COURSE TITLE:

EMPOWERING SCIENCE TEACHING & LEARNING: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

NO. OF CREDITS:

5 QUARTER CREDITS
[semester equivalent = 3.33 credits]

WA CLOCK HRS:  
OREGON PDUs:  
PENNSYLVANIA ACT 48:  
50
50
50

INSTRUCTOR:

Charity Staudenraus
charity.heritage@gmail.com

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.

Explore how you can use the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to engage your students and expand learning across the curriculum.  In 2009, a Carnegie Foundation study concluded that, "the nation’s capacity to innovate for economic growth and the ability of American workers to thrive in the modern workforce depend on a broad foundation of math and science learning, as do our hopes for preserving a vibrant democracy and the promise of social mobility that lie at the heart of the American dream." The Next Generation Science Standards are a new way of looking at science instruction.  Through a three dimensional lens teachers can help students keep their ingrained excitement about science.  With the Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science Practices, and Cross Cutting Concepts, focus is no longer on rote memorization, but rather on helping students to understand the phenomena that are at the core of science teaching and learning.

This course will help teachers K-12 explore the possibilities with NGSS in order to improve instruction and student engagement. Teachers in this course will learn about the various aspects of the NGSS, and begin to implement changes in their own instruction. Collaboration with other teachers is also possible. 

This course is applicable for any K-12 teachers and/or administrators who wish to better prepare for NGSS implementation and future assessments. There is no textbook for this class; all references and materials are located on-line.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, participants will have:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

  •   Understand what the NGSS are and how they can improve science instruction.
  • Understand how to implement NGSS in the classroom.and aligned curriculum with NGSS
  • Will have reviewed and explored the cross curricular possibilities.
  • Understand how NGSS can enhance collaboration both inside and outside of the classroom.
  • Understand how NGSS increases student engagement.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Completion of all specified assignments is required for issuance of hours or credit. The Heritage Institute does not award partial credit.


HOURS EARNED:
Completing the basic assignments (Section A. Information Acquisition) for this course automatically earns participants their choice of CEUs (Continuing Education Units), Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, or Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours. The Heritage Institute offers CEUs and is an approved provider of Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, and Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours.




 

UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT
Continuing Education Quarter credits are awarded by Antioch University Seattle (AUS). AUS requires 75% or better for credit at the 400 level and 85% or better to issue credit at the 500 level. These criteria refer both to the amount and quality of work submitted.

  1. Completion of Information Acquisition assignments 30%
  2. Completion of Learning Application assignments 40%
  3. Completion of Integration Paper assignment 30%



 

CREDIT/NO CREDIT (No Letter Grades or Numeric Equivalents on Transcripts)
Antioch University Seattle (AUS) Continuing Education Quarter credit is offered on a Credit/No Credit basis; neither letter grades nor numeric equivalents are on a transcript. 400 level credit is equal to a "C" or better, 500 level credit is equal to a "B" or better. This information is on the back of the transcript.

AUS Continuing Education quarter credits may or may not be accepted into degree programs. Prior to registering, determine with your district personnel, department head, or state education office the acceptability of these credits for your purpose.

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION

REQUIRED TEXT

There is no required printed textbook for this course.  All required reading and resources are online.

None. All reading is online.

MATERIALS FEE

None. All required reading and resources are online.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEACHING THIS COURSE:

CHARITY STAUDENRAUS, M.A.T, received her BA from Willamette University, her MAT from Willamette University. Charity has experience teaching math, science, social studies, business, and language courses at the middle and high school level.  She is currently serving on the 2014-2017 Oregon Science Content and Assessment Panel as well as the Oregon Instructional Materials Criteria Development Committee.  In addition Charity is consulting on a Rutgers University and WPI project funded through multiple Department of Education and National Science Foundation Grants.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

EMPOWERING SCIENCE TEACHING & LEARNING: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

  • International Society for Technology in Education.” 2011. http://www.iste.org/welcome.aspx 
    • This website is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving learning and teaching by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education.

NCCE is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting effective uses of technology in education. In addition to hosting the largest educational technology conference in the Pacific Northwest, NCCE provides its members with resources and professional development opportunities throughout the year.

The mission of NCCE is to promote and support the effective use of technology in all aspects of education as Technology plays a fundamental role in lifelong learning and is used in all aspects of education such as teaching, learning, assessment, evaluation, record keeping, personal productivity, and communication systems. They put on an amazing conference every year in the Northwest.