Use observable seasonal changes to anchor a next Generation Science Standards-aligned curriculum that will get your students excited about doing science in their schoolyard. Incorporating your schoolyard and community into your classroom is a powerful strategy for justice-centered and equitable science learning that connects Next Generation Science Standard to personal experiences, makes learning relevant and affirms all students as scientists and caring citizens.

Model lessons integrate science standards with ELA read alouds and culturally sustaining activities that engage students' families and communities. You'll be provided with activities to implement between course sessions and an opportunity to adapt and debrief with your peers. In the final session of the course, we'll reflect on lessons learned and how to carry the strategies toward towards increasing equity, justice, and engagement in your classroom.

"This course greatly impacted my thinking around equitable and justice-centered science education. Equity and social justice are extremely important to me but having this storyline as a model has given me the tools and strategies to make future science learning in my classroom equitable."–Sara Schulz, Cascade Elementary School, Tukwila School District

There will be four online sessions after school on Wednesdays, and one in-person Saturday at Brightwater Education Center in Woodinville. For those attending the in-person session, we are excited to be together in community and happy to be able to provide course-related children's books! There will be a virtual alternative for Brightwater session on the following Saturday, but we can only provide the books to those who join us at the in-person session.

By the end of this course, participants will: 

- Gain and implement strategies and curriculum for using the schoolyard as a learning space 

- Experience how incorporating outside spaces supports equitable student engagement 

- Reflect on how local, relevant, and community-based science instruction is an antiracist endeavor and is integral to the pursuit of climate and education justice 

- Collaborate with and learn from other teachers as part of a professional learning community 

Note: This course is intended for teachers of PreK-2nd grade students with some flexibility in what they teach. Informal science educators are also welcome! 

Clock Hours, Stipends, and Additional Information 

-For participation in the course, you can earn up to up 10 Clock Hours (8 STEM and 2 Equity) in the course and pre-session readings. 

-Teachers who are implementing lessons during the course can earn up to 3 additional Clock Hours (2 STEM and 1 Equity) for completion of implementation check-ins and a review of their students' work. 

-A final End-Of-Course Survey is required for those planning to claim clock hours. 

-Clock Hours must be claimed at end of course through PDEnroller @ $3 per clock hour.

-No stipend will be offered.

Funding provided by the Washington State Legislature through the ClimeTime Proviso and is available to Washington State educators only.

Participants will be sent a survey before the course to confirm your registration, gather some additional information, and secure a spot at the in-person session.

This course was offered in Fall 2022. It is also a repeat of IslandWood's "Schoolyard Learning" course taught during Fall 2021. If you took this course in a previous year, consider contacting brads@islandwood.org about being a teacher facilitator.