 Join a vibrant community of science educators as we: - Explore topics grounded in your classroom and leadership needs
- Dig into assessment, feedback, and grading in three-dimensional science learning
- Share successes and tackle challenges in sensemaking with High-Quality Instructional Resources
- Strengthen your role as a teacher leader to support impactful science instruction in your school and district
Target Audience:
FOR NEW AND RETURNING PARTICIPANTS (K-12 Science Teachers)
For returning participants who attended in 2025-26, new content and strategies will be shared as we develop everyone's ability to support effective science teaching and students' conceptual learning. This year's focus is on learning strategies to design assessments that center on student sensemaking and critical thinking. Invest in your science program by selecting and sending a team of science teacher leaders. The optimal team would consist of a primary, intermediate, middle, and high school teacher leader. Additional administrative support personnel who support science teachers are also welcome (coach, principal, and/or an instructional supervisor). University pre-service science instructors and cooperative personnel are also encouraged to attend. Join the Partnership Institute for Math and Science Education Reform (@KYPIMSER) and other science leaders from across the state as we work to grow real aspiring science programs across Kentucky at all levels with the Science Leadership Support Network (SLSN). PIMSER science facilitators are currently working on a national level to bring the best in science education back to Kentucky. They have thousands of hours of studying and applying the standards including work through the National Science Teaching Association Sensemaking Cadre, the Equip Science Peer Review Panel, BSCS STeLLA, and leading local, state and national presentations on how to implement standards effectively. Our facilitators have unique expertise leading groups of teachers as they work to create collaborative learning environments where students are transformed into scientists and engineers as they construct explanations and solve problems using critical thinking skills. Participant, School and District Requirements & Commitments: - It is critical that the SAME participants attend all meetings because each meeting builds upon the last. This is not designed for a first-year teacher unless they are your lead science teacher.
- The school/district must ensure that the participants are supported so they can be released to participate in virtual and in-person Network meetings. Network participants can attend a different location/meeting than their usual group if scheduling conflicts deem it necessary.
- The school/district must provide the $950 fee per participant. The fee covers the cost of the meeting logistics, resources provided to participants, online community for storage of all resources, PIMSER consultant costs and travel to design and deliver SLSN meetings.
As part of this series, you will: - Receive two professional books focused on improving science teaching and assessment
- Learn strategies to design assessments that center on student sensemaking and critical thinking
- Identify and select meaningful assessment tasks aligned to three-dimensional learning
- Build on student assets and leverage their experiences to deepen learning
Cost:
$950 per participant for 35 hours of professional learning throughout the academic year 2026-27.
Virtual learning sessions may be counted for professional learning hour with district approval.
Includes morning refreshments and snacks each day, all training materials and 2 resource books. Dates: Oct 21, 2026 Nov 18, 2026 Dec 9, 2026 Jan 20, 2027 (virtual) Feb 24, 2027 March 24, 2027 April 14, 2027 (snow date) In-person Sessions:
9:00am - 4:00pm local time |
