K-12 Educator Opportunities - Penn State Outreach K-12 Engagement Network

Types of Opportunities for K-12 Educators

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events scheduled at this time.

Program

ECHO Project

The Student Mental Health in Secondary Schools ECHO consists of twelve biweekly, hour-long sessions. A brief presentation on a topic related to Student Mental Health in Secondary Schools will be given within the last 15 minutes of each session. The formal presentation curriculum for the sessions in this program was developed by Penn State Project ECHO’s specialist team. Topics include: high-risk populations, ADHD, coping skills, anxiety disorder, suicide risk assessment, behavior management, depression disorder, and social/emotional learning.

i-STEAM Workshops

Location: Penn State University Park campus and other locations

Center for Science and the Schools i-STEAM Workshops provide opportunities for teachers to learn science, engineering, math, computational thinking, and more through integrated activities from Penn State researchers and faculty. Join us in inquiry-based activities and discussions designed to deepen your understanding of STEAM topics aligned to the PA Academic Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences

Location: virtual and synchronous

Pennsylvania Sea Grant engages with partners across the state to offer professional development opportunities for formal and informal educators to explore the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences framework and to help educators better facilitate these learner-centered experiences to focus on investigations into local environmental issues leading to informed action and civic engagement. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Palmer Museum of Art Academic Year Educator Workshops

Location: Penn State University Park campus

Educator Workshops and other programs offer K–12 teachers the opportunity to explore museum collections, learn about resources and programs available to schools, and enjoy professional development designed to connect visual arts to class curriculum and broader educational goals.

Professional Development Opportunities for Agricultural Educators

The Center for Professional Personnel Development has a robust portfolio of professional development offerings to cultivate outstanding positive agents of change in school-based agricultural educators.

Wolbachia Project

Engage students in nature and real-world research while contributing new scientific data on the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis. This integrative lab series delivers real-world scientific research into middle school, high school, and college biology classes through inquiry, discovery, biotechnology, and a culture of excellence.

Program

ECHO Project

The Student Mental Health in Secondary Schools ECHO consists of twelve biweekly, hour-long sessions. A brief presentation on a topic related to Student Mental Health in Secondary Schools will be given within the last 15 minutes of each session. The formal presentation curriculum for the sessions in this program was developed by Penn State Project ECHO’s specialist team. Topics include: high-risk populations, ADHD, coping skills, anxiety disorder, suicide risk assessment, behavior management, depression disorder, and social/emotional learning.

i-STEAM Workshops

Location: Penn State University Park campus and other locations

Center for Science and the Schools i-STEAM Workshops provide opportunities for teachers to learn science, engineering, math, computational thinking, and more through integrated activities from Penn State researchers and faculty. Join us in inquiry-based activities and discussions designed to deepen your understanding of STEAM topics aligned to the PA Academic Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences

Location: virtual and synchronous

Pennsylvania Sea Grant engages with partners across the state to offer professional development opportunities for formal and informal educators to explore the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences framework and to help educators better facilitate these learner-centered experiences to focus on investigations into local environmental issues leading to informed action and civic engagement. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Palmer Museum of Art Academic Year Educator Workshops

Location: Penn State University Park campus

Educator Workshops and other programs offer K–12 teachers the opportunity to explore museum collections, learn about resources and programs available to schools, and enjoy professional development designed to connect visual arts to class curriculum and broader educational goals.

Professional Development Opportunities for Agricultural Educators

The Center for Professional Personnel Development has a robust portfolio of professional development offerings to cultivate outstanding positive agents of change in school-based agricultural educators.

Wolbachia Project

Engage students in nature and real-world research while contributing new scientific data on the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis. This integrative lab series delivers real-world scientific research into middle school, high school, and college biology classes through inquiry, discovery, biotechnology, and a culture of excellence.

Program

ABC Create

Location: Penn State New Kensington campus

ABC CREATE is actualizing its mission — actively connecting teachers across school districts with professional learning communities, tools, and best practices to develop competent and technologically fluent students. ABC CREATE centers its core values in all its initiatives: equitable access, collaboration, technological fluency, innovative teaching and learning.

Global Learning in Agriculture (GLAG) Community for Educators

Location: Virtual

You are invited to join the Global Learning in Agriculture (GLAG) community facilitated by the Global Teach Ag Network! This community is for any educator of any context, discipline, or location to share praxis around connecting your learners to global issues in food, fiber, and natural resources.

Navigating Difficult Topics and Issues in K-12 Schools through Collaborative Inquiry

Location: Onsite at your school

Participants will join a community to support each other as they engage in collaborative inquiry to navigate a difficult topic/issue they identify in their context or curriculum while utilizing trauma-informed practices and an asset-based perspective. Educators will also investigate how inquiry can be utilized to invite others into civic discourse, promote critical thinking, and foster empathy. This yearlong professional learning program is created through a collaborative effort between the Initiative and the school district. The inquiry community typically meets about two times per month for two-hour, in-person sessions at the specific school and is open to various educator roles (i.e., classroom teachers, learning support, instructional coaches, guidance counselors, etc.).

Pennsylvania School Study Council

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Pennsylvania School Study Council (PSSC) is a partnership between Penn State and member school districts, intermediate units, and career and technology centers. PSSC is dedicated to improving public education in Pennsylvania by providing up-to-date research information, professional development activities, and technical assistance that will enable its members to provide top-quality educational services to students.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) Pennsylvania Academic Standards Community of Practice

Location: Virtual

In collaboration with Penn State Center for Science and the Schools, Penn State K-12 Engagement Network, and Central Pennsylvania Intermediate Units, we can help educators, administrators and schools on their implementation journey by leading a STEELS Community of Practice to support 3-dimensional teaching and learning for K-12 teachers. This is a series of ten 90-minute webinars held two times each month from January through May. Act 48 credit available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Program

ABC Create

Location: Penn State New Kensington campus

ABC CREATE is actualizing its mission — actively connecting teachers across school districts with professional learning communities, tools, and best practices to develop competent and technologically fluent students. ABC CREATE centers its core values in all its initiatives: equitable access, collaboration, technological fluency, innovative teaching and learning.

Global Learning in Agriculture (GLAG) Community for Educators

Location: Virtual

You are invited to join the Global Learning in Agriculture (GLAG) community facilitated by the Global Teach Ag Network! This community is for any educator of any context, discipline, or location to share praxis around connecting your learners to global issues in food, fiber, and natural resources.

Navigating Difficult Topics and Issues in K-12 Schools through Collaborative Inquiry

Location: Onsite at your school

Participants will join a community to support each other as they engage in collaborative inquiry to navigate a difficult topic/issue they identify in their context or curriculum while utilizing trauma-informed practices and an asset-based perspective. Educators will also investigate how inquiry can be utilized to invite others into civic discourse, promote critical thinking, and foster empathy. This yearlong professional learning program is created through a collaborative effort between the Initiative and the school district. The inquiry community typically meets about two times per month for two-hour, in-person sessions at the specific school and is open to various educator roles (i.e., classroom teachers, learning support, instructional coaches, guidance counselors, etc.).

Pennsylvania School Study Council

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Pennsylvania School Study Council (PSSC) is a partnership between Penn State and member school districts, intermediate units, and career and technology centers. PSSC is dedicated to improving public education in Pennsylvania by providing up-to-date research information, professional development activities, and technical assistance that will enable its members to provide top-quality educational services to students.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) Pennsylvania Academic Standards Community of Practice

Location: Virtual

In collaboration with Penn State Center for Science and the Schools, Penn State K-12 Engagement Network, and Central Pennsylvania Intermediate Units, we can help educators, administrators and schools on their implementation journey by leading a STEELS Community of Practice to support 3-dimensional teaching and learning for K-12 teachers. This is a series of ten 90-minute webinars held two times each month from January through May. Act 48 credit available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

To coordinate a field trip or large group, please reach out to the appropriate contact provided at each location. For details about bringing minors to Penn State, view the Penn State Field Trip Policy.

