Aligning Middle School Science Programs to the New York State Science Learning Standards **IN PERSON** presented by Brian Vorwald – 8:30-2:30pm

Audience: Grade 6, 7, and 8 science educators and science leaders The first administration of the Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test based on the P-12 New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) is scheduled for the spring of 2024. Science courses for grade 6, 7, and 8 in all school districts must be aligned with the NYSSLS. The format of the new exam will be item clusters, groups of multiple items that provide a coherent path towards building the three dimensions (Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices) anchored in a phenomenon. Following a phenomena-based storyline will provide students the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge in context. Teachers must align their curriculum with the NYSSLS expectations which will be assessed on the new grade 8 exam. For students to be successful in NYSSLS-based high school regents courses they must experience three-dimensional learning of the Standards in their middle level science experiences. Participants in this workshop will explore three-dimensional expectations for teaching and learning with NYSSLS. We will explore developing activities in which students make connections between the three dimensions of scientific knowledge to develop a coherent and scientifically based view of the world. Start with the complex phenomena (for science) or problems (for engineering) and let students ask questions, explore, and use the SEPs and CCCs to construct their own understandings of the disciplinary core ideas (content). **B.Y.O.D. (Bring Your Own Device) – Participants should bring a fully charged laptop, Ipad, or tablet to download resources and access websites throughout the workshop. FOR FULL DESCRIPTION, PLEASE VIEW