JoinPLI #1
National Conference in Anaheim • April 15, 2026
Full-Day Workshop
Flippers, Phenomena, and a Fully Released Curriculum: Making a Splash in Elementary Science
Preconference • Wednesday, April 15 • 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM
All participants will receive breakfast and lunch.
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
$150
Conference registration is NOT required to attend.
About the Session
Set sail on a journey through the newly released full elementary OpenSciEd curriculum—where manatees glide, dolphins echolocate, and young learners tackle real-world phenomena with brilliance and curiosity. In this session, we’ll dive into an instructional approach that supports all students in making sense of complex science ideas through coherent, phenomenon-driven storylines.
Participants will experience a taste of a third-grade unit to figure out why living things live where they do —connecting you to the why and the how of 3-dimensional science teaching. Along the way, we’ll explore key features of the curriculum through classroom video and surface how classroom agreements can foster inclusive and collaborative environments. We’ll also unpack how purposeful classroom discussion helps students make sense of science, not just memorize it.
Come ready to explore, reflect, and imagine what’s possible when high-quality materials meet the brilliance of elementary learners.
In Partnership With:
Presenters
Dr. Susan Gomez Zwiep
Susan Gomez Zwiep is the Program Area Director for Teacher Learning and a Senior Science Educator at BSCS Science Learning. She began her career in science education as a middle school science teacher in Los Angeles, where she spent over 12 years working with English learners in urban schools. From 2005-2020, Susan served as faculty in the Science Education Department at California State University, Long Beach where she taught courses in the undergraduate STEM pathway, teacher preparation and the graduate program in Science Education. Susan was also a Regional Director for the K-2 Alliance@WestEd, where she contributed to high-quality professional development programs that supported K12 educators in the areas of science and mathematics, including the CA NGSS Early Implementer Initiative.
Amy Belcastro
Amy Belcastro is a BSCS Science Educator, supporting professional learning and curriculum development focusing on supporting three-dimensional science teaching and learning in elementary and middle school settings. Prior to BSCS, she taught elementary school, experiencing the curiosity and joy in discovery of elementary learners.
Janna Mahfoud
Janna Mahfoud is a BSCS Science Educator working across professional learning and leadership development, with a focus on transforming science teaching and learning for historically marginalized populations. Janna is co-chair of the BSCS Equity and Social Justice Collaborative. Prior to BSCS, Janna taught elementary and middle school science, and served as a K-8 District Science & Engineering Specialist supporting curriculum implementation through strategic planning, professional learning, and coaching services.
Dr. Yanira Vasquez
Yanira Vasquez has over 20 years of experience working to improve student educational STEM outcomes. As the Elementary Curriculum Project Manager, Yanira manages the development of our elementary curriculum and professional learning. Previously, she was the state supervisor for math and science in New Mexico, where she oversaw the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards and the NM Computer Science Standards, and supported professional learning for educators in all areas of STEM. Under her leadership, the state added teacher license endorsements for elementary math specialists and computer science for secondary educators, and supported implementation of high-quality math and science instructional materials. Yanira was the New Mexico state representative in the OpenSciEd State Steering Committee.