It’s an exciting time for the world of science instruction; advances in cognitive and pedagogical research are re-shaping the way we think about engaging students in science and engineering. The state of Utah has reflected these improvements in the new 6-8th grade SEEd (Science and Engineering Education) Standards, which will be implemented across the state during the 2017-2018 school year.
While this change is exciting, it also poses significant challenges. The SEEd standards are built on Disciplinary Core Ideas, as were the previous standards. The new components include the explicit integration of Science and Engineering Practices into every single standard, and the framing of ideas within Crosscutting Concepts to allow instructors to help students organize their thoughts. These three components, called ‘dimensions,’ when anchored to instruction that allows students to explore phenomena they encounter in the world, allows students to act as sense-makers and science/engineering practitioners.
In order to provide 6-8th grade teachers with professional learning support to successfully implement the new standards, the Center for Science and Mathematics Education (CSME) is offering a week-long workshop – the “SEEd Swap” – in 2017.
The SEEd Swap workshop is open to Utah science teachers (6-8th grade) from any instructional context; priority is given to teachers from Title 1 schools and/or schools with high numbers of students in poverty, and teams of teachers from the same school whose administrator can attend on July 31st. This workshop is geared specifically for teachers who have received little-to-no previous training in 3-dimensional instruction.
2017 Workshop Information
Application Deadline: April 3, 2017
Space is limited to 75 participants, and the workshop is FULL. The waitlist is closed to 6th grade teachers, but it is still accepting 7-8th grade teachers. Contact us if you are a 7-8th grade teacher who would like to be added to the waitlist.
Dates: July 31-August 4, 2017
Times: 8:30am-3:00pm daily
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Who Should Apply:
- 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science teachers who have had minimal training in the SEEd standards and 3-Dimensional instruction.
What to Expect:
- July 31- Introduction to 3-Dimensional Instruction, with a combination of modeled lessons, direct instruction, and a lunch with Scott Roskelley from USBE to discuss how SAGE assessment will be impacted by the SEEd Standards.
- Aug. 1-4
- Morning: modeled lesson aligned to a new (to that grade) content component
- Mid-day: expert content lecture OR community resource panel
- Afternoon: modeled lesson aligned to a new (to that grade) content component
For more information about the workshop schedule by grade, click here.
Costs and Benefits:
- Free for admitted teachers
- 3 USBE credits
- Lunch provided
- $125 supply stipend to participants with 100% attendance
Questions? Contact us.