Washington State LASER Curriculum Showcase
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Spokane, Washington
Come join us for a one-day exploration of K-12 science curriculum designed to support student attainment of the science education standards. Carol O’Donnell, who was instrumental in the development of the National Science Resource Center’s Science and Technology for Children, will be our keynote speaker. Carol will provide insights into the development process of a variety of NSF-supported, standards-based curricula. Participants will then have an opportunity to attend three breakout sessions to experience lessons from specific curricular programs. Most programs will be showcased at only one session. Please plan to send a team to experience the widest number of programs at your specific level. For more information please visit the Washington State LASER website at www.WaStateLASER.org or contact Josie Wellington at 206-443-2886.
Science Education Strand at the OPSI January Conference
Wednesday, January 21, 2004 – Thursday, January 22, 2004
Spokane, Washington
Presentation Title: Using Research and Best Practice to Improve Science Education- the Washington State LASER Partnership
Through six, 90-minute sessions leaders in science education can learn more about the Washington State Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) Partnership including sessions that 1) explore the biological basis of thinking and learning in science education, 2) compare content knowledge and skill gains of elementary students in inquiry-centered versus traditional textbook science education programs, 3) illustrate the conditions under which highly rated science curriculum units, compared with more traditional methods, improve student learning and achievement at the middle school level, 4) demonstrate how to help English language learners increase achievement through inquiry-based science instruction, 5) provide an example of how an inquiry-based science program in Delaware helped students meet state science standards, and 6) illustrate how "writing for science" and "science for writing" can improve learning in science and develop expository writing skills.
Invited presenters include Sue (Theno) Neuen, formerly of the Einstein Project in Green Bay, Wisconsin; Carol O'Donnell, science education researcher from George Washington University; Leslie Garrison of San Diego State and the El Centro, California school district; members of the Delaware Science Assessment Project and Elaine Woo and Betsy Rupp Fulweiler of Seattle Public School’s Science Notebook Project.
