Building the Storyline Using Culturally Relevant Phenomena in Your Classroom

Explore how to use storyline routines and anchoring phenomena to shift your curriculum to student-centered science learning as you explore the relationship between humans, climate, and the natural environment. In this workshop, you will explore examples of how real-world phenomena can be used to investigate the effects of climate on the ecosystem. Using problem-based issues, you will engage in investigations from the unit as a learner, including the anchoring phenomenon routine and student-driven inquiry investigations, then reflect on those experiences as a teacher. During the workshop, you will learn how to construct a storyline unit, incorporate relevant phenomena, and utilize best practices for DEI in the STEM classroom, including establishing classroom norms and processes that value all student resources. You will leave the program with an outline of a storyline unit, inquiry investigations to use in your classroom, and resources for developing your own storyline unit using culturally relevant phenomena.