We strongly suggest settling in with a nice warm tea or coffee to read this newsletter. There are an incredible number of events, grants, and opportunities in here that we just couldn't leave out. This extraordinary level of opportunities is a signal that groups across Washington state are committed to science and climate education that equitably supports students and you as an educator!
Our Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal, has released a few public statements that may be of note to you:
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Read on for some amazing and FREE professional learning opportunities both in-person and virtual. Make sure you get all the way to the end! We'll let the table of contents speak for itself this month. As always, we're here if you need us. Reach out via the emails at the bottom of the newsletter.
Note: Resources are provided for informational purposes and not as recommendations from OSPI. Resources referenced here may be for educators or parents/families and may not be intended for use in the classroom. We recommend reviewing all educational materials for alignment with district policy and state law before using them with students. Articles and other resources are provided for informational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints or policies of OSPI.
Table of Contents:
Washington's 3rd Climate Education Summit is happening on April 25-26th at WSU-Vancouver in Vancouver, WA! Friday the 25th is an optional day consisting of outdoor learning field experiences and a Tribal speaker who will address climate issues. Saturday the 26th will have our keynote speaker on salmon recovery, lunch, a non-profit climate learning exhibit hall, and multiple climate learning sessions for you to choose from! There is no registration fee and you will get free STEM clock hours.
Apply to attend here!
- Priority Deadline: February 3, 2025.
- Application Due March 21st, 2025.
- Applicants will be notified of their status on a rolling basis as of February 4, 2025.
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We are looking for presenters to share during our 50-minute sessions on Saturday. We are looking for sessions on any topic found in the 2024 Climate Literacy Guide and/or K-12 Climate Education in classrooms and informal or non-formal settings.
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Deadline: February 23, 2025.
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Proposal acceptance emails will be sent by March 7, 2025.
Registration and Travel Cost Information:
- The conference is grant-supported, so there is no registration fee.
- Clock hours for Washington educators will be free of charge.
- Travel, lodging, and substitute costs cannot be covered.
- Please see this support document to reference when discussing attendance with your district.
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Join OSPI in sharing the results of the SAGE (Science Assessment Grounded in Equity) Project. Over the course of multiple years, Washington middle and high school science teachers engaged in professional learning to design tools and resources for more equitable classroom science assessment. Three Washington teachers, Calvin Atkins, Colleen Lamotte, and Jenna Mobley, will lead you through ways to design assessments that support all students and pull your classroom out of that end of unit test funk. You'll come away with incredible and immediately usable resources as well as new frames of thinking about science assessment. Read more about the presenters and sessions here.
The first session has already happened but each webinar can stand alone. Please register and join us! You will receive 1.5 equity clock hours per session. Questions? Email johanna.brown@k12.wa.us.
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Webinar 1: Assessment as a Caring Practice - January 28 4:00 - 5:30 pm
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Webinar 2: How to Tend to 3D Student Work - February 11 4:00 - 5:30 pm
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Webinar 3: What Role Do Feedback And Grading Play In Equitable 3d Science Classrooms? - February 25 4:00 - 5:30 pm
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Webinar 4: Introduction to Assessment in OpenSciEd - March 11 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Teaching Climate Impact on Forests - March 15, 2025 9 am - 3 pm at Pullman High School
This one-day professional learning is open to all 6-12 teachers regardless of state or content area! You'll get innovative resources and teaching strategies, Vernier soil testing materials for classroom use, a $150 stipend, STEM clock hours and more!
Clean Energy. Bright Futures. is partnering with the University of Idaho on the Embedding Molecular Biology in Ecosystem Research (EMBER) project. This project, funded by the NSF, aims to address the severe impacts of climate change by bringing together the expertise of researchers in molecular biology, ecosystem ecology, physiology, and modeling. Explore an interdisciplinary approach to teaching climate change for Middle School & High School classrooms. Explore phenomena and connect climate impacts to your local community. Learn about what makes a healthy forest through topics of fire management, ecology, and climate. Learn about new research, who is involved, and related careers. Learn new climate change teaching tools and methods. Get hands-on with soil data collection.
Save the Date for the Washington State Conference on Science Education!
