AP Biology
Experience Interactive and Rewarding Professional Development
Learn AP instructional best practices and strategies that lead to student success in the classroom.
Course at a Glance
Format:
Live-Online and Asynchronous
New & Experienced Combined
Length:
4 days, Monday-Thursday
Dates and Times:
June 23-26, 2025
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT
Program Hours:
32 Contact Hours
Price:
$625 Standard Registration Fee (ends May 19)
$675 Late Registration Fee (end May 20)
If paying by check or purchase order, CPE staff will follow up with an invoice. Please be prepared to provide your PO number upon registration. To request a W9, email [email protected].
College Board APSI Materials
In order to guarantee your lab kit materials arrive on time, registrations must be received four weeks prior to the course start date. Your lab kit materials will be shipped to you, while your College Board materials will be provided electronically to provide greater accessibility. NOTE for international students: we are unable to ship experiment kit materials internationally. If you would like a list of materials, we will be happy to provide them upon request. You are welcome to follow along with the labs.
Still Have Questions?
If you have questions or need assistance registering, please contact [email protected] or 423-425-4344.
Workshop Overview
The AP Biology program changed recently with new Course and Exam Descriptions (CEDs). The emphasis of the course has moved from teaching for knowledge to teaching for understanding. Students are less responsible for memorizing facts and details and are more responsible for being able to answer questions such as what, where, why, how, and when.
The Biology CED has eight content units with suggestions of pacing (number of days) and they show the percent of coverage of each unit on the next exam. A much higher emphasis is placed on the six science skills.
The AP national exam has changed. Some of the changes include: dropping the grid-in questions (but having calculation questions in the multiple-choice), having 18 points in 2 long essays, having 16 points in 4 short essays, and having a master grading rubric which shows where all of the points will come from on every essay question. The essay exams focus on the application of science skills rather than focusing on the memorization of content. 2020 was the first test under the new format, and APSI workshop participants will spend time looking at the free response questions and grading rubrics as well as discussing what was learned from the administration of the new exam.
What You Will Learn
- Learn how to utilize the new Course and Exam Description (CED) document that shows all of the topics covered in AP Biology
- Learn how to pace the eight units and their relative weights on the national AP Biology exam
- Learn about the six Science Skills and how to incorporate them into your course
- Learn labs and how to incorporate them into your course
How You Will Benefit
- Utilize the Course and Exam Description (CED) document
- Learn the difference between Teaching for Knowledge versus Teaching for Understanding
- Know the Quantitative Statistics required for AP Biology
- Have a bundle of lab options from low tech to high tech
How Online Workshops Will Work
No one wants to sit and watch a 32-hour long webinar, so we are working closely with our consultants to develop a modified course schedule that allows you greater flexibility, but still gives you the knowledge and skills you need.
Live-online instruction will be conducted through Zoom while asynchronous learning assignments will be managed through Canvas, the University’s learning management system (LMS).
Once you register, we will provide you with more details on how to access the platforms as well as your materials.
To register, please visit our registration portal.
Meet the Instructor
Margaret Evans
For Margaret Evans, biology has always been her passion. She earned her B.S. degree in biology and was accepted into Johns Hopkin’s Medical School with the original goal of becoming an obstetrician. However, Margaret’s journey took an unanticipated turn to the field of Education where she realized her true calling and as a result, turned down the coveted invitation to medical school. Margaret earned her M.A. degree in education and is a veteran teacher of 27 years with experience in both the private and public sectors. She started her teaching career as a biology teacher at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, located in Washington, D.C. Although her experience teaching in the private sector was an excellent one, she wanted to reach and teach more students. Margaret is a product of the public system in Baltimore County, Maryland, and desired to provide high quality educational experiences to public school students. She secured a position as a biology teacher in the Prince William County Public School system, located in Northern Virginia, where she has faithfully served for 25 years. Margaret has taught multilevel biology classes during her tenure; to include AP Biology, Pre-AP/Advanced Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Biology I. She has been trained in Gifted and ELL education. Outside of her teaching role, Margaret has served as a member of the AP Biology Development Committee, served as the 2021 AP Daily Teacher Lead, and served as a co-host teacher for the 2021 AP Live Reviews. She currently serves as an APSI Biology Consultant, a biology instructor for George Mason University’s STEM Fusion program, a leader in the AP Biology Read, an instructor for the MASS Insight Summer Bridge Program, and a facilitator for culturally responsive education initiatives. Margaret Evans is a dedicated teacher who continually seeks new and innovative ways to improve her instruction and firmly believes all students can learn and succeed. When asked by her students, “Why didn’t you go to medical school to become a doctor and make much more money?” She is not ashamed to reply, “Having the awesome responsibility of educating and shaping the young minds of future doctors is one of the most honorable jobs I can think of.”
How to Register
To register, please visit our registration portal. Attendees will need to register using their College Board login credentials.
If paying by check or purchase order, CPE staff will follow up with an invoice. Please be prepared to provide your PO number upon registration. To request a W9, email [email protected].
If you have questions or need assistance registering, please contact [email protected] or 423-425-4344.
Frequently Asked Questions
See Frequently Asked Questions →
Refund Policy
Attendance Policy
Participants are required to attend all 32 hours of their respective APSI workshop to receive a certificate of completion. Additionally, the workshop fee is due in full regardless of a participant’s attendance. Participants who do not attend all 32 hours of the workshop are still liable to pay the full fee.