Science

Science Education Updates, Events, and Professional Learning Opportunities:

• Join us for a free webinar on effective pedagogy for climate literacy on Thursday 10/17 from 4-5 PM via zoom. Dr. Deb L. Morrison from the University of Washington will share strategies for engaging students in climate literacy, grounded in their own communities and aligned with NGSS and CAS. Discover resources to help support the implementation of the Seal of Climate Literacy Diploma Endorsement (SB24-014). Earn an hour of professional learning towards license renewal. The flyer is attached and linked here. Space is limited, so sign up now using this link.  

• The State Board of Education is required to review and approve the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) for each content area every six years. During the 2024-25 academic year, the board will review four content areas: (1) comprehensive health, (2) mathematics, (3) reading, writing and communicating, and (4) science.  As part of the board’s review process, they are seeking feedback on the current standards for the subjects under review. Please share your feedback on one or more of the four subject areas under review via the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) Revision Survey. The survey will remain open until Friday, Oct. 18.  Science Standards revision will take place in the Spring of 2025

• Interested in learning more about SB24-014 The Seal of Climate Literacy Diploma Endorsement? Learn more here 

• Would you like to access local Colorado data to enhance your instructional materials? See free local, data resources from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, ESRI, and NOAA here!

• The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is hosting poster contest for 9-14 year olds (poster flyer linked here) and a video contest for students aged 14-18 (video flyer linked here). Prizes are available for top submissions. The deadline is November 25, 2024; please visit the CDPHE website linked here for details.

• The first Colorado Youth Climate Summit for participants aged 16+ will be held in Carbondale on May 2-3, 2025. Applications (linked here) are now open for the Youth Summit Leader Team, with a deadline of September 17, 2024. Interested youth, educators, and community leaders can also complete a Summit Interest Form (linked here) to stay informed about registration and related opportunities.

• Colorado Parks and Wildlife is now accepting sign-ups for K-12 virtual programs on topics including wolves, adaptations, mapping, and ecosystems. Programs are offered monthly through November and align with Colorado Academic Standards. Interested educators can sign up using the Google form link here and direct any questions to dnr_cpwsole@state.co.us.

• Check out the Colorado Student-Centered Science Assessment Toolkit here. Please continue to monitor this site for Fall Professional Learning Dates and Locations! 

• Save the Date for the Colorado Science Conference happening October 25th @ CSU Spur. Learn more about attending, presenting, and/or exhibiting by accessing this link. 

• The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching (PAEMST) nominations are now open for both K-6 and 7-12 science/STEM teachers- a change from previous years. Secondary science teachers (grades 7-12) may complete applications when they open in Fall 2024. Elementary science teachers (grades K-6) may be nominated now. K-6 nominees will be notified during the current 2024-2025 cycle and may begin their applications in the 2025-2026 cycle. Feel free to monitor the PAEMST site (linked here) for more information. 

• The Denver Museum of Nature and Science provides ongoing Professional Learning for Teachers across K-12. Check out their offerings here or on their webpage.

• 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

Shortcuts to Additional Resources:

• Access classroom resources aligned with the 2020 Science Standards for elementary and secondary
• Colorado Student-Centered Science Assessment Toolkit
• Access 3D teaching and learning 
• Access Opportunities for Educators and Students
• Access Professional Organizations
• Access Building Community and Industry Partnerships 
• Access Computer Science Instructional Supports