During this virtual course, participants will explore how local scientific phenomena can drive a Next Generation Science Standards storyline for 6-8th grade students. IslandWood educators will guide participants through an example storyline highlighting the impacts of climate change on the Puyallup River and community resilience in the face of these changes. Using climate data, community expertise, and intersections with ELA and Social Studies standards, the course will use this example storyline to model culturally sustaining instructional strategies that connect to the interests and identities of students while building understandings about the local impacts of climate change. Participants will imagine possibilities for using this localized model in their own curricula, with support and collective learning alongside peer teachers.
Timeline
- Session 1 (viewed by January 14): Introductory asynchronous session (1 STEM Clock Hour)
- Session 2 (January 15, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm): Kickoff synchronous session (4 STEM Clock Hours, with 1 hour-long lunch break)
- Sessions 3 & 4 (February 2 and March 3, 4:00 – 5:30 pm): Sessions with professional learning community (1.5 STEM Clock Hours each; 3 STEM Clock Hours total)
- Session 5 (March 31, 4:00 – 5:30 pm): Final session (1.5 STEM Clock Hours)
- Additional work completed outside the above sessions (up to 1.5 STEM Clock Hours)
