Making enhancements to our Science programming requires an integration of STEM concepts. In this session we share our technological journey and how we have infused 3D printing, drones, robots, coding, and Arduinos seamlessly into 6th-8th grade Science classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees learn how STEM can be infused seamlessly into current NGSS programming, new STEM options available, how they are being used to increase problem solving and critical thinking skills, and how to use the instructional planning framework to integrate STEM technology into any middle-level class.

SPEAKERS:
Anna Kopacz, Howard Frishman, Nicole McRee

It is never too early to introduce students to robotics and coding. Learn about opportunities that are available at the elementary school level. Developing an early curiosity about how to solve problems, while working together are valuable skills that students will be able to use for a lifetime.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn about the resources that are available to begin a robotics program at the elementary school level.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy McIntyre

Learn effective ways to help students formulate effective questions, design explorations to answer their questions, apply analytical and critical thinking skills, collect and interpret data, and determine effective ways to communicate their findings and the concepts they have learned. Handouts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to help students read like a scientist, how to formulate effective questions they want to answer, how to set up explorations and learning experiences, how to apply skills and communicate their findings so that students can think, act, and communicate like scientists.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell

This session introduces participants to the Dash robot and how it can be used in elementary science classrooms to explore the flow of energy. Participants will engage in a hands-on exploration with Dash to develop models using technology to illustrate sample food webs. Be sure to bring a laptop.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore how robotics can be used to communicate information about the flow of energy within an ecosystem (5-PS3-1 and 5-LS2-1). Participants will be introduced to the functionality of the Dash robot and how it can be used as a tool to develop a model to describe the phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Alesia Moldavan

Computer science is integral to STEM because it enhances problem-solving capabilities, enables data-driven research, facilitates automation and innovation, and serves as a unifying element that connects and supports various STEM disciplines.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn simple, yet effective, ways to integrate computer science skills into their STEM and Science Lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Brandon McKinney, Kristin Luthi

Attendees will actively engage with innovative devices; learning strategies to teach data collection and analysis; engineering design processes; robotics; and engaging ways to apply coding and AI to make devices “work”, adding rigor and complexity as learners gain skills and understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to design accessible learning experiences using innovative devices; helping students learn essential science concepts; data collection and analysis; engineering design processes; robotics; and how to add rigor and complexity as learners gain skills and understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell

Learn about an interdisciplinary project that had teachers working in teams to build a miniature golf hole based on a moon of the solar system. Hear about how they took the project back to their schools and adapted it to their own practice and for their students, and try your hand at Sphero golf.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will provide hands-on exploration of an interdisciplinary project that can be scaled to meet the needs of all learners, and reflections by teachers who have both done the project and taught it.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Langley, Hunter Bourjaily, Kristina Martinez, Eileen Koenig, Shannon Baldioli

Learn how to implement a Quick Quiz system to provide consistent and timely feedback to your students, as well as guide your instruction. Students can replace formative Quick Quiz scores by showing mastery by the Summative assessment. Stop checking homework, and start Quick Quizzing!

TAKEAWAYS:
Use daily formative quizzing to allow teacher and students to understand where they are in the learning process, and to drive instruction. We will share our system for making this easy on both teachers and students, and detail how a redemption policy makes these Quizzes a true Formative assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Kimberlee Freudenberg

Inspired to bring joy to our students through authentic STEM investigations that are culturally and historically responsive, we collaborated to create a common framework for planning learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Having a dedicated STEM resource for teachers helps to streamline the curriculum and give teachers ideas for incorporating STEM in ways that are accessible to all students and mindful of a K-5 teacher’s workload.

SPEAKERS:
Elcilia Taveras, Meera Rajani, Carmen King, Susannah Waksberg

This session will focus on the integration of STEM and Language Arts/Reading through standards-driven, inquiry-based units. Participants will have the opportunity to experience one lesson from a unit that demonstrates integration of robotics, engineering, mathematics, and language arts.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will demonstrate integration of STEM and Literacy through the use of robotics. Participants will be provided with an example of a unit based on a young adult book. They will be able to use the unit as provided and will be able to develop their own integrated lessons following the model.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Douglass

Sponsoring Company: hand2mind

Discover how to effectively use STEM Bins® as a foundational, developmentally appropriate form of engineering for elementary students. Learn simple ways to implement STEM Bins® for early finishers, enrichment, morning work, centers, makerspaces, and literacy and math extensions.

SPEAKERS:
Brooke Brown

Learn how to embed future-ready skills through the science and engineering practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
During this session, teachers will learn how to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to actively engage students in the science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
Brandon McKinney, Kristin Luthi

Thinking robotics is just for computer science and technology? In this session, explore how you can utilize robotics to teach forces and interactions, energy, and waves with an innovative approach using robots with sensors.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how the concepts used in robotics and the engineering design process can help students understand the real-world application of concepts in a way that they can test and visualize the effects in their everyday lives. Sample lessons will be provided.

SPEAKERS:
Lori Birch

Participants will see and experience an "Eclipse" This workshop will immerse participants in the various missions of the REC Foundation's Aerial Drone Competition structure. Guided by a DoD STEM Ambassador and learn tools and strategies to try in your own classrooms even without drones.

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience an "Eclipse" of your teaching methods. The interdiciplinary nature of Aerial Drone Competitions help inspire and motivate all students while encouraging participation in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Gretchen Greer