The Smithsonian Science Education Center developed new materials from the ground up that would meet the vision of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) which embed key shifts in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Have you recently adopted this curriculum? Or maybe you are considering making the transition soon. We want to support you by providing professional learning opportunities that meet your needs.

Smithsonian Science for the Classroom On-Demand Resources

Using Carolina Science Online

Using Einstein’s Unit Resource Page

Using Einstein’s Google Slides

 

Carolina Teacher Tips w/ Einstein Project PD Support

Structure of a Teacher’s Guide

 

Additional Reading

Reflection Questions

  1. What instructional models do you currently use? Which additional ones might be suitable for your context?

  2. Consider the structure and order you provided for a recent learning experience you gave your students.  How did your students respond to it? What would you change about the sequence of experiences, to provide a different outcome for your students?

Next Generation Science Standards Alignment

 

Additional Reading

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways you can communicate the standards your students are learning to parents?

  2. How can your understanding of the progressions of standards help you meet individual students’ learning needs?

Concepts and Practices Storyline

 

Additional Reading

  • Using Storylines for Project-Based Science - from NSTA's Science Scope

  • Storylines and Driving Question Boards - a podcast with Holly Hereau by NGSNavigators

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to have coherence? Why is it important?

  2. How can making students aware of their sequence of ideas they develop help them with learning?

Science and Design Challenges

 

Additional Reading

Reflection Questions

  1. The science and design challenges are written to have student collaboration. What are the benefits and drawbacks of this?

  2. How can you tell if a performance task is equitable for all students?

  3. How do you feel about giving students a copy of the rubric that will be used on their performance task?

Engineering Modules for Smithsonian Science

 

Additional Reading

Reflection Questions

  1. Knowing what the design process is and using it are two different things. Which do you think is most challenging for students?

  2. What are some advantages and disadvantages of integrating engineering with science?

Literacy Integration with Smithsonian Science Stories

 

Additional Reading

Reflection Questions

  1. Connections are made to ELA CCSS within each lesson. How could you use these to enrich student learning of science concepts?

  2. Some people believe that if a student can read, they can also do science. What are your thoughts on that?

  3. Is it appropriate to use fictional stories to teach science? How would you use them?

Student Notebooking

 

Additional Reading

Reflection Questions

  1. What role does student writing play in the process of learning science concepts?

  2. What are your thoughts on grading of student notebooks?

  3. Who is the audience that students are writing for when they keep a science notebook?

Addressing Common Student Misconceptions

 

Additional Reading

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways you can identify student misconceptions?

  2. How is it possible to change a students’ misconceptions?

Digital Resources on Carolina Science Online

 

Additional Reading

Reflection Questions

  1. To what extent do you use technology in science?

  2. How could you incorporate student’s creating digital content to show what they are learning?

3 Dimensional Assessments in Smithsonian Science

 

Additional Resources

Reflection Questions

  1. How are 3 dimensional assessments for NGSS similar or different from the assessments that you currently use?

  2. What are some benefits and barriers of using 3D assessments for students? For educators?

 

Einstein Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit STEM resource center driven to empower educators and inspire learners.