Science Matters
A periodic curriculum update: May 2023
January 2024
Updates
Draft Curriculum Overviews for New Standards
As we prepare to implement the new science standards next year, we have developed drafts of curriculum overviews and suggested pacing. Links are provided to draft maps, but work on those maps is paused until DPI releases the unpacking documents (hopefully) later this spring or early summer. Please take a look as you are preparing for next year and email Emma with any feedback.
- 6th Grade Science Draft Overview
- 7th Grade Science Draft Overview
- 8th Grade Science Draft Overview
- Earth & Environmental Science and 8th Grade Science Draft Overview
- Biology Draft Overview
- Chemistry Draft Overview
- Earth & Environmental Science Draft Overview
- Physics Draft Overview
- Physical Science Draft Overview has not yet been completed... contact Emma if you are interested in helping flesh this out!
See the standards here in PDF form (with crosswalks) and here in spreadsheet form.
Science Olympiad Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers for the Science Olympiad tournaments - please share this with people you think would want to help! High school volunteers looking for hours for NHS or other clubs are definitely welcome! People can sign up for Middle/High School on Feb 24 and Elementary on Mar 9.
Student U Summer Positions
Student U is hiring for Summer 2024! See their description below:
Student U is a community organization that uses the power of education to build a just and equitable Durham. We empower and equip first-generation college students in Durham Public Schools, their families, and educators to become the leaders that will transform our city. Together, we’re creating a Durham where all students succeed.
As a result of structural racism, poverty and other systemic injustices, we acknowledge that first generation college-bound students face significant personal and institutional obstacles to educational success. We believe that all people are worthy of experiences and opportunities that honor the equal value of their lives and enable them to reach their full potential. An important part of our student support pipeline and community is our Summer Academy, where we bring together our 6-10th graders to learn, grow, and dream together for five weeks each summer.
We cannot do this work alone! We want you to be a part of our community and partner with us to build a Durham where all students succeed. We are currently recruiting for the following positions at Summer Academy 2024:
Mentor Teachers: Mentor Teachers at Student U are experienced, licensed educators who support a cohort of Summer Academy teachers to grow in their practice through observation, reflection, collaborative lesson planning, and instructional coaching.
High School Internship Coordinator: Student U’s Internship Coordinator collaborates with our full time team to plan and manage our robust High School Internship Program. This person supports off-campus internships for high school students through community partnerships and also acts as the supervisor for Student U’s on-site internship program at Summer Academy.
Professional Learning
ODE Summer Design Camp for Teachers
The ODE Summer Design Camp, a summer opportunity for students (see below), also functions as a professional development and training opportunity for middle and high school STEM teachers. Teachers are invited to participate in the camp to learn engineering design alongside the students.
Teachers are paid a $5,000 stipend for their participation in the summer camp and subsequent implementation of their design-centric lesson plans.
The next Summer Design Camp takes place June 17-July 19, 2024! Find out more information and apply here. Contact Emma or ODE alums Jennifer David (ECHS) or Linda Lanier (Shepard) who can tell you about how awesome the program is!
District-Wide Common Middle School PLCs
We are excited to launch district-wide monthly Middle School PLCs for all core subjects during existing school-based PLC windows. Our next session will take place on Wednesday, January 10, 2023. Science will focus on Developing and Using Models. Please refer to this document for dates, times, host schools, Zoom links, and more details.
Other Opportunities
Check this regularly updated google doc for other PD and classroom opportunities that are sent our way. The sections include professional learning opportunities, ongoing opportunities, student/classroom opportunities, and grants! Let Emma know if you have any questions!
Student Opportunities
ODE Summer Design Camp for High School Students
The ODE Summer Design Camp is an immersive biomedical engineering design experience. Over the course of five weeks, participants will learn about the engineering design process and use it to solve real-world problems through a series of design workshops, labs, and innovation sessions.
This camp is a non-residential summer program for students from Durham and the RTP area. Students will come to Duke’s campus each day and head home at the end of the day’s activities.
The next Summer Design Camp takes place June 17-July 18, 2024.
Summer Design Camp is FREE for participants and meals are provided! Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders are invited to apply! Priority is given to Durham Public Schools students.
Students can find more information and apply here.
Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
DUNE, an 8-week paid summer research program, provides local high school students with a cutting-edge summer research experience in neuroscience laboratories at Duke University. We encourage students from a diversity of backgrounds to apply. Participating students will be paid a stipend. Find more information here.
Student Summer Opportunities Portal
Curious about summer opportunities for students? The NC STEM Center is a portal that lists events and opportunities across the state that can be filtered by location. Check it out!
Send a Message in a Bottle to Jupiter's Moon!
Send your name, your family name,student name, even your pets name to Jupiter's moon Europa on the Europa Clipper spacecraft. Scheduled for launch next October the spacecraft will travel across the solar system in a 6-year trip to the Jupiter system. Learn about the mission here: https://europa.nasa.gov/, and add your name(s) here: https://europa.nasa.gov/message-in-a-bottle/sign-on/
Resources
STEM Teaching Tool: How can we promote equity in science education?
Equity should be prioritized as a central component in all educational improvement efforts. All students can and should learn complex science. However, achieving equity and social justice in science education is an ongoing challenge. Students from non-dominant communities often face "opportunity gaps" in their educational experience. Inclusive approaches to science instruction can reposition youth as meaningful participants in science learning and recognize their science-related assets and those of their communities. See more at stemteachingtools.org
Quarter 2 CIBL Resources
Quarter 3 CIBL Resources
Q3 CIBL Kits are due on March 14 for Year Round Schools and March 21 for Traditional Schools.
Shared Resources by Subject
Our Team
Emma Refvem, Ph.D., NBCT
Email: emma_refvem@dpsnc.net
Phone: 919.560.2000 ext. 21113
Website: central.dpsnc.net
Location: Durham Public Schools, NC, USA
Twitter: @refvemma