Program

All-Sports Museum

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Penn State All-Sports Museum honors the achievements of the men and women who have built the proud tradition of Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics through the preservation and promotion of their legacy for the education and benefit of the community.

The Arboretum at Penn State

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Arboretum at Penn State is 370 acres of green space that strives to be a place of beauty and renewal, a venue for the arts, and a pathway to discovery and enrichment.

Berkey Creamery

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The mission of the Berkey Creamery is to support the teaching, research, and outreach programs of the Department of Food Science, to provide quality dairy products to students in on-campus housing, and to maintain an economically viable retail outlet for dairy products to the University community. Stop in for a sweet treat and also to learn the process through the Cow to Cone self-guided video tour, which is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Biomedical Circuits and Systems Lab

Location: Penn State University Park campus (virtual via Zoom available)

The lab’s goal is to develop novel technologies for state-of-the-art medical devices and self-powered wireless sensing and actuating systems to help people with disabilities and improve the quality of life! We will be happy to host K-12 teachers and students to involve them in our research.

Borland Project Space

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Borland Project Space (BPS) illuminates the vibrant research culture of the College of Arts and Architecture. With this initiative, we move beyond traditional notions of exhibition, performance, and scholarly programming to reveal the processes and procedures of “arts research,” which are frequently hidden from view.

Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The mission of the Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum & Art Gallery is to serve the college, University, and broader community as an informed educational and technical resource for science, art, and history of the earth and mineral sciences through the preservation, utilization, and promotion of our diverse collections.

Eberly Family Special Collections Library

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Eberly Family Special Collections Library at Penn State University Park is home to more than 200,000 printed volumes, more than 25 million archival records and manuscripts, and another million photographs, maps, prints, and audio-visual items. We offer primary source materials for a diverse community of researchers, who range from K-12 and Penn State students to scholars around the world. We collect in a variety of subject disciplines, a sampling of which includes Utopian literature, science fiction, labor organization and representation, and local Centre County history, and we are also home to the Penn State University Archives.

Frost Entomological Museum

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Frost Entomological Museum is Penn State’s space for connecting you to the extraordinary world of insects. Explore insect biology, their relationship with humans, and learn how people in the Department of Entomology are expanding our collective knowledge of insects and their place in this world.

HUB-Robeson Galleries

Location: Penn State University Park campus

Bringing contemporary art experiences to the Penn State community, HUB-Robeson Galleries value the transformative power of art and artists. Visit exhibitions in HUB Gallery, Art Alley, Exhibition Cases, and public projects throughout the HUB-Robeson Center to experience something new.

Matson Museum of Anthropology

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Matson Museum acknowledges that colonialism is built into anthropological collections. They work with Native American Tribes and Nations as well as other Indigenous groups and governments to document and repatriate cultural items when appropriate.

PAC Herbarium

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The mission of the Pennsylvania Agriculture College (PAC) Herbarium is to enhance the knowledge and safeguard the diversity of the plant life of the Commonwealth, the Northeastern United States, and the world by collecting, preserving, and exhibiting the PAC collection.

Palmer Museum of Art

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is the largest art museum collection between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and the most significant academic art museum in the state of Pennsylvania. A key element of Penn State’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and public service, the museum is a vital and accessible cultural resource for Penn State’s students, faculty, and scholars, as well as for all visitors to and from the entire central Pennsylvania region.

Pasto Agricultural Museum

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The mission of the Pasto Agricultural Museum is to provide the general public with an understanding and appreciation for early agriculture and rural life, especially in Pennsylvania and the northeastern United States. The Pasto Museum connects the history and science of our agricultural past with the present day through exhibits, programs, and demonstrations. The museum collection focuses on what life was like and how work was done before gasoline engines and rural electrification. Visitors can learn about early farm life as our nation grew while gaining hands-on experience with the history of agriculture and household equipment by turning the cranks and moving levers.

Penn State Behrend Campus: Schedule an Educational Experience

Location: Penn State Behrend campus

We are currently offering both on-campus and virtual, hands-on experiences, including the Yahn Planetarium. These can be customized to your curriculum and grade level. Please contact us to schedule something today!

Planetarium at Penn State University Park

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State has a small planetarium (15′ dome) at our University Park campus that can seat approximately 25–30 visitors. We offer planetarium shows year round to visiting K-12 classes and some community groups (for example, scouts and summer camps). Our planetarium is staffed by student and faculty volunteers and the shows are free of charge.

Radiation Science & Engineering Center

Location: Penn State University Park campus

Radiation Science & Engineering Center conducts tours of the facility and demonstrations of the reactor for people of all ages and backgrounds. Part of the mission is to deliver innovative educational programs and hands-on laboratory exercises to advance societal knowledge of nuclear science and engineering.

Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center

Location: Petersburg, PA

Whether you’re visiting the aviary, herpetarium, and indoor bird-watching station or exploring our ponds, pollinator gardens, and LTERP reflection spots, there’s always more to discover. Shaver’s Creek has plenty of trails for hiking and bird watching and great spots for picnicking.

Surgery Live!

Location: Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts

Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts and Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center created an innovative partnership designed to stimulate the interest of high school students for careers in health care. With the support of Highmark BlueShield, Surgery Live! at Whitaker Center connects students to the operating rooms of Hershey Medical Center through interactive high-definition video conferencing technology.

Sustainability Experience Center

Location: Penn State University Park campus or virtual

The nine-acre Sustainability Experience Center, coordinated by the Sustainability Institute, lies on the edge of Penn State’s University Park campus and provides a living laboratory for students, faculty, and the community to research and learn about sustainability. The site provides an ideal location to explore food, energy, water, land and community systems. The site is home to the campus Community Garden and five ongoing research and outreach projects hosted by various departments and colleges in the university. These include the MorningStar solar home, the Eco Machine, wind turbines, and two arbor provenance study sites.

Virtual Field Trips

Location: Virtual

Join WPSU on field trips to regional destinations without having to leave the classroom.

Woksob Family Gallery

Location: State College, PA

The Woskob Family Gallery is a space for contemporary arts and culture in downtown State College, PA. As a town and gown arts space, the gallery features a running series of exhibits and programs by local and visiting artists.

WPSU Studios

Location: State College, PA

Join us at WPSU studios to explore our television and radio production studios. Here you will learn about the different people, places, and tools used to create and broadcast television and radio programs.

To coordinate a field trip or large group, please reach out to the appropriate contact provided at each location. For details about bringing minors to Penn State, view the Penn State Field Trip Policy.

Program

All-Sports Museum

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Penn State All-Sports Museum honors the achievements of the men and women who have built the proud tradition of Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics through the preservation and promotion of their legacy for the education and benefit of the community.

The Arboretum at Penn State

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Arboretum at Penn State is 370 acres of green space that strives to be a place of beauty and renewal, a venue for the arts, and a pathway to discovery and enrichment.

Berkey Creamery

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The mission of the Berkey Creamery is to support the teaching, research, and outreach programs of the Department of Food Science, to provide quality dairy products to students in on-campus housing, and to maintain an economically viable retail outlet for dairy products to the University community. Stop in for a sweet treat and also to learn the process through the Cow to Cone self-guided video tour, which is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Biomedical Circuits and Systems Lab

Location: Penn State University Park campus (virtual via Zoom available)

The lab’s goal is to develop novel technologies for state-of-the-art medical devices and self-powered wireless sensing and actuating systems to help people with disabilities and improve the quality of life! We will be happy to host K-12 teachers and students to involve them in our research.

