Building Science Content Knowledge using NSTA’s SciPacks and Science Objects
Studies have shown a positive correlation between teacher content knowledge and student
achievement. Elementary and Middle level teachers are challenged to maintain the
appropriate depth of current content expertise in the wide variety of science topics they are
called on to teach. To help meet this challenge, the National Science Teachers Association
(NSTA) is developing a series of engaging, high-quality, affordable online learning solutions
aligned with the science education standards that fit into a teacher’s busy schedule.
This session provides an overview of NSTA’s three-pronged approach to helping teachers
and school districts improve student science achievement by increasing teacher core
content knowledge from the individual, district and state level.
Session participants will use computers for a hands-on experience using the interactivity
built into the SciPacks and Science Objects.
Morning Session
9:00 – 11:45
Topic
Time
Lead
Notes
Introductions/
Overview
9:00-9:15
Al Byers
Introductions
SciPack Integrity
4-minute Flash Demo and Product Overview:
9:15-9:30
Steve
Rapp

Science Objects

SciPacks

e-Portal
Development review highlighting:

Scope Document

Pedagogical Implications

Subject Matter Expert/Authors

Review Process

Five-E Model
Guided Tour
9:30-9:45
Joan
Scheppke
Guided hands-on tour of Orientation and F&M
Interaction with
SciPack
9:45-10:45
Al Byers
Hands-on structured activities to highlight:
Steve
Rapp

Simulations

Embedded questions / feedback
Joan
Scheppke
Susan
Young
Review/Overview
10:45-11:00
Steve
Rapp
Anything not covered at beginning
Break out Groups
11:00-11:15
Joan
Small group discussions on how content and
Page 1 of 3
Large Group Q&A
11:15-11:45
Scheppke
system could be used within districts
Al Byers
Share back to whole group
Building Science Content Knowledge using NSTA’s SciPacks and Science Objects
Studies have shown a positive correlation between teacher content knowledge and student
achievement. Elementary and Middle level teachers are challenged to maintain the
appropriate depth of current content expertise in the wide variety of science topics they are
called on to teach. To help meet this challenge, the National Science Teachers Association
(NSTA) is developing a series of engaging, high-quality, affordable online learning solutions
aligned with the science education standards that fit into a teacher’s busy schedule.
This session provides an overview of NSTA’s three-pronged approach to helping teachers
and school districts improve student science achievement by increasing teacher core
content knowledge from the individual, district and state level.
Session participants will use computers for a hands-on experience using the interactivity
built into the SciPacks and Science Objects.
Afternoon Session
1:30 – 4:00
Topic
Time
Lead
Notes
Introductions/
Overview
1:30-1:45
Al Byers
Introductions
SciPack Integrity
4-minute Flash Demo and Product Overview:
1:45-2:00
Steve
Rapp

Science Objects

SciPacks

e-Portal
Development review highlighting:

Scope Document

Pedagogical Implications

Subject Matter Expert/Authors

Review Process

Five-E Model
Guided Tour
2:00-2:15
Joan
Scheppk
e
Guided hands-on tour of Orientation and F&M
Interaction with
SciPack
2:15-3:00
Al Byers
Hands-on structured activities to highlight:
Steve
Rapp
Joan
Scheppk
e
Susan
Young
Page 2 of 3

Simulations

Embedded questions / feedback
Review/Overview
3:00-3:15
Steve
Rapp
Anything not covered at beginning
Break out Groups
3:15-3:30
Joan
Scheppk
e
Small group discussions on how content and
system could be used within districts
Large Group Q&A
3:30-4:00
Al Byers
Share back to whole group
Q&A
3:45-4:00
Al Byers
Open floor for questions
Page 3 of 3