September First Tuesday Science Update

North Carolina Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/01/2020 08:01 AM EDT

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Tuesday, September 1, 2020

K-12 Science

K-12 STANDARDS, CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

Upcoming Virtual Conferences

The NCDPI's Digital Teaching & Learning Team is coordinating a series of virtual conferences for the 2020-2021 school year, designed to support educators across North Carolina as they develop effective remote/hybrid instruction to meet the learning needs of all students. The series is titled NCBOLD - Beacons of Learner Diversity.

Save the date! The first event in the series will take place September 15-16, 2020. We will be kicking off this event with 2018 North Carolina Principal of the Year, Tabari Wallace, as our Keynote Speaker. Concurrent sessions will be 80 minutes in length, scheduled throughout both days and evenings.

Please follow #NCBOLD and @ncdpiDTL for the latest information.

Click for NCBOLD Virtual Conference Schedule and Registration Google Doc

The NCDPI K-12 Science Section will be presenting "Assessing Science....That's My Jam!" on September 16 from 9:30-10:50 AM.

Learning Objectives:

Determine how Learning Targets and Success Criteria are critical for effective formative assessment
Understand the importance of the formative assessment cycle in science teaching and learning
Build awareness of how to implement the formative assessment process using the digital tool, Jamboard

Leadership in Digital Learning

Teachers will demonstrate leadership in accelerating their integration of digital teaching and learning pedagogies.

Digital Citizenship:

Teachers will model and teach digital citizenship by the ethical, respectful, and safe use of digital tools and resources that support the creation of a positive digital school culture.

Digital Content and Instruction:

Teachers will know and use appropriate digital tools and resources for instruction.

Data and Assessment:

Teachers will use technology to make data more accessible, adjust instruction to better meet the needs of a diverse learner population, and reflect upon their practice through the consistent, effective use of assessment.

Grade Level(s): Pre K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Level of Understanding: Introductory: Limited or no knowledge about the topic.

Bridging the Gap 2020 will be a fully virtual event. Bridging the Gap is an annual conference whose goal is to strengthen K-16 STEM education throughout North Carolina. It brings together educators, business leaders, government officials and others who play a role in STEM education to share ideas and resources. The conference is organized by the North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research.

Click for Registration Information

You deserve to be the next NC STEM School of Distinction!

Many schools across our state facilitate quality STEM instruction that maximizes community partnerships, develops the skills necessary for future success, and drives opportunities for students.

NC DPI and the NC State Board of Education want to recognize each and every school that exemplifies the qualities associated with STEM success.

The STEM School Progress Rubric serves as an incredible tool for self-assessment and school improvement and is the key to achievement for STEM schools in North Carolina.

Schools who self-assess at the Prepared or Model level of achievement, based on the Rubric, are encouraged to complete an Intent to Apply with NC DPI. This intent does not obligate the school, but instead, allows the opportunity for receiving additional information and resources toward becoming recognized as one of North Carolina's finest in STEM education.

Interested schools should complete their Intent no later than October 9, 2020. Please contact Howard Ginsburg at howard.ginsburg@dpi.nc.gov should you have further questions.

Remote Learning Resources

The NCDPI Digital Teaching and Learning Division has developed a K-12 Science Remote Learning Resources page to assist K-12 Science teachers with remote learning for the 2020-2021 school year. These resources are continually updated. Check back often to help assist in planning your remote learning instruction.

GoOpenNC is the North Carolina, K-12, open education resources (OER) initiative. GoOpenNC is also the name of the platform where NC educators can search for, curate, and create openly-licensed, educational resources that are aligned to NC standards.

Connect with educators across North Carolina to share resources, learn how to incorporate OER into teaching and learning, and participate in a community of practice.