Science Teaching Standards Workshop Oct. 31 at UW

A one-hour workshop to help University of Wyoming faculty and staff members understand the impacts of Wyoming’s new K-12 science standards is scheduled Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 11:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. in Room 217 of the Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center.

The event, titled “Wyoming Science Standards: Changing the Trajectory of Education,” is hosted by Ana Houseal and Martha Inouye of UW’s Science and Mathematics Teaching Center. It’s open to all faculty and staff members.

In 2016, Wyoming adopted a new set of science standards for the state’s public schools.

“At the university level, we may feel removed from these standards on a daily basis. However, Wyoming’s commitment to implementation means that our future students may bring experiences and learnings rooted in these standards to our campus community in the not-so-distant future,” Houseal and Inouye say. “With a focus on critical-thinking skills, the standards have the potential to influence student thinking across all of our academic areas.”

The objectives of the workshop are to:

-- Explore the possible impacts of these new standards on future UW students.

-- Provide an opportunity for faculty and staff members to examine UW’s role in this educational trajectory.

-- Promote understanding of the framework underlying the Wyoming science standards.

-- Provide a space to air and discuss questions about these standards.

“These new science standards will likely yield significant challenges and opportunities for all educators,” the organizers say. “Please join us this Halloween as we build the foundation to tackle these challenges and seize these opportunities here at the University of Wyoming.”