Science

Science Education Updates and Events:

• Summer Professional Learning Opportunities: (In no particular order)

The Tipping Point 

June 20th, 11 am - 3 pm ET

About: Presented by CIRES. Join developer Jon Griffith and featured scientist, ecologist Dr. Megan DeMarche as they lead you through "The Tipping Point", a 2-day MS/HS resource in which students analyze ecological data to explain how rising temperatures are affecting the hearty tundra plant, moss campion, and consider what that might mean for the rest of the ecosystem.

Megafires: Rare Occurrences or the New Normal?

Virtual workshop July 18th, 11 am - 3 pm ET

About: Presented by CIRES. Join developer Jon Griffith and featured scientist, fire ecologist Dr. Natasha Stavros, as they lead you through "Megafires: Rare Occurrences or the New Normal?", a 3-day resource in which students analyze megafire frequency data to explain how and why the number of megafires has changed over time.

Water & Rivers Teacher Institute

Various Dates and trainings offered

About: Presented by various organizations including CAEE, NOAA, and Colorado Western University. Learn how to integrate rivers and riparian habitat and the complexities of water management in the West into your curriculum through cross-curricular field and classroom learning observing phenomenon, authentic explorations, discussions, and reflection routines. Earn 2 graduate credits.

Arctic Ecosystem Exploration: MOSAiC Teacher Workshop

Virtual Workshop date: July 12-13, 9 am - 1 pm MT

About: Presented by MOSAiC. Explore the impact of declining sea ice on the Arctic food web using 360° virtual expeditions, authentic datasets, and ArcGIS Storymaps. Gain valuable insights from MOSAiC scientists and curriculum developers to effectively facilitate the lessons and earn a certificate for 10 hours of professional development. Graduate credit from the University of Colorado Boulder is also available for purchase ($90).

The Future of Forests 

Virtual Workshop June 7-8 from 9 am-1 pm MT

About: Presented by CIRES. Join the FREE 2-day teacher workshop on "The Future of Forests" focused on post-fire recovery in the west. Led by University of Colorado Boulder curriculum developers, this virtual workshop connects to NGSS life science standards and incorporates NASA's GLOBE Observer land cover app. Engage with online interactives, authentic datasets, and App-based labs. Open to middle and high school science teachers, the workshop will be conducted via Zoom. Participants will receive a certificate for 10 hours of professional development. Graduate credit option available for $90.

Summer Agriculture Institute

Durango: July 10-14 & Denver: July 18-20

About: Presented by Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom. Attendees learn about Colorado agriculture; tour farms, ranches, and production facilities; and learn innovative, standards-based ways to incorporate food, fiber, fuel, and natural resource topics into academic curricula! Free resources. Renewal and Grad credits offered. PreK-12 formal and informal educators in all disciplines from across the Four Corners region and beyond are welcome.

Environmental Educators Workshop

Virtual Workshop takes place on August 1-3

About: Presented by Earth Force. Practice Environmental Action Civics this summer to gain the skills to guide student-led environmental civic action - right in your classroom or program, supplementing your existing plan. This deep dive into practical, actionable strategies focuses on how to build youth-adult partnerships, integrate civic experiences, facilitate student-led projects, connect students to stakeholders, and more.

2023 AP For All Summer Institute

In-person Workshop takes place on July 17-20 from 8AM-4PM daily at Erie High School

About: Presented by Colorado Education Initiative and St. Vrain Valley Schools. This College Board Certified event will guide educators through the resources for teaching Advanced Placement courses. 

• Congratulations to the 2022-2023 Colorado PAEMST Finalists in Science: (alphabetical order)
  • Kimberly Becker - Centaurus High School, Boulder Valley School District
  • Dr. Yajaira Fuentes- Tauber Rocky Mountain High School, Poudre School District
  • Michael Rudolph - Heritage High School, Littleton School District 
• Register to attend CoLabs 2023!
• Science Standards revision will take place in the Spring of 2025
• Register for the 2023 Advancing Environmental Education Conference September 29 & 30 at CSU Spur
• NSTA Conferences:
  • Oct 25-28, 2023 in Kansas City
  • March 20-23, 2024 in Denver (CSC cancelled this year)
• American Physical Society (APS) Division of Plasma Physics (DPP) will be hosting a Student Expo (Nov 2-3, 2023) and Teacher Day (TBA Nov 2023) in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center