The Greater New Orleans STEM Initiative empowers K-12 teachers to enhance and motivate hands-on, minds-on STEM learning in the classroom by providing classroom tools, strategies and methodologies through quality, standards-based professional development.
GNO STEM helps educators create learning opportunities where students discover how to discuss and communicate ideas, listen and work with others, and think like scientists while developing foundational skills that fuel their curiosity, interest, and success in STEM.
SeaPerch
Feburary 1 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
For Middle and High School Teachers
Build an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and engage your students in inquiry-based learning with real-world applications! SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that introduces basic engineering and science concepts and fosters key 21st century skills including critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity in an in- or out-of-school setting. Stipend available.
Location: GNO STEM
BeyondReality@UNO
June 17-18 | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
For Middle and High School Teachers
Virtual Reality Labs Professional Development:
Bring Virtual Reality to your students! BeyondReality@UNO is a VR Maker Space that allows your students to use VR tools to enhance learning.
BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS:
- 2 VR labs for your students – Density and Materials
- Teachers can bring students to VR maker space or use equipment at their schools
- Follow-up hands-on labs
- Enhance classroom instruction with VR experience
Location: University of New Orleans
$200 Stipend Offered
GNO STEM & LIGO Present Light, Sound, Color & Waves
July 14 – 18 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
For Middle and High School Teachers
In this interactive workshop, teachers will dive into the science of light, color, and waves, exploring how these concepts shape our understanding of the physical world. Through hands-on experiments and demonstrations, participants will discover ways to bring these topics to life in the classroom, making abstract ideas accessible and engaging. The workshop will provide creative strategies for teaching about the properties of light, the spectrum of color, and wave behavior, empowering educators to spark curiosity in students. This workshop will take place at University of New Orleans in New Orleans and LIGO Livingston Observatory in Livingston, LA.
Benefits:
- Priority scheduling for LIGO field trips in the 2025-2026 academic year
- Financial reimbursement for LIGO field trips (up to $700) in the 2025-2026 academic year
- Stipend for attending the workshop
- Materials to take home from hands-on activities
GNO STEM & The NEED Project Present
Exploring Wind Energy & Tapping into Louisiana’s
Energy Industry – Careers & Pathways
July 11 – 12 | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
For Middle and High School Teachers
Bring the excitement of Wind Energy to your classroom!
Day 1 – Explore the NEED Wind Energy Kit and curriculum. The activities and information introduce students to wind, wind generation, and offshore wind technologies.
Day 2 – Presentations from local energy industry & higher education professionals highlighting local energy careers and career pathways for your students. Includes a field trip to two of our local industry partner facilities.
BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS: NEED Wind Energy Classroom Kit, NGSS & LSSS aligned curriculum, $200 Stipend available
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) PD
For Grades 3 – 12 Teachers
June 30 & July 1 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: University of New Orleans Education Building
GIS is a cloud-based geospatial platform enabling individuals to create and share maps, apps, and map services with over >200 Inquiry-based lesson plans in 3-12 Math, Science, Social Studies, English, Coding & Computer Science.
Benefits:
- Learn to create and share maps from ESRI Trained Instructor
- Develop students’ spatial reasoning and strengthen problem-solving skills
- Obtain Lesson Plans and Exercises that enrich your current curriculum
- Leave with new project-based, cross-curricular teaching tools that have wide applications
- $200 stipend available
Teaching STEM Through Literacy PD
For Grades PreK – 3 Teachers
June 16 | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Early learners explore STEM with an innovative kit from Central Creativity. By pairing hands-on math, science, and engineering experiments with screen-free coding and literacy activities, students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills in a fun and engaging way. A Central Creativity trainer will guide teachers through activities connecting literature to STEM learning. Teachers receive a Classroom Kit containing: Screen-Free Coding Robot, Materials for all hands-on activities, Foam Floor Tiles, Trade Books, Full-Color Manual & Digital Resources. $100 Stipend Available.
Location: University of New Orleans Oliver St. Pe’ (TRAC) Center
