Become inspired by what inquiry teaching can do for you and your students! This hybrid course offers a chance for you to roll up your sleeves and delve into inquiry learning for your classroom, with particular attention to 21st-century skills. This hands-on learning experience for 3rd–8th grade teachers provides fun and inventive ways to use inquiry while capitalizing on the life and physical science resources and experts available to you at the Museum. After finding out about inquiry learning first-hand during the onsite sessions, the six-week online course extends your experience as you put your skills into practice with the support of your Museum facilitator and your fellow colleagues. We’ll also focus on how to support inquiry across the curriculum through the Colorado Standards.

Generous support of the Elementary Inquiry Academy provided by BP America, Inc.

Credit

This course is for credit only. Three graduate-level re-licensure credits are available through the Colorado School of Mines. 

Stipend

Participants will receive a $250 stipend disbursed after you complete all four days of the face-to-face requirements, webinar, the six-week online course, including the final face-to-face meeting on October 12.

Dates / Times

Initial Face-to-Face (onsite at the Museum)
June 24–27, 2013
8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Online Course Webinar Training
August 28 or August 29, 2013 (1 hour)

Six-Week Online Course
September 2–October 12, 2013

Final Face-to-Face (onsite at the Museum)
Saturday, October 12, 2013
8 a.m.–3 p.m.

 Course Overview

Inquiry Academy is designed to provide elementary and middle school teachers with authentic inquiry experiences, ranging from closely guided to fully open inquiry techniques.  During the intensive four-day summer workshop, you will have the opportunity to discuss, reflect, and practice with your inquiry cohort as you prepare to integrate inquiry in your classroom.  You will begin the online portion of the class with a webinar, during the following six weeks you will be completing online coursework where you will be asked to bring inquiry into your classroom, while receiving guidance, practice and support from your Museum instructor.  The course culminates with a one day workshop focusing on planning for further Inquiry in your classroom.

Course Requirements

• You must attend the initial four days of face-to-face sessions on June 24-27, from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. and then the final face-to-face session on October 12 from 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
• You must complete all assignments during the 6-week online course, including the weekly assignments related to a specific topic and the weekly forum discussions with your fellow participants.
• You must currently be a practicing classroom teacher.

Assignments

• Online coursework (a weekly assignment and forum discussion) will take a total of 2 to 2.5 hours per week. Our intent is to make the assignments relevant to your planning and teaching.
• During three of the six weeks, the online course assignments will be applicable to your classroom teaching. This is an opportunity to apply what you are learning in the course to your every day teaching.
• Late work will not be accepted.

Please note that our cancellation policy states that there are no refunds and no exchanges.  Payment must be made at the time of your reservation. Space is limited.