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TK-5

- TK-8 Capacity Builders 12/10 @ SDG&E Innovation Center, 2/25, 4/28

6-8

- TK-8 Capacity Builders 12/10@ SDG&E Innovation Center, 2/25, 4/28

- 8th Grade Capacity Builders 2/20 @ San Diego Air & Space Museum

- Intro to NGSS 12/17, 1/30 @ Fleet Science Center

- NGSS in Action 1/28 & 4/28 @ Fleet Science Center

9-12

- Chemistry Capacity Builders 3/24 @ Fleet, 4/21

- Intro to NGSS 12/17, 1/30 @ Fleet Science Center

- NGSS in Action 1/28 & 4/28 @ Fleet Science Center

Dear Teachers,

Our Science TK-8 Capacity Builder Session is taking place on Tuesday, December 10, 2019.

Location: Energy Innovation Center, 4760 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117.

Time: 8:30am-3:30pm. Please register using this link on the Professional Learning site: Register

Draft Agenda:

Morning

• Sharing District Updates
• Capacity Builder Needs Assessment
• Teacher NGSS Continuum
• Intro to the Environmental Principles & Concepts

Afternoon (Breakout based on want/need)

• NGSS 101
• Grade-alike breakouts
• Brainstorm Future District Professional Learning
• Facility tour of the Energy Innovation Center

Rules for the Energy Innovation Center:

- Visitors are not allowed to bring in their own food or beverages. You will have lunch on your own from 11:30 - 12:30.

- To support the center’s sustainability goal, individually wrapped items (i.e. candy, snacks, bottled water, giveaways, etc.) are not allowed.

- A hydration station is available if you bring your reusable water bottle.

If you have any questions, please contact Zoë Randall: zrandall@sandi.net

Come listen to cutting-edge scientists address the ethics of the investigations they are conducting in various fields. These sessions are once a month, usually the first Wednesday of each month, from 5 pm to 7 pm. The format is lively: a short-ish presentation followed by a longer Q & A and interaction between the audience and scientist.

The next session is very timely: on the ethics of e-cigarettes (aka vaping). For more information and to sign up, please go to this website:

https://www.ethicscenter.net/

Registration for the 2019-2020 Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge is now open!

Are you an educator looking to build creative and engaging learning experiences that strengthen critical thinking skills for your students? The Youth Design Challenge can help you give the next generation a unique opportunity to be inspired by nature.

Sign up now to gain exclusive access to a clear framework that meets science standards and enables students to solve real-world and local sustainability problems.

REGISTER NOW

Did you know we have CAST practice questions in Illuminate? We do! Follow these instructions to access the pre-made formative assessments for grades 3-12. Please contact Tressa Renne, Mimi Luong, Audrey Mason if you have questions about how to use Illuminate.

We're excited to announce that you and your students have the opportunity to take an inspirational STEM field trip to the Society for Science & the Public's Education Outreach Day in Anaheim on Thursday, May 14, 2020!

As part of our International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), Education Outreach Day gives thousands of students and their teachers a chance to participate in a full day of hands-on, team-oriented STEM programming, including meeting and learning from some of the 1,700 high school ISEF research Finalists from more than 80 countries, regions and territories.

Learn More about Education Outreach Day

In order to bring students to this event, you need to apply using the form below. If your school is selected to attend the event, the Education Outreach Day programming is completely free. The Society is also proud to provide financial support for transportation and substitute costs for schools that qualify. In the time leading up to the event, we'll also send out possible STEM substitute plans and information that will help prepare your students for the event.

To apply to attend Education Outreach Day with your students, fill out the form below. Don't wait too long to make your spring field trip plans, spots will fill up fast!

Apply to Attend Education Outreach Day

Please select the option requesting funding and that they learned about this opportunity from "Local STEM Ecosystem”

Please reach out to us with any questions at outreach@societyforscience.org. We're really excited about seeing you and your students in Anaheim in May!

Education Outreach Day is brought to you by the Broadcom Foundation.

Refreshed practice and training tests for the California Science Test (CAST), which students, parents/guardians, and classroom teachers can access to help them become more familiar with questions on the CAST. Both the practice and training tests are grade-specific (i.e., grade five, grade eight, and high school). The practice tests include three performance tasks—one from each of the science domains (i.e., Earth and Space Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences)—and mirror the depth and breadth of the content from the operational test. The training tests are available to acquaint students with the different item types.

These practice and training tests feature all the accessibility resources on the operational CAST. Be sure to help your students access the tests so they may be ready to take the CAST this spring!

Argumentation is a key part of the evolution and progression of scientific knowledge and is one of the 8 NGSS Science and Engineering Practices. However, engaging students in this practice can be especially challenging in the classroom as it requires a complex mix of content knowledge, classroom management, instructional strategies, and creativity.

During this 4-day institute, middle and high school science educators will examine their own understandings and beliefs about scientific argumentation and will explore strategies to support students in this classroom practice. Additionally, teachers will have time to collaborate and connect with other educators as they work towards implementation in their own classrooms.

Register now for this professional learning experience designed by teachers for teachers!

(Cost: $100)

Two Follow-Up days are also included with registration: February 29 and March 21 2020

REMINDER: The Argonaut Program Deadline is December 13th 2019!

The Argonaut expedition is an incredible adventure and can be a life-changing experience for participating students and teachers. As such, each spot on the team is highly coveted. Every year students and teachers apply for the program through JASON, competing against candidates in their district and around the world for the chance to be on the next JASON Argonaut team.APPLY NOW

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Students:

• Will be between 13-17 years old on June 1, 2020
• Demonstrate a strong interest and ability in science
• Possess excellent leadership and teamwork skills
• Are self-motivated, creative, and adventurous
• Possess (or are willing to learn!) excellent communication skills
• Exhibit an eagerness to participate in field activities which may be outdoors and/or strenuous in nature
• Have ideally used JASON in an educational setting

Note: For students with special needs, accommodations may be made consistent with the student’s’ IEP

Teachers who:

• Demonstrate outstanding performance in working with students
• Demonstrate a strong interest and ability in science
• Possess excellent leadership and teamwork skills
• Are self-motivated, creative, and adventurous
• Possess excellent communication skills
• Exhibit an eagerness to participate in field activities which may be outdoors and/or strenuous in nature
• Have five or more years of experience working with students
• Have ideally used JASON Learning in an educational setting

Check out the upcoming trips at https://www.jason.org/argonauts.

Looking to take your science instruction to the next level? Check out Ambitious Science Teaching. Elevate planning, teaching and alignment to NGSS. We will be working with some of these ideas in future professional development. Read the book or check out the website to learn more.

Science: bit.ly/sdusdscience

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