The Engineer Your World Professional Development Institutes (PDIs) are exclusively available for teachers who will be using the Engineer Your World curriculum. All teachers need to be trained on each course they will be teaching prior to implementation. You can find more details and registration information on each of the PDIs below.

Professional Development for EYW: Engineering Design & Analysis

We are excited to offer two professional development institute formats this summer: in-person and virtual. Both options provide teachers with the tools and strategies to implement our curriculum and embrace the engineering design process, but they differ in experience and structure. The in-person institute offers a fully immersive, hands-on approach where participants engage in design challenges in “student mode” and collaborate in real time. The virtual institute, while more flexible and remote, focuses on pedagogy and curriculum familiarity through interactive sessions, supplemented by independent homework and asynchronous activities. Both formats include follow-up sessions during the year to reinforce learning and support implementation.

July 6-10th, 2026 – EYW: Engineering Design & Analysis In-Person Professional Development Institute

Join us in Austin, TX for a five-day, in-person institute designed to immerse you in the curriculum and engineering design process. This hands-on experience allows you to step into “student mode,” tackle design challenges, and collaborate with peers in real time. You’ll leave with practical insights and confidence to bring these strategies into your classroom. Additional sessions throughout the year will provide continued support.

This institute will be held in-person at The University of Texas at Austin’s J.J. Pickle Research Campus. The sessions will be held Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (with a one-hour break for lunch).

The fee for the EYW: Design In-Person PDI is: $2,000 Register

July 27-30th, 2026 – EYW: Engineering Design & Analysis Virtual Professional Development Institute

Our four-day virtual institute offers flexibility for educators who prefer remote learning. Each day includes four hours of interactive sessions focused on pedagogy and curriculum overview. While you won’t experience design challenges hands-on, you’ll gain an understanding of the engineering design process and mindset. Expect additional homework, asynchronous activities, and follow-up sessions during the year to deepen your learning and application.

This institute will be held on Zoom, Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 2:00 – 4:00 PM Central Standard Time.

The fee for the EYW: Design Virtual PDI is: $2,000 Register

Professional Development for EYW: Engineering Applications of Computer Science

July 13-24th, 2026 – EYW: Engineering Applications of Computer Science Virtual Professional Development Institute

This innovative course integrates coding into the engineering design process, empowering educators to bring computational thinking into their classrooms. Over two weeks of virtual sessions this summer, participants will explore how programming concepts enhance problem-solving and design challenges. Through interactive instruction and collaborative activities, you’ll gain practical strategies to merge computer science with engineering principles, preparing students for real-world STEM applications.

This institute will be held on Zoom, Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (with a one-hour break for lunch) Central Standard Time.

The fee for the EYW: Computing PDI is: $2,000 Register

Professional Development for EYW: Community Applications of Engineering Design

TBD based upon participant availability – EYW: Community Applications of Engineering Design Virtual Professional Development Institute

This capstone-style course challenges students to apply the skills and strategies learned in Engineering Design & Analysis to address real-world issues within their communities. Using the engineering design process, students work to develop an innovative product or process that provides a meaningful solution to a local problem. Throughout the course, participants document their journey and create a poster or presentation showcasing their design process and final solution. Each year culminates in an Applications Showcase, where students have the unique opportunity to present their work to faculty from The University of Texas, gaining valuable feedback and recognition for their efforts. 

For registration information, please contact: jennifer.mcham@austin.utexas.edu

Meet the Professional Development Team