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“Students at the Center” Professional Learning Series We’re excited to continue the VAST Professional Learning Series into its second year, building on the strong foundation and positive impact of our inaugural offerings. This dynamic series is designed to support science educators at every level through interactive webinars and engaging sessions that emphasize practical strategies, innovative ideas, and hands-on tools to enhance science teaching and learning. Whether you’re returning to deepen your practice or joining us for the first time, the Professional Learning Series offers opportunities to expand content knowledge, explore emerging instructional approaches, and connect with a vibrant community of science educators. Together, we’ll continue to navigate the evolving landscape of science education and empower educators to create meaningful, student-centered learning experiences. Check back soon for additional professional learning opportunities to be shared throughout the year! Upcoming February & March SessionsFebruary 2026 Science and Literacy Integration: The Science Classroom Meets the Science of Reading Leslie Lausten, Professional Learning Specialist Today’s teacher has a multitude to accomplish each day. How do we fit it all in? In this webinar, we share how using rich, inquiry-based learning will not only build science knowledge but also the skills needed to increase language comprehension. We build on principles from the language comprehension side of Scarborough’s Reading Rope as we introduce, explore, and make sense of science concepts in today’s classroom. Learn how three-dimensional science teaching and learning provides meaningful context to develop language comprehension
Introduction to Data Science Dr. Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, George Mason University, Eric Rhoades, VAST Past President Join Dr. Padhu Seshaiyer and Eric Rhoades for a webinar that makes data science easy to understand and apply in the classroom. Learn what data science is, why it’s important, and how it can help students think critically and solve real-world problems. This session will share simple ideas and practical tips for bringing data science into science lessons, even if you’re new to the topic. Perfect for teachers looking to inspire curiosity and engage students with the power of data!
Sensemaking & the Virginia Science SOLs: Supporting Deep Understanding Through Inquiry-Based Instruction Leslie Lausten, Professional Learning Specialist This engaging virtual workshop is designed for K–8 educators who want to strengthen science instruction through sensemaking—the process where students make meaning of scientific ideas by asking questions, investigating, analyzing data, and constructing explanations. Participants will explore how sensemaking is embedded in the Virginia Science Standards of Learning (SOLs) and how it can be effectively implemented in today's classroom.
March 2026 Accessible Biology Labs! Kirsten Salonga, VAST Science For All Chair Ever wonder why your labs may not reach some students? Join the Science for All Committee as they present ready-made labs for Biology Teachers! Come learn tips and tricks for successful labs with diverse groups. Labs are complete with scaffolds, reading, and graphing. All you have to do is gather materials and print!
Environmental Science Labs Kirsten Salonga, VAST Science For All Chair Ever wonder why your labs may not reach some students? Join the Science for All Committee as they present ready-made labs for Environmental Science Teachers! Come learn tips and tricks for successful labs with diverse groups. Labs are complete with scaffolds, reading, and graphing. All you have to do is gather materials and print!
Making Science Accessible for English Learners Alexis Rutt, Ph.D., Professor, James Madison University Access to rigorous, age-appropriate science instruction is a right for all students, including English learners. Join Dr. Alexis Rutt and the Science for All Committee for a webinar highlighting how to amplify your instruction to provide more equitable learning opportunities for your English learners. In this session you will learn high-leverage practices you can use in your science classroom tomorrow to make your instruction more comprehensible for your English learners and to provide more supported opportunities for student output. This session is targeted at science teachers at any grade level who are working with English learners.
Innovate, Elevate, Accelerate - SOL Review Workshop
Turning Science Practices into Student Habits Dr. Erin Peters-Burton, George Mason University In this interactive professional development webinar, science teachers will explore how to meaningfully support students’ motivation, strategic thinking, and metacognitive skills while teaching science content and science practices. Together, we will examine how three widely used instructional models in science education - cognitive apprenticeship, explicit and reflective instruction, and the 5E learning cycle - naturally align with key phases of self-regulated learning (SRL). Teachers will see how modeling thinking, providing structured scaffolds, inviting student articulation, and building in opportunities for reflection can strengthen both science learning and student independence. By the end of the webinar, teachers will leave with practical routines, prompts, and instructional moves that make student thinking visible, develop metacognitive habits, and help students take greater ownership of their learning in science.
Looking Ahead
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