How can we use high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) to design more equitable systems? Join us to consider how leaders rally interest and build internal capacity for the selection and effective implementation of high-quality instructional materials. Work with other leaders to consider strategies to make the case for change toward more equitable systems that support all learners in the system and the role of HQIM in leading ongoing science improvement efforts.
Ticketed event - register here: https://my.nsta.org/event/2024NEW_LEADERSHIP

TAKEAWAYS:
Consider how high-quality instructional materials can be used to design more equitable systems. Discuss how to share the vision, support implementation, and build internal capacity for ongoing support for curriculum implementation.

SPEAKERS:
Janna Mahfoud, Susan Gomez Zwiep, Jody Bintz, Jim Short, Bianca Deliberto, Jenine Cotton-Proby

Navigate your first National NSTA Conference with ease! Join our session for an orientation to the conference, tips on selecting sessions, and an opportunity to meet other first-time attendees. We will share a few insider tips from experienced conference attendees and give an overview of the conference app. This session is structured so you can learn why you belong at NSTA.

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

SPEAKERS:
Julie Luft

This session provides 5 lessons for 4th and 5th grade classrooms that supports students' awareness and making sense of lived experiences with climate change and climate change disasters toward development of 3D understanding of standards-aligned science knowledge.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to apply NGSS (and other standards frameworks) for a student-centered approach to science learning about local climate change hazards, solutions and concerns, while supporting conversations about community resilience.

SPEAKERS:
Ayca Fackler, Julie Luft

Teachers spend about 7-12 hours per week searching for & creating instructional materials. In this session we’ll hear from teachers about how using vetted, high quality materials as a starting point opened up new possibilities and helped them to be the teacher they always wanted to be.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using high-quality instructional materials in your classroom can shift your role as teacher from "creator" to "innovator" and allow more time for supporting students and improving outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Erika Palys, Matt Krehbiel

Claims regarding NGSS alignment are prevalent in science materials. This session will focus on how to identify phenomena, problems, and sensemaking in K-12 lessons and materials, to support participants to make informed decisions on using and adapting materials to best meet students' needs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain an understanding of the characteristics of phenomena/problems and sensemaking opportunities and how to identify them in materials. With example lessons, they will use tools to evaluate materials for NGSS-aligned instruction in order to effectively identify aspects of quality.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Wachowski

The first step toward a cleaner tomorrow is to raise awareness about the plastic waste crisis, and small-scale recycling is a possible solution. Learn how IN MOCEAN and its Recycling Fleet are collaborating with others on a local level to set up micro recycling workspaces around the world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about IN MOCEANs global project and of the possibilities and potential of small scale recycling. With information about the process of plastic recycling and how anyone can get involved, one might be interested in setting up a recycling workspace in a school or community.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Zaidlicz Everett

NextGen TIME is a free suite of tools and processes that supports districts in preparing to evaluate instructional materials for quality and design for NGSS. This collaborative process helps you plan for next steps including customization to improve student outcomes and effective implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how NextGen TIME supports the evaluation of current instructional materials to strengthen their design for NGSS and how NextGen TIME tools and processes can serve as critical components of curriculum-based professional learning. You’ll walk away with free access to NextGen TIME resources.

SPEAKERS:
Jenine Cotton-Proby

Explore the NSTA website with us and learn how to maximize your member benefits! 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 their member benefits, 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

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

This workshop addresses the NGSS by showcasing how designated ELD standards are embedded in an 8th grade integrated course and a 9th grade Physics in the Universe course. Both NGSS and ELD standards are in the model provided to the participants.

TAKEAWAYS:
Long term English Language Learners are marginalized as they are denied elective courses by being placed in an ELD class. Research also shows that language is better acquired through experience, of which an NGSS class is the perfect setting for both science and language.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Gomez Zwiep, Shay Fairchild

Are you looking to get your entire school excited about STEM? In this session, Mr. Mike French and his AMAZING PRESENTATION STUDENTS will share a high-energy and engaging video presentation of twelve practical STEM projects that can be incorporated into any classroom setting, K-12.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to see real examples and step-by-step details of 12 STEM projects that will change your school and get students excited about learning. Attendees will also see how to modify these projects to fit any grade level and classroom setting K-12.

SPEAKERS:
Mike French

ARISS provides a once in a lifetime educational opportunity for youth by enabling them to conduct a 10-minute interview directly with astronauts on-board ISS. This presentation will provide hints for educators to develop an ARISS contact proposal that will positively impact their youth.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation will provide many hints and tips for educators on how to develop a winning ARISS contact proposal that will positively impact their youth through inspiring, engaging and educational STEM activities.

SPEAKERS:
Tanya Anderson

Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) immerses students and educators at all levels in the thrilling world of STEM. Through rewarding competitions, enriching summer camps, and comprehensive professional development, AEOP stands at the forefront of educational innovation, preparing participants to

TAKEAWAYS:
You’ll discover how AEOP spans a variety of educational stages, offering tailored programs that empower both students and teachers to thrive in STEM. We’ll cover how these initiatives equip participants with crucial skills and experiences, setting the stage for personal and professional success.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Lasky, Brian Kutsch

Are you an educator eager to use podcasts in your classroom but aren’t sure where to start? Tinkercast will present practical tips on why and how to include podcasts in your science curriculum, including an introduction to TinkerClass, our FREE, easy-to-use NGSS-aligned Project-based learning tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how and why podcasts are so engaging, to ask questions about using podcasts in the classroom, and to leave the session feeling empowered to incorporate podcast learning into their classrooms right away.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Caban

Take a journey through the history of electromagnetic discovery. Learn how your class can recreate the experiments of some of history’s greatest scientists in your classroom as they discover the force of electromagnetism. Free MagLab Souvenir for every teacher!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how different scientists throughout history have contributed to our understanding of electromagnetism over the past 200 years and how the National Magnet Lab uses these breakthroughs to operate the world's strongest magnets.

