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Science
Science Education Updates and Events:
- Upcoming Educator Events, Student Opportunities, and General Announcements:
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Congratulations to the 2024 Colorado K-6 Science Finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching:
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Teri Crump - STEM Lab School, Adams 12 Five Star Schools
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Allison LeWarne - Sunset Elementary School, Moffat School District
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Tracy Voreis - Challenge School, Cherry Creek School District
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Save the Date for the Colorado Science Conference happening October 25th @ CSU Spur. Learn more about attending, presenting, and/or exhibiting by accessing this link.
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Join the Colorado Science Educator's Network for Colorado’s first ‘Un’Conference: a virtual time to connect with other educators in the state and take away learning nuggets! Participants will be able to engage in 3 different short sessions, and walk away with tools to take back! Join us for this informal and fun collaborative event. Access the event flyer here. Sign up to attend here.
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OERColorado May Webinar Series
What’s the word? OER is the word! Openly-licensed Educational Resources (OER) for all educators can save schools money and allow teachers the ability to adapt free resources to their classroom context. Open Education is the movement to reduce cost and other barriers to knowledge, making education more accessible to all.
-What Are Open Educational Resources (OER) on May 7, 2024
-Adapting Open Educational Resources (OER) on May 14, 2024
-Vetting and Adopting Open Educational Resources (OER) Oct 1, 2024
-Open Educational Resources (OER) Leadership and Advocacy Oct 8, 2024
Visit the OERColorado.org curriculum library to see how our resources can support your classroom and school! Email us at OERColorado@gmail.com.
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Attend the B.E.S.T (BIPOC Educational STEM Thinkers) Conference, presented by the Public Education and Business Coalition (PEBC), on June 29-30 at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Access more information and register here.
- Science Standards revision will take place in the Spring of 2025
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- Professional Learning Opportunities:
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SCILEADPRO is a professional learning opportunity for district science coordinators facilitated by Clemson University. SCILEADPRO is a Science Leadership Institute designed specifically to support coordinators in developing a network and growing professionally. Access the flyer here and sign-up here.
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The Denver Museum of Nature and Science provides ongoing Professional Learning for Teachers across K-12. Check out their offerings here or on their webpage.
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Join us this summer as the Cherokee Ranch Science Institute is offering a unique opportunity for elementary and middle-level educators. The professional development program, free of admissions fees, will be led by retired science teacher John McKinney. Participants will have a day of hands-on learning where they will focus on developing authentic learning experiences and assessments in the earth sciences. Additionally, they will visit two archaeological sites and hike through the beautiful backcountry of Cherokee Ranch. The program aims to show how to apply the next generation science standards in the classroom while learning about the Earth's history and weather along the Front Range of Colorado. Access the flyer and sign up here. Email with questions. jmckteacher@gmail.com.
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The CIRES Center for Education, Engagement and Evaluation (formerly CIRES Education & Outreach) HEART Force team at CU Boulder, presents the Resilient Colorado Virtual Teacher Workshop Summer 2024 taking place June 10-28. this workshop is tailored specifically for educators, like you aiming to elevate your teaching approach with innovative, place-based, NGSS-aligned science curriculum on natural hazards. Register here.
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Integration of Data Fluency into 6th-12th Grade Education is an in-person workshop taking place July 11-12 in Golden, CO at the Colorado School of Mines. This NSF funded professional learning opportunity has no registration fee and the majority of any travel expenses, including flight/ground transportation (up to $600), hotel, and most meals, will be covered by our conference expense fund. For more details, see the event website here and access the application here. Applications due April 26th.
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American Geosciences Institute (AGI) and ExxonMobil are seeking Elementary and Middle School Teachers for the Geoscience and STEM Teaching and Learning Academy in Denver, CO taking place in July. For more details, See application here.
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The Academy of Charter Schools, in association with the American Modeling Teachers Association, is offering a 2-week workshop on Chemistry Modeling Instruction this summer in Westminster, CO. The opportunity spans June 17 - 28 with hours on Mon - Thurs from 8:00 - 3:30 and Friday hours from 8:00 - noon. There is a limit to 20 registrants. Workshop includes a one-year AMTA membership that provides a supportive community, classroom materials, and more! This workshop is beneficial to new and veteran teachers alike. Here is the link for more information and registration. If your school is low on funding, apply for a scholarship by February 29 here. If you have any questions, please contact Angela Smith at angela.smith@theacademyk12.org.
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UCAR Center for Science Education provides in-person and virtual professional learning options for teachers that begin in April. Learn more and register here.
- TERC Climate and Equity Institute is seeking 12 teachers for this program taking place in Maine from July 21-July 27. Application is accessible here and is due March 4.
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Check out AI 101 for Teachers – that Code.org co-launched alongside ETS, Khan Academy and ISTE. The program is a free, foundational online learning series for any teacher and educator interested in AI and its transformative potential in education.
- Denver Zoo is thrilled to be launching three new Teacher Professional Development courses designed to fill you with conservation inspiration...so you’ll be ready to engage your students in the fall. Want more information? Contact us at DZEducation@denverzoo.org.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife Starting in August Virtual, free interactive virtual programs for K-12 classes. About: Virtual program topics will include adaptations, mapping, and ecosystems. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will provide a zoom link and printouts. Additional information will be provided after signing up. Sign-up Here
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Shortcuts to Additional Resources:
- Access classroom resources aligned with the 2020 Science Standards for elementary and secondary
- Access 3D teaching and learning
- Access Opportunities for Educators and Students
- Access Professional Organizations
- Access Building Community and Industry Partnerships
Academic Standards
The revised Colorado Academic Standards for Science reflect a new vision for science education that connects scientific knowledge, in authentic ways, to real-world problem solving and innovation. The standards forefront scientific practices that go beyond the inquiry process to arrive at justifiable rationales for interpretations of phenomena.
Curriculum Support
Article IX, Section 16 of Colorado's constitution states, "Neither the general assembly nor the state board of education shall have power to prescribe textbooks to be used in the public schools." However, CDE can still serve as an advisor to help districts and schools adopt, adapt, develop, or use the materials of their choice.
Instructional Support
Colorado's 2020 Science Standards support a three-dimensional model of science teaching and learning. Instructional support is grounded in CDE's shared approach to Best, First Instruction and strategies supported by professional organizations and scholars.
Community
There are many opportunities to connect and grow as a professional educator with the larger science education community, including mailing lists, professional organizations, awards and grants, and events.
Additional Information
Learn more about CMAS Science here.
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