Science Symposium Offers Super Bowl Of Science Professional Development Opportunities
The K-12 Science Team from the Department of Curriculum Development and School Improvement is proud to announce its annual Science Symposium. It will be held Friday August 13th at Lake Worth High School from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM. The theme is “Science Trek: The Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.” All professional development for teachers will include the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS).
Secondary Science Administrator Edmund Capitano said, “The science symposium is the event that every science teacher in Palm Beach County anticipates. It’s the super bowl of science professional development opportunities, collegial sharing of scientific knowledge and science best practices. This year’s theme is called a ‘Science Trek’ because everyone who is attending this symposium is on a journey to help move this world forward through the quality education of our Palm Beach County students. We are also happy to promote GREEN school practices to encourage cost reducing efforts through recycling, reusing, and reducing.”
Additionally, registered vendors and nonprofit organizations are also using the NGSSS to showcase their products, field experience activities and lesson plans. “It’s a way of introducing our business partners and community stakeholders to the new science standards. We will also demonstrate how these standards are integrated into the science curriculum,” said Mr. Capitano. “We are encouraging organizations that wish for students to visit their facilities to address one or more NGSSS benchmarks. We believe this will enhance the student field experience and will allow students to formulate scientific questions, make observations, collect data and then draw conclusions based on their data using critical thinking skills.” The science team will also be working with community vendors and nonprofit organizations, promoting GREEN school practices to help decrease wastes and encourage efficient use of resources that leave a reduced carbon footprint.
This year’s Science Symposium program consists of over 90 professional development presentation opportunities and over 50 vendor and nonprofit organizations.
The Science Symposium is a daylong event that will begin with an open address from Chief Learning Officer, Ann Killets, followed by a science video prepared by 2009 Emmy Award winning The Education Network (T.E.N.) which highlights collaborations between community partners such as Scripps Florida Research Institute and the Arthur R. Marshal Foundation. Furthermore, there will be a special induction of Palm Beach County science advocate and educator Jane Hart into the Palm Beach County Science Hall of Fame, followed by a presentation by keynote speaker Dr. Kenneth Miller a Professor of Biology and Royce Family Professor for Teaching Excellence at Brown University. A cell biologist, he serves as an advisor on life sciences to the NewsHour, a daily PBS television program on news and public affairs, and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Dr. Miller is coauthor, with Joseph S. Levine, of five different high school and college biology textbooks used by millions of students nationwide. In 2005, he served as lead witness in the trial on evolution and intelligent design in Dover, Pennsylvania.
Mark Howard, Education Technology Manager with the School District will introduce the county-wide rollout of Learning Village 2.1, an upgraded School District portal for lesson plans, scopes, and resources for district teachers.
Special guests and speakers include Megan Clementi, an activist for encouraging girls in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs. Ms. Clementi graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Engineering Leadership. At the 2010 Palm Beach County Science Fair Awards ceremony held at Palm Beach Central High School, Ms. Clementi made a special appearance to present the Harris Corporation’s “Future Female Scientist” award to Ms. Paulina Scarlata from BAK Middle School of the Arts. As an alumnus of Jupiter High School, Ms. Clementi is proud to have received her education from the School District of Palm Beach County.
Steve Alten, New York Times Best Selling Author, known for his MEG series books and promoter for Science Literacy in students, is another anticipated guest speaker. Ivan Yaeger, a Miami, Florida entrepreneur and inventor will also speak to teachers and inspire them to continue the development of engineering programs for students. In 2002, Mr. Yaeger was honored by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for his contributions to society through innovation. Ivan and The Yaeger Companies have received international press coverage in over 100 broadcasts and publications such as The Today Show, People Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine and The Tom Joyner Morning Show.
All K-12 School District of Palm Beach County Science teachers are encouraged to attend this event.
For more information please contact Secondary Science Administrator Edmund Capitano at 561-434-8199 or Capitano@palmbeach.k12.fl.us .
Directions:
Lake Worth High School is located at 1701 Lake Worth Road in Lake Worth, Florida. Take Interstate 95 to 6th Avenue South, East to “A” Street. Go North on “A” Street, to Lake Worth Road. Turn West on Lake Worth Road at the traffic circle. The school will be on the left.
Parking:
There is ample parking at Lake Worth High School. Turn left (right if travelling east) at the traffic light under the I-95 overpass so that you are now traveling South. Proceed under I-95 through the back gate. It is the property of Lake Worth High School.
