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Greetings!
We are delighted to share with you
some of the successes and honors associated with members
of the Washington State LASER network. These results
emphasize that no one program, organization, or
institution can make a quality science program a reality
everywhere in the state. It takes many individuals and
centers of excellence over a sustained period of time to
ensure all students have the opportunity to learn and
become excited about science. Look for more recognitions
in future newsletters.
Be sure to scroll down to learn more about our
upcoming Middle School Administrators' Symposium and
the 2009 Strategic Planning Institute.
Dennis and Jeff
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Nooksack Valley Science Program |
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 After
much success at the elementary level, Nooksack
Valley School District is seeing advances at the
middle and high school levels. They have
implemented long-lasting changes that are
improving academic achievement through their
science program and WASL scores are beginning to
reflect their improvements. In 2005-2006, Nooksack
Valley High School had 26.1% of their students
pass the science WASL. Last year, 47.6% of the
students passed. Similar results are found in the
middle school where 38.3% of their students passed
in 2005-2006, and last year, they had 58.7% of the
students pass.
In a school district heavily focused on literacy
and math, they attribute much of their science
success to outside partnerships with Washington
State LASER, the Northwest LASER Alliance, North
Cascade Olympic Science Partnership (NCOSP) at
Western Washington University, and the addition
this year of their OSPI Science Coaching Grant.
Without the support of the district science
coordinator funded through their LASER grant,
leadership and facilitation of the science program
would have been limited.
Their science classrooms have solid inquiry-based
materials. The teachers not only received
initial-use training but also have now had two
years of quality professional development around
instruction and assessment. Many of the barriers
that stood in their way two years ago are now
gone. They are working toward building internal
capacity and leadership. LASER has helped to meet
their goals and continue to grow.
Another sign of
success:
 Mark
Johnson, superintendent of Nooksack
Valley School District, has been chosen as the
Washington State Superintendent of the Year. He
received this honor from the Washington
Association of School Administrators and will
represent Washington State at the national level.
Congratulations, Mark!
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2008 WA State Elementary Science Teacher of the Year |
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The 2008 Washington State Elementary Science Teacher
of the Year is Amber Farthing.
Amber has taught fourth grade at Lincoln Elementary in
the Ellensburg School District since 2006, where she
is the science coordinator for her building. She is on
the Washington State LASER Strategic Planning
Institute Faculty. She has been part of the
Science Assessment Leadership Team (SALT) since 2006
and has participated in various committees through
that role, including Scoring Supervisor for grade 5
science WASL in 2007. She also provides professional
development as an Initial-Use Kit Trainer and an
Assessment Trainer for ESD 105.
Amber "brings science alive for our students. She
runs a hands-on, inquiry-based program that exceeds my
expectations for elementary science," says
Lincoln Elementary Principal, Kevin Weberg.
Congratulations, Amber!
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2009 NSTA Faraday Science Communicator Award |
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 Dennis
Schatz, Pacific Science Center Senior
Vice-President for Strategic Programs and Co-Director for
LASER, has been honored with his fourth national award
from NSTA (National Science Teachers Association). This
time it is the Faraday Science Communicator Award, which
recognizes and honors an individual or organization that
has inspired the public's interest in and appreciation of
science. Dennis joins an elite group of highly prestigious
honorees: last year's winner was the PBS series NOVA, and
in 2007 the award was presented to NPR Science
Correspondent Ira Flatow. Dennis will receive his award at
the Awards Banquet in March during the NSTA National
Conference in New Orleans. This is great recognition for
Dennis and his work in the field of education.
Congratulations, Dennis!
To learn more,
click here.
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Coming Soon: Middle School Administrators' Symposium |
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SAVE-the-DATE: May 17-19, 2009
Washington State Middle School Administrators are
invited to join their Alliance Director and ESD
Regional Coordinator at the Middle School
Administrators' Symposium. The purpose of the event is
to enhance administrators' understanding of effective
science instruction and how they can support their
teachers with this work. All participants will write a
reflective plan that identifies the next steps they
will need to take in their buildings, districts, or
regions in order to enhance their middle school
science programs.
We have confirmed speaker Dr. Andrew Shouse
from the University of Washington. He will share his
current research in the area of effective science
instruction in the K-8 classroom. As a co-author of
Ready, Set, Science,
Dr. Shouse brings a wealth of
knowledge and expertise to this event.
Caroline Kiehle, Associate Director
of Professional Development with The Center for
Inquiry Science, will serve as our facilitator.
Caroline has worked closely with middle school
educators and administrators and will bring a deep
passion and immeasurable insight to this event.
More information and details will be available in
the very near future.
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Coming Soon: 2009 Strategic Planning Institute |
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The Washington State LASER Strategic Planning
Institute is a six-day program of interactive
sessions, during which leadership teams from each
participating district develop a shared vision of
effective science learning and teaching, learn the
components of an effective infrastructure needed to
support a research-based science program, and develop
a strategic plan for improving instruction in science
in their districts.
This year the Strategic Planning Institute
will be held on Monday, June 22nd
through Saturday, June 27th
in Vancouver, WA.
 Application
for leadership teams are due March 24.
For more information about the event and the
application,
click here.
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2009 Instructional Materials Showcase |
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 Washington
State LASER held its annual Instructional Materials
Showcase on January 7, 2009, at the Washington State
Convention and Trade Center. This showcase is a one-day
opportunity for teachers, administrators, and curriculum
directors to participate in interactive sessions
demonstrating selected exemplary elementary, middle, and
high school inquiry-centered science instruction materials
that are research-based.
"I think the showcase is the best way for
teachers/districts to start a science adoption. I love
hearing from teachers using the materials rather than
the sales reps. I think I get the real scoop, both
strengths and weaknesses of the program."
Cathy Stordeur, Richland School District
teacher
Ninety registered participants from thirty-three
school 
districts and seven other organizations including
private schools, ESDs, and universities interacted
with materials throughout the day. Twenty-four
different instructional materials were showcased.
For more information about this event,
click here.
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