This multi-year partnership with Keystone Elementary, a rural school northeast of Pittsburgh, aims to enhance STEAM education. After a convening with the entire faculty, we offer a year-long cohort that combines field trips, outreach, and coaching into a teacher-directed professional learning experience. 

Teachers who opt in to the program enjoy year-long learning centered on five projects and reflections. Two of these are self-study projects selected from curated menus of readings, maker projects, or peer visits. The other three involve trying out new ideas in the classroom with co-planning and outreach support from Museum educators. After completing the program, participants report more confidence in and enthusiasm for providing hands-on learning opportunities, as well as more joy in their content and collaborating with colleagues.