Borland Project Space

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Borland Project Space (BPS) illuminates the vibrant research culture of the College of Arts and Architecture. With this initiative, we move beyond traditional notions of exhibition, performance, and scholarly programming to reveal the processes and procedures of “arts research,” which are frequently hidden from view.

Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The mission of the Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum & Art Gallery is to serve the college, University, and broader community as an informed educational and technical resource for science, art, and history of the earth and mineral sciences through the preservation, utilization, and promotion of our diverse collections.

Eberly Family Special Collections Library

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Eberly Family Special Collections Library at Penn State University Park is home to more than 200,000 printed volumes, more than 25 million archival records and manuscripts, and another million photographs, maps, prints, and audio-visual items. We offer primary source materials for a diverse community of researchers, who range from K-12 and Penn State students to scholars around the world. We collect in a variety of subject disciplines, a sampling of which includes Utopian literature, science fiction, labor organization and representation, and local Centre County history, and we are also home to the Penn State University Archives.

Frost Entomological Museum

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Frost Entomological Museum is Penn State’s space for connecting you to the extraordinary world of insects. Explore insect biology, their relationship with humans, and learn how people in the Department of Entomology are expanding our collective knowledge of insects and their place in this world.

HUB-Robeson Galleries

Location: Penn State University Park campus

Bringing contemporary art experiences to the Penn State community, HUB-Robeson Galleries value the transformative power of art and artists. Visit exhibitions in HUB Gallery, Art Alley, Exhibition Cases, and public projects throughout the HUB-Robeson Center to experience something new.

Matson Museum of Anthropology

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Matson Museum acknowledges that colonialism is built into anthropological collections. They work with Native American Tribes and Nations as well as other Indigenous groups and governments to document and repatriate cultural items when appropriate.

PAC Herbarium

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The mission of the Pennsylvania Agriculture College (PAC) Herbarium is to enhance the knowledge and safeguard the diversity of the plant life of the Commonwealth, the Northeastern United States, and the world by collecting, preserving, and exhibiting the PAC collection.

Palmer Museum of Art

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is the largest art museum collection between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and the most significant academic art museum in the state of Pennsylvania. A key element of Penn State’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and public service, the museum is a vital and accessible cultural resource for Penn State’s students, faculty, and scholars, as well as for all visitors to and from the entire central Pennsylvania region.

Pasto Agricultural Museum

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The mission of the Pasto Agricultural Museum is to provide the general public with an understanding and appreciation for early agriculture and rural life, especially in Pennsylvania and the northeastern United States. The Pasto Museum connects the history and science of our agricultural past with the present day through exhibits, programs, and demonstrations. The museum collection focuses on what life was like and how work was done before gasoline engines and rural electrification. Visitors can learn about early farm life as our nation grew while gaining hands-on experience with the history of agriculture and household equipment by turning the cranks and moving levers.

Penn State Behrend Campus: Schedule an Educational Experience

Location: Penn State Behrend campus

We are currently offering both on-campus and virtual, hands-on experiences, including the Yahn Planetarium. These can be customized to your curriculum and grade level. Please contact us to schedule something today!

Planetarium at Penn State University Park

Location: Penn State University Park campus

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State has a small planetarium (15′ dome) at our University Park campus that can seat approximately 25–30 visitors. We offer planetarium shows year round to visiting K-12 classes and some community groups (for example, scouts and summer camps). Our planetarium is staffed by student and faculty volunteers and the shows are free of charge.

Radiation Science & Engineering Center

Location: Penn State University Park campus

Radiation Science & Engineering Center conducts tours of the facility and demonstrations of the reactor for people of all ages and backgrounds. Part of the mission is to deliver innovative educational programs and hands-on laboratory exercises to advance societal knowledge of nuclear science and engineering.

Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center

Location: Petersburg, PA

Whether you’re visiting the aviary, herpetarium, and indoor bird-watching station or exploring our ponds, pollinator gardens, and LTERP reflection spots, there’s always more to discover. Shaver’s Creek has plenty of trails for hiking and bird watching and great spots for picnicking.

Surgery Live!

Location: Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts

Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts and Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center created an innovative partnership designed to stimulate the interest of high school students for careers in health care. With the support of Highmark BlueShield, Surgery Live! at Whitaker Center connects students to the operating rooms of Hershey Medical Center through interactive high-definition video conferencing technology.

Sustainability Experience Center

Location: Penn State University Park campus or virtual

The nine-acre Sustainability Experience Center, coordinated by the Sustainability Institute, lies on the edge of Penn State’s University Park campus and provides a living laboratory for students, faculty, and the community to research and learn about sustainability. The site provides an ideal location to explore food, energy, water, land and community systems. The site is home to the campus Community Garden and five ongoing research and outreach projects hosted by various departments and colleges in the university. These include the MorningStar solar home, the Eco Machine, wind turbines, and two arbor provenance study sites.

Virtual Field Trips

Location: Virtual

Join WPSU on field trips to regional destinations without having to leave the classroom.

Woksob Family Gallery

Location: State College, PA

The Woskob Family Gallery is a space for contemporary arts and culture in downtown State College, PA. As a town and gown arts space, the gallery features a running series of exhibits and programs by local and visiting artists.

WPSU Studios

Location: State College, PA

Join us at WPSU studios to explore our television and radio production studios. Here you will learn about the different people, places, and tools used to create and broadcast television and radio programs.

Program

Agricultural Science in Elementary Education – Learning in Gardens at Schools Educator Resources

Agricultural Science in Elementary Education – Learning in Gardens at Schools are lessons and virtual resources for grades 1–5.

Arboretum Programs and Resources

Whether you are visiting the Arboretum with a class, with your family, or on your own, you can use these activities and materials to enhance your visit.

Art Online Resources

Explore Palmer Museum of Art online resources to prepare for a museum visit or to bring the museum into your classroom. Browse collection-inspired lesson plans created by teachers, for teachers. Use virtual tours for student assignments or to supplement in-class activities and discussions. Spark students’ creativity with art-making tutorial videos, inspired by works of art in the Palmer’s collection.

Authentic Plant Pollinator Landscape Research for Education (APPL-RED): Teacher Resources

Authentic Plant Pollinator Landscape Research for Education (APPL-RED) was a teacher professional development program that ran for secondary science educators in the summers of 2017 and 2019. The program focused on cutting-edge plant pollinator research at the Penn State Center for Pollinator Research and various research techniques used in this interdisciplinary field. Teachers at the workshop learned about plant-pollinator interactions, pollinator habitat, and pollinator decline. This page contains resources from the APPL-RED teacher professional development.

Brooke Meets a Stream Doctor Featuring Dr. Watt R. Shedd

Take children on a science adventure with Brooke and her new friend, Dr. Watt R. Shedd. In Brooke Meets a Stream Doctor, a young explorer learns how she can help clean up and protect a stream in her own neighborhood.

Bullying and Cyberbullying Resources for Educators

Penn State Behrend campus provides helpful resources for counselors, teachers, and other school personnel on navigating bullying and cyberbullying in our society.

Career Ready Resources

Online career-ready resources aligned to PA Career Education and Work Standards that support students of all ages.

Center for Education and Civil Rights: Resources for Educators

The Center for Education and Civil Rights (CECR) provides resources to help educators of all ages talk about race and racism in the classroom. The resources are organized loosely by age (early childhood, elementary, middle/high school). Included in this list are links to relevant CECR research and past events, as well as resources by other organizations whose work has proven valuable to us.

Center for Human Evolution and Diversity: Educational Resources

On-demand curricula resources focused in evolution, genetics, and biodiversity.

Child Development Association (CDA) Resources

The course includes ten online mentoring tutorials and resources that will help participants navigate through the Child Development Association (CDA) process — from getting started to getting ready to finish! The goal of the Better Kid Care CDA course is to prepare CDA candidates to apply to the CDA Council for Professional Recognition.

