Professional Learning Opportunities

IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

Studying marine and land mammals can be a valuable tool for supporting classroom environments and fostering social emotional learning (SEL). By exploring the social behaviors and emotional responses of these animals, participants can gain insights into how emotions are expressed, understood, and managed, and how they influence cognition. Using SEL to strengthen classroom communities and enhance a sense of belonging can increase students’ availability to learn. Participants will build capacity to use sketching strategies in the Museum and apply SEL strategies in the classroom. Open to K- 12 teachers. 

Museum Facilitator: Cristina Trowbridge

Teacher Facilitator: Tali Herman (Ramaz Upper School)

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

What does Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education look like in science? In this course, participants will unpack some of the research behind the NYS Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Framework and consider its implications for the science classroom. Questions we will consider: What is the difference between culturally relevant, responsive, and sustaining? What is culture and what role does it play in written curriculum? How do we unite these concepts with pre-packaged curricula? Participants should come prepared to engage in collaborative, critical, and supportive dialogue as we examine and reflect upon these and other critical themes.

Museum Facilitators: Candyce Johnson

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ONLINE

Videos have always been a significant part of multimodal learning in schools and in museums. Science videos assist learners in understanding science concepts and phenomena. Using science videos produced by the American Museum of Natural History, participants will learn strategies to effectively incorporate not only watching, but actively engaging with videos with students in their classrooms. Participants will also discuss ways they can properly vet and assess different web-based educational videos as well as assess how video-based projects can engage students in creative thinking process.

Museum Facilitator: John Sapida

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

Teachers will explore how anchoring phenomena can be leveraged throughout a curriculum to elicit student thinking, promote deeper understanding, and prepare for summative assessments.

Museum Facilitator: Maya Pincus

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

An invasive species is not native to an ecosystem, and its introduction causes economic or environmental harm. So what does it mean to be a native species? In this session, participants will explore insects, ecosystems, and indigenous practices to better understand our environment and our place it.

Museum Facilitators: Jonathan Milard and Ben Taylor 

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

We are not always aware of the things that impact our students outside of school, but we see them show up in the classroom. In this workshop, Dr. Nicole Cardona, a clinical psychologist specializing in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and trauma treatment for youth with emotional and behavioral difficulties, will share evidenced-based strategies for better supporting students in our classrooms. Teachers will additionally be exposed to art activities and museum resources that aid in slow looking and calming our minds and bodies.

Museum Facilitator: Margaret Hoffman

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

As our society continues to question and debate what we deem necessary to create a just and equitable world, we are confronted with diverse viewpoints and values. Our ways of seeing and navigating the world around us are challenged and for many people, holding ourselves accountable to growth can be an extremely jarring and sensitive experience. Despite our best intentions, we all cause harm and miss parts of the picture. How can we use values that already exist in the classroom, such as growth, respect, and curiosity to transform uncomfortable moments into positive learning experiences? Accountability is necessary to foster safe relationships and constructive development within and without our classrooms. In this session, educators will explore (1) methods of navigating sentiments brought up while being held accountable, (2) the victim mentality, (3) how the Museum has approached accountability (in their cultural halls), and (4) habits to foster and practice with students in class and at the museum.

Museum Facilitators: Brianna Harlan and fefe yamaguchi

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

Graphic novels have become tools that help students engage in visual, critical, and creative thinking. In this session, participants will discuss the potential of science-themed graphic novels in helping students explore, understand, and remember various science concepts and practices. Participants will discuss science literacy, sequential art, and visual storytelling, visit the Museum halls to practice close observation, as well as view and analyze various titles provided by the instructors. Participants do not need any experience with drawing to participate in this session. All are welcome!

Museum Facilitators: John Sapida and Jay Holmes

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

In a multicultural society, it is important for educators to foster understanding and build connections between different people and their respective cultures (i.e. cultural exchange); however, particularly when an educator is speaking on a people/culture that is not their own, there are barriers that inhibit their ability to fully honor and respect them in the curriculum. Through the exploration of existing cultural halls/exhibits, reflective activities/discussions based on the self (within and without the classroom), and engaging in art practices, educators will dissect their personal relationship to culture(s) and how they navigate teaching, honoring and respecting them within the classroom.

Museum Facilitators: Jonathan Milard, fefe Yamaguchi and Brianna Harlon

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

Ants and humans are social animals, yet they evolved social behavior in extraordinarily different ways. Participants will join a Museum educator in collaboration with a neuroscientist to make connections between the Solomon Family Insectarium and Spitzer Hall of Human Origins. Together, we will explore the question, "How do the different roles of social organisms support the survival of the species and the individual?"

