The K-12 Science Scoop
Coming to you from the Region 17 Education Service Center!
It's a pleasure to meet you!
Hello! My name is Dr. Kim Bilbrey-Mosher (Dr. B-Mo) and I have recently joined the Teaching and Learning staff with ESC-17 as your K-12 Science Specialist. I know I have big shoes to fill, but I am ready to grow with you in your practice.
I am completing my 27th year in education where I have served as a middle school science teacher, science instructional coach, K-12 science curriculum coordinator and campus administrator, where I spent the last 14 years as an assistant principal and principal at several campuses in Lubbock ISD and Slaton ISD. I have a B.S. in Biology, M.Ed. and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction all from TTU.
I am a newlywed, proud mom to two grown human children and dog mom to a very large Doberman named Bruce Wayne who thinks he's a lap dog. My husband and I enjoy traveling, being active and spending time with the lap dog. I am a self-described "plant enthusiast," a novice gardener and enjoy crafting and an occasional home improvement project.
I'm a month into my new position and I'm so excited about all of the things we will learn together. Please reach out with questions, ideas and suggestions. Here's to new adventures!
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Please complete the R17 Science Google Form survey and sign up for R17 Science Google Classroom!
Help me learn about you and your professional development needs! I would like to explore a variety of topics relevant to you while delivering PD in an way to reach as many of you as possible. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Please click on the link below to complete the Google form.
Also, please sign up for our R17 Science Google Classroom (Class Code d23lrtu) to link to upcoming ESC workshops, gain access to instructional materials, state-level information and announcements. Please click on the link below to join the Classroom!
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Upcoming Professional Development with Region 17
Science Safety Courses
The Science Safety courses are three one-hour courses designed to provide safety guidance to elementary, middle, and high school science educators. The courses are offered as a courtesy to educators and may not provide all the science safety guidance that schools and districts find necessary to meet laws and rules.
The courses are live in the catalog: https://register.tealearn.com/
Direct Links:
Elementary
Middle
High School
For questions on implementation, please contact Emily Tipps, Learning Management System Lead at Emily.Tipps@tea.texas.gov.
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Tune In to Science with Podcasts
Do you have a commute to school? Do you listen to podcasts to make the miles go by? Have you always wanted to listen but have no idea where to start? I will share popular science-based podcasts on this section of the newsletter - please share your favorites! Find these shows (and many, many others) on Apple or Google podcast apps.
*OLOGIES podcast episodes appropriate for use with students*
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Back-to-School Ideas
Are you a new teacher? This summer are you moving classrooms? Have you been in the same space for a while and in need of some organization or a fresh look? Check out these videos for some "must haves" for your classroom (Amazon links included) and some ideas for setting up your classroom.
**ALWAYS ask your campus administration FIRST about a budget in place for supplies for your classroom**
2021-22 STAAR Statewide Summary Reports are posted!
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Future Science TEKS
Revised K-12 Science TEKS have been adopted (HS in Nov 2020; K-8 in Dec 2021) and are now published in the Texas Administrative Code (Title 19-Part 2-Chapter 112).
K-8 and HS science is now part of
Proclamation 2024. This means that the
new Science TEKS will not be implemented until the 2024-2025 school year with the exception of the Specialized Topics in Science courses (see below). New TEKS will not be assessed until 2025-26.
NEW HS SCIENCE COURSE
Specialized Topics in Science is a NEW HS science course available NOW. Recommended prerequisite is one HS Science credit. This "choose your own-science-adventure" class can count as a Year 3 science credit on a Foundation graduation plan or Year 4 credit on an endorsement plan, including STEM. TEKS are linked below.
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Need s'more information about events and opportunities at the ESC? Click on the image below to access other content areas' newsletters!
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Kim Bilbrey-Mosher, Ed.D. (Dr. B-Mo)- Region 17 ESC K-12 Science/Instructional Technology Education Specialist
