NGS Navigators: We're Phenomenal!

Lori Henrickson works at the curriculum level in her district in Nevada and is the state science teachers association executive director. On this episode, she shared her approach to NGSS focused professional development and outlined for us how she conducted her sessions. This past year she focused on 3 main goals: student assessment, building relationships and connections between scientists and teachers and identifying phenomena. Lori shared with us some helpful professional development resources to navigate through NGSS curriculum development.

Jeanne Chowning and Hanako Osuga sat down with us to discuss some of the curricular work that they have done specifically focused on race, racism, and genetics within the context of addressing and navigating these topics in the classroom.

This week we had a conversation with Erica Posthuma, a current high school chemistry teacher. Erica shared with us some of the practices she has implemented as a “modeler” and how she helps students develop their own understandings from their observations and understandings. Erica also discussed her journey as a teacher, including how she was affected by the pandemic and how modeling has changed how she approaches chemistry. Erica wraps up this episode discussing some of the avenues she has found to publish as a high school chemistry teacher.

This week we chatted with Jeanne Norris who is a part of the Washington University Institute for School Partnership. She discussed some of the features and benefits of the MySci program, which she helped develop. This program provides teachers with quarterly kits, curriculum and professional development to incorporate high quality science material in their classrooms. Jeanne also discusses educative curriculum and some of the behind the scenes aspects of building elementary curriculum. She talks about how science can be tied to reading and math standards and help students grow holistically.

In this week’s podcast, we sat down with Madison Levine and Rachel Lauzier, two seniors in the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. They discuss their student teaching experience this past spring and how they navigated being a pre-service teacher in a pandemic. The two of them touch upon hybrid teaching and the challenges they were faced with when balancing in person and at home students. Moreover, they discuss resources they found helpful while facilitating a hybrid classroom and share with us their experience engaging students in NGSS practices.

Board members of the Margaret O'Sullivan STEM Foundation--Jen Gutierrez, Wanda Bryant, and Todd Campbell--discuss the current state of science education in America, along with Tamashi Hettiarachchi, who is introduced as the next host of the NGSNavigators Podcast. Intro music used: Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/making-tracks License code: H8FIKLRTOVEPE6T4

We are at the one year mark when our founder and leader Margaret O’Sullivan passed away. In her honor, the Margaret O’Sullivan STEM Foundation was started as a nonprofit to carry on the work she started and to continue providing new content and resources to the community of science educators. As a way to introduce ourselves and our vision, we are replaying the podcast episode in which Todd Campbell interviews Margaret O’Sullivan, where you can get a feel for why she began NGS Navigators and the passion she carried for this work.

Disease ecologist Kaylee Arnold shares with us her research on kissing bugs, particularly how their gut bacteria and environments impact the transmission of Chagas disease. We also hear why learning through application and research has been so important to her, and how the #BlackandSTEM hashtag has helped her find a community of Black scientists. Find shownotes at https://www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/068 Join our Facebook Group and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!  

Meet executive director of Stem 4 Real, Dr. Leena Bakshi. She shares with us the growth of Stem 4 Real and the important services they provide, “we realized also that in order for us to really be part of a movement, we wanted to take on professional learning, teacher training school systems, and really look at it in terms of how can we combine instructional curriculum materials, pedagogy, in a way that looks at the intersection of equity and social justice and then robust STEM education at the same time.” Her energy and passion for her work shines through. Be sure to check out the shownotes, and follow Leena on Twitter. Dr. Bakshi will also be presenting at NSTA in April. Check out the show notes for more details. Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/067 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Meet Steve Addison, a K-6 science specialist at an elementary school, who's done various workshops with American Modeling Teachers Association and ACS. Steve is here to share his experiences and strategies about guiding students to make their thinking visible. He’s looking to see how students can perform or do science versus regurgitating or reciting certain concepts. Tune in and learn what making thinking visible looks like in K-6.   Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/066 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Have you been thinking of incorporating more engineering in your lesson plans--but not sure where to even begin? You’ll love today’s episode with Beth Topinka. She specifically talks about a 5th grade and a 3rd grade engineering project she does with her students. Lots of inspiration here!  Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/065 for links to resources. 

