PDP Program Cycle
The ISEE Professional Development Program (PDP) is a transformative experience that prepares graduate students and postdocs for success in academic, industry, and other STEM careers. Participants design and teach a STEM experience for undergraduates or higher-level audiences while building vital skills in leadership, mentoring, teamwork, and project management. Accepted participants join a small, diverse team and engage in workshops, independent work, and teaching practice—supported by expert coaching and an inclusive, collaborative environment. PDP participants may return, and many join the lasting PDP community.
PDP participants spend ~90 hours over 3-6 months described below
4-Day In-Person Workshop
- Explore and compare hands-on STEM learning approaches
- Apply research on how people learn, leadership, and fostering belonging in STEM
- Experience authentic STEM learning environments
- Begin collaborative, assessment-driven instructional design
- Practice teamwork and communication skills
2-Day In-Person Workshop
- Begin designing an inclusive STEM experience
- Practice teamwork and communication skills
- Apply inclusive leadership strategies (team leaders)
Independent Work with Team
- Co-develop a detailed, co-teachable plan for a STEM lab experience
- Apply inclusive leadership strategies and manage project (team leaders)
- Learn strategies for interacting with learners as a mentor in a remote session
Practical Teaching/Mentoring Experience
- Teach/mentor a STEM lab experience to an undergraduate or higher-level audience
- Integrate lab experience into programs & courses aimed at effective and impactful STEM learning
- Reflect on the experience and how to apply insights to future work
Grow Within and Beyond PDP Community
- Return as a team leader to mentor new participants and practice leadership skills (additional workshop offered for team leaders)
- Apply PDP frameworks, strategies, and skills to diverse professional paths
- Influence people, programs, and communities beyond the PDP
The Institute for Scientist & Engineer Educators (ISEE) is part of University of California Observatories
https://uc-isee.org
​Contact Us
Lisa Hunter,
ISEE Director
lhunter@ucsc.edu