Science, Technology & Engineering

Empowering Students: The 5E Instructional Model (4 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

Empowered learners see how they can make a difference in the world. They see how their learning can impact others. How it can help a friend, or solve a problem, or challenge someone's thinking. If we want to create students who are world-changers we have to give them the opportunity.

This course is designed for teachers grades K-12. Teachers will learn how to incorporate each phase of The 5E Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate) into their classrooms to  help students build a strong foundation of knowledge through active participation and concept application. 

Teachers will learn how to use the instructional model to promote collaborative, active learning in which students work together to solve problems and investigate new concepts by asking questions, observing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions.

Teachers will walk away with numerous resources to support the practical application of the  instructional model. 

Establishing Science Notebooks: An Introduction Into Science Notebooking (3 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

This introductory course is designed for teachers grades K-12. Teachers will explore the basics of setting up science notebooks with specific rituals and routines for their students to facilitate better student outcomes aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. The work will include Decorating, Organizing, and incorporating the three different entry types (Investigations, Note Taking and Reflections) students will utilize in their Science Notebooks. 

Teachers will walk away with numerous resources to support the practical application of Science Notebooks.

Diving Deeper Into Science Notebooks (8 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

This advanced course is designed for teachers grades K-12. It is recommended but not necessary that teachers take An Introduction Into Science Notebooks: Establishing Science Notebooks.

Science notebooks are a powerful component of a science classroom. For students, it is a tool for recording observations, reflections, and other thinking around science. For a teacher, it is an instructional tool, a formative way to assess students, and a place to give meaningful  feedback. In this course, teachers  will take a deeper dive into how to incorporate each of the eight  Science and Engineering Practices (what scientists do) and make connections to the seven  Cross Cutting Concepts (how scientists think) while using the science notebook as a way to curate student thinking.

Teachers will walk away with numerous resources to support the practical application of Science Notebooks.

Promoting Student Thinking: NGSS Crosscutting Concepts (3 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

Education is nothing more, nor less, than learning to think! Research points to fundamental differences in how novices and experts organize information. How students think and organize information is a key aspect to their success. Through this course teachers grades K-12 will explore the Crosscutting Concepts, the third dimension in the New York State Science Learning Standards. Through this course teachers will:  

1. understand where the Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) come from,

2. build definitions of the seven CCCs,

3. understand that students can use the CCCs as a conceptual framework for organizing new information,

4. understand how Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) build in depth and complexity through grade levels,

5. recognize that using different CCCs can highlight different ideas or have different learning outcomes for students.

The NGSS Demystified: 3-D Learning (2 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

What are the NGSS?

The Next Generations Science Standards (NGSS) are the nation's K–12 science standards, rich in content and practice. The NGSS are arranged in a coherent manner across disciplines to provide all students an internationally-benchmarked science education. This course is designed for teachers grades K-12. 

Teachers will explore vertically aligned progressions of performance expectations, that embed The Science & Engineering Practices, The Cross Cutting Concepts and The Disciplinary Core Ideas (3-D Learning). Teachers will also explore Anchor Phenomena and how to set up storylines for their units of study.

NGSS Science & Engineering Practice 1: Asking Questions & Defining Problems (2 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

This course will address Science and Engineering Practice (SEP) 1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems. A practice of science is to ask and refine questions that lead to descriptions and explanations of how the natural and designed world works and which can be empirically tested.

 Authentically, the SEP are fluid and dynamic, yet, research indicates that the use of explicit routines can be very helpful to support students and scaffold mental models. This course will provide background on this SEP  and for teachers grades K-12, explicit routines that can be employed in their class to address this SEP. This course will also provide teachers insights on how to use student friendly progressions, anchor charts and science notebooks to frame the instructional progression.

NGSS Science & Engineering Practice 2: Developing & Using Models (2 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

This course will address Science and Engineering Practice (SEP) 2: Developing and Using Models. A practice of both science and engineering is to use and construct models as helpful tools for representing ideas and explanations. These tools include diagrams, drawings, physical replicas, mathematical representations, analogies, and computer simulations. 

Authentically, the SEP are fluid and dynamic, yet, research indicates that the use of explicit routines can be very helpful to support students and scaffold mental models. This course will provide background on this SEP and for teachers grades K-12 explicit routines that can be employed in their class to address this SEP. This course will also provide teachers insights on how to use student friendly progressions, anchor charts and science notebooks to frame the instructional progression.

NGSS Science & Engineering Practice 3: Planning & Carrying Out Investigations (2 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

This course will address Science and Engineering Practice (SEP) 3: Planning and Carrying out Investigations. Scientists and engineers plan and carry out investigations in the field or laboratory, working collaboratively as well as individually. Their investigations are systematic and require clarifying what counts as data and identifying variables or parameters. 