Tacoma, WA - March 1, 8:30 am - 4 pm
Pasco, WA - March 22, 8:30am - 4 pm
At Community Education In Action, we promote collective action through co-design and co-learning. Unleash your creativity as we craft inspiring learning resources to address climate change together through the lens of environmental and climate justice! Teachers, youth, community members and leaders, activists, everyone is invited to these workshops.
All workshops and materials are offered in English and Spanish.
***K-12 teachers in Washington State who complete a workshop will receive clock hours (regular and STEM) More information is in the registration form.
📣Register Today!
Professional Learning on Localizing Your Science Units
"I used to think Science was something that I just had to teach. Now I think it can be a lot of fun and engaging for students when you use their interests and real-life examples they can relate to in their lives." - 4th grade teacher
Discover ways to make science relevant and engaging for your students by localizing your science units! IslandWood has a variety of professional learning opportunities for K-12 educators that provide opportunities to explore equity-centered, research-based strategies for adapting science units to reflect the unique communities and environments where your students live. From free asynchronous courses, to interactive online workshops and in-person sessions, there’s something for everyone—whether you’re teaching Amplify Science, OpenSciEd, or other national curricula. Explore these exciting opportunities on IslandWood's Localizing Science Units webpage.
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NISE-T Workshop! Bridging Science Education for Justice: Connecting Communities, Sovereignty, and Equity
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February 26 with Puget Sound ESD 121 at Seward Park Audubon Center, Seattle
Explore the local school district landscape and STEC's in terms of student populations historically underserved by K-12 education. Identify the proportion of students and educators in your region who are emergent multilingual, migrant, or both. Engage in exemplary, hands-on, place-based instructional routines that embody Culturally Responsive Education strategies. Practice applying these resources through designing SMART goals connected to your programs. Plan for how to translate this learning experience back to their educational context to support the design and delivery of high quality environmental and sustainability education that meets all learner needs.
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Future NISE-T events around the state! Come explore with us! Join local community-based organizations, tribes, agencies, and OSPI for exciting learning experiences. Learn to lead students in place-based learning and civic engagement with exemplary, place-based instructional routines that embody Culturally Responsive Education strategies. Our aim is to ensure each student in Washington receives outdoor learning opportunities aligned with state standards and environmental education best practices, rooted in local phenomena. Discover outdoor and environmental and sustainability education at its best!
- March 13 with ESD 123 at the Water and Environmental Center in Walla Walla
- Spring TBD with North Central ESD 171 at Paschal Sherman Indian School
- August 5-7 with ESD 105, Summer Institute, Yakima and surrounding area
Questions? Care to collaborate and share your work? Reach out to Sheila Wilson (sheila.wilson@k12.wa.us) or Elizabeth Schmitz (elizabeth.schmitz@k12.wa.us)
2/8 - Hope & Resilience: Watersheds & Salmon
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Location: Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Bellingham, WA - Time - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Cost: FREE, $100 Participation Stipend & Lunch Included! - Clock Hours: 3 STEM - Grade Levels: 3-12
- These field-based workshops will focus on equitable solutions currently being implemented for the health of Whatcom County watersheds. The Teaching for the Climate Collaborative will guide participants through classroom-ready STEM activities that connect students to the outdoors and illustrate how climate change is affecting different stakeholders and ecosystems. Tribal partners will share their expertise and a variety of take-home resources will set teachers up to integrate workshop learning with the Since Time Immemorial Curriculum.
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Register Here
2/Variable - 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade OpenSciEd Initial Use Professional Learning (one in person and two virtual sessions.)
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Location: Olympic ESD, Bremerton, WA - Time - In-Person 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Virtual 4:00 - 5:30 pm Cost: FREE, $100 Implementation Stipend & Unit Kit Included! - Clock Hours: 9 STEM - Grade Levels: 2,3, & 4
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Join us for a look at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade OpenSciEd elementary science kit released in August of 2024. You will get the opportunity to learn about the unit, receive a unit to teach in your classroom, and join a cohort of teachers from around the region. Sub reimbursement is available.
We are inviting teachers from the Olympic ESD region as well as adjacent regions to take part in this opportunity.
