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Oregon Science Educator Update March 13, 2025
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March 2025
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. Below are some resources as you continue to engage diverse voices, contributions, and perspectives in science education this month and beyond:
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The American Chemical Society (ACS) has curated articles, interviews, and other collections in celebration of remarkable women who continue to break barriers and drive innovation in the chemical sciences.
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Lost Women of Science is a podcast with each episode telling the story of one groundbreaking woman in the field of science.
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The Smithsonian has launched a discoverability lab to celebrate and honor the historical contributions and diversity of women's stories.
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K-12 Science Learning
Best Practice Guide
Oregon’s K-12 Science Education Best Practice Guide supports the implementation of a high-quality science education program. This resource outlines best practices for three-dimensional learning, strategies for student and community engagement, selections for instructional materials, and approaches to a balanced assessment system. By incorporating these elements, educators and administrators can create meaningful and equitable learning experiences each and every day that fosters scientific understanding and critical thinking.
This and other K-12 science education resources can be found on the ODE Science Resources webpage.
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Assessment Updates
2024 - 2025 OSAS Statewide Summative Test Spring Window
The statewide administration window for the OSAS Science Tests open for grades 5, 8, and 11.
The test window for the statewide summative content assessments applies to all versions of the tests: online General (in-person and remote) and Alternate (Oregon Extended; in-person only). As a reminder, prior to beginning a test session, verify that appropriate student accommodations and supports have been accurately set in TIDE. See the Oregon Accessibility Manual for more information about accommodations and supports. Please contact your Regional ESD Partner with any questions regarding test administration.
OSAS Interim Assessment Learning– Canvas Course
ODE has partnered with Southern Oregon ESD to create an on-demand asynchronous professional learning course to help teachers, school administrators, and district leaders learn how to implement the OSAS Interim Assessments. The course, Implementing the OSAS Interim Assessments, consists of five one-hour modules delivered through Canvas. The course is available now at no cost to Oregon educators. More information can be found in this flier, which may be used to promote the course in your district.
Summer 2025 OSAS Science Assessment Item Review: Oregon Science Educator Panel Opportunities
This summer, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with our vendor, Cambium Assessment, Inc (CAI), will host three Oregon Science Educator Panels. Below are the panel topics, dates, and application details.
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Multi-State Rubric Validation Panel This panel is designed to ensure that assessment scoring is accurate and fair for all students. Participants will review and make recommendations on item scoring and potential rubric adjustments.
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Dates: Evenings during the weeks of May 19–22, and June 2–5, 2025.
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Format: Virtual
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Applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, April 18, 2025.
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Multi-State Content and Fairness Review Panel Participants will analyze assessment items for alignment to standards, grade-level appropriateness, fairness, potential bias, sensitivity issues, and other quality criteria. Stay tuned—more information and application details will be available soon!
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Dates: July 8–10, 2025 (three-day commitment)
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Format: Virtual
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Multi-State Data Review Panel This panel will examine statistical flags and item parameter data to identify potentially problematic content. Educators will review flagged items to determine if they should proceed to operational tests or require adjustments.
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Dates: Evenings during the week of August 25–28, 2025.
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Format: Virtual
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Applications are due by 5:00 pm Friday, April 18 2025.
Please contact Dr. Mariela Salas Bao, Science Assessment Specialist, with questions or support needs.
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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!
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Pre-Register for Free Oregon Statewide Learning Summits
Join educators from across the state for an exciting series of Statewide Learning Summits. Mark your calendars and prepare for a day of insightful sessions, networking opportunities, and shared learning experiences on: Early Literacy, Adolescent Literacy, Social Science, and Transformative Social and Emotional Learning.
Five Statewide Locations
- Bend: Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Medford: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
- Portland: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
- Newport: Thursday, August 14, 2025
- La Grande: Friday, October 3, 2025
Who Should Attend? Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Administrators. To maximize learning and impact, we encourage attendees to come in teams that include administrators (building and district), teachers, coaches.
Pre-Register Now Open: Registration Limited - Save Your Spot Today!
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Climate Literacy Professional Learning Series
Are you a K-12 educator passionate about climate literacy and looking for resources to teach climate topics? Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) and Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME) are partnering to connect educators, climate researchers, and climate literacy resources to build a strong community of climate leaders. Join them for a series of interactive webinars in March and April, featuring expert speakers on key climate topics, including public perception, climate science, adaptation, and transformative action. Sessions will take place from 3:00-4:30 p.m. PT, and you can register for one or all - recordings will be provided.
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Equity in K-12 STEM Education: Framing Decisions for the Future
The interactive overview and full report puts forth five equity frames to guide decision makers short- and long-term goals for equity and to make decisions about policy and practice.
To help classroom and district leaders, as well as others supporting STEM education, evaluate their current system and create and implement equity goals, the STEM Teaching Tool #101, "How can we better understand and work toward equity in STEM education?", provides valuable guidance.
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Lab Safety Institute: Safer Science Summit
The Lab Safety Institute is hosting a free summit for Grade 6–12 educators on lab inspections and chemical management systems. The event will take place from August 4–8 at George Fox University.
For more information and to register, 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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