Educator Professional Learning
Tech. Teach. Transform.
Professional Learning at the USF Sarasota-Manatee Collaboratory
Welcome to a new kind of professional development—one rooted in creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge tools. At the USF College of Education’s Sarasota-Manatee Collaboratory, we bring educators together to explore the future of teaching through immersive, hands-on learning experiences that spark ideas and inspire action.
Real Tools. Real Tasks. Real Impact.
Our professional development programs aren’t lectures. They’re learning labs—places where teachers roll up their sleeves and engage with the very tools their students will use. From virtual reality and robotics to 3D printing pens and AI grow chambers, our sessions are grounded in standards-aligned, inquiry-driven tasks that blend technology with purpose.
In May, we welcomed K–5 STEM teachers from Sarasota County for a session focused on marine science, conservation, and interdisciplinary teaching. Using technologies like VR, Ozobots, and AI-powered farming tools, teachers explored the difference between a task and an activity—reimagining what hands-on learning can look like in their own classrooms.
Human-Centered Design for Human-Centered Classrooms
In June, STEAM educators from Skye Ranch K–8 dove into the world of human-centered design—a framework that puts empathy, creativity, and iteration at the heart of innovation. Teachers engaged with CoDrone EDU, VEX robotics, and prototyping tools like MakeDo while brainstorming ways to integrate technology into curriculum across disciplines and grade levels.
With the guidance of the Collaboratory team—and special guests from Mote Marine Lab, Hand2Mind, and Farm Ed—participants gained not just new skills, but new ways of thinking about their roles as designers of learning environments.
Designed for Educators. Powered by Collaboration.
Whether you're a seasoned teacher or stepping into a new role, our PD experiences offer fresh ideas, practical strategies, and a community of passionate educators. Every session is built around relevant standards, responsive technology, and real-world application, so you walk away ready to innovate—not someday, but now.