NSTA Launches NGSS Webinar Series on Scientific Practices
Preparing for the Next Generation Science Standards—Major Practices
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), expected out next year, are based on A Framework for K-12 Science Education, released in 2011 by the National Research Council (NRC). The Framework describes the major practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas that all students should be familiar with by the end of high school.
NSTA is presenting a series of free web seminars on the practices described in theFramework. Each web seminar focuses on a particular practice outlined in the Framework and will provide information on:
- the key elements of the practice;
- how the practice is part of the broader set of practices that work together (and how no practice is taught in isolation);
- how the practice can be used in combination with disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts to form performance expectations; and
- what the use of the practice really looks like in the classroom.
Details
| September 11 | Asking Questions and Defining Problems | Brian Reiser |
| September 25 | Developing and Using Models | Christina Schwarz and Cynthia Passmore |
| October 9 | Planning and Carrying Out Investigations | Rick Duschl |
| October 23 | Analyzing and Interpreting Data | Ann Rivet |
| November 6 | Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking | Robert Mayes and Bryan Shader |
| November 20 | Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions | Katherine McNeill and Leema Berland |
| December 4 | Engaging in Argument from Evidence | Joe Krajcik |
| December 18 | Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information | Philip Bell, Leah Bricker, and Katie Van Horne |
The practices included in the Framework (and eventually the NGSS) represent current research about how students learn best. Teachers are encouraged to learn more about these practices now in advance of the release of NGSS and begin incorporating them into instruction to provide students the skill sets they need to be successful in learning any content.
The web seminars will be a valuable professional development experience for any science educator, but will be especially practical for those at the middle and high school level. They will also be helpful for science coordinators, supervisors, state science supervisors, and others.
The web seminars are offered free of charge and are designed so that participants can attend just one or all eight sessions. They will run from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on select Tuesdays starting September 11.
For more information visit http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/Ngss/webseminar.aspx.
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Seeking Members for IQC Appointment Recommendation
One of the benefits of being a CSTA member is the opportunity to be recommended by CSTA to serve on important state-level committees. One such opportunity is now available. CSTA is seeking science teachers to recommend for service on the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC), formerly the Curriculum Commission. This committee is charged with writing the curriculum frameworks for the Common Core ELA and math standards and will be tasked with developing the framework for the new science standards (once adopted). Members of the Commission serve without compensation, except that they receive their actual and necessary travel expenses in attending Commission meetings and participating in other Commission activities (airfare, lodging, meals, shuttle service, mileage, parking). No funding is provided for substitute teaching or administrative personnel; each applicant employed by a local education agency must obtain the agency’s acknowledgement of the application and the agency’s agreement to absorb any costs for substitute personnel.
CSTA is seeking a member science educator with experience with integrating literacy and math skills into science instruction. A familiarity with the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards is preferred. If you meet these qualifications and would like to have your name considered, please contact CSTA at csta@cascience.org or 916-979-7004. Please include a copy of your resume and/or a description of your qualifications.
State Library’s “Women in STEM” Calendar for June Is Now Online
The California State Library invites you to view our online June calendar that highlights four women who have achieved success in STEM-related fields in California. These women and their accomplishments have helped pave the way for future generations.
One such woman is Hattie Scott Peterson, an African American civil engineer who became the first female engineer for the Sacramento district of the Army Corps of Engineers in 1954. She started with the Corps at a time when cultural diversity in the workplace was not common. Her work ethic and personal integrity helped her to overcome the challenges she faced. In the late 1940s she was reputed to be the only female African American civil engineer in the United States.
This monthly calendar is a joint effort of the State Library, California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Department of Education.
View the calendar here: http://www.library.ca.gov/calhist/calendar6-1.html?utm_source=csl0613
You Are Invited to Participate in an Online Survey Regarding Possible Changes to the High School Academic Performance Index:
In response to state legislation, the California Department Education (CDE) currently is developing new indicators to include in the high school Academic Performance Index (API).
To help with this important task, the CDE invites administrators, teachers, parents or guardians, students, school board members, educational organizations, community members, and business leaders to take an online survey located on the CDE API Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ap/.
CSTA encourages you to take about 20 minutes to complete the survey and let CDE know the vital role that science takes in preparing students for college and career and how achievement in science should be given a high value in the proposed College and Career Readiness Indicator. The survey closes June 20, 2013 – please act today. Please encourage your colleagues, students, parents of students, and administrators to complete the survey as well.
For more information about revisions to the API, including the proposed College and Career Readiness Indicator, please view the video that was prepared by CDE staff as background material for the survey.
Comparing AP Science Practices, Common Core State Standards, and NGSS Science and Engineering Practices
by Bethany Dixon
At NSTA San Antonio and again at the California State Science Fair, I fell into a conversation about connecting NGSS Science and Engineering Practices and AP Biology Science Practices 1-7. In the past few years, ideas have converged on what it looks like to “Do Science:” the habits of mind necessary to develop scientific knowledge. This idea isn’t new to science education – scientific skills are still important. Haven’t we seen this before? We called it using the Scientific Method(s), or Levels of Inquiry, or whichever wrapper we’re putting things into… it doesn’t seem like the ideas of what constitute good science have changed. Or have they? Learn More…
Summer and Fall Professional Development Opportunities Provided by CSTA and its Chapters
by Lisa Hegdahl
The students are gone, the meetings are over, your classroom is clean – Learn More…
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