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Sue Downer

Director of STEM and Performance Learning

At NHLI, Sue provides professional development in science curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She leads the Science and Math PLACE (Performance Learning and Assessment Consortium for Educators) project. PLACE is a consortium of teachers working toward student-centered, phenomena-driven, and NGSS-aligned performance instruction and assessment.
Her experience includes co-designing and implementing professional development workshops for K-12 science teachers. Before joining NHLI, Sue spent 28 years teaching chemistry and AP chemistry at Souhegan High School in Amherst, NH. During that time, she served as the science department coordinator, senior project coordinator, and as a content lead for the NH-PACE project focused on developing performance assessments for competency-based learning.

Sue Downer / March 19, 2024

Unlocking Curiosity: A Paradigm Shift in Science Education

Integrating Phenomena to Foster Sensemaking Skills in Students “When students as scientists have authentic, relevant opportunities to actively make sense of the world and beyond – what we call sensemaking […]

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