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ESTEP 2.0 Summer 2026 Workshops

We have a great line up of workshops for this summer!

Why ESTEP?

• Low cost
• Content and pedagogy based on MN Science Standards
• Participants earn graduate credit OR stipend
• Workshops facilitated by MN professors and K12 teachers

 

Focus Goals:

• Experience and investigate place-based MN phenomena on which to build or "MINNESOTIFY" your units
• Enhance content and pedagogy knowledge and skills in earth and environmental science with multidisciplinary approaches in mind
• Use the NGSS progressions and available Minnesota PLDs to help guide your 3D teachercraft no matter the age group you teach
• Model best practices in three dimensional teaching and learning strategies, and give you plenty of opportunities for practice
• Build and contribute to a network of colleagues working toward the same goals

 

What's different this summer?

This summer, we want to offer a variety of workshops that ALL teachers of science will benefit from, regardless of what age students they teach. Any Minnesota educator can:

• take any workshop, (or more than one!)
• learn and grow over a 2 - day or 5 - day workshop,
• stay local or venture away from home - it's up to you and what you need!

  

ESTEP 2.0 Summer 2026 Workshops

• register below each description •

5 - day Workshops

June 22-26, 2026

Geology and Resources of Central Minnesota: A Field Course

Sartell High School; Dr. Kate Pound, Lee Schmitt

This is a field-intensive course; we will be outside and investigating phenomena in situ.  Please note that some days may go a bit later (after 4:30 pm).  We will investigate the bedrock and surficial geology of the Central Minnesota area. Participants will engage in the practices and crosscutting concepts to figure out the geologic history and events that resulted in the plethora of geology-related resources in the area.  We will examine igneous rocks and surficial sediments of the St. Cloud area, observe and learn about quarries and gravel pits, and commercial use of these resources.  Our classroom time will focus on making what participants learn in the field translate into dynamic and place-based MN phenomena and activities that allow students to dive deep into the landforms and natural resources found in this area.  

Registration Fee: $325 (higher fee due to van rental/fuel fees)

Optional Housing Information coming soon!

Registration

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July 6-10, 2026

Geologic History and Resources of Southwest Minnesota: A Field Course

Gustavus Adolphus College, St Peter, MN; Dr. Kate Pound, Dana Smith

This is a field intensive course focused on the vast and varied geology of the SW area of Minnesota. Please note that some days will go a bit later (after 4:30 pm).  We will investigate the bedrock and surficial sediment of Southern Minnesota to determine a timeline of seminal events that shaped this area over geologic time. We will ask questions and construct explanations for how these events resulted in the incredible natural resources found in SW MN.  Participants will examine and explore Paleozic sedimentary rocks, Proterozoic Sioux Quartzite, Archean Morton Gneiss, as well as glacial and stream sediment. Our classroom time will be spent constructing a geologic timeline of events, backed up by evidence collected in the field.  With our teacher hats on, we will take what we have learned in the field and come up with ways to create and implement three-dimensional investigations and activities for our students using place-based MN geologic phenomena.

Registration Fee: $325 (higher fee due to van rental/fuel fees)

Registration

Optional Housing Available: $300 total for Sunday - Friday, single room/air conditioning, floor bathrooms, kitchen including full sized refrigerator, lounge and laundry room.

Registration

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July 20-24, 2026

Astronomy

Winona State University; Dr. Jennifer Anderson, Kate Rosok

This course will provide professional development for in-service high school science teachers to address new state science standards which emphasize science as a practice more than a body of knowledge (as per the Next Generation Science Standards) and in which high school Earth and space science standards are specific to the Earth, stars, our Solar System, and Universe.  We will explore how the Solar System and Earth were formed, resulting in layered planets that orbit the Sun following Kepler and Newton’s Laws, how stars like the Sun generate energy through nucleosynthesis, and how the Universe formed and has evolved since the Big Bang.  The course will be offered as a 1-week, in person investigative workshop which will include day and night observing with telescopes as well as a field trip to a local dark sky location.  Students will then apply the practices and pedagogy learned during the week to reflect on their learning.

 

Registration Fee: $275

Registration

ESTEP Registration $275.00Register now

Optional Housing Available: $225 total for Sunday - Friday, double suite (2 participants per suite, each gets a private single room in the suite)/air conditioning, with shared private bathroom, full size floor kitchen with full sized refrigerator, lounge.

*If you would like your own full suite/private bathroom - please register twice (total $450)

Registration

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2 - day Workshops

Registration Fee: $175 per workshop

 

June 24-25, 2026

Schoolyard MN Phenomena for All Students 

Bemidji State University; Bemidji, MN; Dr. Hillary Barron, Dana Smith

So many phenomena can be found in and around the schoolyard!  Come to Bemidji and spend 2 days exploring how to use the phenomena right outside your door to bring the science standards to life in your classroom, even if you have set curriculum!  We will also explore three-dimensional teaching strategies that you can use to enhance what you already do. This workshop is appropriate for teachers of all grades!

Registration

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July 14-15, 2026

Environmental Physics: Bringing MN Phenomena into the Physics Lab

Mankato East High School, Mankato, MN; Eric Koser, Dana Smith

Do you ever wonder what types of MN phenomena you can use to teach the physical science and physics benchmarks?  We will work together to discover the sometimes, not-so-obvious, relationships between MN specific earth science and natural resources, and the physics that govern them. Let's explore how to turn those relationships into phenomena that engages and challenges students!  This workshop is most appropriate for teachers of students in grades 6-12, but teachers of all grades are welcome!

Registration

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July 22-23, 2026

Geologic Phenomena of the Metro Area

University of St Thomas, St Paul, MN; Dr. Kate Pound and Lee Schmitt

Investigate the geology of the Twin Cities and learn how to incorporate the phenomena into your curriculum! Learn how to use 3D teaching and learning strategies to "Minnesotify" your lessons! We will be examining the bedrock stratigraphy and the carving of the Mississippi River gorge, then working together to create some amazing resources you can use with your students to make MN geology the cornerstone of your earth and environmental standards.  This workshop is appropriate for teachers of any grade!

Registration

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July 29-30, 2026

Developing Field Investigations in your Local State Park

Glacial Lakes State Park, Starbuck, MN, Marlene Schoeneck, Lee Schmitt

More info to come soon!

 

August 4-5, 2026

How to Facilitate Authentic Investigations 

TBD - Metro Area; Dr. Russ Colson, Mary Colson

Participants will work through a selection of investigative activities from 'Learning to Read the Earth and Sky' by Russ and Mary Colson. The instructors will share their own experiences of mentoring students through authentic investigations, and offer ways to strengthen an existing curriculum through the practices of science and small-scale investigative lessons.  This workshop is appropriate for teachers of all grades!

Registration

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All ESTEP 2.0 Summer 2026 Workshops offer participants graduate credits from Minnesota State Moorhead (1 credit/2 - day workshop, 3 credits/5 - day workshop) OR $80/day stipend.  Participants choosing credit must also complete two reflections and a lesson plan assignment.

Participants are responsible for registration fee, lodging, food and mileage. 

ESTEP 2.0 5 - day workshops will have optional housing available for an additional fee. 

 

 Questions?  Email estep@mnsta.org 

ESTEP is funded through 2027 through generous grant funding provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).