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Sept. 18, 2018

Some of you are recently back this school year, and others are already looking forward to your first break. In either case, the team behind Science News and Updates is here to make sure you’re set to excel in 2018-19.

This fall, the State Board of Education will approve the list of recommended science instructional materials for K-8. Science educators across San Diego County continue to inspire students and transform classrooms as they implement the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). Educators are immersing themselves in professional learning and beginning the process of selecting high-quality CA NGSS-aligned instructional materials to ensure all students are prepared for college, career, and life. We are working with our Learning Resource Display Center to feature the newly adopted materials at a resource fair on Feb. 6 .

Our SDCOE NGSS Resource Center has been revamped and renamed the SDCOE Science Resource Center . Our new site features an updated look with easier navigation, a searchable database of the CA NGSS, updated course model information that aligns with the final draft of the 2016 CA Science Framework, direct access to our #ProjectPhenomena database, and a brand new feature — the SDCOE Framework for Science Teaching and Learning.

There’s a lot going on, so don’t miss out on what’s coming up — share this link so others can receive future Science News and Updates .

Science Coordinators, San Diego County Office of Education
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2016 CA Science Framework Available Online
The final, published version of the 2016 Science Framework is now available for download from the California Department of Education (CDE). The 2016 Science Framework is a guidance document to assist teachers and administrators in implementing CA NGSS in TK–12 classrooms.

4th-Grade Disaster Preparedness Curriculum
Be Aware, Be Prepared is a 4th-grade unit of study created by the Office of Emergency Services in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education. In this unit, students build knowledge about the geological systems of the earth, natural disasters, and disaster preparation through print and technology sources and collaborative research. The unit directly reflects the overarching intent and goals of the state standards. The curriculum includes safety information that could be lifesaving to students and families in our community. You can download digital copies of the student and teacher materials directly from the website or click on the green “Order Curriculum Copies Here” button to order hard copies.

Stanford University SCALE Science Offers NGSS-Aligned Resources
SCALE Science focuses on developing curriculum that supports student sense-making through project-based learning. The resources aid teachers in their efforts to effectively respond to student needs, as well as shifts in instructional demands. The curriculum and assessment frameworks are both grounded in a performance-based approach. This means all tasks and assessments are contextualized within real-life phenomena to address and assess the application of knowledge, as well as skills.

SCALE developed the Learning Through Performance curriculum as a way to help 6th-grade teachers envision what year-long, NGSS-designed and standards-aligned curriculum might look like. Our curricular design embraces the strengths of project-based learning as an effective instructional model, and incorporates rigorous curriculum-embedded performance assessments to provide students with metacognitive access to their own learning. The focus for this curriculum is “How do humans influence the world, and how does the world influence humans?”

The 7th- and 8th-grade curriculum, Stanford NGSS Integrated Curriculum: An Exploration of a Multidimensional World , aligns to the California integrated model in which earth and space science, life science, physical science, and/or engineering are integrated within each curriculum unit.
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Science Leaders Network
(Implementation Stages 1, 2, 3, 4)
The ongoing Science Leaders Network is designed to bring administrators and science leaders together with the goal of building the capacity of all stakeholders to effectively implement CA NGSS in the region. Participants receive statewide and local updates regarding implementation efforts, including curriculum, assessment, and professional learning opportunities. The network meets Oct. 10, Dec. 5, Jan. 23, and May 1.

Elementary Science Academy Follow-Up Network
(Implementation Stages 3, 4 )
The Elementary Science Academy Follow-up Network is an ongoing professional learning community for participants of previous cohorts (one through four) of the Elementary Science Academy. Participants continue deepening their understanding of the instructional shifts of CA NGSS while implementing phenomena-based lessons with an emphasis on student discourse. Participants will plan with grade-level colleagues across the county, collect and analyze student work, and apply their learning in the classroom. The network meets Oct. 11, Dec. 4, and March 9.

New Workshops Feature HHMI BioInteractive Resources
The Crosswalk Between Earth Science and Living Earth/Biology Classes Using HHMI BioInteractive Resources is a series of free workshops in partnership with HHMI BioInteractive and SDCOE. The first workshop on Oct. 17 is on inheritance of traits, and the second on Oct. 18 features a focus on human impacts. Participants are encouraged to attend both days. Receive free classroom-ready materials for implementing science practices in living earth classes.

