Our district is celebrating two achievements in science education!
LCSD’s Elementary Science Implementation Team has received the 2025 Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Team Award. This award, created by the Oregon Science Teachers Association (OSTA), celebrates exceptional teamwork in implementing the NGSS across schools and districts.
As noted by nominator Kama Almasi, our Elementary Science Implementation Team has gone beyond merely adopting a new science curriculum. They've prioritized equitable lab and field experiences for all elementary students — something not done for over 20 years. Collaborating with partners like the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Oregon Coast STEM Hub, they’ve established a program where each grade focuses on different outdoor habitats, creating hands-on, place-based learning opportunities that align with NGSS.
Sandy Mummey, LCSD Director of Elementary Education, said she is deeply grateful for the way our community partners and teachers have come together with a shared commitment to ensuring all children have equitable access to high-quality science learning. “It is especially meaningful that our coastal habitats are serving as living classrooms, where science comes to life for our students in ways that are both rigorous and place-based," Mummey said.
LCSD Elementary Math Specialist Dana Spink emphasized the collaborative efforts of our teachers, district and science partners. “Together, we are ensuring that students across Lincoln County have opportunities to wonder, explore, and engage in the practices of science in ways that will stay with them for a lifetime," said Spink.
In addition to this team recognition, we are proud to celebrate Crestview Heights teacher Faith Forshee, who was awarded the 2025 Oregon Science Teachers Association (OSTA) Outstanding Classroom Teacher Award. Forshee said she has been lucky to have many science mentors at LCSD in her last 15 years of teaching in LCSD. “They have helped me to build my knowledge and my passion for teaching science,” she said. “My goals are to continue to encourage and support other teachers to include science in their day and to get my students excited about potential science hobbies and careers for their future!”
Please join us in congratulating these exceptional instructors!