Teaching and Learning Academy

 

Announcing an Earth Science Professional Development Opportunity

With funding from ExxonMobil, AGI is inviting elementary and middle school public school teachers from across the country to join the national 2025 AGI/ExxonMobil Geoscience and STEM Teaching and Learning Academy (TLA). Designed for educators who are new to or have recently entered Earth science teaching roles, the academy builds on AGI’s long-standing expertise and resources in geoscience education.

Participants will:

• Strengthen geoscience content knowledge that relates to current K-8 science standards
• Develop new teaching strategies
• Network with fellow educators
• Access hands-on, data-rich teaching materials from AGI and partner organizations
• Learn how to make clear connections to the components of A Framework for K–12 Science Education, on which NGSS and state standards are based.

Application review begins June 1 and will continue until the academy is filled. Early application is highly encouraged.

 

Program Overview

This academy is for grade K to 8 teachers and will include online and face-to-face experiences across the 2025-2026 academic year. The face-to-face portion of the academy will take place in Alexandria, Virginia, July 2025. Participants will be provided with room and board at a local hotel for the duration of the TLA. Additionally, each participant will be reimbursed up to $200 for travel expenses incurred while traveling to and from Alexandria for the academy.

Online portions of the academy experience will begin with an introductory 1-hour webinar prior to the in-person experience on June 18. Two additional 1-hour webinars will take place throughout the academic year (dates to be determined).

 

New STEM Tour Opportunity

New this year, TLA participants are invited to take part in a STEM-focused tour of Washington, D.C., around the National Mall on the final day of their in-person session

• Elementary school participants: Tour on Wednesday, July 16
• Middle school participants: Tour on Saturday, July 19

This enrichment opportunity is made possible through an ongoing partnership between the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) Education & Outreach Department and Education First (EF), supporting immersive STEM learning experiences in Washington, D.C. The tour will include visits to key science-focused sites and supports collaborative efforts aligned with EF student tours.

 

Important Dates

• June 1: Application review begins
• June 18: Introductory webinar*
• July 13-16: Elementary school teachers – TLA in Alexandria, VA
• July 16: STEM-focused tour for elementary school participants
• July 16-19: Middle school teachers – TLA in Alexandria, VA
• July 16: STEM-focused tour for middle school participants
• September: Webinar* for both elementary and middle school participants
• November: Webinar* for both elementary and middle school participants

*All webinars held at 7 PM ET to accommodate teachers across the U.S.

 

Application Details

To apply, the following documents must be submitted for consideration:

• A completed online application form with basic contact information.

• A 300-to 500-word interest statement describing your motivation for attending the academy and how you believe it will affect your development as a teacher.

• Your resume including your teaching experience with dates and past professional development. Other information (e.g., extracurricular activities) may also be included as you choose. Upload or email this resume as instructed on the application.

Your application will only be considered complete and eligible for consideration once the facilitation team has received all required materials.

 

Questions?

Contact the TLA facilitation team at tla@americangeosciences.org.