SPEAKERS:
Carlos Villa

This new version of the Quick-Reference Guide (aka The Purple Book) is a must-have reference tool for working with NGSS and other Framework-based, 3D standards. This session will review the features of the book and show how to use the tools and resources in it to unpack the crosscutting concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to unpack the three dimensions using the tools and resources in the Quick-Reference Guide and will gain insights into the meaning of the crosscutting concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard

Participants will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and practical applications of using Native Plant Gardens and Vegetable Gardens in educational settings.

TAKEAWAYS:
Identify advantages of incorporating different gardens in teaching for middle or high school. Explain how using different gardens can enhance student student engagement and learning outcomes. How gardens align with standards. Ways to include various departments through out the school.

SPEAKERS:
Jackie Scott

Explore the storyline of the newly released OpenSciEd Unit 5.1 How does a nurse log help other things live and grow? and see how students leverage connections to ELA and math as they investigate and make sense of ecosystems and matter cycling.

TAKEAWAYS:
OpenSciEd Elementary units provide significant opportunities for students to explicitly connect with grade-level mathematics, reading, writing, speaking & listening, and language standards in service of their science sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Gen Zoufal, Cathery Yeh, Gail Housman, Amy Belcastro

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

Join us to participate in providing educators with the skills and knowledge needed to create authentic and engaging assessments that truly measure student understanding of the 3-D science standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will utilize the NGSS standards, the Louisiana Achievement Level Descriptors, and high-quality curriculum items to develop and evaluate 3-dimensional assessment items.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Shirley, Sheena Prelow, Paula Callender, Jessie Church

Many schools need high-quality units to meet their state standards, especially if they vary significantly from the NGSS. BSCS Science Learning has extensive experience with designing, and adapting Storylines units. Come to this session to apply a BSCS design tool that can be used for adaptation.

Please note: space is limited.

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience with a tool to unpack and compare target standards by clarifying key ideas, listing prerequisites and challenges, and considering what students should “figure out” and not just “learn about." Consider and share how to apply tools and processes for adapting HQIM in your local context.

SPEAKERS:
Elaine Klein, Jean Flanagan

Creating Regionally Relevant Lessons engage students on a personal level allowing for greater insight into where they fit and their role in their community as well as how they can impact the world around them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with plenty of ideas of how to connect what they're teaching in the classroom to their own local resources and, how bundling performance expectations can be a great way to start!

SPEAKERS:
Teresa Rockwood

Have you ever been to an escape room? Want to turn your classroom into the same experience and not just have kids open envelopes? This session will show you an escape room designed for the Physics classroom and tools to help build your own on a concept of your choosing in any Science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will help you see the actual thought behind the puzzle making for a meaningful escape room and how it transforms the learning and engagement of students when you bring the room to life. This style of assessment has proved to have the best engagement of any strategy we have used.

SPEAKERS:
Gregory Brown

Discover innovative strategies for creating inclusive, problem-driven learning environments in science education, leveraging antibias principles for student empowerment that integrates students' life experiences into the curriculum, fostering representation and ensuring all voices are valued.

TAKEAWAYS:
Effectively incorporate antibias education strategies into STEM curricula to create more inclusive, engaging, and representative learning environments that empower all students.

SPEAKERS:
Neotha Williams, Jennifer Munoz

Department of Defense scientists and engineers are the bedrock of our nation’s most advanced technology and research breakthroughs, including virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, and more! Join us as we explore multiple STEM career pathways supported by DoD STEM’s network of partners in academia, i

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use career resources on DoD STEM’s website to support students in envisioning themselves as future STEM professionals.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Marquis Mason, Dr. Whitney White, Rebecca Stanley

Trauma affects a significant portion of the student population and can manifest in various ways. This session focuses on the application of trauma-informed practices within the science classroom and its potential to enhance student engagement, facilitate learning, and promote emotional resilience.

TAKEAWAYS:
Drawing upon research and practical strategies, this session aims to equip educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to create safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments that empower students to thrive academically and emotionally.

SPEAKERS:
Cheryl Robertson

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

Space Rocks! Making heads and tails of rocks in space. Comets, meteors, asteroids? What’s the difference? We will use high-engagement strategies to help our students understand the difference between these windows to our galactic past.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will depart with tested lessons, prepared background information, and complete resources for hands-on labs, and three engineering-based STEM projects that incorporate Earth's place in space and human-created systems to make predictions and establish patterns.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Walker

Come engage in activities (elementary, middle, and high school) to experience how to embed social-emotional learning alongside the NGSS! We will explore teaching strategies that can be used in any lesson, connect with the 3 dimensions, and embed essential SEL skills along the way.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn strategies to embed SEL instruction into existing NGSS lessons in ways that engage students with both content and social-emotional growth.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Borton

Join Louisiana teacher leaders in empowering educators to effectively utilize high-quality instructional materials while addressing common challenges related to classroom assessment. Participants will engage collaboratively with resources designed to support educators with this goal.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with resources and strategies to assist with addressing some common challenges with curriculum-integrated assessment opportunties including analyzing and interpreting information provided in these assessment moments in an efficient and effective manner.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Jimenez, Loren Klein, Lauren Waguespack, Kylie Martin

Learn how one educator used cross-curricular PBL units to help students understand the effects of climate change while staying solution focused. In one unit students wrote and proposed climate driven migration legislation. The other explored ocean acidification through science fiction writing.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with two ready to use units developing climate literacy as well as real life examples of how to use PBL in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Plowman

Humans’ arms race with pathogens shaped history and influences life today. Understanding the evolutionary ecology of diseases, including H1N1 flu, COVID and HIV, that infect two or more species is vital to understanding current and future threats to individual and public health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to use our fascinating relationships with infectious disease in demonstrating the importance of evolutionary and ecological concepts in medical practice, public health, and students’ lives.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Levine

