Core Beliefs
The Science Department believes that every student is entitled to and deserves an excellent program of instruction in the content area that encourages each student to achieve at a high level. We believe that learning science requires an understanding and investigation of concepts. We believe that science is a way of thinking that includes observing, collecting, manipulating, and analyzing data as well as evaluating and interpreting results. We nurture the wonder and curiosity of the students as they engage in guided inquiry. Ultimately, the goal of our department is to prepare all children for college and career readiness.
Philosophy
Science is a systematic process for acquiring the knowledge essential for comprehending the natural world and every aspect of modern life. As students build on their content knowledge, we encourage the following practices to be linked to their learning: asking questions and defining problems, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematics and computational thinking, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in argument from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating and communicating information. The department has embraced and implemented an Inquiry-Based Model, which allows students to explore and make sense of ideas, data, and explanations around a posed question or problem. In addition, we encourage students to make connections by publicly sharing their thoughts of the key idea to the overarching concept.
STEM Expo Resources
K8 District Competition
Dec. 18th, 2018 at the William Paterson University Commons Ballroom; 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Great Falls Summer STEAM Program
 Program Information
Flyer (English)
Flyer (Spanish)
Applications
Application (English)
Application ( Spanish)
Timeline
Applications are due by April 12, 2019
Acceptance letters will be sent by April 29, 2019
How to register for access to FOSSweb.
(District Subscription)
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Go to https://www.fossweb.com/home
Click on Educators: Register link at the bottom. Click the PURPLE button Register for FOSSweb
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After you have registered you can enter your ACCESS codes.
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Click on the blue tab “My Teacher Page”
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Click “Activate My Access Code”
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Enter Access Code(s) for Module(s) Activation
(GUEST Access)
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Go to https://www.fossweb.com/home
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Click on “Visit as Guest” (This subscription is very limited. You will not have access to many resources.)
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Click on the “Module Book”.
Materials Management
FOSS Replacement List
Plant & Animal Care
Tech Support
NOTE: Please contact Tech support directly with any concerns regarding your account. They cannot resolve an individual technology problem through a third party. They will need information that only you can provide as the owner of the account. The number is 1 (800) 258-1302 ext. 7907
FOSS Units by Grade Level
 Science Dept. Training Calendar
New Jersey Audubon's Teacher's School of Ecology
New Jersey Audubon's Teacher's School of Ecology sponsored by Ashland, Inc.
July 29 through August 2, 2019
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary - Bernardsville, NJ
This week-long summer institute for teachers in grades 4 through 8 offers in-depth experiences that use observable phenomena in the watershed as a basis for building effective field and classroom study. By connecting the classroom to the real world, teachers help students become more aware of the world around them, take an active role in preserving their local environments and acquire the critical thinking, problem solving and basic life skills necessary to become informed global citizens.
Teacher's School of Ecology models best practices in field study with students, utilizes local phenomena as a platform for 3 Dimensional lesson design, integrates modern pedagogy into classroom lessons and provides opportunities for teachers to integrate natural system studies and sustainability education into their existing curriculum.
For more information or to register: https://tsoe2019.eventbrite.com
Contact Kelly Wenzel at kelly.wenzel@njaudubon.org<mailto:kelly.wenzel@njaudubon.org>
NJ School of Conserv.Teaching Scholar Prog.: Biodiversity Field Methods
Content
NJ School of Conservation Teaching Scholar Program: Biodiversity Field Methods
June 24-28, 2019
COST: FREE Scholarships will be funded by National Geographic and Montclair State University. Scholarships include all meals, on-site lodging and educational resources.
This five-day summer professional development workshop for middle school science teachers will focus on an extended hands-on experience in assessing ecosystem biodiversity. Teachers will work alongside academic researchers and professional scientists to identify flora and fauna in the forest, stream and lake ecosystems in and around the NJ School of Conservation (NJSOC) within Stokes State Forest. Teachers will learn field methods and improve their content knowledge in biology, ecology, and environmental science. Teachers will contribute to a NJSOC Bioblitz event scheduled to coincide with the workshop, allowing teachers to utilize the concept and curriculum materials for National Geographic’s and iNaturalists’s Bioblitz program. The concluding activity will be for the workshop participants to translate their newly developed skills to their classroom, school and local community by creating a lesson or unit plan that applies workshop learning. Full workshop description can be found HERE. Deadline to apply: April 1, 2019
Tanya Sulikowski
Environmental Educator/Researcher, NJ School of Conservation
Montclair State University
1 Wapalanne Road
Branchville, NJ 07826
973-948-4646
Visualizing Natural and Human Changes In Earth Systems
Applying Science Practices to Data Collection in The Field
NJESTA – BTANJ Workshop
Applying Science Practices to Data Collection in The Field
April 6, 2019
Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ
Most schools have access to outdoor spaces to collect data related to localized phenomena. However, the challenges in doing so include minimal teacher experience, lack of supplies, safety in the field, and connecting the content to science content in meaningful ways. This one-day workshop will provide support in all these challenges as participants identify ecology and Earth science phenomena and collect field data at Duke Farms to make sense of the phenomena. Join NJ Earth Science Teachers Association (NJESTA) and the Biology Teachers Association of NJ (BTANJ) on Saturday April 6, 2019 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ for this middle school and high school level workshop linking core ideas, science practices, and crosscutting concepts. Participants will receive materials that will assist them in replicated field studies in and/or around their school campuses. Professional Development hours will be provided. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. Meals included. For details and to register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/njesta-and-btanj-present-applying-science-practices-to-data-collection-in-the-field-tickets-52263726212?aff=ebapi. Alternatively, visit the Duke Farms website (dukefarms.org), click on Classes and Events, and navigate to this event to register. Registration closes March 15, 2019. Contact Missy Holzer, PhD for additional information at mholzer@monmouth.com.
NGSS Summer Institutes in Summer 2019
Connecting Models and Evidence
Earth and Environmental Science Educator's Institute:
Connecting Models and Evidence
June 25-27, 2019
Palmyra Cove Nature Park, Palmyra, NJ
Join us June 25-27th, 2019 at Palmyra Cove Nature Park in New Jersey. The Earth and Environmental Science Educators' Institute will provide professional development in the use of Model-Evidence Link (MEL) activities centered on current Earth science topics. These 3-dimensional (core ideas, practices, crosscutting concepts) instructional scaffolds facilitate critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, construction of scientific explanations, and collaborative argumentation to support scientific reasoning within challenging Earth science topics. For more information about the use of MEL diagrams in the classroom, explore this website. This three-day institute is free and a stipend is provided! Applications are open to middle and high school Earth and Environmental Science teachers in the NJ-PA area. Those teaching Earth science content in their courses are also encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: April 15, 2019. https://serc.carleton.edu/mel/prof_dev/NJ_PD_2019.html
11th Am. Geosciences Inst./EXXONMobil Explor. Teacher Leaders. Acad.
New Science Teachers Workshops
Panasonic Eco Citizenship Project
Funding Opportunities
New Jersey Student Learning Assessments for Science
Dec. 2018 Updates
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Getting Started
