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Description:    

The primary objective for the Middle School Modeling Distance Learning Workshop. The workshop is to introduce the teachers to a greater community of expert STEM teachers who are trained and invested in the effective use of inquiry for teaching science. In connecting with AMTA, teachers will find a community of other teachers to work with (through blogs, podcast series, coffee hours, etc) as well as a wealth of resources to turn to when planning units. This connection to the AMTA community for many Modelers lasts a lifetime!

The second objective is to introduce teachers to a research-based method of guided inquiry where instruction is organized into modeling cycles. This will give teachers a specific strategy by which to effectively employ inquiry in their classrooms. 
The final objective is to introduce teachers to methods for teaching students how to engage in productive discourse. Whiteboard Meetings, a hallmark of AMTA, are used as the platform for student discourse. Through these Whiteboard Meetings, students debate and discuss with one another in order to share their thinking about a given problem or phenomenon. This discourse is fundamental in creating a student-centered learning environment where students learn from each other and not just the teacher. The teachers guide this discourse by using Socratic dialogue as well as by teaching their students specific “talk moves.” These strategies will be introduced to teachers and practiced in each of the workshops.

Location:   ZOOM ( Zoom link will be sent in confirmation email after registration) 

Dates:  
July 14-17, 2025   and 
July 21- 24, 2025   

TIME:  Mon - Thurs. 11:30AM - 3:30 PM ET  (Thurs 11:30 - 2:30 PM 
    
Costs:  $700 Members,   $775 Non-Members

Graduate level credits:  Graduate level credit is  available of the University of the Pacific ($79 each, to be paid directly to UoP)

Meet the Leaders: 

George Nelson began his teaching career in 2009 where he taught 8th grade science for four years in Arizona, before relocating back to his hometown in Crystal Lake, IL. He still continues teaching 8th grade science to this day. George became acquainted with Modeling Instruction from the 3rd MNS program at Arizona State University under the leadership of Colleen Megowan-Romanowicz. He also attended the Chemistry I and Mechanics Workshops in the summer of 2014. Since first being exposed to Modeling Instruction, it has had a profound impact on his classroom. George said, “Seeing students doing and talking science every day in my classroom as a community makes my career gratifying and rewarding.” George currently serves on the AMTA board as the President-Elect.





Renee  Ashlock teaches middle school science at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Az.  This is her 17th year teaching.  She has used the Modeling method of teaching her entire teaching career and is a workshop leader for AMTA.   Renee is also a Robotics coach and involved in technical Theatre at Brophy.   She is excited to be leading this workshop at Rabun Gape Nacoochee School!