If you’re an administrator in an urban middle school, come to the NSTA Conference in Minneapolis. You can spend a day with a group of dedicated urban science educators—the Urban Science Education Leaders (USEL)—who are working to change the way science is taught in urban schools. One neat thing about this workshop is it includes visits to Minneapolis/St. Paul middle schools where you can see best practices in action.

 

For example, Battle Creek Middle School has achieved success by organizing students into single-gender academies and using the latest research when developing lesson plans and activities. At Hazel Park Middle School Academy, the staff is implementing an innovative Professional Learning Community and grading system based on the work of author and educator Richard DuFour.

 

You have to preregister for this October 28 event, which will also feature presentations from the Minnesota Department of Education’s science and STEM directors.

 

—Debra Shapiro