The word that is coming to mind is, we are empowering our educators to then empower their campers. And, somehow that frame is so much more productive than "I don't know how to fix it. So I'm bad." It's like, no, no. This is about failing forward. It's about saying it out loud that this is gonna happen. We are looking for it. And here are strategies to get out of it.(Year 2 Lead FiM Facilitator)

OUR DEFINITION OF FAILURE: Failure is a necessary and expected part of the process. Moving through failure includes technical skills AND emotional resiliency. We must attend to both in our teaching and facilitation.

Two adults stand in front of a room, presenting information projected onto a slide.

FiM Professional Development Cycle

Follow along with the Montshire's PD Cycle by clicking on the slideshow below. Their resources can be found throughout the Resources page.

PD Cycle
Three people sit around a table filled with objects created out of wood and cardboard. They are all wearing face masks.

Data Collection Programs

Montshire conducted their PD Cycle with their Inventors’ Workshop, a camp for children in grades 5-6. Inventors’ Workshop is perfect for those who like to create, design, experiment, and take on exciting engineering challenges while engaging in fun, hands-on projects. Campers sketch ideas, troubleshoot designs, and bring their imaginations to life through their inventions. 

A woman measures the height of a tower made from chenille stems. It looks to be around sixteen inches tall.

Lessons Learned

What have they learned? The Montshire framed learnings in terms of campers, educators, and FiM facilitators. Check out the slideshow below.

Lessons Learned

I think it helps me SO much in my teaching style, learning how to break it down into steps and how to read when a kid needs a break, when they need to be directed towards this idea or if they're getting really stuck, how to guide them towards a few different options for solutions, without straight up giving them the answer. (Year 1 Informal Educator)

ABOUT US

The Montshire Museum of Science is a regional science center serving children, families, schools, and adult learners in Vermont and New Hampshire.

MISSION: The Montshire’s mission is to awaken and encourage a lifelong interest in science through exhibits and programming dedicated to hands-on discovery and education for people of all ages.

The Montshire carries out its mission of forging and empowering lifelong learners by engaging people in hands-on, inquiry-based science.  Their mission drives the Montshire to help people think deeply and critically about the world around us. By fostering curiosity, new perspectives, and a meaningful exchange of ideas, they work toward positive change in the world, and against injustice. The Montshire believes in science as a means toward greater understanding of the human condition.