Announcing Two-Day Regional Workshops: Transitioning to the New Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science

With the adoption of the new Oklahoma Academic Science Standards in March 2014, several districts and teachers are beginning to make decisions on how to transition from PASS to OAS-Science.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is offering two-day regional workshops designed to provide districts and teachers the support they need to begin that transition.

Schedule

Day 1

The first day of the workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the 3 Dimensions of Science (Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas) integrated into the new Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science. Participants will have opportunities to engage in several classroom activities that embody the 3 Dimensions and provide ample opportunity for participants to reflect on the shifts exhibited in the new OAS-Science.

In this session participants will explore the following topics as they relate to the OAS-Science:

• Integrating the 3 Dimensions into Classroom Instruction
• Integrating Engineering
• Constructing Explanations
• Teaching Natural Phenomena
• Science Discourse Strategies
• Assessing Student Understanding

Time: 8:30 – noon, noon-1:00 (lunch on your own), 1:00 - 4:00

Day 2

The second day of the workshop will be devoted to supporting districts and teachers in developing resources that will assist them as they begin to transition to the new OAS-Science.

In this session participants will collaborate to develop the following resources:

• Transition Plans
• Grade Level or Course Curriculum Maps
• Science Performance Tasks
• Strategies for Redesigning Existing Curriculum

Time: 8:30 – noon, noon-1:00 (lunch on your own), 1:00 - 4:00
 
The resources developed along with all presentation materials will be available for participants to take back to their districts to share with others.

Workshop Registration, Dates and Locations

Register for one of the workshops and to get directions to the workshop locations.
 

• September 18th-19th: Sand Springs
  Sand Springs Public Schools Early Childhood Education Center
• September 25th-26th: Stillwater
  Meridian Technology Center
• October 1-2: Owasso
  Owasso Public Schools Wellness Center
• October 9-10: Pryor
  Northeast Technology Center
• October 23-24: Ardmore
  Sam Nobel Foundation (The Sam Nobel Foundation is hosting the Ardmore workshop and providing lodging at no cost to participants who require it on the evening of October 23rd. To sign up for lodging or if you have questions about lodging, contact Frank Hardin at cfhardin@noble.org.)  
• October 27-28: Oklahoma City
  The Last Frontier Center
• November 10-11: Poteau
  Kiamichi Technology Center
• November 13-14: Norman
  Moore/Norman Technology Center
• November 17-18: Woodward
  High Plains Technology Center
• November 20-21: Duncan
  Red River Technology Center
• December 11-12: Idabel
  Kiamichi Technology Center
• December 4 – 5: Weatherford
  Western Technology Center
• January 15-16: Sapulpa
  Woodlawn Elementary - Auditorium/Cafeteria
• January 22-23: Durant
  Kimachi Technology Center
• February 12 – 13: Altus
  Southwest Technology Center
• February 17-18: Talequah
  NSU, University Center, Ballroom C       
  
   

OSDE is still working to secure a few more locations for additional workshops around the state. As more locations are added I will provide that information via the science listserv. The updated locations will also appear on the registration link.

Workshop FAQ

Who should attend the two-day workshops?

K-12 teachers, teacher leaders, science department chairs, science curriculum coordinators, administrators and higher education faculty members from the departments of education and sciences. Ideally, at least two members from each school or district should attend the workshop.

Do I have to attend both days?

It is highly recommended that teachers participate both days as day 2 builds on day 1. However, administrators and higher education faculty may benefit from attending just day 1, as day 1 provides a glimpse of the changes that are expected with the new standards.

Is lunch provided for participants?

Lunch is not provided for participants. A lunch break is embedded into each day’s schedule from noon-1:00 pm.

Does it cost to attend the workshop?

There is no registration fee associated with the workshop. However, travel and substitute costs are the responsibility of the sending school or participant.

If you have additional questions regarding the workshop or registration for the workshop contact me or Joel.Smith@sde.ok.gov.

Register for one of the workshops and to get directions to the workshop locations.