​NJSTA Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award

2023 Summer Institute

      OpenSciEd Continued:                          Focus on Assessment   

OpenSciEd is a free and open curriculum resource that brings science to life with phenomenon-based storylines, hands-on science investigations and engineering design projects aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and three-dimensional science teaching and learning that is described in The Framework for K-12 Science Education.  Based on research regarding how students learn, what motivates learning, and the implications for teaching, the instructional materials were developed and designed to be used with low-cost, standard laboratory equipment.  Over time, the exemplary instructional materials have been improved based on feedback from teachers and field testing.

New Jersey is one of ten states to have piloted @OpenSciEd curricula for middle school students. This summer, the NJSTA Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award (MPSMA) Committee is excited to sponsor this professional development opportunity. Through this workshop, Scholars will deepen their understanding of best practices and equitable strategies in science instruction, experience an OpenSciEd unit from the student perspective and collaborate with other NJ educators. 

This professional development goes beyond the introductory units presented at the 2021 MPS Summer Institute and will allow for a focus on assessment using the OpenSciEd instructional model and a choice of one of three grade-specific units:

6.4 Plate Tectonics & Rock Cycling

7.5 Ecosystem Dynamics

8.5 Genetics

For more information about the OpenSciEd instructional model and resources, please click on the logo.

OpenSciEd


For further information about the MPS Memorial Award Summer Institute, please contact

Cheryl Zanone njstasimmons@gmail.com.

Applications for the 2023 MPS Memorial Award Summer Institute are no longer being accepted. 


Click HERE for a PDF handout of this information for posting. 

Audience: Teachers and Leaders of Middle School Science (Grades 6-8)

Dates/Times: This four-day Institute will take place June 27–30, 2023.

Scholars who are accepted must commit to attend each full day of the program.

Workshop Model: Hybrid

Location and Time:

Day 1 Tuesday, June 27 LIVE at Liberty Science Center, Jersey City from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Days 2-4 Wednesday through Friday, Jun 28-30 Virtual 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

NJ OpenSciEd Facilitators: Anthony Bisulca, Scott Goldthorp, Lauren Pasanek, and Wendy Wong

Sponsor: The Institute is supported by the NJSTA Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award (MPSMA) Endowment.  It covers all Institute costs for participants who attend the full 4-day Institute.  Light breakfast and lunch will be served on Tuesday at Liberty Science Center. Participants, known as MPSMA Scholars, will also receive upon completion of the 4-day Institute:

1.    One-year NJSTA membership

2.    One-year online access to NJSTA monthly newsletter and resources

3.  One-day admission to the October 2023 New Jersey Science Convention

4.    Certificate for 18 Professional Development hours

5.    Follow up support throughout the year at the virtual NJSTA Science Table

Applications for 2023 are now closed. Thank you for your interest. Please look for information for the 2024 MPS Memorial Award Summer Institute in the fall of 2023. 


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