Teacher Courses

Gain science content and teaching strategies directly relevant to your classroom curriculum through the Museum’s science teacher education courses.

Our FREE teacher courses provide a broad background in science, are designed in accordance with Illinois and national science education standards (NGSS), and complement Museum exhibits and resources. You’ll increase your knowledge of science, improve teaching skills and return to the classroom with new ideas and resources to make science engaging. See a sample agenda, course syllabus and lesson plan.

Courses target 4th- through 8th-grade educators with limited experience teaching science and are offered at no cost to teachers selected to participate. Participants receive:

  • Lesson plans and materials to replicate hands-on activities back in the classroom.
  • Reimbursement for a substitute teacher on session days.
  • ISBE clock hours in Illinois or CEUs in Indiana.

Course Offerings

environmental science

Ecosystems: Interactions, Issues and Resolutions

Investigate the effects of human impact on ecosystem dynamics and the evidence used to resolve environmental issues. AY 2018-19, Summer 2019.

space science and engineering

Our Place in Space

Investigate universal laws of force and motion, engage in the engineering design and science inquiry cycles and more. AY 2018-19.

Academic year courses (summer start)

curriculum

Foundations of NGSS Curriculum Alignment

School teams enhance their capacity to integrate Next Generation Science Standards-aligned instruction across grade levels. AY 2018-19.

Summer courses (week-long)

environmental science

Ecosystems: Interactions, Issues and Resolutions

Investigate the effects of human impact on ecosystem dynamics and the evidence used to resolve environmental issues. Summer 2019.

anatomy and life science

All About You

Master unifying themes in life science and relate them to the human body through activities on cells, genetics, organ systems, health and wellness, and evolution. Next session TBA.

environmental science

Ecosystems: Interactions, Issues and Resolutions

Explore and study global and regional ecology and ecosystems concepts, and increase your knowledge of resource management and sustainability issues. AY 2018-19, Summer 2019.

physical science

Get Re-Energized

Explore how motion, heat, electricity and chemical reactions can be understood through energy concepts such as energy transfer and conversion and potential and kinetic energy. Next session TBA.

earth systems science

Great Lakes Rocks

Explore how the Earth is a system of systems interconnected through energy and matter cycling, and learn about our constantly changing world through our Great Lakes perspective. Next session TBA.

space science and engineering

Our Place in Space

Investigate universal laws of force and motion, engage in the engineering design and science inquiry cycles and more. AY 2018-19.

curriculum

Foundations of NGSS Curriculum Alignment

School teams enhance their capacity to integrate Next Generation Science Standards-aligned instruction across grade levels. AY 2018-19.