The Vision Behind the NGSS
The vision behind the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to use the science they learn in school to make sense of the natural world outside the classroom. NGSS-aligned lessons are driven by natural phenomena, observable events that can be explained using science. Students learn how to use Crosscutting Concepts to guide their thinking about these phenomena. They engage in Science Practices and use Core Ideas to investigate how and why these natural phenomena occur and support their explanations with arguments. In addition, the NGSS includes Engineering Practices so that students learn to define engineering problems and develop, test, and optimize solutions for them.
What You Should Know About Our Professional Development
All workshops follow recommendations of the latest National Academies Reports on “Science and Engineering in Pre-School through Elementary Grades” and "Science and Engineering for Grades 6-12: Investigation and Design at the Center". In addition, we continue to incorporate what we are learning about NGSS implementation through our work with thousands of teachers in New Jersey and across the nation
We recommend sending teams of 3-5 teachers to at least three one-day workshops or the NGSS Summer Institute to develop a solid foundation for the NGSS. Dates, online registration, logistics, and detailed information about our professional development offerings are provided below.
NGSS Workshop Series for the 2022-2023 school year
We offer a series of workshops for K-12 teachers and supervisors on how to support students as they investigate phenomena. Through these workshops, we will model what NGSS-aligned instruction may look like. All workshops are for grades K-12 and include interactive presentations, investigations, small group discussions, practice, and planning by grade level.
The workshops will be led by Dr. Wil van der Veen, author and a nationally recognized expert on the NGSS and science education. Participants will work in small groups that are facilitated by experienced classroom teachers from our NGSS Teacher Leader Program. The fee is $125 per workshop and participants will receive 5 PDU’s for completing each workshop.
For more information about the NGSS Workshop Series click here
To register click here
Climate Change Workshop Series 2022-2023
We offer a series of workshops for K-12 teachers and supervisors on how to support students as they investigate and make sense of Climate Change related phenomena in the classroom. Through these workshops, we will explore how K-12 educators can meet the increased focus on Climate Change in the revised New Jersey Students Learning Standards for Science (NJSLS-S).
For more information about the Climate Change Workshop Series click here
To register click here
NGSS/NJSLS Administrators’ Workshop (September 14, 9 AM – 3 PM)
Join us on Wednesday, September 14 for a “tour” of what you need to know about the revised NGSS/NJSLS for Science and how they are implemented in NJ classrooms.
For more information about the NGSS/NJSLS Administrators’ Workshop click here
To register click here
Workshops Cancellation policy: If you are unable to attend a workshop for which you are registered, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible – but within five (5) business days. Cancellations received within less than five (5) business days from the date of the workshop will not be eligible for a credit or refund and will be billed. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
