As reported by WBUR, last week the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) adopted a voluntary curriculum framework for computer science.  The Massachusetts Computing Attainment Network (MassCAN)to is collaborating with ESE to help districts implement the standards and the Education Development Center (EDC) is developing elementary school curriculum units to integrate computational thinking into math and science lessons.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) offers ‘Teachers on the Estuary‘ — a field-based professional development program for middle- and high-school teachers interested in watershed and estuary topics, July 25-28, at the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Falmouth on Cape Cod.  See syllabus for Grades 3-5 and Middle-/High-School, as well as an application.  Free but space is limited. Teachers will be awarded equipment and $200 implementation mini-grants.  Rustic lodging and camping is available.  Contact Joan Muller at 508-457-0495 x107.

Public high school teachers and their schools may apply to MassBioEd for grants of up to $12,000 for life-sciences laboratory equipment and consumables for the next school year. The aim of the program is to provide students with authentic, hands-on science experience.  Grants are paired with professional development, in-school mentoring, and student experiential learning events at local colleges and companies. Apply for the BioTeach Training and Equipment Grant by May 16.  For further information, email Dr. Michelle Mischke (michelle.mischke@massbio.org).

Tufts University and Education Development Center have released a report, Engineering for Every K–12 Student: A Landscape Analysis of K–12 Engineering Education in the Greater Boston Region, for researchers, educators, industry representatives, and policymakers.  It highlights awareness and understanding of opportunities, gaps, and resources for engineering education in all grades.

Tuft’s Online K-12 Engineering Education (OKEE) is a graduate-level certificate program to assist teachers in bringing hands-on engineering to their classrooms.  Four courses over 18 months are provided online and self-paced.  Apply for Fall 2016 enrollment by May 6 (for May 26 decision) or June 3 (for June 17 decision) or August 15 (for rolling admissions).  Contact okee@tufts.edu to confirm that space is available or for more information.