N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Science Objects & The NSTA Learning Center Al Byers Assistant Executive Director Government Partnerships and e-Learning

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Turning Ideas into Reality: Session Purpose Purpose Present an overview of NSTA’s Science Objects: free just-in-time discrete learning objects to help educators learn core science content via The NSTA Learning Center

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Turning Ideas into Reality: Agenda Review Agenda –Introductions –The Professional Development Landscape –Science Objects and The NSTA Learning Center –What do you think break-out groups? –Closing Questions and Answers

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Turning Ideas into Reality: Participant Needs and Audience Survey Time is short… what do you want to gain from this session? (sticky notes) Introductions –Grade Level? –Subjects Teach? –Role in Education?

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Turning Ideas into Reality: National Science Teachers Association Who is NSTA? –501 C3 non-profit association –Been in existence for over 60 years –Conferences, Publications, Membership Services: 55,000 members –Professional Development Products and Classroom Resources –Scale, Science Content, Standards

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Turning Ideas into Reality: The Professional Development Landscape How Do You Imbibe PD? 1.How do you currently receive PD? 2.How many total hours of PD a year? 3.What delivery method do you prefer? 4.What is the best PD experience you have had and why or the worst and why? 5.How does your PD work towards recertification and “Highly Qualified” status?

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Turning Ideas into Reality: The Professional Development Landscape What we know—Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice in Professional Development: NSF Local Systemic Change Core 10 Year Evaluation K-8 Weaknesses (75,000 data points) –What % of classrooms portrayed science as dynamic body of knowledge? Only 24%

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Turning Ideas into Reality: The Professional Development Landscape What we know—NSF Local Systemic Change Core 10 Year Evaluation Teachers of Science with less then 16 hours of PD in Science Education in last 3 years –What % at K-4 level? –What % at 5-8 level? –What % at 9-12 level? 76% 57% 32% Bottom Line: Clear need for more PD to address teacher needs. PD needs to be more efficient and effective to address scale

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N The Need: Increased Content Knowledge Research supports one of the most critical needs in science education: Increasing teacher content knowledge Significant numbers of teachers do not have degrees or coursework in the science they are teaching (NCES, 1996; Weiss et al, 2001)

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N The Research: Increased Content Knowledge A positive correlation exists between student achievement and teachers’ content knowledge (Darling-Hammond, 2000; Chaney, 1995; Druva & Anderson, 1983).

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N How provide PD resources that are: – affordable, – of “High Quality,” – standards-aligned, – content-specific, – available on-demand, –supports local curriculum to support the nation’s 2 million teachers of science? The Challenge: Accessible Content Knowledge

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA’s Solution:

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N 1-2 hour discrete online learning experience in a particular topic Incorporates interactive simulations of phenomena in an engaging way Embeds questions to promote interaction and learning via 5E inquiry strategy Based on the science literacy goals in the science education standardsscience literacy

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N

NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N

NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Sample Interactives from various Science Objects –Air TrackAir Track –Seismic WavesSeismic Waves

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Give Yourself Credit: The Scenario You’ve put in time with various science objects and are confident in your knowledge You deserve the opportunity to certify you are highly qualified in this content area you teach

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N You need an affordable alternative that meets rigor of state and district mandates and is provided by a respected institution What options are available? Give Yourself Credit: The Scenario

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N The Solution: NSTA SciPacks

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N 5-10 Hour Discrete On-line Learning Experience Contains 3-5 Science Objects, plus –Provides individualized support –Contains a Pedagogical Implications component –Includes the opportunity for certification via a final assessment

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N 5-10 hour learning experience Assessment Quiz 1 5E: ”Evaluate” Key Idea 1 5 E Learning Cycle Formative No Grade Cycle Repeats Posttest graded Assessment for entire Science Object Graded Revisits Phenomenon PI Pedagogical Implications Intro

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Turning Ideas into Reality: NSTA e-PD Portal Discuss need & challenge Present NSTA solution –Science Objects –SciPacks Present a PD system to support solution on a national scale

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Pedagogical Implications Component

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Support Options for SciPacks

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Support Options for SciPacks Orientation/Navigation Support (how to navigation SciPack) Technical Support Help Desk (issues accessing content) Subject Matter Expert Wizard (intelligent coach via ) Discussion Board (focused within to each Science Object)

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Orientation Content

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Ask the Wizard

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Discussion Boards

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA’s Solution: Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Providing simply access to high quality content-based PD resources is not enough What tools and systems are available to districts and teachers for creating a sustained and comprehensive plan for professional development over time? On the Horizon: A Systems Approach

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Teacher PD Indexer Products and Services Online Journal Articles University Online Affiliates Books and online Chapters Symposia PD Institutes Face-to-Face PD Vetted Agency & NGO PD Opportunities connector reminder SciGuides District Report document N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA Certification NSTA’s Solution: The NSTA Learning Center My Prof. Develop. Plan My Transcript My Library My Portfolio My Calendar SciPacks and Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Teacher Profile NSTA Products and Services Online Journal Articles University Online Affiliates Books and online Chapters Symposia PD Institutes Face-to-Face PD Vetted Agency & NGO PD Opportunities connector reminder SciGuides School Report document N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N NSTA Certification NSTA’s Solution: The e-PD Portal My Prof. Develop. Plan My Transcript My Library My Portfolio My Calendar SciPacks and Science Objects

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Break Out Groups Questions –How might Science Objects and The NSTA Learning Center support your PD efforts? –What do you like? –What challenges and recommendations do you have? Turning Vision into Reality: What do You Think?

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Turning Ideas into Reality: The NSTA Learning Center –Address Scale/Impact on National Level –Maintains Quality and Motivation –Facilitates learning and assesses comprehension –Is available on-demand –Is affordable and sustainable

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N The NSTA Learning Center: Reinventing Reform … getting all science teachers the content they need, when they need it.

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N Thank You Al Byers PH:

N A T I O N A L S C I E N C E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I A T I O N