Are you seeking to develop an understanding of how to effectively prepare students for success in learning and applying concepts embedded in the new science standards?

Tennessee Science Teachers Association (TSTA) provides annual conferences for classroom teachers that serve to promote the sharing of instructional practices and topical professional learning opportunities that amplify student learning through active engagement with the process of science.

The advent of new state curriculum standards to be implemented during school year 2018-19 presents opportunities for TSTA to provide outreach through the TN STEM Leadership Cadre Professional Learning Series Program. Cadre members support effective science instruction by preparing professional learning activities focused on principles described in A Framework for K-12 Science Education. Cadre professional development events are designed to model instructional strategies that fully integrate the 3-D learning (disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, cross-cutting concepts) approach and assist classroom teachers in transitioning to the new TN science standards. Cadre Professional Learning Series sessions featured during the 2017 TSTA Fall Conference are now available for school/district access through the following offerings:

A sampling of Professional Learning Series workshop topics include:
1.  Innovative Educator Workshop – A Framework for Elementary Science – refresher or introduction to how the Framework connects to the standards with a focus on 3-D learning and the Phenomena Question Model (PQM) instructional framework.
Awareness Level: (1-3 hours) K-5 (can be expanded K-12)

2. Modeling Instruction for Science Education – an eight hour workshop that introduces modeling and ties it to the Framework; activities are paired with 3-d learning.
Awareness Level:  6-8 (can be adapted K-12)
Scientific and Engineering Practices (SEP) – SEP # 1: asking questions about the natural world and designing solutions, using the Phenomena Question Model (PQM) instructional framework.  (Other SEPs can be addressed)
Awareness and Implementation Levels: (1-2 hours) K-12

3. Framework Principles for Science Education Leader Community – targets district supervisors (coaches, administrators, etc.) with an introduction to how the Framework connects to the standards and focuses on 3-D learning.
Awareness Level: (1-2 hours)  

4. Framework Principles for supporting the Science Educator Community – designed to assist higher education faculty with a refresher or an introduction to how the Framework connects to the standards with a focus on 3-D learning activities.
Awareness and implementation Levels: (half to full day)

5. Framework Principles for Informal Science Educators Community – designed to work with informal educators to provide a refresher or an introduction to how the Framework connects to the standards with a focus on 3-D learning activities.
Awareness and implementation Levels: (half to full day)