STEM Teaching with Embedded Primary Sources (STEPS) Project
Help your students step back in time and explore the history of science, technology, engineering and math through the Library of Congress’ collection of primary sources. In the STEPS workshop, science, mathematics, and other STEM-focused educators will learn how to find, evaluate, and use historical primary sources from the Library of Congress in classroom instruction. Participating educators will develop and revise a lesson plan or course module using the Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources materials. Educator stipends will be provided for completion of project components.
Session Date/Time:
October 30-31, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day (Lunch will be provided)
Location:
The University of Mississippi – Jackson Avenue Center
1111 Jackson Avenue (Auditorium A)
University, MS 38677
Audience:
K-12 Math and Science Teachers, Instructional Coaches, and Administrators
Session Date/Time:
November 2-3, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day (Lunch will be provided)
Location:
The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
565 N. Fifth Street
Laurel, MS 39440
Audience:
K-12 Math and Science Teachers, Instructional Coaches, and Administrators
The STEPS workshop is 12 hours of professional development designed for both elementary and secondary science, mathematics, and other STEM/STEAM-focused educators. During the STEM Teaching with Embedded Primary Sources (STEPS) workshop, teachers will:
- Learn how the History of Science and the Nature of Science support students’ acquisition of science content knowledge.
- Learn how incorporating the History of Mathematics into instruction can foster students’ joy and wonderment in learning math.
- Identify and find historical primary sources on the Library of Congress website.
- Evaluate primary sources using the Primary Source Analysis Tool.
- Engage in strategies to embed primary sources in STEM/STEAM instruction.
- Create, share, and revise science, mathematics, or integrated STEM/STEAM lesson plans/modules.
June 7-9, 2023 Summer Planning Institute
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
University, MS 38655
January 26-27 In-Person
Toyota Experience Center
Blue Springs, MS 38828
October 3-November 30, 2022 Online
Canvas Course
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
University, MS 38655
February 4-April 4, 2022 Online
Canvas Course
January 13-14, 2022 In-Person
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
University, MS 38655
September 16-17, 2021 In-Person
Infinity Science Center
Pearlington, MS 39572
June 22-23, 2021 In-Person
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
University, MS 38655
Each teacher participating in STEPS will receive:
- High-quality, research-based professional development
- Instructional resources
- Up to a $100 stipend*
- 1.2 CEUs (processed by North MS Educational Consortium within 3-4 weeks following the event)
- Travel assistance to attend the workshop †
- Overnight housing for participants residing more than 60 miles from the event location †
*Participants must attend the entire workshop and complete all requested tasks and surveys to be eligible to receive the stipend.
†Applicable only to in-person sessions.
Register by clicking the registration button below. A confirmation email will provide detailed instructions for submitting payment.
If registration reaches capacity, applicants will be notified that they are on a waiting list. Participants on this waiting list will be informed of any openings in a timely manner.
If you determine at any time that you are unable to attend a session for which you have a confirmed registration, please contact the CMSE at cmsepd@go.olemiss.edu as soon as possible so that we can notify those on the waiting list.
There is a $30 non-refundable seat deposit for this workshop.
Participant stipends, travel assistance, and reduced registration costs are made possible through funding from the Library of Congress.
Dr. Bethany LaValley
lavalley@olemiss.edu
Coordinator of Professional Development
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
University of Mississippi
Dr. Julie James
jjames1@olemiss.edu
Assistant Director of Professional Learning
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
University of Mississippi
Dr. Alice Steimle
asteimle@olemiss.edu
Director
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
University of Mississippi
Summer Planning Institute (By Invitation Only)
STEPS participants will be invited to attend a three-day Planning Institute at the Center for Mathematics and Science Education in Oxford, MS. The Planning Institute will focus on collaboration between participants to create engaging STEM-focused lessons using primary sources. Travel assistance, stipends (up to $350), and CEUs (1.8) for attendance will be provided to participants who attend the Planning Institute in its entirety and complete project-related surveys.
The STEPS Project was funded in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Midwest Region Program, managed by Illinois State University with continued funding for the 2STEPS project by a grant from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program, award #GA2IC0090. Content created and featured in partnership with the TPS Midwest Region does not indicate an endorsement by the Library of Congress.
Registration Deadline: October 15, 2023
In-Person Institute
October 30-31, 2023
In-Person Institute
November 2-3, 2023
Resources for Teaching Science with Primary Sources
The TPS Teachers Network brings together teachers with a shared interest in improving instructional practice and impacting student learning through Library of Congress primary sources.
Everyday Mysteries will help you get the answers to many of life’s most interesting questions through scientific inquiry. In addition, we will introduce you to the Library of Congress’ rich collections in science and technology.
Presentations
Watson, S.A., Jackson, W., James, J., & Steimle, A. (2022, March 12). Using primary sources to build science content knowledge. [Conference session]. International Consortium for Research in Science and Mathematics Education, Virtual Conference.
Watson, S.A. & James, J. (2022, December 2). STEPS: Science Teaching with Embedded Primary Sources [Poster session]. Annual TPS KnowledgeExchange at National Council for Social Studies Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.
Watson, S.A., Jackson, W., James, J., & Steimle, A. (2022, March 12). Using primary sources to build science content knowledge. [Conference session]. International Consortium for Research in Science and Mathematics Education, Virtual Conference.
Watson, S.A. & Jackson, W. (2022, January 5-8). Weaving history and content throughout science instruction. A poster presentation for the 2022 Association for Science Teacher Education Annual Conference, Greenville, SC, United States.
Watson, S.A. & Jackson, W. (2021, October 16). Science teaching with embedded primary sources: Using Library of Congress materials with in-service teachers. A poster presentation for the 2021 Southeastern Association for Science Teacher Education Annual Conference, Safety Harbor, FL.