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Welcome to the William Penn School District's Professional Development Portal!
Science Professional Development
Science Professional Development
In Partnership with Savvas and the Philadelphia Education Fund
The William Penn School District is partnering with both Savvas and the Philadelphia Education Fund (PEF) to provide professional development for our science teachers. These sessions are designed to help teachers use FireFly diagnostics and common assessments to inform instruction based on the new STEELS standards.
Elementary science teachers will work with Savvas in a series of sessions. These dates are October 22, December 3, January 16, February 13, and May 19.
Secondary science teachers will partner with the Philadelphia Education Fund (PEF) for half-day workshops. These sessions, from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, will take place on district-wide professional development days and are integrated into common planning time to allow teachers to collaborate. The scheduled dates are October 14, December 3, January 16, February 13, and May 19.
For more information about this workshop series, please read below.
ELEMENTARY SCIENCE SESSIONS
Elevating Elementary STEELS: Intellectual Preparation Workshop
Elevating Elementary STEELS: Intellectual Preparation Workshop
Audience: Elementary Science Teachers (5th-Grade and Departmentalized Science Teachers)
Description: This professional development session focuses on the intellectual preparation and unpacking of upcoming topics for grades 4-6. Participants will use the Intellectual Preparation Tool to collaborate on instructional planning for their respective grade-level groups. The session also includes a comprehensive review of PSSA Resources & Supports, where participants will identify opportunities to integrate these materials into their Instructional Planning Guides (IPG).
Presenter: Jessica Smith, Savvas Elevate Science
Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
Session 1: 8:30 AM - 9:50 AM (Grades 4 and 6)
Session 2: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (Grades 5)
Location: Virtual via Google Meet (Click here to join)
Resources: Link to Agenda, Link to PD Survey
Elevating Elementary STEELS: Scope, Sequence, and Support
Elevating Elementary STEELS: Scope, Sequence, and Support
Audience: Elementary Science Teachers (5th-Grade and Departmentalized Science Teachers)
This professional development session for William Penn Science focuses on refining assessments and instructional planning for grades 4-6. Participants will collaborate to finalize Topic Common Assessments by selecting key questions and develop Instructional Planning Guides (IPG) by integrating specific labs, resources, and prioritized activities. The session also includes a review of PSSA resources and supports to be integrated into the district's scope and sequence.
Presenter: Jessica Smith, Savvas Elevate Science
Time: 12:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Date: Friday, January 16, 2026
Location: Aldan Elementary School
Resources: Link to Agenda
Prioritizing Elevate Science Content for STEELS Standards
Prioritizing Elevate Science Content for STEELS Standards
Audience: Elementary Science Teachers (5th-Grade and Departmentalized Science Teachers)
This working session will equip elementary science teachers with the skills to strategically align the Elevate Science curriculum with the Pennsylvania Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards. Participants will learn to identify and prioritize essential content for instruction leading up to early April testing. A core focus will be adapting the scope and sequence to fit multiple science rotation schedules, ensuring adequate time for labs, introductions, and assessment/review while maintaining standards fidelity. Teachers will leave with a practical, adjusted instructional plan.
Presenter: Jessica Smith, Savvas Elevate Science
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Time: 9:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: In-Person (Aldan Elementary School)
Resources: Link to Participant Folder
unpacking the firefly science diagnostic results
unpacking the firefly science diagnostic results
Audience: Elementary Science Teachers (5th-Grade and Departmentalized Science Teachers)
This professional development session will focus on unpacking the results of the FireFly Diagnostic assessment. By analyzing this data, teachers will gain a deeper understanding of their students' knowledge and skills related to the new Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability (STEELS) standards. Participants will leave with a clear plan to effectively use assessment data to inform their teaching and ensure students can explain scientific phenomena and solve real-world problems.
Presenter: Jessica Smith, Savvas Elevate Science
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: Virtual (Link to Google Meet)
Resources: Link to Participant Folder
SECONDARY SCIENCE SESSIONS
STEELS Assessment Design & Implementation Workshop
STEELS Assessment Design & Implementation Workshop
Audience: Secondary Science Teachers (Middle School, Environmental Science, and Biology)
Description: This professional development session for William Penn educators, facilitated by the McKinney Center and expert educator Tara Cox, focuses on the design and implementation of STEELS-aligned assessments. Building on the work from January, participants will move from planning to action by drafting a specific assessment task that aligns with STEELS standards and evidence statements. The session will guide educators in clarifying student expectations—what they will say, do, or create—and establish a collaborative timeline for classroom implementation and observation through the remainder of the school year.
Pre-Work: Prior to the session, teachers are required to identify a specific STEELS standard and a corresponding Kentucky Through Course Task (TCT) that aligns with an upcoming unit of study. Please bring a digital or physical copy of this task, as it will serve as the foundation for drafting your assessment and defining student evidence during the workshop (see participant resources).
Presenters: Tara Cox, Philadelphia Education Fund
Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Location: Penn Wood High School - GAC
Resources: Link to Participant Folder
Deepening 3D Instruction with STEELS Standards
Deepening 3D Instruction with STEELS Standards
Audience: Secondary Science Teachers (Middle School, Environmental Science, and Biology)
Description: This session ensures continuity in secondary science by focusing on vertical alignment of Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) and Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs), and the strategic integration of literacy skills necessary for interpreting scenario-based 3D assessment items. We will evaluate curricula for high-quality, phenomena-based instruction and assessment design. A key component will be analyzing implementation data from the Kentucky Through Course Task (TCT) brought by participating teachers to inform collective pedagogical implications and refine our approach to 3D teaching district-wide.
Pre-Work: Prior to the session, teachers are required to locate a Kentucky Through Course Task (TCT) that aligns with a unit they will be teaching between now and the next meeting (see participant resources).
Presenters: Dr. Brett Criswell, Philadelphia Education Fund
Date: Friday, January 16, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Location: Penn Wood High School, Green Avenue Campus, Room 211
Resources: Link to Participant Folder
Deepening 3D Instruction with STEELS Standards
Deepening 3D Instruction with STEELS Standards
Audience: Secondary Science Teachers (Middle School, Environmental Science, and Biology)
Description: This session ensures continuity in secondary science by focusing on vertical alignment of Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) and Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs), and the strategic integration of literacy skills necessary for interpreting scenario-based 3D assessment items. We will evaluate curricula for high-quality, phenomena-based instruction and assessment design. A key component will be analyzing implementation data from the Kentucky Through Course Task (TCT) brought by participating teachers to inform collective pedagogical implications and refine our approach to 3D teaching district-wide.
Pre-Work: Prior to the session, teachers are required to locate a Kentucky Through Course Task (TCT) that aligns with a unit they will be teaching between now and the next meeting (see participant resources).
Presenters: Dr. Brett Criswell, Philadelphia Education Fund
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Location: Penn Wood Ninth Grade Academy
Resources: Link to Participant Folder
Creating steels aligned assessments
Creating steels aligned assessments
Audience: Secondary Science Teachers (Middle School, Environmental Science, and Biology)
Description: During this workshop, participants will collaborate in implementing pre-developed assessments or creating new, high-quality assessments aligned with their curriculum and the STEELS standards. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to use data to inform their instruction and with practical tools to better assess student learning.
Pre-Work: Before the live session, educators should meet with their school's science department or PLC to conduct a guided, self-paced virtual exploration of FireFly diagnostic data (link to directions). This collaborative pre-work will allow you to analyze your student data and prepare for the workshop.
Presenters: Dr. Brett Criswell, Philadelphia Education Fund
Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: Virtual (Click Here to Join), Meeting Code: 017323
Resources: Link to Participant Folder
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