Research has shown that real-world performance is how students learn best. Using Performance Assessments allow teachers to genuinely assess students with a task that closely mirrors the responsibilities of a scientist and elevates the learning to higher-order thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Speakers will identify the goals of performance-based assessments, provide structure and examples for development, and discuss the real-classroom applications. Participants will work to develop a performance assessment that can be used in the classroom of the core sciences.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Judd

Louisiana's 9-12 CTE aligned STEM pathways for both college & non-college bound students. After 7 years innovations, data, student course choices, & programs are emerging. Computing , Pre-health & Pre-veterinary , Pre-Engineering, Digital Design & Emergent Media, & Enviro Protection/Sustainability.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will get research data on the success of 5 CTE/STEM pathways, take-aways on using state/federal funds, ideas for curriculum, and models for schools to implement vetted Louisiana curriculum. Participants will learn how to maximize their resources to offer a pathway.

SPEAKERS:
Jamie Mixon

Join a STEM Town Hall Meeting session leveraging two decades of data to explore sustainable strategies for fostering teachers' growth. Discover evidence-based approaches applicable across schools, districts, and states, with a particular focus on culturally relevant and responsive teaching in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
This event promises to equip you with actionable insights drawn from research, offering valuable guidance for advancing teaching practices and promoting equitable access to quality STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Luria Young, Katrin Smith

Learn how the Central Indiana Educational Service Center provided Indiana educators an opportunity to elevate their teaching and ignite their creativity with Teacher Industry Experiences in Indiana (TIE-IN), an exclusive initiative designed to bridge the classroom with the dynamic world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain insights into how they can create their own teacher industry experiences in their communities.

SPEAKERS:
Christina Hilton

The Atlas is a collection of 62 maps of the practices, core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and performance expectations in NGSS and other Framework-based standards. The maps show how goals in science are meant to build upon each other and relate to each other over a student’s K-12 education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to read the maps and use other tools in the Atlas to understand and interpret standards and plan instructional sequences as part of their work in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard

Educators of all levels will learn how to create equitable STEM opportunities for girls of urban backgrounds. In addition, suggestions will be given on how ensure that urban girls sustain an interest in STEM which will results in them choosing STEM related college/university majors and careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the importance of representation and how to reverse the narrative when it comes to teaching STEM to African American girls.

SPEAKERS:
Carla Neely

Dr. Michael Wysession, NGSS co-author and geophysics professor, will explore ideas for using recent NASA and NOAA data for recent extreme-weather-related phenomena, such as heat domes and severe flooding, to anchor storylines that make climate science relevant and engaging for students.

TAKEAWAYS:
The 2023-2024 severe weather events, analyzed with NASA and NOAA data, can drive climate-related storylines that can engage students and prepare them for assessments for the HS-ESS2-4 and HS-ESS3-1&5 performance expectations, covering climate systems, natural disasters, and environmental justice.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Wysession

Switch Classroom is a great resource to use in agriculture courses whether the topic is biofuels, land use, or transportation. Incorporating videos, print resources, and activities on Switch Classroom, agriscience teachers can access the latest accurate unbiased energy information.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the wide variety of topics and curricular materials available on Switch Classroom to supplement their agriscience courses. Interactive lessons, videos, and activities that bring unbiased and accurate information on energy use and demand in ag will be demonstrated.

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Daniels

In my session, I'll discuss how my students used lacto-fermentation to tackle food insecurity by making pickles, hot sauce, and salsa. Using the Design Cycle and STEM, they refined their recipes and techniques.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn the science behind lacto-fermentation and how to incorporate it in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jeremy Bishko

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.

The Learning Progression Model is a flexible, equitable assessment strategy to provide descriptive feedback, set goals, evaluate teaching, and report achievement. Attendees leave knowing how they can implement this in their classrooms even in a traditional grades school.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understand how the Learning Progression Model keeps students engaged and accountable, how learning progressions are used to develop/assess skills and knowledge aligned with NGSS, and how to integrate this approach into the traditional grading system.

SPEAKERS:
Elise Naramore

Want to complete rigorous experiments with your multilingual learners? Learn about successful strategies, scaffolds, and structures which can be used for all levels of learners, increasing accessibility and creating an environment where hands-on learning is not only possible, but preferred!

TAKEAWAYS:
English Learners are one of the fastest growing populations in the United States. However, access to quality training in how to teach our ELs is limited. Through this session, educators will explore strategies and structures that can be used to better assist ther ELs in the scientific process.

SPEAKERS:
Kirsten Salonga

Want to create an environment where students see themselves as scientists and create independent capable scientific researchers, while exploring real-world scientific problems AND maintain your commitment to rigor? The bioplastics investigation and other projects shared here might be your answer.

TAKEAWAYS:
It is possible to increase student engagement with project-based chemistry explorations while still maintaining content and rigor. Tackling real-world chemistry problems can create a model environment for students and faculty to learn alongside one another while fostering key 21st-century skills.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Sullivan

Three-dimensional learning is the vision of the NGSS. Engaging our students in three-dimensional learning by integrating problem-based learning, technology, and engineering while connecting them to STEM careers will prepare them for the future.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to provide students with the opportunity to learn the DCI, CCC, and SEP and make connections with technology and engineering. They will also learn how to integrate 3-D to make sense of phenomena or design solutions to real-world problems, which is a focus of STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Denise Clarke-Mayers

How can we fit student-centered science instruction into the varied schedules of K-5 classrooms? Experience and explore how OpenSciEd Elementary’s free high-quality units are designed to support teachers in making time to engage their students in 3D science.

TAKEAWAYS:
OpenSciEd Elementary lessons are organized in four components: Navigate, Explore, Connect, and Synthesize. These components support teachers in understanding the purpose of each part of a lesson, allow for more flexible timing, and can be implemented in various parts of the school day.

