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 Snohomish – Snoqualmie 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 uses 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.
There are both online and in-person option for the 2nd session of the course. All other sessions will be online. The optional in-person session will be at Oxbow Farms on the Snoqualmie River.
Course Outcomes:
- Understand how local phenomena intersect with Next Generation Science Standards, climate change, ecosystems, and people in the community.
- Experience how specific examples support a larger equity and justice focused framework and collaborate with other participants to develop ideas that will work for their individual curriculum and community.
- Reflect on how local, community-based science instruction is integral to the pursuit of climate and education justice.
This course is intended for teachers of 6th – 8th grade students with some flexibility in what they teach. Informal science educators are also welcome!
- 12 STEM Clock Hours
- After completing this course, teachers will need to claim and pay for clock hours at pdEnroller.
- Washington State Public School Teachers will receive a $300 implementation stipend upon submission of teacher and student work and completion of assessments.
- Funding provided by the Washington State Legislature through the ClimeTime Proviso and is available to Washington State teachers and educators only.
All sessions are virtual with the exception of one optional in-person session.
- Session 1: Wed, Jan 18, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
- Session 2: Sat, Jan 28, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM Zoom OR Sat, Jan 21, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM in-person
- Session 3: Wed, Feb 1, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
- Session 4: Wed, Feb 8, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
- Session 5: Wed, Feb 15, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
- Asynchronous work due: Wed, Mar 8
