Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Explore the world of forensic science with these fun and exciting escape room activities! Try forensic blood detection and agarose gel electrophoresis experiments, decipher clues, and solve puzzles. Learn to design your own escape room to have students unravel the evidence and free the innocent.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD, Brian Ell

Let’s discuss how to incorporate problem-based learning and build female student’s academic self-efficacy in online STEM learning. Presenters will share barriers to implementing problem-based learning and the factors that relate to female student’s academic self-efficacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with practical applications for incorporating problem-based learning and building students’ academic self-efficacy in online learning to improve engagement and retention in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Lemster

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Unleash the power of gene editing with your students using REAL CRISPR-Cas technology to knock out colorful genes in E. coli. Identify successful knockout based on the color of the cells. Experiment by switching RNA templates and analyzing results, letting your students prove the specificity of CRIS

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD, Brian Ell

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Molly the Labradoodle has surprise puppies. Students use Punnett squares and DNA gel electrophoresis to track the furnishings trait and determine the father. Mendelian genetics has never been this cute!

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hennessy-McDonald, PhD

The H-S-R Model anchors regular lessons with a multifaceted phenomenon (hub) from which all concepts (spokes) both derive and refer in the dynamic of comprehensive learning (rim). Representing a bicycle tire, the model uses “centripetal force” to contextually relate all spoke-concepts to the hub.

TAKEAWAYS:
Relating concepts back to a single phenomenon in the H-S-M Model provides continually meaningful context for the diverse topics of a genetics course and results in overall improved course coverage and knowledge retention.

SPEAKERS:
John Doucet

In this session, participants will explore ecology, conservation, and the cultural significance of the diamondback terrapin in the Chesapeake Region through an integrated Indigenous and Western scientific curricular framework that was designed for, and tested in, science education methods courses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Integrating Indigenous Knowledges into science teacher education reframes science and science education to highlight scientific practices that prioritize ecocentrism, ethics, and interconnectedness and fosters culturally responsive and inclusive environmental literacies among science teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Green

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

What happens when you cook an egg? Is it possible to un-cook it? Investigate the characteristics of amino acids, the levels (and rules!) of protein folding, and how denaturing a protein alters its function in an engaging investigation of the Amino Acid Starter Kit.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Use gel electrophoresis to investigate if someone was wrongfully convicted. Based on the principles from the FBI’s CODIS system, this forensics investigation allows your students to make connections between DNA analysis and its uses in the criminal justice system. Inspired by the Innocence Project.

SPEAKERS:
Rose Chaffee-Cohen

In the United States, 9.34% of African Americans earn science degrees compared to other ethnicities. As a result, African Americans are not adding to scientific innovation or global competitiveness. Underrepresentation in science fields has been a challenge for African Americans.

TAKEAWAYS:
Parent knowledge about science is critical to increasing the number of African American scientists in the United States. According to the lived experiences of this study's participants, the parent component was the most influential factor in African Americans becoming scientists.

SPEAKERS:
Charlese Brown, Ed.D.

Sponsoring Company: Adventerra Games

Come play Global Warning, a cooperative board game from Adventerra Games. Learn how to work together to solve local and global climate problems, and learn strategies to mitigate climate change. Workshop includes results from a new Michigan State study of learning gains associated with this game.

SPEAKERS:
Bryan Mundell, Peter White, Sue Mundell

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

You’ve planned the experiment and collected data, now let’s discuss the best way to analyze it. In this workshop, we’ll use PCR and ELISA to bring quantitative data analysis and statistics to the lab. Mastery of these skills is crucial to prepare students for careers in biotechnology and STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD, Brian Ell

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Teach topics ranging from protein function to genetic diseases with this engaging hands-on activity. It only takes one class period! Students help a fictional family obtain molecular diagnoses using gel electrophoresis. Bonus: a free hands-on activity to model sickle cell gene therapy treatments.

SPEAKERS:
Ally Huang

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Experience an easy-to-implement genetic engineering lab with simple teacher prep - no starter cultures or incubator required! This robust lab allows students to visualize the transformation of bacteria from white to bright blue using a protocol that can be completed in a 45-minute class period.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hennessy-McDonald, PhD

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Empower your high school students to unlock the secrets of enzyme specificity through hands-on biotech design challenges

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt

Sponsoring Company: Terra Science and Education

Spend a week learning how to set up and run a Bahamas trip. Snorkeling and evening classes mirror the trip you can run for students. The goal is to gain the knowledge and skills needed to work with Terra to run a program that is safe, exciting, and rigorous. Room and board is free for all attendees

SPEAKERS:
George Wolfe

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Unlock biology's mysteries with model organisms! Join our workshop to learn how to culture and study C. elegans in your classroom laboratory. Explore heavy metal effects using a simple locomotion assay. Integrate STEM concepts, data collection, and statistics for an enriching learning experience.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD, Brian Ell

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Investigate transcription and translation without culturing cells! In this inquiry-based lab, RNA glows green and protein glows red, so you can see gene expression happen in a test tube. Use experimental data to test hypotheses about variables that affect transcription and translation.

