NJSTA Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award

2025 Summer Institute

Elementary Science
Using 3-Dimensional Teaching
and Learning

Introducing the New Jersey Model Curriculum

Apply to the Summer Institute
CLICK HERE

Calling Elementary teachers in Grades 3-5!

The NJSTA Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award (MPSMA) Committee is excited to sponsor this professional development opportunity for elementary school educators who are interested in learning how to incorporate anchoring phenomena-based Science into their classrooms.

Teachers who attend the 2025 NJSTA MPSMA Summer Institute will use OpenSciEd free and open curriculum resources that are centered around recognizable real-world phenomena which spark children’s curiosity and fuel their enthusiasm to figure things out. Coherent storylines, hands-on science investigations and student-driven discussions bring science to life by providing meaningful understandings with a goal of explaining the phenomenon and/or solving a problem. Educators will experience and reflect on the three-dimensional routines of a Next Generation Science classroom using anchoring phenomenon. Specifications integrate the three-dimensions of science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas while aligning with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science (NJSLS).

This immersive professional learning experience will develop teacher knowledge in the phenomenon-driven instructional model selecting your choice of one of three different units specific for Grades 3, 4, or 5.

Grade 3 - Unit 3.1 Forces & Interactions

Grade 4 - Unit 4.1 Energy Transfer: Collisions

Grade 5 - Unit 5.1 Ecosystems & Matter Cycling

To review the 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science please visit the NJ Department of Education.

For more information about the OpenSciEd instructional model and resources for Elementary Science, please click on the OpenSciEd logo below.

For further information about the MPS Memorial Award Summer Institute, please contact

Cheryl Zanone njstasimmons@gmail.com.

Target Audience: Teachers and Leaders of Elementary School Science (Grades 3-5).

Dates/Times: This three-day Institute will take place June 24–26, 2025.

Scholars who are accepted must commit to attend each full day of the program.

Location and Dates:

The NJ Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics at Kean University, Union, NJ from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Light breakfast and lunch will be served daily.

Sponsor: The Institute is supported by the NJSTA Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award (MPSMA) Endowment which covers ALL Institute costs for those who attend the full 3-day Institute.

Participants, known as MPSMA Scholars, will also receive upon completion of the 3-day Institute:

1.   One-year membership in NJSTA.
2.  Certificate for 21 Professional Development hours.
3.    Follow up support for NJSTA members throughout the year at the NJSTA OpenSciEd PLC (virtual).

Successful applicants will be notified by May 1, 2025. After May 1, any additional remaining spaces will be filled on a rolling basis and/or a waitlist will be used.

Apply Here

Please download a PDF flyer to share with colleagues. Please spread the word and share with other Elementary Teachers of Science!

PDF Flyer