In-Person Teacher Professional Development Workshop
Location: Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, Harvard Science Center, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA
- Open to educators in all grades.
- This program is free, but a refundable deposit of $50 is required to register.
- Free Parking: 52 Oxford Street Garage
Spend a day immersed in Harvard’s Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments! Hosted by the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture, this professional development opportunity is appropriate for all educators who want to explore using history of science collections in their teaching.
This educator learning day will feature a gallery tour and talk by Harvard professor Gabriela Soto Laveaga, curator of the new bilingual exhibit Measuring Difference. Explore measurement in the Americas before, during, and after European colonization. How do measurement, labeling, and illustration reflect culture and values? Spanish exhibit text and materials from Spanish-speaking countries are part of the exhibit.
Following the gallery tour, join CHSI Executive Director Joshua Gorman for a session with instruments from the collections. We’ll discuss, observe, and handle both modern and historical tools used in scientific research. Educators will also have the opportunity to experience CHSI’s permanent exhibit Time, Life, & Matter.
The third part of the day will be devoted to teacher discussion and planning. Along with like-minded colleagues, you will plan ways to engage with CHSI collections and exhibits with your students. Teachers who want to receive a PDP certificate must submit a lesson plan for use in their classroom.
This program is free, but a refundable deposit of $50 is required to register. Deposits will be refunded for all participants who attend the program.
While this opportunity is open to all educators, the content has the strongest potential to align with the following middle and high school curriculum topics:
Social Studies
- Exploring how the study of history illuminates understanding of the world today
- Study of Indigenous cultures in Central America through primary source materials
- Political and cultural impacts of nineteenth century Imperialism in Europe and the Americas
- Impact of globalization on science on the early modern world
Science
- Exploring practices of assessing scientific reasoning and models and communicating critiques of arguments
- Consider alternate interpretations of natural systems including ecosystems, cause and effect, and the impact of human activity on the earth
- Analyze primary source data to understand changes in the practice of science
Teacher-developed lessons will likely incorporate literacy standards through reading, writing, and speaking activities.
Advanced language classes may choose to experience the exhibit through objects and text in Spanish.
You will receive
- Free workshop with content presented by Harvard faculty and researchers
- Guided opportunity to develop field trip plans to Harvard’s Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments
- PDP certificate for 10 hours available with completion and submission of lesson plan for your classroom. The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture is a PDP provider registered with the Massachusetts Department of Education
- Lunch and light breakfast
- Free parking
For questions, please contact: HMNHreserve@hmsc.harvard.edu