SPEAKERS:
Ally Huang

Piggybacking on the 5-E model for Teaching Inquiry Science (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate), learn what Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to utilize at each step of the process. Discover the best AI resources to support this problem-solving framework.

TAKEAWAYS:
Vetted AI sources for brainstorming, thesis statement generating, note-taking, researching, and editing will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Yost

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Dive into forensic science's role in justice with our workshop. Study a cold case solved by DNA based technologies like RFLPs & PCR, and its legal implications. Ideal for law and science enthusiasts.

SPEAKERS:
Marisol Gabriel

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Explore Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR in our hands-on electrophoresis workshop! This powerful biotechnology breakthrough is making dramatic changes to human health RIGHT NOW. Dive into CRISPR biology with quick experiments modeling cures for genetic diseases like Sickle Cell Anemia and Cystic Fibrosis.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD, Brian Ell

Explore a college course on wasted food and societal impacts, highlighting student-centered learning and sensemaking through transformative journeys toward sustainable practices. Build your Insights into teaching and course evaluation methods to understand the effectiveness of course design.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave the session with an understanding of how a course design focused on sensemaking can enrich student learning and, additionally, how this approach allows students to become central to their own educational experiences, fostering deeper comprehension and active engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Pete Locher

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

PTC tasting is a classic way to link genotype and phenotype. Use PCR and gel electrophoresis to determine if students have taster or non-taster alleles for bitter perception. Learn about our all-new curriculum and see how easy it can be to bring molecular genetics to your class!

SPEAKERS:
Sebastian Kraves

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Discover forensic biotech in our workshop. Perform Bradford Assay for biological sex identification from fingerprints, and delve into biochemical analysis with practical skills.

SPEAKERS:
Marisol Gabriel

The session will discuss how educators can effectively assess assignments and student work to ensure that each piece reflects deep personal engagement and understanding. This dialogue will help understand evaluative practices' critical role in fostering a sensemaking environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with several methods of evaluating courses, curriculum, and lesson design to ensure sensemaking is evident in student work, discussions, and final projects.

SPEAKERS:
Pete Locher

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Wildlife conservators often return captive-bred animals to their native habitats to rewild the area. In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore the use of RFLP analysis and phylogenetics in conservation biology to analyze the DNA samples of two lions. Can we return them to their ancestral home?

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD, Brian Ell

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Discover how modeling with interactive, collaborative tools can help your students learn about this new gene editing technology. Hear how the treatment has helped people.

SPEAKERS:
Ruth Hutson

5,600 exoplanets have been detected with new planets being found outside our solar system almost every day. However, just a few hundred years ago discovering new planets wasn't something that happened every day. Come learn about the dramatic stories of the discoveries of Uranus and Neptune.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn why the discoveries of Uranus and Neptune are connected to each other. They will also learn about how this episode in the history of astronomy illustrates the real life messiness and controversy that inevitably accompany the process of scientific discovery.

SPEAKERS:
Robinson Yost

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Do your students struggle with constructing scientific explanations? We'll explore free BioInteractive resources featuring authentic data about the evolution of Caribbean anoles and discuss how students can utilize multiple sources of evidence, such as phylogenetic trees, to support their claims.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Eberhard, Dionne Reid

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Explore DNA and RNA with three different physical models. Discover strategies to help students learn about nucleotide structure, base-pairing, DNA directionality, and even Epigenetics!

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Join our workshop to explore Ozempic's dual action on diabetes and weight loss. Learn about semaglutide's role in blood sugar and appetite regulation through hands-on ELISA simulations.

SPEAKERS:
Marisol Gabriel

University/College instructors talk about how they integrate NSTA resources in their courses. Come and listen to their stories and ask them questions! Find out the benefits that this opportunity provides you and your teacher candidates.

TAKEAWAYS:
Many university/college instructors are using NSTA resources in lieu of a textbook when teaching preservice teacher courses. Participants will meet some of these instructors to learn how they integrate NSTA resources in their courses and about the benefits of the program.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Experience CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing experiments designed for your students' learning! In this hands-on workshop edit a chromosomal gene, complete with essential experimental controls, using the same cut-and-repair technology used in medicinal and agricultural applications.

