2019 STEMposium
​June 24 - 28, 2019

A FREE Summer Institute for K-12 Teachers
hosted by University Preparation Charter School and
​sponsored by CSU Channel Islands and the Bechtel Corporation
CLICK HERE to register for STEMposium 2019!
Program Overview

​The 5th Annual STEMposium Summer Institute will feature the theme "Better Together! The Value of Collaboration." The STEMposium format allows teachers to participate in hands-on, NGSS-aligned 5E lesson sequences and then collaborate with other teachers in their same grade level to develop a new lesson sequence under the guidance of an experienced Teacher Leader. Supplemental workshops help to empower teachers to become STEM and NGSS leaders at their own sites. Each grade level cohort will discuss ways to facilitate collaboration back at their own sites with their own grade-level teams. 

This FREE week-long institute will run from June 25-28, 2019 and participants will have the option of earning two units of academic credit.
Program Objectives

​The goal of the program is to support teachers in successfully implementing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)  and California's standards for Environmental Principals and Concepts (EP&C's); and in integrating science and engineering instruction with math, language arts, and technology. Participants will deepen their knowledge of the NGSS and incorporation of "three-dimensional" learning into their weekly instruction.
Program Agenda​​​
Monday, June 24
8:00 am
Welcome 
  • Check In
  • Breakfast​​
  • Welcome/Agenda
8:30 am
Opening Keyn​ote 
​Presented by 
​Dr. Matthew d’Alessio
​Sherlock Holmes and the NGSS:
​Solving mysteries in our science classrooms
Scientists solve mysteries, discovering things about the world that nobody else has ever known before. There is no answer key, teacher’s edition, or back of the book to consult. The California Framework for Science paints a picture of how we can capture this process in our science classrooms. It breaks down science into three dimensions that we use to explore the world around us. We’ll discuss how to design curricula that capture the spirit of authentically doing science but are logistically manageable for K-12 classrooms. ​
Dr. d’Alessio sees science from the perspective of both a researcher and an educator. He was a research scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey, is currently an associate Professor at CSUN where he teaches science to university students and future teachers, was a high school Earth Science teacher in an urban public school, runs a sustainability education program in local elementary schools, and spent a year as a stay-at-home dad. He drew upon this complete picture of science from 'top to bottom' as one of the lead writers of the 2016 Science Framework for California Public Schools. In 2018, he received CSUN's university-wide Distinguished Teaching award.
9:15 am
​Morning Workshop
​Presented by 
​Annie Ransom
Using Phenomena and the Crosscutting Concepts to Inspire Student Generated Questions
Annie Ransom is the director of STEMposium and has been teaching science since 2005. She taught chemistry and biology at the high school level before moving into the best job ever at University Preparation Charter School as their Science Coach. In this position, Annie hosts enriching laboratory experiences for all K-8 students, coaches teachers in classrooms, and works with CSUCI's Education Department on several collaborative efforts to bring high quality science instruction to new teachers and their mentors. Annie has presented workshops on a variety of educational topics at several science conferences such as CSTA, Gold Coast Science Network, and through Ventura County Office of Education. In 2015 she was recognized as Educator of the Month by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce and as a STEM Radical by VC STEM in 2017. In that same year, UPCS was recognized as a Golden Gear School by VC STEM for not only their own schoolwide progress in moving towards NGSS but also for promoting NGSS professional development to teacher candidates and local teachers countywide. Annie is proud to be a part of such a dynamic, collaborative, and progressive culture. She looks forward to her two young children Jameson (5) and Josephine (3) becoming UPCS Dolphins in the near future.  ​
10:30 am
Grade-Level Cohorts 
Meet & Greet​
CLICK HERE to learn about this year's Teacher Leaders

11:30 am
Lunch
​
12:30 pm
NGSS Short Courses - Part 1
CLICK HERE to learn more about the short course options and presenters

3:00 pm
Concludes
Tuesday, June 25
8:00 am
Welcome 
  • Sign In
  • Breakfast​
  • ​Announcements
  • Group Workshop

​8:40 am
Grade-Level Cohorts 
  • Model 5E Lesson Sequences
  • Planning & Collaboration
11:30 am
Lunch

