Welcome to NSTA’s national conference!! Where should you begin? Join us for an exploration of the conference app and NSTA’s social media. You will learn how to maneuver and conquer the conference and leave feeling energized.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to get the most out of your conference experience in addition to becoming an engaged learner.

Hear how a K-8 district just north of Chicago with 18 schools is transforming science teaching and learning through cultivating Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), leveraging teacher leaders, and centering student voice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teacher leaders & students are crucial to scaling reform efforts. Participants will walk away with a detailed model for cultivating science PLCs and example strategies for elevating student voice.

SPEAKERS:
Kristie Rachell, Meghan Thomas, Megan McDermott, Alissa Berg, Elida Patino

Are your students’ explanations of science sometimes jaw-dropping, leaving you scratching your head as to where that “knowledge” came from? While we can’t eliminate kids’ misconceptions, we can work with those ideas to help them understand the correct science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn how to work with misconceptions that students hold in order to incorporate those into useful assessments. Use students’ sensemaking to discover ways to get at those ideas, and share your students’ misconceptions, hear others as well, and build research-based assessments.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Crockett

Participants will be presented with the characteristics of NGSS-based learning. The presenter will frame this through the review of a hands-on/demonstration activity vs. a Three-Dimensional approach to instruction. This session is meant for school administrators who do not have a science background.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be introduced to the process of converting a hands-on/demonstration activity to a true NGSS-based lesson.

SPEAKERS:
Christina Hilton

Discover how simple adjustments in activity order can supercharge your students' knowledge construction and seamlessly integrate the NGSS into your teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro, Instructional Sequence Matters will empower you with both the rationale and tangible, real-world examples to revamp your hands-on teaching methods.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Brown

Undergraduate researchers built a bat house on the Amazon River Basin. The project goals were: 1.) provide natural remediation, 2.) create a marketable commodity (guano), and 3.) reduce overhead costs. The venture has proven beneficial and has far-reaching global effects on the most at-risk humans.

TAKEAWAYS:
Several benefits for the Maijuna can be replicated in other communities. International historical bat projects will be shared. Future ventures with tropical bat houses and other natural resources will be shared. The main takeaway is the use of the natural environment to battle current human struggles.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Bechtel

How do we prepare teachers to build a community of student learners and leaders? Science education is ideal for building student leaders as they investigate phenomena through questions and observations.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will explore and model best practices to promote inclusive student leadership in science.

SPEAKERS:
Sephali Thakkar, Beverly DeVore-Wedding

Students with exceptionalities experience barriers to mastering the breadth and depth of the NGSS. This session explains the process used to reduce the depth, breadth, and complexity of the NGSS into K-12 alternate standards for students with severe cognitive disabilities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how the developmental process of the NGSS PEs was mirrored, yet altered, to develop alternate standards that incorporated the three dimensions described in the Framework and the NGSS at a reduced depth, breadth, and complexity.

SPEAKERS:
Joyce Depenbusch, Christy Glore

Science coordinators from two public school districts in South Carolina will share how they are implementing a high-quality, open-education NGSS curriculum to support equitable three-dimensional science instruction for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will share our implementation strategies, including how we recruited teachers as early adopters. Learn how we support teachers and students, partner with administrators and the community, manage materials, address challenges, and celebrate successes.

SPEAKERS:
Richard Phillips, Holly Sullivan

Educators in Infant/Toddler classrooms can feel pressure to "teach science" in their groups. Yet, infants and toddlers, allowed to freely explore, engage in science learning daily. The framework's dimensions are part of their world, but adults seldom recognize this.

TAKEAWAYS:
The everyday "play" of infants and toddlers include their attempts to investigate their world, to find out patterns and predictability of objects in their lives. Adults who work with the youngest children rarely understand the scientific concepts that are being investigated and learned.

SPEAKERS:
Ellen Cogan

Explore transformative AI tools for education, including Questionwell, Curipod, and Twee. Learn to seamlessly integrate them into lessons, enhance student engagement, and elevate learning with AI-generated questions and personalized feedback.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain hands-on experience with AI tools for education, understanding their potential to enhance student engagement, streamline assessment, and promote innovative teaching strategies.

SPEAKERS:
Selene Verhofstad, Faryal Shaukat

Explore student-driven phenomena to teach and scaffold the NGSS Science Practices! This session is a mix of presentation, hands-on inquiry, and discussion. Utilizing a teacher’s experience in research and scientific publication, we’ll explore common areas of dissonance in emerging scientists.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to make authentic research accessible to diverse learners with a simple jelly, bread, and kitchen utensil investigation. Scaffolding progressions will cover scientific writing, data analysis, peer feedback, and scientific communication to bridge the gap between classroom and research.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Lane

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

This session is for you teachers who want to deepen your understanding of climate change, and gather strategies for teaching it at an age-appropriate level. We will also discuss how to answer a student who declares, “My dad says he doesn’t believe in climate change!” Been there. Let’s talk.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers learn basic climate science and practice conceptual modeling to clarify and communicate their understanding, so they will feel confident teaching climate. Examples of differentiated instruction for ELL, struggling students, and GT students, are also given to reach all children.

SPEAKERS:
Kottie Christie-Blick

Middle School NGSS-aligned curriculum, instruction, and assessment resources created by the SIPS Project provide a scalable and coherent approach to improve three-dimensional science learning for all students, including unpacking the science content, instruction, and assessing student progress.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators’ ability to use three-dimensional instruction and assessment resources to provide inclusive, equitable instruction, promote sensemaking, assess learning, and make instructional decisions will be enhanced. Benefits of a coherent system to improve student outcomes will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Rhonda True, Mary Nyaema, Bill Herrera, Charlene Turner

In this engaging session, we embark on a transformative journey, equipping educators with the tools and knowledge to instill a growth mindset in themselves and their students, enriching the educational experience, and nurturing future generations of resilient, adaptable, and lifelong learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will self-assess and evaluate students' mindsets, while discussing resources to foster resilience, embracing challenges, and nurturing a lifelong love for learning in any classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Luciana Girgulsky

Hosting a STEM Science Fair promotes engagement with the scientific method and CER. It allows students to investigate areas of science that interest them. Learn the logistics of hosting a STEM science fair at your school and the benefits it can bring to your building.

TAKEAWAYS:
Hosting a Science Fair allows students to be active scientists as they study, experiment, and share their knowledge of an in-depth topic of their interest.

SPEAKERS:
Stacie Hopple

School leaders play an important role in the adoption of high quality instructional materials and can serve as catalysts for smart adoption processes. Participants will learn how to develop and use local priorities and instructional vision to drive the instructional materials adoption process.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to develop local priorities and establish an instructional vision, engage with EdReports reviews of instructional materials to make informed decisions based on local context, and leave with materials to support replicating this process with their local educators.

SPEAKERS:
John-Carlos Marino, Shannon Wachowski

This session presents a unique approach to teacher-led professional learning communities, leveraging data-driven inquiry cycles to identify, test, and refine solutions to common problems of practice around science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore the creation and facilitation of teacher-led professional learning communities, which leverage Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) learning cycles to address problems of practice within their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Seabloom

Engaging students in science practices, like arguing from evidence, supports a vision of inclusive instructional strategies. Come explore how students in a fourth grade classroom argue from evidence to figure out which organism was pollinating the moonflower, which only blooms at night.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with an example of how to structure argumentation in the 4th grade classroom through observing student data organization and student discourse.

