Summer is here! With the warmer weather and longer days, educators get a long break from classroom instruction. This is a great time to work on professional development for teachers! In this article, we have compiled a list of STEM professional development ideas and resources you can take advantage of this summer.
Before you dive right into your summertime STEM professional development, make sure you set yourself up for success. After all, you don’t want to waste your summer working on professional development for educators that will not benefit you in the long run! Here are a few key things to consider when planning your summertime STEM professional development.
- Set realistic goals. Don’t overextend yourself during your summer break. Educators need time during the summer to relax and reset after a long school year. If you want to sharpen your skills and prepare for the next school year, choose STEAM professional development opportunities that you can complete without overworking yourself!
- Reflect and prioritize. Honestly reflect on areas you need to improve as a STEM educator. After you’ve assessed and focused on what areas you want to strengthen, prioritize professional development opportunities that will help you reach your goals. Don’t get distracted by free professional development for teachers that seems flashy and fun when they don’t ultimately help you improve in the areas you identified.
- Find an accountability partner. Link up with a fellow STEM educator who can help keep you on track while working toward your goals.
5 STEAM Professional Development Ideas for Teachers
1. Listen to STEM Education Podcasts
One of the easiest ways teachers can get STEAM professional development done over summer break is to spend a little time each week listening to relevant podcasts. This can be done while you drive around to run errands, go for evening walks, or even get in a quick workout. Here are a few podcasts that can help you learn more about teaching STEAM topics to students.
- The Elementary STEM Coach Podcast
- STEM Talk Podcast
- STEM Everyday Podcast
- The STEM Space Podcast
- STEAM Powered Podcast
- The I Heart STEAM Teacher Podcast
- KidsLab Podcast
- PBL Simplified Podcast
2. Use Social Media for STEM Professional Development
Another easy way to grow your STEAM knowledge this summer is by following STEAM and STEM related hashtags on social media. This can help you stay up to date on what’s trending in STEM education. Hashtags are a great way to find STEM social media accounts and related resources. Some helpful hashtags include:
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#STEAMeducation
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#STEMeducation
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#steamlearning
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#stemlearning
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#steamedu
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#stemedu
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#steamactivities
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#stemactivities
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#steamteacher
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#stemteacher
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#engineeringdesignprocess
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#stemeducationforkids
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#makerspace
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#makereducation
In addition to hashtags, you can follow STEM educators and experts on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Pinterest. Without much effort on your part, you can get project ideas, teaching tips, and more. For free resources and ideas, follow TinkRworks on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
3. Trial a STEAM project kit!
Use your spare time in the summer to trial STEAM products and projects designed for educators! This gives educators the opportunity to work through projects before leading a class through them. A practice run can show you what challenges your students may encounter when working on a project. Then, you can prepare your instructions to make the learning experience more seamless.
We offer a number of STEAM products for a variety of age groups. Help your students sharpen their skills while creatively expressing themselves with fun, engaging projects. By the end, your students will have built something they are proud to show to their classmates. Learn more and request a quote for any of our products here. If you don’t know which project you want to start with, we recommend you trial the TinkRworks LaunchPad project!
4. Download STEAM Resources
The Internet is chock-full of resources for STEM educators of all grade levels and subject areas. Take advantage of all the downloadable STEM content available online. TinkRworks also has a variety of downloadable free STEAM printables. Grab them now!
5. Participate in Online Professional Development for Teachers with STEAM Education Webinars
Another great way to learn more about teaching STEAM skills and leading classes through STEAM projects is by participating in online webinars and courses. Below is a list of on-demand webinars offered by the STEAM Team here at TinkRworks! Click the links below to watch now.
- STEAM Project-based Learning Made Simple
What is STEAM Project-based Learning (PBL), and how is it transforming K-8 STEAM education? Join us as we delve into the case for STEAM Project-based Learning. Learn about the transformative potential of PBL through real-world applications in the STEM classroom. Watch Now. - The A in STEAM Matters: Introducing TinkRsynth
Want to learn more about TinkRworks’ hands-on STEAM projects? Check out this free webinar and see how TinkRsynth helps students (grades 6-8) develop analytical and technical skills while allowing them an opportunity for creative expression. Watch Now. - Nostalgia Meets Innovation: Exploring Tech-A-Sketch and 21st Century Skills
Explore this free webinar all about Tech-A-Sketch. This digital drawing project for grades 3-5 combines electronics, coding, and art, teaching a variety of STEAM concepts as students create their unique artist palette. Watch Now.
In Conclusion
Make the most of your summer and set yourself up for success next year with these STEAM professional development ideas! With just a little bit of time and effort each week, you can sharpen your skills to ensure that your students will have their best year of STEAM learning next year. There is no shortage of free resources to help you along the way, so don’t be afraid to dive right into summer STEM professional development ideas for teachers.