SPEAKERS:
Amber Bismack, Gail Housman, Yanira Vazquez

Engage in conversations for how to use the three dimensions of the NGSS and the NRC Framework, storylines, driving questions, and hands-on activities to engage students in science and engineering skills while making sense of how SOIL affects the food that we grow and eat in a new storyline unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in activities that are part of a new storyline unit on how soil affects the types and quantities of food commodities grown. Topics include what is soil, the effect of soil on plant growth, movement of matter and energy through soils, and how to decrease human impact on soils.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Tobin, Chris Embry Mohr

This presentation delves into the journey of a two-year program designed to elevate teacher leadership practices and foster a supportive and reflective community of practice. Throughout this session, we will explore the program's objectives, methodologies, and the impact it has on individuals.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation offers an overview of a two-year professional learning program dedicated to empowering educators, enhancing leadership capacity, and fostering a vibrant collegial community through a blend of theory, practical application, and reflective practice.

SPEAKERS:
Taissa Lau

Foster inclusive STEM environments valuing students' culture, language & experiences. Learn to infuse culturally responsive learning into STEM through problem-based units that bolster identity & enhance STEM culture. Create a sense of belonging by integrating STEM into diverse learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn practical strategies to design problem-based STEM learning experiences that celebrate student diversity, affirm cultural identities, and create an inclusive classroom environment where all students feel valued and empowered to engage with STEM content and develop a positive STEM identity.

SPEAKERS:
Latasha Turner, Sarah Redick

Learn about Educating for Environmental Change, a free Indiana University program that helps educators teach the science and policy of climate change and participate in exemplar activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
This workshop will introduce Indiana University's Educating for Environmental Change (EfEC) project and provide information on how teachers can get involved. The presenter will also facilitate hands-on, exemplar scientific argumentation activities from the EfEC project.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Scribner

Bound lab notebooks are excellent records of student growth and their journey in learning the scientific method. But they tend to be difficult to implement in the lab itself, and horrible to grade. We will share our story of how we use (and effectively grade!) lab notebooks in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with proven strategies that reduce the heavy burden of a robust lab program. Participants will gain access to resources to a large collection of physics labs (and rubrics!) that are easy to set up, engaging to students, and easy to grade.

SPEAKERS:
Oather Strawderman, John Pinizzotto

Explore STEM enrichment through a STEM Innovation Fair, delving into its goals, structure, and impact on fostering creativity and scientific inquiry among K-12 students. Participants discover how the Fair empowers students to be change-makers and ignites a passion for STEM education and careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave equipped with the knowledge and tools to spearhead their own innovation fairs within their school districts, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and community engagement among students while cultivating a culture of innovation for future generations.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Dillon

Empower students from Maine to Texas with hands-on climate studies through Fear to Hope program, fostering understanding of sea level rise's impact on Cedar Forests. Accessible even after the program ends.

TAKEAWAYS:
Community Science and Partnership opportunities are there if you look for them, at low to no cost your students can be and are a vital part of the scientific community.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Sharpe

This project incorporates into astronomy, physics, and engineering classes as students take on a current real-world career-based project: figuring out how to land on the Moon. Students utilize different STEM fields and communicate to solve a problem with hands-on exploratory learning methods.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will takeaway a plan to integrate current events and a real-world project into multiple disciplines. Whether attendees are looking for an idea to integrate into one class or many, they will see different learning methods and ideas to apply this project to their own classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kelsey Jacobus, Joe Morales, Hanna Cohen

Feeling burned out by unmotivated students? Join us to reveal motivational gems hidden in your class. Attendees will gain strategies to provide SEL support, including methods allowing students to share their input and assessment practices to increase participation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will discover how things they may already be doing can be adapted to boost student motivation and build confidence. Walk away with strategies to implement tomorrow!

SPEAKERS:
Amber Richards

In this session, we will examine how to leverage time used to practice and reinforce math and reading skills to also include phenomenon-based science. By using math and ELA standards as a starting point, short units building off of a common science phenomenon are created.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience the process of creating a phenomenon-based, science-focused lesson series to help reinforce and practice the standards in math and ELA, thus leading toward equity for students and subject areas.

SPEAKERS:
Miranda Orellana

AI is changing the world around us, but how can it help with making 3-dimensional assessments? In this session, we will explore the opportunities and challenges with using AI in all phases of creating and refining assessments in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
AI is not a silver bullet for developing assessments, but a powerful tool if a teacher understands the principles of 3-dimensional assessments.

SPEAKERS:
Loren Klein

Come learn about the NSTA press books addressing the three dimensions: Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas: Reshaping Teaching and Learning, and Crosscutting Concepts: Strengthen Science and Engineering Learning

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn techniques to use these three books to help educators have a deep understanding of practices, core ideas, and crosscutting concepts to foster better student learning in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard

Lessons will be share that use Disney, and other, analgies for the understanding and mastery of Periodic Trends learned in Chemistry.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be able to use the information learned in these lessons and connect ideas to help students grasp understanding of a abstract concept.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Carny

Join members of NSTA’s Professional Learning Committee for a discussion regarding professional learning! We will explore NSTA’s new professional learning statement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave the discussion with a framework for professional learning and strategies to implement professional learning!

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott, Deanna Taylor, Leah Litz, Jesse Wilcox

During this interactive hour long hybrid between a professional development and research presentation participants will learn about and ideate on how to make STEM learning spaces more equitable through simple changes to classroom organization.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with strategies and resources on how to organize and decorate their classrooms to promote equity and belonging in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Novelli

Explore a unit of instruction developed in partnership with researchers from UC San Diego. From experiencing and analyzing the unit, you will identify design principles that promote specific pedagogical routines for teachers. You will leave with specific strategies for collaborating with researche

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience science curriculum design principles based on equity design centered instructional frameworks. Learn and apply a protocol for partnering with researchers to generate curriculum resources that support both teacher and student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Alec Barron

You have a coherent phenomenon-based learning plan for your students, and midway through, you get sick or jury duty - now what?!? This session will highlight approaches to substitute plans that are flexible, easy to implement, and support student learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
When students are tasked with sensemaking and figuring out day in and day out, it is easier to have that happen without the teacher present. Utilizing a quality curriculum that supports student coherence and phenomenon-based learning is the best tool to make that a reality.

