Capital Region BOCES STEM Strategic Plan

3 Year Plan

Summer 2016 – Summer 2019

The Capital Region BOCES STEM Strategic Plan is based on the New York Statewide Strategic Plan for Science (2015). The New York State plan in turn is based on the LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform), a systemic approach to transforming science education with documented results for student achievement. BOCES in partnership with local, regional and state partners will develop goals tosupport our component school districts in the design and implementation of sustainable science programs for P-12 students.

Mission

Capital Region BOCES provides educational leadership, services and support to meet the needs of our students and school districts.

Vision

Support the teaching and learning of science and engineering for all P-12 students by providing professional development, curriculum support and community connections.

Standards

Goal #1: Support school district implementation of new P-12 NYS Science Learning Standards.

Objective: Implement and sustain the 3-year strategic plan for transitioning school districts to the new P-12 NYS Science Learning Standards.

Activities:

  • Maintain relationship with NYSED to provide timely information about NYSSLS adoption and implementation to districts.
  • Provide professional development and resources to support understanding of

3 Dimensional Learning including the Science and Engineering Practices; Disciplinary Core Ideas; and Cross-cutting Concepts.

  • Ensure that the six critical components – Standards, Curriculum, Professional Development, Assessment, Materials and Resource Support and Administrative and Community Support of the BOCES strategic plan are addressed concurrently during the implementation process.
  • Provide timely and constant communication to districts about all facets of SED updates and requirements, examples of all plan components, and make connections among stakeholders.

Curriculum

Goal #2: Provide opportunities that are reflective of research and best practices for P-12 students to engage with scientific phenomena through implementation of innovative science curriculum that fosters learning, deep understanding and application of the science and engineering practices, disciplinary core content and cross-cutting concepts.

Objective: Provide current curriculum information and resources

Activities:

  • Explore, identify and provide access to new curricular materials and vendors through pilot projects, curriculum awareness sessions and a google site.
  • Research funding opportunities for equitable development and/or adoption of exemplary science curriculum (EPA grant submitted, foundation grants submitted, continued research and grant development)
  • Participate in NYSED activities to update curriculum guidance documents for implementation of new standards and are reflective of changes in instructional technology, content and best instructional practices, emphasizing active engagement in STEM (member Science Content Steering Committee, Science Consortium, CASSA).

Objective: Build the capacity of districts to implement curriculum and instructional programs that are based on the new P-12 NYS science learning standards.

Activities:

  • Support the implementation of exemplary, standards-aligned curriculum and instructional materials that include cross-curricular connections.
  • Create opportunities that bring students into contact with working scientists, mathematicians, and engineers through innovative curriculum design including technology support, internships and mentorships with community and business partners.

Objective: Incorporate the use of technology in all curricula.

Activities:

  • Leverage existing and seek new funding sources to support the use of technology to develop, disseminate, and implement science curriculum and instructional resources through various delivery platforms (webinars, distance learning, media)
  • Create a BOCES-wide response to the use of multiple platforms to support curriculum and instructional resources

Professional Development

Goal #3:Initiate, build and sustain collaborations and partnerships both internal and external to provide professional development to support the teaching and learning of science, math, technology, engineering and art.

Objective: Provide opportunities for districts to collaborate and partner with STEAM education stakeholders.

Activities:

  • Establish networks of stakeholders to provide professional development to support implementation of curriculum, assessments and other resources.
  • Engage local, state, and national professional and business partners to sustain STEM and STEAM professional development events.
  • Build the capacity of higher education, business, industry and cultural organizations to partner with school districts to support professional development opportunities.
  • Research and provide funding opportunities to support collaborative initiatives to sustain professional development for teachers and science leaders.
  • Create access to new and/or existing, online/blended venues for professional development.

Objective: Increase teacher and leader participation and engagement in pd to build instructional and content knowledge to support the NYS science learning standards.

Activities:

  • Design, coordinate and provide professional development that embodies collaboration and articulation across P-16.
  • Create pd that brings teachers and leaders into contact with working scientists, mathematicians, engineers and artists through internships and mentorships.

Assessment

Goal #4: Support the understanding and implementation of assessments at the classroom, district and state levels that measure student growth of all new P-12 NYS science learning standards, and use the data from these assessments to inform teaching and learning.

Objective: Provide professional development and models of standards-based formative and summative assessments.

Activities:

  • Support professional development in the development and implementation of classroom-based formative assessments K-12.
  • Provide resources and examples of formative assessments from regional and national implementations of the NGSS.
  • Use current science data from state assessments to pinpoint areas of strength and areas for improvement to inform instructional strategies.

Materials and Resource Support

Goal #5: Support teaching and learning of STEM/STEAM through the re-imagining of current, timely and useful materials through the Instructional Materials Support CoSer.

Objective: Create new and identify materials to support valid curricula and district STEM/STEAM program goals aligned to the new P-12 standards.

Activities:

  • Seek funding to acquire equipment, materials and supplies to support new P-12 science curriculum.
  • Develop collaborations and partnerships with cultural organizations and local businesses to promote understanding of local resources and up-to-date equipment and practices.
  • Create internal BOCES program partnerships to provide districts with a cohesive menu of support in the arts, science and technology.

Administrative and Community Support

Goal #6: Build the capacity of districts to create partnerships with other school districts, higher education, informal education organizations (museums, environmental education centers, etc.), business and industry and government agencies.

Objective: Provide professional development to stakeholders to develop support for new standards, curriculum and instruction.

Activities:

  • Innovative professional development for principals, school board members, parents and other community members who will support students and teachers.

Objective: Identify key stakeholders to participate in the continued growth of partnerships focused on STEM education.

Activities:

  • Create a STEM HUB or STEM Ecosystem to involve all community stakeholders in moving STEM initiatives forward in the Capital District.
  • Engage STEM mentors to provide K-12 students with models and mentors in STEM professions.
  • Engage STEM stakeholders as partners in curriculum to bridge curriculum to real-world issues and engineering challenges.
  • Convene museums, arts organizations, environmental education centers, higher education and other community resources to support K-12 science initiatives.