SPEAKERS:
Betsy Barent, Miranda Orellana

With literacy making it's way to the forefront of all core curriculum, do you ever feel like you don't have enough time to add a reading assignment to your lesson plans? Don't stress! I will present strategies that I have incorporated into my plans that have had positive results.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will take away literacy strategies that can be incorporated immediately into your lesson plans that will encourage students to read aloud, pick out important words and phrases, and put their ideas on paper. Also allows teachers to assess reading abilities and comprehension.

SPEAKERS:
Stacey Barnett

This session will introduce teachers to a variety of note-booking techniques that will increase student engagement and excitement for learning. Students will take pride in their notebooks and therefore increase the level of effort they put into their work.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will provide teachers and administrators with various strategies to differentiate learning for English Language Learners, Special Education Students, and General Education Students, and accurately assess student learning through note-booking by tracking student thinking/understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Ziminski

Explore the NSTA Website with us! NSTA provides high-quality digital resources and opportunities—all within a professional community—that supports professional learning and classroom instruction. NSTA staff will be available to answer questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will become knowledgeable about the plethora of digital resources available on NSTA’s website, about the live events and professional learning community that can help them enhance their knowledge and improve their teaching practices.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips, Flavio Mendez

Like many states, Connecticut has adopted OpenSciEd for the middle level model science curriculum. The approach to teaching and learning through OpenSciEd presents a challenge for school and district leaders– that is, what does it look like? The instructional model & feedback will be the focus.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leaders and supervisors will learn what to expect in an OpenSciEd classroom and take away tools and resources to support their understanding, and support teacher implementation through formative feedback to enhance teacher growth and collective efficacy.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Wlodarczyk

Diversity in STEM is crucial; however, we need to do more than just talk about it. In order to really create inclusive spaces, we must address the dark side of science which has led many groups to shy away from pursuing these fields. This harm can be repaired through restorative practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand the history of science in the United States. By acknowledging the systemic obstacles and barriers that certain underrepresented groups faced, we can implement restorative strategies to create inclusive science classrooms, such as: circles, conferences, and restorative questions.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Josue Falaise

To meet the spirit and vision of NGSS, teachers need pedagogies and practices for facilitating scientific discourses at various stages of STEM lessons. This session introduces three discourse frameworks to help students engage in the practices of listening and speaking like scientists and engineers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn pedagogy and practice for scientific discourses. Participants learn how to facilitate 1.) science talks — how to generate curiosity, wonder, and theorize; 2.) scaffolding action, how to engage and expand scientific investigation and engineering design; and 3.) foster scientific argumentation.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Devitt

Members of NSTA's Professional Learning Committee want to meet you! Join us as we kick-off the Sensemaking and Crosscutting Concepts Conference Course. This session gives an overview of how CCCs are used to enrich SEPs and DCIs, enhance student sensemaking, and guide future instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session is a call to action for realizing the power of CCCs. Attendees will have an opportunity to connect with NSTA's PL Committee, collaborate with fellow science leaders, and leave with an invitation to continue the conference course to further understandings of sensemaking and CCCs.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli, Rebecca Abbott, Sharon Cates, Kimberley Astle, Leah Litz

Unlock the power of student sensemaking in science. Learn strategies to ignite curiosity, foster discussion, and use writing to create an inclusive classroom. Elevate science teaching to ensure you have a student-centered classroom using strategies that develop science and engineering practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
For middle school students, communication through talking and writing is natural. When they are making sense of science through talking and writing, they are making their thinking visible. This session highlights strategies and routines that will transform science lessons into student-centered learning.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Rhoades

In this presentation we’ll discuss how to bring makerspaces, STEAM, and genius hour to life in the classroom. An experienced STEAM educator will share her joyful journey creating and implementing a middle school STEAM class rooted in research on making, equity, and the genius hour practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to bring joy into teaching and learning through making, STEAM, and genius hour. Attendees will walk away with tools, tips, and tricks to support their own vision of joy in teaching and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Olivia Bello

This session will highlight and discuss key takeaways from the bestselling book Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy Helpful Little Humans that have practical applications for educators in their own classrooms, including the acronym TEAM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about some of the underpinning childrearing philosophies commonly found in cultures around the world that help lead to kind, confident, and contented kids, and leave with a toolbox of “best practices” that can be applied directly in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Elaine Wu

Once upon a time, there were dedicated teachers who wanted nothing more than classrooms full of happy, engaged, and inspired students. Alas, our heroes must face many dastardly obstacles including boring curriculum! This session will provide storytelling tips to help turn duds into happy endings...

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with compelling explanations/research behind the effectiveness of storytelling as an instructional tool as well as several examples of story integration into various STEM activities.

SPEAKERS:
Elaine Wu

65% of Elementary School students will enter STEM jobs that haven't been created yet. How do we prepare students for jobs that don't exist yet? While we don't know what problems our students will face, we do know that they will face problems, and those problems are solved through STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how Gwinnett County Public Schools is engaging our youngest scientists in science-fair-type experiences where curiosity takes its first steps.

SPEAKERS:
Brandon McKinney, Kristin Luthi

Participants will directly experience and undertake a more authentic science investigation by adapting and extending exisiting hands-on investigations. This is a step toward more student-directed investigations that allow exploration and the creation of evidence-based claims (i.e. sensemaking).

TAKEAWAYS:
Using the provided hands-on activities, participants will be given a plausible scenario encouraging them to explore and then create evidence-based claim(s) — modelling a more student-directed approach. This process strongly aligns with the sensemaking framework of explore-before-explain...

SPEAKERS:
Ian Kennedy

Have you felt all the responsibility of teaching climate in only your classes? Every K-12 classroom can integrate climate literacy & action. Join us to learn about Washington State’s ClimeTime Program’s resources and support for integrating climate literacy and action across all content areas, K-12.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with practical solutions to create connections between the climate literacy found in the Framework and non-science K-12 content areas. Guidance for working with their peers to anchor classroom instruction around climate change and climate solutions will also be provided.

SPEAKERS:
Korey Peterson, Jacob Parikh, Lori Henrickson

Seeking support in what to look for and how to provide feedback to best support teachers? We will share an observation tool, model a pre & post observation conversation, examine a range of coaching interventions, and consider action steps based on patterns that are observed in science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leaders and coaches play an important role in supporting teachers as they shift to more student centered instruction. Participants will be provided with an observation tool and coaching interventions that promote trust and increase reflective practice to meet the needs of students and teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Affolter, Grace Lugo

Research suggests that most teachers will leave the profession within 5-years. This presentation will share tips to help science teachers stay enjoying teaching! This session could prove helpful to any new or preservice teacher, teacher mentor, or anyone who wants a new perspective.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with tangible practices to implement in their lives as a teacher! I will offer tips that worked for me, discussing topics like the school social environment, the lingo of education, using district resources, combating burn out (preemptively and practically), and more!

