The Cobb County Science Department is excited to present on-demand professional learning filled with incredible learning experiences. Please click on the links below to access you professional learning options.
Session 1: AM Keynote Speaker: All Elementary, Middle and High School Science Teachers
3D Science in a Shared Synchronous World
Stephen Pruitt
8:10-9:00 AM
Stephen Pruitt, Ph.D. is President of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). He previously served as the Kentucky Commissioner of Education. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Council for Chief State School Officers. Dr. Pruitt has been a high school chemistry teacher; mathematics program manager and director of academic standards at the Georgia Department of Education; and the senior vice president for Achieve where he coordinated the development of the Next Generation of Science Standards. He received his doctorate in chemistry education from Auburn University.
Session 2:
3rd Grade Collaboration
9:10-10:00
In this live session, teachers will have an opportunity to collaborate and network with other teachers. Topics of discussion will include 3D Science, phenomenon, SSI framework successes, instructional pacing, assessments and best practices in science instruction for specific courses. Please bring materials that you will need to plan engaging science lessons.
Session A: Schools Acworth - Kemp
Session B: Schools Kennesaw - Vaughan
Session A: Schools Acworth - Kemp
Session B: Schools Kennesaw - Vaughan
Session 3:
MORE Reading, Writing, and Science: The Perfect Combination
Dr. Jodi Wheeler-Toppen
10:10-11:00
Dive deeper into tools and strategies that will help students learn science AND build reading and writing skills. If you attended a July workshop, we'll be learning new things. If you missed the July workshop, we'll catch you up as we go.
Jodi Wheeler-Toppen is a science author and educator with 10+ books for children and teachers from National Geographic Kids, Capstone, and NSTA Press. Recent children’s books include Edible Science: Experiments you Can Eat (a Junior Library Guild Selection) and, as a co-author, Recycled Science (a finalist for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize). She also has a series for teachers, Once Upon a Science Book, for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Press. She is a former high school science teacher, with a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Georgia. Her goal in both writing and educating is to present science as exciting, suspenseful… and understandable. She loves having adventures with kids—her own and any others who come her way. Find her at www.OnceUponAScienceBook.com or on Facebook @JodiWheelerToppen.
Jodi Wheeler-Toppen is a science author and educator with 10+ books for children and teachers from National Geographic Kids, Capstone, and NSTA Press. Recent children’s books include Edible Science: Experiments you Can Eat (a Junior Library Guild Selection) and, as a co-author, Recycled Science (a finalist for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize). She also has a series for teachers, Once Upon a Science Book, for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Press. She is a former high school science teacher, with a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Georgia. Her goal in both writing and educating is to present science as exciting, suspenseful… and understandable. She loves having adventures with kids—her own and any others who come her way. Find her at www.OnceUponAScienceBook.com or on Facebook @JodiWheelerToppen.
Lunch Break
11:00-12:00 PM
Session 4
Choice Sessions
12:10-1:00 PM
Session 5
TTIS Choice Sessions
1:10 - 2:00 PM
Session 6
Secondary Science Workshop Model
Alana Davis
2:10 - 3:00 PM
Does it seem like your science instruction time keeps getting less and less each year? In this session you will learn how to teach science through the Workshop Model that integrates 3-dimensional science, technology integration, and guided discussions in a shorter amount of time. You will also see how to access the awesome new Science Workshop Model lessons that have been created by Cobb Science Teachers!
Presenter Bio: Alana Davis is a 15 year educator who has a passion for 3-Dimensional science instruction in the classroom. She is a Georgia Science Ambassador and her role as the K-12 Science Professional Learning Specialist allows her to share her science instruction expertise with teachers across Cobb County. Alana was named the 2017 Georgia Science Teachers Association Elementary Teacher of the Year and is the GSTA District 3 Director representing science teachers in Cobb, Douglas, and Paulding Counties.
Presenter Bio: Alana Davis is a 15 year educator who has a passion for 3-Dimensional science instruction in the classroom. She is a Georgia Science Ambassador and her role as the K-12 Science Professional Learning Specialist allows her to share her science instruction expertise with teachers across Cobb County. Alana was named the 2017 Georgia Science Teachers Association Elementary Teacher of the Year and is the GSTA District 3 Director representing science teachers in Cobb, Douglas, and Paulding Counties.
On-Demand Sessions
On-Demand Keynote
Generation Z, Unfiltered
Andrew McPeak
Generation Z, those born since 2001, have grown up in a world the likes of which we haven't seen in generations. Smart phones and social media, mass shootings and rising anxiety levels, recessions and even a pandemic have all shaped their reality beginning in their earliest years. So, who are these kids? and how do you even begin to lead a generation has lived through this much? Using timely advice from "Generation Z Unfiltered," the latest book from Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak, this session will provide insight into the generation of kids we lead today and provide practical tips on how to lead them well.
