Opportunities and Resources

Teacher workshop focussing on field-based science inquiry

August 4 - 6 at Molalla Retreat Center

The Diack Ecology Education Program and the Jane Goodall Environmental Middle School invite you to participate in a free teacher training focused on field-based science inquiry.

The Diack Ecology Education Program provides a system of grants, workshops and resources that are distributed to teachers and students in Oregon to encourage them to involve youth in field-based science inquiry and ecology studies. Field-based science inquiry provides the perfect opportunity to get students out of the classroom and into the natural world. 

This three day workshop will provide hands-on opportunities in the field as well as classroom time to develop curriculum tools and strategies that promote student-driven field-based science inquiry projects from K - 12. Attending teachers can also apply for a $2,000 grant ($6000 if you work collaboratively with at least two other teachers) for classroom equipment and resources for field-based inquiry investigations from the Diack Ecology Education Program. This training is sponsored by the Diack Ecology Education Program of the Oregon Science Teachers Association and the Jane Goodall Environmental Middle School (JGEMS), a public charter school in Salem, Oregon, focusing on field-based environmental science.

For more information, take a look at our flyer and visit our website at www.diackecology.org or contact Mike Weddle at mkweddle@comcast.net

Dear Physics Educators,

We’re excited to share a special opportunity for middle and high school physics, physical science, computer science, and STEM teachers: Teachers’ Day at the APS DAMOP conference! 

When: Monday, June 16, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. PT
Where: Oregon Convention Center, 921 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204 - room E141-142

Register Today!

This free, hands-on event offers a chance to explore introductory, age-appropriate, engaging, quantum science-themed activities designed for middle and high school classrooms—no prior experience with quantum physics needed! We want to show educators how to incorporate quantum mechanics and quantum information science into their classrooms in simple ways. We hope this promotes awareness of quantum physics and workforce development.

Why Join Us?

As part of the APS celebration of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the workshops will help you:

• Learn: Gain practical tools to introduce quantum science and technology into your curriculum.

• Meet Standards: Align activities with state and national standards.

• Collaborate: Engage with quantum scientists and public engagement experts.

• Take Home Resources: Leave with free lesson plans and materials.

What’s Included?

• Free workshops

• Light breakfast, lunch, and parking included

• A relaxed, collaborative environment celebrating science and education

Pre-registration is required to secure your spot, materials, and meals. Register by June 1, 2025. Please share this opportunity with fellow educators in the greater Portland area.

For questions, email us at public-engagement@aps.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

Warm regards,

--

Nicole Schrode Public Engagement Program Manager American Physical Society

APPLY BY MAY 21st!

There is still time to start a Girls Who Code Club AND access the $300 Clubs Fund before the school year ends!

Girls Who Code provides everything needed to launch, lead, and grow inclusive computer science learning spaces for all 3rd-12th grade students. Anyone can start a Club - no coding experience required! When you enroll three or more members, the Club qualifies for additional benefits, like a Clubs Fund up to $300 to purchase supplies and snacks through an Amazon Wish List.

Apply to start a Girls Who Code Club today - deadline to access the Club fund is May 21st!

Start a free Girls Who Code Club for 3rd -12th grade students and unlock a complete coding curriculum and resources to lead your Club. No coding experience is required!

Use the free coding curriculum for summer programming or get ready now to launch a fall semester Club. All you need to do is:

• Complete the Clubs Application today at girlswhocode.com/clubsapply.
• Enroll 3 or more members so your Club is eligible for funding.
• Submit your Amazon wishlist by the Clubs fund deadline, May 21st, 2025!

Members of the Oregon Science Teachers Association are invited to a FREE professional learning on the Dimensions of Success for Middle Grades Learning Engineering and Science (DoS-MiddLES), a strengths-based observation system for grade 5 to 8 science and engineering classrooms.

 

Our research team at the Institute for the Study of Resilience in Youth (ISRY) has worked with science teachers across the U.S. to redesign the DoS-MiddLES, which integrates learning and doing science and engineering with building resilience and thriving skills. Our teacher partners shared that they appreciate the DoS-MiddLES’  “concrete suggestions and small tweaks” to their practice and we’re excited to invite teachers in Oregon to REGISTER HERE to join one of our initial cohorts to become certified to use the DoS-MiddLES observation tool.

 

Through our Certification-Based Training, held in Summer 2025, learners will develop skills in conducting standardized classroom observations using the DoS-MiddLES system. They can also receive a copy of the DoS-MiddLES observation tool, a certificate for up to 20 hours of professional learning, and $50 for sharing feedback about their learning experience.

 

Contact Virginia Andrews, ISRY’s Research Project Manager, at vandrews2@mclean.harvard.edu to learn more!

Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 7:00pm, Elsinore Theater, Salem

Tickets at bit.ly/Elsinore04102025

The Future of Hope - Conservation icon Dr. Jane Goodall will take the stage for one night in Oregon to share personal reflections on her remarkable life, her trailblazing work and her inspirational message of hope for our planet.

Dr. Jane Goodall,DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, is a world renowned ethologist and conservationist, inspiring greater understanding, and action on behalf of the natural world.

A Free Neuroscience and Art Fest: Noggin Fest Brain Fair is being held on March 1, 2025 at Leaven Community Common House, 5431 NE 20th, Portland OR 97211. Live Music, Scientists, interactive science and art! All ages are welcome!

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has back inventory of educational posters. AGI’s Earth Science Week Poster Set features 10 posters each (30 total) from three different themes: Earth Materials in Our Lives (2020), Water Today and for the Future (2021), and Earth Science for a Sustainable World (2022). The posters come folded, open to 27” X 15”, and are double-sided. They are great to use with students as classroom sets to guide related activities and/or to share with colleagues and educators. 

 

Click here to see images of the posters and to order. We only charge shipping and handling. If you need more information on Earth Science week, please go to https://www.earthsciweek.org/.

Science Practices in Action: Asking Questions and Engaging in Argumentation from Evidence Using Wildfires as a Phenomenon  Support your students as they practice being scientists by engaging with locally relevant phenomena (wildfires). We will utilize science practices and demonstrate how scaffolded questioning leads to the development of claims with supporting evidence. This interactive workshop will focus on free, classroom ready resources from BioInteractive. While we’ll use wildfires as a phenomenon, the practices we’ll feature have applicability across curricular units for any high school life or environmental science course. Middle school educators who teach life science are also welcome to attend. Join us to refine your skills that engage and challenge student thinking! Thursday, Oct. 24, 9 am - 2:45 pm, Willamette ESD Free breakfast and lunch will be provided. PDUs certificates are available. Registration Link This workshop will be led by Kate Fisher, 2021 Clackamas Regional Teacher of the Year. Kate, an HHMI Ambassador, is a passionate and experienced biology educator, and is excited to connect and support biology, life science, and environmental science educators across our region. Questions? Contact Kate Fisher (kate.fisher@orecity.k12.or.us)

Cheese is Whey Cool Educator Workshop:

Join us November 7^th at 4:00 as we hear from Claudia Lucero with Urban Cheesecraft about how to make mozzarella cheese in your classroom! Participants of this workshop will receive a FREE cheese-making kit and curriculum materials to be used in their classroom. This workshop is open to educators K-12 with Next Generation Science Standards aligned curriculum. https://oregonaitc.org/programs/educator-workshops/

Questions? Contact Virginia Andrews, ISRY’s Research Project Manager, at vandrews2@mclean.harvard.edu or visit our website at www.isry.org/dos-middles-learning.