It’s officially fall – hopefully, you and your students have struck a nice cadence for this school year. Folks at the NWESD are feeling that rhythm as well. There are so many projects and initiatives to report on, but I’d like to share some news about ClimeTime! For the fifth year in a row, the NWESD is excited to partner with OSPI, the Association for Educational Service Districts (AESD), and community-based organizations to continue our learning about climate science. This collaboration provides professional learning for teachers around climate science and the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)!
Specifically, the NWESD is thrilled to be partnering with the Teaching for the Climate coalition in Whatcom County (ReSources, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Wild Whatcom, and Common Threads Farm); The Padilla Bay Estuarine Reserve; The Pacific Education Institute (PEI); Islandwood; and EarthGen. We will also be recruiting for regional participation in programs from EarthGen, ISB (formerly the institute for systems biology), and Islandwood. And just as we have built a network of Ambitious Science Teachers, we have leveraged their exploration and growth into readiness to engage in OpenSciEd – this year reaching the end of our High School OpenSciEd field testing!
I’m so proud to report that over the past five years we have made significant gains in learning about (and teaching) Climate Science in our region. Teachers have spent so much out-of-contract time (weekends and evenings… through a pandemic!) participating in programs to get up to speed on Climate Science and to learn about tools they can bring back to their students. They know that facing climate change is a big task and can be daunting and that it is their students who will help us all figure this out and solve the challenges we will face. Teachers are dedicated to sustaining students’ hope for a brighter future and preparing to equip them to help their communities become resilient to face challenges and overcome them and overcome challenges. And I cannot be more proud of the teachers in our region for their dedication.
As this year’s opportunities are scheduled and become available, we will be updating our website for ClimeTime, so be sure to check in often! And, as always, you can learn more by reaching out to our Regional Science Coordinator, Brian MacNevin
.