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Teacher Programs

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About Teacher Programs

NCTA provides content rich professional development programs for K-12 educators and pre-service teachers in all fields. This includes face-to-face college level seminars, online courses, workshops, book groups, webinars, and among other opportunities. Below are current offerings both locally and nationwide:

Event/Opportunity Type: 
Teacher Programs

Japan’s Triple Disasters at 15 Years: Essential Background Info and Ideas & Resources for K-12 Educators

 

 
 
Monday, March 9, 2026
 
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (Eastern Time)
 
Online, Synchronous via Zoom
 
 
 
In March 2011, an incredibly strong earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami along Japan’s northeastern coast that claimed almost 20,000 lives and led to meltdowns at a Fukushima nuclear power plant that forced many more to flee their homes. Now, fifteen years later, how can we better understand what happened? And what lessons might we learn? 
 
 
This evening webinar for K-12 educators will feature three parts. First, we’ll explain what happened in 2011 and the immediate aftermath. Second, we’ll provide some updates on recovery as well as ongoing problems (such as the release of treated water into the ocean). Third, we’ll discuss a variety of ways that you might include lessons related to these events in your classroom and introduce some award-winning, grade-appropriate books worth considering. 
 
 
This workshop will be led by Professor Ethan Segal of Michigan State University, who visited many of the affected communities.
 
 
All participants who fully attend and participate in this workshop will receive teaching materials and resources after the program. Pennsylvania educators can receive Act 48 hours. Educators in other states can request a Certificate of Completion.
 
 
 
 
Event/Opportunity Type: 
Teacher Programs
Type: 
Japan’s Triple Disasters at 15 Years: Essential Background Info and Ideas & Resources for K-12 Educators

Shifting Global Orders: Teaching the Next 50 Years - A Mini Course for K-12 Educators

 

 

An NCTA and Global Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh

Mini-Course for K-12 Educators

 
Hybrid, Synchronous at The University of Pittsburgh 
4130 Posvar Hall and Virtually via Zoom
 
 
This free K-12 educator mini-course will explore the major forces shaping the global landscape over the next half-century, equipping participants with the tools to critically analyze and teach about transformative global trends. Through a multi-disciplinary lens, the weekend course examines how emerging technologies, demographic transitions, shifting economies, and global health and environmental challenges intersect to redefine power, security, and opportunity worldwide. This mini course will not attempt to predict how the future will unfold but will highlight some of the important issues of today that will transform the world on the global, regional, national, and local levels over the next fifty years.
 
This will be a hybrid mini-course, and you may choose to attend online or in person.  We have a limited number of travel subsidies available for those outside of the Pittsburgh area who wish to attend in person.
 
All participants who fully attend and participate in the two-day mini-course will receive teaching materials and resources after the program.
 
Benefits include a Certificate of Completion and Pennsylvania teachers will also receive Act 48 hours.

 

 
 
Event/Opportunity Type: 
Teacher Programs
Type: 
Hybrid Mini-Course