SPEAKERS:
Marisol Gabriel

Are you looking for ways to make your Introductory/General Education College Science Classes more engaging for students? Join your colleagues as they share how they have put research into practice in their classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Put research into practice as you experience these engaging, relevant, and real approaches to teaching non-majors.

SPEAKERS:
Richard Jones

Are you looking for ways to make your Introductory/General Education College Science Classes more engaging for students with special needs? Join your colleagues as they share how they use culturally relevant pedagogies, anti-bias teaching, and other resources to support STEM instruction for students

TAKEAWAYS:
Science Learning and Teaching for All! Come learn how to use culturally relevant pedagogies, anti-bias teaching, and other resources to support STEM instruction in your college science courses.

SPEAKERS:
Elesha Goodfriend, Kelly Moore, Richard Jones

Are you a preservice teachers’ instructor? Learn how NSTA's digital resources, web seminars, and online community can help students become the BEST teachers they can be. We will discuss what’s available in the NSTA and how to easily access it from your own Class Landing Page. Membership is included.

TAKEAWAYS:
Instructors using NSTA as their Textbook (or as a supplement) have students who create a library of resources, grow their network of professional colleagues, and enhance their content and pedagogical knowledge of science. Membership is included.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez

Sponsoring Company: Anatomage, Inc.

The Science Table provides a library of over 60 biology, chemistry, and physics experiments with realistic-quality visuals on an interactive 7 foot-long touch-screen table. The workshop will focus on incorporating the Science Table into middle school, high school, and college level classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Zach Bryant

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Extreme climate events are driving evolutionary changes in anole lizards! Use BioInteractive resources to help students develop data literacy skills in analyzing data from the primary literature and practice writing scientific explanations about how climate affects gene pools.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Eberhard

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Discover the role of Scenedesmus obliquus in biotechnology, from biofuels to wastewater treatment and microplastics detection. This hands-on workshop includes a powerful teaching lab for photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and allows students to engage in structured and open inquiry

SPEAKERS:
Marisol Gabriel

Gear up, science teachers! Explore physical science with Fantastic Elastic Cars: build, race, and uncover motion marvels. Get ready for hands-on fun that'll ignite your passion for science!

TAKEAWAYS:
Unleash Science Fun!! Join me to discover a dynamic approach to teaching the Laws of Motion with a burst of fun! Experience the thrill of building rubber band cars to explore motion, friction and mass in action.

SPEAKERS:
Crissy Giacona

Inviting all Preservice Teachers and Faculty Advisors to learn about NSTA’s Preservice Teacher Chapter Program with National and Local Preservice Teacher Chapters options.

TAKEAWAYS:
Preservice Teachers and Faculty Advisors walk-away informed to participate in NSTA’s Preservice Teacher Chapter Program.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez, Lisa Brown

Searching for engaging and effective activities to teach students about misinformation? This presentation provides examples of active inoculation assignments that help students understand pseudoscience, science denial, conspiracy theories, etc., and teaches you how to design your own assignments!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use (and design) active inoculation activities to protect their students from misinformation, such as designing an advertisement for a health pseudoscience product and creating conspiracy theories.

SPEAKERS:
Melanie Trecek-King

In this session, participants will explore strategies for fostering emotional engagement among undergraduates on climate change. Through social-emotional learning, we learn how mindfulness activities, videos, and readings deepen emotional connection and enhance understanding of climate science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will grasp using mindfulness, videos, and readings to engage undergraduates on climate change emotionally and cognitively. They will gain strategies for integrating SEL into teaching, empowering students to deepen environmental connections and climate literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Gayle Buck, Tajinder Saroya

This presentation revitalizes studies exploring student perceptions of scientists through AI-drive, text-to-image technology. Results show potential to reshape stereotypes and inspire diverse STEM participation.

TAKEAWAYS:
AI text-to-image breaks stereotypes, portraying scientists diversely. Enhancing inclusivity, it fosters broader STEM engagement and equitable representation especially in the "Design a Scientist" activity.

SPEAKERS:
Terri Hebert

Our initiative integrates industry-focused problems through experiential learning activities using Computational Molecular Modeling into biology and chemistry courses at the community college and 4-year university level.

TAKEAWAYS:
This talk will discuss how Computational Molecular Modeling activities are used in chemistry and biology course curricula at LaGuardia Community College and the New York City College of Technology to improve educational pathways and train underrepresented minority students.

