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Science education news and updates from around the state and region.  

Spring 2020 Updates Vol. 3

 

This is a special edition of the Science Matters newsletter focused on providing our region's educators with a curated list of resources to support student distant learning as well as professional learning opportunities for teachers. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of the overwhelming amount of learning resources to support science teachers, but a collection procured from a survey of state and national organizations with a good reputation within the science education community. 


Supporting Elementary Science

Integrating Across the Curriculum 

The Science Assessment Team has been asked to share an opportunity to learn about resources to support elementary science instruction with you.

Please join the Supporting Elementary Science committee of the Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) this Friday (11:00 AM Pacific Time) for an engaging professional learning opportunity with guest contributors from Newsela, National Geographic Society, and ECS Science Kits. Learn about many resources to support elementary science instruction in your state/territory.

Supporting Elementary Science: Integrating Across the Curriculum

Hosted by the Supporting Elementary Science Committee

Lead by Co-Chairs

  • Amber McCulloch (CSSS Associate - WA)  
  • Kathy Renfrew (CSSS Associate - MA) 

Council of State Science Supervisors is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
CORRECTED Time: May 8, 2020 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/240630248
Meeting ID: 240 630 248

MedCram Youtube Channel 

Medical Topics Explained Clearly
COVID-19 Science Information

A new favorite of mine is the daily COVID-19 update from critical care specialist and pulmonologist Roger Seheult, MD. This channel is updated nearly daily and explores many possible treatments related to COVID-19 as well as digging deeper into the biological mechanisms related to the virus. 

This is sure to please the science geeks.

PhET Simulation Library 

Interactive Free Science and Math Simulations
 
PhET is a great online resource for teachers, students and families for interactive online simulations and more. Developed at the University of Colorado, PhET has a strong reputation in the science education community. 

Explore more here...
 

Student Learning and Grading Guidance 

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Since releasing Student Learning & Grading Guidance on April 21, 2020, OSPI has collected questions and pulled answers together into a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document. The questions apply specifically to courses with high school bearing credit. Questions are addressed broadly with the goal of maintaining the ability of local school districts to better understand the emergency rules and apply the guidance to respond to local needs.

Student Grading: Emergency Rules

Emergency rules filed today, April 29, 2020, establish the terms and conditions governing local education agencies' (LEAs') entitlement to receive basic education apportionment allocations during the 2019-20 school year when the LEAs could not offer the statutory minimum number of school days or annual average total instructional hour offerings due to emergency closures. The emergency rules also address standards for continuous learning for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.

The emergency rule language is posted to the OSPI website.

2020 Graduation Pathways: FAQ

This document covers frequently asked questions related to flexibility in graduation requirements for the Class of 2020, graduation pathways, pathways for students with disabilities, and the Expedited Assessment Appeals (EAA) waiver.

Careers Across Washington

Beginning May 4th 
 

CareerConnect@Home is a month-long Career Exploration opportunity for students to learn about real jobs and industries in Washington.

CareerConnect@Home is a month-long Career Exploration opportunity for students to learn about real jobs and industries in Washington State.

Everyday a new career is highlighted across a diverse field of industries.

Explore more here.

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship is Open!

STEM Education Grants!
 
The Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS) supports Washington students on their path to high-demand trade, STEM and health care occupations. To be eligible, Scholars must enroll in an approved program, such as welding, manufacturing or IT, at one of Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges. Scholars are eligible to receive up to $1,500 each quarter for the duration of their associate degree, certificate or apprenticeship program. These scholarship funds are flexible and can be used to cover tuition, fees and other costs of attendance such as housing, transportation, food and more.

Learn more here...
 
 





Learning in Places
Science Activities to Support Families 

 

Despite the growing awareness of socio-ecological challenges facing humans in the 21st century, science learning still mostly takes place inside the classroom, disconnected from the natural world.

The University of Washington Bothell Goodlad Institute for Educational RenewalNorthwestern University School of Education and Social PolicyTilth Alliance and Seattle Public Schools are partnering to change this status quo and create more culturally and community relevant, field-based learning opportunities for students. Funded by a $2.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the project will build outdoor learning gardens and draw upon local communities and green spaces at several Seattle schools while developing a robust curriculum for K-3 educators to engage students in complex ecological reasoning and decision-making.

The project has created a wealth of family-centered learning resources which serve a vital need during this long-term school closure. 

Access the family resources here. 


 



 

NGSS Phenomena 
#VirtualSciEd


NGSS Phenomena website has a multitude of resources which started with a library of phenomena that can serve teachers looking to utilize interesting phenomena to anchor their units and lessons. I would recommend you look at their web resources we like to find a list of key NGSS websites.  

