Announcing MS teachers: OpenSciEd materials "try-outs"
OpenSciEd is a partnership of the NGSS brain-trust folks and several big foundations. They have been developing a complete 6-8 scope and sequence as Open Educational Resources (OERs).
NWESD, together with ESD 114 and ESD 112 are supporting people in using these units by providing a "try out" service. With the help of the ClimeTime Climate Science Proviso, NWESD has purchased all of the materials for 5 of the 6 currently-released units and NWESD regional districts will be able to check these out for teachers to use so they can "try out" teaching a unit!
Professional Learning First!
Teachers must first complete some 6-hours of online introductory classes to qualify to check the materials out (https://bit.ly/gettingtoknow-openscied).
The "Trying-Out" Second!
The check-out itself will be via PO through the Science Materials Center (SMC) with a restock/refurb feel of $185 per unit. Checking-out the kits is being arranged through Nancy Menard (nmenard@nwesd.org) at this time. If teachers can complete the PD by 6/22, they will be lined-up to attend the last hour (a Zoom meeting) on either 6/22 or 6/24 from 2-3 PM (the date is dependent on which unit they sign up for). After that, we will build an online module around the recorded Zoom meetings and it will become asynchronous.