APPLY TODAY FOR THE
LOCALIZING SCIENCE
WORKING GROUP
Localizing Science Working Group
Will you or your district be implementing K-8 Amplify Science or 6-12 OpenSciEd next year? Would you like to work with others to enhance student engagement with connections to student’s lived experiences and communities? Would you like an opportunity to earn a $600 stipend and STEM/Equity clock hours?
We are looking for experienced elementary school teachers, middle and high school teachers, TOSAs and district science leads to be a part of a year-long working group that will continue the development of materials to support local connections to science units. Working group members will be developing and testing a localizing guide for a specific science unit. It will provide teachers and districts who have adopted Amplify Science or OpenSciEd ideas for incorporation of localized content, students’ own personal and cultural identities, regional data sets, and relevant climate science.
An ongoing professional learning community that includes:
- A summer institute on IslandWood’s Bainbridge Island Campus with free housing, nourishing meals, travel reimbursement, and optional relaxation activities
- Professional learning on equity in science education, localizing within the context of curriculum learning progressions and equitably centering community, justice and student’s lived experiences.
- Sharing and learning in community during school year progress check-in and support meetings.
- 15 Clock Hours (11 STEM & 4 Equity) for summer participation (with potential for more during the school year).
- $600 Stipend for developing and testing a science unit localizing guide including completion of appendix drafts, implementation check-ins & surveys.
- Summer: August 12th to 14th in-person intensive on Bainbridge Island (Monday night is optional). August 28th from 4-5:30pm on Zoom and one or two additional meetings with a grade-level partner.
- Schoolyear: Seven 90-minute afterschool Zoom meetings focused on checking in, sharing implementation learnings, collaborating on further ideas and a final gathering.
- Asynchronous: New teachers who have not attended one of our Introduction to Localizing Workshops will be asked to view a recording (worth 1.5 clock hours). There will also be a pre-reading for the summer intensive and additional hours during the school year, developing ideas and finalizing a localizing guide for one science unit.
We are seeking teachers, TOSAS, and district science department leads who have experience with K-8 Amplify Science or secondary OpenSciEd, will be implementing or supporting implementation and reflect the racial and cultural diversity of the region.
Working group membership will be decided and confirmed with updated details in late May or early June.
Monday, August 12th
(optional – participants can choose to arrive Tuesday morning)
| 4:30-5:30pm
|
Relaxation and Recuperation Options: Guided Nature Walk to Marsh and Bird Blind or Free Time on Trails |
| 6-6:30pm | Reception with cash bar (2 free drink tokens provided) |
| 7:30-8:30pm | Camp “Fire” with treats |
Tuesday, August 13th
| 7am | Coffee Available |
| 8-9am | Breakfast (optional) |
| 9-11:55am | Session One – Overview, Equity & Amplify |
| 12-1pm | Lunch |
| 1-1:30pm | Break – Siesta with trails available for walking (optional) |
| 1:30-4:30pm | Session Two – Personal & Family Connections |
| 4:45-6 pm | Optional Relaxation and Recuperation Options: Yoga, Guided Nature Walk to Pond and Bridge, Free Time on Trails, or Art in Garden & Garden Tour |
| 6pm | Appetizers and Cash Bar (can use tokens) |
| 6:30-7:30pm | Dinner with Cash Bar |
| 7:30-8:30pm | Main Campus Tour |
Wednesday, August 14th
| 7am | Coffee Service Available – Move out of lodges |
| 8-9am | Breakfast – Drop off room keys at Dinning Hall |
| 9-11:55am | Session Three – Schoolyard & Community Connections |
| 12-1pm | Lunch |
| 1-1:30pm | Break – Siesta/Free time |
| 1:30-4:30pm | Session Four – Regional Connections & Closing |
| 4:30-5pm | Departure |
“It’s the PLC I’ve always wanted to work with but never had access to at my school. We have a group of folks all working towards the same vision, [there are] so many people to bounce ideas off of. This group has helped me hone my teaching craft and create more engaging lessons for kids, hopefully helping them appreciate science more.”
– Rachel Hall, 2022-23 Working Group Member
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