Next Generation Science Standards Session to Be Held in Johnston

A group looking to establish standards to improve science education among young people is holding a conference in Johnston this week.

The Next Generation Science Standards session is hosted by the Iowa Department of Education at DuPont Pioneer in Johnston on Wednesday.

The event is expected to draw 240 participants, including teachers and school administrators, science consultants from school districts and Area Education Agencies, higher education faculty, and business leaders, according to a statement from the education department.

The session was organized as an opportunity to learn about the Next Generation Science Standards, a multi-state initiative to develop a common set of learning expectations in science for students in kindergarten through high school. Twenty-six states, including Iowa, led the development of the science standards during a two-year collaborative process that was managed by Achieve, a nonprofit education organization. 

Iowa’s role as a lead state partner included gathering and delivering feedback from state-level committees as the standards were being drafted. Lead state partners also agreed to give serious consideration to adopting the Next Generation Science Standards, which were completed in April.

Event details:

Wednesday, May 1

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Carver Auditorium, DuPont Pioneer

7100 NW 62^nd Ave., Johnston