Life sciences, including biology, zoology, chemistry, physiology, etc., are important, popular, and often required courses both in high schools and post-secondary institutions. The life sciences content area is where the Lost in Transition initiative began, back in 2006.
Five annual life sciences summits have been held in Wyoming through the Lost in Transition initiative. In 2010, the Partnership also facilitated a "site swap" program. Additionally, in 2007, three regional conferences were held across Wyoming to increase statewide participation. These events are coordinated by the Wyoming School-University Partnership and funded by support from the Qwest Foundation.
Past Events
7th Annual Life Sciences Summit
Held February 22, 2013 in Casper, Wyoming
Number of participants: 30
16 K-12 faculty
4 Community college faculty
8 University of Wyoming faculty
2 Education organization representatives
Conference focus: Student Success in Science Writing
Conference materials:
Conference agenda
Student success in science writing survey results
Evaluations summary
(Note: the 2012 Life Sciences Summit was canceled due to inclement weather.)
6th Annual Life Sciences Summit
Held February 23, 2011 in Douglas, Wyoming
Number of participants: 47
20 K-12 educators
7 Community college educators
17 University of Wyoming educators
2 State education organization representatives
Conference focus: "Engaging Students in Multiple 'Blooms" Levels Across Grade Levels"
Conference materials:
Conference agenda
Article: Crowe et al., 2008. Biology in Bloom: Implementing Bloom's Taxonomy to Enhance Student Learning in Biology. Life Sciences Education, 7, pp. 368-381.
Evaluations summary
5th Annual Life Sciences Summit
Held May 5, 2010 in Casper, Wyoming
Number of participants: 53
23 K-12 educators
10 Community college educators
17 University of Wyoming educators
3 State education organization representatives
Conference focus: Examine student work to identify struggles and strengths
Conference materials:
Conference agenda
Article: Crowe et al., 2008. Biology in Bloom: Implementing Bloom's Taxonomy to Enhance Student Learning in Biology. Life Sciences Education, 7, pp. 368-381.
Examining student work instructions
Evaluations summary
4th Annual Life Sciences Summit
Held February 20, 2009 in Casper, Wyoming
Number of participants: 35
15 K-12 educators
7 Community college educators
10 University of Wyoming educators
3 State education organization representatives
Conference focus: Evolution and science education
Conference materials:
Conference agenda
Summit preparation handout
Article: Peshkin, M., 2006. Addressing the Public About Science and Religion. American Institute of Physics, Physics Today.
Article: Nehm et al., 2008. Does the Segregation of Evolution in Biology Textbooks and Introductory Courses Reinforce Students' Faculty Mental Models of Biology and Evolution? Evo Edu Outreach.
Evaluations summary
3rd Annual Life Sciences Summit
Held February 22, 2008 in Casper, Wyoming
Number of Participants: 45
30 K-12 educators
4 Community college educators
10 University of Wyoming educators
1 State education organization representatives
Conference focus: Teacher expectations, student learning, and big ideas in biology
Conference materials:
Conference agenda
Ground rules hand-out
Examining student work instructions
Evaluations summary
2nd Annual Life Sciences Summit
Held February 23, 2007 in Douglas, Wyoming
Number of Participants: 54
28 K-12 educators
8 Community college educators
17 University of Wyoming educators
1 State education organization representatives
Conference focus: "Science as Inquiry" and examining student work
Conference materials:
Conference agenda
Summit invitation
Examining student work instructions
Evaluations summary
2007 Regional Life Sciences Summits
Three conferences were held in Evanston, Gillette, and Worland, Wyoming to examine and discuss student work.
Learn more:
Regional summits press release
Regional summits executive report
1st Annual Life Sciences Summit
Held February 23, 2006 in Casper, Wyoming
Number of Participants: 53
26 K-12 educators
10 Community college educators
16 University of Wyoming educators
1 State education organization representatives
Conference focus: Setting the foundation: building connections between secondary and post-secondary, examining student work
Conference materials:
Conference flyer
Evaluations summary