California Environmental Phenomena Summit
Spend two days collaborating with local science experts and other educators from the region at the California Environmental Phenomena Summit on Oct. 25 and 26. Learn about local, environmentally focused phenomena, and deepen your understanding of phenomena and California’s environmental principles and concepts. Participants will also contribute to a resource that will be shared with other educators.

NGSS and Informal Educators
Strengthen your use of NGSS in informal education programs and better connect to the informal educators in the region. This Dec. 7 workshop will focus on environmental literacy and the use of phenomena to support NGSS instruction. Review your program to identify the phenomena students explore when at your site. Create an entry for the SDCOE phenomena database to connect your site to NGSS learning in San Diego. Email Crystal Howe to register or for more information.

Using the NGSS Toolkit for Instruction Materials Evaluation
( Implementation Stages 1, 2, 3, 4)
Participants deepen their understanding of the features of quality instructional materials aligned to NGSS and learn how to use the NGSS Toolkit for Instructional Materials Evaluation (NGSS TIME) in this new workshop. NGSS TIME is a process developed by the science subcommittee of the California Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee (CISC). This toolkit can be used by district committees to analyze and select quality instructional materials for science. The cost of the three-day is $125; click the dates below to register.

NGSS Three-Day Academy​
(Implementation Stages 2, 3, 4)
Participants deepen their understanding of the instructional shifts and dimensions of NGSS at the NGSS Three-Day Academy on Feb. 12, 13, and 21. Explore grade-level performance expectations and the recently adopted California Science Framework, work collaboratively with others to develop a phenomena-based conceptual storyline, and begin planning a coherent three-dimensional instructional unit. The cost of the workshop is $150.

Southern California Association of Science Specialist
The Southern California Association of Science Specialists (SCAS2) is a leadership network created to:
  • Share professional resource materials, programs, and strategies
  • Discuss and act upon common issues and current topics of concern
  • Provide peer support for those serving in science leadership and/or supervisory roles

Membership in SCAS2 is open to anyone with a strong interest in and commitment to the improvement of science education in Southern California and whose duties include some leadership responsibilities such as administration, coordination, curriculum development, directorship, mentorship, supervision, or teacher education. Click the title to register.
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Teacher Leaders Help District Implement NGSS

This section of Science News and Updates highlights districts and schools across San Diego County engaged in professional learning focused on bringing high quality science learning experiences to all students.

Lakeside Union School District (LUSD) has been participating in the California NGSS K-8 Early Implementation Initiative developed by the K-12 Alliance at WestEd since 2014. Led by district’s NGSS Early Implementation Director David Tupper, a dedicated cohort of TK-8 Lakeside Union School District teacher leaders have been working hard to hone their leadership skills, deepen their understanding of NGSS, and shift instructional practices as they transition toward full NGSS implementation. The combination of content and pedagogy professional learning along with the work done directly in classrooms has been incredibly effective in supporting teachers with NGSS implementation.

With leadership capacity now in place, LUSD has begun to leverage the knowledge and expertise of their teacher leaders and scale up their NGSS work to benefit all students. To kickoff the new school year, the district held a three-day NGSS Summer Institute in early August with all teachers invited to attend. In the true spirit of collaboration and innovation, teachers from High Tech High Elementary were invited to participate and learn alongside LUSD teachers. More than 100 TK-8 teachers received content and pedagogy professional learning modeled after previous institutes. Content Cadre members from San Diego State University, the San Diego County Office of Education, UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego CoastKeepers, CSU Long Beach, San Diego Unified School District, UC Riverside, and San Dieguito Union High School District led teachers through the exploration of local phenomena related to plant defenses, ecology/ecosystems, wildfire, seed dispersal, erosion/flooding, lake ecology, and watershed impact. Teachers engaged in hands-on, authentic learning experiences at an adult level as they expanded their content knowledge related to grade-level NGSS standards. Highlights for teachers included field experiences to local lakes and ponds, the Lakeside River Park, and the ecosystem surrounding the school site. 

