March/April Expert Panel: Science Across the Elementary Grades and Why It’s so Important

Overview Blog Expert Panel Resources Synthesis Brief

Recorded March 17, 2020 at 3:30PM EDT

 

 

Description: In this 60-minute webinar, we explore the many ways that students benefit from high-quality science learning experiences across the elementary grades. We also look at how missing out on science sets students back, and how to improve classroom experiences in this regard. Drawing on the expertise of teacher leaders and researchers who presented their work in the STEM for All Video Showcase, we examine strategies for increasing science teaching in elementary school with attention paid to the integration of science with ELA and mathematics.

This panel is moderated by Abigail Jurist Levy, leader of the Coalition for Elementary Science Education at EDC. Our panelists are drawn from two NSF funded projects. The first project, Promoting Students' Spatial Thinking in Upper Elementary Grades using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is represented by the PI May Jadallah and the educator Shannon McCloud. The second project, An Integrated Instructional Model for Accelerating Student Achievement in Science and Literacy in Grades 1-2, is represented by the PI Nancy Romance. Our panel will provide researcher and practitioner perspectives.

 

MODERATOR AND PANELIST BIOS

Moderator:

Abigail Jurist Levy, leader of the Coalition for Elementary Science Education at EDC, is a nationally known researcher and expert in science education. She is frequently called upon to share her expertise in effective approaches to science teaching and learning, and her research advances knowledge of conditions, policies, and programs that help educators promote students’ success.

 

Panelists:

May Jadallah is an associate professor of educational psychology in the School of Teaching and Learning and an associate director of the Center of Science, Mathematics and Technology at Illinois State University. Her research explores the integration of science, social studies, mathematics, and literacy in the elementary grades. She also explores how technology and peer collaboration can both be used to increase student motivation to learn and problem-solve. In addition to receiving an NSF grant to support her research, she served as a panel reviewer for NSF ITEST (Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers) program. View her video here: https://multiplex.videohall.com/presentations/664/1886

Shannon McCloud, is in her 18th year of teaching in Springfield Public School District 186. She has taught 1st-5th grade, while spending two years out of the classroom as an Instructional Coach, working with teachers in all curricular areas. She has held many positions within her school and district such as Math Lead, Science Facilitator, Instructional Leadership Team, STEAM chair, Standards Based Report Card trainer. Her passion for teaching and learning lies in the realm of STEAM- integrated curriculum based on inquiry and problem based learning.

Dr. Nancy Romance is Professor of Science Learning in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Director of Florida Atlantic University’s STEM Collaborative. In addition to K-12 teaching and serving as a district K-12 science supervisor, she has had a multi-year research agenda funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF IERI from 2003 -2010, and NSF DR-K12 from 2013-2018). Her work in literacy has been funded by the USDOE - IES. The integrated science and literacy model, Science IDEAS, demonstrates that increasing time for meaningful science learning and inquiry with reading and writing has a multiplier effect on achievement outcomes. View her video here: https://multiplex.videohall.com/presentations/742/1886