Science Framework and Next Generation Science Standards–Related Sessions at NSTA’s Indianapolis Conference
The following are just a few of the many sessions, workshops, and short courses exploring A Framework for K–12 Science Education, Next Generation Science Standards and related topics. All sessions will be held at the NSTA National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, March 29 through April 1, 2012. For more information about the conference, click here.
**Please check session times and locations in the NSTA onsite program and errata sheet.**
Thursday, March 29
8:00–9:00 AM: CSSS Session: Crosscutting Concepts from the NRC Science Framework
JW Marriott Indianapolis, 209
Presenter(s): Brett D. Moulding (Utah Partnership for Effective Science Teaching and Learning: Ogden, UT); Juan-Carlos Aguilar (Georgia Dept. of Education: Atlanta, GA)
Join the National Research Council and explore the role of crosscutting concepts in state science education standards and address ways to assess student understanding of these concepts.
9:30–10:30 AM: Featured Presentation: The Art of Science and the Framework for Science Education
Indiana Convention Center, Sagamore Ballroom 6
Presenter(s): Jeff Goldstein (Director, National Center for Earth and Space Science Education: Capitol Heights, MD)
Science is an art, and researchers are artists. Fundamental to science research is the explorer’s ability to ask questions, frame a pathway to an answer, and interpret what he or she finds. But this is also what science education in the classroom ought to be—immersing our children in authentic science experiences that bring to bear practices and core knowledge so they too can become artists. Through A Framework for K–12 Science Education, we are finally, hopefully, seeing a national emphasis on science education as classroom modeling of real science, and students given the ability to be scientists and engineers.
12:30–1:30 PM: CSSS Session: Implications of the Framework for Science Education from the National Academy of Sciences
JW Marriott Indianapolis, JW Grand Ballroom 3
Presenter(s): Thomas Keller (National Academy of Sciences: Washington, DC); Anita Bernhardt (Maine Dept. of Education: Augusta, ME); Brett D. Moulding (Utah Partnership for Effective Science Teaching and Learning: Ogden, UT); Stephen Pruitt (Achieve, Inc.: Washington, DC)
Join us as we first review the vision of science education and then explore addressing or aligning multiple "other" elements to foster effective implementation of the vision.
2:00–3:00 PM: CSSS Session: Scientific Inquiry and Engineering Design in New Standards
JW Marriott Indianapolis, 209
Presenter(s): Jacob Foster (Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education: Malden, MA); Brett D. Moulding (Utah Partnership for Effective Science Teaching and Learning: Ogden, UT)
Explore the relationship of scientific inquiry and engineering design, their similarities and differences, and why engineering is included with traditional sciences in new standards.
1:00–5:00 PM SC-3: Using Learning Progressions to Improve Science Teaching and Learning
Omni Severin, Fisher Ballroom A
Ticketed Event: $72 advance; $77 on-site
Purchase tickets when you register online or on the Indianapolis Advance Registration Form.
Presenter(s): Hannah Sevian (University of Massachusetts Boston: Boston, MA); Charles W. Anderson (Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI); James E. Hamos (National Science Foundation: Arlington, VA)
Both the new A Framework for K–12 Science Education and the soon expected Next Generation Science Standards emphasize learning progressions (LPs) as an important strategy for evidence-based instructional decisions, assessment design and interpretation, and school and district science program planning. This short course provides an opportunity to learn more about what LPs are (and are not) and how they are useful. Gain an introduction to LP research and practice interpreting student data from assessments designed to measure progress along LPs on core science topics. Walk away with resources for planning professional development aimed at supporting teachers in using new standards with an LP perspective. Note: Please bring a copy of your state’s science standards
Friday, March 30
7:00–8:30 AM: High School Breakfast -- The Role and Uses of A Framework for K–12 Science Education in Teaching High School Science ( Ticketed Event)
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, Santa Fe
Presenter: Helen Quinn (Professor Emerita, Stanford University: Palo Alto, CA)
In July, the National Research Council (NRC) released A Framework for K–12 Science Education, a conceptual framework that identifies the science all K–12 students should know. Considered a first step in the development of the Next Generation Science Standards, this framework is a useful tool available now for teaching science. Join Dr. Helen Quinn, a key architect in designing the framework, as she discusses how high school science teachers can begin to implement it in their classes, as well as the role the framework will play in the Next Generation Science Standards.
