PLI #3

About the Session

Step right up to the Carnival of Collisions!

Welcome to Class CrunchLabs (CCL), a completely free, NGSS-designed (phenomena and problem-based) curriculum resource composed of short, modular units packed with videos, activities, googly eyes, and serious science sensemaking.

In this session, we'll join YouTuber Mark Rober and his unit co-hosts as they navigate the Carnival of Collisions storyline [MS-PS2-1 & MS-PS2-2]. We'll explore how to lead classroom investigations designed by the CrunchLabs toy creators, teach with interactive video assessments, track student progress with multi-unit Mission Logs (student portfolios) and reflection activities, plus more.

Curious about teacher and student supports? Our curriculum writers will host these discussions firsthand and answer your questions. We’ll also explore how to customize the curriculum to fit your classroom, all while keeping our eyes on the ultimate goal: sparking student curiosity and boosting creative confidence. Of course, we'll engage in plenty of purposeful play, which may or may not include slingshots, projectiles, and a very large stack of stuffed squirrels.

Please Note: Mark Rober will not attend this session, but he may share a video message for early adopters. Don't miss out!

Key Takeaways

• Gain a clear understanding of how to implement CCL's NGSS-designed, phenomenon-based science units and promote sensemaking through hands-on investigations.
• Explore effective strategies for using CCL's interactive video assessments, Mission Logs (student portfolios), and reflection activities to track and support student progress.
• Discover ways to customize and adapt this playful, engaging curriculum to spark student curiosity and build creative confidence in your classroom.

Presenters

Tommy Clayton

Tommy Clayton is Curriculum Developer at Class Crunchlabs with over a decade of experience as a middle school educator. Tommy is excited to get kids curious about the world around them and support their teachers in creating a classroom that students will never want to leave. Over the past 5 years he has specialized in developing NGSS aligned curriculum for grades K-8, creating engaging, phenomena based experiences for students. Tommy has presented at several national conferences, facilitated impactful profession learning for teachers all over the United States, and can’t wait to share Class Crunchlabs with teachers and students.

Sara Cooper

Sara Cooper is the Assessment Specialist at Class CrunchLabs, bringing over two decades of experience in science education across classrooms, informal settings, and state systems. For the past ten years, her work has focused on reimagining classroom assessment—designing tools and practices that honor student thinking, spark curiosity, and advance equity. She has led the development of instructional materials, supported educators in shifting toward 3D assessment, and guided system-wide science implementation. Sara is passionate about ensuring that assessments empower students and educators alike, shaping learning as something done with students, not to them.

Tara Graham

Tara Graham is Executive Director at CrunchLabs.org, where she leads the launch of Class CrunchLabs, a free, NGSS-designed curriculum delivered by YouTuber Mark Rober. With 15+ years at the intersection of education, technology, and media, she has led product and business development in both public and private edtech companies. Tara received Fast Company’s 2022 World Changing Ideas award for a curriculum-sharing marketplace her team launched during the COVID pandemic. Her early career included teaching and curriculum development at UC Berkeley, along with founding roles in digital journalism and media startups.

Adam Hutz

Adam Hutz is an educator-turned-product designer for Class CrunchLabs. With over ten years of teaching experience in secondary and post-secondary classrooms, Adam brings his enthusiasm for facilitating “aha!” moments to curriculum development. As part of the team responsible for designing engaging and unique hands-on activities, Adam hopes to make every classroom a little more crunchy.

Arash (Ari) Jamshidi

As a unit lead at Class CrunchLabs, Ari brings his experience as curriculum developer with multiple organizations dedicated to creating NGSS-designed curriculum, including his work with BSCS Science Learning, OpenSciEd, and SCALE at Stanford University. Additionally, as program director and researcher at the University of California at Berkeley, Ari’s experience in overseeing teacher professional learning in STEM education inspires his current work to support teachers in finding success as they engage their students with Class CrunchLabs curriculum. Finally, as a former high school science teacher in San Francisco public schools, Ari incorporates teachers’ expertise in using and adapting instruction to meet student needs.

Spencer Martin

Spencer Martin is the Lead Curriculum Developer at Class CrunchLabs, a free, NGSS-designed curriculum delivered by YouTuber Mark Rober. Before joining CrunchLabs, he taught in the classroom and worked as a district science coordinator and developed science curriculum for 15+ years. Spencer now helps support teams in building coherent STEM units that make science playful and engaging while still giving students the chance to dig deep and make sense of big ideas.

Sarah Ridder

Sarah is a Curriculum Developer at Class CrunchLabs and is eager to bring the excitement of the larger CrunchLabs organization to classrooms everywhere in the form of an Open Educational Resource. Over the last 15+ years she has worked as a classroom science teacher at the middle and high school levels, district curriculum coordinator, higher education instructor, professional learning developer, curriculum developer, and state leader. She is looking forward to supporting the use of Class CrunchLabs by both teachers and students.

Nicholas Robles

Nicholas Robles is a Product Designer for Class CrunchLabs and is excited to make learning the most fun part of every student’s day. With a background in engineering, art, and education, he focuses on creating rich and engaging explorations. He brings his experience designing educational STEM toys at CrunchLabs into the classroom, developing hands-on challenges that are accessible for teachers and irresistibly fun for students.