Oysterponds School District

Oysterponds hosting science standards symposium

The Oysterponds Elementary School District in Orient is hosting the area’s first regional professional development session to discuss science teaching and learning techniques Oct. 10.

The symposium’s goal is to “foster a collaborative atmosphere among science teachers and school districts on the North Fork” and will discuss details about the Next Generation of Science Standards, or NGSS, according to a press release.

Nearly 15 years in the making, the standards were designed by a consortium of groups, including the National Research Council, National Science Teachers Association and American Association for the Advancement of Science, and they emphasize hands-on learning, as well as the development of students’ critical examination of scientific data, school officials said.

The discussion will be conducted by Barry Kluger-Bell, an independent science consultant and member of the national advisory committee that developed NGSS.

“This is a perfect opportunity to host a regional professional development session,” Superintendent Richard Malone said in a statement. “With Dr. Kluger-Bell as our mentor during the past few years, Oysterponds has seen measurable success in our school utilizing the NGSS model. Teachers and students are excited and engaged and we look forward to sharing our ideas and expanding upon them with teaching professionals in our area.”

The event is scheduled for Oct. 10 between 1 to 2:45 p.m. at the elementary school.

For more information, email Oysterponds STEM coordinator Jennifer Wissemann at [email protected].

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