In this workshop, we will explore several phenomena-based hands-on science activities developed by the Exploratorium Teacher Institute, known as science snacks. We will apply an equity lens to draw connections from the scientific phenomena to some social phenomena. Participants will learn to make metaphorical connections between the science of perception and equitable teaching practices, which will help in science teacher professional development, science teaching, and also in public outreach.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to make metaphorical connections between the science of perception and equitable teaching practices

SPEAKERS:
Eric Muller, Desiré Whitmore, Rachel Myers

What does it mean to teach science in ways that honor students’ cultural identities, lived experiences, and language resources? In this session, participants will explore how culturally competent science teaching creates more meaningful and equitable opportunities for students to engage as sensemakers. Using classroom examples and instructional routines, we will examine how students’ language practices—such as sharing noticings, asking questions, and building ideas together—can be intentionally leveraged to support rigorous, phenomenon-based science learning. Participants will reflect on their own instructional choices and consider practical moves that help all students use language to make their thinking visible and see themselves as capable contributors to scientific understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with concrete approaches for designing and facilitating science instruction that values students’ cultural and linguistic assets, strengthens engagement, and supports equitable participation in classroom sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Gomez Zwiep, Rachel Myers

Need to Complete

TAKEAWAYS:
Need to Complete

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Myers

o Explore integrated professional learning models that center joy, relevance, and collaboration. This session highlights innovative approaches to professional learning that bring educators across disciplines together to explore environmentally focused phenomena and connect science, mathematics, computer science, and the arts through outdoor learning. Hear firsthand from County Office educators who will share how this approach became a catalyst for reimagining professional learning in their local contexts, resulting in redesigned PL that is more engaging, collaborative, and impactful. Participating educators will engage in activities that model outdoor- and arts-connected learning and explore planning tools and supporting resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with practical strategies and ready-to-use tools that build educator confidence and deepen student engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Chelsea Cochrane, Rachel Myers

You’ve heard of NGSS-ing your instruction, but have you heard of JEDI-ing your lessons?  Join us to explore how to embed Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion into your existing instructional practices to improve accessibility for all students.  Participants will collaborate to explore learning experiences that have embedded JEDI practices and how they address the pedagogical needs of California’s various student populations. Participants will reflect on their own practices to improve accessibility, foster equitable outcomes, and adapt learning objectives for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience & explore practical ways to integrate elements of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion into your learning sequence to make science relevant and meaningful to your students.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Myers

Come learn directly from California schools and districts who have successfully integrated science into their elementary programs. These schools have seen positive benefits in reading, attendance, and science scores. Engage in examples of hands-on learning that promote literacy and hear from teachers and leaders in a panel discussion.

TAKEAWAYS:
Schools can successfully integrate science in Elementary grades and have a positive impact on literacy, attendance, and test scores.

SPEAKERS:
Peter A'Hearn, Melissa Marcucci, Rachel Myers

This session will introduce participants to the CA NGSS Toolkit for Student-Centered Assessment, a compilation of tools, processes, and resources designed to support educators at the district and classroom level in developing and implementing formative and summative assessment tasks that align to the NGSS. Participants will learn about ways the toolkit has been utilized to build assessment literacy in educators and support them in creating classroom performance assessments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave the session with several resources to support assessment task development as well as examples of classroom ready assessment tasks developed by San Diego County educators.

SPEAKERS:
John Spiegel, Rachel Myers

This session models an equitably designed professional learning experience that reflects the instructional shifts of the NGSS. Participants will engage in strategies that promote access and deep understanding for all learners, then apply these ideas to plan how they will support implementation of best practices for upper elementary science instruction within their own local contexts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to design and implement NGSS-aligned professional learning that is equitable, actionable, and tailored to support upper elementary teachers in applying best practices within their local school contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Roy, Rachel Myers

Join this interactive session to examine how environmental literacy as operationalized through the free California-focused Seeds to Solutions units, can serve as a bridge across statewide efforts—from civic engagement to the Native American Model Curriculum to science implementation. Participants will analyze examples and consider how to bring this integrated approach to their own classrooms, schools, and districts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore how to braid together statewide efforts (e.g., civic engagement, Native American model curriculum, and science implementation) using Seeds to Solutions instructional units.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Steele, Rachel Myers

Come to this session to engage in an introduction to the California Association of Science Educators (CASE) and the many ways educators can get involved beyond their learning spaces. Participants will explore how CASE supports professional learning, leadership development, and advocacy for high-quality science education across California. Attendees will leave with clear pathways for engagement through committees, events, and statewide initiatives connected to the California Pathway: Equity in Action.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain a clear understanding of CASE’s mission and impact and leave with concrete, actionable ways to engage in professional learning, leadership, and advocacy opportunities that support equitable, high-quality science education across California.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Marcucci

Join fellow California science educators for an informal meet-up focused on building community, sharing experiences, and advancing equitable opportunities for science learning across roles and learning spaces. This session offers a relaxed space to connect, collaborate, and strengthen networks that support inclusive and high-quality science education throughout California.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will build meaningful connections with fellow California science educators and leave with strengthened relationships, shared insights, and collaborative ideas to support inclusive, equitable, and high-quality science education across diverse roles and learning spaces.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Marcucci

This workshop explores storytelling as a tool for science teaching and cross-content integration. Educators will examine strategies that bring concepts to life, reflect on how narrative fosters belonging and STEM identity, and strategize ways to integrate storytelling into their teaching contexts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand how intentional storytelling in science education can be leveraged as a powerful, integrative strategy and leave with concrete ideas for applying storytelling within their own roles and contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Smith, Rachel Myers

This session highlights California’s statewide CAL-MSCS initiative and its approach to building systemwide capacity and infrastructure through leadership-centered professional learning in science. Participants will explore strategies used to cultivate and sustain inclusive science leadership communities, examine early indicators of statewide impact, and learn from lessons emerging through CAL-MSCS Communities of Practice and the Science Leadership Series.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with practical insights into how coherent, inclusive leadership structures can strengthen professional learning systems and advance equitable, high-quality instructional improvement at scale.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Smith, Rachel Myers

This session engages participants in applying the CAL-MSCS Science Equity Matrix to professional learning, making equity moves explicit, actionable, and sustainable while empowering leaders to transform beliefs into practice and foster equitable, high-impact science learning across their communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about a tool that guides professional learning facilitators to make explicit equity moves in their professional learning.

SPEAKERS:
Maria Simani, Rachel Myers