LOCALIZING SCIENCE
WORKING GROUP
Localizing Science Working Group
Will you or your district be implementing K-8 Amplify Science or 6-8 Open Sci Ed this 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 Clock Hours?
“This was such a valuable experience and I feel so fortunate to have been a part of this project and to have worked with such an amazing group of educators.”
– Anne Cushman, 2022-23 Working Group Member
We are looking for experienced elementary school teachers, middle 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 an appendix for a specific science unit. It will provide teachers and districts who have adopted Amplify Science or Open Sci Ed ideas for incorporation of localized content, students’ own personal and cultural identities, regional data sets, and relevant climate science.
Working group members will:
- Deepen science knowledge and climate literacy
- Center equity, justice, and local communities
- Participate in a professional learning community
- Develop and implement an appendix for a science unit you will be teaching this year
- A summer institute on IslandWood’s Bainbridge Island Campus with free housing, nourishing meals, travel reimbursement, and optional relaxation activities
- 13 STEM Clock Hours for summer participation (with potential for more during the school year).
- $600 Stipend for developing and testing a Science Unit Appendix including completion of appendix drafts, implementation check-ins, and surveys
Summer:
- August 7th – 9th in person intensive on Bainbridge Island (Monday night is optional)
- August 29th from 4-5:30pm on Zoom
- One or two additional meetings with a grade-level partner
Asynchronous:
- Additional hours developing ideas and finalizing an appendix for an Open Sci Ed or Amplify Science Unit throughout the year
School year:
- Seven 90-minute afterschool Zoom meetings focused on checking in, sharing implementation learnings, and collaborating on further ideas
- We are seeking teachers, TOSAS, and district science department leads who have experience with K-8 Amplify Science or middle school Open Sci Ed, will be implementing or supporting implementation and reflect the racial and cultural diversity of the region.
- Applications will be reviewed starting June 23rd and will be accepted until the group is filled.
- Working group membership will be decided and confirmed with updated details in late June or early July after OSPI ClimeTime funding is approved.
“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
CONNECT WITH US
