Welcome to the fall edition of
Science News and Updates.
More than 70 educators from 42 schools in 14 districts, charters, and private schools across San Diego County joined fellow science educators from Imperial County and Orange County for the face-to-face convening of the Region 9 Science Community of Practice on Sept. 25 and 26.
Day one learning was led by Mark Windschitl from the University of Washington and focused on harnessing the power of
ambitious science teaching
(AST) by exploring the question, “What kinds of talk, tasks, and tools do students need in order to fully engage in meaningful forms of science learning?”
On day two, science leaders from the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), Imperial County Office of Education (ICOE), and Orange County
Office of Education (OCDE), along with facilitation partners from the San Diego Science Project and K12 Alliance, led participating educators in sessions that connected day one learning to practical classroom application of the Core Practice Sets of Ambitious Science Teaching. This year-long study of examining the use of AST strategies to enhance student understanding and sense-making of phenomena is funded through the Regional Improvement Initiative and made possible by a collaboration between The California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
, the California Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. The use of the Canvas learning management platform and ZOOM video conferences will allow for ongoing collaboration and sharing of instructional practices that meet the needs of all students throughout the school year.
Participating educators came together on Oct. 30, for the first of four online meetings, to share their learning and reflect on how changes in classroom practice have impacted student learning. Participants were engaged in the online process and took away new ideas from each other that will make an immediate impact on student learning.
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We are excited to announce an amazing opportunity for
high schools
in San Diego County. The San Diego International Film Festival is partnering with SDCOE to screen a documentary,
RiverBlue
, along with a post-film discussion for San Diego County schools on
Nov. 15 at 10:30 a.m.
SDCOE will broadcast the film via livestream, so any school or teacher with the link can display the film in their classroom. To obtain the livestream link, teachers must register with the San Diego International Film Festival by Nov. 12. An in-class lesson plan with exercises and discussion questions to supplement student learning around the film’s topics and production will also be provided. If your class is not available for the time and date, SDCOE will post a replay for 72 hours after livestream.
RiverBlue
follows international river conservationist Mark Angelo
across
the globe to infiltrate one of the world’s most pollutive industries, fashion. Narrated by clean water supporter Jason Priestley, this groundbreaking documentary examines the destruction of our rivers, its effect on humanity, and the solutions that inspire hope for a sustainable future. View the
RiverBlue
trailer
and register your high school class today.
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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SDCOE Science Resource Center
Environmental Literacy Resources
Science experts and local environmental educators in California are supporting teachers to connect their classroom instruction to the environmental phenomena in the region. Phenomena Summits bring classroom teachers, out-of-school educators, and university scientists together to build understanding of environmentally focused phenomena and their role in NGSS-aligned science instruction. Participants work in collaborative teams to build out an instructional resource that: identifies a useful, environmentally focused phenomenon, highlights resources for building teacher understanding of the phenomenon, identifies possible student activities that emphasize the science and engineering practices of the NGSS, provides a grade-level appropriate student explanation that incorporates disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts, and makes explicit connections to the environmental principles and concepts. A
searchable database
of California phenomena resources is available through the SDCOE Science Resource Center.
Evidence-Based Practices in Science
Evidence-based practices in science reflect some of the best tools and strategies that bring about desired outcomes in student learning. The resources have been developed by the SDCOE Science team to synthesize science education research about best practices that keep universal design for learning principles and first best instruction in mind as educators plan for phenomena-based instruction. The resources are available to view as web content or can be purchased directly from the SDCOE Graphics department using this
order form.
Science Assessment Implementation Modules
A new resource, the
California NGSS 3D Assessment Implementation Modules website
, provides teachers with assessment resources for analyzing, modifying, and creating assessment items that support high-quality, three-dimensional science learning. These resources include the following: Unpacking the Performance Expectation module, 3D Assessment Analysis module, 3D Development Modification module, NGSS assessment database, and reference resources. It was developed through a joint effort by the California Science Project, Galt Joint Union Elementary School District, Stanislaus County Office of Education, and Ventura County Office of Education with support from the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, California Department of Education, California State Board of Education, and S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Achieve
Three new frameworks for the educator community working on high-quality student assessments have been released by Achieve. The frameworks, which were developed by content experts and practitioners, can be used to evaluate the cognitive complexity of assessment items through a series of discipline-specific criteria and processes.
A Framework to Evaluate Cognitive Complexity in Science Assessments
can be used to assess the degree to which an assessment task asks students to intellectually engage in and make use of disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and cross-cutting concepts in service of sense-making.
OpenSciEd
OpenSciEd seeks to ensure that any science teacher, anywhere, can access and download freely available, high-quality, locally adaptable full-course instructional materials. The OpenSciEd curriculum is aligned to current research. Each unit begins with an anchoring phenomenon and follows a logical science storyline. Each is structured to motivate students to think deeply, plan scientific investigations, and develop evidence-based explanations. The first three
OpenSciEd
units for middle school science have been officially released. Each unit is approximately six weeks of class time and all teacher and student materials are free and openly licensed.