Coaching Resources

Guides and modules to help coaching school aged children.

Early Learning Professionals

Better Kid Care’s distance education program assists early care and education professionals in obtaining research-based professional development.

Entomology Resources for Educators

This list of insect-related books, curriculum materials, videos, software, websites, insectaria, butterfly houses, and much more can help you and your students experience and enjoy insects even more.

Entomology Sites for Kids

A list of online resources to lead kids into the world of insects!

Family Child Care Professionals

Better Kid Care provides professional development opportunities designed specifically for family child care professionals. In addition, many of our other available courses are relevant and meaningful to the work of home-based and family child care professionals.

Family Resources

The resources on this page, including health and nutrition and kindergarten readiness, are intended to help families with young children. Childcare professionals can share individual resources with families and/or direct families to this page to use as they wish.

Food Science Educator and Youth Resources

Experiments, activities, lesson plans, and other materials for students and teachers from elementary to high school.

Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy: Professional Development

The Goodling Institute creates resources to assist programs as they develop curriculum and activities and engage in research.

Growing Gardeners

The Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program values youth agriculture education across the state and is committed to delivering continued horticulture knowledge to all youth in our Pennsylvania communities. 

Healthy Champions

The Healthy Champions program is a FREE initiative that assists school health leaders with fostering an environment that supports children’s health and well-being. Penn State PRO Wellness, in partnership with The GIANT Company, provides enrolled schools, also known as ‘Champions,’ with FREE health education materials at the beginning of the school year. Champions are encouraged to use these materials and additional resources, which can be found in the password protected portal, to host signature events and to help teach youth and their families how to bring healthier choices to life.

HumIn Focus: An Educational Web Series

HumIn Focus is an educational web series that asks scholars to reflect on the ideas lying behind pressing social issues. In each episode, we ask scholars to reflect on ideas in their work in ways that expand and enrich questions of current concern. In so doing, we hope to both broaden and deepen conversations about those questions in ways that emphasize how what we do in the Humanities matters crucially for all of us.

Mission: Materials Science

The Penn State Center for Nanoscale Science, in partnership with The Franklin Institute science museum and Masterminds Agency in Philadelphia, is developing a new interactive website called Mission: Materials Science with informal educational content exploring a fundamental overarching concept of materials science: Materials have unexpected behaviors that lead to new, innovative technologies.

Nature Activities to Go

Discover new ways to connect to the natural world from your home or classroom! These activities make it easy to bring a little bit of what we do at Shaver’s Creek to children of all ages with easily accessible materials. The guidelines and videos were created by Shaver’s Creek staff, environmental education interns, and undergraduate students who are actively learning how to create and deliver experiences to help people engage with nature.

One Health Microbiome Center: Outreach

External videos, articles, and podcasts featuring the work of students, faculty, and staff of the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State.

PBS Kids Live

Enjoy PBS KIDS shows anytime online and on the go. PBS KIDS Video allows you to watch specific shows or what’s playing right now and offers a variety of educational games that include your children’s favorite characters.

PBS Learning Media

Dive into a vast library of media resources free for you and your students. All the multimedia resources are curated by PBS and local stations and include background resources, student handouts, and aligned state standards.

Penn State Extension

Browse online courses, tools, videos, and workshops, on topic areas such as animals and livestock, energy, food safety and security, water, and more, that are applicable to the K-12 classroom.

Penn State Intergenerational Program

Penn State Intergenerational Program (PSIP) has been instrumental in developing and piloting new intergenerational models and curricular materials spanning the areas of civic engagement and community planning, nutrition education, environmental education, early childhood education, kinship family support, and farm family succession planning.

Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies (CKC) for Early Childhood and School-Age Practitioners

The Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies (CKC) for early childhood and school-age practitioners outlines what early learning professionals need to know and do when caring for and educating young children. The eight knowledge areas reflect the depth and breadth of knowledge, skills, dispositions, and behaviors professionals need to understand and know to provide children with the highest quality early learning experiences.

Rain to Drain: Slow the Flow Activity Kit

Rain to Drain: Slow the Flow is a hands-on storm water education curriculum available from Penn State Extension. This experiment-style series of activities leads youth and adults to a better understanding of the movement of storm water in natural and developed communities.

School-Age Professionals

Better Kid Care supports out-of-school time (OST) professionals — from administrators to front-line staff — through various tools and resources.

School Resources to Support Military-Connected Students

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State developed online learning modules for school personnel to increase understanding and awareness related to the unique challenges faced by military-connected students and families, and to provide school personnel with strategies and resources to support military-connected students.

Science-U @Home

Science-U @home provides fun activities for grown-ups and kids to explore science together. There are many everyday activities and experiments, including a How it Works section, so you can help your curious kid make new discoveries!

SEA Grant Pennsylvania: Resources

Pennsylvania Sea Grant offers a variety of resource types, including articles, fact sheets, research summaries and reports, educational curricula, presentations, and proceedings.

SHAPE MATTERS Program Resources

Educator resources support molecular stories related to human health, research techniques such as crystallization, structure determination, and modeling using the molecular visualization software Jmol.

STEM Pillars Curricula for Rural Libraries and Museums

STEM Pillars family workshop curricula are designed for use in rural libraries and museums. The audience for each workshop is families with at least one child aged 6–10. Each workshop uses project-based learning teaching strategies and family discussion prompts to facilitate learning. Because the STEM Pillars workshop curricula were written to be facilitated by scientists and engineers, teaching strategies are included. The workshop curricula presume the facilitator has STEM content knowledge specific to the STEM topic but has not necessarily taught workshops for families before.

Sustainable Forestry, Natural Resources, Water, Earth Sciences, and Wildlife: Teacher Resources and Youth Publications

This site by the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management provides educational curricula in sustainable forestry, natural resources, water, earth sciences, and wildlife.

The Center for Pollinator Research: Classroom Materials

The Center for Pollinator Research is dedicated to supporting K–12 educators by curating a variety of engaging and informative educational resources on pollinators.

The Science of COVID-19

Learn about the scientific exploration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-developed with experts in virology, epidemiology, agent-based modeling, and public health preparedness, this introductory FREE course allows middle and high school students to learn about COVID-19 through the lenses of three distinct scientific fields.

Trauma-Informed Practices Online Professional Learning Module

This self-paced online module was developed to assist educators with the multilayered challenges of supporting K–12 students, teachers, and other school community members who have experienced trauma. Pennsylvania-certified educators will earn 6 Act 48 credit hours upon completion when a PPID is provided.

Virtual Science Festival

This free virtual resource features dozens of Penn State scientists sharing video demonstrations and activities that you can try at home or in your classroom! In addition, this online resource will continue to serve as a repository for fun STEM videos, engaging DIY science activities, and other educational resources for parents, teachers, and kids alike as new content will continue to be added regularly.

Watershed Decisions Activity Kit

A hands-on, inquiry-based activity kit that helps older youth and adults learn about water quality issues in small watersheds and the decision making processes that go into improving those water quality issues.

WPSU Education Games

Offer students independent engagement as they explore a variety of games that build literacy and math skills. WPSU games are developed for grades PreK to grade 12.

Program

Agricultural Science in Elementary Education – Learning in Gardens at Schools Educator Resources

Agricultural Science in Elementary Education – Learning in Gardens at Schools are lessons and virtual resources for grades 1–5.

Arboretum Programs and Resources

Whether you are visiting the Arboretum with a class, with your family, or on your own, you can use these activities and materials to enhance your visit.

