Science in New Hampshire Schools

  Test Item Review Committee Members needed    We are recruiting NH educators to assist in the test item development process for the NECAP assessments in Science (grades 4, 8 and 11).  Experienced educators with knowledge of the GLEs/GSEs and teaching experience in grades 2-11 are eligible to apply. Please fill out and return the application listed below to be considered for the Science Test Item Review committee which will be held August 11 & 12 at Attitash Grande in Bartlett NH. (middle Level Science) (Travel day August 10).

  Invitation Letter for Science TIR and Standard Setting - August 2009  

• Application for State Assessment Committees 2009   
• Application for State Assessment Committees 2009 

2010 Test Item Review application link

eMSS - Mathematics and Science mentoring program

Through Mathematics and Science Partnership funding, the NH DOE is pleased to announce the availability of electronic mentoring through the New Teacher Center and the University of California at Santa Cruz.  This program is available for middle and high school mathematics and science teachers who are in their first through third year of teaching.  NH has trained online mentors who have been participating in this program for the past few years.  Funding for new mentees is available through the MSP funding and NH DOE.  There are a certain number of slots available so act quickly.  To learn more about the eMSS program, use the following link:

http://www.newteachercenter.org/eMSS/menu.php?p=home

or contact Christine Downing, 582-7340, Christine.downing@yahoo.com

Frameworks for Science Literacy Approved by State Board June 14, 2006
On June 14, 2006 the State Board of Education approved the NH Frameworks for Science Literacy.  The focus of the new document is to help districts develop science curricula that help all students graduate with an understanding of science literacy. Since science is an ever-expanding collection of data, evidence and thought, efforts have been made to focus on the themes and topics all students will need to know for the 21 st century.

The Framework includes the Grade Span Expectations (GSE's) for the following grade spans: K-2; 3-4; 5-6; 7-8; 9-11 (basic) and 11 & 12 (advanced). Assessment targets for the state-wide science assessment are imbedded in the GSE's at the specific grade-level assessed and framed with a bold box.

• NH Science Curriculum and Assessment Update - Winter 2007    
• NH NECAP Assessment Science Information Sheet    
• NH NECAP Science Pre-Test for Teachers and Administrators    
• Answer Sheet for NH NECAP Science Pre-Test (for Teachers and Administrators)    

More information about the NECAP Science Assessment can be found on the NH Science BLOG www.nheon.org/science

Science Framework

• New Hampshire Framework for Science Literacy K-12        (On CD)
  

NH Science Grade Span Expectations

• K-12 Science Process Skills        (Part of CD)
• K-12 Earth Space Science        (Part of CD)
• K-12 Life Science        (Part of CD)
• K-12 Physical Science        (Part of CD)

NH NECAP Inquiry Task Information    (New Section - Entire section NOT on CD)

• Planning Guide for Investigations    
• Planning Guide for Non-Investigations    
• Sample Investigation Inquiry Task at Grade 4     
• Sample Non-Investigation Inquiry Task at Grade 8    
• Sample Non-Investigation Inquiry Task at Grade 11    
• Released Inquiry Performance Tasks    
• Guidelines for Developing Inquiry Tasks (GDITS)
• Guidelines for Developing Inquiry Tasks (GDITS) 
• Crosswalk for Inquiry Task Constructs and Science Process Skills (SPS)

NH NECAP Science Information    (New Section - Entire section NOT on CD)

• NH Science Test Resources    
• Number of Targets by Domain and Grade Span    
• Additional Spring 2007 NECAP Science Pilot Materials and Information

NH Science Curriculum and Assessment Resources   (Some on CD others are not – See Below)

• Books for Curriculum Reference        (Part of CD)
• Measurement Specifics for Science       (Part of CD)  
• NH Informal Science Connections       (Part of CD)
• Science Literacy Resources       (Part of CD)
• References for New Hampshire Science        (Part of CD)
• Grade K-2 Span Stems and Expectations       (Reformatted and NOT on CD)
• Grade 3-4 Span Stems and Expectations       (Reformatted and NOT on CD)
• Grade 5-6 Span Stems and Expectations        (Reformatted and NOT on CD)
• Grade 7-8 Span Stems and Expectations       (Reformatted and NOT on CD)
• Grade 9-11 Span Stems and Expectations        (Reformatted and NOT on CD)

WANTED: Science "Points of Contact" for every school in New Hampshire

The National Science Teachers Association has developed a great tool for states to connect with all of the science teachers in every school - Building a Presence. We are trying to identify a teacher or teachers from each grade in each building in EVERY school to be the POC (point of contact) and get the information about what is going on in science in NH. To sign up to be a POC please go to www.nsta.org/bap and select NH from the dropdown menu. It will help you find your school and allow you to put in additional information.

New Hampshire Association of Conservation Districts announces contract opportunity

NH Envirothon Coordinator - see job description - applications due April 24, 2009

New Hampshire Science Safety Pre-Training Survey

Click here to take survey

Resources for Science Curriculum

Benchmarks for Science Literacy
Developed by the Project 2061, the Benchmarks look at adjusting science curriculum to essential elements with a goal of having all graduates scientifically literate by 2061.

National Science Education Standards

Developed in coordination with the National Academies of Science, the NSES look at revising science teaching and learning.

Atlas for Science Literacy
This book features visual maps of science content from K to 12. This is a great resource for schools and districts to help with curriculum development across the “learning trajectory” of science.

Other Science Links of Interest:

New Hampshire Science Teacher Association, http://www.nhsta.net

National Science Teacher's Association, http://www.nsta.org/

Math/Science Partnership Initiative Grant Project

Presidential Award For Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching – This prestigious award recognizes up to one mathematics teacher and one science teacher from each state.  The prize is a $10,000 cash award. This year, nominations are sought for experienced teachers in grades 7-12.  Nomination forms and applications are available at www.paemst.org

For more information about these or other science-related topics, please contact:

Jan McLaughlin - Science Education Consultant, 271-3856 or jmclaughlin@ed.state.nh.us.