Bettendorf, IA - Curriculum Development and Training

Made possible through funding from the Arconic Foundation, this workshop focused on bringing hybrid or at-home STEM learning opportunities to students during the COVID-19 pandemic that focused on hands-on, customized curriculum. CE worked through a Clean Energy Coach model, working with teacher leaders to develop new learning experiences for students that meet the needs of a pandemic schooling environment. In this particular instance, CE worked with Clean Energy Coach Chris Like, STEAM Coordinator for Bettendorf Community Schools, to build new 4th grade science curriculum focusing on innovation through circuitry and utilizing at-home STEM packs provided by CE. This curriculum was then hosted on YouTube for all teachers in the district and beyond to utilize. Following this curriculum development and refinement phase, teachers from all Elementary Schools in the district received virtual training that was broken into three segments, two of which were synchronous and one being asynchronous. In total, this training, curriculum, and at-home STEM packs reached 14 teachers and 350 students.

Curriculum and materials from this training will continue to serve as resources for the district, now embedded within 4th grade teachers' yearly plans. This means that the curriculum and content from this engagement will repeat year after year with new students, leading to an assured ever-expanding impact.