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Creating and Using Instructionally Supportive Assessments in NGSS Classrooms

Imagine handing out assessments that spark enthusiasm rather than dread. In six easy-to-follow steps, this book empowers science teachers to create tasks that guide students to use their knowledge, not just memorize facts. The NGSA design process transforms assessments into valuable classroom tools that teachers can use to chart how students’ learning builds with instruction over time.
Imagine handing out assessments that spark enthusiasm rather than dread. In six easy-to-follow steps, this book empowers science teachers to create tasks that guide students to use their knowledge, not just memorize facts. The NGSA design process transforms assessments into valuable classroom tools that teachers can use to chart how students’ learning builds with instruction over time.

Archive: Science Update: Making Climate Science Matter: Expanding the Use and Reach of the Fifth National Climate Assessment, May 2, 2024

The National Climate Assessment is a major scientific report developed by several government agencies that describes climate change in the United States. This session will highlight the science found in the report, and then explore resources that support introducing the NCA5 to non-scientific audiences through the NCA5 Educator's Guide. Learn from an NCA5 author about the key findings and messages around climate change impacts and solutions, as well as the process of creating the report.

The National Climate Assessment is a major scientific report developed by several government agencies that describes climate change in the United States. This session will highlight the science found in the report, and then explore resources that support introducing the NCA5 to non-scientific audiences through the NCA5 Educator's Guide. Learn from an NCA5 author about the key findings and messages around climate change impacts and solutions, as well as the process of creating the report.

The National Climate Assessment is a major scientific report developed by several government agencies that describes climate change in the United States. This session will highlight the science found in the report, and then explore resources that support introducing the NCA5 to non-scientific audiences through the NCA5 Educator's Guide. Learn from an NCA5 author about the key findings and messages around climate change impacts and solutions, as well as the process of creating the report.

The National Climate Assessment is a major scientific report developed by several government agencies that describes climate change in the United States. This session will highlight the science found in the report, and then explore resources that support introducing the NCA5 to non-scientific audiences through the NCA5 Educator's Guide. Learn from an NCA5 author about the key findings and messages around climate change impacts and solutions, as well as the process of creating the report.

 

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, February 13, 2024

By Debra Shapiro

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, February 13, 2024

Here’s a fresh way to help your students learn life science by determining how you can help them learn best. Uncovering Student Ideas in Life Science, Volume 2, offers 30 new formative assessment probes—engaging questions that can reveal what students already know (or think they know) about a core science topic. Armed with that insight, you can use the probes’ teacher materials to present the science content in grade-appropriate ways that will help your students learn it accurately.
Here’s a fresh way to help your students learn life science by determining how you can help them learn best. Uncovering Student Ideas in Life Science, Volume 2, offers 30 new formative assessment probes—engaging questions that can reveal what students already know (or think they know) about a core science topic. Armed with that insight, you can use the probes’ teacher materials to present the science content in grade-appropriate ways that will help your students learn it accurately.
 

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, February 6, 2024

By Debra Shapiro

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, February 6, 2024

 

From the Editor

What's New for CSL in 2024

Connected Science Learning January/February 2024

 

Emerging Connections

Field Trips to Zoos and Aquariums: Solving Pedagogical Challenges Using the Next Generation Science Standards

