Science

Science Education Updates and Events:

• Awards and Funding Opportunities:
  • If you have been a member of the Colorado Association of Science Teachers (CAST) for at least a year, consider applying for a CAST mini-grant. 
    • Here is the grant application and more information. Fall applications due August 31, 2023. Spring applications due by December 31, 2023. 
    • Here is more information about CAST.
  • Nominations for the 2023-2024 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science (PAEMST) award cycle for K-6th grade teachers is now open. To review all of the eligibility requirements and to nominate a teacher, see the PAEMST website.
    • ​To be eligible for a PAEMST award, applicants must teach at least half time, and have at least five years of full-time experience. 
    • Once nominated, the teacher will need to complete an application including a resume, a video of their teaching, a written narrative, supplemental materials, and three letters of recommendation. Mentoring is available and encouraged to ensure teachers submit high-quality applications.​

• Upcoming Events and Student Opportunities: 
  • Register for the 2023 Advancing Environmental Education Conference September 29 & 30 at CSU Spur
  • Cool Science Festival: September 30 - October 15 in the Pike's Peak Region - Click here to learn more
  • NSTA Conferences:
    • Oct 25-28, 2023 in Kansas City
    • March 20-23, 2024 in Denver (CSC cancelled this year)
  • American Physical Society (APS) Division of Plasma Physics (DPP) will be hosting a FREE Student Expo (Nov 2-3, 2023) and  FREE Teacher Day (Nov 1,  2023) in Denver Register Here 
    • Reimbursement for Bus and Subs available!!
  • Student Opportunity in Veterinary Medicine: a contingent of professionals in shelter medicine, animal clinics, hospitals, veterinary associations and foundations have come together over the last six months with the purpose of bringing opportunities to students to learn about and generally be exposed to the different pathways in veterinary medicine. Part of this project includes a pitch deck on why this is a viable CTE Pathway. Information includes salary data, job growth, career pathways, requirements for a teaching location and more. For more information please contact Emily Berger at Emily.berger@denvergov.org.
  • Science Standards revision will take place in the Spring of 2025

• Professional Learning Opportunities: 

  • The Learning-Centered Assessment Systems Toolkit is a free professional learning opportunity presented by CDE, the State Performance Assessment Learning Community, and CU Boulder to provide science educators the opportunity to learn more about: 

    • the instructional shifts that go along with three-dimensional instruction outlined by the Colorado Academic Standards for Science.

    • the use of three-dimensional embedded and transfer assessment opportunities that intentionally advance learning for all learners.

    • crafting high quality, three-dimensional assessment tasks as well as how best to use learner artifacts to inform instruction. 

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please complete this survey by September 8, 2023. Please contact Angela Landrum at Landrum_A@cde.state.co.us with any questions. 

• Denver Zoo is thrilled to be launching three new Teacher Professional Development courses designed to fill you with conservation inspiration...so you’ll be ready to engage your students in the fall. Want more information? Contact us at DZEducation@denverzoo.org.
• The CU Boulder team of STEM and science educators (Schoolwide Labs) is excited to invite middle school STEM and science teachers to a two-day in-person professional learning (PL) workshop in August, 2023 in Denver, CO. This PL workshop will introduce teachers to the Sensor Immersion unit, which teaches students how programmable sensors can help them learn about and explore their environment. The PL is appropriate for teachers new to programmable sensor technology and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned instruction to promote students’ computational thinking. Further details can be found in the linked video. Fill out this interest form and we will reach out with more information. The total cost for the in-person workshop (two 8-hour days) is $500, which includes breakfast and lunch on both days. You will need to bring a laptop to work on the sensor technology.
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife Starting in August Virtual, free interactive virtual programs for K-12 classes. About: Virtual program topics will include adaptations, mapping, and ecosystems. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will provide a zoom link and printouts. Additional information will be provided after signing up.  
  Sign-up Here
• Resilient Colorado: Natural Hazards Education for Secondary Science and Social Studies Teachers September 5th - November 27th. Presented by CIRES, Virtual Training