Are you a Smarter Science teacher?
Smarter Science
An open-source framework for teaching and learning K-12 science and developing the skills of inquiry, creativity and innovation in a meaningful and engaging manner.
Workshops
We offer 3 separate workshops (in person or virtual) for educators to train in the Smarter Science framework in order to teach the processes of inquiry and the engineering design process. We also provide customized workshops tailored to the specific needs of schools and aligned with provincial curriculum expectations.
Introduction to Smarter Science
In this workshop, designed for beginners, educators will learn about the 35 inquiry process skills in the Smarter Science Framework and how to use the Steps to Inquiry strategy to help students plan and implement their own investigations. Throughout the day, participants will learn how to scaffold the inquiry process from Level 1 to Level 4. Many demo’s and ideas to stimulate your thinking!
Assessment & Evaluation of Inquiry
How do you assess inquiry? Participants learn how to assess ‘for, of and as’ learning of the 35 inquiry process skills and how to focus on the process as well as the curriculum content. Learn how to co-create assessment with your learners and how to focus on delivering and assessing the ‘Big Ideas’ in your curriculum.
Innovation & Creativity through Inquiry
By ‘Walking the Talk’, you will participate in a series of strategies that will guide you through the process of turning your teaching into a more Inquiry-focused approach. Brainstorm novel approaches to your current teaching. Turn practise questions for your learners into inquiry challenges. Learn how to ‘tweak’ your current favorites into inquiry explorations.
“As a Grade 13 student, I participated in the city science fair in Toronto and then went on to represent my region at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. It was an experience that would ultimately define my life.”
“Science fair was a life-changing experience that really made me realize, if I set my mind to something, anything is possible. It was an exciting moment for a 15-year-old.”
“The main goal is not winning awards but to make the world a better place. With our more sustainable, natural and vegetarian protein, dietary fibre and oils, we are addressing some of the world’s largest food supply challenges.”
Resources
Click below to download all our free resources, including our posters, our PEOE worksheet and our “Introducing the Framework” booklet.
Posters
Download our Framework poster with the 35 skills as well as our Steps-to-Inquiry posters. Level 1 posters are recommended for students in Grades 1 to 4, while Level 2 posters are best suited for students in Grades 5 to 12.
Documents
Download our PEOE worksheet in black and white or in colour. This worksheet/poster is designed to support a mini-inquiry using the Predict-Explain-Observe-Explain (PEOE) strategy. You can also download a PowerPoint template to design your own inquiry card aligned with the Smarter Science framework.
Booklet
Download our “Introducing the Framework” booklet to explore all 35 Smarter Science skills, complete with classroom-friendly descriptions, examples, and clear do’s and don’ts to support effective implementation.
Contact Us
If you’d like to learn more about our Smarter Science program, or to express interest in one of our workshops, please submit the below contact form.