Art Online Resources

Explore Palmer Museum of Art online resources to prepare for a museum visit or to bring the museum into your classroom. Browse collection-inspired lesson plans created by teachers, for teachers. Use virtual tours for student assignments or to supplement in-class activities and discussions. Spark students’ creativity with art-making tutorial videos, inspired by works of art in the Palmer’s collection.

Authentic Plant Pollinator Landscape Research for Education (APPL-RED): Teacher Resources

Authentic Plant Pollinator Landscape Research for Education (APPL-RED) was a teacher professional development program that ran for secondary science educators in the summers of 2017 and 2019. The program focused on cutting-edge plant pollinator research at the Penn State Center for Pollinator Research and various research techniques used in this interdisciplinary field. Teachers at the workshop learned about plant-pollinator interactions, pollinator habitat, and pollinator decline. This page contains resources from the APPL-RED teacher professional development.

Brooke Meets a Stream Doctor Featuring Dr. Watt R. Shedd

Take children on a science adventure with Brooke and her new friend, Dr. Watt R. Shedd. In Brooke Meets a Stream Doctor, a young explorer learns how she can help clean up and protect a stream in her own neighborhood.

Bullying and Cyberbullying Resources for Educators

Penn State Behrend campus provides helpful resources for counselors, teachers, and other school personnel on navigating bullying and cyberbullying in our society.

Career Ready Resources

Online career-ready resources aligned to PA Career Education and Work Standards that support students of all ages.

Center for Education and Civil Rights: Resources for Educators

The Center for Education and Civil Rights (CECR) provides resources to help educators of all ages talk about race and racism in the classroom. The resources are organized loosely by age (early childhood, elementary, middle/high school). Included in this list are links to relevant CECR research and past events, as well as resources by other organizations whose work has proven valuable to us.

Center for Human Evolution and Diversity: Educational Resources

On-demand curricula resources focused in evolution, genetics, and biodiversity.

Child Development Association (CDA) Resources

The course includes ten online mentoring tutorials and resources that will help participants navigate through the Child Development Association (CDA) process — from getting started to getting ready to finish! The goal of the Better Kid Care CDA course is to prepare CDA candidates to apply to the CDA Council for Professional Recognition.

Coaching Resources

Guides and modules to help coaching school aged children.

Early Learning Professionals

Better Kid Care’s distance education program assists early care and education professionals in obtaining research-based professional development.

Entomology Resources for Educators

This list of insect-related books, curriculum materials, videos, software, websites, insectaria, butterfly houses, and much more can help you and your students experience and enjoy insects even more.

Entomology Sites for Kids

A list of online resources to lead kids into the world of insects!

Family Child Care Professionals

Better Kid Care provides professional development opportunities designed specifically for family child care professionals. In addition, many of our other available courses are relevant and meaningful to the work of home-based and family child care professionals.

Family Resources

The resources on this page, including health and nutrition and kindergarten readiness, are intended to help families with young children. Childcare professionals can share individual resources with families and/or direct families to this page to use as they wish.

Food Science Educator and Youth Resources

Experiments, activities, lesson plans, and other materials for students and teachers from elementary to high school.

Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy: Professional Development

The Goodling Institute creates resources to assist programs as they develop curriculum and activities and engage in research.

Growing Gardeners

The Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program values youth agriculture education across the state and is committed to delivering continued horticulture knowledge to all youth in our Pennsylvania communities. 

Healthy Champions

The Healthy Champions program is a FREE initiative that assists school health leaders with fostering an environment that supports children’s health and well-being. Penn State PRO Wellness, in partnership with The GIANT Company, provides enrolled schools, also known as ‘Champions,’ with FREE health education materials at the beginning of the school year. Champions are encouraged to use these materials and additional resources, which can be found in the password protected portal, to host signature events and to help teach youth and their families how to bring healthier choices to life.

HumIn Focus: An Educational Web Series

HumIn Focus is an educational web series that asks scholars to reflect on the ideas lying behind pressing social issues. In each episode, we ask scholars to reflect on ideas in their work in ways that expand and enrich questions of current concern. In so doing, we hope to both broaden and deepen conversations about those questions in ways that emphasize how what we do in the Humanities matters crucially for all of us.

Mission: Materials Science

The Penn State Center for Nanoscale Science, in partnership with The Franklin Institute science museum and Masterminds Agency in Philadelphia, is developing a new interactive website called Mission: Materials Science with informal educational content exploring a fundamental overarching concept of materials science: Materials have unexpected behaviors that lead to new, innovative technologies.

Nature Activities to Go

Discover new ways to connect to the natural world from your home or classroom! These activities make it easy to bring a little bit of what we do at Shaver’s Creek to children of all ages with easily accessible materials. The guidelines and videos were created by Shaver’s Creek staff, environmental education interns, and undergraduate students who are actively learning how to create and deliver experiences to help people engage with nature.

One Health Microbiome Center: Outreach

External videos, articles, and podcasts featuring the work of students, faculty, and staff of the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State.

PBS Kids Live

Enjoy PBS KIDS shows anytime online and on the go. PBS KIDS Video allows you to watch specific shows or what’s playing right now and offers a variety of educational games that include your children’s favorite characters.

PBS Learning Media

Dive into a vast library of media resources free for you and your students. All the multimedia resources are curated by PBS and local stations and include background resources, student handouts, and aligned state standards.

Penn State Extension

Browse online courses, tools, videos, and workshops, on topic areas such as animals and livestock, energy, food safety and security, water, and more, that are applicable to the K-12 classroom.

Penn State Intergenerational Program

Penn State Intergenerational Program (PSIP) has been instrumental in developing and piloting new intergenerational models and curricular materials spanning the areas of civic engagement and community planning, nutrition education, environmental education, early childhood education, kinship family support, and farm family succession planning.

Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies (CKC) for Early Childhood and School-Age Practitioners

The Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies (CKC) for early childhood and school-age practitioners outlines what early learning professionals need to know and do when caring for and educating young children. The eight knowledge areas reflect the depth and breadth of knowledge, skills, dispositions, and behaviors professionals need to understand and know to provide children with the highest quality early learning experiences.

Rain to Drain: Slow the Flow Activity Kit

Rain to Drain: Slow the Flow is a hands-on storm water education curriculum available from Penn State Extension. This experiment-style series of activities leads youth and adults to a better understanding of the movement of storm water in natural and developed communities.

School-Age Professionals

Better Kid Care supports out-of-school time (OST) professionals — from administrators to front-line staff — through various tools and resources.

School Resources to Support Military-Connected Students

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State developed online learning modules for school personnel to increase understanding and awareness related to the unique challenges faced by military-connected students and families, and to provide school personnel with strategies and resources to support military-connected students.

Science-U @Home

Science-U @home provides fun activities for grown-ups and kids to explore science together. There are many everyday activities and experiments, including a How it Works section, so you can help your curious kid make new discoveries!

SEA Grant Pennsylvania: Resources

Pennsylvania Sea Grant offers a variety of resource types, including articles, fact sheets, research summaries and reports, educational curricula, presentations, and proceedings.

SHAPE MATTERS Program Resources

Educator resources support molecular stories related to human health, research techniques such as crystallization, structure determination, and modeling using the molecular visualization software Jmol.

STEM Pillars Curricula for Rural Libraries and Museums

STEM Pillars family workshop curricula are designed for use in rural libraries and museums. The audience for each workshop is families with at least one child aged 6–10. Each workshop uses project-based learning teaching strategies and family discussion prompts to facilitate learning. Because the STEM Pillars workshop curricula were written to be facilitated by scientists and engineers, teaching strategies are included. The workshop curricula presume the facilitator has STEM content knowledge specific to the STEM topic but has not necessarily taught workshops for families before.

Sustainable Forestry, Natural Resources, Water, Earth Sciences, and Wildlife: Teacher Resources and Youth Publications

This site by the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management provides educational curricula in sustainable forestry, natural resources, water, earth sciences, and wildlife.

