Education & Human Development

Center for Research & Development in Dual Language & Literacy Acquisition

Literacy-Infused Science Institutes

2026 Spring Literacy-Infused Science (LIS) Institutes

Strengthen Science. Deepen Literacy. Support Your Students.
Are your students struggling to understand science texts? Do you want practical strategies that improve science comprehension, vocabulary, and writing — without adding more to your plate?

The Literacy-Infused Science (LIS) Institutes is a no-cost, online, self-paced professional development opportunity designed specifically for elementary educators.

Funded through Project VICTORY, a federally supported initiative serving rural districts, this Institute helps teachers integrate literacy strategies directly into science instruction — in ways that are practical, manageable, and immediately applicable.

What You’ll Gain

  • Ready-to-use science literacy strategies
  • Practical tools to strengthen reading comprehension
  • Vocabulary-building techniques embedded in science content
  • Flexible, self-paced online modules
  • 3–5 professional development hours/0.3-0.5 CEUs upon completion

Choose Your Focus Area

Participants may select from three high-impact Institutes. Each Institute is designed to be immediately transferable to your classroom.

Science Inquiry and Instructional Foundations

Build strong foundations for inquiry-based science teaching. This Institute is worth 3 professional development hours/0.3 CEUs and includes the following modules:

  • Module 1: Strategic Science Questioning
  • Module 2: Engaging Questioning Strategies
  • Module 3: Alternative Science Conceptions

Science Literacy—Reading Comprehension

Support students before, during, and after reading science texts. This Institute is worth 5 professional development hours/0.5 CEUs and includes the following modules:

  • Module 1: Before Reading: Strategic Reading Partners
  • Module 2: Before Reading: Scaffolded Text & Expository Text Features
  • Module 3: Before Reading: Expository Text Structures
  • Module 4: During Reading: R.A.P. Strategies
  • Module 5: After Reading: Reading Comprehension Guides

Science Literacy—Vocabulary and Writing

Strengthen academic language and science-based writing skills. This Institute is worth 3 professional development hours/0.3 CEUs and includes the following modules:

  • Module 1: Science Academic Vocabulary Instruction
  • Module 2: Create Writing Opportunities in the Science Classrooms
  • Module 3: Scaffolding Scientific Argumentations with CERs
Students huddled around a teacher during a lesson

What Teachers Are Saying

“The Literacy-Infused Science Institute gave me practical, ready-to-use strategies to help my students build their science comprehension and vocabulary skills.”
“I liked the focus on practical, hands-on strategies to connect literacy with science. It made the concepts so accessible and gave me tools I know my students will benefit from right away. I especially appreciated learning new ways to support vocabulary and comprehension through activities tailored to science content. I plan to incorporate these ideas by using more pre-reading strategies and graphic organizers that help students break down and understand scientific concepts before diving into the text. “

Important Dates

Institute Access: April 1-May 31
Access to this professional development will remain open through these dates above.

Ready to Join?

Are you ready for high-quality, practical professional development – at no cost – designed to strengthen both science and literacy in your classroom?

Enroll now!

Contact Us

Dr. Linda Rodriguez

Dr. Linda Rodriguez

Program Director