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Christie

Learn citizen science activities to increase student engagement. Join a classroom teacher, National Geographic Explorer, and an education specialist at the Jacksonville Zoo, and integrate geospatial applications to help students build science skills through connections in their local community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Youth can drive change as citizen scientists in their local community while developing science skills in field research and data collection. Educators will learn how to empower youth to address community issues as young scientists and changemakers of tomorrow.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Blum, Alicia Pressel

Imagine a world where you can solve real-world problems, build robots, and use cutting-edge of technology. The Department of Defense (DoD) offers diverse STEM programs for kindergarten to post-secondary students and teachers, including competitions, camps, professional growth opportunities and more.

TAKEAWAYS:
The Department of Defense has an extensive and diverse portfolio of STEM programs for kindergarten to post-secondary students and teachers. Attendees will discover the wide range of programs offered by the research offices of the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force and Space Force.

SPEAKERS:
Louie Lopez, Kathryn Lasky, Brian Leftridge, Winnie Boyle, Elyse Lohrbach, Kathleen Miranda

In this session, we will share how to use NGSS performance expectations to design classroom assessments. Sample assessments will be provided that require students to incorporate models and use evidence to support their responses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will examine sample assessments for three-dimensional questioning and be given a chance to enhance a question on a topic relevant to their teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Anna Kopacz, Nicole McRee

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

We often rely on Crosscutting Concepts within the Next Generation Science Standards as ways of thinking students participate all the time, in every grade, in every subject. But what happens when those skills have not been honed in the way we need them to be for our grade level and disciplinary core?

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave our session having attained concepts and skills that will help them measure attainment of Patterns, a critical Crosscutting Concept in the Next Generation Science Standards. Participants will be introduced to assessment resources and instructions for using them.

SPEAKERS:
Sonal Patel-Dame, Anoopa Singh

A unique and open-ended STEM investigation that incorporates absolute and relative dating techniques, anomalies, historical context, volcanoes, solar proton events, energy cycles, Earth systems, terrestrial events, and supernovas by analyzing 430 years of Earth history from 1562 to 1992.

TAKEAWAYS:
In constructing knowledge, there is no definitive answer, only plausible conclusions based on constructing, analyzing, and comparing data and research from multiple disciplines. This investigation provides a better understanding of the scientific process of developing models and defending results.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Young

Blank stares and closed mouths no more! The Visual Non-Glossary makes rich, equitable small-group conversations super easy by providing structured visuals and guiding discussion questions and sentence stems for each of 1,500+ vocabulary words K-12 in Science, available in both English and Spanish.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to get kids to think deeply and talk elaborately about science content. We will interact in small groups with science content to see how all students of different backgrounds can intuitively engage with structured visuals.

SPEAKERS:
Stephen Fleenor

In this session, participants will build their capacity to elicit, identify, and appreciate the range of intellectual resources students use as they make sense of phenomena. This session will help leaders work directly with educators to better appreciate students’ multiple ways of knowing and better shape instruction to support diverse sense-making through science and engineering practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will help leaders work directly with educators to better appreciate students’ multiple ways of knowing and better shape instruction to support diverse sense-making through science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Neill, Philip Bell, Angie Kolonich

Our world demands creative thinkers and problem-solvers. But what is creativity, really? If our job is to foster innovation and prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the future, how exactly do we do that in classrooms from K to 16? What I have found out just might surprise you.

TAKEAWAYS:
Research shows that creativity can (and should) be taught. We want to assess it, but it seems so subjective! Attendees will get some background, critique some assessment tools, and collaborate to design research-based criteria to use in their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Elise Naramore

The Science Teacher Symposium is a model focused on science content knowledge that simultaneously provides the space and support teachers need to focus on their own wellbeing. Hear the impacts and lessons learned after 6 years of crosscutting connections and 2 years of embedded resilience training.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand the pros and cons of the in-person vs. virtual versions of the multi-day symposium model and will learn about the incredible impacts the resilience training has had on the educators involved, including increased teacher retention.

SPEAKERS:
Meg Gebert, Alison Smith, DaNel Hogan

During this session, school leaders will explore a NGSS Implementation Toolkit that leverages classroom observations to support strategic alignment of resources for elementary science education. Participants will hear from educational leaders that utilize this tool to advocate for elementary science.

TAKEAWAYS:
This toolkit allows educational leaders across the system to gain a deeper understanding of student sensemaking and discourse in an NGSS-aligned elementary classroom. Teacher Leaders who open up their classrooms can leverage this process to advocate for structures and support for elementary science.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn O'Connor, Nancy Wright

By 2050, 9.7 billion humans may be living on Earth. If current trends continue, food production will need to increase 60-100%. In this storyline, students design solutions to feed this growing population while building space spacing food production systems (ie-hydroponics, vertical garden).

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about a new storyline that engages students in designing and evaluating solutions for how to solve the issue of feeding the world’s growing human population based on scientific knowledge, student-generated sources of evidence, prioritized criteria, and tradeoff considerations.

SPEAKERS:
Shane Cullian

Join us in mastering the art of the “explore-before-explain” instructional sequence, and witness the transformation in your classroom as you nurture an environment where every student’s voice resonates.

TAKEAWAYS:
An overview of essential planning considerations covers becoming an “explore-before-explain” teacher and designing lessons that use the assets all students bring to learning science.

SPEAKERS:
James Concannon, Patrick Brown

This session will offer practical and adaptable examples of formative classroom assessment techniques that could be incorporated into any science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will present formative assessment techniques that attendees can take back to their classrooms and use immediately.

SPEAKERS:
Tyler Buchan

In this session participants will learn about key ideas from multiple perspectives on the topics of: 1) anti-racism, inclusivity, and asset-based orientations – as foundational pedagogies for preparing future teachers. The goal is to develop a classroom that places belonging before achievement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants challenge the achievement-first orientations to reframe classroom environments by placing ‘belonging’ as a central tenant of STEM pedagogy and practice.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Devitt

What started out as our solution to “viewing science fair projects can be boring” evolved into a well-attended, hands-on experience for our families and community. In this session, we will share our station-oriented activities and how to use them to build relationships with families and your school.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with the resources and confidence to organize large events for their school and community using science to build relationships. Session participants will be given an outline of helpful resources, tools, and ideas they can use to manage their own events.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Hunt, Anne Fritz

Life is diverse, the way we teach biology can honor and highlight diversity in gender, sex, and sexuality. In this session, we will share classroom-ready lessons and resources for teaching about diverse bodies, identities, and families.

TAKEAWAYS:
LGBTQ+ students, and all students, can benefit from teaching about gender diversity in evidence-based, ongoing, and positive ways.

SPEAKERS:
Sam Long

Embark on an AI-powered journey with Chat-GPT to grow your teacher toolbox! Join us to discover how Chat-GPT can offer options for differentiation and equity within your science classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will observe and synthesize differentiated activities to better address performance expectations using ChatGPT, such as finding animations for abstract concepts, tiered reading materials, supports for ESL students, culture integration in lessons, and enrichment opportunities.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Kipp

Participants will learn about the characteristics of hiqh-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and how to identify them. They will use EdReports resources to compare and contrast materials based on markers of quality and discuss how to use this process when selecting HQIM for their local context.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through engaging in a sample materials selection process, participants will gain an understanding of the characteristics of high-quality instructional materials (including sensemaking and the presence of phenomena and problems) and how to use EdReports' free resources.

