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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 Events for MarchBe sure to check for your ZOOM LINK on the morning of the event. IF you do not see the LINK contact pdi.registrar@vast.org before 4pm on the day of the event. March 2026 The Virginia Academy of Science: A Collaborative Partner for Professional Development Michael Wolyniak, Chair of the Science Education Committee, Virginia Academy of Science The Virginia Academy of Science has worked for over 100 years to support scientific progress and education across the Commonwealth of Virginia. In this webinar, we will discuss how the Academy is working to partner with VAST to provide professional development opportunities and support for the work of science instructors across Virginia. We will also seek your input as to how this organization of Virginia scientists can best support VAST and the K-12 science instructor community in its efforts to develop the next generation of scientists.
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.
Physics Content Primer: Oscillations Presenters: Craig Group, Physics Professor (UVA) and CeeCee Bishop, Physics Instructor (CBGS) Whether you've been teaching physics for decades or this is your first year, a refresher on the physics content can be super helpful in preparing you to teach your next unit, especially for AP and dual enrollment courses. In this webinar, we will get a conceptual primer on topics related to oscillations (describing and graphing simple harmonic motion, writing equations of motion for pendulums and springs, etc.), with emphasis on teaching strategies for tricky concepts, real-world applications, and what students need to be successful for their next physics class. This is the second in a series, followed by two webinars on Fluids later in the semester.
Innovate, Elevate, Accelerate - SOL Review Workshop Emphasize Science and Engineering Practices for Effective Science Review Strategies! Elementary, Middle & High grade levels Calling all school science educators and administrators! Don’t miss this innovative professional learning opportunity designed to elevate your instruction and accelerate students in your science classrooms. Together, we will transform science education to produce a new generation of critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators with this interactive, hands-on workshop equiping you with review strategies to enhance science discourse, make thinking visible through models, explore science and engineering practices, strengthen vocabulary instruction, and more! (View Flyer Here)
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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