SPEAKERS:
Matt Krehbiel, Sarah Delaney

The Environmental Institute of Houston monitors sites along the Galveston and Matagorda Bays in Texas to evaluate change in the bay’s ecosystems over time. Participants will utilize Team-based Learning (TBL) strategies to consider and apply data-informed evidence to real-world scenarios.

TAKEAWAYS:
Team-Based Learning (TBL) is a structured method of authentic inquiry grounded in relevant and significant real-world scenarios. Participants will take away from this session strategies and resources for TBL that they may use immediately in their own course.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Metoyer

Learn a possible pathway for facilitating your science department's transition from traditional grading to standards-based grading. See examples showcasing the integration of the SEPs to guide instruction and assessment, and foster your students' journey toward mastering essential science skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will see how the SEPs can be used to frame standards-based instruction and assessment in an authentic way. Participants will gain insights from specific examples of rubrics, success criteria, practice, and assessments that have been classroom-tested in biological and physical science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Sponseller, Kellie Dean

Dr. Michael Wysession, NGSS co-author and geophysics professor, will explore fascinating Earth and space science (ESS) storylines of how geologic events such as volcanoes, earthquakes, and climate swings have shaped the rise and fall of civilizations and altered human history.

TAKEAWAYS:
The unusual and sometimes bizarre history of human impacts from geological events provides engaging phenomena and storylines that help students understand not only the impacts of natural disasters (NGSS HS-ESS3-1) but the potential impacts of human changes to Earth’s surface (HS-ESS3-4/5/6).

SPEAKERS:
Michael Wysession

Learn a variety of implementation strategies to include debating/ argumentation into your science curriculum. Strategies include ideas such as Four Corners, tabletop debate, and full class debate. Ways to differentiate strategies to accommodate different learning abilities will be discussed.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will be able to implement different debating/ argumentation strategies into their science curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Melanie Craig

How did humans turn a simple grass into a staple food crop? And, how are scientists working to ensure that corn can continue to feed billions of people as the world’s climate changes? In this new storyline on popcorn, students will think like scientists as they enjoy this yummy snack food.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore a new storyline on popcorn that engages students in constructing explanations from evidence. Students investigate how teosinte evolved into one of the most important food crops on Earth-corn, as they learn about genetics and future evolution in order to meet the needs of a changing planet.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Embry Mohr

3-dimensional transfer task assessments require students to apply learning to related phenomena, demonstrate deep levels of understanding, and engage in new learning. Learn how to tailor existing transfer tasks and support students in completing them from 2 teachers who do this in their classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will examine revised and customized transfer task assessments, effective strategies and supports, and hear student testimonials to help guide and assist their students through the often challenging transfer task assessment process.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bolduc

This interactive session is designed specifically for science educators looking to prioritize their well-being while managing the demands of teaching. The session incorporates guided meditations, walking practices, and mindful movements to help participants cultivate joy and equanimity.

TAKEAWAYS:
One key takeaway from this session for participants, supported by research, is the effectiveness of mindfulness practices in reducing stress and enhancing well-being among educators. Studies have shown that engaging in mindfulness activities improve relationships with colleagues and students.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Munoz

NSTA provides in-person, online, and blended personalized professional learning experiences for cohorts of K–12 educators. All programs engage educators with digital resources, virtual experiences, the larger online community, and expert staff. NSTA membership 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 personalize their learning as well as the ability to learn with their peers. Membership is included.

SPEAKERS:
Tricia Shelton, Flavio Mendez

Dive into a hands-on ball drop activity integrating computational thinking and computer science with physics. This session explores research-driven methods showing how incorporating computer science boosts student engagement and creative problem-solving, aligned with CSTA and NGSS standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to effectively integrate computer science and physics in middle school curricula, using technology to enhance real-world problem-solving and interdisciplinary student engagement while aligning to CSTA and NGSS standards.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Hanna, Ian Collins

This presentation dives into the dynamic world of podcasting as a powerful tool for science education. Discover how podcasts captivate students' interest, deliver diverse scientific perspectives, and foster active learning. Join us on an auditory adventure, where education meets innovation!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn practical strategies for seamlessly integrating podcasts with the use of English Language Arts instructional strategies into your curriculum, and explore real-life success stories.

SPEAKERS:
Nichole Anders, Courtney Moore

Participants will explore an engineering design challenge that engages upper elementary students in the creation of tiny homes as a solution to homelessness after a local natural disaster. Explore Design Thinking principles and how empathy plays a role in authentic and inclusive STEM inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engage in an NGSS-based engineering design challenge where you design a solution for homelessness caused by natural disasters and learn the role of empathy in STEM inquiries by using Design Thinking principles and place-based strategies that engage all learners in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Williams

Explore strategies for providing equitable STEM education for students with disabilities. Understand how to create physically safe and accessible classrooms. Learn practical tips for multi-modal instruction, hands-on learning, and project-based learning connected to student interests/experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will take away practical strategies for designing inclusive, equitable STEM learning experiences that leverage Universal Design principles and students' diverse strengths to make STEM accessible for all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Redick

Students in diverse groups designed a 3D car to travel fast and far using the engineering design process. This collaborative approach, tailored to their interests and abilities, boosted their interest, learning, and sense of science identity, supported by self-discovery and teacher recognition.

TAKEAWAYS:
Implementing the Engineering Design Process equitably, collaborating in diverse groups based on skills and interests, with teacher recognition, enhances student interest, engagement, learning, and science identity, fostering a sense of belonging and competence in scientific activities.