SPEAKERS:
John-Carlos Marino, Shannon Wachowski

This session introduces art, music, reading, writing, and drama ideas to be woven through your lessons on climate change. I have multiple examples of climate-related projects that have been used successfully with students to educate and empower. Dare I say that teaching climate change can be fun?!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers learn how to enrich their teaching and inspire their students by incorporating The Arts into their climate lessons. In addition, The Arts can provide creative and fun project-based learning that has the potential to communicate climate science effectively to the greater population.

SPEAKERS:
Kottie Christie-Blick

Join us to discuss recent research on supplementing and modifying science instructional materials and to hear from teachers about the important things to keep in mind while modifying and supplementing materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
For many reasons, including alignment to standards and lack of class time, most educators modify their science instructional materials. Teachers say that they would like professional learning, time, and models to help them make these modifications to meet their students’ needs.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Weatherhead, Karey Pierce, Tram Nguyen, Cecelia Gillam, Jennifer Childress Self

How do we center our own students and their communities in NGSS units designed for a national audience? Explore and try out localizing approaches, resources, and examples that are grounded in equity-focused research and built out by K-8 teachers and district leaders implementing Amplify Science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will become familiar with an approach used to localize national curricula and will take away research-based and equity-centered tools, resources, and examples they can use in their own efforts to localize their curricula and create an inclusive classroom environment.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott, Brad Street

Presenters will share three units in which science is integrated with ELA, math, and social studies. This session will share the process of unit creation and how incorporation with other content areas strengthens science instruction. Three units will be shared: kindergarten, 3rd, and 5th grade.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to integrate multiple content standards to strengthen science instruction, as well as leave with three examples of fully integrated elementary units. In addition to the sharing of the units, presenters will share the creation process so participants can engage in this work.

SPEAKERS:
Mandie Sanderman, Chelsie Byram

Although teachers understand the importance of literacy integration, the process of literacy integration remains elusive...until now! This session will support the development of a concrete plan for integrating literacy into your classroom. Resources included!

TAKEAWAYS:
Literacy integration does not mean teaching students to decode. Literacy integration, at its core, is the process of making text visible in the classroom so students can read, write, and speak like professional scientists. Literacy integration makes science fun!

SPEAKERS:
Mesa Davis

Jason will explain why CLEAPSS and King’s College, London decided to undertake this action-research project and what it’s taught he, and his colleagues, about supporting elementary and middle school science leaders to champion and facilitate effective hands-on science in their schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation provides educational professionals and coaches with insights into the effective practices and ways of working that we have developed to support elementary and middle school science leaders to lead science across their schools.

SPEAKERS:
Jason Harding

Participants will engage in the development of a PBL Life Science unit— from start to finish for any secondary student. Several examples of successful PBL Units will be shared and participants will have the opportunity to create their own PBL— specifically Brownfields, Env. Disasters, etc.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to walk away with a partial or entire PBL unit.

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Busker-Postlethwait

Promoting reading and writing while learning science? Utilize proven literacy strategies to enhance your students’ science knowledge and science literacy for the 21st (STEM) century.

TAKEAWAYS:
Enhancing student learning in science utilizing literacy strategies.

SPEAKERS:
Beverly DeVore-Wedding

Three different options will be shared that will help teachers bring their students outside where they can connect with nature. This includes 2 PBLs. Logistics and content will be clearly explained so that teachers can use these ideas immediately with their classes that focus on ecology.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn 3 different successful low-cost activities (including 2 PBLs) that they can use directly in their classrooms to connect their students with nature regardless of their geographic location. The presenter will share materials to help teachers plan logistics and content.

SPEAKERS:
Nadene Klein

Dr. Michael Wysession, NGSS co-author and geophysics professor, will explore ideas for climate-related phenomena and storylines from the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a way of making climate science relevant and engaging for students.

TAKEAWAYS:
The latest science (AR6 report) from the IPCC is a great resource for phenomena and storylines that can engage students and prepare them for assessments for the HS-ESS3-5 and HS-ESS3-6 NGSS performance expectations covering climate forcings, feedbacks, impacts, and environmental justice.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Wysession

Justice-centered science instruction is a critical process for building transformative, empowering classrooms. The TEECH Justice toolkit for K-12 educators provides resources and planning templates for creating community-driven, justice-centered science learning experiences for students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Classroom learning experiences that center local issues impacting students and their communities are more engaging and meaningful for students, especially for students traditionally underrepresented and underserved by science education.

SPEAKERS:
Stacy Meyer

In New Brunswick, NJ, district leaders and educators engaged in collaborative spaces to design placed-based and phenomena-driven learning experiences centered on climate science and environmental justice. The community became our curriculum as we advocated for the local/global environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will explore a placed-based, phenomena-driven instructional model to address local/global environmental issues, and engage in interdisciplinary learning centered on climate change standards, creating a collaborative space for us to dig deeper into climate science and environmental justice.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Nunez

These two sessions will focus on leadership. These sessions will include a discussion of the structures that need to happen to support these shifts in science instruction. How do you get teachers on board to engage in this work? For example, what are examples of the stories you need to tell to support teacher interest and buy in. What are examples of sustainable structures at a system level to support this work? What are examples of observation and instructional tools to support this work? In session 1, we will draw on case studies to engage how storytelling can be used to support onboarding teachers and to strengthen a science infrastructure. In session 2, we will share observation and instructional tools for leaders to support this work. In session 1, participants will gain strategies and insights utilized to enhance science instruction within a school system. In session 2, we will use classroom videos and other examples to illustrate how to do this work in schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain strategies and insights utilized to enhance science instruction within a school system.

SPEAKERS:
Katherine McNeill, Stefanie Marshall

Part 1. Examine research based approaches and enabling conditions that effective schools and systems have put in place to reinforce and amplify the power of high-quality curriculum and skillful teaching. Examine the foundation for The Elements, a challenge paper from Carnegie Corporation of New York

TAKEAWAYS:
Take away a deeper understanding of curriculum-based professional learning and insights into how the Elements were embodied in one district’s PL program.

SPEAKERS:
Jody Bintz, Susan Gomez Zwiep, Jim Short

Game-based learning is a powerful way to engage learners and introduce STEM topics. Working with experts, we designed an escape room for students and their families to increase their understanding of neuroscience phenomena and how the brain works. Try demo activities as you learn to design your own.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will demonstrate how to develop an educational escape room to serve informal and formal science learning objectives and get families actively interacting with science and engineering processes. It will also review methods of assessment, especially for out-of-school settings.

SPEAKERS:
Daisy Reyes, Lucas Leprince, Sandra Roberts

Purposeful use of quality media resources can provide young learners with opportunities to investigate a broad range of phenomena and support three-dimensional learning. Learn how media can connect science content to students’ lives and make the science content accessible to more students.

