Are you currently an elementary school teacher in Maine? If so, please take this survey to help us ensure that the STA is designed to meet your needs.
"This Academy is one of the most exciting, groundbreaking educational initiatives I have encountered in years. It represents an unprecedented opportunity for Maine educators at all levels to share and be trained in the best and most timely innovations on an ongoing basis. That the Academy would be run by the Museum means that it can take best advantage of the Museum's established network and, as an autonomous nexus, the Academy can work independently of any particular educational institution's approach or budget. The Museum is the right institution to lead this effort.”
James H. Page, Ph.D.
Chancellor Emeritus, The University of Maine System
Build Inquiry.
What is the Science Teacher Academy?
The Science Teacher Academy (STA) program of the Maine Discovery Museum is being developed to address the gap in professional development opportunities available for elementary school teachers to more effectively and confidently teach science. The STA will partner with teachers, administrators, schools of education, museums, and other informal science organizations to greatly expand the science taught in Maine schools and better prepare those teachers in science teaching.
Who Can Participate?
In Fall 2023, the STA will begin with a pilot cohort of elementary school teachers from across the state. Our goal is to include at least two teachers from each of Maine's sixteen counties in each cohort.
Throughout the winter of 2022 and spring of 2023, we will invite elementary teachers to participate in focus groups to help us co-create the STA program. If you are interested in participating on a focus group, please email kstewart@mainediscoverymuseum.org for more information.
How Are We Different?
Unlike many other science PD opportunities for teachers in Maine, the STA will focus on elementary education. Teachers involved in each cohort will participate in a year-long immersive professional development program to enhance their science teaching. At the end of the program, teachers will join other alumni of the program in a Community of Practice where they will continue to share ideas and strategies with a network of their peers.