Discussion Workshop on Issues and Topics of Interest to Middle School Science Staff

Sponsored by

The Salem State Collaborative

Location: Lynnfield Middle School, Main Street, Lynnfield MA 01940

Presenter: Liz Kinzly, Middle School Science Coordinator, Salem State Collaborative

Middle School Science Department Head, Lynnfield Public Schools

Audience: Middle School Science Teachers and Administrators

Dates: Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Time: 3:15 – 5:15 PM Refreshments will be provided

Fee: Free

Description:

The Executive Board of the Salem State Collaborative has created the position of Middle School Science Coordinator to help our member districts in formulating a coherent professional development program that helps address the needs of middle school science teachers. Liz Kinzly, the Middle School Science Department Head of the Lynnfield School System, has been appointed to this position.

Liz will host this discussion forum addressing the following issues and to seek recommendations on professional development opportunities needed to improve science education at the middle school level.

1. Staffing issues – finding and keeping great MS science teachers; mentoring and support for new teachers

2. Curricular issues – science on a shoestring; technology integration; decrease in time spent on science due to MCAS (math & ELA) pressures; integrating inquiry-based science labs

3. Assessment & testing issues – MCAS tests in grade 5 & 8, using interim assessments

4. Professional Development Issues – Appropriate PD for Middle School Science Teachers

Please register at our website www.salemcollaborative.org, or email the following information to Jim Kearns at registration@salemcollaborative.org. If you have registration questions, please either email (preferred) or

call Jim at 781-771-4860.

DEADLINE to sign up for this workshop is five days prior to start of program.