November: Science Teachers Association of Texas

On Friday, 11/10/2023, Sharon Cates and Josh Smith facilitated a workshop at the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching in Houston.

Entitled What are phenomena, and how do they work with the new TEKS in science?, the session focused on using phenomena effectively with the new TEKS in student-centered classrooms.

Thanks to everyone who attended and made it a success, and thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hi. We enjoyed talking with you!

We were especially thrilled to catch up with some alumni of our Introduction to Phenomena for TEKS workshop. It’s always great to hear from you!

#STATCAST23.

November: STANYS

PSE attended the 128th Annual Conference of the Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS) from November 4th-6th in Syracuse.

While there, Sharon Cates and Josh Smith presented an overview of the phenomenon concept entitled Three-Dimensional Explorations of Phenomena.

We also attended the LISTEMELA NGSS Assessment Leadership Summit on the 3rd.

Thanks to the association for inviting us to present and thanks to everyone who stopped by Booth 507 to chat. We enjoyed talking with you!

October: National Science Teaching Association

Saturday, 10/28/2023, Josh Smith and Sharon Cates facilitated a workshop entitled What is a Phenomenon Anyway? at the NSTA meeting in Kansas City.

Participants did phenomenon-based activities linked to the three dimensions and student-centered requirements of K-12 Framework-based standards. We explored centering science education on student investigations of phenomena. And we discussed strategies for student sensemaking using Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts. It was a lively session with some great discussion.*

Thanks to everyone who attended and made the session great. And thanks to everyone who came by Booth 1732 to say hi. We enjoyed talking with you.

October: National Science Teaching Association

On Thursday, 10/26/2023, PSE’s Sharon Cates, Rebecca Abbott (Lawrence Hall of Science), and Leah Litz (Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium) presented at the NSTA meeting in Kansas City.

Entitled Assessment of Sensemaking Through the Crosscutting Concepts, and part of a four session short course on the utility of the Crosscutting Concepts, their presentation involved writing classroom assessment questions and prompts aligned to the CCC dimension.

Thanks to everyone who attended the session

October: National Science Teaching Association

On Thursday, 10/26/2023, PSE’s Sharon Cates helped Rebecca Abbott (Lawrence Hall of Science), Kimberley Astle (Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction), and Leah Litz (Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium) kick off a four session short course on the utility of the Crosscutting Concepts at the NSTA meeting in Kansas City.

Thanks to everyone who wanted to understand the CCCs better and came to the course.

October: LISTEMELA

On Tuesday, 10/17/2023, PSE attended the Long Island STEM Education Leadership Association Fall Conference in Plainview, New York.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table. We enjoyed talking with you!

October: Geological Society of America

New conference abstract published:

Joshua B. Smith* and Sharon E. Cates, 2023, Using Next Generation Science Standard Performance Expectation 5-PS1-3 as a vehicle for basic rock and mineral identification. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 55(6): doi: 10.1130/abs/2023AM-393898.

October: Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association

On Sunday, 10/8/2023, Sharon Cates facilitated a workshop entitled Using Phenomena to Address the New STEELS Standards at the PSTA meeting in Lancaster.

Participants engaged in phenomenon-based activities linked to the three dimensions and student-centered requirements of the new STEELS standards. They explored centering science education on student investigations of phenomena. Sharon discussed strategies for student sensemaking using Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts.

Thanks to everyone who came to the session and made it a success!

New Service: Consultation Meetings

We offer consultations on science education topics for individuals and small groups.

March: National Science Teaching Association

On Thursday, 3/23/2023, Josh Smith and Sharon Cates facilitated a workshop at the NSTA meeting in Atlanta. Entitled What is a Phenomenon Anyway?, the session presented an overview of how phenomena can work with three-dimensional, K-12 Framework-based standards in a student-centered classroom.

Thanks to everyone who came to the session and stopped by our booth!

March: Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association

On Thursday, 3/9/2023, Sharon Cates and Josh Smith led a short discussion for PSTA members about phenomena and the new STEELS standards.

Thanks to everyone for a great session!

February: HASTI/ICTM

On Sunday, 2/12/2023, Sharon Cates and Josh Smith facilitated a workshop at the joint Hoosier Association of Science Teachers/Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics meeting in Indianapolis. Entitled What is a Phenomenon Anyway? How to Read and Use the New Indiana Science Standards, the session covered how phenomena can work with Indiana’s new three-dimensional, K-12 Framework-based science standards.

Thanks to everyone who came to the session and stopped by our booth!