Summer 2024 California Classroom Science – Vol. 36 Issue 4
President's Message
Reflections and Fresh Horizons
Often, we take the summer to reflect on the past school year. What went well and maybe what challenges we faced. What will we do differently next year? How best to build relationships with students to foster a safe, inclusive environment where all students can grow and learn?
Legislative Update
Keeping You Informed: Assembly Bill 2640 (Dissection)
In the March Edition of California Classroom Science, CASE published seven articles giving different perspectives on the topic of dissection. There was also a survey in which we asked readers to share their perspectives. Most respondents to the survey felt that dissection was a valuable classroom teaching tool that gave students real experience and…
FYI
DEI Summer Assignment: Reflecting on Our Practices
The end of the school year is always a bittersweet transition. We are simultaneously thinking of the next school year as the eternal New Year’s Day of the future while reminiscing about the children who are walking out our doors, potentially for the last time.
5 Criteria for Selecting Great Teaching Phenomena
Phenomenon-based learning is a central component of the Next Generation Science Standards, and it’s a great practice: when we use real-world experiences and questions to introduce a science topic, students engage much more deeply.
My Experiences as an Eclipse Ambassador
The Solar Eclipse on April 8th was visible in parts of Mexico, United States & Eastern Canada. I wanted to share the eclipse with the students and families of my community.
A Multicultural and Multi-Sensory Eclipse Experience
I wanted to organize an eclipse event for students and families to experience the April 8 eclipse. Unlike other places where astronomers and astronomy sets were accessible to the public, I had to organize the eclipse event and presentation by myself. Despite this, I gathered the courage to accept the challenge with open arms, owing to the training…
Empowering Every Student: Supporting All Learners for CAST Success
As science educators, our mission is not just to teach but to inspire, engage, and empower every student to thrive in an ever-evolving world. With the forthcoming inclusion of science as a metric on the “Dashboard”, the California Science Test (CAST) is now an increasingly important element of this mission as we work to gauge students' facility…
Increasing Student Awareness of Coral Reef Conservation with Inquiry and Participatory Education
Imagine traveling with your students to a coral reef to investigate the effects of climate change, then returning equipped with expertise in coral conservation. How can we teach youth to care about this important asset that resides far away from their urban life? Kids are passionate about issues that affect them; so let us start there.
Region 1 Events
Region 1: Parents - Partners and Allies
We often overlook one of the most vital partners in education: parents, especially those of underserved children. By developing parent advocate leaders, we can empower them to champion more STEM education and equitable services, ensuring a better future for their children and communities.
Region 4 Events
Region 4 Update: Summer 2024
As summer begins, embrace the bittersweet farewells of graduation and the thrill of a few weeks without alarms. Consider picking up a new hobby, starting a gratitude journal, or diving into your reading list. Explore local environmental phenomena to inspire your students next year.
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California Classroom Science
CASE's signature publication, is an electronic publication that is produced bimonthly. The publication consists of mostly original content produced by CASE members and provides information of interest to California science educators.
CCS is packed with information, news, resources, ideas, and activities of current interest to science educators. CCS is delivered to CASE members electronically via e-mail and is available on our website for all to enjoy.
Science Classroom Move
CASE’s newsletter, California Classroom Science, has always had great articles about resources, lessons, planning tools, and issues in science education. But sometimes the things that help us the most are the little things: A classroom move. This is a new interactive column that allows you to share those little moves. We’d love to hear from all of you!