COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Reach STEM Educator course provides training in how to deliver the Reach Program. The Reach Program, focused predominantly on Middle School students, utilizes sailing as an educational platform, challenging youth to embrace education, establish a love of learning and explore productive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) based careers. Combining educators, sailing instructors, engineers, scientists with today’s youth to provide them with a one of a kind authentic learning experience, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a cooperative work environment
“After attending the STEM Educator Course, I was highly impressed with our instructor. The modules in the curriculum provide hands-on experiences for students to learn about the science and engineering behind sailing, an abundant list of web resources that tie in with each lesson, and an effective sequence of lessons, so that they each build on each other. I would highly recommend this program for any classroom or program that is looking to incorporate hands-on experiences when learning about math, technology, and science!” ~ Meghan Dutton
COURSE FORMAT & LENGTH
The online course is spread over 10 days (Friday I Day 1 through Sunday I Day 10). The course consists of (2) 40 minute live webinars on Day 2 I Saturday & Day 3 I Sunday and then module presentations on Day 9 I Saturday. The other days are self paced and consist of video content, group discussion and posts and quizzes. Students should expect to spend 8-10 hours of course work over the 10 days.
COURSE PREREQUISITE
US Sailing Teaching & Coaching Fundamentals : Developed in conjunction with the US Olympic Committee (USOC), this course gives the building blocks of good instructional practices for becoming an effective educator on and off the water. A guide on how to complete the course can be found here and a few Frequently Asked Questions are answered here.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Attendance at all portions of the course is required for successful completion of this course.
Reach Educator Certification is not valid unless accompanied by:
- First Aid and CPR Certification: from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or and U.S. Coast Guard approved provider. Candidates do not need to complete the CPR/First Aid Training in advance of the Level 1 course, however a certification will NOT be valid unless accompanied by current First Aid and CPR.
- Valid SafeSport Certificate. Anyone 18 years of age or older is required to hold a valid SafeSport certificate in order for their US Sailing instructor certification to be valid. This free online training course must be completed every year. A few notes on completing Safesport:
- Enter your US Sailing member number during registration. If you need to find it click here.
- Complete all the modules. You DO NOT have to complete it all at once.
- The course allows you to log in and out without losing your progress.
WHAT YOU CAN TEACH WITH THIS CERTIFICATION
There is not a corresponding student certification to this course, however the training properly prepares the instructor to deliver the Reach curriculum.
COURSE MATERIALS
- The STEM Educator Course includes professional development/training, materials, and copies of the 132 page Reach Educator Guide for Middle School Modules 1-10 and the Reach Student Logbook and Portfolio.
- Upon completion, attendees will receive a US Sailing STEM Educator Course certificate and formal educators will receive a certificate for professional development hours.
COURSE FEES
The course registration fee is: $210. Registration is on a first pay basis. US Sailing will not reserve spots without full payment.
CANCELLATION & TRANSFER POLICIES
Course fees are nonrefundable but are transferable to another course up to one (1) week prior to the course start date. Course Transfers are not available within the week of the course start. Fees are not transferable to another candidate. The fee for all transfers is $25.00
To transfer into a different session:
- Log in to your US Sailing account here: MyUSSailing
- Select the My Certs and Courses tab from the options on the left, then click the transfer link.
- Submit Payment details
- Confirm transfer
US Sailing reserves the right to cancel, postpone, abandon or change the venue, date and time of the course should unforeseen circumstances occur or course minimums are not reached. In the event the course is unable to proceed, a course credit will be made available which is good for one (1) year or you may choose a refund.
REGISTER
Please select "Enroll Now" to see a full list of prerequisites and to register. Registration closes one week prior to the course start date.
If your organization is interested in hosting a Reach Educator Course, please fill out the online "Host a Course Form."
Questions? email: reach@ussailing.org.
Reach Instructor Trainer
Description
This course covers best practices in inquiry-based teaching techniques, learning theory, and how to implement these skills while teaching STEM at Sailing Venues. The Reach program features hand-on, problem-based learning and our instructors must be able to communicate that message effectively while modeling it for participants in their Educator Courses.
Participants are required to plan two mini-module presentations that demonstrate knowledge of the Reach module content, connection to sailing, and the ability to teach using inquiry and problem-based learning. Select and prepare two best module sections; candidates are encouraged to bring any materials needed. Please be familiar with all 17 Reach modules and have specific knowledge of modules 1-10.
Co-teaching requirement
Before certification each IT Candidate must co-teach one Reach Educator Course with a currently certified Senior IT and at an approved facility, which are both selected by the Education Department.
Course Objectives /Goals
- For Instructor Trainers to mentor and cultivate other instructors and educators to implement the Reach program.
- To maintain a national standard in STEM and Sailing Education.
- To continue to build regional expertise to increase strategic partnerships and national alignments.
Length of course: 1 day, 8.5 hours
Age requirements for course: Suggested minimum age is 24 years old. Consideration will be given to younger candidates depending upon experience, training and teaching ability.
Prerequisites:
- Reach Middle School Educator Course Completion
- Current US Sailing Membership
- Minimum 2 years managing and/or teaching Reach programs
- SafeSport Training
- Teaching and Coaching Fundamentals Online
- Current First Aid and CPR.
Course Outcomes: Pass, POI, or Fail.
- Successful completion of the course must include satisfactory evaluations of module presentations, knowledge of Reach module content, mastery of teaching techniques and theory and understanding the relationship of the Reach modules to sailing knowledge and instruction as well as classroom instruction and national education standards. Candidates are required to actively participate in all aspects of the course and maintain a high level of professionalism.
Course fee: $200.00
Cancellation policy:
Course fees are nonrefundable but are transferable to another course/date if the Education Department is given enough notice, in writing:
• More than four weeks before the course start date: Fee is transferable to another course, credit is valid for 1 year.
• Within the four week of course start date: ½ half of course fee is transferable to another course, credit is valid for 1 year.
• Less than 24 hours' notice of course start date (or no-show): 100% of the course fee is forfeited.
***All courses are subject to cancellation if course minimums are not met within 2 weeks of the course start date.
Fees are not transferable to another candidate.
Procedures on how to Apply:
Reach Instructor Trainer Applications are accepted at all times. Please note that submission of an application does not constitute acceptance to the course. Applications are reviewed by the IT Candidate Selection Committee once courses are scheduled and those candidates who are selected will be invited to attend. Candidates not selected will be notified in writing. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the posted deadline before the start of the course date.
Candidates may be teachers, partners, collaborators, and/ or sailing instructors.
