Durable Skills in Science
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In St. Vrain Valley Schools, science education seamlessly integrates the district's Durable Skills for Life with the Colorado Academic Standards for Science. Students act as Critical Thinkers & Innovators when analyzing data and designing engineering solutions, Collaborative Team Players and Effective Communicators when defending scientific arguments with evidence, and Self-Aware Leaders and Global Citizens as they evaluate real-world environmental and technological challenges impacting their communities. Together, the Durable Skills framework empowers students not only to master scientific concepts, but to cultivate the adaptable, future-ready mindsets necessary for lifelong learning, informed citizenship, and success in postsecondary careers as Future Ready Professionals.
Durable skills connections are outlined below and are also embedded directly within the phenomenon and career connection dropdowns in each unit.
Self-Aware Leader
Empathetic, ethical, and metacognitive. Tenacious and adaptable with the resilience and confidence to be a positive influence.
Science & Engineering Practices: Asking Questions & Defining Problems / Analyzing Data
St Vrain Unit Plan Connection: Reflection and Assessment
Actionable Integration: Add rubric criteria for metacognition, persistence, and skill growth
Critical Thinker & Innovator
An analytical problem solver who is curious, creative, entrepreneurial, and ready to be a change maker
Science & Engineering Practices: Developing & Using Models / Planning and Carrying Out Investigations / Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions
St Vrain Unit Plan Connection: Hands On, Minds On Connection Tasks
Actionable Integration: Apply iterative design protocols using modern digital/technical tools
Global Citizen
Community and regionally connected, globally aware, adaptable, and civic minded.
Science & Engineering Practices: Asking Questions & Defining Problems / Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions
St Vrain Unit Plan Connection: Anchoring Phenomenon
Actionable Integration: Frame the phenomenon around a real-world local or global problem
Collaborative Team Player
A strong contributor and consensus builder who navigates conflict and is a valued partner.
Science & Engineering Practices: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations / Engaging in Argument from Evidence
St Vrain Unit Plan Connection: Science & Engineering Practices Lab Investigations
Actionable Integration: Assign structured team roles and require scientific argumentation
Effective Communicator
A quality writer and skilled presenter with strong interpersonal and technology skills, and a responsible digital citizen.
Science & Engineering Practices: Engaging in Argument from Evidence / Obtaining, Evaluating & Communicating Information
St Vrain Unit Plan Connection: Science & Engineering Practices Lab Investigations
Actionable Integration: Assign structured team roles and require scientific argumentation
Future Ready Professional
Motivated and growth oriented. A dependable goal setter who manages time well, stays organized, and works hard.
Science & Engineering Practices: Using Mathematics & Computational Thinking / Obtaining, Evaluating & Communicating Information
St Vrain Unit Plan Connection: Hands On, Minds On Connection Tasks
Actionable Integration: Apply iterative design protocols using modern digital/technical tools
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