The summer institute provides a three days of training on the project approach. Two side-by-side training tracks provide active engaged professional development One tack is on beginning project work. The other is for those who want to deepen their project work  Teachers work with both Judy Harris Helm, Pam Scranton and Rebecca Wilson. Side-by-side training enables collaboration between beginning and advanced project teachers and enables schools and programs to send a team. Both groups will also

• Explore the natural site including the nature trail, Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom with flowing stream, mud kitchen and art area
• View and photograph toddler and preschool classrooms where project work takes place
• View documentation panels (both historic and fresh from the classroom)
• Participate in PechaKucha Project Night

Click here to download Save the Date                      Click here to request a brochure.

Becoming Young Thinkers is cosponsored by UPC Discovery and the  Early Childhood Center of Professional Development at the Center:Resrources for Teaching and Learning. CDPU credit will be provided for those interested.  This is also an Illinois Gateways Approved Registration Event.  Illinois Preschool for All staff registration fees are waived due to grant opportunities. Email Pam Scranton (pam.scranton@upcdiscovery.org) for more information.

June 16, 17,& 18, 2015

Three day training experience provides a solid foundation for implementation of project work Participants experience the engagement and curiosity of true project work identifying a topic of interest near UPC Discovery and completing an investigation. Introduces Project Planning Journal and planning for standards integration.

June 17 & 18, 2015

Two day advanced training for deeper, more meaningful project investigations. Learn implications from neuroscience research; facilitation skills such as helping children ask deep questions, supporting thought-provoking representations (includes studio time), teaching on the fly; and integrating required curriculum & standards (including Common Core State Standards). Administrators and teacher educators are welcome!

The schedule shows how the two training experiences overlap and provide opportunities for collaboration.

PechaKucha (say "puh check' uh chah") nights are informal fun gatherings where creative people get together and share their ideas, their work and their photos. PechaKucha nights began in Japan in 2003 and have spread around the world as a way to quickly share creative powerful work. At our PechaKucha Night, teachers or administrators share their passion about projects in the traditional PechaKucha format (20 slides, shown for 20 seconds each—6 minutes and 40 seconds total) This relaxing evening event is complete with snacks, drinks and a DJ. Both groups attending the Summer Institute will come to PechaKucha. It's fun! It's powerful and a great way to share what can happen in project work. Don’t miss it, During the training participants will also be able to visit a UPC Discovery preschool and toddler classrooms arranged for project work and see the new Outdoor Classroom. Bring your cameras!