Freeport–McMoRan Foundation Center for Leadership in Learning provides schools, districts, and community partners with standards-aligned, research-based professional development opportunities for PreK-8 educators and administrators. All of our facilitators are certified educators with a passion for inspiring creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. We measure our success through the confidence and competence we instill in those we support.
At Your School
Engage in hands-on, standards-aligned, research-based best practices that strengthen educator/administrator practice and build the skills educators need to effectively address students' learning needs. We offer a wide range of topics with sessions ranging from 90 minutes to six hours, and can occur during or after the school day.
Science Teacher Residency (STaR) Program
STaR is an innovative, hands-on program that is led by expert facilitators and content specialists focused on addressing common misconceptions about STEM subjects that are often taught in the classroom.
Early Childhood Educator Science Series
Young children are engaged by and welcome the opportunity to explore their world and confront challenging concepts in science, technology and engineering.
Educate to Innovate Conference
Spend the day earning professional development hours by engaging with innovative content, networking with colleagues and exploring ways to engage our young learners in STEM lessons.
Code.org Regional Partner
Code.org has helped prepare nearly 100K elementary, middle, and high school teachers to offer computer science, 98 percent of whom say they would recommend the program to another teacher.
Integrating Authentic Research into the Classroom
Are you an educator in a Title I school looking to increase student engagement through authentic research projects? If you want to learn how to guide your students through the process of conducting real research and designing their experiments, our team can help you integrate this into your classroom.
Workshops
To stay up-to-date on upcoming workshops and professional development opportunities, join our monthly newsletter mailing list here.
K-5 Storybook STEAM
October 4-5 | 8:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m.
CREATE at Arizona Science Center®
Storybook STEAM is a fun and creative club for K-5 students where engineering meets imagination! In each session, students tackle exciting design challenges inspired by their favorite fairy tales. Young engineers will learn to solve problems, think critically, and explore STEAM concepts—all while bringing storybook adventures to life!
Flexible Workshop Options
Choose the components that meet your learning goals and budget — from hands-on training to student-ready supplies.
- 2 Days of Hands-on Training: $250
- Materials Kit with Supplies for 30 Students: $1,250
- STEM Journals for Students: $5 Per Journal
- 18 Hours of STEM Curriculum: Printed & Digital
Educate to Innovate
September 19 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
CREATE at Arizona Science Center® | $40
Join Arizona Science Center for a day of inspiration, innovation and fun! Spend the day earning professional development hours by engaging with innovative content, networking with colleagues and exploring ways to engage our learners in STEM lessons.
Web Design
Grades 6-10 Educators
October 4 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
CREATE at Arizona Science Center® | $25
During this workshop, explore how to teach problem solving, creative expression, and teamwork by having students create and share content on their very own web pages.
*Focused on grades 6-10
Animation and Games
Grades 6-10 Educators
October 4 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CREATE at Arizona Science Center® | $25
Participants will discover how to engage in the same design process that computer scientists use to learn how to teach programming concepts and develop images, animations, interactive art, and games.
*Focused on grades 6-10
SEMIquest From Classroom to Cleanroom: Educator Professional Development Day
Presented by SEMI Foundation and Arizona Science Center
October 8, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
CREATE @ Arizona Science Center (105 N. 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004) | FREE (Registration Required)
Explore How Today’s Classrooms Can Shape Tomorrow’s Tech Workforce! Arizona is becoming a national hub for the booming semiconductor industry, and YOU can help students tap into this high-demand career field. Join us for a FREE, hands-on professional development workshop where you’ll gain tools, skills, and real-world context to make STEM and computer science more exciting and relevant than ever.
Integrating CS with Math, Science & Social Studies
Grade 3-8 Educators
October 18 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Virtual | $15
Learn how to bring computer science into everyday teaching. Explore ways to connect it with math, reading, science, and social studies. Gain strategies to make lessons more engaging and relevant across subjects.
Edison Robots
Grades 2-8 Educators
November 15 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
CREATE at Arizona Science Center® | $50 (1 robot included)
Discover how to use Edison robots to teach coding, robotics, and problem-solving in the classroom. This hands-on workshop covers basic programming, lesson ideas, and interactive activities—no prior experience needed!
Early Childhood Educator Science Series
Preschool-First Grade & Preservice Educators
November 21 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
$40 Per Participant
Young children are engaged by and welcome the opportunity to explore their world and confront challenging concepts in science, technology and engineering. Join us for our Early Childhood Educator Science Series as we explore, investigate and reflect on the core concepts and practices that support inquiry in the early childhood classroom.
Benefits of ECESS Include:
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Breakfast and lunch
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Free educator swag
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Chance to win great raffle prizes
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Six hours of professional development
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FREE Arizona Science Center Educator Membership, compliments of APS
Arizona Science Center's Professional Development Programs Are Generously Supported By:
APS/APS Foundation
Richard F. Caris Charitable Trust
Ernst & Young
Freeport-McMoRan Foundation
Junior League of Phoenix
PNC Foundation
Thunderbirds Charities
Verizon
Voya Foundation