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Generation Next

Professional Development

Harvey E. Najim Arts Integration Program

FREE professional development in Arts Integration!

Through a partnership with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education Program and our affiliation with the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning through the Arts, The Tobin Center provides training for classroom teachers in arts integration.

CPE TEA Provider # 902-752

Click here to join our Generation NEXT email list for Professional Development opportunities through the Tobin Center.

 

pirate
Pirate School: Chart a Course for STEM Success

February 8th, 2027, 5:30 PM

BEST FOR Teachers of 3rd - 8th grade

Join master performer and educator David Engel for an engaging, hands-on workshop where history sails side-by-side with humor, creativity, and discovery. Rooted in the spirit of Pirate School: The Science of Pirates!, this session invites teachers to explore how storytelling, theatrical play, and laughter can unlock meaningful STEM learning. Through collaborative exploration, teachers will experience how art and STEM naturally intertwine: wind becomes physics, navigation becomes mathematics, engineering becomes hands-on design, and problem-solving becomes an adventure. With practical strategies and ready-to-use ideas, educators will leave inspired to create classrooms where inquiry drives instruction, creativity deepens understanding, and students actively engage in real-world STEM thinking. Come ready to play, experiment, and rediscover the adventure of learning; because in this workshop, you won’t just teach like a pirate… you’ll chart a course for STEM success!

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Pirate School Teacher Workshop TEKS
Course / StrandGrade 2Grade 3Grade 4Grade 5Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Science – Scientific & Engineering Practices2.1A, 2.1B, 2.1C, 2.1D3.1A, 3.1B, 3.1C, 3.1D4.1A, 4.1B, 4.1C, 4.1D5.1A, 5.1B, 5.1C, 5.1D6.1A, 6.1B, 6.1C, 6.1D7.1A, 7.1B, 7.1C, 7.1D8.1A, 8.1B, 8.1C, 8.1D
Science – Forces & Motion / Energy2.6A, 2.6B3.6A, 3.6B4.6A, 4.6B5.6A, 5.6B6.8A, 6.8B7.7A, 7.7B8.6A, 8.6B
Science – Earth & Space (Weather, Navigation)2.10A, 2.10B3.10A, 3.10B4.10A, 4.10B5.10A, 5.10B6.10A, 6.10B7.8A, 7.8B8.9A, 8.9B
Science – Matter (Buoyancy/Properties)2.5A, 2.5B3.5A, 3.5B4.5A, 4.5B5.5A, 5.5B6.6A, 6.6B7.6A, 7.6B8.5A, 8.5B
Math – Number & Operations2.2A, 2.2B3.2A, 3.2B4.2A, 4.2B5.2A, 5.2B6.2A, 6.2B7.2A, 7.2B8.2A, 8.2B
Math – Measurement & Data2.7A, 2.7B3.7A, 3.7B4.8A, 4.8B5.7A, 5.7B6.8A, 6.8B7.9A, 7.9B8.11A, 8.11B
Math – Geometry / Spatial Reasoning (Navigation/Maps)2.8A, 2.8B3.6A, 3.6B4.6A, 4.6B5.6A, 5.6B6.11A, 6.11B7.6A, 7.6B8.10A, 8.10B

Harold

Thinking in Purple: Creative Approaches to Curriculum and Learning

March 1, 2027, 5:30 PM

Best for Teachers K-5

Step into a world where imagination drives learning and a single purple crayon unlocks endless curricular connections. Inspired by Enchantment Theatre Company’s The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon, this interactive workshop explores how the arts can transform core instruction across subjects.

Led by members of the cast, participants will experience hands-on strategies storytelling, movement, and theatre to support literacy, creative thinking, and problem-solving.

Walk away with adaptable lesson ideas and practical tools to help students express ideas, build confidence, and take ownership of their learning…just like Harold!

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Thinking in Purple: Creative Approaches to Curriculum and Learning TEKS
Course / StrandK1st2nd3rd4th5th
ELARK.6, K.7, K.8, K.111.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.112.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.113.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.114.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.115.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.11
TheatreK.1A, K.2A, K.3A, K.4A1.1A, 1.2A, 1.3A, 1.4A2.1A, 2.2A, 2.3A, 2.4A3.1A, 3.2A, 3.3A, 3.4A4.1A, 4.2A, 4.3A, 4.4A5.1A, 5.2A, 5.3A, 5.4A
Visual ArtK.1A, K.2A, K.3A, K.4A1.1A, 1.2A, 1.3A, 1.4A2.1A, 2.2A, 2.3A, 2.4A3.1A, 3.2A, 3.3A, 3.4A4.1A, 4.2A, 4.3A, 4.4A5.1A, 5.2A, 5.3A, 5.4A
Creative Writing (ELAR Writing Strand)K.11B, K.12A1.11B, 1.12A2.11B, 2.12A3.11B, 3.12A4.11B, 4.12A5.11B, 5.12A
Problem Solving (Math Process Standards)K.1A, K.1B1.1A, 1.1B2.1A, 2.1B3.1A, 3.1B4.1A, 4.1B5.1A, 5.1B
HealthK.1A, K.2A, K.3A1.1A, 1.2A, 1.3A2.1A, 2.2A, 2.3A3.1A, 3.2A, 3.3A4.1A, 4.2A, 4.3A5.1A, 5.2A, 5.3A

bros

Journey Through Spacetime: Storytelling, Science, and Our Place in the Universe

March 18, 2027, 5:30 PM

Best for Middle and High School Science, Theater, Music Appreciation

Inspired by Spacetime: The Universe Story and Our Place in It, this workshop engages middle and high school educators in exploring meaningful connections between STEM and the arts. Participants will examine how complex scientific concepts, such as galaxies, black holes, and the life cycle of stars, can be translated into narrative, sound, and visual expression to support deeper student understanding.

