Middle and high school teachers who teach the sciences.

There is no cost to attend the intensive. We ask that you please apply with the link above as spots are limited. 

“Why am I learning this? When am I ever going to use this again? What does this have to do with me?”

This is the lament many students have when coming into contact with STEM classes. The whole, “Why do I need to know this?” and “What does this have to do with anything?” can make it difficult for students to connect with the subject matter.

One of the best ways to engage students is to use storytelling. The stories of how and why we came up with scientific concepts, the problems we solved, the “eureka moments” of human ingenuity are a way to help students find the human in science.  STEM is a constant flow of discovery based on two questions, “Why?” and “How?”.

Letting students see themselves in this process of discovery is a way to get even the most resistant students to think about their own journey through the lens of science.

In this workshop, author and storyteller Donna Washington will take educators through a process of learning to make the dynamic stories of science dance in the classroom. We will learn the technique of creating buy in with listeners by reframing the story through universal experiences.

After this workshop, students won’t say, “Why do I need to know this?” They will walk away wondering how to figure out other things they don’t know. If that happens, well, you might have just opened the door to a budding scientist! Processes can’t always do that, but stories? Stories have always had that power.

• Take a guided tour of Thalian Hall.
• See an example of how to use a STEM story in a lesson plan.
• Have a chance to create your own STEM lesson plan in a group.
• Learn basic storytelling techniques.
• Share short stories and receive peer feedback.
• Attend a presentation of historic artifacts by Thalian Hall's archivist.

• 0.6 CEUs
• $150 stipend
• Lunch provided
• Lesson plan
• A voucher for 2 tickets to any Main Stage attraction show at Thalian Hall
• 4 vouchers for Thalian Hall Cinema

If your administration does not support the cost of a substitute please let us know, support may be available.