District shows hands‑on science in remote classrooms, highlights 'no critters' approach

Andrea Cartwright, the district’s science leader, told the Everett Public Schools board on Nov. 24 that teachers are providing NGSS‑aligned science and engineering experiences from kindergarten through 12th grade despite remote learning. Cartwright showed examples of grade‑level work — a kindergarten balls‑and‑ramps investigation, a fourth‑grade ice‑cube experiment that used claim‑evidence‑reasoning (CER) and high‑school flame‑test videos — and described how teachers are using short videos and interactive simulations to create shared phenomena for student analysis.

Why it matters: The presentation outlined how the district is trying to keep science instruction hands‑on and equitable while buildings are closed. Cartwright said the central office assembled elementary science kits that could be sent home, created Next‑Generation Science Standard transition guides and recorded short professional‑development videos so teachers can write aligned learning targets and scaffolded success criteria.

The presentation and board discussion Cartwright said the district updated NGSS transition guides this summer to include synchronous and asynchronous recommendations, journal prompts and assessments, and provided multiple examples of student work during remote instruction. She described a fourth‑grade investigation where students observed ice cubes in different home locations, collected classroom data and designed an “ice‑cube saver” using household materials, then used CER to write scientific explanations.

Board members asked how the district balanced hands‑on work with safety and equity. Kelly Bowden, who supported the presentation, added that the team intentionally decided not to send live organisms home — “no critters,” she said — and that when materials are sent they are self‑contained so students aren’t assumed to have specialty items at home. Cartwright said teachers also bring materials to camera and coach students to guide manipulations when students do not have supplies.

High school and digital tools For chemistry and other high‑school labs that require equipment, the district has purchased ExploreLearning Gizmos, Cartwright said. The simulation platform lets students manipulate variables and gather graphed data online; Cartwright said Gizmos can approximate lab experiences safely and broaden access while in‑person labs are limited.

Support for teachers Cartwright said central office staff tailored professional development to teacher capacity during remote learning, creating just‑in‑time mini‑videos for principals and teachers that demonstrate how to unpack NGSS standards and write scaffolded success criteria. The goal, she said, is to increase student discourse and deeper learning without adding burdensome new tasks for teachers.

Board reaction and next steps Directors praised teachers’ work and raised questions about equitable kit distribution and how high‑school chemistry would be managed. Cartwright and colleagues said materials pickup schedules are in place for grade bands and that Gizmos supplements hands‑on labs when it is unsafe to send materials home. The board did not take formal action; staff said they will continue to report implementation progress to the board.

The district: Everett School District’s elementary and secondary teachers and the central office science team led the NGSS implementation work described to the board.