TAKEAWAYS:
You’ll leave the session with a list of resources and ideas for actively engaging your students with phenomena through media and tips for supporting your students engagement in science practices and crosscutting concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy Gifford, Shawn Stevens

In this hands-on workshop, participants will work with models of chemical reactions, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration that can help students develop a deep and flexible understanding of these important processes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Modeling, an important component of the NGSS, can help students understand biological processes more fully. These hands-on, minds-on models are engaging and lead to rigorous learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Hofeld

Get acquainted with OpenSciEd HS, from the anchoring phenomena to the curricular routines to assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
OpenSciEd HS's storyline approach, curricular routines, student discourse strategies, and assessment systems work together to help students build equitable science learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Zoe Buck Bracey, Kate Henson

In this session, we will explore how educators and partners are working together in Boston to create climate change project-based learning opportunities for students in grades 6-12.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore teacher-created, climate-focused PBL tasks, citizen science resources, and strategies for building sustainable partnerships.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Shoer, Elisabeth Colby, Holly Rosa

Come and see a model for an outdoor education day where invited scientists and environmental educators gather in a local state park to teach every student in our 3rd through 5th grade school. We have been hosting this event at a State Park near our school and it works. You can do it, too.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to successfully put together an outdoor education day involving local scientists, environmental educators, and conservationists. We have been putting together this event for over 10 years and can share what we have learned along the way.

SPEAKERS:
Jacob Tanenbaum

Get ready for three-dimensional teaching with ways to sequence instruction that promote long-lasting understanding for your students by using a simple yet powerful sensemaking approach: Explore-Before-Explain.

TAKEAWAYS:
An overview of essential planning considerations covers becoming an “explore-before-explain” teacher and designing lessons that use the assets all students bring to learning science.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Blesse, Patrick Brown

Learn from our experience as a math and a science teacher collaborating together to give our students an interdisciplinary learning opportunity so that you can start your own plan. We will share the logistics from this authentic inquiry-based project and you’ll hear testimonials from our students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be provided with one way to overcome logistical challenges inherent with interdisciplinary collaboration at the secondary level, including differing rosters and schedules. Furthermore, attendees will have the opportunity to start their own plan for their own interdisciplinary project.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Schneiderwind, Nadene Klein

In this session, Colorado educators will have the opportunity to participate in a structured forum to share their experiences in implementing three dimensional learning and instruction as outlined in the Colorado Academic Standards for Science.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, Colorado educators will have the opportunity to participate in a structured forum to share their experiences in implementing three dimensional learning and instruction as outlined in the Colorado Academic Standards for Science.

SPEAKERS:
Samantha Agoos

Phenomena-based teaching and learning in science authentically lends itself to integration with literacy, language development, and other subject areas, yet each is often taught in silos. Explore how to shift K-5 classroom practice towards an integrated approach that supports all students’ learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers and leaders will gain insight into principles of content integration with science as the anchor and will explore tools, strategies, and system-wide approaches they can use in their own K-5 context in order to identify and plan for more equitable interdisciplinary science instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Diana Velez, Rebecca Abbott

Learn about the differences between content and disciplinary literacy. Participants will understand the benefits of implementing literacy strategies in science. Participants will learn vocabulary and literacy strategies that they can take to help build their student's comprehension of science texts.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, participants will learn about the differences between content and disciplinary literacy, and engage in vocabulary and comprehension strategies that they can use in the classroom to build their student comprehension.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Hamada

Engaging in culturally responsive teaching requires that teachers shift their perspective by building relationships within the communities they serve. We present cases of science teachers who partner with communities to design curricula that affirm the assets of students while aligning with the NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about ways to meaningfully connect with communities outside of school to critique systems of oppression in science education and shift deficit perspectives. Participants will be empowered to advocate for their communities and engage in transformational teaching practices.

SPEAKERS:
Jeff Spencer

Come learn two transformative whole class discussion routines for your classroom. “Data Discussions” support students in finding patterns in their data while “Sensemaking Summaries” guide them to integrate findings from multiple investigations to develop data-based explanations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be equipped to use “data discussions” in lessons to help students notice and analyze meaningful patterns in investigations, and use “sensemaking summary” talks to help students develop sophisticated explanations of phenomenon by synthesizing key findings from multiple investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Forsythe

Using a co-designed NGSS curriculum unit, we highlight solutions to challenges in designing and implementing a phenomenon-based investigation unit. Participants examine both design templates and finished curriculum to familiarize themselves with a revision and customization process.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with curriculum design templates to use when customizing curriculum to support students’ sensemaking of phenomena. An opportunity will be provided to explore templates and ask clarifying questions. Participants will have access to a curriculum unit designed using the templates.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara Hug, Nick Leonardi

Share ideas and discuss ways to navigate the political and socio economic climates of diversity, equity and inclusion in science education. Highlight examples of schools and districts that have implemented DEI initiatives with current successes, pitfalls, and next steps for science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
The importance of addressing DEI in science education. This emphasizes the need for open discussions and idea sharing on how to navigate the political and socioeconomic landscapes related to DEI in science education.

SPEAKERS:
Sephali Thakkar, Sharon Delesbore, Leena McLean, Acacia McKenna

Explore the application of phenomenon-based science teaching through the lens of fishing. Applications for any state enable students to explore human impacts on natural recourses and the impact on the overall health of the ocean. Essential questions are investigated using mini-projects and more.

TAKEAWAYS:
This unit models a phenomenon-based unit about fishing and aquaculture. Students explore cultural, economical, and ecological impacts around fishing to explore human impacts on our natural resources. Mini project-based learning and dissections are used as teaching strategies in this unit.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Garcia

Climate goals like the Paris Agreement are only possible if we transition to a more sustainable protein supply. Alternative protein science offers real-world applications and tangible links between lessons in biology, chemistry, engineering, and more, with climate solutions and career opportunities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Incorporating alternative protein science into existing course material offers a means for educators to link science and technology with students’ values-driven interests. Attendees will learn how to achieve this through instruction and experiential learning opportunities.

SPEAKERS:
Nathan Ahlgrim

Discover how to promote equity and diversity in STEM classrooms through holistic assessment. Gain insights into fostering inclusivity, addressing bias, and ensuring fair evaluation practices. Leave with practical tools and strategies to create an inclusive learning environment for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Unlock the joy of learning while promoting equity & diversity in STEM! Holistic assessment fosters inclusivity, tackles bias, & ensures fair evaluation. Let's create an exciting, inclusive environment where all students thrive in STEM!

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Tracey

Multilingual students' science knowledge isn’t always visible to educators. Our innovative research uncovers that knowledge regardless of students’ English language skills. You’ll learn about our research and how to build multilingual multimodal assessments for your own instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn about multilingual and multimodal formative assessment strategies and how to implement them in your science instruction. You will have access to a formative assessment activity template and a rubric for reviewing multilingual and multimodal formative assessment activities.

SPEAKERS:
Keira Ballantyne, Brittany York

Are you ready to take you teaching to the next level and create a innovative and engaging classroom environment for your student? This Hands On Minds On PD session will share research-based instructional practices, to enhance student engagement in the classroom environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore a diverse range of innovative teaching strategies that encourage active learning through integration of technology, labs, and interactive learning resources to enhance learning experiences. Participants will access a wealth of online tools and teaching strategies.

SPEAKERS:
ROBBIE KEUCHLER JR

This presentation will showcase a 3D + NGSS-aligned Northern Lights Storyline designed for High School Chemistry. This presentation will showcase the: Student Activities, Teacher Narratives, Formative and Summative Assessments in this Storyline.

