Contra Costa County Office of Education

                     
                     SUMMER 2017

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Although the school year has concluded, there are many opportunities to explore STEAM programs and discover ways to reach all students. As teachers look for ways to engage students in the creativity and critical thinking of STEAM, the programs offered by CCCOE and others work to provide equity and access for all students. From resources to implement the Next Generation Science Standards into all classrooms, to Computer Science workshops, Contra Costa County Office of Education provides resources and programs to engage students, parents, educators and the community in high-quality STEAM throughout the year.

 
Visit our  website to view resources, link to standards, and stay up-to-date with events . Feel free to contact Hilary Dito   with questions, comments, and professional learning opportunities about integrating STEAM into your PreK-12 classrooms.
California Standards in Science
California NGSS State Rollout #4
Using the CA Science Framework to Implement NGSS
This two-day Symposia will be offered several times around the state. The program is a collaborative effort that includes the California Department of Education, California Science Project, California Science Teachers Association, Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee, and the K-12 Alliance/WestEd.
 
Each district is encouraged to bring a team of four to six participants, including an administrator, high school science teacher, middle school science teacher, elementary teacher, and other science leaders in your district.
-Alameda County Office of Education,  September 12 and 13
-Santa Clara County Office of Education,  December 4 and 5

Registration fee: $250  For information and to register, visit their website .
California Science Teachers Association Facebook Communities
Join teachers from around California on CSTA's Facebook pages. The Facebook groups provide a forum for sharing resources, asking questions, and developing networks across the state. Groups include Science Coaches, Elementary Science Teachers, Middle School Science Teachers, and High School Science Teachers. For information and to join a group, visit CSTA's Facebook Page.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Contra Costa County NGSS Institute K-5
Focus on Inquiry, Literacy, and the CA Science Framework
The state of California adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in 2013. The NGSS progress from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Classrooms are implementing the NGSS including instructional innovations to engage all students in science. During this one-day workshop, participants will engage in NGSS inquiry and discover how the standards support literacy instruction in the Common Core classroom.

The workshop will be held on August 7, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m, at the Pleasant Hill Community Center , in Pleasant Hill.  The $100 ticket includes Notebook, NSTA NGSS Book, materials, and lunch.
Register by June 30 and save $25.
2017 Teacher Research Academy (TRA)

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Teacher Research Academy (TRA) is now registering teachers for the 2017 TRA. The TRA offers middle school, high school, and community college faculty unique professional development experiences at LLNL. TRA teachers participate in a continuum of standards-based instruction, enabling them to progress from novice to mastery in exciting scientific disciplines, while they experience the application of real world science in an environment teachers seldom experience.

Courses include biotechnology, computer modeling, fusion, and astrophysics, as well as technical writing for science classes. Visit their Web pages to view the  schedule and to  registerThere is a $25 course registration fee.
Computer Science Fundamentals Workshop for TK-6 Grade Teachers
The CCCOE is hosting a free one-day workshop for TK-6 grade educators interested in bringing computer science concepts into the classroom. The workshop will cover Code.org's CS Fundamentals courses. Code.org's elementary school curriculum allows even the youngest students to explore the limitless world of computing. Curriculum blends online, self-guided, and self-paced tutorials with "unplugged" classroom activities. As a Regional Partner, CCCOE works in collaboration with Code.org to bring computer science to all students.

This workshop will be held on August 8, at the Pleasant Hill Community Center, Pleasant Hill. Visit this Eventbrite page for details and registration. Additional workshops have been calendared for October 5 and December 6. 
3rd Annual Creativity at the Core Summer Institute

This three-day institute will focus on arts learning and California State Standards. Hear from educational leaders, teaching artists, arts specialists, and inspirational speakers from across the state as they provide hands-on learning opportunities focused on a suite of CCSESA's new professional learning modules, developed by County Offices of Education and Arts Partner Organization Leaders.

The institute will be held July 26-28, at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Santa Clara. The fee is $350. For more information, visit their website.
Astronomy Institute: Space Science and the NGSS!  

The Teacher Learner Center at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific is hosting their 2017 hands-on workshop for teachers in grades 5-12. With an emphasis on learner investigation of phenomena, this four-day Institute will help prepare teachers to implement Next Generation Science Standards Earth and Space Science investigations in their classroom instruction. Taking place a little over two weeks before the solar eclipse, on August 21, this Institute is also perhaps the last opportunity for teachers to participate in in-depth professional development focused on eclipses.

This workshop will be held July 31- August 3, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.,
at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, in San Francisco. The fee is  $400 (includes The Universe at your Fingertips 2.0, and a Galileoscope).  For more information and to register, visit their website
reMAKE Education Summit  
 

Meet new makers and experience new ideas. Participants will complete design challenges led by makers, artists, educators, and engineers. The summit will have a combination of workshops, panels, and hands-on opportunities.

The Summit will take place  August 2-4, at the Sonoma County Office of Education , Sonoma. The cost is now $399.  For program and registration questions about the reMAKE Education Summit, contact Dan Blake at  707-524-2780 or visit their  website .
California Institute for Biodiversity Professional Development

Join scientists, educators, and naturalists for exploration of environmental change. The institute's programs focus on connecting NGSS, teaching practices, and classroom resources The institutes are practical for teachers and districts to implement, allowing thousands of students to experience the thrill of doing real science. Teachers receive in-depth training and new materials that can be transferred directly into the classroom or into the field. Opportunities for transportation and implementation funding are sometimes available.
 