The Center for Pollinator Research: Classroom Materials

The Center for Pollinator Research is dedicated to supporting K–12 educators by curating a variety of engaging and informative educational resources on pollinators.

The Science of COVID-19

Learn about the scientific exploration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-developed with experts in virology, epidemiology, agent-based modeling, and public health preparedness, this introductory FREE course allows middle and high school students to learn about COVID-19 through the lenses of three distinct scientific fields.

Trauma-Informed Practices Online Professional Learning Module

This self-paced online module was developed to assist educators with the multilayered challenges of supporting K–12 students, teachers, and other school community members who have experienced trauma. Pennsylvania-certified educators will earn 6 Act 48 credit hours upon completion when a PPID is provided.

Virtual Science Festival

This free virtual resource features dozens of Penn State scientists sharing video demonstrations and activities that you can try at home or in your classroom! In addition, this online resource will continue to serve as a repository for fun STEM videos, engaging DIY science activities, and other educational resources for parents, teachers, and kids alike as new content will continue to be added regularly.

Watershed Decisions Activity Kit

A hands-on, inquiry-based activity kit that helps older youth and adults learn about water quality issues in small watersheds and the decision making processes that go into improving those water quality issues.

WPSU Education Games

Offer students independent engagement as they explore a variety of games that build literacy and math skills. WPSU games are developed for grades PreK to grade 12.

Back to Top

Program

Artificial Intelligence for Educators

Location: virtual and asynchronous

Penn State offers a 16-hour, asynchronous course designed for educators who are leading the charge in using artificial intelligence in their classrooms! AI can be leveraged to reinforce core knowledge, cultivate opportunities for critical thinking, teach students digital literacy and citizenship, and so much more. Designed by current and former educators, this course offers a chance to explore AI tools, refresh lesson plans, and address responsible use concerns with students, parents, and school personnel. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

College of Education Degrees and Certifications

Location: Penn State University Park campus

In Penn State’s College of Education, we firmly believe that our students have the potential to positively impact the lives of others. That’s why it is our mission to help you fully prepare for your career with invaluable experiences that take place both inside and outside the classroom. Armed with a degree from the College of Education, you’ll be well-positioned on your own unique path to becoming an outstanding educator, scholar, or researcher. College of Education offers certificates and bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degree programs. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist Certificate for PreK-12 Educators

Location: Penn State Abington campus and virtual

The certificate program is offered in a convenient hybrid format, combining class time and online course work. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Graduate Courses and Postbaccalaureate Credit Options for Teachers

Location: Penn State Scranton campus and virtual

The Center for Business Development and Community Outreach offers a variety of graduate courses and other professional development opportunities designed to meet the continuing education goals of educators and teachers. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Great Lakes Literacy Education Exploration

Location: virtual and synchronous short course

Great Lakes Literacy education exploration, or GLLee, opportunities are an introductory collection of resources and partners assembled to better equip educators to explore Great Lakes Literacy with youth through place-based education and stewardship opportunities in your school and community! Educators receive a certificate representing three contact hours of study after completing a GLLee course, along with a digital notebook with all the resources from the module.

Online Graduate Education Degree Programs

Location: Penn State World Campus

Fulfill professional development requirements, earn a certificate, or work toward a master’s degree in one of our highly flexible programs — all online. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Postbaccalaureate Credit Courses in Education

Location: Virtual

Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s online post-baccalaureate courses cover a wide range of current topics in education. Work toward a credit certificate in teaching writing and literacy. In addition, many of our education courses transfer into Penn State Harrisburg’s 30-credit online Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum program. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Professional Development and Certificates

Location: Penn State Berks campus

English as a second language (ESL) certificate and courses offered for teachers. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Teacher Education

Location: Penn State Harrisburg campus

The Teacher Education program facilitates the development of professional educators who transform lives and communities through inspired and innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship. Courses of study offered include undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as numerous programs to prepare you for PA certification. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Teach for Forests: Forest Education for Teachers and Youth Educators

Location: Virtual

Learn about trees, wildlife, water, and ecology. Learn to teach children and teens with activities and through curriculum recommendations. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Trauma Informed Practices for Educators

The courses provide an understanding of how educators can create a more trauma sensitive school environment that ultimately leads to students’ academic and social success! The courses will cover Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), other types of trauma, and toxic stress and the impact they have on the brain, body, and child development. The program is available as tailored trainings for school districts and youth-serving organizations. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. Courses and details vary by campus.

Locations:

Program

Artificial Intelligence for Educators

Location: virtual and asynchronous

Penn State offers a 16-hour, asynchronous course designed for educators who are leading the charge in using artificial intelligence in their classrooms! AI can be leveraged to reinforce core knowledge, cultivate opportunities for critical thinking, teach students digital literacy and citizenship, and so much more. Designed by current and former educators, this course offers a chance to explore AI tools, refresh lesson plans, and address responsible use concerns with students, parents, and school personnel. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

College of Education Degrees and Certifications

Location: Penn State University Park campus

In Penn State’s College of Education, we firmly believe that our students have the potential to positively impact the lives of others. That’s why it is our mission to help you fully prepare for your career with invaluable experiences that take place both inside and outside the classroom. Armed with a degree from the College of Education, you’ll be well-positioned on your own unique path to becoming an outstanding educator, scholar, or researcher. College of Education offers certificates and bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degree programs. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist Certificate for PreK-12 Educators

Location: Penn State Abington campus and virtual

The certificate program is offered in a convenient hybrid format, combining class time and online course work. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Graduate Courses and Postbaccalaureate Credit Options for Teachers

Location: Penn State Scranton campus and virtual

The Center for Business Development and Community Outreach offers a variety of graduate courses and other professional development opportunities designed to meet the continuing education goals of educators and teachers. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Great Lakes Literacy Education Exploration

Location: virtual and synchronous short course

Great Lakes Literacy education exploration, or GLLee, opportunities are an introductory collection of resources and partners assembled to better equip educators to explore Great Lakes Literacy with youth through place-based education and stewardship opportunities in your school and community! Educators receive a certificate representing three contact hours of study after completing a GLLee course, along with a digital notebook with all the resources from the module.

Online Graduate Education Degree Programs

Location: Penn State World Campus

Fulfill professional development requirements, earn a certificate, or work toward a master’s degree in one of our highly flexible programs — all online. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Postbaccalaureate Credit Courses in Education

Location: Virtual

Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s online post-baccalaureate courses cover a wide range of current topics in education. Work toward a credit certificate in teaching writing and literacy. In addition, many of our education courses transfer into Penn State Harrisburg’s 30-credit online Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum program. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Professional Development and Certificates

Location: Penn State Berks campus

English as a second language (ESL) certificate and courses offered for teachers. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Teacher Education

Location: Penn State Harrisburg campus

The Teacher Education program facilitates the development of professional educators who transform lives and communities through inspired and innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship. Courses of study offered include undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as numerous programs to prepare you for PA certification. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Teach for Forests: Forest Education for Teachers and Youth Educators

Location: Virtual

Learn about trees, wildlife, water, and ecology. Learn to teach children and teens with activities and through curriculum recommendations. Earn Act 48 credit hours upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators.

Trauma Informed Practices for Educators

The courses provide an understanding of how educators can create a more trauma sensitive school environment that ultimately leads to students’ academic and social success! The courses will cover Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), other types of trauma, and toxic stress and the impact they have on the brain, body, and child development. The program is available as tailored trainings for school districts and youth-serving organizations. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. Courses and details vary by campus.

