Peter Sci

Governor Pritzker meets with teachers and administrators.

Governor Pritzker takes photos.

Governor Pritzker shakes hands.

Governor Pritzker meets with teachers and administrators.

Donald Trump ended the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program last year.

Tonight, as we have been doing since, the State of Illinois is stepping in where the federal government has failed our schools.

I’m recognizing 28 schools as the 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools.

You are being misled about renewable energy technology. YouTube video by Technology Connections

Let's do this.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtQ9...

It's night on a cold, wintry day. Several leafless trees mark the boundary between the gravel walking path and the frigid but calm water of Lake Michigan. The streetlamp cast the trees' shadows onto the snow dusted gravel path. The Chicago skyscrapers peak behind the distant treelike.

A favorite photo from yesterday's evening walk.

NEA Executive Director Kim Anderson Speaks at the 2025 NEA Representative Assembly July 5, 2025, Portland, Oregon—Kim Anderson challenges educators at NEA's annual meeting to be brave and resist injustice. "This administration only takes no...

NEA Exec. Director Kim Anderson challenges educators at #NEARA to be brave and resist injustice. "This administration only takes notice when we are united and loud, when we are brave enough to step up and step forward, and say, 'Not on our watch."

Congestion pricing by the # ‘s 6 months in:
* 67k fewer drivers entering zone daily
* Delays in Holland Tunnel down 65%
* Traffic deaths down 32% so far in 2025
* $500m projected this year for MTA capital improvements
* B’way attendance +12%
* Subway ridership +7%

So yes this program is a SUCCESS.

How lucky are we to hear from Andy Markus, our Education Support Professional of the Year?

Andy so clearly demonstrates how custodial workers—and administrative staff, and bus drivers, and cafeteria workers—have a powerful role to play in the education of every child.

Teachers don't need more tech. They need smaller classes and more (paid) time for prep and instruction. But alas, the tech option means more profit for billionaires, while the latter would cost billionaires more in taxes. And so, in our current kleptocracy, tech is what teachers are going to get...

LGBTQ+ Books for Schools | NEA Recommended titles that reflect on the LGBTQ+ experience and books about Pride, tolerance, and diversity.

Everyone should be able to see themselves reflected in the books they read and feel comfortable about being the person they want to be. Find books in this list that reflect on the LGBTQ+ experience along with titles about pride, tolerance, and diversity:

Coalition moves for injunction stopping Trump administration’s actions to dismantle the Department of Education | NEA Today, in the case of NAACP v. US, the coalition of plaintiffs and supporters are moving for a preliminary injunction preventing Linda McMahon and the Trump administration from continuing their…

The Trump admin just withheld $6.8B in critical education funding—money that overwhelmingly supports students through their local school districts. But together with @studentdefense.bsky.social, @edlawcenter.bsky.social, @afscmemd.org, and NAACP, we’re taking legal action to stop it.

PhET is such an important free resource for many science educators. If you can donate, please do!

Free workshop for science teachers! Addressing Climate Misinformation and Misconceptions. College Station, Texas, April 4-5

Teachers of #Texas, we're headed your way! We are partnering with Texas A&M College of Education & Human Development to offer a free climate change workshop on April 4-5 in College Station. Please join us! There is still time to register - forms.gle/Axkv8UW7CNNq... #EduSky #TeacherSky #TeachClimate

Uptown funk? Some drivers are bummed about CDOT's proposal to convert parking to PBLs on Clark N. of Montrose. Here's why they shouldn't worry.
chi.streetsblog.org/2025/03/18/u...

Those before/after stats on speeding along Clark are impressive! I found out about this on Uptown Update where they are avidly against this. Yet, almost (all?) comments on their blog and their Facebook page are in favor of the change. I'm so glad to see more protected lanes coming to the area!

This is why I love BlueSky. I saw your article, looked at your profile, saw you wrote a book, read a sample, and now I have it placed on hold for pick-up at my local library. I look forward to reading it!

