Understanding Science: K-8 Leadership Academies

What Is Understanding Science?

Understanding Science is a National Science Foundation-funded professional development curriculum intentionally designed for use in existing professional development programs. We currently offer the following five-day Understanding Science Leadership Academies:

• Electric Circuits (grades 3-5)
• Force and Motion (grades 6-8)
• Energy and Chemical Change (grades 6-8)

Understanding Science curriculum has been used in ongoing district and school study groups as well as summer institutes that support standards-based instruction and implementation of science curricula. The curriculum is also being used as the focus of masters degree programs for science teachers, and the "sense making" part of a preservice science methods course.

Who Should Apply

Leaders who support teachers’ professional development in K-8 science, including

• Teacher leaders
• District science staff
• Higher education teacher educators

Goals of Understanding Science

The focus of the Understanding Science approach is on developing teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge. Understanding Science Leadership Academies help teachers actively learn science in combination with student thinking and teaching, and are designed to help teachers in three ways:

• Learn major concepts of K-8 science
• Examine how children make sense of those concepts
• Analyze and improve their teaching practice

What You Learn

Participants leave the academy prepared to implement Understanding Science professional development courses in their schools, districts, local education agencies, universities, or school reform organizations, having acquired:

• In-depth knowledge of the Understanding Science approach to science learning and teacher professional development
• Improved content knowledge and facilitation skills to better address the needs of all teachers
• Specific ideas, plans, and materials for organizing and conducting ongoing professional development that helps teachers learn science, examine student thinking, and analyze and improve their teaching

Who Facilitates Your Learning

Nearly a decade of research and development work provides the foundation for this professional development program. Leadership academies are led by the developers and principal investigators of the Understanding Science courses.

What Resources Support Your Learning

Leadership Academies are based on the Understanding Science professional development curriculum. Each Understanding Science module offers 24 hours of professional development, divided into eight three-hour sessions, and is correlated to the National Science Education Standards for easy use with any standards-based science curriculum. Participants receive a casebook, facilitator's guide, and facilitator's CD for their strand. The casebook for teachers includes narrative teaching cases, authentic student work, and relevant science background information.

Research About Understanding Science

A multiyear study conducted by an external evaluator found that Understanding Science courses build teacher knowledge, strengthen classroom practice, and positively impact student achievement. Additionally, teachers reported changes in their classroom practice in general, not only for the course topics.

What Participants Report

"Understanding Science helps me keep the important stuff front and center. You're looking at science concepts. You're asking what student work reveals about student knowledge. And you're looking at teaching. You're talking about everything at once, and that is the most valuable part."

Format and Cost

Understanding Science Leadership Academies are offered in two formats to accommodate your scheduling needs.

Format 1: National Leadership Academies Hosted by WestEd
We hold five-day Leadership Academies at select locations across the country. Please visit our website to view the dates and locations for the upcoming institutes. The five-day Leadership Academies are $1,800 per person, or $1,500 per person for teams of three or more.

Format 2: On-Site Leadership Academies Hosted by Your Organization
Five-day, on-site Leadership Academies with flexible dates are available for school or district teams of up to 20 people. The on-site Leadership Academies are $1,500 per person. The minimum price for an on-site Leadership Academy is $15,000.

Contact Information

Jennifer Novakoski
510.302.4301
jnovako@wested.org