Quality Examples of Science Lessons and Units
In an effort to identify and shine a spotlight on emerging examples of high quality lessons and units designed for the NGSS, Achieve launched the EQuIP Peer Review Panel for Science. The panel uses the EQuIP Rubric for Science (Version 3.0) and the associated quality review process to evaluate the instructional materials. Lesson and units are available to
download
and use in classrooms.
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Using the California NGSS Toolkit for Instructional Materials Evaluation (CA NGSS TIME)
Participants deepen their understanding of the features of high-quality instructional materials aligned to NGSS and learn how to use the CA NGSS TIME in this new workshop. CA NGSS TIME is a process developed by the science subcommittee of the Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association. This toolkit can be used by district committees to analyze and select quality instructional materials for science. The three-day professional learning session is being offered free to districts within San Diego County.
Additional Science Professional Learning Opportunities
Project Cornerstone
Project Cornerstone is offering a free workshop for elementary, middle, and high school teachers Nov. 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Escondido Chamber of Commerce. The workshop will focus on the science and economics of the natural resources used in producing concrete. Workshop includes a tour of the asphalt and concrete plant at the Escondido Materials Company. It is Project Cornerstone's mission is to educate students about the importance of the construction materials industry through making science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and NGSS learning relevant by utilizing hands-on activities and making the connection to viable careers.
Register
today.
I
nternational Ocean Discovery Program
The Day the Dinosaurs Died: Evidence from the Seafloor
You are invited to apply for our special one-day mini School of Rock, Nov. 19 onboard the JOIDES Resolution research ship in the Port of San Diego. Running from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the workshop will focus on the evidence, science process, and teaching resources around the extinction of the dinosaurs. There is no cost to attend and lunch and tour of the ship are included. This workshop is sponsored by the U.S. Science Support Program for the International Ocean Discovery Program. For more information and to apply, visit:
JOIDES Resolution
School of Rock
The Energy Coalition
PEAK Professional Development
NGSS-aligned environmental lessons for grades K-8.
Register now
for our online professional development for the PEAK programs. When you register for a training, you will also be registering for a PEAK scholarship. Once awarded you receive professional development, a toolkit of supplies, access to the curriculum (PDF), and on-site and on-going Energy Coalition staff support.
Fleet Science Center
The
Fleet Science Center
provides free and nominal-cost workshops and events for educators in San Diego County. Learn new, hands-on science activities, teaching methods, thinking strategies, and discover exciting resources for your classroom.
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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.
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STREAM Fest
On Nov. 2, the Solana Beach Schools Foundation hosted the second annual Solana Beach School District STREAM Fest on the grounds of Solana Pacific Elementary. This year's theme was ReYOUse, promoting awareness around conservation and recycling efforts to help our planet. Students and families participated in engineering challenges, interactive stations, robotic exhibitions, scientific explorations, and artistic expressions of STREAM.
Commonly referred to as STEM, the Solana Beach School District (SBSD) has expanded the acronym to STREAM - Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. NGSS have been a huge catalyst for the programs growth, encouraging and challenging teachers to connect with the world around them through an inquiry-based, hands-on curriculum. We are driven by the goal of more closely aligning our programs with what students will experience in college and the workplace.
All K-6 students in all of our elementary schools have access to our STREAM program. Whether it be in the STREAM Labs, their own classrooms, or through special district-wide events like STREAM Fest, SBSD students live the STREAM philosophy through rich, interactive experiences integrating NGSS with all curricular areas.
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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 in our SDCOE Science Resource Center.
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I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD)
Zero Waste Workshops — Free Event for Community Members of All Ages
Join ILACSD as we team up with cities across San Diego County. Whether you're starting your zero-waste journey or ready to take it to the next level, come learn how to set yourself up for zero-waste success. Through educational booths and hands-on activities, you will learn ways to go zero-waste in the kitchen and bathroom, and common areas throughout the home. We will discuss the importance of a zero-waste lifestyle and how to confidently implement sustainable practices into various aspects of your life. Hands-on activities will be available for all ages, including an eco-kid’s craft and a make-and-take project. See below for registration links and additional information about each community specific event.
Seaside Sustainability Workshop — Carlsbad
- Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon
- Pine Avenue Community Center (3209 Harding St. in Carlsbad). Participate in the swap ‘n’ shop.
- Don’t forget to register.
Green Routines Workshop — Otay Mesa
- Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon
- Otay Mesa-Nestor Branch Library (3003 Coronado Ave. in San Diego).
- Don't forget to register.
Green Routines Workshop — Encinitas
- Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon
- Encinitas Union School District Farm Lab (441 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas). Participate in the community swap 'n shop.
- Don't forget to register.
Fleet Science Center
BE WiSE (Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering)
The BE WiSE program application period is fast approaching. BE WiSE is a free program for girls in grades 7 and 8 that stimulates and sustains their interest in science through an overnight event and workshops throughout their time in high school. Through this program, girls will meet other like-minded girls, connect with female scientist role-models, and participate in many hands-on opportunities at science career sites all around San Diego County. Please visit the
Fleet Science Center website
or contact
Ivel Gontan
for more details. The
application
window for 2020 will be open Jan. 2 to Feb. 4.
