Welcome and introductions (9 posts)

  • Profile picture of Anita Bernhardt Anita Bernhardt said 1 year, 1 month ago:

    The Maine Learning Network STEM Practices group will explore research and resources available to support educators in mathematics and science to understand and implement the mathematical practices and science and engineering practices. The initial focus for this group will be on the use of productive talk as an instructional strategy for increasing student proficiency with the analysis of data, the use of models to predict and describe phenomenon, and the development of evidence-based argument and clear reasoning.

    Please introduce yourself and we’ll get started.

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  • Profile picture of Phil Brookhouse Phil Brookhouse said 1 year, 1 month ago:

    Hi, fellow STEMmers! I am an Integration Mentor for MLTI and an instructor for EDU 552 (Teaching Science K-8) for the USM ETEP program. I am very interested in making standards work for classroom practice, and am starting to get excited about the prospects for the Next Generation of National Science Standards (NGSS.) They have a lot of promise to help teachers and students alike to do STEM rather than be passive observers. I am looking forward to conversations about best practices, connections to the world outside the classroom, and how technology (ICT) supports learning. I am particularly interested in how to make students and teachers comfortable with generating, collecting, and analyzing data and then presenting evidence to substantiate claims.

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  • Profile picture of Meghan Southworth Meghan Southworth said 1 year, 1 month ago:

    Hello. I am the ESEA Title II Coordinator for the Maine Department of Education. Until about a month ago, I was a 6-12 Mathematics Specialist with the Maine Math and Science Alliance. I have been a past recipient and project manager for several Math Science Partnerships (MSP) grant projects and now, in this new position, am the state coordinator for MSP Title IIA funds. I have a particular interest in authentic integration of STEM concepts into Career and Technical Education.

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  • Profile picture of Tom Keller Tom Keller said 1 year, 1 month ago:

    Like many of you, I wear and have worn many hats. Right now I am on the staff of the Board on Science Education at the National Research Council where I co-directed development of the Framework for K-12 Science Education. We are continuing to disseminate this work and help people understand its implication for now and in preparation for the Next Generation Science Standards. In addition I am a Co-Director with the Reach Center at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance where we are working to increase the number of 5-12th grade students in Maine who are excited by STEM and who pursue STEM-related opportunities and careers, largely through out of school experiences.

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  • Profile picture of Christine Anderson-Morehouse Christine Anderson-Morehouse said 1 year, 1 month ago:

    My work has been with schools, districts and organizations across Maine, supporting systemic implementation of standards-based science curriculum, instruction and assessment practices, first at Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance and now as a science consultant. I also serve half-time as the director of the Midcoast Regional Professional Development Center where we provide the support that’s needed to improve practice across the curriculum and for administrators as well. A highlight has been our participation in two long-term content literacy grants where we strive to improve reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in all content areas.

    I’m so very excited about the underlying structures of the new Science Framework and Next Generation Science Standards because I think they’ll provide deeper guidance, thus leading us all toward a more coherent practice. (It also feels exciting to be part of this wonderful community of practice group–I anticipate learning so much given the breadth of experience that’s represented!)

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  • Profile picture of Jon Shemwell Jon Shemwell said 1 year, 1 month ago:

    I am a science education researcher at the University of Maine. Part of my research addresses implementation of the new K-12 Framework and next gen standards, particularly the implications for teaching and learning that emerge from placing greater priority on the learning of practices.

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  • Profile picture of Lisa Marvin Lisa Marvin said 1 year ago:

    Hello! I teach Physics and Forensics at Camden Hills Regional High School. There’s so much to be excited about in science education – from NGSS, to using technology to advance our student’s ability to learn and communicate, to implementing research-based instructional strategies to improve student learning – there are so many opportunities to grow within our profession! I’m happy to be part of this new resource that I hope will bring those topics and more to the forefront.

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  • Profile picture of Anita Bernhardt Anita Bernhardt said 1 year ago:

    Hi All,
    Thank you for introducing yourselves. We already have a great collection of voices but we are still waiting for a few more people to join the group. As a result we are having a leisurely start. Michele and I expect the group to be rounded out by the end of the week.

    I also want to say a few words about our community. The STEM Practices group is a public conversation among our approximately 15 members. That is to say it is a fishbowl discussion. At this point we talk to each other and others can follow along. Our goal will be to have a conversation (currently focused on productive talk in Mathematics and Science) that will help our broader education community to understand the relevance and importance of productive talk for student learning and appropriate teacher instructional moves that can support productive talk in classrooms.

    Stay tuned for others to join in!

    Anita

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  • Profile picture of Diana Jacobe Diana Jacobe said 12 months ago:

    Hi everyone. I am the Mathematics Chairperson and teacher at Bonny Eagle High School. We a currently developing units to align with the Math standards and are looking at ways to integrate science to make the units more interesting for our students. I am looking forward to being a member of this group.

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