Week 1


1. What did you learn this week? 
    This week I learned about the NGSS and Engineering Practices. I learned that these are important because the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices provide a framework for building the essential skills that will serve students throughout their lives, in both professional and personal contexts. 

2. How can I apply what I've learned to my teaching in the future? 
    Incorporating the nGSS Science and Engineering Practices into my teaching can significantly enhance student engagement and learning. Rather than focusing solely on memorization, I can promote inquiry-based learning by encouraging students to ask questions and explore scientific concepts through hands-on activities. I can also encourage students to analyze data and use evidence to support claims. By focusing on the process of learning - through questioning, designing, analyzing, and refining - I can help students become critical thinkers and problem-solvers who are equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow! 

3. What are new or remaining questions? 
    There are a few remaining questions that I have regarding this topic. For example, How can I effectively integrate SEPs across diverse grade levels? Or, How can us teachers balance the depth of content with the engagement of practices? How can I foster a growth mindset in the context of NGSS practices? Lastly, How can I evaluate the effectiveness of SEPs in improving student outcomes? These questions reflect both the exiting possibilities and the ongoing challenges of implementing the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices. As the field evolves, educators and researchers will continue to seek answers, refine strategies, and find innovative ways to ensure that all students can successfully engage with the practices in meaningful and impactful ways.

Above you can find a picture my group and I drew about our dream classroom. We highlighted flexible seating, a calm down corner, words of affirmation, and of course a reading nook. We thought long and hard about our classroom display and each of these elements have a special meaning to what we want our classroom to look like. I can't wait to look back on this drawing when I have my own classroom to see how it compares to my one in real-life! 

Comments

  1. Madison NiemiecJanuary 23, 2025 at 9:20 AM

    I also learned a lot about NGSS this week in lab! I had no prior knowledge of it, and have already learned the power that it holds to engage, empower, and teach students many different topics in science! Also, your questions that you posed really inspired me to think about the future and how science and schools are consistently evolving. Thank you for asking those questions, and including the TEP core principles and their aspects in your questions.

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  2. Audrey WardJanuary 23, 2025 at 5:54 PM

    Hi Macy! I like how to mentioned that you would promote inquiry-based learning because I think that it is a great way for students to become more within their own learning. The clam down corner and flexible seating are great additions to your classroom layout because they can make the students feel more comfortable in the classroom. I am also wondering how to integrate or apply the standards in ways that meet every students needs.

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  3. Kylie HamersJanuary 25, 2025 at 9:48 AM

    Hi Macy! I agree when you still have questions regarding how in-depth we go, depending on the age level. I think it will take experience to get to know our students' capabilities to determine how in-depth we go. Also, I had the same question regarding how we find a balance between the core concept we are required to teach and staying within the guidelines that NGSS has laid out for us. One thing I found helpful was looking up lesson plans teachers have made to make sure students are conducting their own learning but are still receiving the knowledge they are required to learn.

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