Greetings Science Educators!
I hope the school year finds you well. There are several items to share in this week’s Science Message including: the announcement of Science Standards Regional Workshops, updates to science assessment documents provided on the State Department webpage, and information about the Oklahoma Science Teacher’s Association Conference and a Chemical Management in Schools workshop.
Announcing Two-Day Regional Workshops: Transitioning to the New Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science
With the adoption of the new Oklahoma Academic Science Standards in March 2014, several districts and teachers are beginning to make decisions on how to transition from PASS to OAS-Science. The Oklahoma State Department of Education is offering two-day regional workshops designed to provide districts and teachers the support they need to begin that transition.
Day 1:
The first day of the workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the 3 Dimensions of Science (Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas) integrated into the new Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science. Participants will have opportunities to engage in several classroom activities that embody the 3 Dimensions and provide ample opportunity for participants to reflect on the shifts exhibited in the new OAS-Science.
In this session participants will explore the following topics as they relate to the OAS-Science:
- Integrating the 3 Dimensions into Classroom Instruction
- Integrating Engineering
- Constructing Explanations
- Teaching Natural Phenomena
- Science Discourse Strategies
- Assessing Student Understanding
Time: 8:30 – noon, noon-1:00 (lunch on your own), 1:00 – 4:00
Day 2:
The second day of the workshop will be devoted to supporting districts and teachers in developing resources that will assist them as they begin to transition to the new OAS-Science.
In this session participants will collaborate to develop the following resources:
- Transition Plans
- Grade Level or Course Curriculum Maps
- Science Performance Tasks
- Strategies for Redesigning Existing Curriculum
Time: 8:30 – noon, noon-1:00 (lunch on your own), 1:00 – 4:00
The resources developed along with all presentation materials will be available for participants to take back to their districts to share with others.
Workshop Registration, Dates and Locations:
To register for one of the workshops and to get directions to the workshops go to:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/science-standards-workshop-tickets-12977180095?aff=eorg
- September 18th-19th: Sand Springs – Sand Springs Public Schools Early Childhood Education Center
- September 25th-26th: Stillwater – Meridian Technology Center
- October 9th-10th: Pryor – Northeast Technology Center
- November 13th-14th: Norman – Moore/Norman Technology Center
- December 4th – 5th: Weatherford – Western Technology Center
- February 12th – 13th: Altus – Southwest Technology Center
- October 23rd-24th: Ardmore – Sam Nobel Foundation (The Sam Nobel Foundation is hosting the Ardmore workshop and providing lodging at no cost to participants who require it on the evening of October 23rd. To sign up for lodging or if you have questions about lodging, contact Frank Hardin at cfhardin@noble.org.)
- OSDE is still working to secure a few more locations for additional workshops around the state. As more locations are added I will provide that information via the science listserv. The updated locations will also appear on the registration link.
Workshop FAQ:
Who should attend the two-day workshops?
K-12 teachers, teacher leaders, science department chairs, science curriculum coordinators, administrators and higher education faculty members from the departments of education and sciences. Ideally, at least two members from each school or district should attend the workshop.
Do I have to attend both days?
It is highly recommended that teachers participate both days as day 2 builds on day 1. However, administrators and higher education faculty may benefit from attending just day 1, as day 1 provides a glimpse of the changes that are expected with the new standards.
Is lunch provided for participants?
Lunch is not provided for participants. A lunch break is embedded into each day’s schedule from noon-1:00 pm.
Does it cost to attend the workshop?
There is no registration fee associated with the workshop. However, travel and substitute costs are the responsibility of the sending school or participant.
If you have additional questions regarding the workshop or registration for the workshop contact me or Joel.Smith@sde.ok.gov
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science Update:
I am still receiving several questions regarding science standards in the state so I hope to clear up some of the confusion with the following information.
New Standards and Old Assessments:
The Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science (download here) were adopted unanimously by the Oklahoma State Board of Education in March of 2014 and signed into rule by Governor Fallin in June of 2014. However, the state science assessments will not be aligned to these standards until 2016-2017. This will give districts and teachers three years to transition to the new standards.
The state science assessments given at grades 5, 8, and in Biology 1 will continue to be aligned to the PASS standards (download here) in the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years.
The non-state tested grade levels can move forward with transitioning as they choose. Keep in mind there are three years to do so; please don’t think this has to be accomplished before school starts or even by the end of this year. It will take time to make some of these shifts.
The state tested grade levels will need to ensure that students are prepared to take their exams aligned to the PASS (2011) standards in school years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. However, efforts towards transitioning to the new standards can begin at these grade levels.
Science Assessment Updates:
Revised/New Documents for Science Assessment
Test Items Specification Documents:
- Grade 5 Science Test and Item Specs
- Grade 8 Science Test and Item Specs
- ACE Biology EOI Test and Item Specs
2014-2015 Released Science Items:
- EOI Biology I| Key
- EOIFormula Sheet
- Grade 8 Science| Key
- Grade 5 Science | Key
For questions regarding any of the documents, contact Craig.Walker@sde.ok.gov
Textbook Adoption Update:
The State Textbook Committee is moving forward with science textbook adoption this year. The committee met with publishers in July to begin reviewing some of the materials being submitted for review. The committee will continue their work through the fall. A list will be produced this fall with all the texts determined, by the State Textbook Committee, to be adequately aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science, The textbook caravans will begin in spring of 2015 and the monies for textbook adoption for science will be released to districts July 1, 2015. If any of the information above changes, I will convey as soon as possible.
For additional questions contact: Timmie.Spangler@sde.ok.gov
Professional Development Opportunities:
Oklahoma Science Teacher’s Association Conference: OSTA FLIPS FOR SCIENCE
November 1, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at the University of Central Oklahoma
For details and to register go to: https://www.oklahomascienceteachersassociation.org/?p=5780
Chemical Management in Schools Workshop:
Pollution prevention (P2) protects the environment before pollution even begins, saves energy and natural resources, and leaves our homes, schools and workplaces cleaner and safer. Many school districts and teachers are unaware of proper management of chemicals used in labs and elsewhere on campus. The P2 Program will provide an overview of federal and state regulatory requirements; development of a chemical management plan; and address opportunities to reduce waste generation.
This workshop will address:
- Scope of the chemical management problems
- Regulations governing chemical management in schools
- Developing a chemical management plan
- Alternate labs that generate little or no hazardous waste
Tuesday, September 16, 2014, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Presentation Hall, Jenks Math and Science Center
205 E. B Street, Jenks, OK, 74037
To register, email Ppwrcy@deq.ok.gov or Jimmy Carter@deq.ok.gov
Free Articles from NSTA Journals:
Science and Children -Elementary
Channeling Your Inner Entomologist
Science Scope – Middle School
Astrobiology: Explorations in Earth and Life Science
The Science Teacher – High School
The Dark Side of the Tube
Stay Connected:
Social Media: Twitter: @tiffanyneill Facebook: #OKSci Hashtags: #oksde #OKSci #OKSTEM Sign Up for a Twitter account: https://twitter.com/As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have!
– Tiffany