Project-based science (PBS) aligns with national standards that assert children should learn science by actively engaging in the practices of science. Understanding and implementing PBS requires a shift in teaching practices away from one that covers primarily content to one that prompts children to conduct investigations. A common challenge to PBS implementation is a misunderstanding of the elements of PBS. Identification of these misunderstandings as well as implementation challenges could inform professional development. This case study examined 24 teachers' understanding and implementation of PBS during participation in a consecutive three-year, comprehensive professional development program. Results provide insight as to the process they followed in the transition to implementing PBS. Measures included classroom observations, reflective interviews, and attitudinal surveys. Results showed that teachers developed the knowledge, confidence, and understanding to implement PBS but in most cases it took at least two to three years for positive results to become evident. Teachers struggled to develop adequate driving questions that provided projectfocused lessons. Other obstacles included teacher resistance to student-directed instruction, confusing inquiry-based instruction with hands-on activities, and inability to motivate students to work in collaborative teams. While challenging, over time the teachers developed the knowledge, desire, and skills to implement PBS.

Promoting family learning around science represents an important opportunity to reinforce science learning during outof-school time. Evidence suggests that parent-child discourse around science can promote inferential thinking by children and help solidify their understanding of science concepts. While teacher professional development that promotes the type of discourse that encourages student inquiry is trending, interventions that assist parents in developing the same types of learning talk skills are scarce. In this descriptive study, family discourse was observed at a series of events at community centers that promote science learning, such as the zoo and the library. These events were part of a large-scale professional development program designed to transform teaching and learning around PK-3 science. Families were scored on their interaction, discourse, and use of "talk moves" using the Discourse, Interaction, and Inquiry in Family Science rubric. The results demonstrate that the events promoted family discourse and interaction in a manner dependent on the activity context. Implications for teachers and design of family science learning activities are discussed.

is a graduate student of Chemical Engineering at the University of Toledo. He earned a B.S. degree from the University of Benin, Nigeria in chemical engineering. His current research involves the reverse engineering online videos as well as rheology of complex fluids.

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