Upcoming Events in PA
In September 2019, the State Board of Education directed the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to begin the process of updating Pennsylvania’s science standards to align them with current research and best practices, including a review of Next Generation Science Standards. The State Board of Education’s current regulations include two sets of science standards – Science and Technology, and, Environment and Ecology – which serve as the basis for curriculum development and instruction in schools. Both sets of standards took effect on January 5, 2002.
PDE will examine the state’s current standards, outline the various components that must be addressed when changing regulations, and develop a proposed timeline for making the changes – with the overall goal being to provide the best framework possible to prepare all students to be productive citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PDE’s examination of the current standards includes input from the public. A series of stakeholder engagement sessions will be held across the state and virtually – the public is invited to attend and provide input. The stakeholder session dates, times, and locations appears below.
Register to attend a stakeholder session
PSTA understands the complication of these sessions being during the day since most of the stakeholders are teachers. We highly recommend participating in the virtual sessions to share your thoughts and input with PDE.
Click here to access the survey created by PDE for all educators' feedback.
Sustainable Science and Green Chemistry Workshop (Pittsburgh, PA) - Saturday, March 21st from 9 am - 1 pm
On Saturday, March 21, the SACP and the SSP are sponsoring a 4-hour hands-on Beyond Benign teacher workshop on making high school chemistry labs greener at Sewickley Academy. Teachers will receive supplies to take home and use in their own classrooms. The flyer gives all the details. Sign-up is limited to 25 teachers. Registration has been extended until March 17th!
Interdisciplinary Materials Research Experience for Teachers Program (RET)
Highly motivated teachers are wanted to engage in hands-on research projects with Penn State University faculty and graduate students in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, and Nanotechnology. Currently employed educators and pre-service teachers with expertise and broad interests across the disciplines of engineering, technology, science and math are eligible and encouraged to apply!
Dates: June 22 – July 31, 2020 (6 weeks, 35 hours per week)
Stipend: $6000 ($5000 for pre-service teachers)
Housing and a reasonable travel allowance is provided for non-local participants. (Meals are not included.)
Program Details & Application Information: See this flier and go to the program website - https://sites.psu.edu/materialsret/
Application Deadline: Friday, April 10th
Opportunities with Center for Science and the Schools
Summer: 2-5 day summer workshops engaging teachers with STEM scientists and engineers at Penn State University Park or Penn State Harrisburg, we also have an opportunity in Colorado!) https://csats.psu.edu/overview-of-csats-programs/summer-workshops
Summer (15 spots available!): 7 week research experience for teachers program at Penn State University Park, Penn State Harrisburg, and Penn State Cancer Institute – this is a really great way to dive into working closely with a scientist/engineer and we help teachers translate their experience into a meaningful classroom project weaving in their curriculum/standards and science/engineering practices. Teachers can earn up to $6500, and will be provided with funds for their materials for their classroom projects: https://csats.psu.edu/overview-of-csats-programs/research-experiences-for-teachers
For more information about the different programs from CSATS, see the following fliers: