Read on to learn more about our current Focus Workshops, or visit our Past Focus Workshops page to learn more about past offerings!

Rise to the Challenge Focus Workshop Series

Get ready to Rise to the Challenge in this Focus Workshop series based on the Wade Institute’s Massachusetts STEM Week Challenges!

In each workshop you’ll experience a variety of hands-on, inquiry-based STEM activities designed to support your students in using the Science and Engineering Practices. You’ll also explore how phenomena can spark curiosity, drive investigation, and make the learning relevant for students. The Challenges are designed for middle school students but are easily adaptable to upper elementary or high school settings. You have the option to take one or both workshops. At the conclusion of each workshop you’ll receive a curriculum packet and materials kit to implement the Challenge in your classroom. PDPs and optional Graduate Credits are offered for both workshops.

Hurricane Heroes

Challenge: A category 4 hurricane has hit fictional Storm City, Massachusetts. The city faces several problems that can only be solved by your engineering team. Investigations include evacuating citizens, building emergency shelters, moving floodwaters, and designing alternative energy sources. The Challenge culminates in a redesign of the city’s resources to prevent future disaster. Along the way, you’ll engage with the science and engineering practices, inquiry-based learning, and the integration of STEM disciplines to inspire students in your own classroom. Join us to explore how to guide students through real-world problem-solving while addressing critical topics in disaster preparedness, sustainability, and resilience!

Dates: April 11th and April 12th, 2025 (8:30 AM – 3:30 PM ET)
Location: Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Amherst, MA
Collaborating Partner: Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Registration for Hurricane Heroes is now closed.

Animal Adaptions and Bioengineering

Challenge: Your team of engineers specializes in creating prosthetics for injured animals. You have been hired by a local organization that provides
this service and need to create a prototype for a specific injured animal. Investigations include understanding prosthetics, what they are used for, and why they are necessary; exploring animal adaptations and using new knowledge to create a new species; researching a specific terrestrial or marine animal and creating a fact sheet for it; and the final Challenge.

The final Design Challenge requires participants to design and build a prototype prosthetic for an animal. Additionally, engineering teams must adhere to budgetary constraints as they plan and “purchase” materials for their prototype. Teachers will work in groups, as their students would, using the Engineering Design Process to complete both parts of the Challenge and present their solution to the rest of the groups. During the workshop, you will participate in all elements of the Challenge and have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow educators and Challenge experts.

Dates: Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 and Thursday, June 26th, 2025 (8:30 AM – 3:30 PM ET)

Location: Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, MA
Collaborating Partners: Buttonwood Park Zoo; Franklin Park Zoo; Lloyd Center for the Environment