Professional Development

Workshops

Our professional development workshops address a wide range of STEM topics for educators in Grades Pre-K to 12, as well as, subjects for high school counselors, such as building a college going culture; mental health and the college search, Financial Aid 101; and data-driven college counseling. Many workshops provide Act 48 and Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) credits.

Professional Development Flyer

Contact: info@philaedfund.org  or 215-665-1400

Research shows that the most important factor in student learning is a highly effective classroom teacher.

Teaching Fellows Program

PEF’s McKinney Center for STEM Education Teaching Fellows Program, sponsored by PECO, is an intensive—and fun—professional development series designed for Philadelphia K-8 public school teachers seeking to grow the STEM literacy of their students.

Participants attend workshops and complete capstone projects: designing engaging STEM lesson plans to implement in the classroom. They receive assistance implementing capstone projects, a stipend, and earn Act 48 credits.

Education Partnerships

PEF’s McKinney Center for STEM Education partners with Out-of-School Time education providers to expand opportunities for teacher professional development. A recent example in PEF’s portfolio is a workshop series at the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center:

Summer Workshop Series
  • Science is My Specialty
  • Simply Science
  • Careers in STEM, held at the Philadelphia Water Works
  • Science in the Summer, held at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, with Riverbend Environmental Education Center

Participants attended free-of-charge. Eligible in-school educators received Act 48 credits, and non-classroom educators received PQAS Credits.

Teacher in the Workplace

Funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, Teacher in the Workplace introduces educators to the content knowledge and skill sets needed for a variety of STEM occupations through an immersive workplace experience. Teachers participate free of charge and earn Act 48 credits.