Chabot Space & Science Center is conducting intensive teacher development workshops August 5th-9th to bring Bay Area teachers up to speed on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Twenty-six states worked together on the development of the NGSS standards, which are internationally benchmarked for K-12 science education. In June, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson recommended that the State Board of Education adopt the new standards.
The content identifies science and engineering practices and applications that help students master science skills and thrive in an ever-changing global environment of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
In keeping with changing pedagogical practice and application, Chabot Space & Science Center is hosting a series of professional development sessions to introduce teachers to the new standards and offer guidance on implementation. Much of the NGSS focuses on experiential learning and inquiry-based experimentation, the same foundation upon which Chabot’s museum education program is built. The Center has extensive experience leading professional staff development.
This summer, two in-depth workshops, Interactive Science Notebook Strategies and Assessments and Building Bridges in Earthquake Country: From the Past to the Present, are offered for 4th and 5th grade teachers. The sessions will revisit and dive deeper into some activities from past teacher developments. Instructors will model teaching methods that will enhance the value of the lessons and application of the emerging NGSS.
According to Senior Manager for Teacher Education Stan Fukunaga, instructors are looking forward to digging into the new standards, “Chabot has a long history of offering quality classes aligned with California State standards for students of all ages. From our school field trip classes, to on-site lab and instruction time for homeschoolers, to professional development of teachers. We believe in the importance of STEM education opportunities for youth. Our instructors are excited by the new standards that will help American children compete globally in STEM fields. Staff is familiarizing themselves with the NGSS and are looking forward to working with Bay Area teachers to master its implementation.”
About Chabot Space & Science Center
Chabot Space & Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit interactive science center whose mission is to inspire and educate students of all ages about Planet Earth and the Universe. Located in the Oakland hills, the Center focuses on the earth, life, physical and astronomical sciences, with a 128-year legacy of serving Bay Area communities through exhibits, public programs, school field trips, science camps, teacher training, teen development programs and community outreach; hosts 50,000 students on school field trips and over 115,000 public visitors each year; and offers over 20,000 sq ft of interactive exhibits on a variety of space and science subjects, a world-class planetarium, school classes on over 30 different science topics, hands-on science activities, state-of-the-art classrooms and labs and publicly-available research-level telescopes.
