Have your students felt a disconnect between the science units you are teaching and their own experiences? Have you wished for ways to make science more meaningful and engaging for your students? Would you be interested in a variety of quick tweaks and longer adaptations you can use to make your science classroom more inclusive, community-connected, and culturally responsive? Are you interested in STEM and Equity clock hours? 

This is a free asynchronous online course that is geared towards Western Washington teachers who have access to the Amplify Science Ecosystem Restoration unit and are teaching or supporting it this Winter. You can progress through the course at your own pace as you implement the unit with your students between December 12th, 2025 - March 1st, 2026. If you are teaching the unit after March 1st, our spring course on this unit could be a better fit. Those who complete all Topics will earn 5 STEM and 2.5 Equity Clock hours. 

IslandWood collaborated with the developers of Amplify Science, Educational Service Districts, teachers, and Seattle Public School’s science department to create unit-specific “localizing guides” that help students make meaningful and authentic connections between the science they are doing in their classroom and their region, community, and personal funds of knowledge.  

The course provides an opportunity to unpack the Ecosystem Restoration unit storyline and explore the opportunities in the guide. You will see how different adaptations that incorporate local animals and food webs, and using your schoolyard for investigations can help make the unit more relevant for your students. You will also have the opportunity to identify and leverage assets from YOUR community and region. 

Clock hours will be provided based on Topic Completion: 

1. Introduction to the Course (required) 

2. Introduction to the Localizing Guide (required) 

3. The Ecosystem Restoration Unit Storyline & Progress Build (optional) 

4. Local Content Connections (optional)

5. Leveraging Local Assets (optional) 

6. Implementing Ideas with Students (optional for those trying out localizing adaptations with students while taking the course) 

Clock hours for completed course Topics will be turned in for those who complete a final survey by the closing date of the course (March 1st, 2026). You will then need to claim them through pdEnroller (there is an administrative fee in pdEnroller of $3 per clock hour).