River Legacy Living Science Center offers a broad spectrum of professional development programs from teacher workshops and seminars, to interactive education programs geared specifically toward adults who want to learn more. Our wide variety of workshops help educators learn how to effectively bring the excitement of the natural world to the classroom.

GEMS™, a Multi-Faceted Approach to Learning
GEMS™, Great Explorations in Math and Science, is a high-quality, flexible curriculum that introduces exciting and effective math and science activities into the classroom. GEMS™ activities reflect an inquiry-based approach to education and emphasize direct student participation.

Developed at the University of California at Berkeley, GEMS™ helps teachers communicate a realistic understanding of what scientists actually do — beyond the “textbook” approach. The program includes more than 50 teacher guides and handbooks for preschool through 10th grade that can be used as supplements to an existing curriculum, or grouped together to create a new one. Teachers do not need any special training in math or science to use GEMS™ effectively.

Through the GEMS™ program, educators can:
| Create independent learners and critical thinkers.
| Increase student mastery of pivotal math and science concepts.
| Promote mastery of key math and science skills.
| Build positive attitudes toward math and science.

River Legacy workshops provide teachers an opportunity to explore selected GEMS™ guides and handbooks that cover physical science, math and life science. In addition, teachers get an overview of how GEMS™ addresses state TEKS and national frameworks, benchmarks and standards.

Each workshop requires a small fee, which covers copies of the guides and handbooks discussed, as well as a continental breakfast and a snack or light lunch. A 10 percent discount in the Acorns gift shop is also offered to participants on workshop dates.

For more information, contact one of our Professional Development Associates at 817.860.6752. Space is limited to 36 participants per workshop.

River Legacy Living Science Center has been designated a GEMS™ Network Center by the GEMS™ Program, Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley.

The River Legacy Living Science Center and the Living Science GEMS™ Center are registered with the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) as official Continuing Professional Education (CPE) providers.

According to the Texas Education Code 21.041 9b), (3), (4) and (9) and 21.045: “Individuals who complete certification requirements after September 1, 1999, will receive the Standard Certificate, which must be renewed every five years. As a condition of renewal, superintendents and principals will be required to complete 200 clock hours of CPE, and all other educators must complete 150 hours. All CPE providers will be approved and registered by SBEC to ensure that activities offered for CPE credit support the professional growth of educators in the knowledge and skills necessary to improve student achievement in Texas public schools.”

As a CPE provider, the Living Science Center GEMS™ Site will provide professional development workshops for educators. These workshops, which can be tailored to meet the needs of a group, school or district, will contribute to the total number of hours needed to renew their Standard Certificate.

The Living Science Center’s CPE ID# is 500199.

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