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
May 2026
STEM Professional Development Training: Truckee River Watershed: Water Quality and Groundwater
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.