May 2023
WHAT'S GOING ON IN SECONDARY SCIENCE?
JORDAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
UPCOMING IN MAY
We are nearing the end of the school year! Hang in there for these last couple of weeks and remember to reach out to your secondary science specialist if you have any questions or need anything!
CONTACT YOUR SECONDARY SCIENCE SPECIALIST
I am happy to support any science instruction you may need!
TORI JOHNSON
VICTORIA.JOHNSON@JORDANDISTRICT.ORG
801.567.8466
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
U OF U ENGINEERING WORKSHOP FOR EDUCATORS WITH DR. STACY FIRTH
Workshops are hands-on and interactive, with a focus on activities that participants can directly use in their classroom to satisfy state SEEd standards.
Workshops will be from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Meldrum Innovation Laboratory. Workshops are 1 University of Utah Credit each. Each course fee is $100.
OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS PROVIDED BY THE LEONARDO
Students will get the chance to "team up with your friends and change the world at MIND RIOT! Spend three days at The Leonardo museum developing an innovative solution to a real-world problem and win cash prizes, swag, and a lifelong community of other entrepreneurs."
Grand Prizes:
1st Place Team: $2000 ($500ea)
2nd Place Team: $1200 ($300ea)
3rd Place Team: $800 ($200ea)
FACE 2 FACE EVENTS
One week long, face to face courses available to teachers. Courses are focused in content, 3D science, and pedagogy.
Courses start in June 2023.
You can visit the website by clicking the button below for more information or to register for USU Physics Day at Lagoon!
*Note: Their site security certification has lapsed and they are working to get it fixed. To circumvent this, in Google select Advance Options from the error and say it OK to connect to the site. If you don't receive an email within a week after registering, send an email to physicsdayusu@gmail.com.
CUWP SUMMER WRITING TEACHING WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS
A three-credit, one-week intensive course where teachers of all grade levels and subject areas will learn research-driven strategies to cultivate students' ability to write and think successfully. Participants will be guided through the writing process, engage critically with the professional literature, and develop dynamic lesson plans. This course will emphasize nurturing the "writer-within"each participant.
TWO PAID BOTANY OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH WSU!
OPPORTUNITY 1: A paid summer bridge program for students interested in plant biology July 31- August 15th. It includes a trip to Zion NP to work alongside park vegetation managers on a research project, and to learn about career opportunities. It includes free housing (dorms), meals, and a stipend of up to $1000 for participation.
OPPORTUNITY 2: A paid K-12 Educator Workshop in Botany on June 12th and 13th. This includes an introduction to ways botany can be incorporated into classrooms through engaging with existing plant biology activities and collaborating with WSU Botanists and peers to discover other ways to incorporate plants. There are free lunches and a $250 stipend for participants. (Flyer attached)
SUU'S CONTINUING EDUCATION ENDORSEMENTS
Southern Utah University's Continuing Education K-12 Program has exciting news! They are now offering Utah Educator endorsements directly through SUU. Courses will be fully online, 7 weeks long, and will fulfill USBE endorsement requirements. Not only that but, three of them are FREE through a grant!
*If not eligible for the grant, the cost is $300 per course. In order to be eligible, you must currently hold a teaching position within a public charter or public school within the state of Utah
Literacy Specialist
K-12
May 15th-July 2nd, 2023
July 5th- August 20th, 2023
Cost: $300 per class
Coming Soon!
English as a Second Language (ESL)
May 15th-July 2nd, 2023
July 5th- August 20th, 2023
Cost: $300 per class
Register Today!
Gifted & Talented (GATE)
May 15th-July 2nd, 2023
July 5th- August 20th, 2023
Cost: $300 per class
Coming Soon!
Educational Technology
May 15th-July 2nd, 2023
July 5th- August 20th, 2023
EDPD 5077: Supporting and Developing 21st Century Learner CRN:21241
EDPD 5079: Digital Citizenship and Information Literacy CRN:21242
COST FREE!
Through a USBE Grant
Register Today!
Elementary Science
May 15th-July 2nd, 2023
EDPD 5702: Systems in Science CRN:21246
July 5th- August 20th, 2023
EDPD 5703: Matter and Energy in Science CRN:21247
EDPD 5704: Cause and Effect in Science CRN:21248
COST: FREE!
Through a USBE Grant
Register Today!
Elementary STEM
May 15th-July 2nd, 2023
EDPD 5270: STEM for Teaching K-6 Science CRN:21249
July 5th- August 20th, 2023
COST: FREE!
Through a USBE Grant
Register Today!
Educators seeking to earn an Elementary STEM Endorsement must first complete either an Elementary Science Endorsement or an Elementary Mathematics Endorsement or show completion of a combination of six courses from these two endorsements
TEACHER SPOTLIGHTS
7-8th Grade: JESSICA EVANS
7TH GRADE SCIENCE | HIDDEN VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
"Jessica has a passion for science and all knowledge. She instills a desire in her students by her example and the amazing activities she uses. Jessica loves to teach. It is her calling in life."
Ryan Nielsen, Dept. Head, Hidden Valley Middle School
What do you love about science teaching or what made you want to be a science teacher?
