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LASER eNewsletter January 2010 |
The successful implementation of a quality science
education program depends on having effective leadership
in place at the building and central office levels.
This issue of the Washington State LASER eNewsletter
highlights some of the leadership development
experiences associated with Washington State LASER. We
hope you enjoy this sample of activities.
All the best for a great 2010.
Dennis and Jeff
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Call for Nominations -- Science Champions: Science
Education Advocate Awards |
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 Do
you know a group or person that is a great advocate for
science education? Then you should nominate them for the
2009-2010 Science Champions: Science Education Advocate
Awards. These awards are presented annually to up to
five individuals, organizations, and/or project teams who
have exhibited outstanding advocacy for science education in
the State of Washington by promoting the importance of
science education among the general public and/or education
system. If you know a deserving candidate, nomination
materials and further information can be found
here. Nominations are due January 20, 2010.
Above are last years recipients. For more information
on last year's award winners visit our
website. |
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Ingredients for a Successful School |
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In Spring 2009, RMC Research surveyed principals in LASER
schools. Of all of the items addressed on the principal
survey, the significant predictors of student achievement
were:
- Schools that made an organized effort to identify
instructional materials to cover topics in the state science
standards that were not covered in the core instructional
material.
- Schools where the principals observe students using
evidence to engage in discourse about science
- Schools that provide time during the normal work day for
teachers to participate in school-based science professional
development - plus how often teachers participate in these
experiences
- Schools that support professional learning communities
focused on improving science teaching and
learning.
You may read the full 2008-2009 RMC Research Evaluation
report on Washington State LASER's website on the News and
Evaluation
page. |
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Networks Begin to Flourish |
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 Why
are networks becoming such a powerful venue for professional
development? How can a network remove some of the barriers
facing teachers and building administrators and better
support their needs?
Several LASER Alliances are in various stages of forming and
supporting the work of professional networks. The Southeast
LASER Alliance (SELA), in partnership with ESD 123 and
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), hosted the
first of three networking opportunities for this year on
November 4. Principals and teacher leaders from 13 districts
focused on "effective science learning" by experiencing a
common inquiry lesson and then began to list and discuss
what characteristics they would expect to see in a classroom
where effective science learning was happening.
South Sound and Mountain to Harbor LASER Alliances, with
support from Intel Foundation, began a series of
professional development forums for teacher leaders.
Forty-seven teachers from nine districts participated in the
two day kick-off event in early December that focused on key
components of "leadership". Participant support and learning
will be continued between forums through on-line
collaboration with two one-day follow-up sessions planned
for the spring and fall of 2010.
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BSCS National Academy for Curriculum Leadership |
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 What
does it take to for innovators and leaders to develop the
capacity to clarify and achieve a powerful vision for science
education? What does it take to offer tried and true science
teachers the knowledge, skills, and resources to share and
enact this vision? What does it take to get those who are more
reluctant to join their colleagues and achieve the vision?
These are some of the questions taken up by approximately 200
science leaders across the state of Washington in a unique
partnership between Washington State LASER and BSCS' National
Academy for Curriculum Leadership (NACL).
Secondary science leadership
teams in the second cohort of the Washington-based NACL begin
their third and final year of the program in Richland, WA on
November 15-20, 2009.
The impact of attending can be seen in the following quote
from a participant,
The progress we have made in two years has not been easy or
without pain, but the benefits to teachers and students has
been immense. We have taken great strides moving from
traditional "talking head" instruction toward a coordinated
team teaching science with inquiry pedagogy that will better
prepare our students to be able to "do science." There is no
question that this progress would not have been made without
our involvement in NACL and the instruction and guidance of
the NACL leaders.
The NACL design was originally funded through a grant from
the National Science Foundation. In Washington State, the
Agilent Technologies Foundation and Battelle have made
substantial grants to Washington State LASER to underwrite
Cohorts 1 and 2 (2004-2010). In addition, Intel and
several publishers have provided financial support.
To learn more about the National Academy for Curriculum
Leadership and to see a list of participating teams, go
to the
LASER website.
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State Science Leadership Convenes for Science Partnership
Academy |
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On December 1-3, fifty-six participants from all regions of
the state, met at Cedarbrook Conference Center for the first
of a series of Science Partnership Academies. Facilitator
Kathy Dunne, Director of Professional Development, Learning
Innovations at WestEd, led regional teams composed of LASER
Alliance Directors, ESD Science Coordinators, district science
leaders, and leaders of several other science-based state
organizations through a variety of activities and discussions
that began the work of:
- Developing a common understanding of key components of
the Washington State Logic Model for Science Professional
Development
- Understanding and practicing use of a variety of tools
and strategies for implementing effective science learning
experiences and
- Developing and/or reviewing and revising regional
professional development plans.
 The
knowledge gained from the Institute is being used daily in
the work of participants and being shared with others in a
variety of ways.
Additional Academy dates this year are February 9-11 and May
11-13. For more information about the Academy, contact Sonia
Siegel-Vexler, (sseigelvexler@pacsci.org).
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Mark Your Calendars! Exploring Instructional Materials
Session at 2010 WSTA Conference Friday March 12 |
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Exploring Instructional Materials
Everett Downtown Holiday Inn
March 12, 2010
Exploring Instructional Materials information, including
session description and registration can be found
here.
General WSTA conference information, including the full
conference schedule can be found on their
website. |
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Special thanks to the Pacific Science Center, Battelle/Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, OSPI, Boeing, The Paul G.
Allen Family Foundation, and the Intel Foundation for their
ongoing support of Washington State LASER.
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