Welcome
Founded in 1993, Gold Coast Science Network (GCSN) is a local chapter of the California Science Teachers Association (CSTA) serving Ventura County and its Central California neighbors Santa Barbara, San Louis Obispo, Los Angeles, and Kern.
GCSN is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Founded in 1993, Gold Coast Science Network (GCSN) is a local chapter of the California Science Teachers Association (CSTA) serving Ventura County and its Central California neighbors Santa Barbara, San Louis Obispo, Los Angeles, and Kern.
GCSN is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Our Mission
The mission of Gold Coast Science Network is to support the community in cultivating scientific literacy by:
The mission of Gold Coast Science Network is to support the community in cultivating scientific literacy by:
- Facilitating programs, outreach, and professional development in support of science education
- Increasing awareness of science literacy resources and opportunities
- Fostering ongoing networking and collaboration
- Promoting science leadership
Coming Up...
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Lemonwood Elementary School (K-8)
2200 Carnegie Ct, Oxnard, CA 93033
ONLY $15
~ Phenomenal Learning ~
~ Networking ~
~ Refreshments ~
~ Raffle Prizes ~
Lemonwood Elementary School (K-8)
2200 Carnegie Ct, Oxnard, CA 93033
ONLY $15
~ Phenomenal Learning ~
~ Networking ~
~ Refreshments ~
~ Raffle Prizes ~
CONFERENCE AGENDA
3:30 - 4:00 pm
Networking & Refreshments
Don't miss this opportunity to visit with exhibitors, grab a bite to eat, and touch base with colleagues from around the region.
Networking & Refreshments
Don't miss this opportunity to visit with exhibitors, grab a bite to eat, and touch base with colleagues from around the region.
4:00 - 4:25 pm
Welcome & Plenary Introduction
Nathan Inouye from the Ventura County Office of Education will get us started with a fun introduction and overview of Phenomena.
Welcome & Plenary Introduction
Nathan Inouye from the Ventura County Office of Education will get us started with a fun introduction and overview of Phenomena.
4:35 - 5:20 pm
Session 1 Workshops
Choose from one of the following:
Session 1 Workshops
Choose from one of the following:
- Phenomena 101: Making Learning Relevant and Engaging for Students
presented by Melissa Franco
When it comes to phenomena, one size does not fit all. The CA Science Framework encourages teachers to swap out generic phenomena for local phenomena. Come learn what makes a good phenomenon in this fund, hands-on workshop, so you can customize your lessons to your students regardless of what curriculum you are using. Everyday, investigative, and anchoring phenomena will all be covered.
- Local Phenomena, Environmental Literacy and Our Community Partners
Presented by Sarah Raskin
Want to know more about what’s going on in our local environment to get ideas for local phenomena? Learn more about our local environment and about some of the many non-profit groups, community partners, and free resources that are available to help you start integrating our local environment into your teaching. - Get Outside for NGSS: Find Phenomena at Your School Site
Presented by Kurt Holland
Join us for an outdoor exploration of exciting local phenomena using The Beatles Program, a three dimensional tool from the Lawrence Hall of Science. Participants will leave with three instructional strategies ready to implement in any K-12 classroom tomorrow.
5:30 - 6:15 pm
Session 2 Workshops
Choose from one of the following:
Session 2 Workshops
Choose from one of the following:
- Phenomena 102: Using Guiding Questions to Help Connect Phenomena to the NGSS Standards
Presented by Kristin Majda
Whether you’re using literature, a photo, a video, or a hands-on discrepant event to introduce a phenomenon, you’ll need to herd students in the right direction to ensure learning addresses your target standards. We’ll practice framing guiding questions using crosscutting concepts in this fun, hands-on workshop that will use examples of literature, photos, video, and hands-on discrepant events to engage YOU! - PEAK Student Curiosity with Free Energy Curricula
Presented by Vanida Ngeam
Explore Motor Lab and Grid Games, part of the free, standards-aligned PEAK Student Energy Actions curricula, to help teach students about environmental education, conservation, and energy efficiency. Through hands-on investigations around real-world phenomena, students are able to apply real-life career skills and become more conscientious of how their actions impact the Earth. - Phenomenal Birds Bring Science to Life
Presented by Paul Grindrod
Using specimens from the Western Foundation for Vertebrate Zoology, a museum right in our own backyard, participants will observe, sketch, compare, contrast, and identify birds from Southern California using field guides. Learn techniques for using birds to engage students in practicing skills like carrying out investigations, looking for patterns, and analyzing and interpreting data while learning more about anatomy, taxonomy, ecology, and evolution.
6:15 - 6:30 pm
Closing & Raffle
End the evening by checking in to see if you've won one of our fabulous raffle prizes. Entry is free with registration, but YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN.
Closing & Raffle
End the evening by checking in to see if you've won one of our fabulous raffle prizes. Entry is free with registration, but YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN.
Get Connected with GCSN...
Click HERE to sign up for our mailing list. We only send out a few mailings per year, generally directly related to events we sponsor like our annual conference. All other STEM Education related info and opportunities are posted on our Facebook page.
GCSN News and Past Events...
GCSN Board Elects New Officers for 2020-21
Congratulations to the newly elected officers of the GCSN Board of Directors. Their tenure is two years, from Jan 1, 2020 through Dec 31, 2021.
