PESI Goals and Action Plan Update

As we wind down 2020, we are starting to look forward to the new year, and with that comes a review of our annual goals and action plan. Even with so many challenges this year, we have been very successful in accomplishing some of our goals and actions. We hope you will join us at our next meeting (date TBD – late November or early December) to reflect on our last year and work on renewing goals and actions for 2021.
 
Our 2020 Action Plan included:

1. Support TUSD Science Center in K-8 science curricula that provides an equitable science program for all students throughout the district.  Through our volunteers assisting with the new science curriculum materials, we will have provided more than 500 hours of support through this year. With these efforts, we are contributing to high quality science curriculum materials and resources being provided for every K-8 student in TUSD.
2. Support and assist with teacher professional development for classroom implementation of core science curriculum. PESI and Cooper Center for Environmental Learning collaborated to provide two workshops in spring 2020 focused on helping teachers plan for implementation of science instruction that meets the new AZ State Science Standards. Additionally, teachers increased their knowledge of 3-dimensional and phenomena-based science instruction, using best practices in science education to engage students and help them make sense of their world. In October-November 2020, PESI Instructors and Cooper Center staff will facilitate a unique nature journaling workshop that will promote the intersections of science, art, and literacy. K-8 teachers were invited to register and within 3 days, the workshop was filled! Even through virtual learning experiences, educators are excited to learn more about using nature observation journaling, writing, and reading, knowing the skills and strategies they learn will, in turn, motivate their students to connect with their environment.
3. Identify and support leadership development of science educators. In our spring 2020 workshops at Cooper Center, we were able to fund an “Instructor Shadow” position so that an aspiring teacher could collaborate and learn from the PESI instructors responsible for the workshops. We’re happy to report that our new colleague is now one of our regular instructors for the Observing Nature workshop, and we have a new “Instructor Shadow” developing leadership skills in this workshop.
4. Seek grant-funded opportunities to provide effective science education for all students. PESI completed a grant project provided by the AZ Department of Forestry and Fire Management. This 2-year program supported teachers and promoted student learning about benefits of trees and water management issues. We will be looking for a future grant opportunity in 2021.
5. Explore partnerships in collaboration with network partners, a colloquium for school administrators focused on current best practices in science education. This goal will be carried over into 2021 as we know how important it is for school and district leadership to have an active role in the pursuit of equitable science instruction for every student.
6. Promote integration of science literacy, utilizing various texts and hands on resources. Our workshops include the importance of integration, with many strategies presented for teachers to implement best practices in their classrooms.
7. Increase student engagement through Science/STEM literacy. We work towards this goal by supporting teachers in their hard work to engage students in science education. We are focused on every student receiving science instruction that promotes active engagement with the world and scientific endeavors.

• Vertical Progressions of the crosscutting concepts and science and engineering practices clearly indicate the expectations for students in grade level bands.
• Recorded Webinars include the recorded webinar, or a PDF version of the PPT, as well as a resource page. Topics include Phenomena-based 3-Dimensional Instruction, Crosscutting Concepts, and Constructing Explanations & Arguing from Evidence.
• General science assessment information page, including a timeline and sample test items.
• Virtual Learning Resources, a matrix of instructional strategies and weblinks to help you navigate teaching in distance learning.

• Collaborate with social media editors to provide and sync accurate and timely information 
• Maintain a PESI calendar on all social media

• Actively recruit membership
• Develop and manage parent and community awareness components 
• Co-plan and organize for presentations to TUSD board members and meetings
• Create and archive PESI marketing materials, including flyers for special events, School Board information handouts, parent information handouts, etc.

• Coordinate the planning, development, and assessment of professional learning opportunities for educators and administrators
• Recruits, train, and support individuals to build a science leadership cadre who will provide professional development 

• Collaborate with TUSD to support maintenance and management of standards-based curriculum in the Science Resource Center
• Create and manage meetings with TUSD leadership
• Support all districts in providing standards-based curriculum for all teachers and students