Communicating Ocean Science to our students

The MARE program at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley, invites you to join us for these new professional development opportunities. This workshop series addresses inquiry-based science pedagogy and the strategic integration of science and literacy, while addressing key ocean science concepts that appear in the California science standards. Participants will develop skills to help their school and district improve overall science curriculum and instruction; and will become aware of the national effort to improve Ocean Literacy. The series is intended for teachers, science resource teachers, curriculum leaders, professional developers, and school administrators. Each workshop costs $60 per participant and includes instructional materials and entrance to the museum and exhibits. Continuing Education Units are available. If you are interested in doing a workshop for the entire staff, please call for a reduced group rate and alternative scheduling.

1. The learning cycle and how we teach—Explores how people learn best and how to develop lessons that reflect a variety of learning styles.
   Saturday, November 14th, 2009, 9:00 AM–12:30 PM
2. Implementing open–ended inquiry in the classroom—Reviews the essential features of inquiry and how it is reflected in the science standards and the educational advantage of student-driven learning. Also addresses how inquiry experiences can be tailored for the classroom.
   Saturday, January 16th, 2010, 9:00AM–12:30 PM
3. Questioning strategies—Questioning is a powerful teaching strategy, opening doors at every stage of the learning experience. We will focus on question categories and how they are sequenced, and analyze approaches teachers can take when responding to questions.
   Saturday, February 13th, 2010, 9:00AM–12:30 PM
4. Meaning-making through academic discourse in the science classroom—This session offers teachers practical strategies to build students’ conceptual understanding and use of academic language by engaging them in discussions.
   Saturday, March 13th, 2010, 9:00AM–12:30 PM

The series is intended for 3rd–8th grade teachers, science resource teachers, curriculum / professional developers, and school administrators. If you are interested in doing a workshop for your entire staff, please call for a reduced group rate and alternative scheduling.

Each workshop costs $15 per participant. Thanks to grant funding, stipends ($50) are available for applicants from with 50% or more underserved students (see application). Continuing Education Units are also available.

Each workshop includes morning coffee, instructional materials and entrance to the museum and exhibits. To apply or receive more details, please contact: Sarah Pedemonte at 510–642–5008 or spedemonte@berkeley.edu