Join us for three days of in-person science professional development with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) writing team member Kenneth Huff and LabXchange Teacher in Residence Mary Liu. This professional development will prepare you to lead your middle-level students successfully through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Required Science Investigations, including Cool It and How’s the Weather Up There. Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credits will be awarded through SUNY Buffalo State.

This professional development will provide middle school science teachers and administrators with a deeper understanding of how to help students think like scientists as they use science practices and cross-cutting concepts on these performance-based tasks. Participants will also spend time in groups reflecting on the conceptual shifts in the NGSS and New York State Science Learning Standards, and how to transform science instruction to better align with current research in science teaching and learning.

Sessions will feature the Phenomena, Information, Explanation, Reasoning (PIER) investigation instructional sequence. PIER investigations are a research-based approach and provide a structure of support that allows students to demonstrate their science knowledge and skills. Participants will also learn about LabXchange, Harvard University’s free online platform for science education. This interactive digital learning platform makes high-quality science education accessible, and gives everyone, everywhere the opportunity to chart a path in science—for free.

Location:
SUNY Buffalo State Alumni & Visitor Center
1300 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222

Dates/Time:

• August 1–3, 2023
• Sessions begin at 9:00 A.M. and end at 1:00 P.M. each day

Cost: Free!

Registration: Follow this link to register. (Note: Registration is limited to the first 50 participants.)

About the instructors:

Kenneth Huff is a middle school teacher in the Williamsville Central School District, NY. He has been using science investigations in his classroom since the release of the NGSS. Kenneth is a National Board–certified teacher with 30 years of science teaching experience and a teacher in residence at LabXchange.

Mary Liu is a science teacher at Weston High School, MA, teaching biology classes at all levels. In her teacher in residence work at LabXchange, she has developed content pathways and other useful resources for teachers and students, including virtual lab simulations.