CALIFORNIA SCIENCE
EDUCATION CONFERENCE

OCTOBER 19-21, 2012 • SAN JOSE, CA

PROGRAM STRAND:
NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS (NGSS)

The NGSS will consist of: Disciplinary Core Ideas · Cross Cutting Concepts · Scientific and Engineering Practices

Are you prepared? Any which way the wind blows in the State Board of Education next year, the Next Generation Science Standards will have a significant influence on the revised science standards to be considered by the Board in March and July 2013. [Please note: legislation is currently pending (SB 1200) the Governor's approval that would modify these deadlines to July and November 2013, respectively.] SB 300 (Hancock) authorized the drafting of new science content standards that take the Next Generation Science Standards into consideration, the California State Board of Education must adopt, reject, or modify the new standards by July 30, 2013. With California participating as a lead state partner in the development of the NGSS, all signs are pointing to the NGSS being a part of the future of science education in California.

The Next Generation Science Standards are not just another set of state standards, they are standards created by science teachers for science teachers. Critical thinking skills, inquiry, and all the other stuff most science teachers love are also being addressed by the NGSS. The Next Generation Science Standards are more than students memorizing science facts, students must actually do science.

The 2012 California Science Education Conference will give you the background information you need, as well as practical tools to help you be successful and a leader in your site when it comes to the topic of the Next Generation Science Standards.

The following sessions will make up the Next Generation Science Standards [NGSS] strand:

Friday, October 19, 8:00 am - 9:00 am

PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS
See a model lesson used by teachers and Monterey Bay Aquarium which increases student curiosity, modeling how scientists actually “do” science - asking questions, accumulating evidence, extracting knowledge, and applying to new contexts. (MBAQ) [NGSS]
MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE, PEDAGOGY/I&E
Mary Whaley, Monterey Bay Aquarium
Grades: 6,7,8

Friday, October 19, 9:15 am - 10:45 am

OPENING SESSION AND KEYNOTE ADDRESS
This is your opportunity to hear first-hand from one of the primary authors and architects of A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas, the guiding document for the development of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The first draft of the NGSS caused quite a stir in the science education community in California. Attend this session and learn about the research behind the Framework, the rationale behind the choices made, and learn about ways to start implementing Framework concepts in your classroom. The second public draft of the NGSS is expected out around the time of the conference, or just after. This session will help to inform and prepare you to participate in that second review process. Have a burning question you would like Dr. Quinn to address? Let us know, email your question to conference@cascience.org and we will share your questions with Dr. Quinn. Your questions can help to shape her presentation, making this a truly valuable experience for you. Dr. Quinn's presentation will be preceded by the CSTA annual meeting of membership.

Friday, October 19, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

CALIFORNIA’S WATER ISSUES: A DATA-CENTERED APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING
Participants will construct an understanding of California's water and associated supply & demand dilemmas, through hands-on, data-centered activities involving maps, all ready for immediate classroom use. (CSP) [NGSS]
EARTH/SPACE SCIENCE, PEDAGOGY/I&E
Richard Hedman, MASE Director, CSU Sacramento
Grades: 6,9,10,11,12

Friday, October 19, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS: AN OVERVIEW AND CONNECTION TO COMMON CORE
Come join us for an overview presentation regarding the Next Generation Science Standards and its connection to Common Core. Develop a deeper understanding of the key elements of these standards, the connection to 21st Century Skills, and the strong emphasis on engineering and technology integration. Time will be devoted to answering your questions and presenting the draft timeline for final development and implementation. [NGSS]
MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE, SCIENCE LEADERSHIP
Dean Gilbert, Science Coordinator, Orange County Department of Education; Tim Williamson, Single Subject Science Credential Coordinator/Advisor, CSU Long Beach
Grades: K-12

USING GROUP TALK TO ENHANCE LEARNING
Your students have no problem talking in class? But do they talk respectfully and productively? Learn strategies to help students, including English Language Learners, enhance their science learning by talking! [NGSS] [LITERACY]
EARTH/SPACE SCIENCE, LITERACY/EL
Donna Markey, Science Teacher, Vista Magnet Middle School
Grades: 6,7,8,9

Saturday, October 20, 8:00 am - 9:00 am

A complete schedule of NGSS events is available here.