Tickets, if still available, must be purchased at the Ticket Sales Counter in the NSTA Registration Area before 3:00 PM on Thursday.
9:30–10:30 AM: Featured Panel: Next Generation Science Standards
Indiana Convention Center, Sagamore Ballroom 6
Presenter(s): Stephen L. Pruitt (Vice President for Content, Research, and Development, Achieve, Inc.: Washington, DC); Francis Q. Eberle (Executive Director, National Science Teachers Association: Arlington, VA)
Work is progressing to develop the Next Generation Science Standards. This informational session will provide an update on the development of these standards, including process and timeline for release of drafts and final documents, how science educators can be involved, and implications for science teaching.
With private funding from the Carnegie Corporation, the National Research Council (NRC) and Achieve, with support from NSTA and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), have embarked on a two-step cooperative process to develop the Next Generation Science Standards. The first step was to develop a conceptual framework that is grounded in current research on science and science learning and identifies the science all K–12 students should know. In July, NRC released A Framework for K–12 Science Education, which now serves as the foundation for new K–12 science education standards. The next step will be the development of the standards. That state-led process is being managed by Achieve and will involve scientists, science teachers, policy makers, industry, and other interested parties. The standards are expected to be completed in late 2012.
11:00 AM–12:00 PM: CSSS Session: Scientific Practices
JW Marriott Indianapolis, 209
Presenter(s): Peter J. McLaren (Rhode Island Dept. of Elem. & Secondary Ed.: Providence, RI); Brett D. Moulding (Utah Partnership for Effective Science Teaching and Learning: Ogden, UT)
To make science learning meaningful, a balance is necessary between science content and the use of scientific practices. Emphasis will be placed on the use of organizing documents to help clarify the role of science practices and their appropriate use in state standards and classroom instruction as well as ways to inform instruction by assessing students' abilities to use the practices.
2:00–3:00 PM: Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER): Next Steps After Introducing Framework
Indiana Convention Center, 241
Presenter(s): Katherine L. McNeill (Boston College: Chestnut Hill, MA); Joseph Krajcik (Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI)
For teachers already focusing on this practice, we will discuss examples of strong and weak questions and student work for integrating CER throughout the curricula.
2:30–5:30 PM: NSELA/NSTA Standards Forum
JW Marriott Indianapolis, Grand Ballroom VIII
Presenter(s): Zipporah Miller (NSTA: Arlington, VA); Susan Koba (NSELA President: Omaha, NE); Patricia Simmons (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC)
Join NSTA and NSELA for a Next Generation Science Standards forum—where are we at and what does it mean for our schools and students?
4:00–5:30 PM: Next Generation Science Standards—What It Means for Earth Science
Indiana Convention Center, 133
Presenter(s): Michael Wysession (Washington University in St. Louis: St. Louis, MO)
Expected to be adopted by a majority of states, the new science standards have the potential to revolutionize how science is taught. Join us as we discuss the implications for teachers, schools, curriculum designers, and assessors with Michael Wysession, Pearson author and world-renown seismologist. Professor Wysession is part of NRC's Earth and Space Science Design Team, which is involved in creating the framework.
Saturday, March 31
7:00 AM–3:00 PM: NSTA Research Dissemination Conference: Looking Toward the New Framework for the Next Generation Science Standards: New Research on Promising Practices in Professional Development with a Focus on Curriculum Integration
You must be registered for the NSTA Indianapolis conference to participate in this ticketed event. For more information, click here.
2:00-3:00 PM: How to Engage Science Educators in the Public Review of Next Generation Science Standards
JW Marriott Indianapolis, JW Grand Ballroom 3
Presenter(s): Harold Pratt (Educational Consultants, Inc.: Littleton, CO); Francis Q. Eberle (National Science Teachers Association: Arlington, VA)
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are now in development. According to Achieve, the public will have a chance to view and comment on two public drafts, with the first expected sometime this Spring. What should educators consider when reading and reviewing a draft standards document? What are the best materials to read ahead of time to prepare you for this task? How might you connect with and organize groups of educators to encourage thoughtful and informative discussions about the draft? Join us in this informal session as we explore these questions and more about the role of educators in the NGSS public review process and how science teachers can get involved.