Professional Learning Opportunities

The purpose of the IU13 Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Leadership Collaborative Meetings is to give science, technology/engineering, and math leaders an opportunity to: * Stay informed of the most current information from the PDE and professional organizations, and share that information with colleagues in their school or district * Engage in collaborative professional learning for building their own capacity to lead * Serve as a resource for determining regional professional development needs * Network and engage in collegial dialogue with other "job alike" professionals

The IU13 Coach Mentor Collaborative provides professional growth opportunities for instructional coaches in Lancaster and Lebanon counties and network opportunities centered around educational challenges, student-centered practices, cycles of coaching, and coaching conversations. Note: This session is part of the CMC Network series. Participating districts were billed in September 2025

Participants will have the opportunity and time to explore a variety of Computer Science tools and equipment available in the IMS Lending Library, and interact with other educators to brainstorm hands-on classroom uses for integrating Computer Science and STEELS standards. This hands-on session will provide certification for the IMS Lending Materials which includes the StarLab portable planetariums, the AR/VR mobile device kits, and the TransfrVR headsets.

IU12, IU13, IU15 and IU24 would like to welcome all instructional technology educators from any region to join us for a great morning of collaboration in eastern Pennsylvania. We will kick off the morning with an overview of the agenda and engaging activities to build inter-IU relationships. The rest of the morning will be in an open spaces edcamp format to share and discuss with others with a common focus and/or passion in the educational technology field. All Instructional coaches/specialists who facilitate and support instructional technology are welcome and encouraged to attend.

These POC collaborative meetings are for Lancaster and Lebanon County library stakeholders, including AccessPA member libraries, for the purpose of providing pertinent information concerning technology tools, ethical and legal issues, and professional development opportunities. In addition, time will be devoted for new learning and exploration for the integration of IMS and other tools/strategies supporting all content area curricula.

In this workshop session, participants will delve into research-based strategies for effective vocabulary instruction. Participants will become familiar with identifying the three tiers of vocabulary words, selecting words to teach, and planning and implementing vocabulary strategies for students of all grade levels. The course covers key components of vocabulary development, including word knowledge, word learning strategies, and the role of context in understanding and using new words. Participants will learn how to create a language-rich environment, integrate vocabulary instruction across the curriculum, and use assessment tools to monitor student progress.

Participants will explore research-based strategies and instructional techniques to improve students' understanding and interpretation of spoken and written language. The course will cover essential comprehension skills and strategies such as making predictions and inferences, activating background knowledge, questioning text, drawing mental images, and synthesizing information. Participants will also learn methods to develop students' fluency, emphasizing accurate, paced, and expressive reading. By integrating practical activities, interactive lessons, and effective assessment tools, educators will gain the skills to support and advance students' oral and reading comprehension and fluency.

This full-day convening brings together the educators who have completed Muddy Boots training. Participants will reconvene to review, refine, and strengthen instructional materials developed for the Blue Green Connector field site and aligned to the new PA STEELS standards. Working in collaborative teams, teachers will engage in two rounds of structured peer review to elevate their draft lessons and learning experiences. With coaching support from an IU13 facilitator, participants will ensure strong alignment to PA STEELS standards while maximizing the rich learning opportunities available at the Marietta Avenue field station. By the end of the day, participants will finalize high-quality instructional resources that will be published on the Blue Green Connector and Lancaster County STEM Alliance websites-serving as model materials for educators across Pennsylvania seeking meaningful, standards-aligned field experiences. Participants will also be introduced to additional environmental literacy resources through PA DEP's Clean Water Academy, further expanding access to restored ecosystems and cutting-edge research for teachers and students throughout the region. This session offers a valuable opportunity to collaborate, network, and gain insight from peers while contributing to shared, high-impact educational resources. Participant Benefits: * $200 stipend per teacher (paid to school to support substitute costs) * Lunch provided both days * 6 Act 48 hours awarded upon completion

An immersive, three-day professional learning experience where educators explore stream restoration at the Blue Green Connector, design PA STEELS-aligned lessons, and collaborate to create high-quality outdoor learning resources for classroom and field use. Learning Objectives Participants will: Engage in hands-on field investigations connected to stream restoration and environmental research. Design and refine instructional materials aligned to PA STEELS standards using an authentic outdoor learning site. Collaborate with fellow educators to peer-review and strengthen lessons for classroom and field implementation. Contribute standards-aligned instructional resources to the Blue Green Connector website for regional educator access. Additional Information Open to 10 middle and high school educators in biology, earth science, environmental science, engineering, history, or STEM/STEAM fields. Days 1 & 2 - May 4 & 5, 2026: $450 stipend (paid to school for substitute costs) lunch provided, and 12 Act 48 hours. Day 3 - June 22, 2026: Optional paid summer collaboration day focused on lesson refinement and peer review alongside the October Muddy Boots cohort. Includes a $200 stipend paid directly to teachers and 6 additional Act 48 hours. 18 total Act 48 hours awarded upon completion of all three days.