Regional teacher events to focus on new science standards

Note: Additional forums have been scheduled since the initial publication of this announcement. Those forums marked by an * are new additions to the schedule.

Science teachers and others are invited to attend a “Dine and Discuss” event in their region in December or January to learn about the recently released “Framework for K-12 Science Education” document from the National Academies of Science and the upcoming development of the Next Generation Science Education Standards.

The Maine Department of Education and the Maine Science Teachers Association (MSTA) are collaborating to sponsor the regional sessions. Maine is one of 20 lead states in the nationwide, collaborative effort to develop the new academic standards for science.

The first sessions are set for Dec. 7 in Gardiner and Falmouth.

Teachers who attend these 2.5-hour sessions will:

  • Learn about the three dimensions of the K-12 Science Framework;
  • Understand how the Framework will be used to guide the development of new science standards;
  • Hear about Maine’s role as a lead state in developing the standards;
  • Provide feedback to the Department of Education;
  • Receive a year’s free membership to MSTA for the 2011-2012 school year; and
  • Receive a certificate for contact hours.

Scheduled events and locations

December 7, 2011

  • Falmouth High School, cafeteria, 4– 6:30 p.m., 74 Woodville Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105
  • Gardiner Area High School, 4:30 – 7 p.m., 40 West Hill Rd., Gardiner, ME 04345

December 8, 2011

  • Massabesic High School, 4 – 6:30 p.m., 88 West Rd., Waterboro, ME 04087

January 11, 2012

  • Washington Academy, 4 – 6:30 p.m., 66 High Street, East Machias, ME 04630*
  • Oxford Hill Comprehensive High School, 5 – 7:30 p.m., 256 Main Street, South Paris, ME 04281*

January 12, 2012

  • Camden Hills Regional High School, 4 – 6:30 p.m., 25 Keelson Dr., Rockport, ME 04856

January 17, 2012

  • Wiscasset High School, 4 – 6:30 p.m., 272 Gardiner Rd., Wiscasset, ME 05478
  • Kennebunk Elementary School, 4 – 6:30 p.m., 177 Alewive Rd., Kennebunk, ME 04043
  • Mount Blue High School, 4 – 6:30 p.m., 129 Seamon Road, Famington, ME 04938*

January 18, 2012

  • Albert S. Hall Elementary School, 4:30 – 7 p.m., 27 Pleasant St., Waterville, ME 04901
  • Bangor High School, 4 – 6:30 p.m., 885 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401*

January 26, 2012

  • King Middle School, 4 – 6:30 p.m., 92 Deering Ave., Portland, ME 04102
  • Auburn Land Lab, 5 – 7:30 p.m., 15 Andrew Dr., Auburn, ME 04210

January 27, 2012

  • Presque Isle Middle School, 4 – 6:30 PM, 569 Skyway Street, Presque Isle, ME 04769*

An additional session will be scheduled soon for Foxcroft Academy.

Registration

Register online at http://bit.ly/rLygjn. Pay the $5 registration fee (to cover the cost of food and materials) at the door.

More information

2 thoughts on “Regional teacher events to focus on new science standards”

  1. Garrett,

    Thank you for your respectful and VERY important question. The work that we are undertaking with the Framework for K-12 Science Education and the development of the Next Generation Science Standards is expected lead to science standards that are commonly adopted by states. It will add to and complement the work of the Common Core State Standards that has already been completed for Mathematics and English Language Arts but not for science. Please get involved. I encourage you to attend the Dine and Discuss Session in Aroostook County and to visit and follow the SciTech Framework Blog http://scitechframework.wordpress.com/. I hope that you will share this information with many other educators. Thank you for taking the time to write.

  2. Good evening, I’m curious why Maine has elected to begin a separate initiative to develop new K-12 Science standards when we have already begun work on the Common Core initiative. Common Core will begin work on science standards shortly. I’m currently a 9-12 social studies teacher and chair of the department at MSAD20 in Fort Fairfield. While I have only been teaching seven years, I see the largest challenge facing our district, this state, and this country as our inability to maintain focus on a consistent initiative that will benefit students. Common Core has the potential to greatly improve education in this nation, because it is written by teachers and for teachers. For too long special interests have controlled education policy within states and I see this decision to pursue a separate set of standards as a move back in this direction. Please don’t derail the Common Core process. It has the potential to really benefit students, because of its comprehensive approach to student learning. Sincerely and respectfully, Garrett B. Martin

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