Project Lead The Way

Summer Training Institute Overview?

Revised 12/11/2006

What is a Summer Training Institute or STI?  An STI is part two of the three phases of professional development teachers receive when their school enters the Project Lead The Way network. An STI is where teachers come to learn how to  teach a Project Lead The Way course.  

STI's have been referred to as "boot camps" by some teachers who have attended them.  Don't bring your golf clubs; you won't have time.  When you attend an STI at Penn State (or any other affiliate), you can expect to receive 80 hours of intense instruction over a two week period. You can also expect to have evening assignments.  Week-ends are free, but some teachers spend the time on campus "catching up".

STI's are taught by Master Teachers.  A Master Teacher is your professional peer; an individual who is an experienced Project Lead The Way teacher and has gone through additional training to become a Master Teacher.   The atmosphere is informal.  Master Teachers cannot "cram" the full curriculum into 80 hours, hence we say you are learning to teach the course.  You will become familiar with the software used in your specific course.  You will actually do many of the projects your students will complete.  You will become familiar with the curriculum.  You will be ready to go back to your high school and start teaching the course, and you will have more work to do.

At Penn State Berks Campus, we try to make your stay as comfortable as possible.  Many teachers, even local teachers,  elect to stay on campus in our  modern dorms and choose our catered meal service for the entire two weeks. 

Our upcoming Summer Training Institute dates can be found here.  

If you have questions about Penn State Berks STI, please feel free to email me at tsw10@psu.edu.