A Virtual Conversation on K-12 Science Education

Events

In conversation with Claudio Vargas, Jessica Sawko and Paulette Smith

May 11, 2022

The current state of inequity and under-prioritization of K-12 science education threatens our future economic and social vitality. Fortunately, this is a challenge for which you can be (and already are) part of the solution! In this virtual conversation, we discuss the state of science education in California's K-12 schools, the National Academies of Sciences' urgent call to action, and how to be a part of the solution.

Meet Our Speaker: Claudio Vargas

Member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee which authored the “Call to Action for Science Education: Building Opportunity for the Future,” urging action to prepare students to face the global challenges of the future both as engaged participants in society and as future science professionals. Mr. Vargas is an educational consultant with Sci-Lingual Education and with FOSS at Lawrence Hall of Science. He previously served as the Coordinator of K-12 Science Education Programs in Oakland Unified, the Director of the Bay Area Science Project, and as a scientific researcher and classroom educator.

Meet Our Speaker: Jessica Sawko

Director of California STEM Network, a project of Children Now, and Co-leads the Bay Area STEM Network. Previously she served as Executive Director of the California Science Teachers Association.

Meet Our Speaker: Paulette Smith

Paulette is a passionate educational leader, with a moral compass to support her team with gratitude, empathy, and knowledge in the public school community. Currently a principal at an James Madison Elementary in San Leandro Unified School District since 2009, Smith previously taught in Oakland Unified School District. She lifts up and celebrates the brilliance in our children and works to disrupt patterns of inequity.

The mission of CRS is to empower teachers and STEM professionals serving schools in historically marginalized communities to activate TK-8 students’ curiosity about the world, foster critical thinking, and inspire children to imagine future career pathways. We envision a community of educators, scientists, families and partners working together to build school cultures that equip all children to explore the world around them and build the skills needed to become innovators, problem solvers, environmental stewards, life-long learners and leaders. CRS leads a dynamic network, fostering relationships and collaborations that leverage expertise and resources to transform science teaching and learning toward greater equity, opportunity, and success for all students.

Our goal is simple: help teachers give students more opportunities to “do science” – to ask questions, test ideas, get their hands on real science activities. We need to inspire the next generation of thinkers, makers, problem solvers, and leaders!