Brown University and the Annenberg Institute have launched a new “Teacher Forum” series in partnership with the Providence Public School District (PPSD) Office of Opportunity and Access. Aimed at connecting local middle and high school educators with fresh university research and practical classroom applications, the initiative was developed alongside Dr. Nkolika E. Onye, Chief of Opportunity and Access at PPSD. The inaugural forum marked the beginning of an ongoing series designed to create continued opportunities for conversation between teachers and researchers.
Led by Katie Rieser, Associate Teaching Professor of Education and Director of Teacher Education at Brown, and Brenda Santos, Director of RI Research Partnerships and Networks at the Annenberg Institute, the Teacher Forums are structured as full-day professional learning experiences that invite educators to engage directly with Brown research and explore how it can translate into meaningful classroom practice.
The first forum took place on December 11 and brought together local middle and high school biology and life science teachers. The event featured a research presentation by Mamiko Yajima, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry at Brown followed by a hands-on workshop focused on classroom integration.
From Research to Classroom Practice
During the morning session, Yajima shared insights from her research on developmental plasticity, which are the mechanisms that allow organisms to survive, develop, and regenerate under changing environmental conditions. Teachers engaged directly with scientific concepts such as asymmetric cell division and discussed strategies for making complex biological processes accessible to younger learners.
Following the presentation, Rieser and Santos facilitated a collaborative workshop. Educators worked together to translate Yajima’s research into lesson ideas and classroom activities aligned with middle and high school curriculums. They began by using examples of engaging science lessons from their own curricula to surface insights about connecting young people to science content. Then they planned for how they might integrate Yajima’s research into their teaching so that students could engage deeply with the content.
Building Professional Learning Communities
Collaboration was a central focus of the forum, with teachers encouraged to attend in teams from their schools. Throughout the day, participants shared teaching strategies and explored how university-based research can deepen student engagement. Participants received professional development certificates recognizing their engagement.
An Ongoing Series
The December forum served as the first installment in what will be a continuing Teacher Forum series, with future events planning to feature additional Brown researchers and topics. Building on the foundation established in December, upcoming forums will continue to emphasize collaboration, practical application, and partnerships between the University and local schools.
By grounding professional learning in both research and classroom practice, the Teacher Forums aim to strengthen connections between Brown University and local educators while supporting teachers in their practice.
The next Teacher Forum will take place in May. Anyone interested should monitor the Education Department Events Page for more information.