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Contra Costa STEAM
Contra Costa County Office Of Education STEAM is a leader in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics Education for the Contra Costa County School Districts and the region by developing opportunities, providing resources and fostering communication among STEAM and Educational professionals that prepare all students to become successful members of a rapidly emerging technological world.
Contra Costa County Office Of Education STEAM supports the academic success of our districts by
- Providing high-quality, timely communication to educators via the STEAM website, the STEAM e-newsletter and leadership organizations regarding STEAM resources and opportunities.
- Creating partnerships with business and community organizations to provide professional development, outreach programs and other STEAM events
- Offering inspirational and challenging STEAM programs throughout the educational process (pre-K through 16) including integrated curriculum, extra-curricular activities and real-world applications.
- Supporting professional development, seminars and other outreach activities to educators, parents and community members.
Upcoming Events and News
Next Generation Science Standards Update
After an extensive year and a half development process, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were released on April 9, 2013.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson has convened a Science Expert Panel (SEP) to recommend new state standards based upon the NGSS. Superintendent Torlakson will present the new standards and the recommendations of the SEP to the State Board of Education in July 2013. The State Board has until November 30, 2013 to accept, modify or reject these standards.
Follow California's Department of Education updates by joining the NGSS electronic mailing list. Send a blank e-mail to join-ngss@mlist.cde.ca.gov
Next Generation Science Standards Resources
- The NGSS and supporting appendices
- National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) NGSS Resources and Webinars
- A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas
1st Annual California STEM Conference
November 18-19, 2013
Invest in California STEM Education; Innovate, Integrate, and Inspire!
Join Educators, Business Leaders and Community Partners and explore
- Model Programs
- Professional Learning Strategies
- Developing Partnerships
- Resources in STEM
Keynotes and special guest include:
- Geena Davis
- Sugata Mitra
- Jose Hernandez (invited)
Please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/stemconference.asp for more information and registration.
Stem Summer Camps
The CCCOE and the Contra Costa Economic Partnership (along with numerous professional partners) will once again be producing outstanding hands-on education career camps. Incoming high school juniors and seniors can now register. The week-long camps are looking for teachers to support student learning. Instructors will earn professional development hours and a small stipend for each camp, while also being exposed to a full range of industry experts.
The camps are scheduled for these dates:
- Engineering: June 17-21, Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill
- Biotechnology: July 8-12, CSUEB, Concord
- Environmental Sciences: July 22-26; CSUEB, Concord
For more information and to register, visit the program's website.
Resources
Why STEAM
STEAM engages students in integrated learning as they explore the world around them, create innovative solutions to problems and communicate their results while learning Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. The following sites provide resources on integrating Art into STEM.
Integrating Art into STEM
STANDARDS related to STEAM
The standards are an essential component to any high quality STEAM program. STEAM should include both content standards and practice standards. Curriculum should be aligned to Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards (when adopted), Visual and Performing Art Standards.
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Next Generation of Science Standards (NGSS)
The NGSS will be released in March, 2013. California's State Board of Education will review them and decide whether to adopt them or some other new standards in science in November, 2013.
- NGSS at CCCOE (ppt)
- Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
- National Science Teachers Association NGSS Resources
- Webinar: Developing the Next Generation Science Standards: A conversation with Achieve
- Next Generation Science Standards for CA
- California Science Teachers Association
- California Classroom Science NGSS Blog
The second and final public draft of the NGSS was released on January 8, 2013
Please review A K-12 Framework for Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas as a tool to facilitate understanding of the NGSS.
NSTA has hosted several web seminars to prepare educators for the NGSS and implementation of the scientific and engineering practices. The “Prepare for the NGSS” series is archived at The NSTA Learning Center website.
To receive updates on the NGSS, join the California Department of Education's electronic mailing list by sending a blank e-mail to join-ngss@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
The Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts (including literacy in Social Studies, Science and Technology) and Mathematics were adopted by California in 2010. The CCSS should be the foundation of any STEAM program.
Visual and Performing Art Standards
California Career Technical Education Standards
National Educational Technology Standards
STEM Initiatives, Networks, and Organizations
Online Resources
- California Department of Education
- The Power of Discovery – STEM2
- Change the Equation
- California STEM Learning Network
- Gateways East Bay STEM Network
- California Girls in STEM
- California Mathematics Council
- California Science Teachers Association
- Computer Using Educators
- Astronomical Society of the Pacific
- Mount Diablo Astronomical Society
Resources for Educators
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Pre K-12 STEAM Resources
- The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education – interdisciplinary lesson plans for K-12 educators
- Bay Area Science
- Edutopia
- Understanding Science
- I-STEM Resource Network (activities for Pre K-12 grade educators)
- Junior Achievement Curriculum that relates math to real world situations. Provides free volunteers to share
- Ed Source STEM
- PBS ZOOM
- ART Think SFMOMA
- Engineering Go For It
- The J. Paul Getty Museum – Classroom resources
- How To SMILE – All the Best Science and Math Activities
- PBS STEM Education Resource Center
- Exploratorium
- Design Thinking for Educators
- STEM Connect Webinars
- Code.org
Early Learning Resources
Elementary School Resources
Middle School Resources
High School Resources
Resources for Parents and Students
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Parents and Students
Articles / Magazines
STEAM Competitions
- Siemens Math and Science Competition and Teacher STEM Academy
- Future City – 6-8 grade students imagine, design and build cities of the future
- Girl Start: Empowering Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
- Innovation Headquarters – Includes family activities, student games and lesson plans for educators
STEAM Newsletter Archive
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