SPEAKERS:
Massa Mafi

Through discussions and workshopping, participants consider ways to leverage the curriculum adoption process, including setting an instructional vision, developing criteria, and evaluating materials, to develop teacher understanding of rigorous science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn strategies for using K-12 curriculum adoptions to support deep professional learning around the NGSS/Framework, particularly sensemaking with the three-dimensions and phenomenon and problem based instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Wachowski

This session will center on cohorts of educators who participated in a series of learning cycles. It will showcase the purpose and outcomes of the learning cycles, which empower teachers to refine their pedagogical approaches to directly address the diverse needs of their students.

TAKEAWAYS:
By implementing learning cycle protocols, teachers refine their pedagogical approaches to better meet the diverse needs of their students. Data collection and reflection processes further enhance instructional strategies, leading to continuous improvement and informed decision-making.

SPEAKERS:
Taissa Lau

One goal of science HQIM is to engage students in the science and engineering practices in relevant ways. Participants will explore ways to increase student engagement and meet the needs of diverse learners by creating meaningful outdoor learning experiences and integrating them into HQIM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to implement standard aligned lessons that engage students with HQIMs and outdoor learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Jimenez, Kylie Martin, Lindsay Duet, Jenni Frick

In this dynamic session, we delve into the unique challenges and opportunities of establishing a thriving STEM program in small, nonpublic schools. With limited resources and varying student backgrounds, the task may seem daunting, but it's entirely achievable with the right approach.

TAKEAWAYS:
Establishing a thriving STEM program in small, nonpublic schools is challenging but achievable. Limited resources and diverse student backgrounds require resilience, creativity, and collaboration. We will share experiences and best practices to foster growth in STEM programs (K-8th).

SPEAKERS:
Selena Scott, Rachel Plunkett, Michelle Boyd, Elizabeth Ahlgrim

Join award-winning science educator Griff Jones and members of the IIHS Vehicle Research Center to explore engaging demos, behind-the-scenes tours of crash tests, and video-supported, inquiry-based activities from the IIHS’s web-based “Crash Science in the Classroom” program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will discover STEM design challenges (Crash Cushions, Egg-Carrying Paper Car Crashes, Project Pedestrian) and other classroom-tested lessons plans, teacher/student tips videos, lab sheets, and answer keys to teach crash-related science and engineering concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Pini Kalnite, Griff Jones

We will introduce our forthcoming 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 chemistry 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:
Ron Gray, Todd Campbell

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

After a year of diving into the implementation of the OpenSciEd curriculum, learn about our experience. We will share reflections on the experience in implementing OpenSciEd through a curriculum-based professional learning model to foster collective efficacy and curriculum implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn pros and cons, and strategies for a “ripping off the Band-Aid” approach to curriculum implementation, including analysis of curriculum-based professional learning for student and teacher growth; partnership and coaching for ongoing implementation support.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Wlodarczyk, Julie Christianson

This session will focus on using multiple types of representations to foster a deeper understanding of physics concepts. More than just math, using graphs, charts, pictures, and more gives students many opportunities to demonstrate their understanding and dive deeper into content.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with engaging classroom strategies that can be used to deepen students' understanding of physics content. In addition to teacher-made classroom resources, teachers will gain the tools to develop their own materials that they can adapt to their own unique needs.

SPEAKERS:
Oather Strawderman, John Pinizzotto

During this session, participants will discuss the significance of artificial intelligence, belonging and culture in STEAM learning. Additionally, participants will obtain and practice using a tool to include culturally inclusive practices in STEAM lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Why are culturally inclusive strategies important in STEAM classrooms? How can you use AI and belonging strategies that challenge and engage a diverse group of learners? In this session, we will reveal a planning tool that you can use to support learner success in STEAM classroom settings.

SPEAKERS:
Deanna Taylor

Serious game and simulations provide an engaging strategy for digital students to make decisions about planning for the future in spite of the uncertainties of climate change and extreme weather. Learn ways to use environmental game design as an instructional strategy in any classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn about where to find accurate science-based games and simulations online through national science agencies like NOAA. They will also learn about strategies and resources to help them develop new games with their students.

SPEAKERS:
Peggy Steffen

Utilize Switch Classroom to develop engaging energy-related PBL experiences for your students. Using the free classroom resources from Switch Energy Alliance teachers will learn how to incorporate balanced, non-partisan information on energy resources, power generation, and energy usage.

TAKEAWAYS:
Switch Classroom can be used for primary source research, or to scaffold bigger driving questions or lessons involving energy resources, production, generation, use, and effects. Teachers will leave with ideas and examples to facilitate the development of their own PBL lessons involving energy.

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Daniels

This session will provide strategies on Teaching with Primary Sources in the science curriculum to promote student inquiry and discourse, critical thinking and analysis and the understanding of scientific history.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in teaching strategies that exemplify how analyzing primary sources can support critical thinking and the scientific method of observation, hypothesizing, and analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Dat Le

The Framework and NGSS called for phenomena-based 3D learning experiences for all students. Unpack WHY this is so important and HOW to make it a reality in your classroom. Take away phenomena and storylines to try in your classroom and strategies for making every student look forward to your class.

TAKEAWAYS:
The shift to phenomena-based 3D learning brings the student to the center of the learning and uses their life experiences and approaches to sensemaking to drive the learning.

SPEAKERS:
Matt Krehbiel

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

Should we tailor instruction to learning styles? Should we reduce tests to avoid test anxiety? Research shows that some common beliefs we develop about learners are wrong. I will debunk 3 common learning myths and provide concrete research-based guidelines for what to do in classrooms instead.

TAKEAWAYS:
As a former HS teacher, I will detail how to use current research-based strategies to support student learning. Teachers will learn how to present information in multiple ways to help diverse students. Teachers will use desirable difficulties to build equitable instruction in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Tullis

Want to better understand your standards? In this session, we walk through the process of breaking down a standard using a learning progression protocol. This will result in teachers involved having an intensive understanding of their standards and a list of scaffolded student "skill" statements.

