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Ä¢¹½Ó°Òô Science Discovery is excited to invite you to join a Community of Practice (CoP)!ÌýThese 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 new ideas into their classrooms or education spaces. These are designed and facilitated as participatory spaces where everyone joins the conversation. It is not lecture-based and content is largely determined by the participants. Whether you are new to these topics or a seasoned professional, our communities invite you to share, learn andÌýcollaborate!

Communities of Practice for the 2026-2027 school year include:Ìý

• Integrating Technology with Micro:bit Community of Practice
• Data + Art + Science for Youth (DASY) Community of PracticeÌý

Interested in learning more about the Communities of Practice program? Please connect with the School and Teacher Programs team via email.

Integrating Technology with Micro:bit Community of Practice

Rural Ä¢¹½Ó°Òô teachers are invitedÌýto 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 discussions around best practices for integrating new technologies 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 opportunities for integration across many different STEM disciplines including science, math and engineering.ÌýThe micro:bit Community of Practice will culminate in a one-day, in-person gathering in June 2027.ÌýMicro:bit sensors will be provided for free to eligible participants* while supplies last.Ìý

Benefits to participating:

• Collaborate and network with educators from across the state.
• Learn ways to use this versatile tool in multiple subjects, including math, science, engineering, computer science and more.
• Earn up to 2 CEU credits (1 per 10 hours of participation, free for eligible participants, or purchase for $20).
• Receive free micro:bit sensors upon meeting minimum attendance requirements.*

Meeting dates and times:

• Virtual meetings will take place via Zoom from 4-5:30pm on Wednesdays:
  • October 7,Ìý2026
  • November 4, 2026
  • December 2, 2026
  • January 6, 2027
  • February 3, 2027
  • March 3, 2027
  • April 7, 2027
  • June 2027 (In-person; location TBD)Ìý

*To be eligible for funding and materials, you must be a K-12 educator in a rural region of Ä¢¹½Ó°Òô and attend at least 5 virtual sessions. Anyone is eligible to participate in the virtual sessions, but to be eligible to receive free micro:bit sensors, you must attend at least 5 sessions and be a rural educator.

Interested in joining next year's group?Ìý

Applications are due by September 9, 2026.

Data + Art + Science for Youth (DASY) Community of Practice

Ä¢¹½Ó°Òô Science Discovery presents an opportunity to collaborate and network with other teachers around the state and explore simple, accessible arts and crafts projects that engage students (willing participants and those who may be slightly more reluctant) in making meaning out of data! In this virtual community of practice, educators will engage in discussion around best practices for integrating new approaches to teaching data-literacy, using low cost arts and crafts materials to make analyzing data colorful, tactile and fun. This program will culminate in a one-day, in-person gathering in June 2027. Special arts and crafts materials will be provided to eligible participants who meet minimum attendance requirements. All are welcome but space is limited. Questions? Please reach out to the School and Teacher Programs team via email.

Benefits to participating: