|
Oregon Science Educator Update November 1, 2024
|
|
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the contributions and histories of groups often underrepresented in textbooks and traditional curricula. This is an opportunity to continue to elevate the nine Essential Understandings, serving as an introduction to the vast diversity of the Native American experience in Oregon, as well as the Tribal History / Shared History lessons. These lessons foster opportunities to expand learning throughout the school year, enriching students’ understanding of tribal nations’ histories and perspectives.
Here are some additional resources as you continue to engage diverse voices, contributions, and perspectives in science education this month and beyond:
-
Dr. Jessica Hernandez, a Maya Ch'orti' and Zapotec environmental scientist and author of Fresh Banana Leaves, discusses the role of Indigenous science, historical displacement of Indigenous communities, and how important it is to ensure Indigenous people and in science endeavors such as climate change. Listen to her insights on the Short Wave podcast.
-
Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, a mother, scientist, decorated professor, enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, explores opportunities to bridge the divide between Western science and Indigenous teachings on Radio Hour.
- Indigenous ways of knowing are sometimes perceived as being in opposition to Western science. This STEM Teaching Tool (STT) explores Teaching STEM In Ways that Respect and Build Upon Indigenous Peoples' Rights. Additionally, STT has curated a collection of resources to honor and elevate Indigenous ways of knowing in science education.
|
ODE Science Ignite Sessions
Looking for resources or ways to elevate your science teaching and learning strategies but short 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. Register here, and don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions, connect with fellow educators, and enhance your science classroom experience! The next session is on November 6th.
|
HS Science for ALL
The Portland Metro STEM Partnership (PMSP) and Greater Oregon STEM Hub (GO STEM) will be holding numerous professional learning opportunities for the High School Science for All: Patterns Physics, Chemistry, and Biology courses. Thanks to support from the Well-Rounded Access Program (WRAP) grant, registration is free and each Oregon high school science teacher who participates will receive $50 per hour for attending school-year professional development sessions. Here is a link to our Semester 1 Course Guide.
|
Educator Open House
Have a question about planning a field trip? Wondering about having our educators come to visit your class? Curious about collaboration opportunities or teacher workshops? Drop by the Oregon Coast Aquarium free Educator Open House on Saturday, November 9, 2024 to learn more about the many different education opportunities with the Aquarium. FREE Aquarium Entry for all Oregon educators with a valid school ID. To learn more about this opportunity, please click here.
|
Assessment Updates
Science Sample Tests are Live. The OSAS Sample Tests are now available for the 2024-2025 school year. These sample tests provide an opportunity for Oregon teachers and students to familiarize themselves with the navigation and functionality of the online tests, as well as with the embedded accessibility supports described in the Oregon Accessibility Manual. Sample tests are not a comprehensive preview of all items or difficulty levels present in the summative test. This year’s Sample Test Scoring Guides for Science are available in English, Spanish, and Braille to match the current presentation languages in OSAS summative assessments.
Science Interim Assessments are Live. OSAS Science interim assessments are now available 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 and the Local Performance Assessment Requirement webpages.
Please contact Dr. Mariela Salas Bao, Science Assessment Specialist, with questions or support needs.
|
Nominate an Outstanding 7-12 Science Educator
The PAEMST program is pleased to announce that nominations and applications for the 2024–2025 award cycle is open.
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching.
Anyone—principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public—may nominate exceptional STEM teachers who are currently teaching grades 7-12 for the 2024 –2025 award year. Teachers may also apply directly at www.paemst.org. The application deadline is February 6, 2025.
|
Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom
The Oregon Dairy Council is collaborating with Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom to offer a professional development workshop: Cheese is Whey Cool Educator Workshop.
Join on November 7th at 4:00 as Claudia Lucero with Urban Cheesecraft will engage educators on how to make mozzarella cheese in your classroom! Participants of this workshop will receive a FREE cheese-making kit and curriculum materials to be used in their classroom. This workshop is open to educators and supports the Next Generation Science Standards. Click here to learn more and to register for this workshop.
|
Smithsonian Academy for Teachers on Ecosystems Resilience
Learn and exchange ideas with educators across the Americas to support youth in understanding and taking action for healthy and resilient ecosystems. Join the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) to learn how to support young people to build their futures-thinking skills and their knowledge around healthy and resilient ecosystems! Take part in a virtual professional development academy on the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals community research guide, Ecosystem Resilience! How can people and ecosystems build resilience to change? This special opportunity also provides educators over three hours of time with peers across North and South America for cross-cultural exchange.
Space is still available - limited to 80 educators. To attend this academy, educators must submit an application, due Monday, November 4, 2024.
|
Battelle Climate Challenge
The Battelle Climate Challenge is officially open and accepting entries until February 7, 2025! This challenge offers students a chance to win a $5,000 STEM grant for a public school, library, or non-profit of their choice by learning about the impacts of climate-related hazards within their community and developing a proposed action to help build a more resilient community. If they win the grand prize, they will present their solution on a national stage at the Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference in Washington, D.C.!
Help us to play a part in inspiring the next generation of problem solvers! Learn more and sign up for the challenge here.
|
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.
|
|
|
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out:
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