​
12:30 pm
NGSS Short Courses - Part 2

​CLICK HERE to learn more about the short course options and presenters


3:00 pm
Concludes
Wednesday, June 26
8:00 am
Welcome 
  • Sign In
  • Breakfast​
  • ​Announcements


8:15 am
​Morning Workshop
​Presented by 
​Annie Ransom

Using the NGSS Evidence Statements to Plan Assessments (with Growth Mindset)
9:00 am
Grade-Level Cohorts 
Planning & Collaboration


11:30 am
Lunch


12:30 pm
Grade-Level Cohorts 
Planning & Collaboration


​3:00 pm
Concludes
Thursday, June 27
8:00 am
Welcome 
  • Sign In
  • Breakfast​
  • ​Announcements


8:15 am
​Morning Workshop
​Presented by 
​Ray Clayton & Annie Ransom 

Using 3D Questions to Guide Student Inquiry and Learning 
& Introduction to Friday Student STEM Day event
10:00 am
Grade-Level Cohorts 
Planning & Collaboration

11:30 am
Lunch

12:30 pm
Grade-Level Cohorts 
Group Share Out

3:00 pm
Concludes
Friday, June 28
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Student STEM Day

CLICK HERE for more information. More details will also be provided during the STEMposium week.
Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Attend?
This opportunity is open to K-12 teachers and TOSAs. Space is limited. STEM educators working outside of the classroom who are interested in attending may contact Annie Ransom at aransom@pvsd.k12.ca.us to inquire about special exceptions.

Where is the Summer Institute going to take place?
​University Preparation Charter School, ​1099 Bedford Dr, Camarillo, CA 93010.

Can I obtain ongoing professional development credit / university credit?
Yes, you can obtain up to two units of academic credit from CSUCI. Please visit the University Credit page for full details.

I cannot attend the entire week. Is it okay if I only attend part of the week?
Although it is preferable for participants to attend the full week due to the limited space, it is not required. However, participants who plan to obtain university credit must attend all five days of the summer institute. 

How familiar do I need to be with NGSS?
You do not need to be familiar with NGSS at all. The Summer Institute will provide opportunities for teachers who are new to NGSS to get trained on the new standards. For participants who are already familiar with NGSS, separate workshops will be provided to help advance your proficiency in developing and teaching NGSS-aligned lessons.

What is the Student STEM Day? 
The final day of the summer institute consists of a Student STEM Day in which K-8 students and STEMposium teacher participants are treated to a special STEM event. Teacher participants are assigned a pre-planned activity and practice developing engaging questions to ask the students as they participate at your center. This will be a time for you to work on your questioning skills and see if you can get the kids to discover the information with your guidance. All of the fun, none of the stress! You're welcome :-)

I teach high school; should I attend the Student STEM Day? 
Yes, even though students at the Student STEM Day will be entering grades 1-9, all STEMposium participants are encouraged to attend and practice developing and using probing questions to guide student discovery.

Can my child attend the Student STEM Day?
Teacher participants are encouraged to sign up their own children to participate if they are completing grades K-8. Sorry, only students entering grades 1-9 are allowed to participate.

How do I sign up to be a teacher leader or workshop presenter instead of a regular participant?
Please contact Annie Ransom at aransom@pvsd.k12.ca.us to indicate your interest.

How will this year's institute differ from previous years?
Because participants are coming now with a much wider variety in NGSS knowledge and implementation, this year's institute will include workshop presentations appropriate for a wide range of backgrounds in order to differentiate the week to accommodate all participants. Through feedback collected in person and on surveys, it is evident that teachers want time to create, collaborate, and implement many of the things they are learning at conferences and PDs. It is the intent of the CSU STEMposium to give you the time to do this using a coaching model. Additionally, specific short courses are intended to reach teachers who are interested in becoming STEM advocates at their home sites. This could be for TOSAs, coaches, or teacher leaders. 

What is the "theme" of this year's institute?
The focus of this year's institute is on the value of COLLABORATION. Each teacher cohort will collaborate on NGSS-aligned lessons and discuss ways to facilitate collaboration back at their own sites with their own grade-level teams. 

Where is a good place to eat lunch during the week of STEMposium?
The following links will give you a map and some suggestions of local places to eat.

LOCATION

University Preparation Charter School

​1099 Bedford Dr, Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 482-4608

​