Welcome to the last Science News and Updates of the 2020-21 school year!

As we transition to the next chapter with a renewed enthusiasm to reimagine what school could be, let’s make sure we write a chapter worth reading, where schools become spaces where everyone can be themselves and students thrive with support from creative and innovative educators.

As we continue to advocate for the importance of science learning experiences for all students and explore what equitable learning spaces should look and sound like in schools, consider using STEM Teaching Tool Brief 71, How can you advance equity and justice through science teaching?. The brief looks at how different practices come together for equitable science and engineering learning with key considerations and recommended actions. It also identifies seven key equity projects we can take up in science education: centering racial justice, meaningful phenomena, multi-generational learning, cultural pedagogies, supporting diverse sense-making, disrupting ableism, and place-based learning and ecological caring. These projects provide different entry points into meaningful work to transform systems in support of students’ science learning. Pick one (or more) and get started helping your "trees" thrive and find their joy.

Please share this link with others so they can receive future Science News and Updates.

Chelsea Cochrane, Crystal Howe, and John Spiegel

The SDCOE science professional learning calendar for 2020-21 has the latest dates and information. 

All four sessions of our Science Snippets+ series are now available for on demand viewing on the SDCOE Science home page. 

The Climate Champions Virtual Summit will support more teaching, learning, and action on the climate crisis in local schools. Some of the sessions include Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Change, and Connecting with Kumeyaay Land and Culture.

This introductory session will explore student-driven inquiry across content areas using examples from The Curious Classroom by Harvey “Smokey” Daniels. Educators will build their skills integrating science and literacy to leverage student curiosity. 

This three-day online learning experience will be highly interactive and will engage you in small-group discussions and individual exploration. You will participate in synchronous sessions over Zoom, then have an independent task to complete at your own pace each day. This workshop is designed for teachers of grades 3-12, and to be valuable for educators teaching online, hybrid, or in-person. All educators are welcome. June 29, 30, and July 1, 2021 9 a.m. to noon. Visit Engineering: Beyond Building Bridges (grades 3-12) for registration information.

California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science Standard Setting Workshop

Educational Testing Services (ETS), the testing contractor for the California Department of Education, is offering an opportunity for educators with special education and science experience who work with students in grades 3 through 12. This will be a virtual CAA for science standard-setting meeting, via Zoom, that will take place Aug. 3 to 5. ETS will provide participants with an overview of the process of standard setting as well as train them on the methods to be used. Participating educators will receive a modest stipend for attending, and local educational agencies will be reimbursed for the cost for substitute teachers (if needed). To apply, visit the CAASPP Opportunities to Get Involved webpage. For guidance on the application process, please contact the CAASPP Project Team by phone at 916-228-2682 or by email at edopportunities@scoe.net.

The CASE 2021 Virtual California Science Education Conference is Oct. 8 to 10 and registration is open now. The theme is Computer Science and Science. Together, the fields of science and computer science are powerful ways of knowing our natural and human-made world, and necessary to empower our youth. Historically, in TK-16 classrooms, the disciplines of computer science and science have long been treated as isolated fields. This does not reflect the reality of the synergy between the two. Integrating computer science into science classes will prepare students for future endeavors as computationally enabled and scientifically literate community members. It is essential, now more than ever, to understand that neither replace each other nor are alternatives, but rather are complementary in understanding nature and affecting the human-made world.

Consider following the SDCOE Science team on Twitter, @cjcochrane21 (Chelsea), @sdngss (John), and @twnklstrr (Crystal), as we often share upcoming events and science happenings from around our county and beyond.

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

This edition we feature Shelley Glenn Lee, a K-5 science lab teacher from High Tech Elementary North County. Like many other educators, Glenn Lee found innovative and creative ways to teach and connect with students throughout the pandemic. Live virtual field trips via Zoom were a favorite activity for she and her students. We asked Glenn Lee to share highlights from the virtual field trips she implemented.

As January rolled around, we thought perhaps we might be able to gather in small groups again. But, that was not going to happen anytime soon. I was disheartened, because each school year, we implement a geology-focused project with our 75 4th-graders and we usually spend a lot time in the field exploring San Diego’s geological history at places such as Mission Trails, Anza Borrego, Torrey Pines, Calavera Nature Preserve, and other locations. Nothing beats real life experience when it comes to observing patterns in the earth, seeing million-year-old fossils in the cliffs, touching and investigating sand particles, and searching for evidence of weathering and erosion all around. Since our La Jolla experience went so well, we scheduled weekly virtual field trips and, with the help of all the 4th-grade teachers and students, we shared hour-long adventures all around San Diego. With students in (virtual) tow, I hiked from the top of Torrey Pines to the cliffs and beach below, walked into an extinct volcano, visited the interpretive areas of Mission Trails Regional Park, and explored the layers of fossils in the cliffs of Del Mar.