I have wanted to teach science since I was in 9th grade. I had always loved the subject and my last year of middle school my Earth Science teacher had a huge impact in my life. I was struggling in school and had a hard time finding things that interested me and held my attention in classes, but she was so passionate about the material and really tried to make a connection with each student. It made a world of difference to me, so that is what I try to do for my students.
What are some of your hobbies and/or how do you like to spend your time outside of teaching?
I love to spend time with my family outside of work camping, hiking, or just exploring a new park when the weather permits. I also enjoy a good book or movie.
What's the best advice or mantra you live by for your teaching?
Be patient with your students and yourself. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has a bad day. Don’t take it personally, tomorrow will be better.
9-12th Grade: JASON CARWIN
BIOLOGY| SOUTH HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL
"Mr. Carwin is a fantastic teacher. His students report that his classes are always engaging and entertaining. He sets expectations for learning and behavior and students keep them because they want to be there. He makes science straight forward and applicable to students, and students feel prepared for assignments and tests. Identified by peers as one of the "Originals" to SHMS and as titled by a student in a recent survey, Mr. Carwin truly is a "#1 G"."
Jim Groethe, Principal, South Hills Middle School
"Jason is a very knowledgeable teacher who has had many student teachers learn from his expert teaching methods. Students enjoy his class, especially his science themed demonstration starters. South Hills is lucky to have him!"
Alesha Schulzke, Dept. Head, South Hills Middle School
What do you love about science teaching or what made you want to be a science teacher?
I love interacting with students and having a good time with them. If I'm going to teach, I can't imagine teaching any other subject. Science is the most fascinating and interesting subject and as a bonus we get to do lots of fun labs and activities, and demos.
What are some of your hobbies and/or how do you like to spend your time outside of teaching?
I enjoy woodworking and building things. Some of my favorite projects have been making clocks, mantels and chairs. I love watching sports like football and basketball. I like to play pickleball and volleyball, and I do triathlons to try to stay in shape.
What's the best advice or mantra you live by for your teaching?
Make it fun. If students are engaged, they'll learn more and behave better, and everything else takes care of itself.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
7-8TH GRADE SCIENCE
No upcoming Professional development... yet
We don't have any professional development coming up for 7th and 8th-grade science, but if you would like to meet with your team for a day of planning we would love to help make that happen! Just email Tori Johnson (victoria.johnson@jordandistrict.org) for more information.
9-12TH GRADE SCIENCE
Continuing Teacher Collaboration Days
We are continuing to host collaborations and provide substitutes for teachers to get together to plan, build, and work on various aspects of teaching science content. If you are interested in attending any of the collaboration days, please email Tori Johnson (victoria.johnson@jordandistrict.org).
THOUGHTS ON SCIENCE INSTRUCTION
How to Incorporate Science & Engineering Practices into Student Investigations
Science and engineering practices should strongly shape instruction—and be integrated with disciplinary core ideas and cross-cutting concepts. Some people might treat the practices as “stand alone” activities to engage students, but research shows that it is more effective to think about designing instruction as a cascade of practices. Practices should be sequenced and intertwined in different ways to support students in unfolding investigations."
Integrating the Cross-Cutting Concepts
"This set of prompts is intended to help teachers elicit student understanding of crosscutting concepts in the context of investigating phenomena or solving problems.
These prompts should be used as part of a multi-component extended task. These prompts were developed using the Framework for K-12 Science Education and Appendix G of the Next Generation Science Standards, along with relevant learning sciences research."
CONTENT RESOURCES
All Secondary Science
Google Applied Skills Lesson Plans!
Google has created this lesson plan platform to allow students and teachers to experience practical digital skills for free! Some topics that may be helpful for your class could include
Evaluating the Credibility of Online Sources
Annotate Text in Google Docs
Research and Develop a Topic
Introduction to Machine Learning
Develop a Model in Google Drawings
Analyze Data from Images in Google Earth Engine
Draw a Scientific Diagram
And more!
Wonder of Science Printables
You may know the Wonder of Science for its 3D assessments and its connection to Bozeman Science, but it also has quite a few resources including printables for your classroom. Some of the printables they offer are
Inquiry cycle cards
Screening checklists for 3D lessons and assessments
NGSS Performance expectations
Engineering Posters
Science & Engineering Practice and Crosscutting Concept posters
Science & Engineering Practice graphic organizers
Crosscutting Concept graphic organizers
CURRICULUM QUICK LINKS
SCIENCE TEACHER STRESS RELIEF
Teacher Survival Resources
Maintaining a Work-Life Balance
Trying to figure out a work-life balance when you are a teacher is VERY difficult, but having a better work-life balance lends itself to more happiness so how do we get there? Use the links below to help you figure out how to maintain a better work-life balance.
Staying Motivated
How do we help our students (let alone ourselves) stay motivated? Well, it isn't an easy task, but luckily for us there is data that supports some solutions. Below are resources that will help us stay motivated as the end of the year closes in and a video to help us motivate our student through scientific research!
Science Teacher Funnies