TAKEAWAYS:
Anyone attending this presentation will be shown an example of a completed Chemistry Storyline based on the Northern Lights and learn how to implement three-dimensional learning in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Charlie Pozen

Do you want your students to understand how current scientific research is relevant to their learning and has real world applications? We will present an accessible STEM curriculum, informed by current work in a university research lab, that integrates nanoscience phenomena with content standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about current research in the field of nanoscience and will gain access to a STEM curriculum package that draws on nanoscience to help all students in grades 5-8 make connections between STEM content and their everyday lives.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Kwan, Donna Terrasi, Silvia Kenna

Participants will learn how school districts were able to increase elementary science access by establishing a District Science team grounded in distributed leadership and using the principles and tools of Improvement Science. Panelists' insights and a toolkit of resources will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how several districts developed a distributed leadership team focused on increasing access to elementary science education. They will hear from panelists and explore the tools and processes these teams used as part of their science leadership teams.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy Wright, Dawn O'Connor

Photons of electromagnetic radiation of all wavelengths are collected by telescopes and processed using computers. Scientists use image analysis software to analyze the data and construct unique models of the data, including stars and galaxies, while maintaining the integrity of the underlying data.

TAKEAWAYS:
All our knowledge of stars and galaxies is determined by spectroscopy— the analysis of radiation emissions, including radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, gamma, and X-ray. Knowledge of spectroscopy is essential to understanding the processes producing the individual wavelengths.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Young

We will discuss the work of the Second National Conference for Justice in Geoscience and explore how diversifying and working towards justice in geoscience fits in our classrooms. Presented by a middle school science teacher on the writing team working on plans to continue this conference work.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn about the current work of the Second National Conference: Justice in Geoscience. Then, in community, we will critically examine and reflect on topics such as environmental justice, how to learn from students about justice in geoscience, and how this fits in our educational contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Allyson Randall

A tour of the key debates that are happening in science education in the UK will be provided. The impact of these issues across different age-phases, on differing stakeholders and how they have shaped the curricula that can be found in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will be outlined.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the key debates in education within the UK and compare and contrast these with their educational setting.

SPEAKERS:
Alex Sinclair

This session will provide concrete and practical examples of how to implement lab skill performance assessments in the classroom and will offer easy-to-use and tangible information that teachers can take back to their own schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will present how to administer performance assessments of five basic lab skills and the benefits to the classroom that result.

SPEAKERS:
Tyler Buchan

Learn strategies for planning an anchoring phenomenon routine that will generate questions to drive student learning. Participants will wear a "student hat" to share an experience to make sense of phenomenon.

TAKEAWAYS:
Planning inquiry-based lessons are easy as 1, 2, 3... Using an anchoring phenomenon routine to drive student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Karla White, Lisa Pitts

Are you looking for an evidence-based framework for observing science classrooms and giving feedback to teachers? Learn how the NSF-funded DoS observation system can help coaches and educators develop a common language to speak about productive science learning in MS classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science leaders will learn to use DoS, which integrates the Framework for K-12 and equity, to build the capacity of colleagues in their districts to use a structured method and shared language to observe classrooms and give feedback to teachers about areas of strength and opportunities for growth.

SPEAKERS:
Virginia Andrews, Victoria Oliveira

OpenSciEd Chemistry's 3rd unit explores how we can use chemistry and Earth and space science understandings to survive living off of Earth. Learn how students build understanding of atomic structure and function through modeling, investigations, and patterns of thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
This unit supports students as they figure out how atomic structure impacts the patterns we see on the Periodic Table and the role of water to sustain life and react with materials to form surface features. Participants will see how students build these ideas through investigations and manipulatives.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Novak, Nicole Vick

We will share strategies, ideas, accommodations, and ways to adapt and obtain student collaboration and engagement through the lens of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) focus. Come learn strategies for including diverse learners in your project-based classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with ready-to-use resources and ideas for instruction with students with diverse needs focusing on project-based activities within the STEAM framework. These ideas can be adapted to lessons in many content areas.

SPEAKERS:
Theresa Robertson, Sandy Carr

Transform your assessment tool into a powerful instrument for enhancing learning. Designed for educators from K-16, with an aim to streamline the grading process, make rubrics strengths-based, differentiable across all levels, and centered on developing transferable skills. Bring your own rubric!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with their own revised rubric that not only simplifies grading but also fosters student engagement and achievement. They will discover ways to provide constructive, actionable feedback that drives improvement and facilitates student growth.

SPEAKERS:
Elise Naramore

Delve into children’s literature that merges storytelling and science explanations, inviting elementary students to unravel intriguing investigations and uncover how and why science works.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will examine children’s literature that enhances critical thinking and guides elementary students in refining science models and explanations post-investigation. This session will showcase the transformative potential of literature in elementary science.

SPEAKERS:
Colleen Saxen, Michelle Fleming

During this talk Jason will explain what Science Ninjas is, why CLEAPSS and King’s College, London (University of London) decided to undertake this research and what it’s taught he, and his colleagues, about supporting elementary and middle school teachers to plan effective active learning lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation provides educational professionals and coaches with insights into the effective practices and ways of working that we have developed to support elementary and middle school science leaders to promote hands-on learning across their schools.

SPEAKERS:
Jason Harding

With support from a sponsored organization and the DoD, DoD STEM Ambassadors are prepared to promote equitable education in their communities. Resources and strategies will be shared to encourage other teachers to utilize DoD STEM resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how DoD STEM Ambassadors increase STEM education and opportunities for disadvantaged students in their communities. Presenters will review DoD STEM resources and show how attendees can also serve their classrooms to close the achievement gap, with support from DoD STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Botello, Josephine Mesina, Thanh Le, Nicole Rosen

Educators and researchers from the inquiryHub partnership between DPS and CU Boulder share their experiences as they co-designed (and co-redesigned) the iHub Biology curriculum, professional learning to accompany it, and other classroom tools to support its use.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers partnering with researchers can yield engaging curriculum materials that support more equitable teaching and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Douglas Watkins

This session will share the results of a four-year investigation into the genetics of different varieties of watermelons, and will highlight the advantages of using watermelons as a model organism for genetics investigations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Watermelons offer several advantages as a model organism for student research, including a variety of easily identifiable traits that exhibit Mendelian and non-Mendelian patterns, ease of growth, ease of cross-pollination, potential for cultural connections, and opportunities for original research.

SPEAKERS:
Steven Gaskill

Students bring a range of intellectual and cultural resources, which they have accumulated in their unique life experiences, into the classroom as they learn science. These resources can be considered different “facets” of student thinking. In this session leaders will explore a protocol for identifying and attending to facets of student thinking from formative assessments. The protocol can be used to assist educators in recognizing, building on, and responding to the range of ideas—or Facets of students’ thinking—during instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students bring a range of intellectual and cultural resources, which they have accumulated in their unique life experiences, into the classroom as they learn science. These resources can be considered different “facets” of student thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Neill, Philip Bell, Ricky Scott

Monitoring implementation is a key piece of a successful science curriculum rollout. In this session, participants will examine methods for collecting data and feedback from teachers during the transition to a new curriculum and using it to adjust plans and support continuous improvement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leaders benefit from developing data collection and evaluation tools to continuously improve the implementation of new instructional materials and the professional learning program.