Locations:

Program

Adolescent Health Network

Including teenager perspectives in the development of adolescent health research is important to ensure the research reflects the preferences and needs of the teen population. The Adolescent Health Network (AHN) provides a framework for health researchers to connect with teens about their research ideas, activities, and outcomes, with the goal of creating research that is more relevant to teens and their health. High schools join the AHN and identify teens who participate in a brief training and participate in virtual meetings with researchers 5–6 times throughout a school year.

Engineering Ambassadors K-12 Classroom Visits

Location: On-site visits to schools

The Engineering Ambassadors offer on-site visits from engineering undergraduate students to share short presentations on interesting engineering innovations and hands-on activities to engage the class and promote excitement about engineering.

Entomology Student Outreach Program

Location: On-site visits to schools

The Entomology Graduate Student Association members facilitate a wide variety of educational experiences, including insect-themed talks at local schools, entomology summer camps, and the annual Great Insect Fair.

Exploration-U

Exploration-U is a large-scale community science program that focuses on innovative, hands-on science activities led by collaborations between Penn State faculty and students; local school district administrators, teachers, and students; and community businesses and partners. Events rotate between local high schools near Penn State University Park.

Faculty Speakers Bureau with Penn State Schuylkill Campus

Location: On-site visits to schools or virtual

Enrich your students’ learning experience by inviting a member of Penn State Schuylkill’s faculty into your high school classroom either in person or via web conference. Our world-class subject matter experts and researchers are available to supplement your curriculum through the examination of a specific topic area of your choosing.

Growing up STEM

Location: On-site visits to schools

Growing Up STEM powered by PNC, is a free Penn State PRO Wellness program that provides elementary school classrooms STEM lessons taught by our staff. Lessons focus on making connections between learning and healthcare careers while exploring topics that engage students between Kindergarten and 3rd grade. All lessons align with education standards.

Health Careers Exploration Program

Location: Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA

The Health Careers Exploration Program (HCEP) is offered through collaboration with Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, and local partner high schools, including Central Dauphin High School, Central Dauphin East High School, Hershey High School, and Lower Dauphin High School. The program runs during the second half of the academic year and is designed for rising seniors who are interested in health care careers. Students come to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center daily to participate in shadowing, observation, networking, and interactive seminars.

Mini-THON®

As a year-long fundraising effort, Mini-THON® is an excellent way for students to get involved in philanthropy and engage their school and local community. This effort culminates with a multi-hour, fun-filled event involving games, music, dancing, activities, and more!

Penn State Behrend: Schedule an Educational Experience

Location: On-site visits to schools

We are currently offering both on-campus and virtual hands-on experiences, including the Yahn Planetarium. These can be customized to your curriculum and grade level. Youth Education Outreach also can bring one of its programs directly to your school. Please contact us to schedule something today!

PBS Family Engagement Sessions for Schools

Location: Penn State University Park or virtual

Curated sessions for families where WPSU shares exciting activities from PBS KIDS.

Poison Prevention Program

Location: On-site visits to schools

Penn State Master Gardeners partner with Penn State Pesticide Education Program to deliver the Poison Prevention Program to 1st graders across the Commonwealth.

Prevention of Aggression Resource Center at Penn State Behrend Campus

Location: On-site visits to schools

The Prevention of Aggression Resource Center (PARC) provides research-supported resources for students, educational professionals, families, and communities. Our curricula are tailored for elementary, middle, and high school students and address relational and physical aggression and cyberbullying.

STEM Outreach Consultation

Location: On-site visits to schools

Jeff Remington, STEM Outreach Liaison at the Center for Science and the Schools, can visit your school to discuss your STEM needs and vision, explain how to get involved in STEM research grants, and showcase opportunities and partnerships available from Penn State.

Talent Search

Talent Search is one of the Federal TRIO Programs dedicated to assisting high school students in furthering their education after high school. Our counselors work with over 2,000 Pennsylvania middle and high school students a year to provide services, information, and guidance for their education after high school.

The Mentor Project at Penn State Behrend

Location: On-site visits to schools

The Mentor Project with the Susan Hirt Hagen Center at Penn State Behrend works with local schools and community sites to promote positive youth development by forming lasting relationships between Erie youth and trained mentors.

WPSU to You!

Location: Onsite at your school or virtual

Invite WPSU to your professional development days for a guided tour of PBS resources.

Program

Adolescent Health Network

Including teenager perspectives in the development of adolescent health research is important to ensure the research reflects the preferences and needs of the teen population. The Adolescent Health Network (AHN) provides a framework for health researchers to connect with teens about their research ideas, activities, and outcomes, with the goal of creating research that is more relevant to teens and their health. High schools join the AHN and identify teens who participate in a brief training and participate in virtual meetings with researchers 5–6 times throughout a school year.

Engineering Ambassadors K-12 Classroom Visits

Location: On-site visits to schools

The Engineering Ambassadors offer on-site visits from engineering undergraduate students to share short presentations on interesting engineering innovations and hands-on activities to engage the class and promote excitement about engineering.

Entomology Student Outreach Program

Location: On-site visits to schools

The Entomology Graduate Student Association members facilitate a wide variety of educational experiences, including insect-themed talks at local schools, entomology summer camps, and the annual Great Insect Fair.

Exploration-U

Exploration-U is a large-scale community science program that focuses on innovative, hands-on science activities led by collaborations between Penn State faculty and students; local school district administrators, teachers, and students; and community businesses and partners. Events rotate between local high schools near Penn State University Park.

Faculty Speakers Bureau with Penn State Schuylkill Campus

Location: On-site visits to schools or virtual

Enrich your students’ learning experience by inviting a member of Penn State Schuylkill’s faculty into your high school classroom either in person or via web conference. Our world-class subject matter experts and researchers are available to supplement your curriculum through the examination of a specific topic area of your choosing.

Growing up STEM

Location: On-site visits to schools

Growing Up STEM powered by PNC, is a free Penn State PRO Wellness program that provides elementary school classrooms STEM lessons taught by our staff. Lessons focus on making connections between learning and healthcare careers while exploring topics that engage students between Kindergarten and 3rd grade. All lessons align with education standards.

Health Careers Exploration Program

Location: Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA

The Health Careers Exploration Program (HCEP) is offered through collaboration with Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, and local partner high schools, including Central Dauphin High School, Central Dauphin East High School, Hershey High School, and Lower Dauphin High School. The program runs during the second half of the academic year and is designed for rising seniors who are interested in health care careers. Students come to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center daily to participate in shadowing, observation, networking, and interactive seminars.

Mini-THON®

As a year-long fundraising effort, Mini-THON® is an excellent way for students to get involved in philanthropy and engage their school and local community. This effort culminates with a multi-hour, fun-filled event involving games, music, dancing, activities, and more!

Penn State Behrend: Schedule an Educational Experience

Location: On-site visits to schools

We are currently offering both on-campus and virtual hands-on experiences, including the Yahn Planetarium. These can be customized to your curriculum and grade level. Youth Education Outreach also can bring one of its programs directly to your school. Please contact us to schedule something today!

PBS Family Engagement Sessions for Schools

Location: Penn State University Park or virtual

Curated sessions for families where WPSU shares exciting activities from PBS KIDS.

Poison Prevention Program

Location: On-site visits to schools

Penn State Master Gardeners partner with Penn State Pesticide Education Program to deliver the Poison Prevention Program to 1st graders across the Commonwealth.

Prevention of Aggression Resource Center at Penn State Behrend Campus

Location: On-site visits to schools

The Prevention of Aggression Resource Center (PARC) provides research-supported resources for students, educational professionals, families, and communities. Our curricula are tailored for elementary, middle, and high school students and address relational and physical aggression and cyberbullying.

STEM Outreach Consultation

Location: On-site visits to schools

Jeff Remington, STEM Outreach Liaison at the Center for Science and the Schools, can visit your school to discuss your STEM needs and vision, explain how to get involved in STEM research grants, and showcase opportunities and partnerships available from Penn State.

