Teacher Registration Deadline Extended to May 30th!!

Research Teacher Professional Development

Registration is open to 6th – 12th grade STEM teachers, with in-person and virtual options.

The Science Coach Academy is a unique professional development and enhanced learning opportunity for research teachers. Attendees will hear the latest on key and emerging science topics, participate in hands-on demonstrations and experiments, and gain improved skills they can use to guide students as they develop their science projects and science fair competition entries.

Feel secure in reserving your spot today, registration cost is refundable up to 35 days before the event –
email Info@ScienceCoach.org

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Download 2025 Conference PDF Flyer
Coming Soon 2025 Science Coach Academy Program

Schedule for the 2025 Science Coach Academy

Monday, 6/16/25

  • Pre-Conference and Housing Check-In 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Tuesday, 6/17/25

  • Pre-Conference and Housing Check-In 8:00 – 9:00 am
  • Pre-Conference Sessions (select one) 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
    • Plant-Bacterial Symbiotic Relationships – This is an all-day workshop in which participants will be taking part in multiple guided experiments focused on developing sterile techniques for culturing of the soil bacterium.
    • The Science of Yeast Breads – This is a day-long, hands-on exploration of the science of the breadmaking process – comparing yeast types and forms, the function of kneading, ideas for research offshoots, and the sensory evaluation of baked breads.
  • Main Conference Registration & Housing Check-in 3:00 – 8:00 pm
  • TLC Tuesday – Special evening program focused on self care (Details to come) 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Wednesday, 6/18/25

  • Conference Registration & Housing Check-in 7:00 – 8:00 am
  • Main Conference Opens
    • Session 1 9:00 – 10:00 am (select one)
      • Immunologic Assays in Biological Research – Dr. Erik Barton
        Learn about the applications of immunology in scientific research, common assays, and how to design experiments that include immunologic principles.
      • Monarch Butterfly Based Projects – Dr. Kristen Baum
        Monarch Watch is dedicated to the conservation of Monarch butterflies. Learn how your students can participate in research involving Monarchs, from citizen science projects to designing individual research projects.
    • Session 2 10:30 – 11:30 am (select one)
      • Precision Agriculture – Dr. Derek Tesser
        This session explores the technologies and capabilities of remote sensing, focusing on drones and satellites for ecological applications such as agriculture. It highlights common measurements that can be linked to and scaled with remote sensing technologies and previews the next generation of sensors poised to advance Earth observation science.
      • Writing Research Papers – Dr. Teresa Boman
        Scientific writing can be daunting. It is technical, it is brief, it is concise and sometimes it does not feel fun (most of the time). The goal of scientific writing is not to entertain, but to inform. In this presentation, we will discuss how to make this process less painful in order to make sure the value of the research is not lost in a poorly written paper.
  • 2-hour Hands-on Workshops
    • Session 3 12:30 – 2:30 pm (select one)
      • Mammalian Cell Culture Techniques – Dr. Yan Wang
        This session will provide teachers with an introductory overview of data analysis pipelines, data query searches, open-source databases and in silico webtools available for starting bioinformatics projects with students.
      • Science of Popcorn – Angela Smith
        Who doesn’t love popcorn? This delicious hands on workshop investigates different types of corn, coatings, toppings, cooking methods, etc. There is a LOT of science involved in popcorn!
    • Session 4 2:45 – 4:45 pm (select one)
      • Tiny Earth Program Overview – Mariah A. Knowles
        This presentation will provide an overview of the Tiny Earth curriculum: what Tiny Earth students (“Tiny Earthlings”) do, how they are engaged in research, and how students disseminate their findings. And although Tiny Earth is aimed at undergraduates, we will also share lessons learned by partner instructors who have adapted Tiny Earth for high school and community college.
      • Basic Circuitry and Breadboarding – Lydia Spoor
        Learn how to decode the mysterious symbols of a circuit diagram, how to measure values used in common electronic applications, and how to build and prototype simple circuit elements so you can help students who want to do projects involving electronics.
      • Hands on Statistical Analysis – Dr. Mary “Katie” Kilmer
        Participants will work with actual data sets to carry out statistical analyses. Participants will work through the process of selecting the correct statistical test, running the test (with software) and interpreting the final results, including making figures.
  • Wednesday Evening Dinner & Networking 6:30 – 8:30 pm
    • The conference dinner will allow for networking with fellow attendees and presenters. The evening will be capped off with a special food science demonstration, “The Sweet Science of Chocolate,” at which dinner guests will learn about how chocolate is made, taste test the different varieties of chocolate, and sample delicious truffles!

