Professional Development for K-12 Science Educators
Marian University, Fond du Lac WI

Register Here

The Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) provide a new vision for effective K-12 science programs that is consistent with the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics and ELA. These two interactive and engaging workshops will help participants, both teachers and administrators, understand how NGSS can be used to complement and in fact far exceed the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Science to improve science instruction in your school, district, and classroom. Session 1 (August 4) will introduce (1) the three dimensions of NGSS, (2) tools for helping schools, administrators, and teachers develop course scope and sequences and (3) strategies and templates for building instructional units.  Session 2 (August 8) will focus on Engineering and how engineering and science are intertwined yet distinct disciplines. The content of session 2 does not build on session 1.  Participants may sign up for either session 1 or session 2 or both.

K-12 Educators: From NGSS to the Science Classroom - Session 1

Monday (August 4, 2014) 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
  *   Introduction to the Three Dimensions of NGSS
  *   How to Develop Course Scope and Sequences
  *   Unit Planning with NGSS


K-8 Educators: Incorporating Engineering into the Science Classroom  - Session 2
Friday (August 8, 2014) 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
  *   Engineering and Science
  *   Implementing Engineering Design in the K-8 Classroom


Registration Fee:
Session 1:  $25.00
Session 2: $25.00

Both Session 1 & Session 2: $35.00
Registration includes: lunch, materials, NSTA Press book on implementation of NGSS, and lots of prizes and freebies!


This quality professional development is funded with a grant from the John Reilly Foundation.

Science and Engineering Practices:  Modeling
Date:  June 18 (9:00 – 4:00) & 19 (8:00 – 3:00)
Location: UW Oshkosh
Cost: $150 (optional graduate credit is available for an additional $150 fee).
Facilitators:  Chad Janowski (Shawano Area School District) & Eric Brunsell (UW O)


Registration: Click here to be notified when registration opens or e-mail brunsele@uwosh.edu.

Scientists use models to represent a system to help develop questions, generate data, and create explanations.  Models are developed using evidence from that natural world and are refined by comparing predictions with the real world.  Student use of models is critical for students science learning and is described in the Science and Engineering Practices of the Next Generation Science Standards. This professional development experience is appropriate for any teacher of science in K-12.  Break out sessions will be used to explore age appropriate examples.

Participants in this experience will learn how to help students use models to understand scientific concepts. Participants will explore the following questions:

• What are common age-appropriate models in K-12 Science?
• How can we develop students’ capacity to use models throughout the school year?
• In what ways can teachers assess students’ abilities to use models?

Science and Engineering Practices:  Explanations and Argumentation


Date:  June 16 (9:00 – 4:00) & 17 (8:00 – 3:00)  Location: UW Oshkosh
Facilitators:  Chad Janowski (Shawano Area School District) & Eric Brunsell (UW O)

Registration: Click here to be notified when registration opens or e-mail brunsele@uwosh.edu.
Cost: $150 (optional graduate credit is available for an additional $150 fee).

“Theory-making,” or the use of evidence to explain the natural world is at the core of the nature of science.  The Next Generation Science Standards identifies this in the Science and Engineering Practices as the process of creating explanations and engaging in argumentation.  Additionally, argumentation is central to the literacy standards for science and technical subjects as described in the Common Core State Standards for English and Language Arts.  This professional development experience is appropriate for any teacher of science in K-12.  We will use break out groups to explore age appropriate examples.

Participants in this experience will learn how scientists use evidence and how this can be translated into age-appropriate classroom activities.  Participants will explore the following questions:

• What are scientific explanations and arguments?
• How can existing inquiry activities be modified to focus on scientific argumentation?
• How can students’ capacity to use evidence be built throughout the school year?
• In what ways can teachers assess students’ ability to create explanations and engage in argumentation?