As a grad student we first had to go to our Local Review Board (LRB) so they could help us with our applications to IRB. It was helpful to have experienced researchers review our proposals, look over our protocols, & help us identify issues. There is so much to consider with soc sci methods.

A photo of me pointing to the layer that marks the end of the age of dinosaurs. It is known at the KT boundary or the KPg boundary. The layer is exposed after a paleontologist removed overlaying rock. This photo was taken near Jordan, Montana.

This photo is showing a jawbone fossil discovered at a dig site in the Hell Creek formation near Jordan, Montana.

This photo shows two teachers removing and examining surrounding rock from a dig site in the Hell Creek formation near Jordan, Montana. At the base of the photo is a white plaster which is covering the fossil of a triceratops. The two teachers sit above the plaster. They ar using tools, such as a shovel and a paintbrush, to carefully remove the surrounding rock layer and examine it for additional fossils.

I got to go in 2021. I met other amazing educators, got to work on the Flyby Trike site, found tons of fossils like gar scales, teeth, and jawbones. And the cherry on top: you get the opportunity to bring the experience to your students with fossil kits.

Apply for the DIG Apply now for the 2024 DIG Field School Program.

Science teachers: have you ever wanted to dig up dinosaurs and microfossils? Want to see the actual KT boundary and dig ancient ecosystems? Applications for the DIG Field School are now open! Hands down it is my favorite summer experience!
@gpwilson11.bsky.social
www.burkemuseum.org/education/ed...

A photo of me pointing to the layer that marks the end of the age of dinosaurs. It is known at the KT boundary or the KPg boundary. The layer is exposed after a paleontologist removed overlaying rock. This photo was taken near Jordan, Montana.

This photo is showing a jawbone fossil discovered at a dig site in the Hell Creek formation near Jordan, Montana.

This photo shows two teachers removing and examining surrounding rock from a dig site in the Hell Creek formation near Jordan, Montana. At the base of the photo is a white plaster which is covering the fossil of a triceratops. The two teachers sit above the plaster. They ar using tools, such as a shovel and a paintbrush, to carefully remove the surrounding rock layer and examine it for additional fossils.

I got to go in 2022. I met other amazing educators, got to work on the Flyby Trike site, found tons of fossils like gar scales, teeth, and jawbones. And the cherry on top: you get the opportunity to bring the experience to your students with fossil kits.

Biking after work is such a good way to free up your mind, too. I used to bike 11 miles from my school to home. It always reset me, especially if I didn't have a great day.

That whole stretch of Broadway is awful. I wasn't surprised to see the location was right by the library. So many drivers fail to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk there.

A picture of a U-shaped apartment building courtyard. Snow is falling and landing on the trees than make an awning over the walkway. Red berries are seen on the leafless tress. Large snowflakes fall and dot the image.

Here's a picture of our snowy courtyard. It was from the first snowfall in Chicago a few days ago. It's so calming to watch and enjoy.

Would love to be added. Thank you for the list 😄

We will get more nuanced packs as more people come, but PLEASE let me know if you want to be added to the Science Educator starter pack! Leave a comment and we will get you on. Make sure to share too so that we can find more of us. go.bsky.app/FdpEmsi #SciEd #NGSS #Skyence 🧪

A brindle and white dog sleeping on a pillow. His tongue is sticking out. His back legs and tail are tucked under his front legs.

Fall break has begun and my dog has the right mood for it.

Happy to share! I haven’t tried the filtering method yet. I’ll see if that provides a higher concentration of microorganisms.

Field of view of a microscope slide taken at 40x. Amongst the debris of rock sediments is a small rotifer. It is located just above the pointer.

Here’s a rotifer.

I see them now. Thanks! I also teach two bio units. We normally build our own ponds in the classroom to see what micro life appears. This will be a fun addition.

Thank you for the ID on the worm! It’s been awhile since I’ve seen one. I also found an annelid in the beaker of water and moss. I returned it outside. Looking forward to the microorganisms next.

Making my own moss safari as inspired by @mosssafari.bsky.social! Collected some moss from around my school and letting it sit overnight. Had an initial look to see what was already there.