well as outdoors. Participants learn about environmental issues pertaining to everything trees and nature - all through a hands-on format. The PLT training assists the pre-service teacher in learning about how to use the "guides" to bring environmental education into their future classrooms. The next workshop is on October 11, 2024 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM in Horrabin Hall Room 62. The cost is $20 and will include snacks and drinks.
Trainings are instructed by certified PLT facilitators and include science content-based background, guides and activity alignment to Illinois Learning Goals and Standards (Pre K-8 guide), and NAEYC/ Head Start Domains (Early Childhood Guide). Click here to view the Project Learning Tree website for Illinois.
Project Learning Tree hosted by Dr. Sebastian Szyjka
Starlab presents a series of Astronomy related activities where pre-service teachers learn about space related concepts and phenomena. The main attraction is the STARLAB planetarium, where participants learn about science by visiting an in-house, large inflatable and portable dome set up in the gym at Horrabin Hall. The workshop covers a wide range of topics, including orientation to the night sky, identification of constellations and legends, orientation to the constellation chart, as well as solar motion.
Other topics include the following:
- Great Ball of Fire
- Solar Motion Demonstrator
- Tools of Astronomers (telescopes)
- Moons of Jupiter
- Reasons for the Seasons
- Moon Phases
- Sun Clock
- Star Finders
- How Holidays are determined according to the stars.
Project WET stands for Water Education Today. This professional development workshop is designed for educators of all kinds - from classroom teachers and informal educators like scout troop leaders and nature center interpreters to parents and other family members. At WIU, the main audience for Project WET are both RPTH as well as pre-service teachers in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or Middle Level Education areas of study. The cost of the workshop is $30 and includes the teacher guide, lunch and snacks. The next workshop will be held in Horrabin Hall room 62 & 64 during the spring 2025 semester (Date TBA).
Project WET activities are designed to be easy to use to complement existing curricula rather than displace or add additional concepts. Activities fulfill objectives and educational standards in the sciences, as well as other disciplines, from fine arts to health. Click here to view the Project WET national website.
The Science Education Center faculty and staff anticipate to begin offering Family Science Nights beginning in spring 2023 depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. These workshops will offer members of the community and region an opportunity to visit the science center museum exhibits and participate in family-centered science activities.
Concepts/topics include the following:
- Aerodynamics
- Brock Microscopes
- Circuits
- Colors
- Buoyancy
- Magnetism
- Animals
- Symmetry
- Rocks and Minerals
- Rocketry
- Sorting
Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS): Hosted by Melissa Gravert, ELED 305 test preparation sessions will be held on Monday, January 29, 2025 as well as Monday, February 5, 2025 from 6:00PM to 7:00PM over Google Meets [click here]. The workshops cover test taking strategies, tips, and a review of practice test questions. Click here for additional websites and links to help in preparation.
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