Now that we are back in school, we are so happy to see and be with each other again in person. While we continue to be constrained by COVID restrictions and are unable to do field trips together at this time, I am so grateful to have had the experience of using technology to take our students on phenomena-based adventures and I look forward to the days ahead when we can get outside and explore together again!

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 the SDCOE Science Resource Center website.

The 2021 Sustainability Solutions Science Fair is a virtual opportunity open to researchers, innovators and engineers age 12-18 from around the world. Arizona State University (ASU), in partnership with Wells Fargo Foundation and the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation, are calling for projects that drive change for good and develop thriving communities. Awards of up to $2,500 in cash prizes and mentorships in advancing the application of sustainability solutions are up for grabs. Entry Deadline is Aug. 18. Visit the ASU Global Futures website to learn more.

The Eco-Documentary, KISS THE GROUND: FOR SCHOOLS, is now available. NSTA and KISS THE GROUND: FOR SCHOOLS have partnered to bring new, science-based lesson plans and resources to K-12 teachers nationwide. The new, classroom-ready materials build key science skills while exploring the importance of regeneration and environmental health topics. 

SCAS is a program established to encourage high school students to conduct original research in a professional laboratory setting. The Research Training Program teaches students how to give presentations, make posters and write papers in scientific formats. SCAS board members on the Junior Academy Committee select students from applications with recommendations from teachers. Research papers are presented and judged at the SCAS annual meeting in May each year. The students with the best papers are invited to present their research at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in February the following year.

There are 55 unique Virtual Field Trip Xperiences from nine arts and science venue partners. Current venues include La Jolla Playhouse, Living Coast Discovery Center, New Village Arts, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Air and Space Museum, San Diego History Center, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, and San Diego Zoo/Safari Park.

Each Virtual Field Trip Xperience is live, interactive, and personalized for a class of up to 40 students. The venue partners will work with each teacher to ensure the best possible Xperience for their students. Once a teacher reviews the list of available Xperiences, they can apply for the necessary funding for the selected program. For more information about ArtsBusXpress, please visit the website or email info@artsbusxpress.org.

The I Love A Clean San Diego education team has worked diligently to transform the in-person environmental education presentations into live online classroom learning opportunities. The virtual presentations can be scheduled via Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams as needed. They are free to public and private K-12 classrooms within I Love A Clean San Diego’s service areas. Included topics are recycling and household hazardous waste, ecosystems and marine pollution, food waste, watershed pollution, ocean acidification, living a zero waste lifestyle, and more. The programs are NGSS-aligned and vary in length from 45 to 60 minutes. You and your students can expect interactive elements including polls, Menti questions, multiple short discussions, and group activities. Also, many programs come with optional follow-up materials to help extend students’ learning opportunities outside of our live presentation. If you are interested in learning more or looking to schedule a virtual presentation, email education@cleansd.org or fill out our online presentation request form.

Thanks to generous donations and grants, the San Diego Zoo Education department is offering free virtual education programs for Title I schools in San Diego County (on your preferred virtual platform). Programs are also available to non-Title I schools for a small fee. Visit the San Diego Zoo Education department for details about its virtual Inside Story Guided Tour and other options. 

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography has financial aid available for students in need so that all students can access high-quality, virtual science programming. Birch Aquarium connects PreK-12 students to its ocean planet through virtual, experiential learning programs where students meet and observe ocean organisms, explore and analyze data about changing conditions in ocean habitats, or ask questions about aquarium careers and current conservation issues. The programs are aligned with NGSS and designed to be engaging for students joining virtually from their home or classroom. Programs are 30 to 45 minutes long and are available Monday through Friday. Learn more about youth and school group programs and apply for financial aid on the Birch Aquarium website. Most schools in Southern California with a Title I status or other need will receive full support and are encouraged to apply. 

Library NExT STEAM Workshops

Library NExT (Network of Education x Training) is a series of workshops for elementary, middle, and high school students on more than 60 STEAM-related subjects. This San Diego Public Library program is a collaboration with UC San Diego Extension and Sally Ride Science. Many online sessions are available for grade spans 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Visit Library NExT | Public Library to learn more and register for sessions. 

The topics addressed in this Spanish and English video series include geology, tide pools, California Tribes: Chumash, weather and climate, native plants, and native animals. The activities can be found on the State Parks Junior Rangers webpage. Children who participate in Junior Rangers, a statewide program for ages 7 to 12 years old, receive a digital badge for each virtual adventure completed.

California State Parks offers K-12 students the opportunity to engage and connect to California parks resources through their Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students (PORTS) program. The PORTS program connects students to California’s diverse cultural, natural, and historic resources through virtual field-trip experiences.