SPEAKERS:
Vanessa Wolbrink, Jenny Sarna, Andy Weatherhead

These two sessions will focus on leadership. These sessions will include a discussion of the structures that need to happen to support these shifts in science instruction. How do you get teachers on board to engage in this work? For example, what are examples of the stories you need to tell to support teacher interest and buy in. What are examples of sustainable structures at a system level to support this work? What are examples of observation and instructional tools to support this work? In session 1, we will draw on case studies to engage how storytelling can be used to support onboarding teachers and to strengthen a science infrastructure. In session 2, we will share observation and instructional tools for leaders to support this work.

TAKEAWAYS:
Use classroom videos and other examples to illustrate how to do this work in schools.

SPEAKERS:
Stefanie Marshall, Katherine McNeill

Part 2. Examine research based actions and enabling conditions that effective schools and systems have put in place to reinforce and amplify the power of high-quality curriculum. Consider roles and responsibilities for putting into action the elements of curriculum-based professional learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Take away a deeper understanding of curriculum-based professional learning and ideas for how to strengthen your own work.

SPEAKERS:
Jim Short, Susan Gomez Zwiep, Jody Bintz

Led by members of NSTA Early Childhood-Elementary Committee, the session addresses the relationship between science education & children’s literature by providing an interactive platform for educators to discover how literature can support & enhance science & engineering practices in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore the integration of children's literature with science and engineering practices through cross-disciplinary connections and hands-on activities. Resources provided.

SPEAKERS:
Simone Nance, Jennifer Williams, Katie Morrison, Melissa Parks, Annette Venegas, Jenn Brown-Whale, Anne Lowry

Explore the application of ChatGPT to facilitate student choice, interest, and motivation and to address science and engineering practices! Investigate ChatGPT’s capacity to inform design decisions through inquisitive exploration, creative brainstorming, and interpretive lenses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore how ChatGPT elevates science and engineering practices through the investigation of problems, topics, and phenomena; creative brainstorming options; generation of experiments with conceptual and hypothetical results; and interpretation of data for product improvement.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Kipp

Presenters will discuss assessment shifts of the CCCs from an implicit to an explicit approach, highlighting the benefits that has on teaching and learning. Students who use CCCs regularly build confidence in their science practices and develop a stronger sense of science identity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore how CCCs are a lens for student sensemaking, uncover the HOW and WHY we use assessment to drive learning forward, and reflect on their own next steps for assessment and instruction related to CCCs for student sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott, Sharon Cates, Leah Litz

We will introduce our recently published NSTA book containing a collection of units and resources to help teachers engage students in three-dimensional learning through model-based inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about four biology model-based inquiry units for rigorous and equitable instruction. Developed with secondary science teachers, the session guides three-dimensional learning, anchoring phenomena, modeling, and scientific explanations.

SPEAKERS:
Todd Campbell, Ron Gray

Climate change and other drivers of change in global systems are complex, interdisciplinary phenomena. Learn about a conceptual framework that connects drivers of change with global systems to help students understand the science behind the headlines.

TAKEAWAYS:
Human-biosphere interactions offer relevant narratives and conceptual frameworks that integrate cause-and-effect; systems and system models; structure and function; and stability and change.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Levine

Utah’s Informal Science Education Enhancement (iSEE) has been serving students and teachers across the state for 18 years. We’ll discuss funding, reporting, and collaborating with both other informal education providers and public schools to connect teachers and students with subject matter experts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how Utah has been bringing informal science education experts into formal classrooms across the state for 18 years with financial support from the state legislature and how this successful model can be adapted to other states across the nation.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Halvorsen, Laura Cotter

Chemistry storylines supporting phenomena-based curriculum and alignment to Next Generation Science Standards. High school chemistry teachers partnered with Northwestern University Materials Research Center to design and implement two new modules— STEM+C Solar Cell Project and SCI+Art Project.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how NGSS inquiry and design pedagogy can be used with Materials World Modules. Each module connects everyday phenomena to NGSS performance expectations, emphasizing how to build toward design and engineering skills. Presenters will share modifications to meet varying academic levels.

SPEAKERS:
Ami LeFevre

Climate science is interdisciplinary and when broader society issues are addressed, like environmental justice, it becomes even more expansive. This presentation address these challenges by describing specific topics to include in instructional “storylines” that integrate student learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
To learn how to sequence and communicate topics essential to explaining climate change, its environmental impact, and the broader societal concerns.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Clark

Using myths and legends which explain phenomenon. Examples of culture and place of Hawaii will be shared. Attendees will experience a lesson which weaves a Hawaiian legend (past) based on a phenomenon and be challenged to validate the legend with today's technology (present).

TAKEAWAYS:
The hope is for attendees to reflect on their sense of "Place" as a platform tool to engage students to understand their surroundings and cultures and how to use 21st century technology to validate a phenomenon.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Tom-Ogata

Indigenous peoples throughout time have used STEM skills. This workshop features the STEM skills correlated with the Ute peoples of Colorado as an example of how all indigenous people STEM skills can be highlighted in social studies class content.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will experience how History Colorado developed Ute indigenous peoples STEM connections into a traveling take-out kit. Participants will be encouraged to explore collaboration with their history museums to encourage development of resources focused on their indigenous peoples.

SPEAKERS:
Maurine Banzhaf

The NSTA provides in-person, online, and blended professional learning experiences for cohorts of K–12 educators. All programs engage educators with digital resources, virtual programs, the larger community, and expert staff. Depending on your choice of services, NSTA membership is also included.

TAKEAWAYS:
District and school leaders will learn about the variety of professional learning opportunities that NSTA offers, delivered in-person, online, and blended that give their teachers the power to enhance their learning as well as the ability to learn with peers. Membership included for most services.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez, Tricia Shelton

Engage students in answering the question "How can I impact change?" as you partner Civics with Ecology. Learn to take students from hearing about ecology to taking a stand on ecological policy, and developing passion projects to influence change at the local, state, or national level.

TAKEAWAYS:
Walk away from this session with a cross-curricular project that takes students from merely hearing about ecology, to caring deeply about an issue, to take a stand and answer the question “How can I impact change?”

SPEAKERS:
Katherine Willet

Discover the world of epigenetics and model organisms in this fast-paced, engaging session. Learn about 5 different model organisms and how they can be used in your classroom. Real-life examples will be given, and resources provided for you to bring model organisms to your students!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about 5 different model organisms and will be given real examples, as well as resources for them to take to their classrooms and incorporate into their curriculum, inspiring the next generation of scientists!

SPEAKERS:
Cory Kavanagh

We are middle school teachers at a title one school with the highest number of grade 6-8 L25 students of the 125 schools in our district. This session will focus on the strategies that we use daily to ensure we are teaching with rigor in a way that all students can learn!

TAKEAWAYS:
"Every student, every question, every time" is our school philosophy. We will share our tried-and-true strategies for distributed summarizing and effective questioning.

