
Secondary Science Newsletter
April 2023
NGSS - Science & Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas
1-Providing Example Instructional Materials: New Quality High School Unit Posted
Over the last ten years, the field has learned about the features of high-quality science instructional materials, and their importance in making the shifts in classrooms that today’s science standards demand. In this time, over 50 lessons and units have been posted on nextgenscience.org as quality examples for the field to use and learn from.
2-Supporting Student Motivation: New Blog Post
Research indicates that student motivation and engagement in science is key to successfully meeting the rigorous expectations of today’s science standards. A new On the Same Wavelength blog post shares five design principles for supporting this motivation.
3-Examining Data: 2022 K–12 Science Data Snapshot
Instructional materials are critical to achieving equity in the science classroom because they have a huge impact on learning experiences and outcomes for students, particularly those living in poverty and from non-dominant communities.
4-Incorporating Research: Engineering in Preschool Through Elementary Grades
Research on science teaching and learning plays a significant role in supporting all students in engaging in an equitable and inclusive learning experience. Implementing research findings can lead to meaningful outcomes including resources, tools, and strategies that can improve science teaching and learning in the field.
5-Analyzing Assessments: Task Annotation Project in Science
High-quality aligned assessments are an important signal and tool to effectively monitor student learning and generate better science outcomes.
6-Developing Leaders: Framework for Leading Next Generation Science Standards Implementation
This framework provides a vision for what leaders need to know and be able to do to lead NGSS implementation, including key areas of learning for leaders, critical actions, and the role of data to inform and revise strategy.
7-Elevating Students’ Cultures and Backgrounds: Tools for Inclusive Teaching and Learning
STEM Teaching Tools includes a collection of briefs that share research, resources, and strategies for incorporating students’ cultures, backgrounds, and experiences in their science classrooms. The tools provide many strategies to elevate students from marginalized communities, particularly, indigenous students and emerging multilingual learners.
8-Supporting Educators: Science Professional Learning Standards
The Council of State Science Supervisors developed the Science Professional Learning Standards (SPLS) to support science educators to make informed decisions about the features of quality professional learning experiences.
9-Centering Instruction on Sense-making: Problems with Problems
Over the past decade, classroom instruction has started to shift from learning about science to figuring out the cause of phenomena. The field now has many resources on driving instruction with phenomena. However, today’s science standards also represent a commitment to raise engineering design to the same level as scientific inquiry when teaching science at all grades K–12, including supporting students to learn and apply the three dimensions while solving real world problems.
10-Monitoring Progress: Implementation Indicators of Today's Science Standards
Change is a process that must be managed — it does not occur instantly or without great, sustained, and intentional effort. Monitoring progress is an essential component of that work.
Call for Professional Development Proposals
Please complete the form above to share your great teaching strategies with your colleagues. Please complete the proposal form by May 11.
Summer opportunities for Stipend or CPD credits
- Rewriting Second Quarter Assessments (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
- Updating curriculum maps to align with Amplify (middle school)
- Updating resources and materials
More information and a sign-up will be coming soon.
Feedback to Dr. Zimmerman on or about assessments
Looking for Events, Grants, and Professional Development Opportunities See Below
AP Summer Institute
Registration for the Goucher AP Summer Institute is now open. All teachers of AP courses or those interested in teaching AP courses should consider attending this training. While teachers are welcome to attend any APSI across the country, Goucher and SMCPS hold a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that makes the university an exclusive partner in offering SMCPS staff College Board-sanctioned PD. All interested teachers should complete this Google Form.
Please note: AP Seminar and AP Research are the only AP courses with mandated training. High school principals, please consider having more than one person in your building trained to teach each course.
Earn CPD Credits through UMCES with Online Self-Paced Courses
Effective Science Communication Skills to Build the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards and Leaders
CPDs = 2
Data Tells a Story! Learning, Creating and Developing Environmental Report Cards
CPDs = 2
See flyer below
Questions? Please e-mail professionalstudies@umces.edu
NOAA Environmental Science Training Center
Summer Programs for formal and nonformal educators
Mid-Atlantic Climate Change Education Conference
VIRTUAL: June 21 & 22, 2023
Join educators, students, and individuals as we navigate how to advance education for climate action in the Mid-Atlantic at the 4th annual virtual conference. We will learn together how to: Teach Climate Action in the classroom and outdoors, Build Climate Resilience in individuals and communities, Explore Climate Resources to support education and, support our students to Star in the Solutions-focused workforce.
Registration is $25. Learn more and Register for the Conference
Summer Institute for Climate Change Education
VIRTUAL: July 17, 18 & 20, 2023
The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office is co-leading a cohort of mid-Atlantic educators in the Summer Institute for Climate Change Education, hosted by Climate Generation in partnership with NOAA’s Climate Program. Participants will gain the skills, tools, and resources to teach climate change concepts and empower students in all subject areas, and receive on-going support throughout the year. This year’s theme—“Shared Purpose, Shared Future”—centers the Institute on building collective strength to inspire hope and action in our communities.
Registration is $250 (full scholarships are available). Learn more and Register for the Institute
Teachers on the Estuary: Science and Social Emotional Learning
IN-PERSON: July 31-August 4, 2023
How can Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences (MWEEs) enliven education programming and support social-emotional learning and wellness for students and teachers? Join NOAA and Maryland's Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve during this dynamic five-day program to explore cultural coastal habitats and iconic communities. Practice mindful engagement with the environment and conduct field investigations with local scientists and community leaders. Registration includes 5-day, 4-night onsite stay at the Karen Noonan Memorial Environmental Education Center and $200 to support program implementation
Registration is $75. Learn more and Register for the Workshop
Check out the Maryland Loaner Lab from Towson University
Now booking kits through June 2023!
Need to conduct hands-on, learner-centered activities in your classroom, but short on lab equipment and supplies?
We can loan it to you! Our Maryland Loaner Lab (MDLL) program provides free kits to all Maryland secondary teachers. Learn more the different middle and high school kits offered.
Discover more about the MDLL program.
Ready to reserve a kit for your class? Book it now!