SPEAKERS:
Katherine Bay

An undergraduate leadership team was developed to serve during an experiential learning initiative with community partners and across disciplines to create place-based learning experiences for elementary students at nature sites in the community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to utilize student leadership teams for major initiatives or projects in their classes.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Engle

Discover innovative methods and practical tips to elevate teacher excellence and effectiveness. Explore strategies for optimizing learning experiences and engaging students fully in every classroom interaction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Access advanced pedagogical methods and actionable insights to boost teacher efficacy. Dive into strategies for maximizing learning outcomes and cultivating strong student engagement in every classroom interaction.

SPEAKERS:
Terri Hebert

The purpose of our research is to investigate how educators’ experiences in field studies with community partners can inform a transdisciplinary STEAM educational program based on a curriculum of place. Our project considers varying perspectives of place and land as it informs STEAM TEd programming.

TAKEAWAYS:
This research has the potential to inform future STEAM teacher education and K-12 teaching and learning that integrates STEAM pedagogies, Indigenous knowledges and place/land-based transdisciplinary curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin O'Connor

State boards require an additional hour for science courses to give students the ability to learn and apply content. This is reasonable; however, there is a knowledge gap regarding the influence of lab instructors. Data shows that training, experience, and classification significantly impact grades.

TAKEAWAYS:
Blind spots could inhibit a department’s ability to support laboratory instructors, allocate funds, and improve undergraduate outcomes. This data and process will catalyze conversations about best practices in the supervision, planning, and instruction of undergraduate laboratories.

SPEAKERS:
Steven Koether, Analeesa Santillan

Immerse yourself in sustainable entrepreneurship with our student-run apiary venture! Majors from across campus collaborate to produce honey and bee-inspired products, while also providing pollinator education. From pure honey to eco-friendly beeswax goods, experience interdisciplinary teamwork.

TAKEAWAYS:
The student-forward approaches that are often the focus of the Scholarship of Teaching attempt to shift the well-entrenched paradigm of college teaching. Unfortunately, faculty have yet to break free from the maxim of “we teach the way we were taught” to “we teach the way that we learn”. Learn how.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Krantz

We compared student perceptions of the effectiveness of different learning modalities (textbook images, plastic models, an online interactive lab manual, virtual cadaver dissection technology, and a fresh tissue cadaver lab experience) offered in an undergraduate anatomy & physiology course.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using different learning modalities in an undergraduate anatomy & physiology lab course offers more clinically relevant, hands-on, and realistic content to enhance a student's learning experience.

SPEAKERS:
Michele Moore

There is a knowledge gap regarding the influence of lab instructors on overall course outcomes. Data shows that training, experience, and classification can matter. This knowledge could help us make data-driven decisions to improve instruction and challenge assumptions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Postsecondary STEM educators can evaluate assumptions on course outcomes and laboratory teaching assistants' role in them. Participants will dialogue about findings to uncover data limitations and catalyze future inquiry. This work can shift from final findings to summative and holistic development.

SPEAKERS:
Steven Koether, Analeesa Santillan

Many resources teach physics concepts, but none address gaps in math preparedness revealed when students try to apply algebra tactics to physics equations. The Physics Accelerator’s 0-credit, self-paced modules, remediate critical algebra tactics to increasing confidence and success in Physics I.

TAKEAWAYS:
Physics Accelerator modules and self-paced, online practice modules, guiding students through algebraic tactics to solve physics equations, without using class time. Instructors integrate these into Learning Management Systems, schedule access, link additional video content, monitor student use.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Urban

This induction program for Noyce scholars focused on public science projects, classroom planning, and classroom management. Common themes noted included (a) employing small group learning, especially for projects; (b) all students being capable of learning; and (c) building strong relationships.

TAKEAWAYS:
Based upon Danielson’s Framework for Teaching, the scholars believed their area of strength was learning environment due to their confidence in relationship building, while an area of weakness was planning and preparation due to a lack of experience.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Lynberg, Jason Gordon, Deborah McAllister

An NSF proposal in the LSU GeauxTeach undergraduate secondary STEM-teacher preparation program. We propose upgrades to the undergraduate curriculum, new experiential learning opportunities, and an enhanced mentorship model to improve the production of secondary STEM teachers in Louisiana.

TAKEAWAYS:
The GeauxTeach STEM secondary STEM educator program proposes a research-based vision for improving human relationships and mentoring in our current preservice science and mathematics preservice teacher program.

SPEAKERS:
Zane Whittington

This presentation will focus on the development and utilization of openly licensed math materials (OER) to support Technical Courses and on knowledge and experience with open content and open pedagogy, strategies and tools for creating content and curriculum that is inclusive of all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore resources dealing with open content and open pedagogy related to technical courses.

SPEAKERS:
Esperanza Zenon