Fostering Productive Student Discourse

Discourse is not just a fundamental skill for science, it’s a fundamental skill for learning in any subject area. Discourse in science, though, has some special considerations and caveats. Tune in for a conversation about why discourse is so critical in the science classroom and the big and small things teachers can do to support student discourse.Kara Olewiler is a secondary science educator with 22 years of experience at Conewago Valley School District. 15 of these years were dedicated to middle-level science education with the most recent time at the high school teaching various biology and earth science courses. She holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and is currently pursuing her administrative certificate. Kara is passionate about fostering meaningful learning experiences and supporting the growth and success of both students and educators.ResourcesTalk Science PrimerCommunicating in Scientific Ways ChartAST Discourse PrimerDiscussion Planning ToolDiscussion Tools and Ideas from OpenSciEd