The Innovation-Based Instruction webinar series consists of five one-hour sessions, each exploring a distinct aspect of innovation-based teaching methodology. Although this 5-part series on innovation-based instruction is created specifically for elementary teachers and science coordinators, middle school teachers also can benefit from one or all of the sessions. Each of the sessions explores a distinct aspect of innovation-based teaching methodology. While the sessions are designed to build upon one another, participants can join at any point in the series and still gain practical insights and effective lesson strategies from each standalone webinar. All sessions are delivered live online, with active participation and engagement encouraged throughout. 

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Session One on October 15:

Stay Curious: Using Innovation Prompts to Engage Your K-5 Classroom in STEM Learning 

Help your students harness their creativity and curiosity at a time when it matters most. In this 1-hour workshop, you’ll begin your journey into innovation-based instruction—the next evolution of project-based learning—by exploring how to use innovation prompts in your classroom. This simple yet powerful tool lays the foundation for using invention as a dynamic and effective approach to teaching in today’s learning environment.

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You can expect to:

• Learn about the power of innovation and entrepreneurship to engage all learners while addressing a variety of K-5 science and ELA standards.

• Create and apply innovation prompts as a tool to foster student engagement.

• Gain access to a variety of free innovation-based instructional resources, including a library of readymade innovation prompts and the digital student invention journal called The Book of Ideas.

 

The tools & techniques presented in the workshop are specifically designed for the K-5 classroom and can be implemented within your existing curriculum without the need for additional instructional materials or supplies. This workshop qualifies for CTLE credit. 

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Session Two on November 5: 

STEMtastic Careers: Using Everyday Innovators and Entrepreneurs to Effortlessly Integrate Early Career Exploration into Your K-5 Classroom

"Early Career Exploration" is a hot topic, but what does it actually look like in a K-5 classroom, and how can you fit it into an already full curriculum? Join us for a 1-hour workshop where we'll explore how to integrate biographical vignettes of everyday innovators and entrepreneurs into activities you're already doing in your classroom, making early career exploration both practical and impactful.

 

You can expect to:

• Gain a clear understanding of innovation-based instruction—what it is and how it can be a powerful strategy to increase student engagement.

• Discover how stories of innovators and entrepreneurs can inspire career exploration and spark meaningful STEM discussions.

• Walk away with a ready-to-use lesson plan, built using simple tools and techniques shared during the session.

 

Designed specifically for K-5 classrooms, the tools and strategies shared in this workshop can be seamlessly incorporated into your existing curriculum—no extra materials or supplies required.  

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Session Three on January 7:

Using Innovation and Entrepreneurship to Personalize Reading and Writing in Your K-5 Classroom 

Effective writing skills are crucial for student success, both in school and throughout their careers. However, addressing diverse writing levels in your classroom, or engaging elementary students in developing their writing abilities, can be a challenge. In this 1hour workshop we'll explore how to use ideation and innovation to meet both ELA and science learning objectives, while easily tailoring the content to suit your students' needs.

You can expect to:

• Develop a clear understanding of innovation-based instruction—what it is and how it can serve as a powerful strategy to boost student engagement.

• Explore two simple lesson ideas that integrate innovation and entrepreneurship, helping students make personal connections to what they read and write.

• Leave with a ready-to-use lesson plan, built using practical tools and techniques shared during the session.

 

Designed specifically for K-5 classrooms, the tools and strategies shared in this workshop can be seamlessly incorporated into your existing curriculum—no extra materials or supplies required.

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Session Four on February 4:

Science and Community: Connecting science and social studies using real-world challenges 

Entrepreneurship is all about developing a product or service to solve a "customer need" (i.e. real-world challenge). Many entrepreneurs (both STEM and non-STEM) are inspired by challenges they see in their own communities - forming a natural connection between innovation, entrepreneurship and social studies. Join us for this 1-hour workshop where we’ll discuss how you can use real-world challenges to address science and social studies learning objectives (and standards) in the SAME lesson.

 

You can expect to:

• Gain a clear understanding of innovation-based instruction—what it is and how it can be a powerful tool to boost student engagement.

• Discover how innovation challenges can meet learning objectives across multiple subjects within a single activity.

• Walk away with a ready-to-use lesson plan, created using practical tools and strategies shared during the session.

 

Specifically designed for K–5 classrooms, the tools and strategies shared in this workshop can be easily integrated into your existing curriculum— no additional materials or supplies needed. 

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Session Five on March 4:

Being Both Teacher and Student: Becoming comfortable learning alongside your students 

By nature, innovation is new—and often not fully understood. To make it a core part of instruction, teachers must be comfortable not having all the answers and be open to learning alongside their students. Join us for this 1-hour workshop, where we’ll explore resources, language, and techniques that empower you to navigate unfamiliar topics, field student questions, and confidently guide learning—while embracing the role of a fellow explorer in the classroom.

 

You can expect to:

• Gain a clear understanding of innovation-based instruction—what it is and how it can serve as a powerful tool to boost student engagement.

• Explore a variety of easy-to-use resources to help you and your students investigate new topics and technologies.

• Practice using language and instructional strategies that support collaborative learning while maintaining your authority as the classroom teacher.

 

Specifically designed for K–5 classrooms, the tools and strategies shared in this workshop can be easily integrated into your existing curriculum—no additional materials or supplies needed. 

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