K-12 Teacher Professional Development
2026 Workshops Calendar (.PDF, 101 KB)
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education offers professional development programs for K-12 teachers who are working to prepare the next generation of STEM innovators. Educators from kindergarten to high school are invited to participate in FREE professional development options aimed at facilitating student engagement in numerous STEM areas.
Through ORISE workshops, educators are provided with innovative tools and strategies to foster enthusiasm for STEM learning among students. These workshops not only equip teachers with the latest educational techniques but also provide opportunities for networking and collaboration with other educators. By participating in ORISE programs, teachers can enhance their teaching methods and contribute to the development of a skilled and passionate STEM workforce.
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9:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT
Mystery in the Classroom: A Forensic Chemistry Workshop for Teachers (Virtual Session)
Target Audience: 6th-12th Grade Teachers
In this session, teachers will acquire the skills to engage middle school and high school students through the captivating world of forensic chemistry. Participants will learn how to design and implement a classroom mystery that can be unraveled through the collection and analysis of evidence. This workshop explains a variety of forensic techniques including chromatography, fingerprint analysis, shoe imprint analysis, blood typing, and fiber analysis, equipping teachers with the knowledge and tools to bring the intrigue of forensic science into their curriculum.
Instructor: Chelsi Day, Chemistry Teacher, Walker Valley High School
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1:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT
Intentional Classrooms: Creating Meaningful Engagement for Every Learner (Virtual Session)
Target Audience: 6th – 12th Grade Teachers
At Walker Valley High School, classroom engagement is at the core of our instructional approach. We believe that students learn best when they are actively involved, challenged, and connected to the content. Through a combination of hands-on learning, structured classroom organization, collaborative experiences, and purposeful use of technology, we create an environment where students are drivers of their own learning.
In this session, you will learn how our classrooms are designed to promote movement, critical thinking, and real-world application. Whether through station rotations, cross-curricular projects, or interactive digital tools, students engage with content in meaningful ways that increase retention and foster curiosity. Clear routines and intentional structures support student independence, allowing teachers to facilitate deeper learning and stronger connections.
By prioritizing engagement, we empower students to take ownership of their education, build confidence, and develop the skills they need for success beyond the classroom
Megan Webb, Math Teacher, Walker Valley High School
Chelsi Day, Chemistry Teacher, Walker Valley High School
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1:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
Give Artificial Intelligence a Try (Virtual Session)
Target Audience: 4th-12th Grade Teachers
Most of us, including our students, interact daily with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology without recognizing it. From Netflix recommendations and targeted ads to email filters and Google navigation, AI has become an integral part of our lives. In this professional development, we will explore fun, interactive ways to introduce and define AI technology with students. AI can contain bias and can be used for good or evil. By discussing these issues with students, we will be able to improve their digital literacy and develop the critical thinking skills necessary for navigating through the wealth of information available to them online. No experience or knowledge of AI is necessary for this training.
Instructor: Lauren Wilmoth, Teacher, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge, TN
Watch the 2025 video -
9:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT
Protect Yourself and Your Students Against Misinformation (Virtual Session)
Target Audience: K-12th Grade Teachers
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the ability to discern fact from fiction has become a critical skill for educators and students alike. Misinformation, if left unchecked, can not only skew understanding and perception but can also significantly impact decision-making processes. This workshop is designed to equip educators with research-based tools and strategies necessary to detect misinformation and foster an environment of critical thinking and media literacy in the classroom.
Instructor: Lauren Wilmoth, Teacher, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge, TN
Watch the 2025 video -
9:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT
Hands-On Math with Amplify (Virtual Session)
Target Audience: K-12 Grade Teachers
The Amplify activity builder is a fantastic online tool for teachers to create formative assessments and exploratory activities. Within Amplify, students can manipulate graphs, tables, and equations, and they can complete self-checking activities that give them immediate feedback. This session will equip teachers with the knowledge of how to access and edit existing activities, as well as how to build new ones from scratch. It will also focus on specific tools within Amplify, such as anonymous naming and teacher pacing, that help these activities flow smoothly in a classroom setting. This session is designed specifically for math teachers whose students have access to computers; however, it could also be extended to the science classroom.
