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TRAILS (Teachers and Researchers Advancing Integrated Lessons in STEM) is a collaborative project of Purdue University (NSF Award # 2148781) and University of Hawaii (NSF Award # 2148782), which engages teachers in a local community of STEM practices while addressing state education standards. The TRAILS team consists of researchers from three universities and high school teachers in Biology, Agriculture, or Environmental Science, and Technology/Engineering. The TRAILS team enhances science and technology teaching by developing integrated STEM experiences and lessons while advancing pedagogical approaches. Teachers will learn how to use advanced innovation tools such as parametric modeling software and 3D printers and scanners.
Summer Institute : Hawaii (Cohort III, summer 2024)
Cohort III, Summer 2024 on University of Hawaii at Manoa.
(June 10th -14th, in-person, and June 17th -June 21st, virtual)
- During the Institute, you will work with university faculty (University of Hawai’i at Manoa and Purdue University) and industry partners to co-generate integrated STEM lessons that include engineering design and scientific inquiry approaches.
- During the first five days (first week, face-to-face professional development), you will participate in authentic, standards-based STEM units developed by the TRAILS team.
- During the second week PD (Virtual), you and a partner teacher will also create an integrated STEM lesson to be implemented at your school.
* * First Cohort (Cohort I, 2022) was for teachers in the Delmarva Area (Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia area) at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Second Cohort (Cohort II, 2023) was at Otero College, CO, for teachers in Colorado, New Mexico, and Kansas.
The TRAILS project will help teachers create integrated STEM lessons through authentic, inquiry-based, and engineering design-based activities. The experiences will prepare you to integrate STEM content, address academic standards, and use advanced innovation tools such as parametric modeling software (CAD) and 3D printers. Lessons will be developed around biomimicry-inspired contexts. Sample Lesson (D-BAIT) includes:
- Designing entomology-inspired fishing lures allowing students to apply scientific knowledge to design and test 3D printed artificial insect baits.
- Concepts: food chain, predators/prey, buoyancy, entomology, and biomimicry.
Participation Requirements
Hawaii Teachers Only (Cohort III, Summer 2024)
To participate in the TRAILS project (2024-2025 school years), you must:
- Attend the two-week summer institute; week 1 (June 10th-14th, in person) is at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and week 2 (June 17th-21st, online) synchronously.
- You and a partner teacher will create one integrated STEM unit (custom lesson). A total of two TRAILS lessons (a TRAILS exemplar lesson and a custom lesson you create with your partner teacher), will be implemented in your classroom during the next academic year.
- Participate in the project’s online learning community, called TRAILS Community.
Participation Benefits
Teachers who participate in the project will be compensated for their time and effort by:
- A stipend of $2500 ($1000 for summer institute completion, $1000 for implementation and participation in research/evaluation; and $500 for follow-on sessions.
- An opportunity to receive consumable and teacher supplies needed for your TRAILS lesson implementation, up to $300 per teacher.
- When possible, teachers will receive PGP points for participation or continuing credits up to 70 hrs. to renew teacher licensure.
For More Information
If you would like additional information, please contact Dr. Todd Kelley by e-mail: trails@purdue.edu
TRAILS Project
Att: Todd R. Kelley
Purdue University
342 Young Hall
Technology Leadership and Innovation 155 South Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2114 Phone: (765) 496-2383
FAX: (765) 496-2519
www.purdue.edu/trails
