Next FRIDAY (2/28): Critical Factors for Effective and Equitable NGSS Science Teaching Practices

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Next Friday, TLTE and the DBER STEM Ed Seminar will be co-sponsoring a brownbag seminar in place of our normal Thursday afternoon Seminar. Please bring your lunches and questions for discussion!

Title: Critical Factors for Effective and Equitable NGSS Science Teaching Practices

Beth Lewis, Associate Professor
Lyrica Lucas, Amy Tankersley, Elizabeth Hasseler, and Brandon Helding

Abstract:
With the Next Generation Science Standards, researchers must understand which science teacher characteristics and ecological factors support advancing such reform initiatives. In a 4-year longitudinal study of beginning and mid-career science teachers we adopted a multi-method approach to investigate effective and equitable instructional practices. We analyzed transcripts, administered a professional development survey, observed science lessons, and documented weeks of lessons. Findings included (a) SMK measures by subject area contributed to explaining variability in teachers’ inquiry-based instruction; (b) summaries of exemplary NGSS-aligned science lessons demonstrated how teachers taught in diverse classrooms; (c) teacher and classroom variables influenced teachers use of scientific practices (examples of how those practices were integrated into the classroom); and (d) science teachers needed to go out of districts to gain content-specific PD and their total amount of PD contributed significantly to continued improvements in teaching science.

Time: Friday, 2/28, from 12:10-1:30pm
Place: 32 Henzlik Hall