An Introduction

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HER A five-year National Science Foundation grant for the advancement of science education throughout Northwest Washington The North Cascades and Olympic Science Partnership is dedicated to the improvement of teaching and learning in both K-12 and higher education, resulting in ever-increasing science competencies for all students and teachers.

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HER K-12 Institutions 28 School Districts – Whatcom County (8), Skagit County (7), and the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsula (13) 2 Education Service Districts – NWESD189 (Whatcom and Skagit Districts) and OESD114 (Peninsula Districts) Partners

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HER Institutions of Higher Education Western Washington University Everett Community College Northwest Indian College Skagit Valley College Whatcom Community College Partners

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HER Supporting Agencies Washington State LASER Washington State MESA Naval Undersea Museum Foundation Partners

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HER All students succeed in challenging science curriculum aligned with standards. 2.Administrators understand and support science education reform goals and programs. 3.Knowledgeable and confident teachers use curriculum with integrity and fidelity. 4.The quantity, quality and diversity of teachers entering the workforce increases through effective recruitment, preparation, and retention. 5.Science education research provides evidence-based contributions to the learning and teaching knowledge base. Partnership Goals

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HER Teacher Leaders from every elementary, middle and high school support building-based professional development for teachers 1.Personal professional development 2.Leadership within school and district Teacher Leaders

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HER Summer Academy 3 summers – 3 content strands Physical science Life Science Earth Science Goals: Build content knowledge Provide support for implementing new strategies and sharing this knowledge with other teachers. Develop leadership skills Teacher Leaders – Professional Development

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HER Learning Community Forums Monthly meetings bring together Teacher Leaders, colleagues and administration Identify and expand understanding of best practices in science teaching Leadership in science teaching Teacher Leaders – Professional Development

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HER Personal Practice and Reflection Release time to develop science practice Work with Teacher on Special Assignment to further science practice Fulfill District requirements related to the grant Teacher Leaders – Professional Development

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HER Lesson Study Professional development model initiated in Japanese schools, in which teachers collaboratively plan, observe and debrief a lesson A collaborative process for doing action research in a classroom setting Uses a lesson as a window into student learning Ends in generalized findings about student learning Teacher Leaders – Professional Development

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HER Share experiences and learning Whole school presentation Demonstration lessons with grade level/department Lesson Study Teacher Leaders – Leadership