HighTech Fair
High Tech Fair exposes students in grades 7 through 12 to the world of science and the possibilities of a scientific career. Local participating companies, who provide the interactive experiences for the students, find the experience fun and rewarding. The students enjoy seeing real-life applications of what they may be learning in the classroom and learning about potential internships. This is a wonderful venue for a cooperative effort between business and education. Family night at the Balboa Park Activity Center is free and open to the public. Contact
Ivel Gontan
for more information.
Elementary Science Field Day
The Science Field Day will be May 16. Each year, students in grades 4, 5, and 6 compete in 15 science-related events on Field Day. Each student will participate in two or three events. In addition, many non-competitive events are held throughout the day, making it a festival atmosphere.
Each Science Field Day event is organized and operated by participating teachers and schools. To participate,
register your team
and identify an event captain or co-captain, or provide a non-competitive event on Field Day.
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San Diego Model Railroad Museum
What makes arches and triangles so strong? Students will learn about both the physical science and history of arch and truss bridges. Students will perform five experiments to investigate the inherent strength of these shapes and understand why civil engineers frequently use them in the design and construction of structures in general and bridges in particular. Leveled content, including a student assessment, accompanies the workshop.
In Working with Scale, students explore the concepts of scale and proportion, along with the relationship between ratios, fractions, and decimals. They will learn the various scales used in model railroading and understand that any object can be scaled either up or down. Students will create three-dimensional robots using five different scales.
How are we alike and different from people who lived in the past? This program features our unique collection of historic California model railroads to engage students in an exploration of the past, and an understanding of how some things change while others stay the same. Students identify community elements on model railroad layouts and compare and contrast them with their contemporary equivalents. At science stations, students investigate pushes and pulls, the shape and stability of structures, and properties of matter. Finally, students build a 3D-model of their community.
The Water Conservation Garden
Ms. Smarty-Plants
™ leads your class on a fun and educational field trip through the beautiful Water Conservation Garden. Tour our water-wise plant trails and animal habitats, and enjoy an interactive learning lesson that meets state standards. Ms. Smarty-Plants Grows Earth Heroes is an assembly for younger students that takes K-3 students on a unique, fact-filled conservation adventure and engages students in water conservation, relationships in ecosystem, and their functions. Ms. Smarty-Plants Cools the Climate is an assembly for older students that has grades 3-6 students explore climate change, uncovers the “global weirding” phenomena, and inspires students to conserve San Diego’s most valuable resource: water.
Illumina
DNA Decoded
, a partnership between Discovery Education and the Illumina Foundation, provides lesson plans, project starters, and classroom activities designed to help students explore the world of genomics. The resources are designed for educators of middle and high school students and include digital lessons and lesson bundles, classroom activities, and STEM project activators. Students can learn how genomics impacts how we think about everything from medicine to deep space to agriculture to infectious disease outbreaks.
I Love A Clean San Diego
I Love A Clean San Diego
offers a variety of free, NGSS-aligned, educational programs focused on topics such as watersheds, pollution prevention, food waste, and ocean acidification to schools within San Diego County. To see what options are available for your class, submit a
presentation request form.
Master Gardener of San Diego
The
Master Gardener website
has information to help teachers and garden coordinators grow a school garden. The site includes grant information and how to request a master gardener consultant or presentation at your site to support your school garden. The online school garden guide —
Plant a Seed, Watch it Grow —
is being revised and will be re-released on April 1.
Strategic Energy Innovations - Energize Schools - Project-Based Sustainability Curriculum and Support
Energize Schools
provides holistic services to engage, inspire, and empower high school students to become environmental leaders in their communities, green their facilities, and conserve resources through experiential learning. Energize Schools supports work-based learning initiatives, including annual green careers conferences, and supports conservation efforts through annual energy conservation competitions and Earth Day contests.
Check Out Nature Backpacks
Check Out Nature Backpacks
are a jump-start to getting into nearby nature. The packs can be borrowed from the library like a book and include field guides, activity books, binoculars, bug kits, a water bottle, first-aid kit, compass, and more. The packs can be borrowed at seven participating branches or by placing a
reserve request
to have one delivered to another San Diego Public Library location.
Resource Conservation District (RCD) of Greater San Diego County
Elementary Watershed Education Program
A free
watershed education program
is available to all students in grades 2 through 6 at schools located within the San Diego Bay Watershed. The program includes a one-hour, in-class presentation that supports California NGSS, providing students a hands-on opportunity to learn about their environment, including common stormwater pollutants in San Diego.
High School Stewardship
Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship
(
SLEWS
)
is a program that engages high school students in habitat restoration and conservation through a series of hands-on field days at real project sites. SLEWS was developed by the Center for Land-Based Learning and the RCD is making the opportunity available to new schools.
Contact RCD
if you are interested in learning more.
San Diego Coastkeeper
San Diego Coastkeeper’s
Project SWELL
provides free, standards-aligned curriculum, materials, and class presentations to engage San Diego Unified School District students in grades K to 6 in STEM. To
request
a classroom presentation, fill out the
request form.
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
.
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If you have any questions or comments about
Science News and Updates
, please contact one of our science team members.
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Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at
SDCOE
and in our districts across the county.
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