Upcoming Professional Development

Contact Thea Keppel at keppeltm01@buffalostate.edu with any questions or concerns regarding event registration

WNY Energy Tour
 

Participants will leave WNY Energy with an understanding that renewable energy production combines science, engineering, agriculture, technology, and business to solve real-world problems, support the local economy, and provide rewarding career opportunities in Western New York.

Participants of the WNY Energy Tour will take a walking tour of the plant and meet employees involved in the various roles of operating the plant. The tour will focus on the following take-aways of participants. 

  • Understand how renewable energy is produced from locally grown corn and how ethanol serves as an alternative transportation fuel.

  • See how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are used every day in a modern manufacturing facility.

  • Learn that careers at WNY Energy include engineers, laboratory technicians, electricians, mechanics, automation specialists, environmental professionals, business staff, and skilled trades.

  • Recognize that STEM careers require teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking in addition to technical knowledge.

  • Discover how chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and engineering are applied to solve real-world challenges in the renewable energy industry.

  • See how WNY Energy supports sustainability by producing renewable fuel and finding valuable uses for byproducts instead of creating waste.

  • Learn how local agriculture and industry work together, with New York farmers supplying the corn used to produce ethanol which supports local and small businesses. 

  • Gain a better understanding of how classroom learning connects to real careers and everyday problem-solving.

  • Greater awareness of the wide variety of STEM careers available in their own community.

 

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2pm-4:30pm  
Location: WNY Energy, 4141 Bates Rd, Medina, NY 14103

WNY Energy Tour Registration

Climate Education Summit

 
In Spring of 2026, the Board of Regents approved requirements for instruction in climate education for public school students in grades kindergarten (K) through 12. Join with fellow educators and climate experts to advance our climate knowledge and gain classroom ready resources and best practices for empowering students with knowledge and actionable skills.
 
Climate education starts with you. Small actions, big impact--let's learn abut climate change together.
 

Date: Saturday, September 26th, 9am-3:15pm 
Location: Buffalo State University

Climate Summit Education Registration

Climate Summit Education Flyer

Ashokan: A day of Curiosity and Community
NYSMTP and MfA Joint Mini Conference

We're so excited to invite you to our second annual gathering of MƒA Dual Citizens, NYS Master Teachers, and Master Counselors. This year's conference celebrates place-based learning, connection, and the beauty of the Ashokan Watershed. We look forward to sharing the work of external facilitators with knowledge of Indigenous heritage and the rich and complex history of the region.
 
Please register below and (if you're interested) propose a session to share your expertise with your colleagues. We are looking for 50-minute sessions that explore our connections with nature, curiosity, and intersectionality (or any other related STEM topic). 
 

Date: Saturday, October 3rd, 10am-4pm 
Location: The Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge, NY 12461

Joint Mini Conference Registration

Joint Mini Conference Flyer

State-Level High School Science Item Writing Workshop
New York State Education Department, Office of State Assessment Science Team
 
Buffalo State University and the Western New York Master Teacher Program in collaboration with the New York State Education Department, Office of State Assessment Science Team, invites you to register for a unique, three-day, professional development opportunity focused on the process of state-level item writing. This is not a product-based workshop; its core purpose is to engage participants in the authentic experience of developing assessment items using the same documents and protocol that are used at NYSED. Due to the nature of the work and to ensure a focused working environment, participants must be fully immersed in 3D instruction, using NYSSLS to guide both practice and assessment. All work produced, including any item clusters, may be considered for inclusion on future state examinations and is considered property of NYSED. Your contribution is a direct investment in the quality of New York State’s science assessments. You will build connections with the Office of State Assessment, enabling you to explore ways to support fellow educators in your BOCES or district. Lunch is provided for all participants.
 

Dates: Monday, October 19th - Wednesday, October 21st, 8am-4pm each day
Location: Jacqueline Vito LoRusso Alumni & Visitor Center, Buffalo State University

State-Level HS Science Registration

State-Level HS Science Flyer

Buffalo Science Collaborative
Dr. Lisa Brosnick and Dr. Alayla Ende

A professional learning community of K - 5 teachers and leaders, across grade bands, schools, and districts who come together to:

  • Design learning experiences for kids, study them in real time, and reflect on how 3-dimensional (science practices, content, and cross cutting concepts) science learning is happening.
  • Deepen the 3-dimensional pedagogical content knowledge needed for teaching (science practices, content, and cross cutting concepts + how children make sense of science).
  • Share ideas in a space designed to build on teachers’ love of kids and science (#Don’tKillTheWonder)
  • Provide a model for engaging students in the science practices using cognitively demanding tasks that feature equitable access and that foster student agency, ownership, and identity. 

Why Should I Be Involved?

As schools shift to greater engagement in science curriculum and assessment at the elementary level, we want to provide elementary teachers with opportunities to learn about the shifts in content and pedagogy necessary to meet the New York State Science Learning Standards. We also want to provide a model for how elementary teachers can “make time for science” and incorporate high level science thinking and practices into existing curriculum.  

The Buffalo Science Collaborative is facilitated by Dr. Lisa Brosnick and Dr. Alayla Ende from SUNY Buffalo State. Both Dr. Brosnick and Dr. Ende have extensive experience in 3-dimensional science professional learning activities and K-12 science teaching across NYS. 

 

Weeks: September 28th, November 9th, March 8th, May 31st
Location: TBD

Buffalo Science Collaborative Registration

Buffalo Science Collaborative Flyer

Past Professional Development for WNY Master Teachers

See our database of past professional development offered to WNY Master Teachers