For the first time, TK-5 science teachers have the opportunity to gain ongoing NGSS Capacity Builder train-the-trainer model of professional learning. Two teachers from every elementary school site are being provided a substitute and are invited to attend 5 days where they are learning approaches to take back NGSS practices and pedagogical moves to their school site.
The goal is to help capacity builders become trained facilitators of NGSS workshops that will help their school site build capacity in teaching Science.
We kicked off with an adult learning experience where teachers engaged in an investigation to explore thermal conductivity as it relates to the bigger phenomenon of the urban heat island effect.
Teachers also took back resources to help them get started on sense-making notebooks with students. Using these notebooks throughout the year, we will be looking deeply at student work in the science classroom.
Our middle and high school capacity builders also kicked off their workshops this year and are building on their work by inviting science content experts and going out into the field to conduct investigations.
All TK-12 teachers will be engaging in meaningful work to build a community of practice, grow their leadership capacity, and design and debrief lessons through a modified teaching and learning collaborative.
Here are are just a few inspiring quotes from our participants about the importance of science education:
“I love science and would love to share my love with my students. I believe it is truly important to teach science everyday to give students a chance to learn about the world around them. The hour I teach science is the most fun of the day!”
“Science education means to me teaching our kids about the world around them!!”
“Students are actively engaged in real world inquiry. This means they are finding out how the world works or maybe even finding solutions to some of our problems.”
We are thankful for these passionate educators who are working to make science an integral part of their students’ experience across the district!
If you or your school would like to participate and still haven’t signed up, it’s not too late. Our next capacity builders are on ERO, so come join us! Go Science!