Through guided, hands-on activities, educators will analyze how storytelling structures, musical elements, and multimedia visuals can model scientific phenomena, reinforce key vocabulary, and make abstract ideas more accessible. The session emphasizes cross-curricular strategies that strengthen critical thinking, creativity, and communication across science, English, and fine arts classrooms.

Teachers will leave with practical approaches and adaptable lesson ideas that help students not only learn scientific content, but interpret and express it… bridging analytical thinking with creative exploration.

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SPACETIME TEKS
GradeSubjectTEKS Codes
4Science4.3A, 4.8A
4Theatre4.1A, 4.3A
4ELAR (Creative Writing)4.10
5Science5.3A, 5.8A
5Theatre5.1A, 5.3A
5ELAR (Creative Writing)5.10
6Science6.11A
6Theatre6.2A
6ELAR (Creative Writing)6.10
7Science7.3B
7Theatre7.2A
7ELAR (Creative Writing)7.10
8Science8.8C
8Theatre8.2A
8ELAR (Creative Writing)8.10
9–12ScienceESS.2A, ESS.8A, ESS.9A
9–12TheatreTheatre I 1A, Theatre I 2A
9–12ELAR (Creative Writing)English I 7, English I 8

dino

STEAM in Action: Bringing Dinosaur Zoo to Life in Your Classroom

May 10, 2027, 5:30 PM

Best for K-5, MS HS Theatre

Step into the prehistoric world and discover how to transform student curiosity into meaningful, cross-curricular learning! In this engaging, hands-on workshop, led by members of the Dinosaur Zoo Live cast, educators will explore how to use the performance as a springboard for science, literacy, and creative expression in the classroom.

Participants will investigate fascinating prehistoric creatures while building student skills in observation, inquiry, and critical thinking. Through arts-integrated strategies, including drawing, movement, and storytelling, teachers will learn how to help students connect scientific concepts with imagination and performance.

Educators will leave with ready-to-use lesson ideas, TEKS-aligned connections, and creative approaches to engage diverse learners through immersive, arts-rich learning… directly inspired by their experience with Dinosaur Zoo Live!

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STEAM in Action: Bringing Dinosaur Zoo to Life in Your Classroom Teacher Workshop TEKS
Course / StrandK12345
ScienceK.1, K.2, K.3, K.91.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.92.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.93.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.104.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.105.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.10
TheatreK.1, K.2, K.3, K.41.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.42.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.43.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.44.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.45.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4
Creative Writing (ELAR)K.6, K.71.6, 1.72.6, 2.73.6, 3.74.6, 4.75.6, 5.7

Momentum

The Tobin Center’s THIRD ANNUAL Arts Integration Conference!

Monday, June 15th, 2026

Harvey E. Najim Arts Integration Program

For Teachers PreK - 12th grade and Arts Specialists
FREE professional development in Arts Integration!

Credit (3 hours per workshop) is provided upon completion of each session.

Coffee, Snacks, and Free Parking!

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Generation NEXT provides both live and virtual professional development, featuring nationally and internationally operating Teaching Artists.
CPE credit available

VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
On your own time, at your own pace

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All workshops are available August 5, 2025 and close June 30, 2026

Sean
Sean Layne
Defining Arts Integration: The What and Why

(PK—12)

This session unpacks the definition of arts integration and explores the characteristics of quality integration that align with best practices in education. What does quality look like in practice?  Join the co-author of the Kennedy Center’s internationally adopted definition for an informative, practical, and inspiring workshop that helps teachers and administrators deepen their understanding of how to weave the arts into core instruction with purpose and impact.

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Acting Right - Building a Cooperative, Collaborative, Creative Classroom Community Through Drama

(PK-12)

This step-by-step approach integrates engaging aspects of drama with effective elements of classroom management to empower students to take ownership of their own behavior. Used in classrooms across the country, these strategies help students develop the behavioral literacy needed to concentrate, cooperate, collaborate, and establish a sense of calm, focus, and balance in the classroom. Teachers will learn drama-based tools that support responsibility, focus, and positive participation.

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Jamin
Jamin Carter
Cut Paper: A Pathway to Creative Writing

(K-6)

The process of writing stories can be challenging for young authors. In this workshop, teachers will explore how students can use scissors, glue, and construction paper to create artwork that bridges the gap between unformed ideas and unique, descriptive stories. By working with elements of art—shape, color, and space—students make concrete connections to story components like character, setting, events, main idea, and details. Participants will leave with workable, accessible tools to help students generate ideas, think divergently, and write creatively.

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Jessica
Jessica DiLorenzo
Creatively Moving Through SEL Part 1: Feelings and Awareness

(PK-12)

Our emotional states shift as we move through the events of our day. This workshop explores a step-by-step process that connects the elements of movement to social-emotional learning skills like self-management, mind and body awareness, and self-expression. Participants will gain tools to introduce creative movement and mindful breathing techniques that help both students and teachers tune into and transform emotions in healthy, constructive ways.

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Harlen
Harlan Brownlee
Moving Through Weather: Exploring the Atmosphere with Dance

(3-6)

Combining his training as a pilot and choreographer, Harlan Brownlee leads you through an interactive exploration of weather that you can bring back to your classroom. Learn strategies that connect motions of the body and elements of dance to the structure of the earth’s atmosphere and to cloud formations that create wind and weather conditions. This workshop helps students embody science concepts while building collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Wear comfortable clothes for movement!

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