This workshop will help educators learn how to help their students, themselves, and colleagues engage in uncomfortable and potentially divisive conversations. By applying the democratic ideals as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution, workshop participants will gain a better understanding of what it takes to create a culture of conversation that help navigate the complexities of difficult and often divisive topics by engaging in dialogue with best practices. Leveraging inquiry teaching and learning, participants will build the skills that help discover truth instead of reinforcing ideology and beliefs in ways that support a healthier democracy through heterodox thinking.

Read: We Should Teach About Uncomfortable Ideas, Here’s How

Children are full of excitement to explore the world around them. Knowing how to harness that natural curiosity at a young age can set children up to be critical thinkers and lifelong learners.  This workshop is intended for PK-2 educators looking to integrate an inquiry-driven, project-based approach into their teaching practice. Participants will discuss research-based benefits of inquiry, and focus on concrete strategies that create an inquiry-rich practice in all three components of teaching: planning, instruction, and assessment. Teachers will apply new strategies to adjust existing lesson plans, activities, or assessments towards more inquiry-driven practice. Finally, teachers will collaborate to  build a project that can be implemented in their classroom.

Read: Always-On Inquiry: Why You Should Be Asking More Questions In Your Classroom

Science is all about exploration, investigation, and finding answers to our questions. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)–based projects can transform your classroom into a space where children are constantly learning by doing. Through this approach, education becomes hands-on and active as students are playing, experimenting, asking questions, trying out ideas, and working together to solve problems. Teachers will learn how to create ongoing STEM-based learning experiences that scaffold approaches to learning, executive functions, and socio-emotional development, and that integrate rich literacy, art, movement, and other domains into everyday learning . The workshop is hands-on and interactive – participants will be given concrete examples and strategies of how to put the approach into practice, and will have opportunity to adjust activities to their own classroom and students.