Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers from around the country gathered in EMS ISD in July for the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) National Content Workshop.

Educators spent three days at Chisholm Trail High School in professional development classes taught by NMSI coaches and worked as groups to develop teaching skills they could use in the classroom for curriculum development, teaching strategies and hands-on labs.  

“We do different labs,” said NMSI coach Brandy Foster. “Things such as how to introduce the lab, explaining what the kids need to know to be successful in the lab, pre-teaching, real world connections, and then doing the actual experiment, so teachers can see how their kids could do it in the classroom.” 

NMSI brought this national workshop to EMS ISD after developing a relationship with the district during the 2023-2024 school year when EMS ISD received a NMSI college readiness grant. While celebrating the grant, partners at NMSI were impressed with the EMS ISD facilities and chose to host this year's conference at Chisholm Trail High School.  

“Everybody said it was phenomenal to network and spend time with people in their respective fields,” said John Fahey, Director of College, Career, and Military Readiness in EMS ISD.  

Teachers worked to understand their student's perspectives by working through productive ways of teaching and understanding problems students may face in the classroom to prepare for the next year.  

“Teachers were getting up and running around like students,” said Gabreilla DeYoe, NMSI Manager of Content and Creative Marketing. “Because what they were here to do is be students for three days so they could experience their own curriculum.” 

The goal of the workshop was to ensure students get the best possible STEM education and to prepare teachers with content knowledge that they can take back to their own students. 

“They did hands-on activities, gave resources for curriculum for the upcoming school year, and they got an opportunity to all connect and learn from each other,” said DeYoe.  

EMS ISD is proud to have been selected to house this national workshop and ensure educators and students in EMS ISD and across the country have great resources for STEM education.