Museum Facilitator: Ben Taylor

Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Maia Pujara (Sarah Lawrence College)

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

In this session, participants will learn the concepts, research, and stories behind the new space show and how to lead a meaningful field trip to the Planetarium with their students. Tickets to see the new Space Show included! 

Museum Facilitators: Ben Taylor and Jonathan Milard

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

Chemistry concepts can often feel abstract and difficult to visualize for our learners. However, these submicroscopic scientific concepts can be seen in our everyday lives and on stage in our world today. In this workshop, we will delve into the three-dimensional approach to New York State’s P-12 Physical Science Learning Standards and explore unique phenomena, designed to bring Chemistry to life at the American Museum of Natural History and in the city around us.

Museum Facilitator: Jake Sienko

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

Learning about the seasons and the changes that come with them is a perfect way to excite students about the environment and the city around them. During this session, we will explore the importance of understanding and honoring seasons, the science behind them, and how they are still embraced and can be explored in the city today. We will visit the museum exhibits, view examples from our collections, and learn about activities and resources that you can bring back to your classroom to incorporate seasonal learning.

Museum Facilitator: Bridget Hidalgo

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OFFSITE: FORT TRYON  PARK

Ecosystems are everywhere in New York; ecosystem interactions happen all around us. Using local habitats can bring science alive in our students’ world. We can apply our science practices and science understandings to make sense of these phenomena and systems around us. There are a variety of kinds of green spaces in our city, and this time we will explore woodland and the spectacular flower beds in Fort Tryon Park. We will use a variety of strategies to support observation, organism identification, question generation and habitat stewardship to explore ecosystem concepts, community and place-based science and the student engagement potential in our green spaces.

Museum Facilitator: Jay Holmes

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

Our students often learn about science and the world through faraway, abstract ideas. These big scientific concepts, or phenomena, can be even more powerful when they are local and observable for young learners. In this workshop, we will explore how to make science relatable to your students by using the resources of the city around you, including the museum. We will explore what a scientific phenomenon is, visit museum halls, go outside, and dive into your curriculum to plan for the school year ahead.

Museum Facilitators: Margaret Hoffman, Bridget Hidalgo, and Jake Sienko

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

More than 240 species of birds breed within New York State, and about 450 spend part of the year here. Some of them fly all the way from South America to Canada and back again! Why do some bird species migrate? How are birds adapted to live in different habitats? Why do scientists consider birds to be living dinosaurs? How are they affected by climate change and urbanization? How our morning coffee affect the diversity of birds? Join Museum educators for a two-day workshop to investigate questions about the evolution, ecology, and diversity of birds. We will visit several iconic halls and even take a birding walk in Central Park.

Museum Facilitator: Adriana Aquino, Conor Odell, and Dave Randle

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

In this workshop, field trip support staff will guide teachers in designing fun, accessible, and engaging field trips.

Museum Facilitators: Ben Taylor, Jake Sienko, and Margaret Hoffman

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

Get transported to another place and time through the dioramas at AMNH! We'll explore the Halls to examine the dioramas for interdisciplinary connections and opportunities for learning. In focusing on dioramas, we will learn to identify the design features employed in their construction, the accuracy of their details, and the opportunity for onlookers to glimpse into a place and time no longer available. Session will focus on what connections in science, history, and literature can be made through a thorough diorama examination.

Museum Facilitators: Lauren Tecosky and Rebecca Taylor

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IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM

Research indicates that on average, museum visitors spend 30 seconds in front of an exhibit. In this session, teachers will participate in an immersive experience in the new Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation focused on helping learners slow down on Museum field trips as a means of building descriptive language, practicing empathy, and connecting with themselves and their peers.

Museum Facilitator: Colleen Owen

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ONLINE

Discover how to bring the wonder of the American Museum of Natural History into your classroom—especially when a physical field trip is not possible. This professional learning session aims to equip educators with the tools to integrate the Museum into their students’ classroom experience. We will look at and demonstrate the Museum’s official virtual field trip resources as well as any digital collections, games, and videos that could be modified to bring the Museum to your school. Perfect for teachers from anywhere in the world seeking dynamic, inquiry-based approaches to science, history, and literacy!

Museum Facilitator: John Sapida and Rebecca Taylor

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