Instructor: Maria Rhodes, High School Math Teacher, Chattanooga Christian School, Chattanooga, TN
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9:00 am - 12:00 am EDT
Using Mirror Talk for Student Reflection and Real Time Feedback (Virtual Session)
Target Audience: K-12th Grade Teachers
In this session, we will explore the Mirror Talk web-application by Swivl. This free platform allows teachers to utilize AI to help students reflect and get real time feedback, while teachers get instant, easy to use information on where their students are, their attitudes, and their areas of growth.
Teachers can go to sign up for a free account.
Watch the 2025 video
Emily Butterfield , Teacher, Bearden Middle School, Knoxville, TNEmily Butterfield is a middle school Science teacher with 18 years of experience. She currently teaches 8th grade Science in Knoxville, TN and was chosen as Knox County Schools Middle School teacher of the year. Emily has a passion for using creative problem solving in her classroom and incorporates design thinking into lessons and projects. She encourages students to focus on growth asking them to look for progress not perfection. Emily worked as a writer for the adaptation of Open Sci Ed curriculum to Tennessee Science Standards and enjoys writing and adapting curriculum.
Ginny Brown, Teacher, Bearden Middle School, Knoxville, TN
Virginia Brown has been an educator for 15 years and currently teaches 6th grade Science at Bearden Middle School, in Knoxville, TN. A dedicated leader in education, she has participated in the Personalized Learning Cohort in Knox County and serves as a lead teacher. Virginia has also contributed to shaping science education statewide by helping write the Open Sci Ed curriculum storylines for the state. Passionate about fostering student engagement and innovation in the classroom, she continues to inspire young minds through her work in science education.
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9:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT
From Nothing to Something Awesome: How One School Built a Makerspace Program from the Ground Up (Virtual Session)
Target Audience: K-12th Grade Teachers
A neighborhood public school on the Southwest side of Chicago has built a Makerspace design program from literally nothing. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to start your Makerspace program or enhance the one you already have!
Instructor: Kyle Nowicki, Teacher, Chicago Public Schools
Watch the 2025 video
Kyle Nowicki began his career in the interior design field before transitioning to Chicago Public Schools. He then spent 10 years in special education before being tasked with building a makerspace / design program from the ground up. With over 15 years of experience in the classroom, Kyle has been able to translate his love for design to his students, where he encourages them to dream big and explore all of the wonders that the world of STEAM has to offer. -
9:00 am - 11:00 pm EDT
Instructional Routines and Practices to Support Science Instruction (Virtual Session)
Target Audience: K-12th Grade Teachers
This session will focus on anchor phenomenon, how to use driving question boards, making and revising models, problematizing, and revisiting answered questions. These routines will help students make meaningful connections and better understand, retain, and generalize their learning.
Please note: Teachers will find it helpful to have their standards available for reference during the workshop.
Watch the 2025 video
Emily Butterfield , Teacher, Bearden Middle School, Knoxville, TNEmily Butterfield is a middle school Science teacher with 18 years of experience. She currently teaches 8th grade Science in Knoxville, TN and was chosen as Knox County Schools Middle School teacher of the year. Emily has a passion for using creative problem solving in her classroom and incorporates design thinking into lessons and projects. She encourages students to focus on growth asking them to look for progress not perfection. Emily worked as a writer for the adaptation of Open Sci Ed curriculum to Tennessee Science Standards and enjoys writing and adapting curriculum.