TAKEAWAYS:
A process and resources for walking through the process from standards/big ideas through scaffolded student skill statements.

SPEAKERS:
Delsey Olds

Unlock the potential of narrative-driven instruction in your science classroom with our interactive workshop on creating storyline-driven lessons. We will provide educators with practical strategies and tools to infuse storytelling elements into their science curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
During the workshop, participants will explore the power of storytelling in science education and discover how to develop cohesive storylines that guide the learning journey.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Holman

Explore how Canva sparks creativity in high school science classes. Learn to captivate students with interactive lessons, foster teamwork through collaborative projects, and share resources effortlessly.

TAKEAWAYS:
Transform your science teaching with Canva's creative tools to enhance student engagement, collaboration, and resource sharing.

SPEAKERS:
Misty Lewis

Calling all educators passionate about interdisciplinary learning! Dive deep into the rich waters of Rhode Island's quahogging and fishing industries as we explore the intricate web of stakeholders and its impact on coastal communities and the fragile marine ecosystem.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to facilitate cross-curricular connections by learning how to design interdisciplinary units that integrate content from various subjects to foster deeper understanding and engagement and how to create student investment by focusing on local environmental issues.

SPEAKERS:
Yulie Lee, Caitlin Smith

Discover how Columbus City Schools has strategically developed and utilized Spruce Run to bridge the gap between urban landscapes and natural environments. Participants will gain insights into the district's commitment to providing all students with equitable access to outdoor learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Highlight the impact of outdoor education field trips and monthly open houses on students from the city, educators, and the community using partnerships and volunteers.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Hamilton, Heather Allen

Memes are a powerful learning tool, helping teachers assess understanding and drive deeper learning through Bloom’s taxonomy. Memes challenge students to articulate and audit their understanding through powerful puzzles. Explore how to use memes in your classroom as a formative assessment tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, participants will gain an introduction to memes as a learning tool, see good and bad examples of memes in learning, and explore three unique meme activities that can be used in your science classroom to support the development of NGSS Science and Engineering Practices.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Libov

Empower educators to inspire and support female students in STEM fields by showcasing women who have made significant contributions. Learn about their achievements, impact, and pathways to success to gain valuable insights and resources for guiding female students toward successful STEM careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain valuable insights and resources to inspire and support female students in STEM. By learning about the achievements, impact, and pathways to success of prominent women in STEM, educators will be equipped to encourage and guide their female students toward successful STEM careers.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Harding

The session will cover culturally sustaining pedagogy and how to implement relevant teaching strategies within the science classroom to increase science identity in the urban classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to leverage pedagogy to help your students actualize themselves as scientists in the urban science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Tasha Jordan

Integrating active reading and reflection strategies into STEM education is indispensable to nurture the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. By fostering deeper engagement, critical thinking skills, and interdisciplinary connections, educators can empower students to excel in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will dive deep into reading and reflecting. They WILL read and write. Not only will they develop skills to enhance their own practices of reading and writing, but they will engage in creating a reading and writing space for students to explore and engage in bringing curiosity to science.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Schneider

Why can mammals survive the first few weeks or months of life by only ingesting milk? But, what happens when someone is lactose intolerant? Why can lactose-intolerant people tolerate some dairy products? Explore the answers to these questions in a new unit storyline on MILK.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this new storyline on milk, students construct an explanation based on evidence for why dairy is an important source of food energy. Human babies double their weight during the first 6 months of life, yet some lose the ability to digest lactose. Fermentation is one way to solve this problem.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Tobin, Chris Embry Mohr

We will introduce our forthcoming 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 chemistry 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:
Ron Gray, Todd Campbell

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:
Darren Wells, Karen Ziminski

Gulf Shores City Schools teachers will share how we teach science to students through a district program called Science by the Shore. This program is an innovative approach to science instruction that inspires students to develop a love for our natural resources through outdoor place based learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how we use our school and surrounding community as a science lab and integrate social, emotional, and cognitive well being into teaching outdoors. We will share strategies and ideas for using their own school grounds as outdoor classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Sampley, Anthony Schaff, Krista Fleming

We will explore how AI revolutionizes early childhood education by personalizing learning experiences and reducing teacher burnout throughout automation, enhancing both teaching and learning outcomes.

TAKEAWAYS:
One main takeaway that attendees will discover is how AI can significantly enhance personalized learning for young children. AI can tailor educational experiences to individual needs and abilities, which optimizes their developmental growth.

SPEAKERS:
Robin Mangus

Teacher Leaders are the superheroes of education. In this session participants will investigate the Domain I of the Teacher Leader Model Standards. In this deep dive, modeling effective skills in listening, presenting ideas and leading discussions among colleagues will be addressed.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through participant dialogue, each attendee will walk away with a list of the Teacher Leader Model Standards, as well as ways to collaborate and support colleagues.

SPEAKERS:
Jenne VandePanne, Jessica Wagenmaker

Come see how you can make a shift to storylines in your classroom where students make sense of phenomena, see how this motivates them to engage in science and engineering practices, and learn disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
How having students make sense of phenomena leads to greater engagement and better understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard

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

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, Katie Morrison, Jennifer Williams, Jenn Brown-Whale

This introduction to STEM for elementary, secondary, or special education classrooms will allow participants to explore motion and energy while creating their own Rube Goldberg machine using found objects.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students can easily plan, build, and problem solve their own Rube Goldberg project using recycled and found materials.

SPEAKERS:
Elaine Sevin

What is in a definition? The Louisiana STEM Advisory Council (LASTEM) recently adopted a statewide definition for STEM that drives the work of the Regional STEM Centers. Learn how the LASTEM network leverages its education-workforce connections to drive meaningful impact around the state.

