Tel: 916-278-5487
Science in the River City Workshops
Workshops: March 21, 2023
Exploring Biodiversity in Your Compost Pile
Lorie Hammond
Everyone studies the popular insects- butterflies, and bees- but when do we learn interesting things about the decomposers which live in our compost piles or in piles of old leaves? In this workshop, we will explore ways to inquire about earwigs, roly poly bugs, and more. Insects that never make the hit parade. Participants will also get a Zine that gives them all they need to know. If you have no compost pile, other options will be explored. Anyone can do these activities!
Building the Periodic Table
Nick Bua and Corinne Rushing
Participants will engage in a hands-on activity using card manipulatives to discover how the Periodic Table is organized based on patterns. Participants will engage in a student activity that models a similar process that Mendeleev went through in using element properties and characteristics to organize the Periodic Table. We will also offer a variety of methods to modify the activity for level and learning style.
Designed for High School teachers
Earth in Space
Rich Hedman
Engage in lessons related to earth, sun, moon, and star phenomena. Develop models to explain the patterns you notice and wonder about. I'll share my enhanced versions of Open Sci Ed lessons and resources related to 8th grade DCIs ESS1.A and ESS1.B (and their related Performance Expectations). Anyone teaching earth science/astronomy should find these model-based and student-idea-centered lessons intriguing.
Designed for Grade Levels 6-8
Moving From Traditional Points-Based Grading to Proficiency-Based Grading
Sharon Ferrell
Our department has spent the last two years working to convert our bio grading from a points-based system (90/80/70/60) to a proficiency scale-based system (Level 1, 2, 3, 4) and it has been a winding path. We are still deep in the process as a department, though as an individual teacher I am also implementing a proficiency-based grading system in my chemistry classes.
Workshops: May 9, 2023
Sound Off: Integrating Science Literacy Into the Elementary Classroom
Amy Kraft and Heather Parker
“There is never enough time to do it all!” Immerse yourself in a science experience, focused on sound, to learn how to integrate literacy strategies into science lessons so you can do two things at once..
Designed for Grade Levels K-5
MBER Living Earth: Evolution on a Changing Earth
Chris Griesemer
This high school biology unit connects population evolutionary responses (in particular population genetics) to climate change. As the penultimate unit in the MBER Living Earth biology course, it connects us back to wondering about the role humans have played in climate change and how we might mitigate its effects on the planet.
Designed for Grade Levels 9-12
Decoding the Stars
Melissa Marcucci
Participants will engage in developing a model of star spectra that allows them to figure out what a star is made up of through a digital matching activity. Participants will also create their own star spectra that their peers can decode! Please bring your devices.
Designed for High School teachers
Develop Your Own Model For Ambitious & Equitable Science Teaching: Examine Dilemmas in Practice
Cindy Passmore
Social constructs such as race and gender are frequently debated through a scientific lens. This workshop will provide participants tools to help students figure out the lack of biological basis for Race and Gender and provides strategies for discussing these concepts in real life. Participants will leave with a lesson plan and student documents.