SPEAKERS:
Dave McGinley, Barbara Rebeor

Grade 5 NGSS-aligned curriculum, instruction, and assessment resources created by the SIPS Project provide a scalable and coherent approach to improve three-dimensional science learning for all students including unpacking the science content, teaching and learning, and assessing student progress.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators’ ability to use three-dimensional instruction and assessment resources to provide inclusive, equitable instruction, promote sensemaking, assess learning, and make instructional decisions, will be enhanced. Benefits of a coherent system to improve student outcomes will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Rhonda True, Mary Nyaema, Bill Herrera, Charlene Turner

We’ll share 5 free online modules that engage students in the importance oysters and mussels play in watersheds via field studies, role plays scenarios, and a dynamic simulation. This NOAA-funded MWEE effort has students investigate, collaborate, and debate solutions to authentic problems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers gain awareness of and access to OER support curriculum and student exemplars developed across a 3-year grant aligned with the 3 dimensions of NGSS and NOAA’s meaningful watershed educational experience framework. The modules were piloted across 3 diverse school districts (urban and rural).

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Edmondson, Al Byers

Beatrix Potter, mycologist? George Washington, agriculturalist? Rosalynn Carter, entomologist? Learn how biographies and other trade books about citizen scientists can lead to the exploration of the wonders of nature.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore how they can address the NGSS and integrate literacy through incorporating high-quality science trade books about citizen scientists such as Beatrix Potter.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Broemmel, Kristin Rearden

Participants in this session will leave with a STEM inquiry-based project and educational materials designed to captivate students while emphasizing 21st-century scientific applications and UN sustainable goals. Additionally, a list of potential RET opportunities for educators will be provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Sharing how the RET experience has led to the production of a project that integrates nitrogen cycle pollution into a nitrogen circular economy, where the project's primary focus was on critical topics such as energy, climate, and food security; important topics to empower high school students.

SPEAKERS:
Milene De Farias

SEL does not have to be something additional to teach! Learn how to purposefully incorporate SEL skills in your science classroom. Leave with practical ways to make powerful lessons that captivate your future scientists and cultivate those skills that are essential for success beyond the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Practical ways to make powerful science lessons that captivate future scientists and also cultivate those SEL skills that are essential for success beyond the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn McCotter

Interdisciplinary learning empowers students to combine frameworks and concepts across the curriculum to examine a theme or solve a problem from different perspectives. This enables them to see the interconnectedness of the content they are learning and apply it in a meaningful way.

TAKEAWAYS:
By implementing well-structured interdisciplinary units, teachers can effectively guide students in building deep skills within and across content areas. This session will provide administrators and teachers with an effective blueprint to begin a program in their own schools.

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Chipman, Michelle Rotfeld

NASA's Next Gen STEM is focused on bringing quality STEM content and experiences to the K-12 community. Join this informative session to learn what we have to offer and how you can bring NASA to your students. Presented by NASA's Office of STEM Engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about NASA Next Gen STEM offerings related to professional development, STEM lessons, communities of practice, live virtual connections with scientists and engineers, student challenges and competitions, and competitive awards.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Edstrom, Miranda Fike

A session dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by new teachers, especially alternative path teachers. We will explore strategies to retain talented educators in the field by demystifying education language and providing key tools and resources for a successful first year.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leaders will gain actionable insights into establishing robust support systems for new science teachers, resulting in improved teacher retention and implementation of science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Rhoades

OpenSciEd Biology's 3rd unit explores who gets cancer and why and where we should focus efforts on treatment and prevention. Learn how students build understanding of inheritance and variation of traits through modeling, investigations and cause and effect thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
This unit supports students as they figure out understandings of inheritance and related ideas. Participants will see how students build these ideas through a series of investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Henson

Discover fresh teaching horizons: surprise yourself, collaborate actively, plan consciously, and enhance communication. Enjoy a transformational opportunity to stifle enthusiasm for differentiation and revitalize teaching with diverse strategies that will inspire and motivate students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will obtain a range of meaningful and easy-to-apply differentiation strategies for their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Luciana Girgulsky

This session will provide a brief overview of the basic science behind global warming and its consequences, plus discussion of how we can in principle achieve a “post-global warming” future in which today’s children will someday be able to talk about global warming as a problem of the past.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to teach global warming science without “gloom and doom” — and without provoking parents — by inspiring students to envision a post-warming future.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Bennett

Urban elementary teachers and researchers will share successes from the NSF-funded Teaching Science Outdoors – Urban Partnerships project, describe their experiences fostering place-based science learning that is hands-on, heads-on, and hearts-on, and offer ideas to use in your instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the value of the 3H framework (hands-on, heads-on, and hearts-on) in place-based science learning using urban spaces. They will leave the session with real-life examples, resources, and ideas shared by teachers using the framework in their work with students.

SPEAKERS:
Kieshaune Perkins, Roberta Hunter

Come discover how free, NSF-funded simulations and curricula from The Concord Consortium can add all dimensions of the NGSS to your Earth, Climate, and Life Science teaching, with a special emphasis on the Practices. Bring a device to this interactive session and take away free resources!

TAKEAWAYS:
Strategies in the use of simulations for 3D NGSS-aligned teaching of Earth, Climate, and Life Science.

SPEAKERS:
Chad Dorsey

Critical thinking is a buzzword we often hear. However, can you define what it actually is? In this session, we will learn the intricacies of the term and go through a phenomena-based lesson on habitat fragmentation that will build all students' capacity for critical thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a more concrete understanding of critical thinking and a tool they can take back to their classroom to help all students practice and reflect on their critical thinking. Definitions will be collaboratively constructed based on current research and lesson activities.

SPEAKERS:
Bailey Nafziger

Essential Element standards for grades 9 and 10 were used for an integrated science unit regarding traits in life science. It was designed to facilitate learning with students who qualify for alternative assessment and for students with physical needs who may use communication devices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will discuss the process of unit design, intentional use of inquiry teaching practices, essential element standards, assistive technology, and preparing the teacher. One high school level unit and middle school sequence will be shared to use in their own teaching spaces.

SPEAKERS:
Mandie Sanderman, Chelsie Byram

Science Leadership Cadre: A Professional Learning network of K-12 Science Educators committed to supporting high quality, equitable science learning for all students in our region.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to bring teachers, teacher leaders, coaches, and administrators together to learn, share resources and ideas, and provide support to each other in the work to successfully implement high-quality science teaching for K-12 students.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Peason, Ananda Weigand-Sheerer, Michael Occhino, Kimberly Fluet

We will present the efforts of twenty secondary schools and partners at Stanford University to create authentic Drosophila-based research experiences, and how you can too!

TAKEAWAYS:
Through Stan-X, middle school and high school students learn science through authentic, open-ended, publishable research. Coordination between schools, both public and private, across the world, can enhance scientific learning and research opportunities for your students and for teachers!

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Lantz

Phenomena based science assessments allow students to transfer knowledge to new phenomena while using all three dimensions. As students demonstrate understanding they also deepen their learning. We will examine sample tasks and hear from students and teachers on their experiences with these tasks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Transfer tasks ask students to make sense of phenomena using 3D understanding. These tasks can provide continued learning while assessing students. Identifying key features and hearing from students and teachers for how to support these tasks can help teachers implement them in their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Ridder, Thomas Clayton, Renee Affolter