December 2024

As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude. I hope the winter break allows time for rest and reflection on the positive impacts you’ve had on student learning and that you start the new year feeling recharged. Thank you for your dedication, passion, and commitment to K-12 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 December 4th - Interim Assessments.

Nominate an Outstanding 7-12 Science Educator

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. Nominations and applications for the 2024–2025 award cycle is open.

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.

Assessment Updates 

Science Sample Tests. 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. 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.

SEED Survey Data Use Professional Learning Series. Starting in December 6 from 10am-11am, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) will be offering a monthly drop-in professional learning series that is designed to support Oregon school districts to effectively use and interpret data from the Student Educational Equity Development (SEED) survey. The monthly sessions are designed for people who will be working directly with SEED data and data products. However, anyone who is interested is welcome to attend the sessions. Each session will begin with a brief presentation by ODE on a data use topic. The topic for December is unpacking the 2023-2024 SEED Survey State Report. Then, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a community of practice focused on their own experience using and interpreting SEED data. Consult the series flyer to learn more or register for sessions. Contact Audrey Lingley, Education Specialist, with questions or concerns.

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.

Teaching Climate Change - HS Book Club

Are you looking for a community of educators to discuss climate solutions and design student actions? This 5-part virtual book study will engage HS science educators in Teaching Climate Change by Mark Windschitl. The book study conversations will be held on the second Tuesdays of each month from 4:00 - 5:00 pm PT (January 14 -  May 13, 2025). 

This free opportunity, hosted by the Oregon Science Teachers Association with support from the Knowles Teacher Initiative, is designed to support high school science educators in enhancing classroom climate change learning experiences. For more information and to register, please check out the Teaching Climate Change flyer.

Additional K-12 climate learning resources and practice briefs can be found on the STEM Teaching Tools webpage.

2025 President’s Environmental Student and Teacher Awards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  announced that EPA’s Office of Environmental Education is requesting applications for the 2025 President’s Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) and Presidential Innovation Awards for Environmental Educators (PIAEE).

The 1990 National Environmental Education Act established PEYA, which recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects from students in Grades K-12 that promote environmental awareness and encourage community involvement. The act also established PIAEE, which recognizes outstanding Grade K-12 educators who integrate environmental education and place-based learning into school curricula and school facility management across the country.

The application by Monday, January 15, 2025. For more information on the youth awards (PEYA), please email PEYA@epa.gov and for more information on the teacher awards (PIAEE), please email PIAEE@epa.gov.

EngineerGirl Writing Contest

The 2025 EngineerGirl Writing Contest is open and accepting submissions. The theme this year is “Innovating Smarter.” Students are asked to write a piece describing a common object they would make “smart” and tell us what it would do, how it would help people, and what could go wrong. The contest is open to all students, of any gender, in grades 3-12 and the deadline is February 1, 2025. The prize for first place in each of three grade categories is $1,000. There is also a note for educators and tips for using the contest in a classroom on the EngineerGirl website.

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:

• Deb Bailey, STEM Education Specialist
• Dr. Mariela Salas Bao, Science Assessment Specialist
• Jamie Rumage, Science Education Specialist