WATERVILLE, April 2016 — Calling all PK-12 Maine educators, Thomas College’s Center for Innovation in Education is hosting a two-day integrated and interactive institute on June 29 and 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Educators are encouraged to bring a team from their schools to participate in “Full STEAM Ahead”: creating interactions among the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math in a world of standards.

“The Center for Innovation in Education at Thomas College is a valuable resource for teachers, schools, and districts,” said Thomas College STEAM education professor Kate Cook Whitt. “The Center is committed to bringing excellent, low-cost professional development related to STEAM, proficiency-based learning, and technology integration to Maine’s educational community.  We are excited to bring educators together to engage in critical conversations, develop innovative learning experiences, and promote student learning.”

During the institute, participants will develop a STEAM unit that fully integrates the principles of proficiency-based learning that can be implemented back in their own schools. Participants will also explore digital learning emphasizing critical thinking, creative problem solving and design principles.

The two-day institute will take place on Thomas College’s campus at 180 West River Road in Waterville. Grants are available to offset registration costs of the event. Low-cost housing is also available.

About the Center for Innovation in Education: Thomas College’s Center for Innovation in Education is re-envisioning teacher education that supports digital learning, STEAM, and Proficiency Based Learning in an adaptive environment that reflects a contemporary instructional approach.

In the fall of 2015, Thomas College finished construction of the Center for Innovation in Education, a state-of-the-art classroom and co-working space designed to give students the ideal environment to learn and practice the skills required of tomorrow’s educators.

Backed by an investment from the Lunder Foundation, the Center for Innovation in Education will add programs, technology, and training methods with the specific goal of preparing teachers for technology-rich approaches.

To learn more about Thomas College’s Center for Innovation in Education, visit http://wwwold.thomas.edu/center-for-innovation-in-education/ .