Join us for hands-on professional learning session focused on teaching Energy and Matter as a crosscutting concept using the PA STEELS standards. This workshop emphasizes phenomena-driven instruction, systems thinking, and practical strategies for helping upper elementary students make sense of energy transfer.
What You’ll Learn
Participants will:
- Build a clear understanding of Energy & Matter as a STEELS crosscutting concept.
- Explore how energy moves through systems and how to help students model those ideas.
- Identify and address common student misconceptions about energy.
- Engage in hands-on investigations that illustrate observable evidence of energy transfer.
- Experience STEELS-aligned, phenomena-based routines.
- Explore OpenSciEd energy curriculum materials and classroom-ready investigations.
What to Expect
This interactive workshop includes:
- A phenomenon kickoff (Why does a metal spoon heat up in hot soup?)
- Mini-investigations (heat conduction, tuning forks, solar panels, simple circuits)
- Strategies for analyzing student questions and supporting sensemaking
- Exploration of energy phenomena such as:
Playground equipment heating in sunlight
Ice melting at different rates
Why solar lights turn on at night
Guided time to explore the OpenSciEd Energy unit, including investigations, student models, and consensus-building discussions.
Aligned to PA STEELS – Energy & Matter
Act 48: 5 hours
Lunch: on your own
Cost: complementary