Talent Search

Talent Search is one of the Federal TRIO Programs dedicated to assisting high school students in furthering their education after high school. Our counselors work with over 2,000 Pennsylvania middle and high school students a year to provide services, information, and guidance for their education after high school.

The Mentor Project at Penn State Behrend

Location: On-site visits to schools

The Mentor Project with the Susan Hirt Hagen Center at Penn State Behrend works with local schools and community sites to promote positive youth development by forming lasting relationships between Erie youth and trained mentors.

WPSU to You!

Location: Onsite at your school or virtual

Invite WPSU to your professional development days for a guided tour of PBS resources.

Back to Top

Program

Center for Science and the Schools (CSATS) Summer Workshops

Location: Penn State University Park campus and virtual

CSATS Summer Workshops provide opportunities for teachers to learn science, engineering, math, computational thinking, and more through integrated activities from Penn State researchers and faculty. Join us in inquiry-based activities and discussions designed to deepen your understanding of STEAM topics aligned to the PA Academic Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Stipends and travel expenses vary depending on the professional development opportunity. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. An application is required.

CSATS Summer Research Experiences for Teachers (RET)

Location: In-person at various Penn State campuses and virtual

The Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program is a seven-week summer program for middle and high school STEM teachers. RETs conduct research with a host laboratory for the first six weeks of the program and prepare for the summer research symposium during the seventh week. The placements are offered virtually and in the labs. This experience includes up to $7,500 stipend for participation and implementation and an opportunity to present research at the MJ Murdock Foundation Partners in Science Symposium in San Diego the following January. Participants may receive up to 3 graduate credits (SCIED 597), and Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. An application is required.

Interdisciplinary Materials Research Experience for Teachers Program (RET)

Location: Penn State University Park campus

Current teachers in middle and high school classrooms will experience research for 6 weeks first-hand by doing a project within a lab that shares their scientific interests and background. Their cohort of fellow educators will meet regularly to support each other’s progress, as well as explore the theme of sustainability and its many connections to materials science, STEM research, and the globe more broadly. Projects will be featured at a final symposium. This experience includes a $7,000 stipend ($5,000 stipend for pre-service teachers) and travel expenses. Eligibility for additional classroom and conference attendance funding opportunities exist upon successful completion of the program. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. An application is required.

Palmer Museum of Art Summer Educator Open House

Location: Penn State University Park campus

K–12 educators are invited to drop-in and browse school resources, learn about innovative gallery teaching strategies for class visits, and explore current exhibitions at the Palmer Museum of Art. Take away an educational poster featuring an artist from MADE in PA. Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges.

Penn State Behrend Research Experience for Teachers (RET)

Location: Penn State Behrend campus

RET participants spend six weeks (30 business days) working with the Behrend RET team, comprising of a group of faculty, undergraduate students, graduate students, and industry mentors. Program activities include physical, computer, and virtual reality simulations of manufacturing paradigms (craft production, mass production, Lean manufacturing, mass customization, and global manufacturing) as well as automation (PLC and Robotics) and additive manufacturing. RET participants gain first-hand experience by participating in research activities to develop effective curriculum modules and engage their own students in authentic experiences in science and engineering. This experience includes a $6,500 stipend ($5,000 stipend for pre-service teachers) and support for project supplies, lesson plan implementation, and conference travel will be available for participants. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. An application is required.

Penn State In-Service Workshops in Astronomy (PSIWA)

Location: Penn State University Park campus

PSIWA is a series of content-rich summer programs for middle- and high-school science teachers. The purpose is to promote stimulating new activities and instruction in astronomy at the secondary school level which will increase and sustain student enthusiasm for physical science. The workshops include informative presentations, hands-on laboratory and computer activities, multimedia curricular materials, guest research lectures, and pedagogical discussions. Content is oriented toward the National Science Education Standards and the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science and Technology. This workshop is held in the summer annually. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. An application is required.

Research Vessel (R/V) Lake Guardian Educator Experience

Location: Great Lakes research vessel

Each year, educators in the Great Lakes region are invited to participate in a week-long adventure on one of the Great Lakes aboard the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Research Vessel (R/V), Lake Guardian.

Program

Center for Science and the Schools (CSATS) Summer Workshops

Location: Penn State University Park campus and virtual

CSATS Summer Workshops provide opportunities for teachers to learn science, engineering, math, computational thinking, and more through integrated activities from Penn State researchers and faculty. Join us in inquiry-based activities and discussions designed to deepen your understanding of STEAM topics aligned to the PA Academic Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Stipends and travel expenses vary depending on the professional development opportunity. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. An application is required.

CSATS Summer Research Experiences for Teachers (RET)

Location: In-person at various Penn State campuses and virtual

The Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program is a seven-week summer program for middle and high school STEM teachers. RETs conduct research with a host laboratory for the first six weeks of the program and prepare for the summer research symposium during the seventh week. The placements are offered virtually and in the labs. This experience includes up to $7,500 stipend for participation and implementation and an opportunity to present research at the MJ Murdock Foundation Partners in Science Symposium in San Diego the following January. Participants may receive up to 3 graduate credits (SCIED 597), and Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. An application is required.

Interdisciplinary Materials Research Experience for Teachers Program (RET)

Location: Penn State University Park campus

Current teachers in middle and high school classrooms will experience research for 6 weeks first-hand by doing a project within a lab that shares their scientific interests and background. Their cohort of fellow educators will meet regularly to support each other’s progress, as well as explore the theme of sustainability and its many connections to materials science, STEM research, and the globe more broadly. Projects will be featured at a final symposium. This experience includes a $7,000 stipend ($5,000 stipend for pre-service teachers) and travel expenses. Eligibility for additional classroom and conference attendance funding opportunities exist upon successful completion of the program. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. An application is required.

Palmer Museum of Art Summer Educator Open House

Location: Penn State University Park campus

K–12 educators are invited to drop-in and browse school resources, learn about innovative gallery teaching strategies for class visits, and explore current exhibitions at the Palmer Museum of Art. Take away an educational poster featuring an artist from MADE in PA. Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges.

Penn State Behrend Research Experience for Teachers (RET)

Location: Penn State Behrend campus

RET participants spend six weeks (30 business days) working with the Behrend RET team, comprising of a group of faculty, undergraduate students, graduate students, and industry mentors. Program activities include physical, computer, and virtual reality simulations of manufacturing paradigms (craft production, mass production, Lean manufacturing, mass customization, and global manufacturing) as well as automation (PLC and Robotics) and additive manufacturing. RET participants gain first-hand experience by participating in research activities to develop effective curriculum modules and engage their own students in authentic experiences in science and engineering. This experience includes a $6,500 stipend ($5,000 stipend for pre-service teachers) and support for project supplies, lesson plan implementation, and conference travel will be available for participants. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. An application is required.

Penn State In-Service Workshops in Astronomy (PSIWA)

Location: Penn State University Park campus

PSIWA is a series of content-rich summer programs for middle- and high-school science teachers. The purpose is to promote stimulating new activities and instruction in astronomy at the secondary school level which will increase and sustain student enthusiasm for physical science. The workshops include informative presentations, hands-on laboratory and computer activities, multimedia curricular materials, guest research lectures, and pedagogical discussions. Content is oriented toward the National Science Education Standards and the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science and Technology. This workshop is held in the summer annually. Act 48 credits are available upon request for Pennsylvania-certified educators. An application is required.

Research Vessel (R/V) Lake Guardian Educator Experience

Location: Great Lakes research vessel

Each year, educators in the Great Lakes region are invited to participate in a week-long adventure on one of the Great Lakes aboard the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Research Vessel (R/V), Lake Guardian.