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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 virtual sessions from 1:30 to 2:30 pm on half-days. 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
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
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 High School, Green Avenue Campus, Room 211
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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