Some science teachers are becoming students for the week in Corona in hopes of creating "explosive" atmospheres in their classroom.
About a dozen science and after school teachers got their hands dirty at the New York Hall of Science on Thursday. It was all a part of the weeklong Design2Learn Summer Institute, a professional development program for school and after school teachers.
The goal is to eventually motivate students to learn about science by showing teachers fun ways to present the subject matter.
“Having a lot of fun and a positive experience makes them feel rejuvenated and positive about science, like, 'I can do this too,'” said Jasmine Maldonado, the science coach manager at the New York Hall of Science.
“We want our students to have the most hands-on experience they can have, and that begins when you give that experience to the teachers themselves,” said Emma Banay, the STEM Manager for the non-profit ExpandED Schools. “So it's sort of a ‘train the trainer’ model.”
After the Institute, the teachers will have a year's worth of support and resources from organizers with ExpandEd Schools and the Hall of Science.