(I am in the front row, 3rd from the right in the dark shirt, if you care to know.)
With one year of teaching LEGO EV3 Mindstorms under my belt piecing together a curriculum as I went along, it was time for some formal training. I decided on the Robotics Academy Certified EV3 Professional Development at the NREC, "part of the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute, a world-renowned robotics organization, where you'll be surrounded by real-world robot research and commercialization." The mecca of robotics! Twenty-four teachers from all over the United States and several from schools abroad, including Doha, Ireland, Madagascar and Vietnam converged on the NREC for one week of training using the EV3 Curriculum. After the program and facility overview and introductions, we entered the secure facility by signing in and collecting our badges and name cards. This is the real deal, the vanguard of robotic engineering research. Indeed, each of the five mornings Norman Kerman, the designated mayor of the NREC, and CHIMP welcomed us into the giant converted warehouse as we walked to our classroom.
An articulate, knowledgeable and thorough teacher, Ross Higashi, wasted no time starting us programming using the EV3 Curriculum for the Mindstorms software. You can get an idea of what the curriculum is like by testing out the free online version. The organization and presentation of the software hooked everyone that I spoke with almost immediately, including one woman who was truly skeptical and didn't want to be there in the first place, but her school insisted on sending her.
Last year I used the Robot Educator within the Mindstorms software and challenges from Classroom Activities for the Busy Teacher: EV3 by Damien Kee. (This book has great activities that I will continue to use). The students did not notice the lack of depth and continuity that I noticed and felt badly about. (I tend to be hard on myself.) With the EV3 Curriculum from the NREC, I had found what I was looking for. On day one of the program, a sound pedagogical philosophy emerged. The course was not just about learning the Mindstorms' programming environment; it was about teaching for understanding, i.e. the portion of the iceberg beneath the surface. Moreover, the philosophy was modeled, not simply talked about. A well organized, engaging curriculum, real world examples, clear explanations and a sound pedagogical philosophy?! I was sold! 
The free version includes the basics, but the bonus segments on My Blocks, Data Wires and Logic come with the purchased version. 
Overall, this program was one of the most productive, effective, and applicable professional development experiences that I have ever had. I had considered taking the online course, but much preferred to be there in person and interact with the instructors, the other teachers and experience the facility. Moreover, I had never been to Pittsburgh, PA. Carnegie Mellon University; The University of Pittsburgh; the beautiful stadiums; the three rivers; the bridges; the museums, etc. I loved it and will definitely be back, hopefully for the RobotC professional development course. If you are new to EV3 or wish to upgrade your understanding I strongly recommend these courses.
As always, thank you for reading.
