Teacher Development Program
About Us
At Virginia Tech’s K-12 Initiatives, we work hard to serve the Greater D.C. area and make STEM education accessible to all learners. We are committed to inspiring, motivating, and preparing K-12 students for technology careers and partnering with K-12 teachers to transform classroom instruction with innovative, research-based approaches. We believe that, starting in elementary school, all children should have access to computer science and the STEM content and skills necessary to thrive in a global society. And with cross-sector partnerships, like yours, we can achieve accessible STEM and computer science education within the greater D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region.
Services Offered
Single Services
STEM Education Expertise
Implementing expert knowledge and experience to support, or evaluate educational programs, strategies, tools, or curricula related to STEM disciplines. This includes but is not limited too classroom observation, lesson plan review and curriculum adjustment.
Professional Development Workshops (PDWs)
- Curriculum Development
- STEM Instruction
- Pedagogy and Practice
- STEM + CS Materials
- Customized Session(s)
PDWs are structured, interactive learning sessions designed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and practices of educators. These services include pre-made professional development in CD, instruction, P & P and in use of Virginia Tech STEM materials in lesson plans. Customized sessions tailored towardsyour institution and educators is also available.
STEM Curriculum
Virginia Tech K-12 Initiatives STEM curriculum is in alignment with Virginia SOL and NGS standards. Obtaining our curriculum includes consultancy with K-12 Initiatives to ensure confident integration into your school plans. We can also work with you to develop curriculum and lessons that seamlessly incorporate STEM + CS technology into any subject.
STEM Materials Release and Return Program
Virginia Tech K-12 Initiatives Programming has several STEM + CS materials available for rental upon approval from the team. These materials, which include robots, drones and engineering kits, can be integrated across subjects into most any lesson plan. Request for material rental and return can be made to Virginia Tech K-12 Initiatives.
Strategic Planning
Our strategic planning sessions allow assist STEM organizations, educators and other stakeholders define their long-term goals, determine the best strategies to achieve them, and allocate resources effectively. We work along side you to create a roadmap towards a common vision. Strategic planning occurs over several sessions and utilizes Virginia Tech K-12's STEM and education expertise.
Student STEM Sessions
Virginia Tech offers affiliate led STEM session to introduce topics and increase curiosity in K-12 students. These sessions, of one hour, present drone, AI and computer science technology to students, integrating real-world applicability and creativity.
Sustained Support Services: Virginia Tech STEM ABCs
Virginia Tech STEM Activate
Immersive STEM sessions designed to ignite student curiosity while equipping educators with practical, hands-on strategies to integrate computer science and technology into any curriculum seamlessly.
- Virginia Tech affiliate led or assisted lessons within the classroom of no more than one hour, during the school year for at least three sessions, but not to exceed five total.
- Includes a two-hour virtual strategic planning session before the visit
Virginia Tech STEM Boost
Multi-session initiative that introduces the principles of long-term computer science and technology integration, supports educators with foundational tools and guidance and fosters ongoing student engagement across the curriculum.
This support has three options:
- Five sessions of STEM Activate programming and/ or lessons during the school year and three days of teacher STEM support through a combination of the single services listed (either virtual or in-person), not to include additional student programming or PDWs or exceed more than 50 students in one session.
- Three PDWs and ten days of STEM support throughout the school year, via a combination of the single services listed above (either virtual or in-person), not to include student programming or additional PDWs.
PDWs are not customized and involve pre-selection of STEM + CS integrated workshops offered by Virginia Tech K-12 Initiatives.
- A combination of the above throughout the school year, not to exceed more than 10 days
total during the school year.
Virginia Tech STEM Connect
Extended, in-depth initiative that empowers educators to build critical competencies in computer science and technology integration, enabling confident, curriculum-wide implementation while nurturing sustained student engagement, creativity, and computational thinking.
This support has three options:
- Seven sessions of STEM Activate programming and/or lessons during the school year and five days of teacher STEM support through a combination of the single services listed above (either virtual or in-person), not to include additional student programming or PDWs or exceed more than 50 students in one session.
- Five PDWs and fifteen days of STEM support throughout the school year via a combination of the single services listed above (either virtual or in-person), not to include student programming or additional PDWs. No more than two customized PDWs.
- A combination of the above, throughout the school year, not to exceed more than 21 days.