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Oregon Science Educator Update October 1, 2024
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 - October 15, 2023, is National Hispanic Heritage Month. Below are some resources to better understand what Hispanic Heritage Month is, why it is so important, and how to celebrate and honor the cultures and contributions from Latinx and Hispanic communities this and every month.
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Indigenous Peoples' Day
Oregon has many different Indigenous communities including nine federally recognized tribes: Burns Paiute of Harney County; Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians; Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde; Confederated Tribes of Siletz; Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Reservation; Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians; Coquille Indian Tribe; and Klamath Tribes.
This year, Indigenous Peoples' Day is celebrated on Monday, October 14th. Below are some additional resources as you celebrate Indigenous People’s Day and continue to engage diverse voices, contributions, and perspectives in science education this month and beyond:
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ODE Science Ignite Sessions
Looking for resources or ways to elevate your science teaching and learning strategies but are limited on time? Join ODE Science Education Specialist, Jamie Rumage, and Science Assessment Specialist, Dr. Mariela Salas Bao, for dynamic 30-minute sessions packed with practical insights and innovative approaches to science teaching and learning.
These brief sessions will take place on the first Wednesday of each month from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM starting October 2nd. Register here and don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions, connect with fellow educators, and enhance your science classroom experience!
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Climate Literacy Guide
This Climate Literacy Guide is written with educators, communicators, and decision-makers in mind. It may be helpful in structuring curricula; assessing gains in people’s knowledge and understanding; stimulating dialogue among people with different interests, skills, and perspectives; and informing climate-related decisions and policies. This guide is a starting point; it provides a framework for what climate literacy comprises.
This resource also complements other guides and related educational materials, including:
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Performance Assessment Updates
Science Interim Assessments are Live OSAS Science interim assessments are live and ready for educators to use. If you're new to interim assessments, start with this practice brief from STEMTeaching Tools which offers guidance on how to effectively integrate interim assessments into your instructional practice. Additionally, interim assessment (only the cluster items) can be used to meet your district's local performance assessment requirements. This two-page ODE Practice Brief provides educators and leaders with a student-centered approach to fulfilling these requirements, highlighting the benefits of performance-based assessments. For more details please visit the ODE Interim Assessment and the Local Performance Assessment Requirement webpages.
If you are an educator, please contact your School or District Test Coordinator to request access. For more information please visit the ODE Interim Assessment webpage and For more information please visit the Local Performance Assessment Requirement webpage.
Please contact Dr. Mariela Salas Bao, Science Assessment Specialist, with questions or support needs.
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NSTA & ClimeTime
The ClimeTime Network is a program that helps students learn about climate science and how it affects their lives and futures. The program is led by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the University of Washington's Institute for Science and Math Education (UW-ISME). ClimeTime lessons and resources are developed under a Creative Commons license and can be found on the Oregon Open Learning Hub.
For a limited time, the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) has made freely available articles outlining the learning outcomes and partnerships across the ClimeTime Network. These articles share the co-design process between science education leadership, climate change specialist, community-based organizations, classroom K-12 educators, and institutions of higher education. Explore all of the freely available articles on the NSTA - Connected Science Learning website or check out each of the following articles:
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Oregon Science Leaders
Oregon Science Leaders is a free, regional network for K-16 science educators and science leaders. This organization is co-led by multiple Oregon ESDs and school districts.
These monthly gatherings will occur on the First Tuesday of the month from October 1st to May 6th (12:00 - 1:00 pm PT). They are specifically designed for science TOSAs, specialists, building administrators, and district administrators. Register here and join next month's conversation on the key recommendations in OSL's Action Guide and other curriculum implementation efforts.
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Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is back and better than ever for its 15th year! Oregon educators are invited to be a part of a nationwide competition that empowers 6-12th grade students to harness the power of STEM to address issues in their community, and make STEM accessible to all. Now through Thursday, October 24th, public school educators can submit applications, a process which takes less than 5 minutes.
Throughout the competition, applicants will have a chance to win a share of $2 million in Samsung technology and supplies for their classroom. A minimum of 5 schools from every state will win!
Over the last 14 years of the Solve for Tomorrow competition, students, with the support of their teachers, have identified significant societal and environmental challenges, designing STEM-based solutions to address food waste, urban decay, social inequality, mental health, climate change, and so much more. We can’t wait to see what you and your students come up with!
For more details, including the contest rules and how to apply by October 24th, please click here.
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Sign Up for the ODE K-5 Newsletter
The Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Office of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment is launching a new quarterly newsletter for K-5 educators. This newsletter provides resources, opportunities, guidance, and ODE updates tailored specifically to support the integrated and well-rounded instruction that elementary education entails. It aims to streamline information related to K-5 academic standards and instruction into one convenient communication.
Please subscribe or share the link with K-5 teachers who might be interested.
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Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out:
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The materials contained in the Department of Education’s Oregon Science Educator Update are drawn from both internal and external sources and inclusion of external materials does not necessarily indicate Oregon Department of Education endorsement.
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