Contemporary Science in the Classroom
Yelm Community Schools
OUTCOME
All 9th and 10th grade science students across the whole of the Yelm school district engaged in classroom activities that supported them to explore real-world science including ocean acidification and aquaponics. They engaged with the science and considered the implications for our planet.
WHY?
All 20 high school science teachers engaged in over 50 hours of professional development experiences focused on increasing their understanding of and ability to enact the state science learning standards and exploring their relationship to the work and practices of STEM Professionals. A pivotal experience for the teachers was a field trip to ISB to engage with scientists and learn about ISB’s curricular resources that bring contemporary science to the classroom.
WHY?
8 STEM professionals collaborated with educators and students to create curricular resources that support students to engage with real-world scientific challenges as scientists do. The STEM professionals further supported teachers from Yelm Community Schools in face-to-face interactions that ignited the teachers’ curiosity and deepened their understanding.
WHY?
ISB Education worked with district leaders to create a vision for science education that meets the needs of the Yelm students and a plan for achieving that vision.
WHY?
3 principals and 2 district leaders value quality science education and sought out professional learning partners to help their whole system grow and learn.