This is Cohort A and includes five online sessions with the first one being 4/6/22. There will be another cohort, Cohort B, which will start on 4/27/22; register here for Cohort B.

Incorporating your schoolyard and community into your classroom is an essential strategy for justice-centered and engaging science learning. Local and relevant scientific phenomena--those which occur in students' everyday places--connect Next Generation Science Standards to student knowledge; reflect student interest and identities; and affirm all students as scientists. Plus, taking learning outdoors reduces COVID-19 risk!

Join IslandWood educators and fellow teachers in using a simple clump of dandelions to anchor a Next Generation Science Standards-aligned storyline that will get your students outside and engaged with science this spring. Lessons integrate science standards with ELS read alouds and culturally sustaining activities that engage students' families and communities. You'll be provided activities to implement between course sessions and opportunity to debrief and adapt with other 3-5 grade teachers. In the final session of the course, we'll reflect on lessons learned and how to carry the strategies forward towards increasing equity, justice, and engagement in your classroom.

This course is intended for teachers of 3rd-5th grade students with some flexibility in what they teach. Informal science educators also welcome!

Clock Hours: 10 STEM clock hours available for purchase

Stipend: $300 upon submission of teacher and student work and completion of assessments

Funding provided by the Washington State Legislature through the ClimeTime proviso and is available to Washington State teachers only.