Join our guest today, Spencer Martin, as he candidly shares his NGSS journey from having just a cursory review of NGSS in Texas to 3 years later in Kansas where he is currently a science curriculum instructional coach. Lots of insight on strategies that work (and don’t work) when beginning NGSS implementation.   Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/064 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Annika shares with us all about the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) create by the Right Question Institute. She walks us through the why and how and then shows us how it can be strategically used with NGSS to become even more engaging and effective. Including how to intentionally use the cross-cutting concepts. Lots of practical inspiring strategies shared here. All links and resources mentioned can be found in the shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/063 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Paul Andersen joins us this week as we focus on two main topics: 3 dimensional assessment planning and the difference between traditional inquiry and 3 dimensional teaching/learning. His website, www.wonderofscience.com has a plethora of tools and resources for NGSS teachers. We will link the ones referenced in this podcast but please visit the website regularly as new tools are developed regularly.  Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/062 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Today we have Kate Henson from Inquiry Hub walk us through the steps of designing an NGSS storyline. She then tells us of the free NGSS high school biology units available on iHub and other opportunities for teachers offered by Inquiry Hub. (And a chemistry unit on its way!)  Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/061 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Meet Dr. Bryan Brown, is an associate professor of science education at Stanford University. His work focuses on improving urban science education focusing on exploring how language and identity impact urban students’ learning. His book, Science in the City, was recently published and expands on the ideas on how science education can flourish if it is connected to students’ backgrounds, identities, language, and culture.   Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/060 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Daniel Morales-Boyle talks with us today about the powerful impact of a justice-centered science pedagogy. He gives examples of what this looks like throughout different grade bands. He specifically shares a high school chemistry unit he taught in Chicago. In the show notes, find his research and similar articles of the impact of justice centered science pedagogy.  Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/059 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Phaedra Taft shares with us how her team of teachers developed NGSS K-5 units. She discussed how they successfully use concept walls and concept posters with the early elementary students. Listen here for tips, and resources as Phaedra shares her team’s NGSS journey.  Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/058 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Meet Jeanane Charara, a Science Resource teacher, a Science Peer Review Panelist, and has earned a Level 1 EQuIP Leader Credential. The Science PRP is an elite cohort of educators from across the country with expertise in the NGSS and the EQuIP Rubric for Science that reviews lessons and units to determine if these materials are NGSS aligned. Jeanane walks us through each of the EQuIP rubric categories and explains how teachers can use it to evaluate their NGSS curriculum and/or use as a guide in designing their own NGSS instructional material. Lots to learn here!  Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/057 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

In this episode, Suzanne Sullivan shares with us the work her district’s vertical planning team has done with designing NGSS curriculum She discusses the work she is doing as a 5th-8th grade science coach and encourages teachers to use their current skill set and passion as an entry point to NGSS. We all have strengths and skills to bring to the table with NGSS and it’s best to tap into those as we implement the vision of NGSS. Fantastic interview and a plethora of resources. Check out the shownotes! Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/056 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

All Standards All Students. This is one of NGSS 5 innovations. And part of that innovation involves “inclusion of phenomena and problems that are relevant and authentic to a range of student backgrounds and interests, with supports for modifying the context to meet local needs and opportunities for students to make meaningful connections to the context based on their current understanding, personal experiences, and cultural background.” Timothy Stark shares examples of teaching for social justice  and resources. Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/055 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Meet pre-service teacher Tamashi Hettiarachchi. She shares with us her experiences & resources she finds helpful in learning how to teach NGSS. Her passion and energy is contagious. Listen and then check the show notes for links to the resources mentioned in the show. Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/054 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Today’s guest Kathy Renfrew shares with us ways to incorporate NGSS in our classrooms using Social and Emotional Learning Standards. We go deeper into this quote from Kathy’s recent blog post, “If we have the goal of building equitable learning communities, we are making a step in the right direction. In this way we are modeling for our students, our colleagues, and our community what it means to be kind and just, and maybe, just maybe, #choosingkindness will become a part of who we all are.”  Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/053 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

{Encore} If you are not following Wanda Faye Bryant on Twitter--you are missing out. Wanda Faye Bryant, a 7th grade NGSS teacher, shares with  us what resources and strategies she uses to successfully implement NGSS in her classroom. Go to www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/016 for more links to resources and shownotes. 

