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Virginia Association of Science Teachers
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“Students at the Center” Professional Learning Series We’re excited to continue the VAST Professional Learning Series into its second year, building on the strong foundation and positive impact of our inaugural offerings. This dynamic series is designed to support science educators at every level through interactive webinars and engaging sessions that emphasize practical strategies, innovative ideas, and hands-on tools to enhance science teaching and learning. Whether you’re returning to deepen your practice or joining us for the first time, the Professional Learning Series offers opportunities to expand content knowledge, explore emerging instructional approaches, and connect with a vibrant community of science educators. Together, we’ll continue to navigate the evolving landscape of science education and empower educators to create meaningful, student-centered learning experiences. Check back soon for additional professional learning opportunities to be shared throughout the year! Upcoming Events for MarchThe last day to register for ANY event is the DAY BEFORE the event is scheduled to begin. Be sure to check for your ZOOM LINK on the morning of the event. IF you do not see the LINK contact pdi.registrar@vast.org before 4pm on the day of the event. Physics Content Primer: Oscillations Presenters: Craig Group, Physics Professor (UVA) and CeeCee Bishop, Physics Instructor (CBGS) Whether you've been teaching physics for decades or this is your first year, a refresher on the physics content can be super helpful in preparing you to teach your next unit, especially for AP and dual enrollment courses. In this webinar, we will get a conceptual primer on topics related to oscillations (describing and graphing simple harmonic motion, writing equations of motion for pendulums and springs, etc.), with emphasis on teaching strategies for tricky concepts, real-world applications, and what students need to be successful for their next physics class. This is the second in a series, followed by two webinars on Fluids later in the semester.
Turning Science Practices into Student Habits Dr. Erin Peters-Burton, George Mason University In this interactive professional development webinar, science teachers will explore how to meaningfully support students’ motivation, strategic thinking, and metacognitive skills while teaching science content and science practices. Together, we will examine how three widely used instructional models in science education - cognitive apprenticeship, explicit and reflective instruction, and the 5E learning cycle - naturally align with key phases of self-regulated learning (SRL). Teachers will see how modeling thinking, providing structured scaffolds, inviting student articulation, and building in opportunities for reflection can strengthen both science learning and student independence. By the end of the webinar, teachers will leave with practical routines, prompts, and instructional moves that make student thinking visible, develop metacognitive habits, and help students take greater ownership of their learning in science.
Physics Content Primer: Fluid Statics (Fluids Part 1) Presenters: Tatsu Takeuchi, Physics Professor (VA Tech) and CeeCee Bishop, Physics Instructor (CBGS) Whether you've been teaching physics for decades or this is your first year, a refresher on the physics content can be super helpful in preparing you to teach your next unit, especially for AP and dual enrollment courses. In this webinar, we will get a conceptual primer on topics related to fluid statics(density, pressure, buoyancy, etc.), with emphasis on teaching strategies for tricky concepts, real-world applications, and what students need to be successful for their next physics class. This is the third in a series, to be followed by one more webinar on Fluids later in the semester.
Physics Content Primer: Fluid Dynamics (Fluids Part 2) Presenters: Tatsu Takeuchi, Physics Professor (VA Tech) and CeeCee Bishop, Physics Instructor (CBGS) Whether you've been teaching physics for decades or this is your first year, a refresher on the physics content can be super helpful in preparing you to teach your next unit, especially for AP and dual enrollment courses. In this webinar, we will get a conceptual primer on topics related to fluid dynamics (continuity, Bernoulli's equation, etc), with emphasis on teaching strategies for tricky concepts, real-world applications, and what students need to be successful for their next physics class.
Using the Flora of Virginia App in the Classroom and for Projects Description: This session will introduce participants to the Flora of Virginia App and tips on using this App to identify local native and introduced species. Ideas for student projects, school gardens, nature trail development, and other ways to use in and out of the classroom will be covered. Presenter: Marion Lobstein - Professor Emeritus NVCC, Emeritus Board of Directors Flora of Virginia Project When: April 15, 2026 | 4:15-6:15 (Zoom) Focus: Using the Flora of Virginia App to introduce for student projects, school gardens, and nature trails.Registration: Click here to register. (Members - $0, Nonmembers - $25 for all sessions and 1-year VAST membership) Looking Ahead
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