These workshops empower teachers to use science as a foundation for interdisciplinary explorations. Whitaker Center’s fun and informative sessions offer curriculum enhancement and inquiry-based learning strategies. Whitaker Center is an Act 48 approved provider. Additional workshops will be scheduled throughout the school year. SDPC participants receive a 10% discount.

2006-2007
Professional Development
Opportunities at Whitaker Center


Battles Within Your Body: Exciting Techniques for Introducing Biology and Health Issues in the Elementary Classroom
Thursday, November 2, 2006
9:00am – 3:30pm
$75 per participant (SDPC participants receive a 10% discount.)
Registration deadline: Friday, October 13, 2006


Do you want to get your students interested in biology and health-related topics? This workshop is for you. Participants will learn how to translate
body-systems science content in a way that will wow their students and build scientific process skills at the same time. Highlights include Big Science Theatre presentations Meet StuffeeTM and BodyWorks.The registration fee includes all workshop supplies, lunch, and related resource materials.

Exploring Engineering and Math Topics Using K’NEX
Thursday, November 9, 2006
9:00am – 3:30pm
$100 per participant (SDPC participants receive a 10% discount.)
Registration deadline: Friday, October 20, 2006

The possibilities are endless during this exciting, hands-on, minds-on workshop
for teachers of grades 4-8. Learn how to teach geometry, algebra and basic engineering principles through challenging and fun activities that will have the students asking for more! The registration fee includes all workshop supplies, lunch and related resources, including an individual K’NEX kit.

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2006-2007 Professional
Development To Go Menu

Whitaker Center will bring any professional development workshop from our menu to your school district. Just gather a minimum of 15 teachers from your district and/or neighboring districts, select the workshop topic, choose a location and a date, and we’ll do the rest!


Geology: Stories in Stone (GEMS)
Discover the excitement of uncovering history through geology while learning methods for building students’ observation, identification and classification skills using geology content. Mathematics topics, including patterns and geometry, will also be addressed during this workshop.


Linking Children’s Literature and Science in the Elementary Classroom
This workshop is designed to excite teachers of grades 3 through 5 about the many possibilities of using children’s literature as a link to teaching science. Teachers will be introduced to a number of science-related children’s literature selections and will participate in inquiry based, hands-on activities that can be used in the classroom. The workshop will feature the GEMS guide, On Sandy Shores, and cover related science concepts, content and literature connections. The registration fee includes all workshop supplies, lunch, reference list of books, resource notebook and a classroom materials kit.


Microscopic Explorations
Designed for teachers with little or no prior experience with microscopes, participants will experience exciting ways to incorporate natural and man-made magnifiers into the elementary classroom curriculum.


Project WET
(Water Education for Teachers)
Project WET provides a working knowledge in age-appropriate, hands-on activities that address both Environment and Ecology and Science and Technology PA Academic Standards. Through workshop activities, teachers will review the curriculum materials and PA Academic Standards and devise an implementation plan for use within his/her science curriculum.


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Registration Information

Professional Development Workshops
School Reservations Office
(717) 214-4644

To Go Workshops
Director of Education
(717) 221-8201, ext 1144
llauver@whitakercenter.org


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