Air: The Atmosphere Outside and Inside Your Classroom
This course focuses explicitly on the teaching practices that support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) instruction.
Gain a deeper understanding of climate, atmosphere, and their relationship with the Earth. This AIR course is about the teaching practices that support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) instruction. Learn how to facilitate student ownership of their learning by using NGSS teaching methods.
Intended Audience: 3rd-8th grade teachers of science who have a strong desire to improve their science teaching pedagogy and a mindset that all students deserve access to high-quality, rigorous science learning experiences.
Schedule: Includes five eight-hour in-person days at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and four hour-long virtual check-ins between October 2, 2024 and May 1, 2025.
Cost: We want to provide easy access to our courses for teachers from underserved schools. Therefore, the AIR course is FREE for applicants from Priority Schools*. Participants from all other schools can apply for a scholarship to pay the $2500 tuition.
What You Get: Course participants receive instructional resources, classroom materials, course instruction, and meals and parking on course days. Participants will be eligible to receive reimbursement for the cost of substitutes and up to two field trip buses per participant.
* Priority Schools are defined as schools that are Title I eligible or whose total student population is at least 70% Black and/or Hispanic or Latino.
Throughout the course, teachers will:
- Develop an understanding of teaching practices that support the type of instruction needed in an NGSS classroom.
- Work with their peers in a supported learning community to build their knowledge and skills in teaching methods and subject matter.
- Experience lessons based on real-life situations that demonstrate teaching and learning in three dimensions that support NGSS and are appropriate for students in grades 3 to 8.
- Implement new practices in their classrooms and have discussions with a virtual professional learning community between course days.
- Create and maintain learning environments that support students as they take responsibility for their own learning.
- Improve fluency in climate patterns and how they are influenced by the interaction of the Earth's spheres.
- Analyze local and global data to make conclusions about real-world impacts.
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS1: Earth’s Place in the Universe
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
ESS2: Earth’s Systems
ESS2.A: Earth’s Materials and Systems
ESS2.D: Weather and Climate
PS1: Matter and Its Interactions
PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
Next offered
Registration for fall 2024 closed on September 15.
Next session TBA.