Happy 1 year anniversary to NGS Navigators Podcast! We've had an incredible year of amazing guests. Since many of you are new to us we are going to encore some of our earlier podcast episodes you might have missed! Like this one. Jen Gutierrez was one of our first guests and it was a pleasure meeting her and hearing about the NGSS writing process. And check out the show notes for links to the resources she mentions in the show.  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/004  

Have you participated in a Lesson Study? Briefly, lesson study is teacher-led research in which a group of  teachers work together to target an identified area of focus. Using existing student work and evidence, teachers collaboratively research, plan, teach and observe a, revise and share the results of a single class lesson. Dr. Sharon Dotger tells us the benefits and the protocol of Lesson Study. It’s one of the BEST professional learning experiences I ever participated in. Check it out! Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/052 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

The Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) model of argumentation is used in many science classrooms. Dr. Kate McNeill shares with us today tips, strategies, and tools that enhance this science and engineering practice of Engaging in Argument with Evidence. Don’t forget to check out the shownotes for links to all the useful resources discussed in this episode and more! Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/051 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Meet wildlife sci-commer, Ashley Gary. In this episode we learn about the importance of being a science communicator (SEP: Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information) and all about Ashley’s career journey as a wildlife sci-commer.  Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/050 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Dive deeper in ways of teaching computational thinking in elementary education. Join us for this informative conversation! Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/049 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Co-author of Ambitious Science Teaching, Jessica Thompson, is here with us today to talk about the value of collaboration with your NGSS colleagues specifically by forming Professional Learning Communities (PLC). She gives us specific examples and resources on how to productively guide meetings, norms, and goals. PLCs can be as small as two people so we encourage you to listen to this episode and then reach out to at least one colleague and form an NGSS PLC. We are better together!    Shownotes at www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/048 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Looking for high quality NGSS Earth Science resources? Then this is the podcast episode for you! Meet Mark Watrin. He shares with us some incredible Earth Science resources available for teachers including dinosaur digs and volcano field work as well as many online resources.   Shownotes at www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/047 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Meet OpenSciEd executive director, Jim Ryan. He tells us all about the FREE high quality design badge units just released for grades 6-8. Even if you aren’t a middle school teacher, you will learn the process that went into creating and field testing NGSS units. If you are a middle school teacher, you must try out one of these units!! They have thought of everything! Listen to the interview and check out the show notes. Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/046 for links to resources.

Dr. Rooman Ahad is a pediatric neurologist and shares with us her career’s journey. She also gives us some insight into how her field relates to what we are teaching with NGSS. She is an especially special guest because we were classmates in high school! I’m proud of all she has accomplished and excited to share with you.  Shownotes at www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/045 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

NGSS teacher, David Grossman, shares ways teachers can take small steps to implementing NGSS in their classroom. He also discusses how he dived into implementing storylines in his classroom even though he was not an expert in the storyline topic. There’s a ton of golden nuggets of NGSS advice in this episode. Perfect for getting you ready for the upcoming school year!  Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/044 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

NGSS kindergarten teacher, Kaia Tomokiyo, shares how she dives into NGSS with her students at the beginning of the school year. She provides specific examples from the unit she starts with and discusses how she creates a culture of learning using talk moves and modelling. Perfect for getting you ready for the upcoming school year!  Shownotes at www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/043 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Ty Scaletta, a 6th grade NGSS teacher, shares with us how to plan and teach in response to students prior conceptions and the importance of leveraging those prior conceptions when thinking about equity and engagement in NGSS storylines. He begins by explaining his shift from using the word “misconceptions” to prior conceptions. And ends with talking about his work with OpenSciE. Lots of NGSS goodies here! Shownotes at www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/042 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group  and let us know what  you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Elementary teachers often do not have a formal background in science, but many are expected to teach science. Now add in the NGSS shift from  the more traditional way science was taught, teachers are now re-creating what it means to be a science teacher. Marti Canipe, PhD is an assistant professor of elementary science education and her PhD dissertation and focus with pre-service teachers is all about building your science teacher identity. Imposter Syndrome is real but Marti Canipe is here with strategies and resources for gaining confidence as a science teacher.  Shownotes at www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/041 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group and let us know what you think of this episode. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

NGSS lessons must be phenomenon driven--or it's not NGSS. But what exactly is phenomena and how do I use them in my NGSS lessons? Here's 5 NGSS phenomena myths busted. Shownotes at: https://www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/QuickTipTuesday5

