The Teachers Institute of Philadelphia (TIP) invites teachers from around the School District of Philadelphia to participate in its fall 2023 Curriculum Laboratory. Upon successful completion of the program, participants (called fellows) earn 20 Act 48 credits and a $1,000 stipend.
Fellows will acquire cutting-edge knowledge from university professors and write original curriculum units based on the material they have learned. They will develop creative ways to teach material required by District, state and national curriculum standards, improving results in the classroom. Seminars, described below, meet Wednesdays, 5:00-7:00pm, from September to December on the Penn campus. Applications will be available Wednesday, May 17 and the deadline will be Wednesday, June 21.
To learn more or apply visit theteachersinstitute.org/apply-to-tip/application/ or email edwardme@upenn.edu.
Children’s Environmental Health Class
Children are particularly vulnerable to environmental contamination. A major source of exposure in Philadelphia is air pollution, which causes asthma and exacerbates allergies in children, making asthma rates much higher than statewide and US rates. Another is lead, which poisons more than 1000 children every year. This seminar will provide teachers with actionable information that they can use to promote civic engagement among their students around environmental issues. It will cover the principles of biology, cell physiology and pathology underlying environmental health for children.
We will consider the current state of the environment, the regulatory framework that protects our health, and preventative measures such as anti-idling programs, air monitoring in schools and lead testing of soils and water. The seminar will link participants to curriculum-building resources and experts whom they can bring into the classroom for demonstration and enrichment. Strategies for effective communication with City Council members, environmental regulators and legislators will be discussed. Though focused on STEM, this seminar is open to STEM and non-STEM teachers in any grade level.
Taught by PRCCEH deputy director, Dr. Marilyn Howarth of Penn Medicine