For further information please email jryan@oesd114.org
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Register for Your Grade's Sessions Below:
3/8- Localizing Your Science Unit
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Location: Brightwater Education Center in Woodinville, WA - Time - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Cost: FREE - Clock Hours: 6.5 STEM + 1 Equity - Grade Levels: K-12
- Are you looking for an opportunity to map out specific ideas for connecting your science unit to your region, community, and students? Would you want to gather in-person with your peers to brainstorm ideas together? Do you need STEM and Equity Clock Hours? Join us for a FREE Saturday session (including lunch and travel) on March 8th at the Brightwater Education Center in Woodinville.
- Staff from IslandWood, NWESD and OESD will facilitate a series of short introductions to opportunities, followed by ample time to brainstorm and develop ideas for localizing your unit to YOUR community. You will have an opportunity to expand on ideas for unit specific related phenomena, adapt unit transfer tasks and develop ideas for connections to local community assets. Leave with a plan for ideas to try out when you teach the unit with your students.
- This workshop is a follow up to our online “Introduction to Localizing OpenSciEd for Secondary Teachers” or “Introduction to Localizing National Science Units” workshops. If you have not attended one of our Introduction to Localizing workshops you will need to watch a recording before the Saturday session and can earn an additional 1.5 clock hours for doing so.
- Register here: https://www.pdenroller.org/oesd114/catalog/179298
3/22 - OpenSciEd Community Day!
- Location: Puget Sound ESD, Renton, WA - Time: 10 am - 3 pm - Cost: FREE - Clock Hours: 4 STEM or Equity - Grade Levels: K-12 - Lunch Provided
- Calling all educators that are using OpenSciEd or are interested in learning more about the elementary and secondary high-quality science instructional materials.
Washington State LASER, the Northeast LASER Alliance, the Olympic LASER Alliance, and the Northwest LASER Alliance are pleased to announce that we are hosting two OpenSciEd Community Days!
- These community days are an opportunity for experienced practitioners of OpenSciEd, people new to OpenSciEd, and those curious about OpenSciEd to come together to share and learn in a mini-conference type setting. Sessions will focus on implementation, unit overviews, routines, localizing phenomena, and more. There will be a secondary strand and an elementary strand to accommodate all educators K-12. (Save May 17 for an eastside event in Spokane!)
- RSVP Here
4/29 - R.I.S.E Network Foundational Assembly
- Location: Puget Sound ESD - Time: 9 am - 3 pm - Cost: FREE - Clock Hours: 2 STEM and 3 Equity - Grade Levels: K-12 - Lunch Provided
- Revolutionary Instruction in Science Education (R.I.S.E) Network is a collective of K-12 educators, and university and community-based partners dedicated to promoting just and inclusive science teaching in learning for all students. It is a ClimeTime partnership between PSESD, ESD 112, University of Washington and local justice-serving community-based organizations.
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The R.I.S.E. Network approach is a research grounded, cross-regional initiative to move the edges of standardized science learning towards inclusive, and consequential science learning. The R.I.S.E. Network Initiative will focus on developing critical knowledge and pedagogical approaches to advance NASEM equity frames and justice-centered science teaching and learning.
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Together we will become grounded in essential research, innovative pedagogical frameworks and practices that ensure that students receive generationally relevant science instruction, regardless of grade-level or curriculum. As a collective of educators we will embark on a journey that cultivates our own critical consciousness and understanding of liberatory education in radically caring ways.
2/19 and 3/12 - How to Support Talking, Thinking, & Writing in Elementary Science
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Format: Synchronous - Dates: 2/19 and 3/12 - Times: 4:00 - 6 pm Cost: FREE - Clock Hours: 5 STEM - Grade Levels: K-5
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In this 2-part online workshop, hosted by Kirk Robbins, participants will engage with multiple resources and use collaborative breakout rooms to dig into several tools and strategies for supporting all learners in talking, thinking about, and writing about their science and STEM learning. Participants will analyze and consider readings, video cases, case studies, and tools for supporting effective talk, thinking, and writing in science. Participants will have a brief asynchronous implementation task between the two sessions.
- Register Here
2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20 - Teaching Climate Change - A Book Study
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Format: Synchronous - Dates: 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20 - Times: 4:00 - 5:30 pm Cost: FREE - Clock Hours: 6 STEM - Grade Levels: K-12
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Join this online book study to explore Mark Windschitl’s book Teaching Climate Change. Participants will receive a copy of the book, connect with colleagues from across the state and region, and learn about teaching climate change in their classrooms. This course will meet over four early evening sessions with prompts given to guide reading and discussions. Clock hours will be provided free of charge.