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1:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT
How Learning Happens: An Introduction to Cognitive Science for Teachers (Virtual Session)
Target Audience: K-12 Educators and Instructional Leaders
This interactive session will introduce educators to how memory and learning work, how to apply cognitive science principles in the classroom, and how to avoid common neuromyths that may hinder student success. Participants will explore research-backed strategies for improving knowledge retention, engagement, and comprehension across all subjects and grade levels. This session is designed for K-12 educators and instructional leaders looking to enhance their teaching practices with evidence-based instructional techniques. Participants are encouraged to have a cell phone, computer, or similar device to connect to the internet to participate in surveys and reflection activities.
Watch the 2025 video
Dr. Amy Lyttle is a veteran educator with 25 years of experience working with students at all levels, from elementary to post-secondary, including 16 years as a middle school science teacher. She has a passion for cognitive science and a deep interest in understanding the fundamental processes of learning. Committed to evidence-based instruction, Dr. Lyttle works with teachers to bridge the gap between research and practice, equipping them with practical strategies to enhance student engagement, retention, and comprehension. She is dedicated to helping educators apply cognitive science principles in the classroom while dispelling common neuromyths that hinder learning. -
9:00 am – 3:00 pm EDT
What's all that Buzz about? You won't bee-lieve the difference a day can make! (In-person Session)
Target Audience: K-8th Grade STREAM Teachers
Get hands-on exploration as you use STREAM resources to create low prep, high impact lesson plans to accommodate diverse student abilities, promoting collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. Inspire the next generation and learn to program (Binary Code, Code.org, Scratch Programming, Snap Circuits, BeeBots, Probots and more). Bonus: Each participant builds and takes home a Goddard Rocket.
All curriculum products are aligned with national education standards. The curriculum products are available free with a one-time Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Educator membership of $35.
Teachers should bring a personal laptop to the workshop.
Sherilyn Dawson
Retired classroom teacher
Captain - Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force AuxiliaryB.S. Chemistry
M.S. Curriculum and Instruction
TN Active Professional 10 yr K-12 Teacher Licensed exp 2029Sherilyn continues to be active in the education community teaching teacher workshops, classroom STEM activities, and school STEM nights.
2018 Air Force Assoc. TN State Teacher of the Year and National 3rd place TOY, General Bruce K. Holloway Chapter TOY, 2017 TN Wing Civil Air Patrol Aerospace TOY
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Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship
Target Audience: K-12th Grade Teachers
The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend 11 months working in federal agencies or in U.S. Congressional offices, applying their extensive knowledge and classroom experiences to national education program and/or education policy efforts.
Learn more about Albert Einstein Fellowship
Online professional development courses
These courses are self-guided, autonomous, asynchronous, and designed to take up to four hours to complete. There are no discussion boards, no presenter to ask questions, or anyone actively monitoring your progress. Upon completion of all requirements, you will be able to download a certificate that certifies your completion of the professional development.
Learning and Teaching with AI is a self-paced, online professional development course designed to empower K-12 educators with the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their classrooms. Through engaging, hands-on modules, participants will explore foundational AI concepts, discover practical classroom applications, and learn strategies for teaching students to use AI responsibly and ethically.
Applying Real-World Data in the Classroom with CEDR provides middle and high school teachers with the skills and knowledge to utilize data sets from the Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource (CEDR) in their classrooms. CEDR is the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) electronic database comprised of health studies of DOE contract workers and environmental studies of areas surrounding DOE facilities. The data are free to use in your classroom! The lesson plan provided in the course integrates math, biology, American history, and English while using health data from actual workers in Oak Ridge, TN to teach the standards.
Developing Your Students’ Data Literacy Skills helps you identify and incorporate opportunities for your students to practice and hone their data skills. Collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data are key scientific practices that also translate easily into the real world. This course offers methods of data incorporation, outside of actual investigations, that can be utilized quickly and consistently.
Incorporating Inquiry into Your Classroom is supporting and equipping teachers to be able to provide authentic exploration to their students. The purpose of this course is to help you incorporate inquiry into your classroom without rewriting your entire curriculum.