ESD 105 Secondary Science Sentinel Site Study

 ESD 105 is seeking Grade 6-12 Science Teachers that are interested in participating in a study of science education and professional development.

The goal of the study is to establish baseline data that will:

 —  Identify the professional development needs for secondary science teachers in ESD 105.

 —  Inform future grant opportunities for enhancing science professional development.

 —  Lead to providing each student the very best opportunity to experience effective science instruction and pursue the option of a STEM career.

 Dr. Martha Kurtz, Chair of Science Education at Central Washington University, will be conducting this study.

All collected data will be aggregated and kept secure by Dr. Kurtz at CWU.

For more information, download this flyer:  Secondary_Science_Study_Flyer_Revised_12_6_11.pdf 
If you would like to participate, contact Michael Brown at ESD 105 at 509-454-2852 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "

Art-science Integration Project

Art integration involves teachers of non-arts subjects working alongside arts specialists and local artists to create collaborative lesson plans that infuse the visual arts into non-arts subjects such as math, science, language arts and social studies.

Aurelio Garcia, ESD 105 Regional Arts Program Coordinator,  local artists, and regional arts specialists spent four days working with science teachers developing art lessons for elementary science kits.  Each art lesson will become a part of the teacher's guide for use in the classroom.

In arts integrated classrooms, students score higher on achievement tests and demonstrate an increase in critical thinking skills, self-confidence and retention. Visit our Arts Education Research page at the ArtFusion wesite (www.artfusion.us) for more information.

To visit the ArtFusion Art-Science site:  http://artfusion.us/visual-arts-topmenu-132/art-a-science-integration

Mark your calendars!

 WSTA – October 19-21, 2012

WSTA is looking for innovative educators to present at the WSTA Conference this Fall.

Do you have an idea that you can share? Download the flyer for more information.

To submit a proposal, go to: http://www.wsta.net/WSTA%20conference%202012

Proposals are due by April 1, 2012.

End-of-Course Biology Exam Resources from OSPI

Are you looking for resources to prepare your students for the End-of-Course (EOC) Biology Exam?

Here are some important ones:

• Webinar on the Biology EOC: This recent webinar includes Biology End-of-Course Updates and Environmental & Sustainability Education Initiatives.

Access the webinar at:  http://www.k12.wa.us/Science/Standards.aspx  

• Updated Test and Item Specifications: This draft document describes how scenarios and items are developed and has been updated to include a test map.

Available at:

http://www.k12.wa.us/Science/TestItemSpec.aspx  

• Short Answer Item Templates: These templates can be used to develop your own assessment items. To download the templates, visit: http://www.k12.wa.us/Science/ItemTemplates.aspx

• Science Assessment Update for 2012: These documents include: updates to the science assessment system for 2012; sample items to familiarize teachers and students with the item types on the assessments; and scoring information for educators.

Find this update at: http://www.k12.wa.us/Science/EducatorResources.aspx

Lessons Learned from Scoring 5^th & 8^th Grade MSP

OSPI’s Science Assessment Team shares observations about student responses from the 5^th & 8^th grade MSP test.

The feedback includes suggestions to improve student responses for:

• Short answer questions
• Conclusions
• New procedures
• Science content 5^th & 8^th graders struggle with

This is powerful feedback to integrate into science instructional planning.

Access Lessons Learned document at http://www.k12.wa.us/Science/EducatorResources.aspx