Recently they have added resources to support home and distant learning under the Virtual Science Education Resources or #VirtualSciEd. 

You can explore these resources here. 

 

3D NGSS Science Assessment Professional Learning 

6 STEM Clock Hours 
 
Join us for an online professional learning experience to increase your ability to recognize quality NGSS 3D assessments. NGSS 3D Classroom Assessment: Identifying, critiquing, and modifying Formative Assessment Tasks to Improve Student Learning will be an online learning experience beginning in June.

There are two opportunities, one for K-5 teachers and the other for 6-8 grade teachers.

Session Details:

June 3rd and 10th 4pm-6pm (K-5)
June 4th and 11th 4pm-6pm (6-8)
Register Here (6-8) Session

Elementary registration opens soon, email your interest to jryan@oesd114.org

Class meets online with a two hour take home assignment in between the two sessions.
Stipend of $40/hour for those that complete the course and home assignment



 
 
 

Learning At Home

BINGO!
 
The San Diego Union-Tribune and San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) have launched Learning at Home Bingo, a partnership to support learning while schools are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learning at Home Bingo will be available in paper format and digitally, since we not everyone has access to a device and the internet. The lessons integrate different content areas (math, science, English language arts, etc.) across all grade levels (K-12) so that the activities are accessible for all students and support teachers’ efforts.

Explore the Science Learning at Home BINGO

Mt. St. Helens Institute

Volcano Tuesdays 
 
Volcano Tuesdays! is a free online series that includes live demonstrations and activities that will get your students thinking about volcanos of the Pacific Northwest. Activities and demonstrations are led by Mount St. Helens Institute staff and volunteers and are designed for 4th-7th grade. (However, if you teach younger student, check out the resources to see if they might be also be relevant for your students). Youth, families and learners of all ages are welcome!

Be a Science Fellow in WA State!

In October the Washington State Science Fellows gathered in Yakima, WA for the annual state science fellows convening. They met for a two day convening to learn about modeling in the science classroom, and hear from experts like Dr. Mark Windschitl from the University of Washington a la Ambitious Science Teaching.

Each year the Science Fellows program in Washington State provides interested teachers and instructional coaches an opportunity to deepen understanding of science teaching and learning. The program is designed to support growth in leadership. knowledge of the standards and assessment, and a supportive context for action planning to support student learning. 

The next application period will begin in April of 2020. If you are interested in hearing more about the program please....


Read more here....





NSTA Books

Digital Interactive Science Ebooks for Students

Interactive eBooks allow you to explore various science concepts. Choose a topic you are interested in, then explore through digital content where you as a student are reading and actually DOING science!

Click an image, and the link will take you directly to the Ebook.
 


                       

 


 

   













Explore the Ebooks here.

 

 

The Power of Literacy to Accelerate Phenomena-based Science
K-5 Teachers/ STEM Clock Hours

Science and Literacy provide the perfect opportunity for authentic integration of rich content and critical literacy skill development. Join us for the launch of this online learning experience developed in collaboration with Puget Sound ESD and Olympic ESD. 

Session Details:
Tuesday May 12th, 19th, 26th 
4:00-6:00 pm (Zoom sessions)
(6 hours)

Asynchronous Homework Assignment 
(3 hours) 

Each participating teacher will receive a $40/hour stipend after completing the Zoom sessions and the follow-up homework assignment. 

Space is limited to 30 teachers so register now to avoid the waitlist. 

This course is made possible by the NGSS/Climate Science Proviso supported by Governor Inslee and the Washington State Legislature.  

Guidance to Support Science Learning During COVID-19

Council of State Science Supervisors 

Guidance for Supporting Science Learning During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 crisis, many families are looking for helpful educational resources. There are many opportunities to engage in safe, meaningful science learning in your home and neighborhood. SSEC Director, Dr. Carol O’Donnell, is a member of the Council of State Science Supervisors and was invited to contribute to a set of resources that might be useful to students, families, educators, and education leaders:

These materials were created under a Creative Commons license and can be adapted to suit your local needs. Layout versions in pdf for distribution, as well as editable versions in Arabic and Spanish, are available here. The Smithsonian appreciates the leadership of the Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) and their effort to create documents to improve science learning and ensure excellence and equity during this difficult time. 

Science Matters Newsletter Archives


Explore over three years of the Science Matters Newsletter archives.

Relevant and timely news and notes from around the state and region related to science education teaching and learning.

View back issues here
For more information regarding these updates please contact Jeff Ryan at jryan@oesd.wednet.edu











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