The Cobb County Science Department is excited to present a professional learning day filled with incredible 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
Stephen Pruitt
3D Science in a Shared Synchronous World
AM Keynote Speaker: All Elementary, Middle and High School Science Teachers
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.
9:10-10:00 AM Session 2
STEM/Science CCC Collaboration/Socially Distanced Science Lab
Kim Sigsbee
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 3:
Dr. Jodi Wheeler-Toppin
MORE Reading, Writing, and Science: The Perfect Combination
10:10-11:00 AM
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
We’re Off to See the Future
Jaime Donally
Let's explore the progression of Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality. In this interactive presentation, we'll examine how common devices can be used to create immersive learning experiences. The enthusiasm of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) are growing and the educational benefits are unlimited to personalize learning for all.
On-Demand
How to Effectively Use AR and VR Apps With Young Learners
Jaime Donally
We now have an enormous library of augmented and virtual reality resources specifically for education and my device is filled with folders and folders of apps, ranging from science to language arts to subjects across the curricular spectrum. While these tools are becoming more popular and numerous, ones specifically geared toward early elementary students continue to be limited. When considering immersive technology resources for our early elementary students, I’ve shared some important, practical areas to keep in mind.
On-Demand
Unleash the Power of Storytelling With AR and VR (K-5)
Jaime Donally
Once upon a time, students were silent, repeated what they were told, and limited by their past experiences. Thankfully, for many classrooms, those days of rigid learning are long gone. Our lessons can now include unimaginable experiences and interactions through immersive technology.
On-Demand
Design Virtual Reality Meeting Spaces (6-12)
Jaime Donally
Easily Build VR Meeting Spaces. Explore a new virtual reality platform to meet, collaborate, draw, present, build, and more. We will join and interact in the space while learning how to customize the space for your future VR meeting rooms.
Pop in PL On-Demand
Looking to get your STEM learning fix? Why not jump online and check out these On Demand Pop In PL sessions available below.