Connected Science Learning January/February 2024

By ,

Though zoos and aquariums have become increasingly focused on conservation education, their menageries of unique and diverse learning opportunities have been underutilized. This practical NGSS-aligned guide to field trips at zoos and aquariums is written specifically for science teachers to support broader utilization of zoos and aquariums as educational resources. Common challenges for education at zoos and aquariums are discussed through the context of "ZooU", a new postsecondary-level animal behavior laboratory experience at an aquarium. Recent research using ZooU demonstrated that active learning pedagogy aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) could facilitate expansion of education at zoos and aquariums beyond their conservation education niche. Generally, students indicated that ZooU provided new opportunities for them to explore their own interests, demonstrate their learning, and augment their previous laboratory and aquarium experiences. Following both self- and researcher assessments of the students’ work, integrated analyses revealed that students who engaged in more active learning activities at the aquarium demonstrated a greater increase in skills aligned with the NGSS. This guide introduces zoos and aquariums as educational resources before focussing on meaningful connections to curricula, creation of active learning activities, differentiation and scaffolding strategies, and assessment for both students and field trips.
Though zoos and aquariums have become increasingly focused on conservation education, their menageries of unique and diverse learning opportunities have been underutilized. This practical NGSS-aligned guide to field trips at zoos and aquariums is written specifically for science teachers to support broader utilization of zoos and aquariums as educational resources. Common challenges for education at zoos and aquariums are discussed through the context of "ZooU", a new postsecondary-level animal behavior laboratory experience at an aquarium.
Though zoos and aquariums have become increasingly focused on conservation education, their menageries of unique and diverse learning opportunities have been underutilized. This practical NGSS-aligned guide to field trips at zoos and aquariums is written specifically for science teachers to support broader utilization of zoos and aquariums as educational resources. Common challenges for education at zoos and aquariums are discussed through the context of "ZooU", a new postsecondary-level animal behavior laboratory experience at an aquarium.
 

Medical and cancer-STEM education for underrepresented minority elementary school students in Audiology, Gastroenterology and Osteology/Orthopedics

Connected Science Learning January/February 2024

By , , ,

The goal of the University of Southern California (USC)/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center funded Wonderkids Program is to develop medical and cancer themed curricula for elementary students in an after-school program in the Los Angeles area. Wonderkids is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers program that focuses on the various “ologies” within the STEM fields with hands-on curricula and guest speakers from the fields addressed in these curricula. The curricula described in this article introduce the fields of audiology, gastroenterology, and osteology/orthopedics and the way cancer can affect parts of the body that are covered in these fields. Wonderkids students at three elementary schools, grades one to three were given a test before and after the curricula were taught to assess the impact of the educational intervention. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) between the scores of the pre-test and the post-test for all topics.
The goal of the University of Southern California (USC)/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center funded Wonderkids Program is to develop medical and cancer themed curricula for elementary students in an after-school program in the Los Angeles area. Wonderkids is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers program that focuses on the various “ologies” within the STEM fields with hands-on curricula and guest speakers from the fields addressed in these curricula.
The goal of the University of Southern California (USC)/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center funded Wonderkids Program is to develop medical and cancer themed curricula for elementary students in an after-school program in the Los Angeles area. Wonderkids is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers program that focuses on the various “ologies” within the STEM fields with hands-on curricula and guest speakers from the fields addressed in these curricula.
 

Feature

Co-Development of a Museum-Based Scientist-Teacher Partnership

Connected Science Learning January/February 2024

By , ,

Scientist-led K-12 outreach offers many benefits to scientists, teachers, and students. However, according to recent research, many of these programs are top down rather than collaborative. Our team facilitated a museum-based scientist-teacher partnership to co-design a lesson on shark biology for middle school students. Following the implementation of the lesson, we conducted interviews with the scientist and teacher participants. The participants described several benefits for the students including contextualizing science in the real world, providing exposure to new careers, and humanizing scientists. Teacher benefits included increased content knowledge and feeling reenergized to teach their subject. The scientist gained knowledge about science standards and classroom pedagogy. The challenges to the partnership included time constraints and restrictions enforced by the school districts. Using the findings from our study, we describe how other organizations can facilitate similar scientist-teacher partnerships to help improve science literacy and career aspirations. These recommendations include partnering with organizations that are designed to support scientist-teacher partnerships, identifying collaborators early, and committing time to build a strong partnership. Scientist-teacher partnerships are highly effective for improving scientists’ communication skills, increasing teachers’ content knowledge, and contextualizing science for students. Each of these are vital for increasing participation in science.
Scientist-led K-12 outreach offers many benefits to scientists, teachers, and students. However, according to recent research, many of these programs are top down rather than collaborative. Our team facilitated a museum-based scientist-teacher partnership to co-design a lesson on shark biology for middle school students. Following the implementation of the lesson, we conducted interviews with the scientist and teacher participants.
Scientist-led K-12 outreach offers many benefits to scientists, teachers, and students. However, according to recent research, many of these programs are top down rather than collaborative. Our team facilitated a museum-based scientist-teacher partnership to co-design a lesson on shark biology for middle school students. Following the implementation of the lesson, we conducted interviews with the scientist and teacher participants.
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