A series of professional and resource development programs in problem-based learning are offered through CERTL. The programs are aimed at meeting the individual needs of classroom teachers and in assisting them in integrating the National Science Education Standards and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards with a problem-based learning curriculum.

Teachers participate in development areas including:

• intensive sessions in the principles and philosophies of problem-based learning;
• hands-on sessions in the management of small groups in the large group setting;
• sessions for practicing the facilitation skills integral to the success of the methodology;
• guided sessions in problem-case development;
• participatory sessions in developing authentic, alternative assessment techniques.

Sessions at the regional science museum, SciWorks, introduce teachers to scientific exhibits that support classroom instruction and increase awareness of healthy lifestyle choices. Teachers create PBL lesson plans linking the exhibits to instruction and then plan field trips to SciWorks where students will interact with the exhibits as one of the hands-on learning activities.

Programs are forty hours in length initially with four half days of follow-up sessions scheduled throughout the academic year. Participating teachers may request in-classroom consultation at any time for assistance with implementation and program evaluation.

Customized faculty development programs are available through CERTL.