Educational Service District 123

 
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Science Education

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Regional Science Coordinator


History  
In 2007 the Legislature approved SHB 1128 which provides funding to each of the nine Educational Service Districts for a Regional Science Coordinator. The Coordinators were charged with providing regional professional development support related to science curriculum and instruction. 
 
Mission
To build capacity for equity and excellence in science education within all school districts in Washington State.  
 
Vision
A comprehensive, coherent and collaborative system of science education that will result in improved instruction and increased student achievement in science. 
 
Beliefs
  • A comprehensive system which impacts classroom practice exists and must be strengthened
  • A coherent system responds flexibly to regional and local needs
  • A collaborative system, supported by the Regional Science Coordinators, includes the best efforts of all partners across the state and nation
Goals
  •  Build regional leadership capacity in science, focused on improving instruction and increased student achievement in science
  • Strengthen science education by providing support based on valid and reliable research
  • Define and implement common practices and leverage resources among ESDs and other science education projects including Washington State LASER, national and state Math Science Partnership projects and Higher Education
  •  Disseminate information equitably across regions in a timely, coordinated manner
     
 Activities
  • Support collaborative learning among teachers
  •   Provide professional development opportunities that promote effective instruction and focus on student performance especially at the high school level
  •  Communicate regarding the state of science education in Washington, including science standards, OSPI initiatives and assessment
  •   Coordinate science education efforts in each region
  •  Support science coaches, mentors, and teacher leaders to assist districts in efforts to improve science instruction
  •  Collaborate with Washington State LASER in their efforts to provide science education reform
  • Assist with national and state Math Science Partnership Grants
  •  Partner with the Regional Math Coordinators to integrate math and science professional development opportunities
  •   Create partnerships with science community stakeholders
     

 
For more information contact:                                                
Georgia Boatman
509.544.5738
 
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Professional Development Opportunities

     Foundational Kit Use Training
An 18 hour year-long program to deepen understanding of science learning & teaching using STC Units in the elementary classroom
  • Each course is a full 18 hours of professional development that spans three days throughout the 2009-2010 school year. Teachers will receive a stipend for attendance when all 18 hours of professional development have been completed.
  • Start the sequence by choosing a science workshop title and attend the first two-day event. Then, later in the school year, complete training by attending the final six hours of follow-up workshop.
  • Workshops are for teachers new to a district, new to a grade level, and veteran teachers.
  • Each workshop immerses teachers in a lesson-by-lesson inquiry of the unit while developing an understanding of how science notebooks can support literacy and student understanding.
 
             Foundational Kit Use Training-September, October and January
 
   Designed for Middle and High School Science teachers
This program, known as DOE, Academies Creating Teacher Scientists (ACTS), begins in the summer of 2010 and continues for three consecutive summers (2010-2012) at PNNL
  • Focuses on two important elements of science literacy:  the nature of science and sustainability
  • Participating teachers receive a stipend for their participation
  • A mini-grant for mateirals in their classroom and professional devleopment
  • Housing allowance and travel expenses
 Follow this link: View PDF
 and/or
 Follow this link:
To Apply for DOE ACTS Program     

Science Links:  
2009-2010 Science Content Series:

LINKING SCIENCE CONTENT TO CLASSROOM PRACTICE

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is partnering with the SE Laser Alliance and ESD 123 to offer professional development designed to enhance the science literacy of  teachers who teach science in grades 2-8.  Teachers will have the opportunity to deepen their own science content knowledge, skills, and habits of mind by working directly with PNNL scientists in a risk-free and fun learning environment.  

FEBRUARY WORKSHOP
Earth Changes

Thursday, February 4, 2010
Location:  EMSL on the PNNL Campus
3:30pm-6:45pm  (3 clock hours)
The Earth's surface is in constant motion through earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides.  To prepare students to understand the EALR's introduced in middle school, the Earth Changes lessons, used in conjunction with STC Land and Water unit and/or the Catastropic Events unit will acquaint students to changes to the earth's surface.  Take home the lesson plan and trade books on volcanoes and earthquakes.

MARCH WORKSHOP
Get the Dirt on Soil
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Location: EMSL on the PNNL Campus
3:30pm-6:45pm (3 clock hours)
Dirt is what you find under your fingernails.  Soil is what you find under your feet.  Soil contains plants, animals, rocks and mineral particles of varying sizes and shapes.  Why is there no soil on Mars or Venus?  Without life, there is no soil.  Living things haven't just made a home in the soil on our planet - life actually made the soil as we know it.  Take home a nifty soil sifting set, a soils identification card, and a trade book on soils.

MAY WORKSHOP
The Shrub-Steppe Ecosystem
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Location: EMSL on the PNNL Campus
6 hours (12 clock hours)
8:30am-TBD
Full day workshop includes a morning session which focuses on understanding the predators/prey relationship and how energy moves through an ecosystem.  Featured is the shrub-steppe environment with its diverse flora and fauna.  This workshop is a classic for integrating science, art, and literacy.  Then, an afternoon fieldtrip will introduce you to common wildflowers of the shrub-steppe.  Take home a full-color landscape poster, beautiful watercolor images of animals and plants, a NW Arid Lands book, and lesson plans.  
 

    Laser Logo                 ESD LOgo                         



A Formative Assessment Symposium With Page Keeley April 7-8 (registration)
  (To register click on Registration link above or below this flyer)
                                                   Make P.O.s, checks out to ESD123


A Formative Assessment Symposium With Page Keeley April 7-8, 2010 (registration)
 
 

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 February 2010 10:14 )