Thursday, 6/19/25

  • Main Conference Continues
    • Session 1 9:00 – 10:00 am (select one)
      • AI in Research – Chris Bethel
        AI is everywhere now, and knowing how to use it wisely is important. It can be quite helpful in research settings, and this workshop will show you how to use it to your advantage.
      • Cybersecurity 101 – Sunny Sun & Aaron Weissenfluh
        This session will cover terms used in the field of Cybersecurity (including CIS and IT) and will provide an overview of the broad skills needed by cybersecurity professionals. Topics will include discussion of technologies and practices used for preventing cyberattacks or mitigating their impact.
    • Session 2 10:30 – 11:30 am (select one)
      • Basic Bioinformatics – Dr. Claudia Preston
        This session will provide teachers with an introductory overview of data analysis pipelines, data query searches, open-source databases and in silico webtools available for starting bioinformatics projects with students.
      • Experimental Design (statistics based) – Dr. Mary “Katie” Kilmer
        In this session, participants will learn how to properly design and set up a research project, to ensure that data analysis is easy! Participants will discuss hypothesis formulation, predictions, planned statistical testing, replication, controls, variables and treatments, etc.
  • 2-hour Hands-on Workshops
    • Session 3 12:30 – 2:30 pm (select one)
      • Analyzing Research Papers and Posters – Dr. Teresa Boman & Dr. Mary “Katie” Kilmer
        Explore what makes research papers and posters “good” or “bad” by looking at real examples and evaluating them with actual competition judges who can tell you what to look for.
      • DIY Cell Culture in the Classroom – Jennifer Hess
        Participants will learn to make a still air box to do sterile tissue culture in. Each participant will make a box to take home. Participants will also learn the basics of setting up their lab for plant tissue culture at school.
      • Techniques in Field Research – Wendy Parrett
        This session will take teachers through common techniques and equipment used in soil, water, and forestry projects.
    • Session 4 2:45 – 4:45 pm (select one)
      • Using Arduino in Student Projects – Lydia Spoor
        Gain hands-on experience using an Arduino to complete simple tasks such as turning on a light or taking a distance reading with a motion sensor. You will also explore the extensive online Arduino maker community and resources that exist for students looking to use an Arduino in their research.
      • Plant Tissue Culture in the Classroom – Jennifer Hess
        Participants will make plant tissue culture media, sterilize explants, and set up tissue culture with a plant of their choice, then get to take their babies home!
  • Conference Concludes, Attendees Depart – 4:45 pm

To view this schedule with the full session descriptions, click HERE.

Impressive Roster of Speakers
This year’s Science Coach Academy features a range of sessions and workshops taught by an impressive roster of industry experts from the following educational and scientific institutions:

  • Stowers Institute for Medical Research
  • Pfizer
  • Tiny Earth
  • Saint Louis University
  • Monarch Watch
  • BioSTL
  • Missouri Southern State University
  • University of Saint Mary
  • The STaR Program
  • Missouri Department of Conservation

To view the full list of Academy presenters, click HERE.

NEW THIS YEAR
Science Coach is excited to welcome a unique food science organization and innovative program on antibiotics to this year’s Academy!

Inquisicook Culinary Science
Inquisicook is a family-owned company based just outside of Athens, Georgia. Recognizing that science and cooking made perfect partners but were rarely paired in an educational setting, the company set out to create a program that does just that. What began as the seed of an idea many years ago has taken root as a movement to promote cooking as the ultimate applied science.

There will be three Inquisicook sessions at the Academy:

  • The Soul-Warming Science of Yeast Breads (Pre conference session)
  • The Surprising Science of Popcorn (Main conference session)
  • The Sweet Science of Chocolate (Food demonstration at Wednesday’s dinner)

Tiny Earth
Tiny Earth inspires students to engage in scientific research while addressing some of the most pressing global challenges of our century: the diminishing supply of effective antibiotics, a rapid decline in soil health, and a need for more scientists in the workforce. Tiny Earth is a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE), an international network, and an antibiotic discovery pipeline.

The Academy session will provide an overview of the Tiny Earth curriculum: what Tiny Earth students (“Tiny Earthlings”) do, how they are engaged in research, and how students disseminate their findings. Although Tiny Earth is aimed at undergraduates, the presenters will share lessons learned by partner instructors who have adapted Tiny Earth for high school and community college.

Housing Options:

Berkel Residence Hall – each suite has:

  • 4 individual bedrooms / 2 bathrooms
  • Double sink outside of the bathroom
  • No individual room door lock
  • Building elevator

Both residence halls offer:

  • Individual suite temperature control
  • Free washer/dryer on each floor (bring your own detergent)

Steele Residence Hall – each suite has:

  • 4 individual bedrooms / 1 bathroom
  • Double sink outside of the bathroom
  • Individual room doors lock
  • Refrigerator
  • No building elevator
  • Handicap apartment available

See the University of Saint Mary website for additional residence hall information.

For questions or more information, contact:
Jill Ott
Info@ScienceCoach.org
314-501-1940

*Science Coach Academy is included with Science Coach – a year-long professional development program. Click HERE for more information.

2024 Science Coach Academy Program

Testimonial

“That was the first time since my first year of teaching that I did a full program of PD where the “course” was worth it from start to finish.” — Jason Kesselring, Science Coach for St. Louis Public Schools following the 2022 Science Coach summer PD training week