Grow STEM and Workforce Readiness
in Your Classroom
Bring STEM workforce skills and competencies to your students with the Teacher Academy
A yearlong cohort that builds teacher confidence and abilities utilizing problem-based learning to teach manufacturing concepts that connect core content to America’s Maritime Industrial Base.
Program Overview
The Battelle Teacher Academy is a hybrid, immersive, yearlong professional learning experience for K–12 educators. The program includes:
- A three day in-person summer kick-off
- Monthly afterschool virtual community of practice sessions
- A one day in-person spring wrap-up session
- Two full-day virtual conferences
Why It Matters
This program strengthens STEM teaching, connects learning to local industries, and builds workforce pathways aligned with the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base.
Who Should Apply
- Current full-time K–12 teachers in any subject area
- New-to-STEM or experienced teachers expanding existing STEM practices
- Participants must be located in California, Michigan, Ohio, or South Carolina
What You'll Learn
- Build a strong STEM culture and identity in your classroom
- Embed design thinking in everyday instruction
- Integrate authentic, problem based learning to boost student engagement
- Facilitate place based learning that connects learning to local workforce needs
- Identify local partners and resources to support student learning
- Manage community/industry partnerships for maximum impact
Industry Externship
Through the Battelle Teacher Academy, you will attend a one or two day externship with a local Maritime Industrial Base business/manufacturer. Here you will learn how to translate industry operations into classroom learning and identify local STEM and skilled trades career pathways for your students.
Application Deadlines
- Priority deadline: March 14, 2026
- Applications close: April 2026
- Notifications: May 2026
- Rolling acceptances through Spring 2026
Program Commitments
- Attend all meetings (virtual and in person)
- Complete all program tasks and activities
- Implement strategies with students during the program year
- Complete commitment form and appropriate paperwork
Eligibility
- Teach at a school in the state where you apply (CA, MI, OH, SC)
- Provide fulltime direct instruction to K–12 students
- Principal commitment form required upon acceptance
- Partner applications from the same school/district encouraged but not required
Supported By the U.S. Navy
The Battelle Teacher Academy is backed in part by the U.S. Navy to grow the Maritime Industrial Base across the country. The Maritime Industrial Base spans 16,000+ suppliers and millions of workers supporting submarine and surface ship programs through various trades such a welding, cnc machining, pipefitting, nondestructive testing, additive manufacturing, electrical, machining and metrology.
Thanks to the Maritime Industrial Base support, the $2,000 program fee is waived.
Professional Development Hours and Graduate Credits
Professional development contact-hour certificates are offered to all participants. Optional graduate credit is available through Ashland University in Ohio.
Application Deadlines
- Priority deadline: March 14, 2026
- Applications close: April 2026
- Notifications: May 2026
- Rolling acceptances though Spring 2026