Science
Educators who participate in our science offerings will have opportunities to:
- Explore the progression of the newly adopted Pennsylvania Integrated STEELS Standards through their grade band.
- Develop a shared understanding of phenomenon-based and problem-driven science instruction that effectively incorporates all three dimensions of the standards, including disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and cross-cutting concepts.
- Engage pedagogical practices that foster reasoning and sense-making in the science classroom and support equity and access for all students.
- Gain access to readily available instructional tools and resources for science and engineering instruction at their respective grade bands as they become familiar with what science instruction looks and feels like when implementing Pennsylvania's updated standards.
Featured Event
Elementary Science Symposium
Join for a one-day conference all about elementary science! Science and engineering education is undergoing a transformation (Kober et al, 2023). We all know that children learn science best by engaging in the subject from an early age in the way that scientists and engineers do, but...
- How can we find the time to teach science consistently and in a phenomenon-based, three-dimensional way in K through 5?
- What does it look and sound like in an elementary science classroom these days?
- How can we possible teach all the math and ELA we have to teach and still find time for science?
- There are environmental literacy standards now, too?! What?
If you've asked yourself any of those questions (or others about elementary science) since the release of the PA STEELS (Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability) standards in July, 2022, then you will benefit from joining the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Math & Science Collaborative at the Elementary Science Symposium.
- Price: Free
- Winter-Spring 2025 Meeting Date: February 5, 2025, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Location: Allegheny Intermediate Unit; 475 E. Waterfront Dr., Homestead, PA 15120
Click tabs below to explore science offerings by category.
For Administrators
Planning for Professional Learning Around Science Standards: Strategically Building Capacity for Sustained Practice
Designed for a small team of three to six individuals from each school district, this is a two-day training opportunity to plan for science professional learning in your district.
Important Prerequisites: At least one administrator on your team must have already attended the administrator-specific science leadership experience in Phase 1: Make the Case, and all other team members must have already attended at least one science institute or science immersion experience in the initial phase.
- Price: $1200 per district team of three to six participants
- Audience: A district team of three to six science leaders including at least one administrator. See Important Prerequisites above.
- Spring 2025 Meeting Dates: April 7-8, 2025
- Location: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120
Administrator-Focused Science Professional Learning
This one-and-a-half-day administrator-focused professional learning offering was specifically created to help leaders support shifts in science instruction towards phenomenon-based, 3-D science teaching.
This offering is steeped in both science learning and leadership for science instruction. The experience is based on the Next Generation Science Exemplar System’s Principal’s Learn and Network to Support 3-D Science Learning (PLANS) Pathway. Although this offering is designed specifically for administrators, it is open to any science leaders, including department heads, grade-band science leads and science coaches. (This offering is a prerequisite for a two-day training opportunity in Phase 2: Create a Plan.)
- Price: $350
- Audience: Any and all administrators (district or building) or science leaders (e.g., department head, coach, grade-level lead) are invited to attend
- Spring 2025 Meeting Dates: April 1-2, 2025
- Location: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120
Half-Day Follow Up to Administrator-Focused Science Professional Learning
You've previously attended the Administrator-focused Science Professional Learning. Are your teachers starting to make some of the needed shifts in their science classrooms? If so, you might want some follow-up. We are offering a three-hour session to share some "look fors" in K-12 science classrooms. These can be used during walk-throughs or informal observations. We'll also share information about how the Danielson Framework (especially Domains II and IV) connects with shifts in science instruction.
- Price: Free to AIU Member Districts
- Audience: Any and all administrators (district or building) who have previously attended the Administrator-focused Science Professional Learning in June 2023, September 2023, or January 2024
- Spring 2025 Meeting Date: April 2, 2025 12:45 - 3:45pm
- Location: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120
- Tech: Please bring a laptop and/or tablet to access online resources.
Science Institute: Course 1
Attend a free institute for science educators. These three-day science learning experiences align to various grade-levels and science domains. Attendees will develop a shared understanding of phenomenon-based and problem-driven science instruction that effectively incorporates all three dimensions of the standards (disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts). Participants will engage in pedagogical practices that foster reasoning and sense-making in the science classroom and support equity and access for all students. Designed with science teachers in mind, science-supportive administrators are strongly encouraged to attend with staff.