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Feb 27, March 6th, March 13th, March 20th (4-5:30 pm) Zoom
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https://www.pdenroller.org/oesd114/catalog/180682
2/27 - Introduction to Localizing Your Science Unit
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Format: Synchronous - Date: 2/27 - Times: 4:00 - 5:30 pm Cost: FREE - Clock Hours: 1.5 STEM + .5 Equity - Grade Levels: K-12
- Are you teaching or supporting science units this year using a national curriculum? Have you been identifying local “related phenomena” with your students but wondering what else you could be doing to connect the unit to our region and your student’s communities? Would you like some help in thinking about how to make the units meaningful and relevant to your students?IslandWood, Olympic ESD, and Northwest ESD have been working with teachers, developers and school district partners on an approach to localizing national science units and we’d love to share it with you!
- Those who attend will have first priority to register for our free day-long in-person session where we will support you in applying the approach to a unit of your choice.
- Register here: https://www.pdenroller.org/oesd114/catalog/179296
3/08 Get WILD with WDFW! Washington Baby Wildlife Curriculum Training for K-2 Teachers
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Format: Synchronous - Date: 3/8 - Times: 9 am - 12 pm Cost: FREE - Clock Hours:3 STEM - Grade Levels: K-2
- Calling ALL Washington K-2 Formal Educators!
When there's a baby bird out of its nest, who ya gonna call? Wait! Maybe you don't need to call anyone to figure out if this baby wildlife needs assistance. Instead, join WDFW and PEI as we explore the Baby Wildlife curriculum from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- This FREE, NGSS-designed 1st grade unit takes you on a phenomena-based exploration of a real-world fish and wildlife conservation issue. Fly with us as we model the integration of place-based phenomena and how that can look in YOUR classroom. Please note: While this curriculum is designed for 1st grade, the Science and Engineering Practices and Cross Cutting Concepts will work in the K-2 grade band.
- Register here!
03/15 Get WILD with WDFW! Ignite Bilingual Language Development with the Power of Science!
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Format: Synchronous - Date: 3/15 - Times: 9 am - 12 pm Cost: FREE - Clock Hours:3 STEM - Grade Levels: K-5
- ¡Saludos WA state K-5 Educators of Dual Language, Spanish, and Multilingual Learners! 🌟
Are you dedicated to nurturing language development in multilingual learners? Wondering how to weave the wonders of science into your curriculum? Searching for exciting and engaging resources to captivate your students? 🐾
If you answered YES, then this workshop is made for YOU! 🎉
Join PEI and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to uncover tips and tricks to use science content to boost language development in our multilingual students!
Get familiar with NGSS! Practice using WIDA Standards with Science Content! Dive into WDFW curriculum resources in BOTH English and Spanish!
Let's make learning a WILD adventure! 🌳🦉
- Email Autumn Eckenrod to get the link to register when it is available!
WSTA Is Now An OpenSciEd Professional Learning Partner
Become a U.S. PhET Fellow!
PhET Interactive Simulations is pleased to announce a new opportunity for K-12 math and science educators. The U.S. PhET Fellowship (http://bit.ly/USPhETFellow) will select five individuals from Title 1 and CEP public schools across the U.S. to take part in a 15-month professional learning and leadership experience, including a stipend. Visit the link above to register for informational sessions in January and February, learn more, and apply. The deadline to apply for the U.S. PhET Fellowship is March 1, 2025.
Nominations are Open for Regional Teacher of the Year!
These include nominations for Regional Teacher of the Year and Regional Classified School Employee of the Year.
Each year, every Washington Educational Service District has the privilege of selecting one outstanding teacher and one exceptional classified employee to represent their region as Educators of the Year. These individuals continue on to the statewide competition for Washington State Teacher of the Year and as ambassadors of the school districts we serve. 🌟
Do you know a school professional who goes above and beyond in their role? 🌟 Nominate them today! Anyone can submit a nomination by filling out the form at https://bit.ly/4aGOPoI.
Grants for Washington State K-12 Public School Teachers!
Applications are now being accepted for the “Ellison Education Grants”. Grants are for K-12 public school teachers in Washington State. Grants will range from $1,000 to $10,000 and be awarded this spring to be used for the 2025 – 2026 school year. Applications must be submitted by March 30, 2025.
