• Preparing to Implement PA STEELS K-12 Science Standards

     

    To better prepare the science educators in your school district for implementing the shifts in science instruction entailed in the PA STEELS standards, the AIU's Math & Science Collaborative has constructed possible paths for your district to follow as you shift from “learning about” to “figuring out” as the normative culture in K-12 science classrooms.

  • The AIU is offering professional learning opportunities designed to engage K-12 science educators in each phase of the implementation plan:

PHASE 1: MAKE THE CASE

  • Make the case for moving from 'learning about' to 'figuring out'


    During this first phase of moving towards implementing the PA STEELS K-12 science standards, science educators will become familiar with and experience the shifts entailed in moving from “learning about” to “figuring out” in science classrooms.

    Summer 2024

    FOR ADMINISTRATORS

    Administrator-Focused Science Professional Learning

    This one-and-a-half-day administrator-focused professional learning offering was specifically created to help leaders support shifts in science instruction towards phenomenon-based, 3-D science teaching. 

    This offering is steeped in both science learning and leadership for science instruction. The experience is based on the Next Generation Science Exemplar System’s Principal’s Learn and Network to Support 3-D Science Learning (PLANS) Pathway. Although this offering is designed specifically for administrators, it is open to any science leaders, including department heads, grade-band science leads and science coaches. (This offering is a prerequisite for a two-day training opportunity in Phase 2: Create a Plan.)

    Price: $350

    Audience: Any and all administrators (district or building) or science leaders (e.g., department head, coach, grade-level lead) are invited to attend  

    Summer 2024 Meeting Dates: June 13-14

    Register for Summer 2024 Session 

     

    Half-Day Follow Up to Administrator-Focused Science Professional Learning

    You've previously attended the Administrator-focused Science Professional Learning. Are your teachers starting to make some of the needed shifts in their science classrooms? If so, you might want some follow-up. We are offering a three-hour session to share some "look fors" in K-12 science classrooms. These can be used during walk-throughs or informal observations. We'll also share information about how the Danielson Framework (especially Domains II and IV) connects with shifts in science instruction.

    Price: Free to AIU Member Districts

    Audience: Any and all administrators (district or building) who have previously attended the Administrator-focused Science Professional Learning in June 2023, September 2023, or January 2024

    Summer 2024 Meeting Date:  June 14, from 12:45 - 3:45 p.m.

    Location: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120

    Tech: Please bring a laptop and/or tablet to access online resources.

    Register for Summer 2024 Follow-Up Session

    ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY & SUSTAINABILITY

    Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience for Secondary Teachers 

    Register now to join us for an exciting day of free learning and fun at Shaler Area High School! This hands-on event is tailored for secondary teachers looking to enhance their knowledge of watershed concepts. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow educators and meet Miranda Crotsley, program coordinator of the Jennings Environmental Education Center, which is part of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.

    Price: Free to AIU Member Districts 

    Meeting Date: Thursday, April 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Locations:     Meet at Shaler Area High School Library at 381 Wible Run Road; Pittsburgh, PA 15209; and transition to our outdoor setting, which is just a 3-minute drive from the high school.

    Register Now

    TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING

    But what about the T & E in PA STEELS?

    Attend a lively and interactive event showcasing the importance of technology and engineering in Pennsylvania

    Join us for an in-person event at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. This event will delve into the often overlooked aspects of PA STEELS -- the technology and engineering standards. Brandt Hutzel, who serves as the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Technology & Engineering Content Advisor, will discuss the STEELS Technology & Engineering Standards, Implementation Supports and Upcoming Assessments. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights, network with other educators and expand your knowledge. Mark your calendars and be part of this engaging event! 

    Price: Free to member districts

    Date: TBD -- This event was postponed and the rescheduled date has not yet been announced.

    Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

    Where: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120

     

PHASE 2: CREATE A PLAN

  • Create a plan for shifts in science teaching and learning


    During this second phase, science leaders embark on the planning process for the strategic implementation of phenomenon-based, three-dimensional science instruction in their school or district that is aligned with the K-12 science standards in the PA STEELS standards.

    Summer 2024

    Please note that some following offerings have important prerequisites for participation:

    Planning for Professional Learning around Science Standards: 
    Strategically Building Capacity for Sustained Practice

    Designed for a small team of three to six individuals from each school district, this is a two-day training opportunity to plan for science professional learning in your district.

    Price: $1,200 per district team

    Audience: A district team of three to six science leaders including at least one administrator.  See Important Prerequisites.

    Important Prerequisites: At least one administrator on your team must have already attended the administrator-specific science leadership experience in Phase 1: Make the Case, and all other team members must have already attended at least one science institute or science immersion experience in the initial phase. 

    Summer 2024 Meeting Dates: June 19-20, 2024

    Location: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120

    Register for Summer 2024 Session

     

PHASE 3: IMPLEMENT THE PLAN

  • Implement the plan for shifts toward phenomenon-based 3-D science teaching

     

    The following opportunities will be offered in the 2023-24 school year, summer of 2024, and possibly 2024-25 school year:


    Guided Review of Potential High Quality Instructional Materials

    Designed for teams of four to six individuals who have already completed at least one Phase 1: Make the Case engagement opportunity and preferably have participated as a team in the Phase 2 offering of Planning for Professional Learning around Science Standards: Strategically Building Capacity for Sustained Practice: Work directly with the science coordinators from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Math & Science Collaborative (AIU MSC) to vet potential High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) for science. Please contact Dr. Corinne Murawski or Kristen Rice directly regarding this opportunity. There may be a fee for this service.

    Sharpen Content-Specific Knowledge

    Enroll in a 1-2 day streamlined content-specific course to sharpen your knowledge; courses will begin in either Spring 2024 or Summer 2024.

    Strategic Communication of Vision

    Inform the community of your district’s undertaking during a parent, caregiver, and/or community information session. Work with AIU MSC science coordinators to design and implement strategies for best communicating the district’s vision for shifting towards more “figuring out” in K-12 science classrooms. This will be rolled out in Spring 2024.

PHASE 4: SUSTAIN THE IMPLEMENTATION

  • Sustain the implementation of shifts in science teaching and learning

     

    The following opportunities will be offered in the 2024-25 school year:


    Continue to involve more science educators throughout the district in science professional learning opportunities from the AIU MSC. 

    As we move into the 2024-25 school year, MSC will continue some of its previous offerings and add new and refined institutes, short-courses and administrator-specific opportunities.

    Get support from the Math & Science Collaborative to continue your district’s implementation of the STEELS science standards via your district’s science curricular materials.  

    Please contact Dr. Corinne Murawski or Kristen Rice directly regarding this opportunity. Depending upon funding, there may be a fee for this service.

     

    As teachers implement the science standards from PA STEELS standards, get support from the Math & Science Collaborative via content-focused science coaching. 

    Please contact Dr. Corinne Murawski or Kristen Rice directly regarding this opportunity. Depending upon funding, there may be a fee for this service.