Join PORTS at Tijuana Estuary Natural Preserve in Southern California to explore how the secrets of the salt marsh help to study and protect our changing climate. You can expect to join our interpreters to guide your students in building observation skills through nature journaling, discover salt marsh habitats and adaptations, or explore some of the real-time data to monitor the health of estuaries. Book a trip. 

Virtual field trips allow students to experience the wildlife and science programs normally offered at the Living Coast Discovery Center. All programs are aligned to the California NGSS. Virtual educational programs include a live animal encounter, pre-recorded field trip, and live Zoom field trip. The Living Coast Discovery Center virtual wildlife programs are NGSS and CCSS based. Sponsored teachers will receive a recorded lesson, Zoom lesson, animal encounter, and additional resources (a $300 value) at no cost through Title 1 aid.

The San Diego River Distance Learning Station has its Cool River Program — Distance Learning Resources with video lessons, printables, and storytelling. These activities are most appropriate for students K-8 and focus mainly on ecology, environmental education, and nature connection. 

PEAK@Home is an at-home resource available in English and Spanish for families and students adjusting to distance learning. The library of K-8 environmental STEM lessons are NGSS-aligned, environmentally focused, and easy-to-implement for non-educators. Students can explore topics related to energy, water, waste, and climate through hands-on science and engineering activities. All materials required for the lessons or lesson webinars are items that can be easily found in students’ homes. All a student needs is a little curiosity! Students can also tune in to My Energy Future webinars, where STEM professionals describe their current career in STEM, skills for success, journey into their career, and advice for students. Register to access the lessons. For more information about the full K-8 PEAK Student Energy Actions program offerings, visit www.PEAKstudents.org or contact us at education@energycoalition.org.

In an effort to support high school students and educators during COVID-19, SEI has prepared distance learning resources. Bring hands-on projects to your students using SEI’s distance learning units which include climate change, energy auditing, renewable energy, and air quality. The distance learning units are teacher-facing resources that will fit into many subjects' scope and sequence and are designed for engaging students in synchronous, virtual instruction. SEI also offers student-facing distance learning curriculum that is designed to get your students thinking about sustainability across a range of topics from air quality to green transportation. All student-facing curriculum is ready to share with your learners and includes background content and engaging activities. The student-facing curriculum can be implemented with or without internet access. 

As schools are continuing remote learning or adhering to smaller group sizes, the San Diego County Water Authority and Shows That Teach have created a virtual assembly option so that elementary school students can continue to learn about water and science in a fun and engaging way. The assemblies will be performed on Zoom or Google Meet as needed. They are free to public and private elementary schools within the Water Authority’s service area. Topics included are the water cycle, local and regional water supplies, water-use efficiency and more. To schedule an assembly, email education@sdcwa.org.

The new Indigenous STEAM website is full of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics resources for families, teachers, and communities that foreground Indigenous knowledge systems — roles, relations, responsibilities, and gifts between and within human and other-than-human communities — and intergenerational arrangements in teaching and learning. 

From the structure of a molecule to the design of a vehicle, your students can create a model using Google Sheets and Google Drawings with this new applied digital skills lesson, Develop a Model in Google Drawings, from Google for Education. Explore the growing Science collection and see how you can use Google tools to support and plan for instruction.

Academy educators have developed several activities that can be assigned directly to students to complete during your next asynchronous learning block. By watching a series of brief videos with educator Eileen, your youngest students (K-2) will help solve two Penguin Mysteries: Why do penguins waddle? How are they able to eat a fish whole? No reading or writing is required for this lesson.

In Terrific Trees, educator Cindy will show grades 3-5 students how to safely investigate the trees in their own neighborhood. Then, they'll climb a redwood giant with tree scientists via several interactive videos. For your Spanish-speaking students, we have the same activities available in Árboles Fantásticos.

The Scripps Community Outreach for Public Education team has launched virtual tours of the Hubbs Hall Experimental Aquarium and the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier. These short YouTube videos (16 and 11 minutes, respectively) are an excellent introduction to some of the research conducted at Scripps and are intended for a public or student audience.

Enjoy remote learning resources, resources for teachers and counselors, as well as resources for parents at the UCTV Education Channel website. Visit the Sally Ride Science page to view investigation demonstration videos and the Women in Leadership archives. 

The SDCOE Distance Learning Units of Study were purposefully designed to integrate content, and provide flexibility and choice. The units of study connect content in the following areas: English language arts, English language development, mathematics, science, history/social science, arts, computer science, and physical education through integrated study in K-5 and thematic units in grades 6-12. These open-source units are being developed in Google to ensure maximum flexibility for districts to use them with their preferred distance learning instructional platform. Also find the Learning at Home Bingo series and additional resources that support distance learning on the SDCOE COVID-19 webpage.

To have your event or resource considered for a future edition of SDCOE’s Science News and Updates provide your information via this Google form.