On February 12th, educators and administrators from across the region gathered at Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 for a full-day professional learning session titled “Unlocking Student Learning: Designing Meaningful STEELS Assessments.” The workshop was facilitated in collaboration with Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 and focused on strengthening assessment practices aligned to Pennsylvania’s STEELS standards (Science, Technology & Engineering, and Environmental Literacy & Sustainability.)
Participants examined the foundational principles of high-quality assessment aligned to the Pennsylvania STEELS standards, with particular attention to ensuring that assessments measure not only content knowledge but also students’ ability to apply scientific practices.
A key component of the workshop explored the relationship between Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels and science assessment design. The session also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Participants learned how AI tools can support the creation, refinement, and evaluation of meaningful science assessments, providing practical strategies they can implement in their classrooms and schools.