We hope you’ve eased into your 2025 routine and enjoyed some well-deserved rest and reflection over the holiday weekend. This winter and spring, we’re offering several exciting Teacher Professional Development opportunities, now open for registration. Slots fill quickly, so don’t wait to secure your spot! If you have any questions, please reach out to Nicole.
EarthGen Winter Institute 2025
Join EarthGen for a full-day, in-person Winter Institute to build your understanding of culturally responsive pedagogy and explore sustainable shifts to transform classroom instruction.
The Winter Institute supports K-12 educators in building knowledge of culturally responsive pedagogy and principles with a focus on bilingual, migrant, and Native students across Washington. Educators will first receive foundational knowledge on the latest barriers and opportunities unique to migrant, multilingual, and Native Education with the support of community partners and then be offered a multifaceted approach to engaging with these focus communities through culturally responsive pedagogy. Participants will also explore EarthGen’s curricular resources, featuring culturally, generationally, and consequently responsive storylines that connect real-world contexts to students’ identities and interests.
Educators will receive 2 Equity Clock Hours, 2 STEM Clock Hour, and 1 Regular Clock Hour in addition to $250 stipend for full participation.
STEM Seminar: Unpacking Snowpack
Join EarthGen for a virtual professional development opportunity designed for teachers in ESD 171, ESD 105, ESD 123, and ESD 101. Through asynchronous and synchronous learning, participants will engage with activities and experts to deepen their understanding of how climate change and climate justice has and will impact their community.
In this STEM Seminar, teachers will analyze climate science data with a University of Washington climate scientist, focusing on key climate change indicators in Eastern Washington, including the complexities of snowpack. Educators will gain tools to facilitate climate science and justice-focused activities using science and engineering practices such as modeling, data analysis, and designing solutions, preparing them to spur action in their communities.
Teachers will receive 10 STEM Clock Hours upon completion of this STEM Seminar experience.
STEM Seminar: Climate Emotions and Creative Expression (Option A)
STEM Seminar: Climate Emotions and Creative Expression (Option B)
Most STEM Seminars focus on local climate impacts, equipping teachers with content knowledge and classroom strategies. This unique training emphasizes social-emotional learning, recognizing that addressing climate emotions is essential for taking action and envisioning a better future.
Teachers will explore climate change while identifying and coping with the emotions it evokes. They’ll develop and implement plans to support their students’ emotional wellbeing, fostering understanding and connection to help students navigate climate emotions with care. By integrating this approach, teachers will leave prepared to facilitate climate science activities while supporting students as changemakers in their communities.
Teachers will receive 5 STEM Clock Hours and 5 Equity Clock Hours upon completion of this STEM Seminar experience.
Curricular Trainings
In these 2-hour professional development sessions, EarthGen will guide teachers in integrating culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) into curriculum and instruction while exploring our newly redesigned curricula.
Participants will learn the six principles of CRP—cultural competence, critical consciousness, inclusive curriculum, culturally responsive teaching practices, student-centered approach, and family and community engagement—focusing on migrant, multilingual, and Native students in Washington. Teachers will unpack EarthGen lessons, explore CRP opportunities, and gain resources to confidently implement standards-aligned, culturally responsive materials in their classrooms.
Teachers will receive 1 STEM clock hour and 1 Equity clock hour for the training and a possible $250 stipend when they fully implement the unit in their classroom, upload 1-2 student artifacts, and complete a short online evaluation.
Monarch Mystery (K)
Join us to unpack a unit for our youngest learners about metamorphosis, pollination, and the beauty and dignity of migration.
- Option 1 – February 6 – Monarch Mystery Registration
- Option 2 – March 6 – Monarch Mystery Registration
- Option 3 – April 3 – Monarch Mystery Registration
- Option 4 – May 1 – Monarch Mystery Registration
Zombie Guacamole (5th)
Learn how to engage upper elementary students on issues of food waste, the power of decomposition, and cultures of sustainability worldwide.
- Option 1 – February 13 – Zombie Guacamole Registration
- Option 2 – March 13 – Zombie Guacamole Registration
- Option 3 – April 10 – Zombie Guacamole Registration
- Option 4 – May 8 – Zombie Guacamole Registration
Breathing Easier (MS)
Dive into issues of environmental justice regarding local air quality, collect your own pollution data through two different investigations, and make data-informed decisions about actionable steps to address public health in your school community.
- Option 1 – February 20 – Breathing Easier Registration
- Option 2 – March 20 – Breathing Easier Registration
- Option 3 – April 17 – Breathing Easier Registration
- Option 4 – May 15 – Breathing Easier Registration