Localizing Science Working Group
If your district implemented K-8 Amplify Science or 6-12 OpenSciEd this year, or plan to do so next year, consider joining our working group next year.
As a member of the Localizing Science Working Group cohort you’ll be collaborating with other educators to enhance student engagement and connect science to their lived experiences. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to develop valuable resources for teachers and earn a stipend and STEM/Equity clock hours for your participation.
This year, we sought experienced educators at various levels to collaborate in a year-long working group focused on enhancing science education. The group’s goal was to develop resources that would help teachers connect science units to their local context, students’ lives, and relevant regional and climate data. While applications for this year’s working group are now closed, we will again be seeking elementary school teachers, middle and high school teachers, TOSAs, and district science leads to participate in next year’s group.
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: In-person intensive on Bainbridge Island and one or two additional meetings with a grade-level partner over Zoom.
- School Year: 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.
The working group includes teachers, TOSAS, and district science department leads who have experience with K-8 Amplify Science or secondary OpenSciEd, who will be implementing or supporting implementation and reflect the racial and cultural diversity of the region.
Applications have closed for the 2024-25 working group. Working group membership will be confirmed with updated details by early June.
If you haven’t already, subscribe to our mailing list to stay in the know about next year’s Localizing Working Group and other professional learning opportunities.
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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