How to Begin Building a Teacher-In-Service Program (TISP) in Your Section

There are many different ways members can volunteer in your section’s TISP. Members can volunteer to lead teacher in-service presentations individually or in small teams.  For those members who want to participate but don’t feel comfortable in the spotlight, you can assist with the development of the in-service content, coordination of the in-service, gathering of materials, or even serve as an extra set of hands at the in-service.    

Suggestions to obtain volunteer involvement include:

• section and student branch newsletters;
• announcements at section and student branch meetings;
• invite GOLD, Life and/or Executive Committee members to participate;
• report at Executive Committee meeting;
• informal contact with members;
• take/show photos from previous in-services.

When selecting a presentation topic, you may want to choose topics that are:

• tied to education standards;
• of interest to section members;
• “hands-on” in nature;
• low cost;
• identified by school staff as needed.

The following web and print resources are also very useful in generating ideas for topics:

• TryEngineering - A resource for students (ages 8-18), their parents, their teachers and their school counselors about engineering and engineering careers
• HowStuffWorks - An online resource containing articles, videos and graphics explaining how the world works.
• Popular Mechanics for Kids: Make Cool Gadgets for your Room, 2001, written by IEEE member, Amy Pinchuk (ISBN number 0688177271)

• Use member contacts within your local school district. 
• At the district level, initial contacts may include science/math/or technology supervisor, curriculum development supervisor, or professional development supervisor.  
• At the school level, initial contacts may include school principal, assistant principal, science/math/technology department head, lead teacher or curriculum developer in science/math/technology.

When you make contact with school personnel here are some things you may want to discuss:

1. Introduce yourself and express that you/your IEEE Section would like to offer to conduct a free in-service program for teachers in the school/district on an engineering topic.
2. Explain that the in-service will provide the teachers with low-cost hands-on engineering lessons that they can use with their students.
3. Discuss that lessons are aligned to national standards.
   Tip: Prior to reaching out to the schools you may want to obtain a copy of local educational standards (where applicable) to become familiar with what educators are required to teach.
4. Confirm that teachers can earn in-service points/CEUs for attending an IEEE Section presentation (where CEUs are accepted). Teachers may be able to use these in-service points towards renewal of their professional certificates.
5. Offer/request to meet with district level personnel to discuss the program, the benefits, and the proposed topics to be presented. School district contacts may request a brief written description, including learning objectives of the presentation being considered.

Once you have commitment from the school to conduct the in-service, you will need to discuss the following:

• topics and lessons to be presented;
• dates of the in-service. These will typically take place during the week but may be held on a weekend;
• where the in-service will take place. A possible venue could be an in-service/ professional development day or meeting identified by the school district;
• the length of your session and whether you will conduct one or multiple sessions.  Typical sessions are four hours but you may need to be flexible to accommodate the needs of the school and educators;
• facility needs seating/table arrangements (most lessons involve small groups so round tables or desks pushed together are recommended) and power/audio-visual needs, e.g., laptop, overhead projector and screen;
• refreshments.