April 2006

Improving Science Education

EDC presentations at the NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) Conference

Members of EDC's staff will present at the annual National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference held in Anaheim, California from April 6th to
April 9th. NSTA, founded in 1944 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.

Learn more about NSTA by visiting their Web site.

Marian Grogan, Marian Pasquale, Karen Worth, Jeff Winokur, and Sally Crissman, Center for Science Education (CSE)
Science Inquiry and Literacy—How Are They Connected? (Professional Development Institute)
Wednesday, April 5, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

This full-day institute examines how discussion and writing are integral parts of firsthand experiences with authentic objects and with explorations outdoors. Participants begin by engaging in close observations of natural objects selected for their ability to interest, spark discussion, and generate questions. The nature and role of discussion and how it enhances observation and questioning will be a focus.

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Marian Grogan, and Marian Pasquale, Center for Science Education (CSE)
Science Assessment: Research and Practical Approaches for Grades 3–12 Teachers and School and District Administrators (Conference)
Aligning Middle School Assessment to High-Stakes Tests (Breakout Session)
Thursday, April 6, 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

This session is designed for middle-grades science teachers and curriculum specialists who would like to understand more about assessment—particularly the types found on national and state science tests—and when and how each type can be incorporated in classroom science units. During this session, participants learn about the purpose of different kinds of assessment and the information each assessment provides about student understanding.

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Jeff Winokur, and Sally Crissman, Center for Science Education (CSE)
The Role of Writing and Discourse in the Development of Scientific Reasoning and Understanding (Workshop)
Friday, April 7, 8–11 a.m.

This course will use video, student work, and discussion to identify teaching strategies that make the use of literacy in science more rigorous and focused on scientific reasoning and conceptual understanding.

Bernard Zubrowski, Center for Science Education (CSE)
The Role of Analogies in the Sense-making Phase of the Inquiry Cycle (Presentation)
Friday, April 7, 9:30–10:30 a.m.

Students generate analogies as they try to make sense of hands-on experiences. This is a critical step in bringing about conceptual change. Participants will observe and discuss videos of students' analogies and consider ways of using these analogies for addressing targeted concepts.

Marian Grogan, and Marian Pasquale, Center for Science Education (CSE)
Formative Assessment in the Middle Grades (Short Course)
Friday, April 7, 1–4 p.m.

This course is designed for middle level teachers who would like to understand more about assessment—particularly the types found on national and state science tests— and when and how each type can be incorporated into their classroom science units.

Barbara Brauner Berns, Center for Science Education (CSE)
Research-Based Professional Development Tools for NSF's Teacher Professional Development Continuum Portfolio (Presentation)
Friday, April 7, 2–3 p.m.

A panel of principal investigators will describe research-based professional development resources they are currently developing to support teachers and administrators in improving science teaching and learning.

Joseph Flynn, Center for Science Education (CSE)
Make Scientific Thinking Happen in the High School Classroom (Presentation)
Friday, April 7, 2–3 p.m.

Your students answer questions but their answers don't really say much? Here are adaptations to your current lessons that will open up student minds.

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Joseph Flynn, Center for Science Education (CSE)
Have Einstein, Curie, and Newton Visit Your Classroom: Embedding the History of Science into Your Teaching (Workshop)
Saturday, April 8, 9:30–10:30 a.m.

Address national standards, deepen students' scientific understanding, and engage students all at once! Embed the history of science into your lessons using free Web resources.

Charles Judson Hill, Center for Science Education (CSE)
The Backbone of Science Learning (Presentation)
Saturday, April 8, 8–9 a.m.

“Science, like the rest of culture, is based on the manufacture of narrative,” said scientist E.O. Wilson. We will explore and describe the use of story to engage high school students.

Bernard Zubrowski, Center for Science Education (CSE)
Pond Water Investigations (Workshop)
Saturday, April 8, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Participants engage in explorations of pond organisms through a variety of means, including video clips. The video is in a quick time format allowing the viewer to closely study behavior of the different organisms, which can be the starting point for some authentic inquiry.

Karen Worth, Center for Science Education (CSE)
Engaging 3–5 Year Olds in Science Inquiry (Workshop)
Saturday, April 8, 10:00–11:30 AM

This session provides a vivid picture of how teachers can engage children in challenging explorations of the world around them. Session includes a brief overview of this approach, hands-on exploration of the science of water, a classroom video, and discussions of key teaching strategies. The importance of literacy and mathematical thinking in developing science understandings will be highlighted.

Karen Worth, Center for Science Education (CSE)
Bringing Science to Preschoolers with PEEP and the Big Wide World (Workshop)
Saturday, April 8, 2–3 p.m.

PEEP and the Big Wide World, launched by WGBH Boston, is an innovative science program for very young children that models science inquiry and stimulates children to do their own. View some of the episodes, try out related activities, and learn about outreach materials and strategies that involve caregivers and parents to extend children’s investigations of their world. Participants will leave with free teaching guides and DVDs.

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Joseph Flynn and Bettina Dembek, Center for Science Education (CSE)
Becoming a Seminar Leader for “Making Scientific Thinking Happen in the High School Classroom” (Short Course)
Sunday, April 9, 8:30–11:30 a.m.

This session introduces a CD-based professional development seminar for high school science teachers. Participants will experience the seven seminar sessions, compressed, and simulate the experience of conducting the seminar. They will also develop seminar implementation plans that are appropriate for local resources. The CD with all materials needed for implementation is provided.

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