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Oregon Science Educator Update June 3, 2025
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*This version includes a corrected link for OSAS Science Assessment Content and Fairness Panel Recruitment Application Form.
June 2025
As the school year comes to a close, it’s a moment to reflect on the accomplishments, challenges, and meaningful experiences that have shaped this year. It's also a time to celebrate the incredible dedication and hard work of educators, whose efforts continue to inspire a love of learning and student success.
Thank you for your unwavering support of our school community and every student within it. We are deeply grateful for all that you do each day. Wishing you a restful, rejuvenating, and fantastic summer!
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ODE Assessment Updates
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 Oregon Science Educator Panels. Below are the panel topic, date, and application details.
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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.
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Dates: July 8–10, 2025 (three-day commitment)
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Format: Virtual
* Applications are due by 5:00 pm Monday, June 9, 2025.
2024 - 2025 OSAS Statewide Summative Test Spring Window
The statewide administration window for the OSAS Science Tests is 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
OSAS Interim Assessments. OSAS interim assessments in Science, Math and ELA are available for educators to use at no cost to Oregon educators!. If you're new to interim assessments, 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 in their curriculum and instruction. 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.
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.
Please contact Dr. Mariela Salas Bao, Science Assessment Specialist, with questions or support needs.
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2025 OSTA Annual Conference
Oregon Science Teachers Association is hosting its 2025 Conference: Tides of Discovery: Bridges to the Future. The conference will be held at Newport Middle School, in Newport Oregon on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
This year’s theme emphasizes sustainability, interconnectedness, and the transformative power of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration. Whether you're an educator, community leader, scientist, or advocate, this conference offers opportunities to connect, learn, and lead.
OSTA welcomes Dr. Jane Lubchenco as the keynote speaker. Dr. Lubchenco is a leading advocate for science and for finding lasting solutions to environmental challenges. From 2009 to 2013, she served as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She was also an inaugural member of President Obama’s “Science Dream Team.” From 2014 to 2016, she served as the first U.S. Science Envoy for the Ocean. A marine ecologist and environmental scientist, Dr. Lubchenco brings deep expertise in ocean science, climate change, and the connections between the environment and human well-being.
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Summer Climate Institute - Oregon K-12 Educators
The Summer Institute is a network of educational professionals and mentors who can support your climate change knowledge and teaching strategies. Discover best practices, hands-on activities, lesson plans, and tools that will help you strengthen your climate curriculum and better support your learners.
Register here for this dynamic climate education workshop from July 14–17, 2025. The event will be held virtually on July 14–15 for a national audience, followed by an in-person session for the Oregon Cohort on July 16–17 at the South Slough Reserve in Coos Bay. Designed for educators passionate about climate teaching, the workshop costs $250 (with some scholarships available) plus travel expenses. Graduate credits are also available.
For additional information and questions, please email Jaime C. Belanger
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Free HS Patterns Science Summer Courses 2025
The Portland Metro STEM Partnership (PMSP) and Greater Oregon STEM Hub (GO STEM) will be offering multiple free professional learning opportunities for the High School Science for All in the following courses: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. These workshops provide the best opportunity to deeply engage with the Patterns curriculum.
This is the final opportunity to attend these courses free of charge.
If you live in rural Oregon or a driving distance more than 1.5 hours, please use this link to apply for a reimbursable stipend to assist with travel expenses. If you have any questions, please contact David Strayer.
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Apply to Be a Clean Energy Fellow
Clean Energy. Bright Futures. collaborates with a national network of Clean Energy Fellows to co-create clean energy STEM experiences that engage youth in hands-on, career-connected learning while immersed in local climate solutions.
The Clean Energy Fellows program aims to provide culturally-sustaining, career-focused education and eliminate barriers unrelated to students’ actual potential for success so that all students can participate in, benefit from, and lead in a climate-smart future.
Educator applications are now being accepted until Sunday, June 22, 2025 for the upcoming cohorts of Clean Energy Fellows. Selected participants will attend a two-week Leadership Institute in August.
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ODE K-12 Science Learning
Best Practice Guide
Oregon Department of Education’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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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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