2020 Mini Conference

When it comes to phenomena, one size does not fit all. The CA Science Framework encourages teachers to swap out generic phenomena for local phenomena. In this fun, hands-on workshop, participants learned what makes a good phenomenon  and how to  customize lessons to their students regardless of what curriculum is being used. Everyday, investigative, and anchoring phenomena were covered. 

Participants learned more about what’s going on in our local environment to get ideas for local phenomena, including some of the many non-profit groups, community partners, and free resources that are available to teachers to help them integrate the local environment into their teaching 

Participants enjoyed an outdoor exploration of exciting local phenomena using The Beatles Program, a three dimensional tool from the Lawrence Hall of Science 

Participants learned about using literature, photos, videos, and hands-on discrepant events to introduce phenomena and practices framing guiding questions using crosscutting concepts in this fun, hands-on workshop . 

 Participants explored Motor Lab and Grid Games, part of the free, standards-aligned PEAK Student Energy Actions curricula, to help teach students about environmental education, conservation, and energy efficiency 

 Using specimens from the Western Foundation for Vertebrate Zoology, a museum right in our own backyard, participants observes, sketched, compared, contrasted, and identified birds from Southern California using field guides. They learned techniques for using birds to engage students in practicing skills like carrying out investigations, looking for patterns, and analyzing and interpreting data while learning more about anatomy, taxonomy, ecology, and evolution