Everything You Need to Know

Program Essentials

Three teacher-mentors
Nine teachers
Based in principles of Project-Based Learning
Open and closing events
Monthly training
Two class field trips to SAMSAT AREA 21®.
Development of a project for your school
Sharing your training with school colleagues
Teacher stipends for participation

What We'll Do in the Program

You'll work with SAMSAT over eight sessions through the school year, and additional sessions with a teacher-mentor, to develop a project-based learning curriculum, deploy it in your school, and share your curriculum and learnings with your school colleagues.  On completion of the program, you'll be a SAMSAT Educator Fellow, and we hope you'll continue to advise and work with SAMSAT to bring educational experiences to students, and training to teachers.

Teacher Stipends

Participating teachers will receive a $1,000 stipend.  Teachers-mentors will receive $1,500 for participation.  Stipends will be paid in 1/3 increments on October 31, January 15, and March 30.  Those in good standing as defined in Requirements for Completion will receive the stipend payment.

The Fellows Project

During the program, you'll propose and develop a PBL project and curriculum.  Each session will be a combination of sharing PBL concepts and working on your project.  You'll also work on the project with your teacher-mentor.

Teacher-Mentors

Teacher-mentors ("mentors") will be participants with prior PBL experience.  They will have the special role of mentoring other teachers throughout the program.  We'll ask each mentor to connect with three participating teachers once each month to advise and assist in project development.  Mentors will also develop training for their schools.

The PBL Model

Program content is based on the PBLWORKS model from the Buck Institute for Education, specifically their models for Gold Standard Project Design and Gold Standard Teaching Practices.  Learn more at www.pblworks.org.

Student Field Trips

Included in the program are two field trips for your students to SAMSAT AREA 21(r).  We'll work with you to align the field trip content to your project, making the field trip an opportunity for you to observe and/or participate in a way that reinforces the lessons of the SAMSAT Educator Fellows Program.

Dates, Times, Locations and Content

Fellows Kickoff
Saturday, September 7, 2024, 8 am to 12 noon
Welcome
Overview of PBLWORKS Models
Project Ideation and Review
Preview of coming content and schedule

For the online sessions below, class members will be split into two groups.  We'll do our best to place you in the group that best fits your needs and schedule.

Online Session 1
Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 4:15 pm or
Thursday, October 3, 2024, 4:15 pm
Project Self Evaluation and most challenging areas
Design Element: Challenge Question
Teaching Element: Design and Plan

Online Session 2
Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 4:15 pm or
Thursday, November 7, 2024, 4:15 pm
Project Self Evaluation and most challenging areas
Design Element: Sustained Inquiry
Teaching Element: Align to Standards

Online Session 3
Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 4:15 pm or
Thursday, December 5, 2024, 4:15 pm
Project Self Evaluation and most challenging areas
Design Element: Authenticity
Teaching Element: Build the Culture

Online Session 4
Tuesday, January 7, 2024, 4:15 pm or
Thursday, January 9, 2024, 4:15 pm
Project Self Evaluation and most challenging areas
Design Element: Student Voice and Choice
Teaching Element: Manage Activities

Online Session 5
Tuesday, February 4, 2024, 4:15 pm or
Thursday, February 6, 2024, 4:15 pm
Project Self Evaluation and most challenging areas
Design Element: Reflection
Teaching Element: Scaffold Student Learning

Online Session 6
Tuesday, March 4, 2024, 4:15 pm or
Thursday, March 6, 2024, 4:15 pm
Project Self Evaluation and most challenging areas
Design Elements:
Critique and Revision
Public Product
Teaching Elements:
Assess Student Learning
Engage and Coach

Fellows Celebration
Saturday, March 29, 8 am to 12 noon
Student Exhibits
Project and School Training Presentations
Lessons Learned and Next Steps
Fellows Graduation
Announcement of Fellows Alumni Meeting

Requirements for Completion

To remain eligible for unpaid portions of the stipend, and to receive a certificate on completion of the program, participants must be in good standing:
​
Attend the Fellows Kickoff in full, 8 am to noon
Miss no more than one online session
Make progress on project and school training commensurate with the schedule
Attend the Fellows Celebration in full, and present results

If during the program you are concerned about your standing, reach out to the SAMSAT Program Manager.  Decisions can be appealed to SAMSAT's Chief Learning Officer, whose decisions regarding standing are final.