Digging into Phenomenon-Based, Three-Dimensional Science Learning
2026-10-12 08:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Are you ready to start learning more about the science standards within the PA STEELS standards? Join us for this free day of learning!

Who: Any and all science educators, including K-12 science teachers or science-supporting teachers and administrators (e.g., academic coaches, STEM Coordinators, Curriculum Coordinators, Directors of Innovation & Curriculum, etc.)
When: Monday, October 12, 2026
Where: Thomas Jefferson High School, 830 Old Clairton Road, Jefferson Hills, PA 15025 (This is an in-person only event.)
Price: Free to all AIU3 educators
What: Experience the Power of the PA STEELS Standards. This science professional learning offering is a one-day deep dive into and reflection on science teaching and learning that is aligned to the science standards in the recently-released PA Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) Standards. Participants will immerse themselves in a science learning experience, and as a consequence, walk away with increased understanding of what science instruction looks and feels like when it is three-dimensional, phenomenon-based, and equitable.
Food: A light lunch will be provided courtesy of West Jefferson Hills School District. Thank you, West Jeff!
Tech: Please bring a laptop and/or tablet to access online resources.

Word Wizards: English Language Arts (Grades 3-12)
2026-10-22 09:00 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit Central Office, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Build your students into word wizards! This Reading Achievement Center series presents teachers in grades 3-12 with research and practical strategies to strengthen students’ word knowledge, through both indirect vocabulary exposure and direct vocabulary instruction.
Price: $450 per person
2026-27 Meeting Dates:
October 22, December 8, February 9

Assessment in K-12 Science Aligned with PA STEELS Standards
2026-11-02 08:30 - 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit Central Office, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Are you ready to learn more about classroom assessment that is aligned to PA STEELS? Join us for this institute!

Join us for this in-person science and environmental literacy & sustainability professional learning offering from the Math & Science Collaborative at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit! The Assessment in K-12 Science Aligned with PA STEELS Standards is designed for educators who have already attended one of our Science Institutes (e.g., Elementary Science, K-2 STEM Institute, Grades 3-5 Science Institute, Secondary Science, Physical Science Institute, Life Science Institute, K-12 Science Institute). This professional learning opportunity is perfect for all K-12 science educators who are ready to dig deeply into the classroom-based assessment practices that are aligned to science and EL&S teaching and learning with the PA STEELS standards. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about teaching science for the next generation!
Who: Any K-12 science educators who previously attended one of the Science Institutes from AIU MSC (e.g., Elementary Science, K-2 STEM Institute, Grades 3-5 Science Institute, Secondary Science, Physical Science Institute, Life Science Institute, K-12 Science Institute)
When: November 2, 2026, January 28, and February 23, 2027
Where: In-person at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Price: $450 all AIU3 educators; $600 for educators outside AIU3
Administrators are encouraged to attend with the teacher(s) from their district/building.
Act 48 hours will be awarded pending approval by PDE for those who attend all sessions and complete all related assignments.

English Language Arts Symposium 2026-27 (Grades 3-5)
2026-11-11 09:00 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit Central Office, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
The English Language Arts (ELA) Symposium is the Reading Achievement Center’s annual workshop addressing a critical need for strengthening teacher practice that improves student achievement.
Price: Free

K-12 Science Institute, 2026-2027
2026-11-13 08:30 - 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit Central Office, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Content foci are primarily life science and physical science, with some Earth & space science and engineering.

Who: Open to all grades K-12 science teachers (e.g., life science, physical science, Earth & space science, biology, chemistry, physics, etc.)
When: November 13, December 9, 2026, January 12, February 11, 2027
Where: In-person at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Price: Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU)districts $600; Non-AIU districts: $800 (School district will be invoiced.)
Administrators are strongly encouraged to attend with the teacher(s) from their district/building
Attendees will develop a shared understanding of phenomenon-based and problem-driven science teaching and learning that effectively incorporates all three dimensions of the science standards (disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, & crosscutting concepts) and provides equitable, inclusive instruction.
Participants will engage, as learners and as teachers, with the pedagogical practices that foster reasoning and sense-making in the science classroom and support equity and access for all students. They will also gain access to tools and resources for the teaching and learning of science at their grade band as they become familiar with what instruction in science looks and feels like when implementing the science standards from PA STEELS.
Over the course of the four days, participants will explore the science standards from the PA Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) standards within the elementary, middle school, and high school grade bands.
Act 48 hours will be awarded pending approval by PDE for those who attend all sessions and complete all related assignments.

If you attended a three-day Introductory Institute during a previous school year, this institute may be somewhat repetitive for you. However, we have revised the immersive experiences and included some content from our previously offered Course 2. Thus, you may still find benefit in this offering. Alternatively, consider enrolling in our Assessment and Grading in K-12 Science professional learning offering.

English Language Arts Symposium 2026-27 (Grades 6-8)
2027-01-13 09:00 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit Central Office, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
The ELA Symposium is the Reading Achievement Center’s annual workshop addressing a critical need for strengthening teacher practice that improves student achievement. This session, for ELA teachers in grades 6-8, will focus on literacy activities that allow for purposeful movement in the ELA classroom.
