C-Elementary Science -MS Wayne Fisher Elementary Science Specialist

“ My mission is to help teachers be better teachers, students better students, schools better schools, and the world a better place.” Wayne Fisher, Elementary Science Specialist

Who Am I?

A few quotes…. “Teaching is about sharing, caring, and daring”. “Teaching is about sharing, caring, and daring”. “Leaders know the way, show the way and go the way”. “Leaders know the way, show the way and go the way”. “To the world you may be just one person to one person you may be the world”. “To the world you may be just one person to one person you may be the world”.

Something to share -- AIDA! get their Attention! get their Attention! create an Interest! create an Interest! Deliver the goods! Deliver the goods! Call for Action! Call for Action!

A TTENTION! Only 66.8% of our 9,210 5 th students were at grade level on the NC EOG Science in Only 66.8% of our 9,210 5 th students were at grade level on the NC EOG Science in In 27 schools, less than 50% of students were at grade level. In 27 schools, less than 50% of students were at grade level. The Superintendent’s Strategic Plan sets the bar at 80% of our students at or above grade level by The Superintendent’s Strategic Plan sets the bar at 80% of our students at or above grade level by 2010.

CREATE an I NTEREST Would you be interested in a way to help our students perform at grade level on the 5 th grade Science EOG while also improving writing, reading and math scores in all grades? Would you be interested in a way to help our students perform at grade level on the 5 th grade Science EOG while also improving writing, reading and math scores in all grades?

D ELIVER the GOODS! Research data indicate that students in schools with strong science programs show significant growth in literacy skills as well as science and math. Research data indicate that students in schools with strong science programs show significant growth in literacy skills as well as science and math. The CMS Strategic Plan 2010 includes an expectation that K5 students will receive 45 minutes of science instruction three times a week. The CMS Strategic Plan 2010 includes an expectation that K5 students will receive 45 minutes of science instruction three times a week.

More Goods! CMS is moving in the right direction. CMS is moving in the right direction. “Obstacles to Overcome” have been identified. “Obstacles to Overcome” have been identified. “Strategies for Success” have been recommended. “Strategies for Success” have been recommended. “Policies, Programs, Projects, People” are available to implement success strategies. “Policies, Programs, Projects, People” are available to implement success strategies.

My Role as the K-5 Science Guy! Catalyst for Change – Chief Cheerleader! Catalyst for Change – Chief Cheerleader! Building Science Leadership Capacity Building Science Leadership Capacity Establish a Science Leadership Corps. Establish a Science Leadership Corps. Keep a Focus on the Big Picture. Keep a Focus on the Big Picture. Develop Key Relationships Across District. Develop Key Relationships Across District. Design New Ways to Work Together. Design New Ways to Work Together.

Distributive Leadership Model Sensemaking – understand the context in which we are operating Sensemaking – understand the context in which we are operating Relating – develop relationships within the district Relating – develop relationships within the district Visioning – create a compelling picture of the future Visioning – create a compelling picture of the future Inventing – develop new ways to work together Inventing – develop new ways to work together

CALL for ACTION! Help me build leadership capacity: ensure that your lead teacher for each grade level subscribes to their science listserve. Help me build leadership capacity: ensure that your lead teacher for each grade level subscribes to their science listserve. Work with me to implement new pilot programs to excite students about learning through science. Work with me to implement new pilot programs to excite students about learning through science. Encourage your teachers to take advantage of the professional development opportunities to increase teacher and student interest in science. Encourage your teachers to take advantage of the professional development opportunities to increase teacher and student interest in science.

Growth of EOG Scores %baseline %baseline % % % % % %

Closer Look at 2011 EOG Science # schools in with +10% improvement in % students at level III/IV … 20 schools ( best improvements … , +33.6, yeah!!!! ) # schools in with -10+% in scores from results -- 6 schools # schools in with scores + 2% or higher than results …. 56 That’s good!!! # schools in with scores -2% or lower than results …. 25 …. Need to work on that! # schools in with scores between – 2% and + 2% from results ….. 18.

What made a difference in growth of EOG scores? Focus on best practices Focus on best practices –Using inquiry based learning –Emphasizing reading and writing in science –Leveraging technology –Using formative assessments

Specific STEM Initiatives Making time for science! Making time for science! Professional Development focused on building content knowledge and pedagogy. Professional Development focused on building content knowledge and pedagogy. SITE Science K-2 SITE Science K-2 SITE Science 3-5 SITE Science 3-5 NASA STEM Educators’ Workshop NASA STEM Educators’ Workshop UNCC K-8 Science Conference UNCC K-8 Science Conference 5 th Grade Science Conference 5 th Grade Science Conference

Getting Students Excited! Science Olympiad, It’s Elementary! Science Olympiad, It’s Elementary! Camp Invention! Camp Invention! Engineering Is Elementary! Engineering Is Elementary! STEMpalooza! -- LegoRobotics STEMpalooza! -- LegoRobotics Science/Engineering Fairs Science/Engineering Fairs STEM Days at School STEM Days at School K’Nex K-8 Construction K’Nex K-8 Construction

District-Wide Support Sharing Information Sharing Information –Elementary Science Listserves K/2, 2/3, 4/5 handscience/Pages/Listserv.aspx handscience/Pages/Listserv.aspx handscience/Pages/Listserv.aspx handscience/Pages/Listserv.aspx –Elementary Science Wiki

Other Best of Best Resources Discovery Education Discovery Education – NCDPI K-5 Curriculum Units NCDPI K-5 Curriculum Units – ence/units/ ence/units/ ence/units/ Yammer.com Yammer.com

Final quotes… “Push the ones you care about, thank the ones who care enough to push”. “Push the ones you care about, thank the ones who care enough to push”. “Reach for the highest, Strive for the best, Live day by day, and to _____ leave the rest”. “Reach for the highest, Strive for the best, Live day by day, and to _____ leave the rest”. “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” George Halas “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” George Halas