To learn more about the “Ellison Education Grants” please go to the following link: http://ellison-foundation.org/ellison-education
Paid Summer Programs for Secondary Science Teachers at Fred Hutch Cancer Center
This summer, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle is offering three incredible PAID professional development programs for middle and high school science teachers! The priority deadline for applications is March 16, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to join one of these exciting opportunities.
The Hutch Fellowship for Excellence in STEM Teaching is a paid summer program for secondary STEM educators seeking an in-depth biomedical research experience at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. The program engages teachers in one or two summers (7-8 weeks per summer) of a cancer-focused research experience in a Fred Hutch lab, curriculum design and scientific communication projects, and additional school year follow-up. The program is designed for middle and high school life science teachers, although it is open to other STEM teachers as well. The priority deadline for applications is March 16th, 2025. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/HutchTeacherFellows. Questions? Contact Kristen Bergsman, PhD at bergsman@fredhutch.org.
Partners in Science 2.0 @ Fred Hutch is a paid two-summer program for secondary science educators seeking an in-depth, biomedical research experience at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. The PS2@FH program pairs each Partner teacher with a Mentor scientist for two consecutive summers (8 weeks per summer) of mentored research. The program includes attendance at two M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Partners in Science conferences annually and scientific communication projects. The priority deadline for applications is March 16th, 2025. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/PS2-FH. Questions? Contact Kristen Bergsman, PhD at bergsman@fredhutch.org.
The Science Education Partnership (SEP) at Fred Hutch Cancer Center is a 3-week summer professional development program designed with teachers to meet their specific needs. Through this paid 3-week program, teachers build biotech skills, explore SEP curriculum, and spend time in a mentored research lab. SEP teachers have ongoing free access not only to the SEP molecular biology kits and equipment but also to technical support, scientists, surplus lab items, and interactions with other science education professionals. The priority deadline for applications is March 16th, 2025. Apply or learn more at bit.ly/SEP_PD. Questions? Email Regina Wu at rwu@fredhutch.org.
Assessment Study Opportunity for Middle School Science Teachers
BSCS Science Learning is recruiting middle school science teachers to participate in an assessment study during the 2025-2026 school year. The study is focused on gathering data to help investigate the validity of middle school three-dimensional assessment tasks. The study will take place online using Zoom and a web-based testing utility. Participating in this study will help us understand how to better design science assessments that work with high-quality instructional materials.
Learn more here.
Assessment Research Opportunity for High School Biology Teachers
BSCS is recruiting high school science teachers to participate in a biology assessment study. The study is focused on pilot testing phenomenon-driven biology assessment tasks with high school students. The study will take place online using a web-based testing utility. Participating in this study will help us understand how to better design science assessments that work with high-quality instructional materials. Learn more about this study and how to apply here: bscs.org/pilot-2025
💡Do not forget to apply to the Youth Mini-Grants!
As part of the Community Education in Action program, 12 selected youth groups interested in co-creating a learning resource that incorporates a Just Transition perspective will receive $800 and support from a mentor to complete their project and present it at our in-person workshops in March! The application is very simple, just fill out this form before February 7, 2025. Results will be announced on February 14th.
Washington Tracking Network Youth Science Contest for High Schoolers
The Department of Health’s Washington Tracking Network (WTN) is launching the 4th year of the Washington Tracking Network Youth Science Contest. The WTN Youth Science Contest is an opportunity for high school students in Washington State to develop their science and communication skills by working with health and environmental data from their own communities.The contest was designed, with student input, to engage students across a broad range of areas of interest: health, equity, social and environmental justice, data science, etc.
Participants can choose from three tracks:
- Health Science
- Science Communication
- Program and Policy Design
Registration is open from February 1st to March 1st, and the official contest period is from February 15th through April 15th. Winners will be announced in late May.
Radon poster contest for 9–14 year-olds
In partnership with the NW Radon Coalition, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is sponsoring a contest for students to create informative posters about radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can buildup in our homes. The contest aims to raise awareness about radon and how to protect your household.
The contest period runs through January and February 2025. Submission forms, lesson plans, rules, and previous winning entries can be found here.
Winning posters will be featured on the DOH website and social media and entrants will receive prizes!
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