Have you been looking for high-quality instructional materials that support student instruction toward the goals of the NGSS?All sorts of products and programs have filled the science instructional materials marketplace, claiming they support the NGSS, but do they really? Find out in this Quick Tip Tuesday episode. Shownotes at: https://www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/QuickTipTuesday4

Back in Episode 037 with Victoria Schilling, she told us how her 8th graders came in with solid routines and classroom culture norms conducive to the NGSS style of teaching because her 7th grade teacher colleague taught  and practiced those routines and norms in the previous school year. So, I just had to get that teacher, Nicole Bolduc, on the show to tell us how she does that! And she sure does deliver. Get your notebook out for notes and be prepared to listen a few times. She has everything you need to know to get your school year off on the right track! Thank you Nicole! Shownotes at www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/040 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group to continue the discussion. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

Science assessment tasks for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) can come in many different forms, but what should you look for when choosing an assessment? Or what should you make sure to include when creating your own assessment? Find out in this Quick Tip Tuesday episode shownotes at https://www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/QuickTipTuesday3

Erin Sadler is a 7th and 8th grade NGSS teacher and shares with us strategies and resources she uses when teaching her students to engage in argument from evidence. She also walks us through the steps she takes when creating an NGSS lesson plan. Check out the shownotes for all the resources Erin Sadler shares. Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/039 for links to resources.  Join our Facebook Group and comment to win a copy of the book! And remember, you’re phenomenal!

What’s the Story with Storylines? If you’ve been in the NGSS world for even just a little bit, chances are you’ve heard the term storylines floating around. So, what are storylines? Find out in this Quick Tip Tuesday episode. Shownotes at https://www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/QuickTipTuesday2  

Todd Campbell takes over as host today and your host Margaret O’Sullivan becomes the guest. Find out about her experiences with NGSS as a 6th grade science teacher as well as the inspiration behind starting the NGS Navigators Podcast.  Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/038 for links to resources.

You've been meaning to fully implement NGSS in your classroom, but some things are holding you back. Is one of these 3 common obstacles? Find out what you can do to bust past those obstacles and become NGSS confident! Shownotes at https://www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/QuickTipTuesday1

Victoria Schilling is an 8th grade NGSS teacher who shares with us today all about how to use consensus modelling in your NGSS classroom. You’re going to want to take notes and follow her on Twitter! Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/037 for links to resources.

Gillian Luévano shares with us her experiences with implementing NGSS in her 6th grade science classroom. Like many teachers, she has been putting together her NGSS lessons from a variety of sources. Gillian describes what has worked, what hasn’t worked, and what’s in the works for complete NGSS implementation. The resources she has found most useful and engaging for her students are linked in the shownotes. Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/036 for links to resources.

Wildlife biologist Tyus D. Williams shares with us his research on sea turtles, and jaguars. We also learn about the challenges and obstacles he faced in becoming a scientist. And indirectly, there are many connections to the NGSS 5 innovations that highlight the value of NGSS designed teaching. Shownotes at  www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/035 for links to resources. Continue our discussion in our Facebook Group

Meet the founder of Skype a Scientist, Sarah McAnulty! In this episode Sarah tells us all about how Skype a Scientist began and her PhD work with Hawaiian Bobtail squids. Find out how to participate in Skype a Scientist and learn some fascinating facts about cephalopods. Shownotes at www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/034 for links to resources. Continue the discussion in our Facebook Group.

If you’ve asked yourself, what does it actually look like for students to demonstrate progress towards the 3D standards? Or what are the most important features of high-quality science tasks? Well, Achieve has answers! These were the questions that drove the Achieve’s Task Annotation Project in Science (TAPS) and director Aneesha Badrinarayan is on today’s episode to tell us all about it. Make sure you check out the show notes to get the links to these resources. Shownotes at www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/033 for links to resources. Continue our discussion in our Facebook Group. And remember, you’re phenomenal!

If you are a history buff and a geology enthusiast -- this is the episode for you! Jazmin Scarlett shares with us her research as a historical and social volcanologist. She describes her work that centers around the 1812, 1902, and 1979 volcanic eruptions of Caribbean’s St. Vincent La Soufrière.   Shownotes at www.ngsnavigators.com/blog/032 for links to resources. Continue our discussion in our Facebook Group And remember, you’re phenomenal!