The Colorado Department of Education

Offices | Staff Contacts | Colorado.gov

Science Summit Presentations - June 7, 2006

  • Jo O'Brien, Assistant Commissioner, Colorado Department of Education (ppt)

    Colorado has had the stability of strong standards and assessment through long standing leadership seeking the involvement of Coloradoans determining what it is that students in Colorado will know and be able to do as a result of their education in Colorado schools.  How are Colorado students performing?  What are science successful schools telling us that they are doing to show gains?  What does the research say?  What are the 4 barriers to success?  This opening presentation to the Science Summit set the stage for deep thinking and challenged the belief that the teaching of science is only for science majors.

  • Dr. Carl Wieman, University of Colorado, Boulder, Distinguished Professor of Physics (ppt)

    Science Education has a different and more important purpose than in the past.  It's not just for scientists. The essence of education is to transform the way we think. What does research tell us about principles that are important for more effective learning?  How important are teacher and student misconceptions?  What does the research tell us about using tools effectively? How do we move students from "novice" to "expert" in their scientific reasoning?  What affect do student beliefs about science have in their approach to science problem solving?  What does the research tell us about the effectiveness in using simulations in the teaching of scientific principles?  Dr. Wieman demonstrates the importance of approaching teaching as a science.  He presents:

           I) Data on effectiveness of traditional science teaching.

          II) Useful results/principles from research on effective learning.

          III) Some examples of tools in technology that make it easier to implement these principles.

    Dr. Wieman is a 2001 recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award and the Carnegie Foundation’s 2004 US University Professor of the Year Award. He is a member of the National Academy of Science and chairs the Academy Board on Science Education. For more information on the Physics Education Technology Project please visit: http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phet

  • Mentors, and Virtual Communities; 21st Century Solutions to Teacher Isolation (ppt)

    Robert Payo; Education and Outreach Specialist, National Science Digital Library

    Lori Reinsvold; Director, Technology Literacy Center, University of Northern Colorado

    Emerging technologies support a range of  innovative practices that can connect teachers to other teachers, subject matter experts, and rich teaching and learning resources regardless of geography or school demographics. This session features examples from two Colorado-based projects that are applying current research to enhance teachers’ skills and knowledge via technology.

Polly Andrews, Denver Museum of Nature and Science;

Sharon Unkart, Denver Museum of Nature and Science;

Shawna Crocker, Colorado State Forest Service;

Marley Steele Inama, Denver Zoo;

Ray Tschillard, Poudre Nature Center/Greeley School District

Research indicates that informal science education provides a necessary spark for increasing student’s interest in and understanding of science. Join presenters from four informal science centers which support inquiry-based science programs throughout the state of Colorado. Model science programs and resources will be highlighted throughout the program.

  • Linking Professional Development in Science to Higher Achievement in CSAP, Reading, Writing and Mathematics. (ppt)

    Paul J. Kuerbis, Science Teacher Enhancement Project unifying the Pikes Peak Region (STEP-uP)

    Linda B. Mooney, Science Teacher Enhancement Project unifying the Pikes Peak Region (STEP-uP)

    Marie Revak, Science Teacher Enhancement Project unifying the Pikes Peak Region (STEP-uP)

    STEP-uP is a highly successful science teacher professional development program. STEP-uP is engaged in multi-dimensional teacher development using “explicit inquiry”. Various elements of the program, easily implemented by districts, impact significantly on student CSAP performance in reading, writing and mathematics. Hear the story of STEP-uP and the research results within the five Pikes Peak districts (Districts 2, 11, 12, 20 and 38)

  • Using Lesson Study to Improve Science Instruction for English Language Learners (ppt)

    Linda Morris, Jefferson County Public Schools

    Donnie Siebel, Jefferson County Public Schools

    Bev Clemens, Douglas County Public Schools

    Melissa Botteicher, Aurora Public Schools

    Doris Kimbrough, University of Colorado, Denver

    This session will discuss lesson study protocol and its effect on English Language Learners (ELLs). Participants will experience lesson study models through demonstrations and classroom video. Specific examples toward sheltered instruction for ELLs will be included.

  • Science in the Hands of Kids. A Way to Get There (ppt)

    John McConnell, Western Colorado Math and Science Center

    Learn how to deliver science instruction with a hands-on method through experiences from the Western Colorado Math and Science Center. Over 46,000 kids have visited and learned from this tremendous resource since it opened in 2000.

  • NAEP 2005: Science Results for Colorado and the Nation (ppt)

    Pam Sandoval, NAEP – Colorado Department of Education

    Participants will learn how Colorado 4th and 8th grade students performed on the 2005 “Nation’s Report Card” for science. The presentation will include a look at the results by subscales for Physical Science, Earth Science and Life Science. In addition, we will look at the 2005 NAEP Science Framework and the proposed 2009 NAEP Science Framework.

  • Journey of Growth (ppt)

    Jack Ganse, Eldorado K-8 Boulder Valley RE-2

    Take a journey along a path of reflection and continuous improvement to see how our students have made gains in science. Vertical articulation of school science goals, collaboration about achievement equity, focus on essential science learning and common expectations, emphasis on the process of science and use of technology such as clickers to monitor student learning, are contributing to the success of middle level students at Eldorado K-8.

  • Why are you teaching that (ppt)

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Jan Tuomi, Lead Consultant, McREL

Check your process for planning science lessons against this framework for identifying important content. You’ll learn a simple process to identify the conceptual understanding you want the students to achieve, and unpack the knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate that understanding. Having done this, instruction will be explicitly focused on all students’ mastering the content.

Debbie Bland, Holly Junior Senior High School

Ruth Ann Cullen, Principal, Holly Junior Senior High School

Holly RE-3

Learn how in just seven months of applying the strategies of the Achievement MAP and teaching a curriculum correlated with not only the Assessment Frameworks but also the Item Maps, the Holly School District gained 43 points on the 8th grade Science CSAP, going from a 32% proficient and advanced in 2004 to a 75% proficient and advanced in 2005. Concepts to be discussed include: correlating curriculum, items maps, effective rubrics, and supporting science across the curriculum.

John McConnell, Western Colorado Math and Science Center

Learn how to deliver science instruction with a hands-on method through experiences from the Western Colorado Math and Science Center. Over 46,000 kids have visited and learned from this tremendous resource since it opened in 2000.

Janet Stellema and Jim Armitage, Ryan Elementary

Boulder Valley RE-2

A comprehensive look at moving from a neighborhood school to a district math and science focus school. Information and strategies will be shared regarding model curricula, design team concepts and change leading to opening as a math and science focus school. Learn from results over the last 18 months, and progress towards our goal. This session will review several data points and highlight progress in attitudes and student learning.

Dr. Julie Albertson, Colorado Affiliate Director, Project Lead the Way

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) introduces students to the excitement, scope, rigor, and

discipline of engineering and technology prior to entering college. The discussion includes a

curriculum overview and educational assistance opportunities for middle and high school

educators. The nationwide program leverages university partnerships to enhance student in

STEM careers, and has demonstrated 5-10% increases in student performance and college

retention.