Teaching and learning science can be challenging. Let’s help each other!

In a recent district meeting for elementary science teachers, several educators were discussing platforms and methods for sharing ideas on improving science instruction. While we were having fun populating a google doc with online spaces and resources, it became apparent very quickly that efficiency might be a concern in this process.

Our elementary science department facilitates instruction and literacy with 89 North Carolina Science Essential Standards and objectives in 113 elementary schools in the 15th largest district in the nation. It’s not hard to imagine…

Why might communication and organization be challenging in any school or district?

I had a great time sharing my #Hashtag180 project with my team. Over the last five years, I’ve invited North Carolina educators to tweet their science learning experiences with hashtagged science curriculum standards/objectives. See: How to hashtag North Carolina Science Essential Standards.

However, I’ve learned that not every educator is as enthusiastic about learning together on twitter or through curriculum hashtags as I am.

Enter Flipgrid. What if #Hashtag180 met Flipgrid?

Flipgrid specializes in communication and organization. Flipgrid makes it super easy to create and navigate videos–and all in one organized grid. Oh, and it’s FREE!

The #GridSciNC Vision

• What if elementary science educators in all 100 counties could share video examples of how they are teaching and learning these North Carolina state standards?
• What if we could see into each other’s classrooms and learning spaces without ever leaving our own?
• What if we could exchange ideas, lessons, strategies, tips, tricks, and resources to make elementary science experiences better for our learners?

How #GridSciNC Works

1. Go to: flipgrid.com/gridscinc.
2. Find your topic, organized by grade and science standards/objectives.
3. Record a video from your learning space or share a resource that can help others make science teaching and learning better.
4. Share! Submit video in Flipgrid and also tweet to that objective and #GridSciNC.

#GridSciNC Possibilities

• What if every state created a hashtagging system and a grid to share videos featuring common curriculum in science–and other disciplines?
• What if state departments and district leaders created Flipgrid opportunities like this, for whole disciplines or courses, for learning and learners of all ages?
• What if middle school science was later added to this elementary grid?

Let's work together! I have an idea, & I need your feedback. How can we globally & efficiently share resources to make teaching/learning better?
Blog: https://t.co/ejDZvAoqir
Grid: https://t.co/sPCAJdbc7o
Topic: https://t.co/umRghLegkE#GridSciNC #Hashtag180 #FlipgridFever #nced pic.twitter.com/9pLCIadGKK

— Kyle Hamstra (@KyleHamstra) September 4, 2018

#GridSciNC FAQs

1. What if our learning experience integrates more than one standard/objective? Choose one and post in that topic. The beauty of naming topics with the actual standard/objective is that educators will increase curriculum literacy.
2. Do I have to record an entire lesson? No. We’ve set three minutes as a maximum, but quality sharing might only take thirty seconds, for example.
3. Do I have to share an entire lesson? No. Sometimes just sharing one part of a lesson or new twist on an old idea can help others adapt their instruction.
4. What if I just want to share a resource that I like? Is that okay? Of course! You can link resources in your responses, but it would be awesome to have a video of you explaining how you use that resource, how it’s made instruction better, and why you like it so much.
5. Do I have to have a Flipgrid account to add my video to the #GridSciNC grid? No, but we love Flipgrid so much that we strongly recommend it!

Other Questions? Contact Kyle Hamstra on twitter or email: kghamstra@gmail.com.