JoinPLI #5
National Conference in Denver • Mar. 20-23, 2024
Full-Day Workshop
Transforming Science Teaching and Learning
Building Capacity for Curriculum Adaptation
Preconference • Wednesday, March 20 • 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM
Facilitators: Jean Flanagan, Elaine Klein, Audrey Mohan, Candice Guy-Guytan, Zoe Buck Bracey, Jamie Deutch Noll, Lindsey Mohan, Janna Mahfoud, and Cindy Gay
All participants will receive...
- Coffee and tea (first come first served)
- Lunch
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
$150
Conference registration is NOT required to attend.
Sponsored by:
In Partnership With:
About the Session
Successful implementation of open-source instructional materials for the NGSS requires adaptation for local needs. This Professional Learning Institute will engage participants in using tools to adapt an open-source middle school unit for local standards and phenomena.
Dr. Zoe Buck Bracey
Zoe Buck Bracey is Associate Director and Physics course lead for OpenSciEd High School, and Senior Science Educator and Director, Design for Social and Environmental Justice Outcomes at BSCS Science Learning. She holds a BA in astrophysics and a PhD in science education.
Jamie Deutch Noll
Jamie Deutch Noll is a National Board Certified Teacher and Science Educator at BSCS Science Learning. Jamie's role in the OpenSciEd High School project is a Curriculum Developer for the OpenSciEd Biology Team, University of Colorado. Jamie was recently a curriculum development specialist at Northwestern University, as part of Next Generation Science Storylines. She led several development teams in the OpenSciEd Middle School Developers Consortium to develop storyline-based middle school NGSS units and helped as a writer on the development of grades K–2 and 3–5 COVID-19 and Health Equity Units. Jamie has been leading NGSS professional development workshops across the country. Before leaving the classroom, Jamie taught ninth-grade biology and middle school science, in Washington State and Illinois. Jamie earned her Bachelors of Science in Biology and Psychology from Dickinson College and her MiT in Secondary Science Education from the University of Washington.
Jean Flanagan
Jean Flanagan is a Science Educator and the Director of Resources for Science Teaching and Learning at BSCS. Most recently she contributed to the design of BSCS’s new instructional model, Anchored Inquiry Learning (AIL), and served as the course lead for BSCS Biology: Understanding for Life. Prior to BSCS, she worked across curriculum design and research at Smithsonian and at AAAS Project 2061. Her interests as an instructional materials designer include coherence from the student perspective and design for social and environmental justice.
Cindy Gay
Cindy is a Senior Science Educator at BSCS Science Learning where she leads professional learning, leadership development, and curriculum development. She co-led the development and leads professional learning for BSCS Biology: Understanding for Life, a designed-for the NGSS high school biology textbook. Prior to joining BSCS, Cindy was a classroom educator for 34 years and served as a district instructional coach.
Candice Guy-Gaytán
Candice Guy-Gaytán (Lenape|Delaware Tribe of Indians) is a Research Scientist with BSCS Science Learning. She has nearly 20 years of experience in education and collaborates with teachers, students, curriculum writers, and researchers across the continent to develop meaningful science curriculum and teacher professional learning. Most recently, she has been part of the OpenSciEd Developers Consortium and focused on creating high-quality elementary and middle school science curriculum. Candice also has expertise in developing materials that can be implemented on a broad scale, but also customized for local relevance and interest.
Elaine Klein
Elaine Klein is a Science Educator at BSCS Science Learning, where she designs and researches opportunities for equitable, justice-focused science learning that brings together youth, teachers, and scientists. She has led teams in developing instructional materials for OpenSciEd Elementary and the California Climate Change and Environmental Justice Program, and conducted research on youth and teacher learning in out of school contexts. Dr. Klein has over 15 years of experience working in science learning environments, ranging from environmental education and after-school contexts to K-12 science and undergraduate Biology classrooms.
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.
Audrey Mohan
Audrey Mohan is a Senior Research Scientist at BSCS Science Learning. She has over 20 years of experience in education, was the Associate Director for OpenSciEd Middle School Developer’s Consortium, and is currently in a leadership role for the OpenSciEd Elementary Developer’s Consortium. She has expertise in designing coherent storyline instructional materials across K-12, including materials with localized anchoring phenomena.
Lindsey Mohan
Lindsey Mohan serves as the Associate Director for Program Innovation at BSCS Science Learning. She works in instructional materials design and development, adaptation of curriculum, and climate change education. She has served as a unit lead for multiple OpenSciEd middle and elementary science units and is a former middle school science teacher. She is PI for the Climate Education Pathways project, a locally adaptable climate learning program.