Brookfield Zoo is proud to host a year-long intensive professional development program that combines out-of-school Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-focused workshops with virtual classroom mentoring and observation to help educators enhance hands-on science learning remotely, in the classroom, and a combination of both. The emphasis of this program is on understanding and implementing NGSS and inquiry-based learning strategies.
Educators (including but not limited to teachers, media specialists, administrators, department chairs, or instructional support leaders, etc.) begin this program by participating in montly online workshops from November through April, including a three-day intensive workshop each summer.
In addition to these workshops, our own Chicago Zoological Society staff will meet with you virtually twice a school year for mentoring and coaching as well as to provide feedback on program assignments and to discuss professional goals. This unique opportunity is provided by the Institute of Science Teaching Excellence, a program of the Chicago Zoological Society.
Below you will find additional resources. Click on each header below to learn more.
Example Fellows Workshops and Schedule
Curious about how Science Fellows fits into your busy teaching schedule? Here's an example of how we integrate our program into your school year:
November through April - Participate in monthly online workshops.
Summer - Three-day intensive workshop
Classroom Mentoring & Reflection
We recommend that you schedule at least one visit for our CZS staff to "come" to your classroom during the school year. These evaluations are done in order to capture data that will be used to help improve your practice. It is helpful to choose a time when you are teaching science content, but it is not required.
Our team is also available upon request for pedagogical assistance, including planning, modeling, co-teaching, assistance with station-learning activities, “observing” classroom management and pedagogical techniques, assistance with tailoring lessons to NGSS/Common Core, and other tasks as requested.
Additional Benefits
Participating educators receive the following benefits through their participation in Science Fellows program:
✓ Two FREE graduate credits upon completion of all trainings and assignments through Dominican University
✓ Check in meetings
✓ Ongoing mentoring
✓ Office hours
✓ Discounted Brookfield Zoo membership
✓ Joining our network of science leaders through online support and collaboration
✓ Professional Development Hours (PDHs) over the course of the year