Join the Wade Institute for Science Education this summer and participate in a unique, 3-day graduate level course that will engage you in hands-on, minds-on, inquiry-based investigations, phenomena-based learning, storylines, and increase your STEM content knowledge!

Connecting Science and Literacy

in the Elementary Classroom

A Summer Professional Development Institute for Grades 3-5 Educators

Join the Wade Institute and Hitchcock Center for the Environment for an exciting 3-day professional learning institute!

Engage in minds-on, hands-on learning which will provide you with science knowledge, classroom investigations aligned to the standards, books for your classroom and other resources. Let us help you make time for science by showing you how to integrate science with talking, reading, and writing and integrate literacy time with science. We will read, write, talk and most importantly “do science.”


Discover the amazing world of squirrels as we engage in phenomena-based science instruction exploring animal behavior, like the physical and behavioral adaptations that make squirrels part gymnast, part economist, part bandit, and completely irresistible.


In this institute we will focus on squirrels as we study animal behaviors, and adaptations because squirrels are an easily observed animal, but the tools and strategies offered are applicable to all animals!

  • Participate in hands-on, minds-on inquiry science investigations inspired and enhanced by literature.
  • Explore using books, productive talk, and science writing.
  • Read picture books, science trade books, informational text and other media to spark deep learning in science.
  • Learn strategies for integrating science, literacy, and discussion in ways that foster critical thinking, academic language, and meaning making.
  • Shift your practice to teach your grade-specific science content by using literature to spark minds-on, hands-on investigations as you implement the Science and Engineering Practices.
  • Discover the amazing world of squirrels.
  • Receive a tool kit with 4 books for your classroom.


Registration Information


Dates: July 17th – 19th, 2023 (8:30 AM – 3:30 PM ET)

Location: Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Amherst, MA.

Collaborating Partner: Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Cost: $350 per educator. Discounts available for teams from the same school district.

PDPs and Optional Graduate Credit: 22 PDPs available without graduate credit. 45 PDPs and 2 graduate credits from Cambridge College or Framingham State University available for $150. Additional work is required for graduate credit.

Click Here to Learn More and Register

Visit www.wadeinstitutema.org/spdi-k12/ to learn more about this and other Summer Professional Development Institutes!

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