Authentically, the SEP are fluid and dynamic, yet, research indicates that the use of explicit routines can be very helpful to support students and scaffold mental models. This course will provide background on this SEP and for teachers grades K-12 explicit routines that can be employed in their class to address this SEP. This course will also provide teachers insights on how to use student friendly progressions, anchor charts and science notebooks to frame the instructional progression.

NGSS Science & Engineering Practice 4: Analyzing & Interpreting Data (2 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

This course will address Science and Engineering Practice (SEP) 4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data. Scientific investigations produce data that must be analyzed in order to derive meaning. Because data patterns and trends are not always obvious, scientists use a range of tools—including tabulation, graphical interpretation, visualization, and statistical analysis—to identify the significant features and patterns in the data. Scientists identify sources of error in the investigations and calculate the degree of certainty in the results. Modern technology makes the collection of large data sets much easier, providing secondary sources for analysis. 

Authentically, the SEP are fluid and dynamic, yet, research indicates that the use of explicit routines can be very helpful to support students and scaffold mental models. This course will provide background on this SEP and for teachers grades K-12 explicit routines that can be employed in their class to address this SEP. This course will also provide teachers insights on how to use student friendly progressions, anchor charts and science notebooks to frame the instructional progression.

NGSS Science & Engineering Practice 5: Mathematics & Computational Thinking (2 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

This course will address Science and Engineering Practice (SEP) 5: Mathematics & Computational Thinking. In both science and engineering, mathematics and computation are fundamental tools for representing physical variables and their relationships. They are used for a range of tasks such as constructing simulations; statistically analyzing data; and recognizing, expressing, and applying quantitative relationships. 

Authentically, the SEP are fluid and dynamic, yet, research indicates that the use of explicit routines can be very helpful to support students and scaffold mental models. This course will provide background on this SEP and for teachers grades K-12 explicit routines that can be employed in their class to address this SEP. This course will also provide teachers insights on how to use student friendly progressions, anchor charts and science notebooks to frame the instructional progression.

NGSS Science & Engineering Practice 6: Constructing Explanations & Design Solutions (2 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

This course will address Science and Engineering Practice (SEP) 6: Constructing Explanations & Design Solutions. The products of science are explanations and the products of engineering are solutions. 

Authentically, the SEP are fluid and dynamic, yet, research indicates that the use of explicit routines can be very helpful to support students and scaffold mental models. This course will provide background on this SEP and for teachers grades K-12 explicit routines that can be employed in their class to address this SEP. Teachers will specifically explore Claim Evidence Reasoning as a routine to establish with their students that will enable them to produce high quality explanations. This course will also provide teachers insights on how to use student friendly progressions, anchor charts and science notebooks to frame the instructional progression.

NGSS Science & Engineering Practice 7: Engaging In Argument From Evidence (2 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

This course will address Science and Engineering Practice (SEP) 7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence. Argumentation is the process by which explanations and solutions are reached. 

Authentically, the SEP are fluid and dynamic, yet, research indicates that the use of explicit routines can be very helpful to support students and scaffold mental models. This course will provide background on this SEP and for teachers grades K-12 explicit routines that can be employed in their class to address this SEP. Teachers will specifically explore Claim Evidence Reasoning as a routine to establish with their students that will enable them to produce high quality explanations. This course will also provide teachers insights on how to use student friendly progressions, anchor charts and science notebooks to frame the instructional progression.

NGSS Science & Engineering Practice 8: Obtaining, Evaluating & Communicating Information (2 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

This course will address Science and Engineering Practice (SEP) 8: Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information. Scientists and engineers must be able to communicate clearly and persuasively the ideas and methods they generate. Critiquing and communicating ideas individually and in groups is a critical professional activity. 

Authentically, the SEP are fluid and dynamic, yet, research indicates that the use of explicit routines can be very helpful to support students and scaffold mental models. This course will provide background on this SEP and for teachers grades K-12 explicit routines that can be employed in their class to address this SEP. Specifically, teachers will explore Sketchnotes  as a means for students to obtain, evaluate and communicate information. This course will also provide teachers insights on how to use student friendly progressions, anchor charts and science notebooks to frame the instructional progression.

Leveling Up The 5E Model of Instruction and 3-D Learning: Enhancing Science Units of Study (4 Hours)

(Grades K-12)

This advanced course is designed for teachers grades K-12. It is recommended that teachers take Empowering Students: The 5E Instructional Model before taking this course.

This course is designed for teachers grades K-12. Teachers will learn how to level up  each phase of The 5E Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate) as well as The New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS)  through the use of various strategies, technology enhancements, literature, and multimedia resources. 

Teachers will walk away with numerous resources that can be utilized in their classrooms immediately.