CU Science Discovery is excited to be launching a NEW聽Communities of Practice program!聽These communities of educators meet regularly online, exploring the use of innovative tools and technology. During these online sessions, educators will be able to hear and share tips, lessons, and creative ways to incorporate tools and technology into their classrooms or education spaces. Whether you are new to these technologies or a seasoned pro, this community invites you to share, learn and聽collaborate. Details for the first two Communities of Practice topics are outlined below:

Fall 2023 - Spring 2024

Making the most of your 3D Printer

Are you interested in learning more about the world of 3D printing or maybe the specifics around your school's聽3D printer? If so, consider joining the聽3D Printing Community of Practice. These bi-monthly virtual get-togethers聽will share tips, lessons, and creative ways to incorporate 3D printing into your classroom. These meet-ups provide an聽opportunity to join a聽community of teachers and other educators interested in incorporating 3D design into their spaces, whether that's the initial stages of聽getting up and running with 3D printing, learning new ways to incorporate 3D design and printing, or reviving an old 3D printer that doesn't get use.

Meeting dates and times:

  • Virtual meetings will take place bi-monthly on the following Wednesdays from 4-6pm:
    • November 15, 2023
    • January 17, 2024
    • March 13, 2024
    • May 15, 2024
  • Zoom link will聽be sent after application is complete.
  • A meeting invite reminder will be sent to individual registrants prior to each meeting.

The School and Teacher Programs team is excited聽to welcome聽you to the 3D printing Community of Practice and聽eager to see聽how you're using 3D printing as聽an educator.聽

The 2023-2024聽3D Printing Community of Practice is聽no longer accepting registrations. If you're interested in learning more about the Communities of Practice program, please connect with the School and Teacher Programs team via email.

Integrating technology into your classes featuring micro:bit聽

Rural Colorado teachers are invited聽to collaborate and network with other teachers around the state using a versatile STEM tool for your students - the BBC micro:bit! In this virtual Community of Practice, educators will engage in discussion around best practices for integrating new technology into the classroom and be introduced to some easy ways to use the micro:bit. User-friendly and designed for students, the micro:bit has a low barrier to entry and many opportunities for integration across many different STEM disciplines including science, math, and engineering.聽The micro:bit Community of Practice will culminate in a one-day, in-person gathering in June 2024.聽Funding is available聽is available for eligible* rural educators to attend the in-person gathering.聽Micro:bit sensors will be provided for free to eligible** participants while supplies last. This project is supported聽by the CU Boulder's Office for聽Outreach and Engagement.

Benefits to participating:

  • Collaborate and network with educators from across the state.
  • Learn ways to use this versatile tool in subjects ranging from math and聽science to聽engineering, computer science, and more.
  • Up to 2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available (1 per 10 hours of participation;聽free for eligible participants, or聽purchase for $20 each).
  • Travel stipend to attend an in-person gathering in June 2024 (for eligible rural participants*).
  • Receive two free micro:bit sensors.**

Meeting dates and times:

  • Virtual meetings will take place on the following Wednesdays from 4-5:30pm:
    • October 11,聽2023
    • November 8, 2023
    • December 6, 2023
    • January 10, 2024
    • February 7, 2024
    • March 6, 2024
    • April 3, 2024
  • Zoom link will聽be sent after application is complete.
  • A meeting invite reminder will be sent to individual registrants prior to each meeting.

*To be eligible for funding for CEUs and to attend the in-person gathering, you must be a rural educator of K-12 students in a rural region of CO and attend >70% of virtual sessions.

**Anyone is eligible to participate in the virtual sessions, but to be eligible to receive free micro:bit sensors, you must commit with good intention to attend at least 5 virtual sessions.聽

The 2023-2024 Micro:bit聽Community of Practice is聽no longer accepting registrations. If you're interested in learning more about the Communities of Practice program, please connect with the School and Teacher Programs team via email.