About the Curious Scientist
As a curious lifelong learner herself, Janet is passionate about making Science teaching and learning engaging for teachers and students alike. She is currently the preK-8 Science Coordinator for the Public Schools of Brookline in Massachusetts, where she is responsible for developing science and engineering curriculum, supervising and coaching teachers, creating and facilitating professional learning opportunities, and selecting science supplies/teaching materials.
Over the last 10 years, Janet worked with a team of teachers to revise the entire K-5 Science curriculum to focus on three dimensional learning that meets the new MA Science Technology and Engineering Standards (based on the Next Generation Science Standards or NGSS). Students are active participants in their own learning—using science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to figure out engaging phenomena. Throughout this process, they are deeply engaged in scientific discourse (reading, writing and talking and listening) to share ideas, engage in argument, and collaboratively build their understanding. Students are also encouraged to think of themselves as scientists. The nature of science (Who are scientists and what do they do? How are student scientists like professional scientists? How has scientific thinking changed throughout time? Why?) is woven throughout all curriculum units.
Janet is an NGSS@NSTA Curator, and a member of the DESE Grade 5 Assessment Development Committee for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), as well as the ACHIEVE Peer Review Panel for Science. She also served as a member of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework Review Panel.
In addition to her passion for Science, Janet plays the French horn in a local orchestra and looks forward to exploring the coastline of Nova Scotia every summer with her family (and border collie Luna).
Over the last 10 years, Janet worked with a team of teachers to revise the entire K-5 Science curriculum to focus on three dimensional learning that meets the new MA Science Technology and Engineering Standards (based on the Next Generation Science Standards or NGSS). Students are active participants in their own learning—using science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to figure out engaging phenomena. Throughout this process, they are deeply engaged in scientific discourse (reading, writing and talking and listening) to share ideas, engage in argument, and collaboratively build their understanding. Students are also encouraged to think of themselves as scientists. The nature of science (Who are scientists and what do they do? How are student scientists like professional scientists? How has scientific thinking changed throughout time? Why?) is woven throughout all curriculum units.
Janet is an NGSS@NSTA Curator, and a member of the DESE Grade 5 Assessment Development Committee for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), as well as the ACHIEVE Peer Review Panel for Science. She also served as a member of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework Review Panel.
In addition to her passion for Science, Janet plays the French horn in a local orchestra and looks forward to exploring the coastline of Nova Scotia every summer with her family (and border collie Luna).
