Science teachers: We got you.聽
鈥淭eaching through a pandemic called for so much innovation, resilience, and sacrifice,鈥� Eric Cross, host of the podcast Science Connections and a K鈥�8 science teacher who鈥檚 spent 10 years in the classroom.聽
“As education continues to evolve with new technologies like artificial intelligence, [teachers] keep rising to meet each moment with wisdom and courage.”
And with that innovation in mind, we鈥檙e here to get you ready to go back to school.聽
From fun classroom activities to professional learning opportunities, our strategies are designed to help you walk back into your science classrooms feeling energized, inspired, and supported by a science community.聽
As Cross says: 鈥淲e鈥檙e all in this together.鈥澛�
1. First-day fun: Plan interactive classroom activities. How about some Icebreaker Bingo? Create a Bingo card that invites students to find classmates who can answer 鈥測es鈥� to science-related descriptions (e.g., “Has a pet reptile,” “Enjoys stargazing”). Activities like these help students uncover common interests while also providing background knowledge. They can also remind students that science doesn鈥檛 just happen in the science classroom鈥攊t鈥檚 an integral part of their lives and worlds, too.
2. Student success: Work with school colleagues and leadership toward shared goals. Review what systems may already be in place and consider adding more. You might:聽
- Schedule regular team meetings to set and work toward common goals.
- Establish a professional learning community to share science resources for teachers.
- Amp up the use of data to inform decisions. Ask your team: What student performance data and assessment results can we use to see where improvements are needed?
Approaches like these will help build a network of support for science learning, and support every educator in taking steps to help students grow.
3. Set the tone for the year: We are scientists. You might have learned science by starting with a principle and then exploring it in the real world. Today, we know it鈥檚 more effective to start by observing a phenomenon, then trying to predict or explain it. In fact, that鈥檚 what scientists do. And when your students do that, they become scientists, too. Let students know from day one that that鈥檚 who they are to help them start the year motivated and engaged.
4. Cultivate community: Build a science ecosystem. Find ways to involve caregivers in student learning and create a continuum between the classroom and their everyday lives. You might:聽
- Collaborate with students on writing a weekly science newsletter or blog with classroom updates and suggested at-home activities.
- Organize family science days or nights (IRL or online) for students and caregivers to do some hands-on science together.
- Create simple but engaging science challenges for students and caregivers to do together. (Paper airplane distance contest, anyone?)
5. Use free professional learning opportunities for teachers from Amplify Science. Explore upcoming , designed to support you鈥攁long with your schools and districts鈥攊n using collaborative, effective, and engaging science practices in the classroom. You鈥檒l hear from thought leaders in science education, observe real science students in K鈥�5 classrooms, and much more.聽
Ready to dive into professional learning right away? Check out our on-demand science webinar library. From quick tips to longer continuing education (CE) credit options, our on-demand webinar library is sure to have just what you need.
Free science resource toolkit聽
Our will make it even easier for you to implement all of the tips above while setting science students up for success. These resources aren鈥檛 just for teachers鈥攁dministrators and caregivers can use them, too! A robust science program means giving the right tools to not only those who teach, but everyone who supports students鈥� science learning. The resources in the toolkit will:
- Help you craft a dynamic science curriculum during the crucial first weeks of school.
- Support student engagement and spark new inspiration in your classroom practices and activities.
- Offer learning opportunities you can access now or on demand whenever you need them.
We hope these resources will serve you and your young scientists all year long!聽