President - Michelle Lourenco
President Elect - Laura Chua
Secretary - Joshua Beck
Treasurer - Nathan Inouye
President Elect - Laura Chua
Secretary - Joshua Beck
Treasurer - Nathan Inouye
2019 GCSN Conference for STEM Education
Celebrated the 25th Anniversary of GCSN!
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February 9, 2019
From California geology along the faults to Mars discoveries, this year's keynote presentations were FANTASTIC! Participants also got to attend a fabulous series of workshops. Congratulations to the many folks recognized at this year's conference for their long-time service to the organization. GCSN is hoping to grow this into an annual recognition of outstanding science teaching and leadership. Click HERE to visit the 2019 Conference Page with more photos plus links to workshops and presentation handouts! Special Thanks to FOSS for sponsoring breakfast, STEMscopes for sponsoring lunch, and TWIG Science for sponsoring both Keynote Sessions. |
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GCSN Summer 2018 Board Retreat
Helps Refocus Organization's Priorities
Helps Refocus Organization's Priorities
The GCSN Board Retreat in June 2018 gave board members a chance to reflect on the GCSN Mission and collaborate to develop a set of priorities that will help guide the organization's programs for the next three to five years.
Local Teachers Got Outside with NGSS Environmental Literacy Spring 2018 Workshops
A big thank you to Nature Bridge, Project Wet, The National Park Service and GCSN leader Kurt Holland for organizing a highly successful series of environmental literacy workshops for teachers this past spring! Participants were about to experience a 5E instructional sequence for their grade span that emphasized California's Environmental Practices and Concepts (EP&C) standards as well as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
GCSN Board Elects New Officers for 2018-19
Congratulations to the newly elected officers of the GCSN Board!
Their tenure is two years, from Jan 1, 2018 through Dec 31, 2019.
Their tenure is two years, from Jan 1, 2018 through Dec 31, 2019.
2017 GCSN Conference for STEM Education
Focused on Building our STEM Ecosystem
Focused on Building our STEM Ecosystem
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November 4, 2017
Great keynote speakers, awesome workshops, and a beautiful day made the 2017 conference a BIG HIT! Click HERE to visit the 2017 Conference Page with full details. |
Thank you to our conference Co-Sponsors Oxnard College, California Science Teachers Association, and the Ventura County Office of Education.
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Droning into Project Based Learning
Summer 2017 Workshop
Summer 2017 Workshop
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Participants met in Santa Paula, CA and Explored Natural Resources and the Earth's surface features! They received Classroom Materials and learned about piloting drones and how to use them as part of their classroom instruction. A big thank you to GCSN's Debbie Bereki for helping to organize this opportunity for teachers!
Organized by STEMdelivered.org and co-sponsored by GCSN. Thank you to financial sponsors Steve Muir, Geologist and Pacific Section American Association of Petroleum Geologist Foundation |
July 24-28, 2017
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Teachers Got Outdoors with NGSS
Pathways to Parks Spring 2017 Workshops!
Pathways to Parks Spring 2017 Workshops!
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A big Thank You to Kurt Holland for leading these workshops for formal and informal STEM Educators, and to GCSN volunteers Debbie Hammill and Kathy Simpson for providing support for this wonderful PD opportunity!
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Teachers Learn How to do DNA Fingerprinting
at Fall 2016 Workshop
at Fall 2016 Workshop
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GCSN's Ventura BioCenter Tour & Gel Electrophoresis Workshop brought together more than 40 educators to learn about how research incubators like the Ventura BioCenter help to promote new advances in science and technology. In addition, participants got to analyze DNA samples using gel electrophoresis units generously provided by MiniOne.
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2016 GCSN Conference for STEM Education
Focused on Engineering in the NGSS
Focused on Engineering in the NGSS
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Thank you to our conference Co-Sponsors Oxnard College, California Science Teachers Association, and the Ventura County Office of Education.
Special Thanks to to Delta Education (FOSS) for sponsoring breakfast, and STEMscopes for sponsoring lunch. The food was delicious and plentiful! Click HERE to access Conference photos and workshops. |
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GCSN Board Elects New Officers for 2016-17
Congratulations to the newly elected officers of the GCSN Board!
Their tenure is two years, from Jan 1, 2016 through Dec 31, 2017.
Their tenure is two years, from Jan 1, 2016 through Dec 31, 2017.
Geology & Energy Workshop 'Rocked' Local Teachers
at Spring 2015 Workshop
at Spring 2015 Workshop
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GCSN President Debbie Bereki led teachers and geologists in an all day professional development and collaboration at the 2015 Geology and Energy Workshop in May.
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National Weather Service Tour a Big Hit with Teachers!
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Meteorologist David Sweet led teachers on a sweet tour of the National weather service in February 2015. Participants got to see a demonstration of an operational workstation and presentation on severe weather. Participants also strolled through the facility’s one-of-a-kind Global Monitoring Exhibit.
Thanks go out to David and the rest of the GCSN team for coordinating this opportunity for local educators! |
David Sweet is a meteorologist for the National Weather Service and is also in charge of the diversity and outreach programs at the local forecast office in Oxnard, California.
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Visit our Facebook page to learn about more local opportunities for those interested in STEM education.
