News

North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) Managing Director of Science Education Mechelle LaLanne has recently returned from a week-long training at the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s Strategic Planning Institute in Washington D.C.

LaLanne attended as an invited observer, with the intent to return to NCESD districts with the presented model. During the July 23-27 training, she was also asked to help answer questions about the next Smithsonian Science for the Classroom units which are being implemented by the NCESD STEM Materials Center. Two additional teams from Washington and four from Mexico also attended.

The SSEC’s Science Education Institute for Leadership Development and Strategic Planning convenes leadership teams comprised of state-level leaders, district and school administrators, teachers, and community partners. Teams represent key stakeholders that are integral to the success of a new science education program.

“During this training, we were able to develop a collective body of knowledge through sessions exploring the current landscape of science education, research behind how students learn, and data supporting the work of the SSEC. The information presented will be of tremendous value to the districts served by the NCESD,” explained LaLanne.

The Smithsonian Science Education Center was established in 1985 as the National Science Resources Center (NSRC) under the sponsorship of two prestigious institutions: the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academy of Sciences. In 2012, the name changed to the Smithsonian Science Education Center to reflect the organization’s mission: to transform and improve the learning and teaching of science for preK-8 students. Today, the SSEC remains dedicated to the establishment of effective science programs for all students.