Educator Professional Development
Educator Professional Development trainings provide formal and informal educators with opportunities to bridge gaps in STEM education and elevate learning. Trainings explore content, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and identify curriculum for educators to utilize in their classrooms. Trainings are hosted throughout the year in Northern, Southern, and rural Nevada. All of DRI’s trainings are free and educators who attend are eligible for continuing education hours offered through the Nevada Department of Education.
We pride ourselves on offering a diverse set of topics and experiences at each training. Past training topics include: Astrobiology, Agriculture, Robotics, Microscopes, Engineering, Water Conservation, Energy Conservation and Efficiency, and STEM Engagement Techniques. In addition, we collaborate with community partners to increase access to classroom resources. Some of our past partnerships include: 3D Printers co-hosted with the Discovery Children’s Museum, Hydroponics co-hosted with Green Our Planet, and our annual NV STEAM Conference co-hosted with the Nevada Museum of Art. If you are a community partner interested in collaborating on an educator professional development training, contact us today at STEMeducation@dri.edu!
To stay up-to-date on future trainings, please sign up for our STEM Education newsletter.
Upcoming Opportunities
January 2026
STEM Professional Development Training: Microplastics
Have you ever heard of milk plastics? Or wanted to learn what happens when a plastic cup sinks to the bottom of a lake? Join us for the Microplastics professional development training where we will explore these topics and more! In this training, you will gain expertise in identifying, analyzing, and addressing the pervasive issue of microplastic pollution. Equip yourself with hands-on activities and resources to empower students with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on our planet's health!
February 2026
STEM Professional Development Training: 3D Printers
Unlock innovative teaching methods with DRI’s STEM Education Program’s FREE educator professional development training on 3D printers! In the training, educators will gain hands-on experience designing 3D objects in Tinkercad, operating Prusa Mini printers, and resources to transform the classroom into a hub of creativity and exploration! This training is open to K-12th grade Educators.
STEM Professional Development Training: 3D Printers
Unlock innovative teaching methods with DRI’s STEM Education Program’s FREE educator professional development training on 3D printers! In the training, educators will gain hands-on experience designing 3D objects in Tinkercad, operating Prusa MK3S+ printers, and resources to transform the classroom into a hub of creativity and exploration! This training is open to K-12th grade Educators.
March 2026
STEM Professional Development Training: Introduction to Hydroponics
Learn how to operate and integrate hydroponic systems into your classroom in DRI’s STEM Education Program FREE educator professional development training! In the training, educators will gain hands-on experience germinating seeds, transplanting seedlings, mixing nutrient solution, programming lights, assembling and operating hydroponic systems, and integrating hydroponics into the classroom. This training is open to K-12th grade educators.
April 2026
STEM Professional Development Training: AI in Education
Discover the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in education with our three-hour professional development session tailored for educators. Gain foundational insights into AI and explore innovative tools to personalize learning and streamline tasks.
STEM Professional Development Training: Nature Journaling
Are you interested in learning how to use nature journaling as a tool for STEM education? Not only can nature journaling help people hone their powers of observation, the practice also improves language, critical thinking, STEM, and artistic skills. Nature journaling has also been shown to increase nature connectivity and awareness of one's local environment. Come to this training and learn the basics of teaching nature journaling through hands-on activities and guided prompts.
May 2026
STEM Education Program's Truckee River Watershed: Water Quality and Groundwater Training
In partnership with the Truckee Meadows Water Authority, the Desert Research Institute STEM Education Program has created four virtual lessons! These virtual resources are flexible to allow for either self-directed student learning and exploration (flipped classroom) or teacher-directed instruction. This professional development training will lead educators through the online resources and allow educators to discuss how these resources could best be implemented in their classrooms.