Biodiversity and Climate: Impacts of a Changing Water Cycle
July 6-9, Fish Camp
$449
 
Yosemite Field Institute: Climate and Water - From Glacier to Valley
July 9-12, Yosemite National Park
$249
 
Ecology of the San Francisco Bay Intertidal Region
May 13, Alameda
$50
 
Journaling and Sketching for NGSS and ELL
August, Coyote Hill and Redwood Regional Park
$100
 
For more information and to register visit  www.calalive.org.
CCCOE Math Professional Learning Offerings 

Participants engage in discourse, conversations, and alternative thinking in mathematics. 
 
All three programs will be held at the CCCOE, in Pleasant Hill, from 8:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m. Cost for each workshop varies, and there are multiple-attendee discounts. For more information regarding these learning offerings, contact  Christen Schwartz, at  (925) 942-3435.  
2017 California STEAM Symposium

The 2017 California STEAM Symposium (formerly the STEM Symposium) convenes nearly 3,000 educators from across California to catalyze improved STEAM instruction for all students. The California STEAM Symposium provides educators with opportunities for ongoing rigorous, high-quality, collaborative, and inspiring professional learning and resources. The conference also showcases innovative approaches to teaching and learning happening throughout the state.

The California STEAM Symposium will be held at The Moscone Center (West), in San Francisco, December 10-11. For additional information and registration, visit their websiteRegistration is now open, with multiple price points. 
2017 California Science Education Conference (CSTA)

The CSTA's annual conference is titled Where California Science TK-12 Teachers Go for CA NGSS. Join more than 1,800 educators to make connections, gain new classroom ideas, and grow professionally. 

The conference will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center, October 13-15. Registration and additional information can be found at CSTA's websiteMultiple ticket price points are now being offered. 
2017 Better Together: California's Teachers Summit

Join California Teachers at this third annual statewide day of learning by teachers, for teachers. Teachers deserve an opportunity to come together and share ways to support our students. 

The free summit will take place on July 28 at multiple California locations.  East Bay sites include Saint Mary's College, in Moraga, and California State University East Bay, in Hayward. To register and find the closest location, visit the Better Together website.
Educator Grants and Awards
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) offers 19 different awards that recognize teachers for their development and implementation of unique science programs and curricula, outstanding leadership and dedication to the profession. The NSTA awards offer recognition and a multitude of prizes for educators. Prizes include cash awards and grants, school supplies and materials, and trips to our national conferences. 

For more information or to download an application, visit the NSTA Teacher Awards Program websiteThe submission deadline for most of the awards is December 15.
Dow Chemical Company Community Advisory Panel (CAP) Grant Program

The DOW CAP Grant Program is currently accepting on-line applications. Eligible applicants must represent community non-profit organizations, schools, municipalities, or county governmental agencies/departments that have identified science, education, or environmental projects that will enhance the quality of life within East Contra Costa County. 

The grants range from $2,500 to $5,000.  For more information and to apply, visit their website. Application deadline is  September 18.
Classroom Resources and Websites
Free Teacher Visits to the Exploratorium 

California Teachers can visit the Exploratorium at no charge. (But be sure to request your free admission here.) Teachers are invited to check out the new location and see how you can inspire your students in STEAM.
Science NetLinks: Online Resources

Teachers, students, and families will find Standards-Based resources on the Science NetLinks Website. Developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the website includes teaching tools, interactives, podcasts, and hands-on activities. Check out these resources on their website.
Seeing Students Learn Science, National Academies Press

Seeing Students Learn Science: Integrating Assessment and Instruction in the Classroom is a new book available from the National Academies Press for free download, purchase, or online reading. It is based on research and recommendations included in the report, Developing Assessments for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Download the book at this website.
San Francisco Opera Arts Resources in Action (ARIA) program

Take advantage of San Francisco Opera's ARIA program. Their innovative programs offer opportunities for students to integrate opera with core learning. Programs span K-16 grade levels. Scholarships are available for programs. For more information, visit their website
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra Education Programs

San Francisco's Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra offers free educational programs for students in grades 6-12. Bring your students to a concert or have musicians come to you. For more information and to apply for tickets, visit their website
Link Engineering

Link Engineering is an online community of educators looking to provide meaningful engineering experience to PreK-12 students and connect with educators throughout the country.
NASA Education

From free webinars to classroom curriculum, NASA Education provides access for K-12 educators to explore STEM throughout the year. Download the Mars Explorers Wanted Career Posters , look for student opportunities , or search the database for lessons.  
STEM Teaching Tools
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

These STEM Teaching Tools highlight ways of working on specific issues that come up during STEM teaching. From the University of Washington, the tools are authored and reviewed by teachers and researchers, leveraging knowledge from practice and research to inform how to teach STEM subjects. 
KQED Teach
This professional online learning platform for educators provides a series of free, self-paced courses to help educators develop the media skills necessary to bring media production and communication to their students and into various learning environments.
The Mystery of Matter
This six-part PBS science series explores the discovery of matter and the making of the periodic table. Educators can access a Teacher's Guide and video clips for the classroom at the website
Phenomena for NGSS
Start with phenomena to hook the students. When phenomena are used effectively, students dig deeper and understand core science by inquiry. NGSS Phenomena includes a gallery of phenomena, tips to use phenomena, and connections to content.

The CCCOE STEAM Enews is published regularly, highlighting news, events, and resources that enhance STEAM education for all students. If you received the STEAM enews from a colleague, please join our mailing list to continue receiving updates. This publication does not signify that the Contra Costa County Office of Education endorses the event or program mentioned.

 

For more information regarding CCCOE STEAM, please visit our website.

Sincerely,

 

Hilary Haugen Dito
CCCOE STEAM Coordinator

 

 

Deputy Superintendent, Pamela Comfort, Ed.D.

925-942-3358


 

STEAM Coordinator, Hilary Haugen Dito

925-942-3396


 

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