Workshops for Texas

Want to focus lessons on real-world scenarios?
Want students to make sense of those scenarios using actual science practices and ways of thinking?
Our TEKS-aligned workshops are for you!
We support all grades and content areas.
*Browse offerings below.*

Introduction to Phenomena for TEKS

In this Texas-focused version of our first-touch Introduction to Phenomena workshop, we explore the use of phenomena in lessons and activities aligned to the new TEKS and discuss challenges that Texas teachers face in implementing these standards.

We place you in the role of a student scientist to review the structure and intent of the new TEKS.
We dig deep into phenomena, discussing criteria, characteristics, and pitfalls.
You will evaluate examples of stand-alone phenomena and phenomena associated with published resources, discussing the alignments and merits of each.
You will evaluate activities in published resources, focusing on the phenomenon, student use of the three dimensions, and student-centered learning.
In the end, you will have a process to help you determine if a curricular resource aligns to the new TEKS, or can be easily modified for them. And you will be able to evaluate whether a resource includes a phenomenon or anchor that will work for you.

Introduction to Phenomena for TEKS involves eight contact hours, plus time spent on assignments. We offer it online in blocks that you can schedule as you like. We can also come to you and run it over two days, which allows for more interaction. In addition, we offer a one day in-person version that covers about half of the material and has no assignments.

View scheduled special online sessions for individuals.

Download a flyer with objectives and goals.

Download a handy list of all our Texas-focused workshops.

TEKS and Phenomena I: Evaluating Activities

In this professional learning workshop, you will evaluate phenomenon-based activities aligned to the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science (TEKS).

We discuss how the new TEKS change the concept of student proficiency and explore proficiency in terms of the Nature of Science, the Scientific and Engineering Practices, the Recurring Themes and Concepts, and Science Content.
We review the progressions and student-centered intent of the new TEKS.
We introduce student proficiency goals as a tool for understanding what students need to do to address the recurring themes and concepts, scientific and engineering practices, and content standards.
We review phenomenon characteristics and criteria.
You will learn to map a phenomenon to the new TEKS and then use this method to select workable phenomena for your lessons.
You will evaluate curricular resources, looking for standards-aligned, phenomenon-based, student-centered activities.
You will explore modifying lessons to ensure alignment to the new TEKS and agreement among the TEKS, the phenomenon, and the student tasks.
You will choose a lesson, evaluate it, modify it if necessary, and then map it to a common learning model (e.g., 5E).
In the end, you will have a process for evaluating and adjusting lessons so that they will work for you. In addition, you will take home an adjusted lesson that lets your students address a real-world example using science practices and ways of thinking.

TEKS and Phenomena I involves sixteen contact hours, plus time spent on assignments. We offer it over two in-person days or via online blocks that you can schedule as you like. We also offer a three-day in-person version that allows you to dig deeper into both student proficiency and your final project. We customize the content based on enrollment.

This workshop is most effective if it follows Introduction to Phenomena for TEKS or if participants are well versed in the new TEKS and the use of phenomena in a student-centered classroom.

Download a flyer with objectives and goals.

Download a handy list of all our Texas-focused workshops.

TEKS and Phenomena Bundle

We can bundle Introduction to Phenomena for TEKS with T&P I into a three-day in-person session.

Doing so eliminates the need to review Intro material in T&P I so we can cover additional topics.

TEKS and Phenomena II: Classroom Assessments

In this advanced workshop, you will study phenomenon-based questions and prompts that assess components of the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science (TEKS).

We review phenomenon criteria/characteristics and the structure and student-centered intent of the new TEKS.
We review how student proficiency for the new TEKS differs from previous concepts.
We discuss best practices in measuring student progress in the classroom.
You will evaluate phenomena and review classroom assessments where students use combinations of TEKS dimensions to address those phenomena.
You will examine phenomenon-based classroom activities and consider logical assessment points within them; you will study the associated rubrics.
You will draft assessment questions and prompts for phenomenon-based activities.
In the end, you will have experience drafting questions and prompts for various phenomena that are aligned to the new TEKS.

T&P II should follow T&P I.

T&P II involves sixteen contact hours. We offer it over two in-person days or via online blocks that you can schedule as you like. In addition to customizing for your specific content needs, we can negotiate a version with additional contact hours or follow-up meetings.

Download a flyer with objectives and goals.

Download a handy list of all our Texas-focused workshops.

Digging into the new TEKS

For alumni of T&P I, we offer discussions of student proficiency and possible phenomena for topics or TEKS groupings of your choice.

Writing Activities to the new TEKS

This workshop provides instruction and practice in the design of phenomenon-based classroom activities aligned to the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science (TEKS).

The first part consists of Introduction to Phenomena for TEKS, T&P I, and some aspects of T&P II (including deeper explorations of what student proficiency means in terms of the new TEKS and the concept of linking related phenomena together under coherent anchors).
We examine classroom activity sets for possible assessment points, brainstorm phenomena, and sketch out sets of activities designed to allow students to use logical groupings of the new TEKS to address those phenomena.

Writing Classroom Activities to the new TEKS involves 40 in-person contact hours. It is an intensive five-day experience. We will work with you in arranging the days of the workshop to best match your needs.

Download a handy list of all our Texas-focused workshops.

Writing Assessments to the new TEKS

This advanced workshop provides instruction and practice in the design and writing of phenomenon-based performance task assessments aligned to the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science (TEKS), at the classroom formative and summative levels.

The first part consists of T&P II, with the addition of deeper training on best practices in evaluating student performance and discussions of bias and sensitivity in assessment writing.
From there, participants examine classroom activity sets for possible assessment points and begin writing and peer-reviewing assessment questions and prompts for selected standards (these are focused on phenomena that are presented to participants and on phenomena that they brainstorm themselves).

This workshop should follow T&P I.

Writing Assessments to the new TEKS involves 40 in-person contact hours. It is an intensive five-day experience. We will work with you in arranging the days of this workshop to best match your needs.

Download a handy list of all our Texas-focused workshops.

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Framework-aligned Workshops

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