Before the surge of a global pandemic changed all of our lives, Generation Z was already facing a crisis of mental health, a lack of social and emotional skills, and a paralyzed perspective on their future. In 2020, things have only gotten more complicated. That's why today's "Pandemic Population" needs a new kind of leader: You. In this session, we will outline the needs of today's population and furnish eight strategies that can help them find their best self on the other side of COVID-19.
Presenter Bio: Andrew is a sought-after millennial communicator who brings a unique generational perspective to audiences. He is the co-author of Dr. Tim Elmore’s latest book Generation Z Unfiltered and he has shared insights from this resource with educators, coaches and business leaders around the country. Along with co-authoring Marching Off the Map, Andrew also co-hosts the Leading the Next Generation with Tim Elmore podcast.
Andrew also serves as the Vice President of Content at Growing Leaders where he and his team work closely with schools, universities and sports teams on effectively implementing Habitudes as a tool to teach life and leadership skills.
Before the surge of a global pandemic changed all of our lives, Generation Z was already facing a crisis of mental health, a lack of social and emotional skills, and a paralyzed perspective on their future. In 2020, things have only gotten more complicated. That's why today's "Pandemic Population" needs a new kind of leader: You. In this session, we will outline the needs of today's population and furnish eight strategies that can help them find their best self on the other side of COVID-19.
Presenter Bio: Andrew is a sought-after millennial communicator who brings a unique generational perspective to audiences. He is the co-author of Dr. Tim Elmore’s latest book Generation Z Unfiltered and he has shared insights from this resource with educators, coaches and business leaders around the country. Along with co-authoring Marching Off the Map, Andrew also co-hosts the Leading the Next Generation with Tim Elmore podcast.
Andrew also serves as the Vice President of Content at Growing Leaders where he and his team work closely with schools, universities and sports teams on effectively implementing Habitudes as a tool to teach life and leadership skills.
On-Demand Session
3rd Grade 3D Science
Dr. Donna Barrett-WIlliams
Donna recently retired after 32 years of work in science education. She has 18 years of experience as a middle and high school science teacher. She has taught earth, life, and middle school science as well as biology, physical science, chemistry, and physics. She spent three years as the Program Director of the Georgia Intern-Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT) program at the Georgia Institute of Technology Center for Education Integrating Engineering, Mathematics, Science, & Computing (CEISMC). She worked with university faculty and corporations throughout Georgia to place teachers in 4-8 week summer internships. Most recently, she was the Science Program Supervisor at Metro RESA and the STEM Director for Science in Fulton County Schools.
She has offered extensive professional development through her work at Georgia Tech, Metropolitan (Metro) RESA, and Fulton County Schools. While at Metro RESA, she led the development of a K-5 Science Endorsement program. While in Fulton County Schools, she worked with teachers and school leaders during the transition from the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) to the Georgia Standards of Excellence. This work included the development of a district science ambassador training program, the development of 3-D units and focus lessons, assessment development, and collaboration on a standards mastery framework with learning maps, proficiency scales, and evidence blueprints. She has served as President of the Georgia Science Supervisor Association (GSSA), District Representative and Vice President of the Georgia Science Teachers Association (GSTA).
She has offered extensive professional development through her work at Georgia Tech, Metropolitan (Metro) RESA, and Fulton County Schools. While at Metro RESA, she led the development of a K-5 Science Endorsement program. While in Fulton County Schools, she worked with teachers and school leaders during the transition from the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) to the Georgia Standards of Excellence. This work included the development of a district science ambassador training program, the development of 3-D units and focus lessons, assessment development, and collaboration on a standards mastery framework with learning maps, proficiency scales, and evidence blueprints. She has served as President of the Georgia Science Supervisor Association (GSSA), District Representative and Vice President of the Georgia Science Teachers Association (GSTA).
On-Demand
Mystery Science Introduction
Kathryn Kilkenny
Cobb County is pleased to offer teachers a free Mystery Science Account for the 2020-2021 school year. Join this session to learn all Mystery Science lessons have to offer including open-and-go mysteries designed to stimulate discussion and explore hands-on investigations.
On-Demand
GADOE 3D Science Trainings
The Science Georgia Standards of Excellence drive instruction. Hands-on, student-centered, and inquiry-based approaches should be the emphasis of instruction. The standards are a required minimum set of expectations that show proficiency in science.
On-Demand
Legends of Learning
Jessica Moyer
Free for Cobb Teachers: Come launch cows into outer space using one of our legendary online math and science games! Legends of Learning employs original research to drive student performance using standards-aligned games. Our Netflix-style game-based learning platform delivers a wide range of lessons and drives content proficiency for stronger subject mastery and classroom engagement. During this training session, participants will receive first hand experience of what collaboration and achievement can look like through our hands on game based learning platform. Come ready to collaborate, learn about Legends and have a whole lot of fun!