Coming Summer 2027 in Boulder, Colorado
Teach Engineering Champions Institute
The Teach Engineering Champions Institute is an opportunity for formal and informal educators to join a community of other like-minded education professionals to LEARN, COLLABORATE and INNOVATE. Become a Teach Engineering Champion and explore our curriculum in this unique professional learning environment.
Watch: Teach Engineering Champions Institute (video)
Do you have a(n)
- Passion for Engineering Education?
- Commitment to Student Empowerment?
- Interest in STEM Leadership and Advocacy?
- Desire for Continuous Learning and Professional Growth?
FAQ
A Teach Engineering (TE) Champion is a K-12 formal or informal educator who demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing engineering education. They are passionate about fostering innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking in all students through the teaching of engineering concepts, skills, and practices. Champions serve as leaders and advocates for engineering education, inspiring their peers, students, and communities to embrace the importance of engineering in preparing future generations for the challenges of the 21st century. TE Champions leverage the Teach Engineering digital library as well as other engineering resources to help prepare students for successful futures in the workforce.
Interested formal or informal educators will complete an online application. Each application will be independently and blindly scored by members of the Teach Engineering team. Applications will be evaluated by a scoring rubric. The intention is to select Champions who will bring a variety of perspectives, experiences, and regional insights from across the US, reflecting different backgrounds and communities.
The Teach Engineering Champions Institute is an annual, professional development workshop designed to train formal and informal K-12 educators in engineering pedagogy, design and mindset. Training and collaboration will continue throughout the year with quarterly virtual training sessions and regular slack channel engagements.
Curriculum and course work will be based on the Teach Engineering free digital library. This exclusive and unique workshop offers participants advanced training, resources, and networking opportunities to deepen their understanding of engineering education and enhance their ability to lead the integration of engineering principles in K-12 classrooms. By attending the TECI, Teach Engineering Champions will further develop their capacity to inspire and lead both students and fellow educators in embracing the power of engineering. Topics will include:
- History of Teach Engineering
- Building your personal TE Toolkit
- Building community and leveraging your network
- Engineering Design Process and Design Thinking
- TE Exemplars and popular topics!
- Rapid Prototyping on a shoestring budget
- Experience Design & Embodied Learning
- Hands-on activities
Applicants must:
- Be 18 years or older by the application date
- Be a U.S. Citizen, or permanent resident (meets the requirements of the green card test)
- Have a US tax ID or Social Security Number
- Not be a current employee of the University of Colorado
To the extent required by law, the University of Colorado will report the value of any consultant stipends to the IRS on Form 1099. Taxes, where applicable, are the responsibility of the stipend recipient. Participants of the Engineering Champion Institute will be required to submit additional paperwork, including tax ID information.
Teach Engineering Champions will be selected annually and will convene at the Teach Engineering Champions Institute (TECI) in Boulder, Colorado. Those selected will be provided with an attendance stipend and all costs associated with attending (travel, meals and lodging) will be funded by Teach Engineering.
Upon completion of the TECI, a TE Champion will have the opportunity to become a contracted consultant. With the assistance and support of the Teach Engineering team, the Champions will provide guidance, resources, programming and support to other formal and informal K-12 engineering educators in their region.
Champions will earn an additional stipend provided they:
- Facilitate at least 1 professional development (PD) session in their community within 12 months after the completion of the program. The PD session will focus on the application of engineering education practices and resources in the K-12 classroom.
- Participate in TE quarterly champion webinars which will assist in the successful implementation of these workshops.
- Contribute to your educational community by disseminating the insights and strategies gained through your participation in this program. This commitment is crucial to ensuring that the impact of the program extends beyond the individual teacher and influences the broader educational ecosystem.
Additional questions should be directed to Teach Engineering Team at info@teachengineering.org
Participating in the Teach Engineering Champions Institute has been both empowering and energizing. As an educator working in rural and Indigenous communities, I am always seeking high-quality, culturally adaptable STEM resources - and TECI delivered just that. The program gave me the tools, confidence, and community to champion engineering education in a way that feels accessible and relevant to the students I serve.
I realized that this institute isn't just about learning from Teach Engineering; it's about contributing to it. I came home with new strategies, new connections, and a renewed energy around championing engineering education in my school and district.
Overall, the Teach Engineering Champions Institute left me inspired, better equipped with practical resources, and connected to an incredible network of educators and engineering leaders. I would highly recommend this professional development to any educator looking to strengthen engineering instruction and create more authentic STEM learning experiences for students.
I consider myself so lucky to have been selected as a Teach Engineering Champion and am so inspired and excited by what I have learned and experienced. I can't wait to put what I have learned to work and better serve my community!