A Venn diagram showing how the CLS Education Team integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education as well as Indigenous Ways of Knowing, through experiential learning and inquiry practises.

What started it all: our educator professional development. Our Education Programs would not be where they are today without the countless teachers and other educators that have walked through our doors or connected virtually. We are pleased to continue to support educators across Canada, and internationally, with PD sessions. We aim to help inspire educators’ own curiosity in STEM topics, with Indigenous Ways of Knowing, and help spark new ideas for the classroom. Hear from a few of these educators in our Testimonial section below.

We currently offer:

  • Annual CLS Teachers’ Workshop
  • Workshops providing the necessary training for our Students on the Beamline Program
  • Indigenous-Focused Teacher Professional Development
  • Recorded STEM Seminars on various topics for you to take in at your leisure
  • Seminars delivered to you (virtually or in-person) on a variety of CLS & synchrotron topics

We are also happy to engage with you or your organization to develop something to suit your needs. Contact us for more info.

NSERC (logo in image) supports teacher professional development with the CLS Education Team.The Canadian Light Source is proud to offer professional development opportunities and we acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) PromoScience to make this possible.

Upcoming

We are excited (and hopeful) to host educators in person at CLS at our annual CLS Teachers’ Workshop in Winter 2022! Receive professional development on synchrotron research, bringing inquiry & science into the classroom, networking with experts and fellow educators, exploring the CLS, engaging in Indigenous approaches, and more!

Date: Winter 2022 in person, tentative (3 day workshop)
Location:  At Canadian Light Source in Saskatoon, SK 
Theme: TBD
Cost: $300 (fees support activities, lunches, evening social, and teaching resource package)
Funding: Limited travel funding available

Working with CLS staff, you will also participate in your own synchrotron experiment using X-rays and your own sample! Check out below for general information on our workshops and previous Teachers' Workshop agendas. 

Registration to open and further details will be shared in the coming months. Stay tuned and share with colleagues!

Annual Teachers' Workshops

Our Teachers' Workshops are a way for educators to receive hands-on experience connecting STEM with science research, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, inquiry education, and a synchrotron. Each workshop has a theme but with similar components. Once we have decided on our dates and the theme, we will update this page accordingly. However, whether in-person or virtual, as a participant you will have the opportunity to:

  • Participate in synchrotron experiments
  • Learn about novel research in many disciplines
  • Network with scientists who will share their experiences and enthusiasm for science
  • Explore the entire facility
  • Engage in Indigenous approaches or Traditional Knowledge, where possible
  • Make real-life connections to science curriculum, and more!
Our CLS Teachers' Workshop is the first step necessary in training to participate in the award winning Students on the Beamlines program. A follow-up session may be required to complete the training.
  • IDEAS in Action: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
    Investigate chemical differences in samples collected by participants (eg: soil or fruit)
  • Crystals and Diffraction: Biology
    Prep microscopic samples and view the structure of a protein crystal from synchrotron data
  • Anatomy of a Beamline: Light and Optics
    Look deeper into how a beamline works
  • How exactly does this state-of-the art machine produce its brilliant light? 
  • The grand tour - See this magnificent facility up-close and personal! 
  • The basis of synchrotron research techniques
  • How to weave together Indigenous Ways of Knowing and mainstream Science
  • How to incorporate inquiry and current research into the classroom
  • Guest speakers in up and coming scientific research

Want to take a peek at our previous Teachers' Workshop agendas?

2021 (Virtual) | 2020 (Virtual) | 2019 | 2018

We Can Come to You!

There are many ways that the Canadian Light Source can support professional development opportunities for educators. Contact us and we will work with you to bring a session to your professional development workshop, conference, or convention. As resources permit, the session may be in-person or by remote presentation. For ideas on what we can offer, check out our Seminars page and we can work with you to adapt a session to suit your needs.  

We also have recorded seminars for you to view at your leisure or watch live! Our STEM Seminar Series is a series of virtual seminars held throughout the year that provide insight into science research, the synchrotron, or how science research connects into the classroom. You will hear from a scientist, teacher, or professional talk about their research, teaching, or experiences. These are free online events and open to everyone.

SEMINARS DATES AND TIMES TBD

Want to see previous talks? You can view the abstracts and access the links to the previous seminars in our Virtual Classroom! Many of these talks are great supplements to concepts shared throughout our Education Programs and help support connecting science research and science education. 

Testimonials

“I was fortunate to attend a teacher workshop at the Canadian Light Source. I was apprehensive because I was dipping my toes into a field of study that I had little experience in… physics. I had little to be worried about. Yes, there’s lots to know, but the CLS staff did a fabulous job of explaining the basics behind the synchrotron and even more remarkably, made me want to learn even more about physics. One of my favorite parts of the workshop was meeting with the different scientists and learning about what they were using the synchrotron for. I quickly found out that the synchrotron is used for research in many different scientific fields. This was my first exposure to the interdisciplinary science.”
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“This was an inspiring trip that really had four strengths – access to a world-class science facility; interaction with the scientists doing the work; hands-on experiences & lessons; and promoting networking among teachers from across the country. I left the three day experience with a strong to desire to bring students back to conduct research. My experiences at the Canadian Light Source have transformed my perspectives as a science educator!”
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“Thank you for an insight to Indigenous Teaching. Honestly I have no idea about it before and now I am looking up to my classrooms in quite a different way. I do have some students from tribal regions of my country where female are not encouraged to pursue the education for some reasons. And now I would be more careful to have them fully engaged in my classroom thru TKK and other strategies you talked about.”