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Modeling the Molecular World

Milwaukee

proflearn-summercourse (1)

July 6 - 10, 2026

Empower your students with innovative models. Learn from the designers of the kits you love! Models place sensemaking in your students' hands, and there's no better place to discover how to bring hands-on modeling to your classroom than this course.

During this week-long course, you will: 

  • Engage with powerful molecular stories, told by master storyteller, Tim Herman, PhD
  • Learn how to incorporate modeling with NGSS standards
  • Build modeling pedagogy skills
  • Expand your molecular bioscience knowledge 
  • Learn tips and techniques from experienced teachers who have fostered student modeling, discovery, and inquiry in their classrooms
  • Become eligible to join the 3DMD Model Teacher Program, a community of educators passionate about classroom modeling
  • Be eligible for 3 graduate credits (additional fee) 
  • Bring home an introductory set of 12 of our interactive kits and dynamic models (a $900 value)

Following participation in Modeling the Molecular World, you'll also be eligible to participate in 3D Molecular Designs' advanced grant-supported courses, and research advisory groups!

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Course hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Optional welcome event Sunday evening.

Apply Today!

Featured Kits and Models

Don’t just take it from us, hear what educators love about Modeling the Molecular World! 

"Modeling the Molecular World far exceeded my expectations! I learned about the kits, some interesting storylines I can use in my classroom, some new pedagogy strategies and really expanded my knowledge base for the various topics related to the kits." - 2023 Modeling the Molecular World Attendee

Course Registration Fees

Modeling the Molecular World Course (Sunday – Friday)

Course Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Monday to Friday. An optional welcome event is hosted on Sunday evening before the course.

Registration Type

Regular Rate
(Per Person)

Early Bird Rate
(Per Person)
Must be Paid by 3/1/26

Title I Scholarship Rate
(Per Person)
*No Additional Discounts Apply

Scholarship Rate
(Per Person)
*No Additional Discounts Apply

Single Registration

$900

 $750  $225 

  $450

Co-registration
(2 participants from the same school or district)

$675

  $600     

See discounts, bundled pricing, and scholarship information below! 

 

Discounts

Save more on your summer courses, unlock exclusive discounts by signing up with a colleague! Co-registration for the Modeling the Molecular World course offers significant savings—boosts collaboration with a teammate while enhancing your professional skills together. Plus, why not extend your stay and dive into our 3D Printing course on Saturday? It’s the perfect way to round out your week, and with bundled pricing, you’ll get even more value for your learning experience. Join us for hands-on, immersive sessions that you won’t want to miss!

Bundled Pricing: Course Fee, Room & Board with an Additional Staff Member Roommate  

Room Type 
Price Listed Per Person

MMW & 5 Nights Sunday – Friday
(Per Person)

MMW Early Bird
& 5 Nights 
Must be Paid by 3/1/25
Sunday – Friday
(Per Person)

3D Printing
& 1 Night 
Friday – Saturday
(Per Person)

3DP Early Bird
& 1 Night
Friday – Saturday
(Per Person)
Must be Paid by 3/1/26

MMW + 3DP
& 6 Nights
Sunday – Saturday
(Per Person)

MMW + 3DP Early Bird
& 6 Nights
Sunday – Saturday
(Per Person) Must be Paid by 3/1/26

Single Registration with a Private Room 

 $1,775 $1,625 $425  $375  $2,200  $2,000 

Co-registration with Private Room  

 $1,550 $1,475  $362.50  $342.50  $1,912.50  $1,817.50 

Co-registration with Co-registrant Roommate 

 $1,125 $1,050 $287.50  $267.50  $1,412.50  $1,317.50 

 Single Registration with Assigned Roommate

 $1,400 $1,250  $375 $325 $1,775  $1,575

Additional Room Nights:  $175/Night  

(Co-registrant roommates will be charged $100 each.  Assigned roommate rates will not be available unless multiple people request this option).

Participants who do not bundle their course with lodging and wish to make their own reservation at The Drury Plaza Hotel can use a reservation link for 3DMD’s room block. 

Graduate Credit from the Teachers College of San Joaquin

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  • 3 Graduate Credits available

  • $95/credit payable to the TCSJ

  • Additional Assignments: A lesson plan on incorporating one of the kits into your class(es).

To Apply:

Lodging

For the Room & Board bundled option, reservations will be made at the Drury Hotel, which is within walking distance of 3D Molecular Designs. Reservations include a breakfast buffet as well as an evening social with drinks and a light meal option.

The hotel requires a valid payment card (for incidentals) and photo ID to be presented at check in. Check In Time: 3:00 p.m. Check Out Time: 11:00 a.m. Arrangements may be made for baggage storage with the Hotel’s front desk staff.

Parking

On-site covered overnight parking is available at a charge of $15.00 plus tax per parking spot per day.

Cutoff Date

Reservations must be received on or before DATE TBD to take advantage of the discounted pricing. Reservations received after the cutoff date will be confirmed on a space-available basis at prevailing rates.

"It was an eye-opening experience to join a group of knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers taking “Modeling the Molecular World” with 3D Molecular Designs. This course encouraged me to start a SMART team with my students which enriched the research programs at my school. It also changed the way I teach Biology in my classroom." - Meng-Ping Tu   

Scholarship Opportunities

Teachers must apply and be accepted into the course.  

Title I Scholarships: Registrants will receive a $675 scholarship award, making the MMW Registration cost $225/person.

(Non-Title I) Scholarships: Registrants will receive a $450 scholarship award, making the MMW Registration cost $450/person.

Teachers who receive a scholarship are not eligible for additional discounts.

To apply for the scholarship, send a letter of support from your principal or other administrator explaining the following:  

  • The need for the fee reduction  
  • The district’s awareness and support of the teacher attending this course  
  • The educator’s prior use of modeling in the classroom  
  • Include 3D Molecular Designs’ models or other types of modeling. Please specify.  
  • This letter can be emailed to course coordinator, Lauren Koepsel, at Lauren.Koepsel@3dmoleculardesigns.com   

Preference will be given to Title I schools, and will attend the course for $225 in course fees. Schools not named as Title I schools that still have financial need will attend the course for $450 in course fees. All teachers are responsible for their travel arrangements.  

"I was always an ecology-minded, big picture thinker before attending Modeling the Molecular World.  Now I have been transformed into seeing the world not only in ecological systems but from the molecular processes that allow life to occur...My experiences at the 3D Molecular Designs have given me a perspective that has given me a never-ending source of curiosity and wonder. A sense of wonder that brings excitement and engagement to my classroom and my students." - Jim Lane  

About Model TeachersEducators at Modeling the Molecular World

Our 3DMD Model Teachers© are an exclusive group of ambassadors for the science and pedagogy of using models in the classroom. These exemplary teachers volunteer their time to share their expertise, passion, and innovative strategies for teaching with models in a variety of ways: 

  • Facilitating professional learning sessions at state and regional conferences
  • Developing classroom activities and materials 
  • Participating in field tests or advisory boards for new products and programs 

Best of all, our 3DMD Model Teachers© creates a community for learning, professional discourse, and innovation while networking with educators from around the country. 

3DMD Model Teachers© have all experienced at least one summer course at 3D Molecular Designs in Milwaukee. They commit to quarterly professional learning and networking meetings throughout the year that blend cutting edge science content with best practices in science teaching.

"Attending the Modeling the Molecular World workshop allowed me to fully appreciate best practices and background knowledge that I would not have had otherwise, which greatly benefitted my students!" - Phyllis Robinson