The document discusses a professional development workshop focused on STEM education, hosted by Kurt Feichtmeir at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. It outlines various resources available for educators, including online activities, personal visits, and workshops aimed at enhancing inquiry-based learning. The Exploratorium emphasizes hands-on experiences and the importance of fostering curiosity and questioning among students.

1. Power of Discovery Workshop
April 9, 2013
Professional Development Strategies and
Resources for Afterschool STEM
Kurt Feichtmeir
Director Extended Learning
Exploratorium

2. The Exploratorium’s new home at
Piers 15/17 San Francisco

3. Levels of engagement
• Thriving Bay Area science learning ecology
• Museums: part of the out-of-school time
space for students, educators, and families
• Remote and in-person access to STEM
resources from museums
– Remote: Online or Print publications; webinars,
webcasts, interactive activities
– In-person: Personal Visit; Group Field Trip;
Professional Development Workshop

4. Exploratorium PD Resources
• STEM Activities: Developed and Tested by
Exploratorium staff; Easy to implement with
common materials; Many available for free
download, also available in printed books
• Personal visit: explore the galleries for your
personal enrichment or as preparation for a
group visit; SFPL check-out pass program

5. Exploratorium PD Resources
• Online content: tools for teaching and
learning: activities, digital library, content
collectionshttp://www.exploratorium.edu/edu
cation
• Workshops for Professional Development
Providers: Exploratorium Institute for Inquiry,
– Fundamentals of Inquiry; 5-day (Fall)
– Assessing for Learning; 3-day (Spring)

8. Activity Philosophy and Approach
• Developed and adapted by Exploratorium staff
science educators
• Tested with students and families for clarity,
usability, and engagement
• Emphasis on science process skills as well as
content knowledge and interactive fun
• Reinforcement of literacy skills
• Easy to do with common materials

9. Exploratopia
Kid-friendly experiments and explorations for curious minds

10. Tools for Exploration

11. Sample Activity
Secret Sounds
Experiment with sounds that only you can hear

12. Introduction, Materials, and Instructions

13. Explanation, Tools for Exploration, and
Real World Connection

14. Activity time: 7 minutes
• Leader will facilitate the activity
• Ask questions
• Keep track of your discoveries
• Explain what you notice
• Share your experience

15. Tool for Discovery: Asking Questions
• Thinking of questions (and trying to figure out
the answers) is part of trying to understand
how the world works. Think of some questions
that you could answer by experimenting. A
great way to begin a question is with the
words “What would happen if . . . ?

16. Questions?
To purchase Exploratopia
or other Exploratorium
publications, please go to:
www.store.exploratorium.edu

17. Next Steps!
• Visit the new Exploratorium at Piers 15/17,
San Francisco
• Opening April 17, 2013
• www.exploratorium.edu