Teachers also participated in pedagogy sessions led by expert teams of LUSD teacher leaders. The power of teachers learning from their grade-level peers cannot be overstated. It was a sight to behold. Pedagogy sessions were related to how people learn, the California Environmental principles and concepts, science and engineering practices, phenomena, and facilitated planning time. The institute was a huge success and left participants energized and ready to start the school year with a renewed enthusiasm for science and NGSS. 
LUSD 1st-grade teachers observe and examine plants for defense structures at the Lakeside River Park.
Fifth-grade teachers from LUSD and High Tech High Elementary test water samples at the Lakeside River Park as they explore indicators of watershed health.
Amazing work is happening throughout our county. To have your school or district featured in the next edition of Science News and Updates share your NGSS story by completing this Google Form . Be sure to check out our NGSS in Action videos highlighting student learning in the classroom on our SDCOE Science Resource Center.
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Birch Aquarium’s Annual NOAA Teacher Professional Development
The annual National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) professional learning at Birch Aquarium will be Sept. 22 for teachers of students in grades 6-12. Teachers will receive NOAA's How and Why We Explore the Deep Ocean curriculum, as well as a $75 stipend. This seven-hour learning opportunity will introduce standards-based, hands-on activities and online resources that guide classroom teaching and learning. Ocean health, sophisticated, underwater mapping technologies, unique deep sea ecosystems, remotely operated vehicles, and telepresence are just a few of the topics to be covered.

Salk Institute’s 3rd Annual Ellen Potter Research Connections for Teachers Symposium  
The Ellen Potter Research Connections for Teachers Symposium features scientific talks from senior researchers at the Salk Institute in a seminar environment, followed by collaboration time with colleagues to apply learning to NGSS-aligned lesson plans. This year's event from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6 is themed “Harnessing Plants for the Classroom,” with a focus on the new Harnessing Plants Initiative taken up by Salk's world-renowned plant biologists to address climate change and sustainability. Featured speakers are Dr. Joe Ecker, Dr. Wolfgang Busch, and Dr. Joe Noel.  

Climate Teachers on the Estuary
The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve is offering Climate Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) , a professional learning experience for middle and high school teachers to immerse themselves in the NGSS learning process. This training on Oct. 4 to 6 will focus on the phenomenon of sea-level rise as the basis for meaningful learning experiences for students. Teachers will use local tide-level data, as well as El Niño data, to form the foundation of instruction and be introduced to climate-related student field experiences. View this flyer for added information or to share the details .

Gardening with Class
The Master Gardener Association of San Diego County and UCCE San Diego County Master Gardener Program biennial School Gardens Conference, "Gardening with Class,” is geared toward preschool through high school educators, administrators, parents who coordinate school garden programs, and other interested parties. This one-day conference on Oct. 20 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds will provide in-depth training on using school gardens as a fun and effective educational tool for all students.

Perspectives on Science Dinner and Lecture Series
You’re invited to join the hundreds of educators who have attended Point Loma Nazarene University’s monthly Perspectives on Science (POS) series October through May. Middle and high school teachers can enjoy informative lectures, delicious catered dinners, helpful conversations with educators who share an interest in science, and lovely sunsets viewed from Point Loma Nazarene University’s hillside campus overlooking the Pacific. The series features a focus on recent developments in a guest scientist’s area of expertise, with particular emphasis on those aspects that are of greatest interest and significance to science teachers. Past speakers have included six Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators, 39 members of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and five Nobel Laureates. The deadline to register is Sept. 21.

SDSU Announces Masters with Focus on Teaching Mathematics and Science
San Diego State University (SDSU) recently announced a new program that focuses on mathematics and science teaching. The program is for K-12 teachers who are interested in exploring how to teach math and science more effectively. Applicants do not need to be a math or science expert to join the program, but they must have an interest in learning more about:
  • Math and science in the K-12 curriculum
  • How children think about math and science
  • How math and science instruction can empower all children
  • How research can improve instruction

Coursework includes the opportunity to add on credentials in secondary mathematics and science teaching. For more information, visit the SDSU School of Teacher Education webpage or email mathscied@sdsu.edu .

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Science Coordinator
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