Note: These institutes were also offered during the previous two school years (2022-23 and 2023-24). If you attended during either of the previous two school years, we have a second institute offered during the second semester around assessment and pedagogical practices. Watch for that offering!
Please choose the offering aligned with your teaching role:
Elementary Science/STEM Institute
The content focuses on life science, physical science, Earth and space science, and engineering design.
Administrators are encouraged to attend with the teacher(s) from their district/building. Special education teachers who support or push-in for science classes are also encouraged to accompany their partner teacher.
Act 48 hours will be awarded pending approval by PDE for those who attend all sessions and complete all related assignments.
Price:
AIU member districts: Free
Non-member districts: $450
Audience: K-5 Science and STEM teachers and special educators supporting science
Fall 2025 Meeting Dates TBD
Secondary Sciences Institute
The content of this institute focuses mainly on the life and physical sciences in grades 6-12 (with the inclusion of related Earth and space science topics as appropriately connected to the science content under consideration).
Administrators are encouraged to attend with the teacher(s) from their district/building. Special education teachers who support or push-in for science classes are also encouraged to accompany their partner teacher.
Act 48 hours will be awarded pending approval by PDE for those who attend all sessions and complete all related assignments.
Price:
AIU member districts: Free
Non-member districts: $450
Audience: Grades 6-12 Science teachers
Fall 2025 Meeting Dates TBD
Science Institutes: Course 2
Are you ready to learn more about pedagogy and assessment aligned to STEELS? Join us for these new Year 2 Science Institutes!
Join us for a newly designed, in-person science professional learning offering from the Math & Science Collaborative at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit! The Course 2 Science Institutes are designed for educators who have already attended one of the three-day Course 1 Science Institutes (e.g., K-2 STEM, Grades 3-5 Science, Elementary Science/STEM, Secondary Physical Science, Secondary Life Science, Secondary Sciences). This new professional learning opportunity is perfect for science educators who are ready to dig deeply into the classroom culture, pedagogical practices, and assessment practices aligned to science teaching and learning with the PA STEELS standards. Don't miss out on this free opportunity to learn more about teaching science for the next generation.
Secondary Sciences Institute: Course 2
Administrators are encouraged to attend with the teacher(s) from their district/building.
Act 48 hours will be awarded pending approval by PDE for those who attend all sessions and complete all related assignments.
- Price:
AIU member districts: Free
Non-member districts: $450 - Audience: Any secondary science (middle or high school) educators who previously attended either the Secondary Physical or Life Science Institute from AIU MSC
- Spring 2025 Meeting Dates: Jan. 30, Feb. 27, March 13, 2025 with an optional fourth day on April 9, 2025
- Location: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120
Elementary Sciences Institute: Course 2
Administrators are encouraged to attend with the teacher(s) from their district/building.
Act 48 hours will be awarded pending approval by PDE for those who attend all sessions and complete all related assignments.
- Price:
AIU member districts: Free
Non-member districts: $450 - Audience: Any K-5 Science, Engineering, or STEM educators who previously attended either the K-2 STEM Institute or the Grade 3-5 Science Institute from AIU MSC
- Spring 2025 Meeting Dates: Jan. 16, Feb. 11, March 10, April 9
Location: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120
Technology & Engineering
But what about the 'T' & 'E' in PA STEELS?
Attend a lively and interactive event showcasing the importance of technology and engineering in Pennsylvania.
Join us for an in-person event at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. This event will delve into the often overlooked aspects of PA STEELS -- the technology and engineering standards. Brandt Hutzel, who serves as the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Technology & Engineering Content Advisor, will discuss the STEELS Technology & Engineering Standards, Implementation Supports and Upcoming Assessments. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights, network with other educators and expand your knowledge. Mark your calendars and be part of this engaging event!
- Price: Free to member districts
- Date: Oct. 21
- Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Location: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120