Professional Development

Engage with hands-on STEM and STEAM learning, develop the skills it takes to bring others into science conversations and understanding

Jun

Teachers in the Field

Teachers in the Field is an immersive, 4 day/3 night, field based professional d...

What are you looking for?

SCIENCE IN CLASSROOMS

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

COMMUNITY SCIENCE TRAINING

Science in Classrooms
Professional development for formal and informal educators focused on bringing hands-on science teaching methods into the K-8 class setting.

South Dakota Discovery Center Opportunities
OPPORTUNITIES COMING! Sign up to receive notifications of developing classes in 2025.

GLOBE Training
The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) is an international science and education program—with over 66,000 teachers active in 112 countries—that involves students in investigating the Earth's Systems through collecting data using standardized protocols, reporting data using an internationally accessible database, and participating in research projects and field campaigns. Students who participate in GLOBE collect and report data on local environmental conditions to an internationally accessible database, contributing to field campaigns coordinated by scientists with research collected from their school. GLOBE resources are FREE and equip teachers to meet standards by using science and engineering practices to explore disciplinary core ideas.

BECOME GLOBE TRAINED!

Attend an in-person GLOBE training at the South Dakota Discovery Center!
Complete three online modules with GLOBE e-training

*When you list the South Dakota Discovery Center as your partner
(different than your organization/school which is where you work),
you can gain one CEU for each module completed.

Contact executivedirector@sd-discovery.org to learn more about GLOBE, set up your training, and to enter to receive a GLOBE mini-grant that supports the purchase of monitoring supplies and resources.

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION WORKSHOPS

Sponsored by SD E-CORE SE-CE-BP

Empowering researchers to inspire trust, curiosity, and connection.

In today’s world, where science shapes policy, health, and the future of our planet, how we communicate matters more than ever. Misinformation spreads quickly, and public trust in science must be earned through transparency, empathy, and understanding.
Through a partnership with SD E-CORE SE-CE-BP, SDDC equips scientists, engineers, and STEM professionals with the tools to bridge the gap between complex research and community understanding. Our workshops help you share your science in ways that engage hearts and minds, building stronger connections between discovery and the people it serves.
As an official Portal to the Public partner, we implement an NSF-funded, nationally tested model that helps scientists engage the public through museums and community events.

Flexible formats. Transformative outcomes.

Our Science Communication Workshops are dynamic, hands-on training experiences that help scientists and STEM professionals at every career stage communicate more clearly, confidently, and creatively.

Workshops can be delivered as short, high-energy sessions or customized multi-day trainings, in person or virtual, tailored to your team, class, or institution. Topics include:

Rebuilding public trust and engagement in science
Communicating research to policymakers and the media
Connecting with K–12 classrooms and sparking student curiosity
Bridging Western science and Indigenous knowledge systems
Using storytelling, analogy, and hands-on activities to make complex ideas accessible

Participants learn to craft messages that resonate with their intended audience, design engaging outreach experiences, and strengthen both external communication and internal collaboration.

Schedule your session today

Contact Rhea with any questions: Rhea.Waldman@max-strat.com

Meet Our Past Fellows

Please contact rhea.waldman@sd-discovery.org if you are interested in being a part of the next cohort of Fellows!

Science Communication Crash Course
If you don’t have the time to commit to a full Fellowship, but still want to improve your science communication skills: participate in one of Crash Course workshops. These workshops are about 2-3 hours and are offered in different parts of the state at different times throughout the year.

For more information, please contact rhea.waldman@sd-discovery.org.

Custom Science Communication Workshop
Custom science communication workshops are fun, interactive professional development experiences that improve the abilities of content experts to communicate both within their teams and with external audiences. These workshops offer opportunities to learn and practice fundamental communication skills, including using analogies and understandable language, practicing questioning strategies, and crafting messages that convey the importance and relevance of a topic. Workshops can also include development of hands-on activities to help communicate content to non-experts in approachable, engaging ways.

Custom workshops range in length and can be tailored to meet the goals and needs of your group. If desired, training can include individualized follow-up consultation with participants.

For more information, please contact rhea.waldman@sd-discovery.org.

Community Science Training
There are wonderful opportunities to get involved! You can contribute to research and learn how to help others gain the skills to make impactful observations. Visit our Citizen Science webpage for more information.

Professional Development

Teachers in the Field

What are you looking for?

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION WORKSHOPS

Meet Our Past Fellows

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