Hello STAOBlog Community!
I wanted to let you know that we are launching a series of webinars this fall to help support our STAO community. Most of the webinars are available only to STAO members, but there are a couple that are open for public registration. As we look to find ways to support our members during this unprecedented time in education, we hope that you will find an opportunity or two that speaks to you and that you will register.
STAOLive webinars are being presented by a STAO volunteer who will facilitate the webinar. These sessions will be interactive and will create a space for participants to hear more about topics that are extremely relevant to Ontario educators in today’s science classrooms. We are also presenting a series of webinars with some of our partner organizations to provide you with professional learning opportunities and to learn more about some of the great resources that can be put to use in your classrooms, particularly in virtual learning environments. For a full listing of our fall events visit our new events page: https://stao.ca/event-directory/.
Here is a full list of our current October offerings with links to register (please note that you must be logged into your STAO account unless it is indicated that this is a public event):
October 20, 2020 – STAOLIVE – KEEPING SCIENCE HANDS ON: SOLUTIONS FOR DELIVERING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING WITHIN COVID SAFETY RESTRICTIONS (Grades 7-12), 7:30 pm
While the current learning environment might inspire some teachers to toss out their lab manuals, you are here because you want more for your students! This workshop will guide participants through the process of evaluating labs for feasibility under the current limitations and adapting inquiry experiences so that students can continue to learn through hands-on activities. Specific examples will be provided from labs that have been conducted with grade 9 science and grade 12 chemistry, but the lessons learned so far are applicable across all sub disciplines of the sciences
October 21, 2020 – STAOLIVE – CREATING LESSONS THAT SUSTAIN FOCUS – A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR STUDENTS. (Kindergarten- grade 8), 7:30 pm
This webinar is about creating fully contained lessons or units in a single document to minimize the number of clicks students need to make to access the information. We will discuss how teacher demonstrations (live or video recording) allow students to focus on the scientific method. Bring your ideas to share.
October 26, 2020 – STAOLIVE COMING TOGETHER TO PREPARE FOR THE QUADMESTER IN BIOLOGY: DEVELOPING IN PERSON AND ONLINE TRICKS AND TOOLS TO NAVIGATE OUR NEW LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, 7:30 pm
The session will build a collaborative working group of chemistry teachers by presenting ideas and solutions to teaching chemistry in our present environment. We will look at equipment, software, labs, theoretical work, culminating tasks, planning, quadmester teaching ideas, and assessment. We will be sharing ideas, discussing strategies, and building a PLC that will help reduce the stress if teaching in this new reality. Bring something to share or a question to ask. We are all in search of an answer, and together we might find it.
October 27, 2020 – RELAY EDUCATION GREEN COLLAR CAREERS, 7:30 pm
The Green Collar Careers workshop is an interactive workshop that allows youth to explore how their personal interests and skills align with jobs that directly help people and the planet. Workshops are available virtually and in-person, following all safety and cleaning guidelines.
October 28, 2020 – WESTERN “WEMADEIT” IN THE CLASSROOM, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Bring engineering into your classroom with 12 free, hands-on lessons and activities with direct connections to the science curriculum! In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the engineering design process and how to bring engineering to life in-person or virtually
MATERIALS: Any of the following: Classroom items: books, markers, etc. • Recycled materials: small, medium and large plastic containers, paper tubes, cardboard, water bottles, etc. • Dollar store items: straws, skewers, dowel, dominoes, marbles, styrofoam balls, paper clips, etc. • Other items: small balls, Lego, snap cubes, tape, glue, scissors, rulers, pencils, etc.
October 28, 2020 – WESTERN SCRATCH IN SPACE – CODING THE SOLAR SYSTEM, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Introduction to Coding and Scratch: Explore coding in Scratch and tips for virtual delivery
Coding the Solar System: Create your own program in Scratch: Code a solar system with space facts that you can turn into a fun class project
Wrap-up and Next Step: Curriculum connections and how Western Engineering can support your classroom.
We hope you enjoy, and don’t forget to ensure you are signed in to your STAO account so you can access registration details!
Sincerely,
Amy Gorecki
Executive Director, STAO