What is CASTL? 

Collaboration for Ambitious Science Teaching and Learning (CASTL) is a network (of ESD's, school districts, and teachers) that expands upon the work of the Partnership for Ambitious a Teacher Leaders (PASTL). This network focuses on equitable access to science learning through job embedded collaborative learning and implementation of the Ambitious Science Teaching (AST) practices.

Spring 2019 CASTL Professional Learning Series for Elementary Teachers

All events run from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Tacoma Professional Development Center

Introducing to the AST Framework and Application of the AST practices to support NGSS student learning – Two Day Workshop

·January 30 and 31, 2019

Integrating AST into an upcoming student learning opportunity – One Day Workshop

·February 7, 2019

Using student work to analyze my own practices and improve for student learning – Reflective Planning

·March 21, 2019

·April 18, 2019

Ambitious Science Teaching includes

·Phenomenon-anchored instruction

·Planning for engagement with important science ideas

·Eliciting students' ideas

·Supporting on-going changes in students' thinking

·Pressing for evidence-based explanations

Throughout the series participants will be supported to examine their own teaching practices in light of those required to support Next Generation student science learning and to create phenomenon-anchored student-centered learning opportunities. 

This event will be facilitated by teacher leaders who spent three years with the University of Washington researchers who developed AST. These teachers embedded AST into their own teaching practices and unit development and are excited to share with their colleagues.