TAKEAWAYS:
No matter what acronym you use (STEM, STEAM, STEMM, etc.) you are doing STEM as defined by the LASTEM council. Attendees will also learn how the LASTEM network utilizes the newly adopted definition of STEM to support our outreach.

SPEAKERS:
Clint Coleman

The Oregon Coast STEM Hub has been leading transdisciplinary work with 3-person teams of a math teacher, a science teacher and a marine scientist. Teams develop units for grades 6-12 with authentic phenomena and data to integrate math and science standards and create open source materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the process for building transdisciplinary math and science units and gain access to open source data and lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Micki Halsey Randall, Carrie Averill, Slade Sapora, Kama Almasi, Kim Norberg

This session will examine 2024 election results, explore how education and STEM policy will fare in the new Administration, and discuss the upcoming reauthorization of the federal education law (Every Student Succeeds Act) and what teachers can expect from Congress and Washington, DC.

TAKEAWAYS:
What kind of policy developments can science educators expect to see from national leaders going into 2025.

SPEAKERS:
James Brown

Dialogues are a conversation among two students. There are a number of ways dialogues can be presented. This session will show how dialogues can be used to find student preconceptions, misconceptions, introduce environmental issues, bring in historical events, and introduce concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the different types of dialogues and how to use them in the classroom from introducing a topic or as an assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Ray Scolavino

How do we know which students of our students are figuring things out that they care about? Which students are contributing to knowledge-building in small groups? Join us to learn about a simple approach to using data from exit tickets with research-based strategies to promote more equitable partici

TAKEAWAYS:
Making formative use of exit ticket data on student experience can help all students experience instruction as more relevant and coherent from the student perspective. Key to improvement is testing research-based strategies for promoting more equitable participation in class.

SPEAKERS:
William Penuel, Melissa Campanella

The session will walk participants through the Teaching and Learning Cycle, the WIDA pedagogical framework that supports the development of students’ content knowledge and literacy skills through multiple modalities.

TAKEAWAYS:
The participants will observe and receive lessons on the Teaching and Learning Cycle (Writing with Multilingual Learners) in 6th-grade and high school science classes.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Jones

Unleash student curiosity and transdisciplinary learning with Artificial Intelligence! Educators will discover practical strategies to ignite student interest in real-world responsible problem-solving leveraging the power of AI. Join us & empower the next generation of STEM innovators!

TAKEAWAYS:
STEM classrooms + AI = Empowered problem-solvers! Learn how educators can harness AI for research, analysis & design thinking, fostering responsible AI use in future innovators.

SPEAKERS:
Moni Singh

Learn how you can build a STEM academy in your school through targeted and authentic learning. You will learn how to embed research based international competitions WITHIN the school day, how to find STEM guest speakers, and the importance of digital student portfolios.

TAKEAWAYS:
Our low-income STEM academy has won two international NASA competitions, has multiple state and national award winners in STEM fields, and immediate undergraduate success in college. You CAN provide authentic STEM education that prepares students while working in your current school structure.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Oldham

Learn how to craft content language objectives (CLOs) that seamlessly blend the 3D of NGSS with the four elements of a language objective, providing insight into structuring targeted support.

TAKEAWAYS:
CLOs are a practical solution to the pressing challenge of addressing language proficiency as students access and engage with complex scientific concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Jean Rowe

The burgeoning field of Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a hot topic in any educational setting. Join us to explore how CTE intersects with NGSS to provide students with dynamic skill-based opportunities, high-interest pursuits, and prepare them for success in today's ever-changing workforce.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will discover practical strategies for bridging CTE and NGSS. We will demonstrate the development of integration tools that seamlessly align school district classes, post-secondary education, and NGSS’s three dimensions.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Richmond

Engage with resources that cultivate nine Learning Conditions which support students’ identity development, engagement, and academic growth. Produced by the Chicago Public Schools Office of Student Voice and Engagement and informed by the University of Chicago’s Cultivate Survey and Framework.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will receive a resource guide for each Learning Condition, which provides the definition and rationale, along with specific teacher-ready, student-friendly resources that foster enhanced student sensemaking in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Niranjani Prabhakar, Kori Milroy, Sarah Millette, Chantell Windham

This presentation explores empowering teachers to drive curriculum change. Using the storyline approach, educators gain buy-in, guiding them to create engaging curriculums, and fostering student empowerment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Empower teachers to drive curriculum change using the storyline approach, fostering student-centered learning and ownership.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Holman

Invention Education supercharges STEM for all K-12 students! Learn how the invention meets the needs of all learners and allows students to take control of their learning. Invention begins with students identifying problems in their own lives/community and solving these problems through STEAM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience the power of creative problem solving through hands-on activities to help educators prepare students to become inventors. Learn how invention becomes a vehicle for connecting your students with their community. The session will connect educators with a community of support and resources.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Lawlor-King

Explore the storyline of the newly released OpenSciEd Unit K.1 Why are some surfaces hot and how can we make them less hot? See how students use science ideas they have figured out to design, build, and test solutions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engaging in engineering to solve a problem that is relevant to them (such as helping part of the schoolyard stay less hot when it’s sunny out) gives students a meaningful opportunity to use their science ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Gen Zoufal, Amber Bismack, Gail Housman

The NSTA Sensemaking Tool can help educators be critical consumers of instructional materials and create/revise lessons that reflect the shifts required by new standards (sensemaking). Gain experience using the tool and facilitating criteria-based consensus conversations with your colleagues!

TAKEAWAYS:
Recognize the critical aspects of sensemaking in science lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Mathews, Patrice Scinta

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

Do you struggle to help your English Language Learners (ELL) engage with and understand your science lessons? If so, please join us to explore specific, practical strategies that you can use immediately to assist your ELL students.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to apply various strategies for Scientific Literacy, such as using, Language Objectives, graphic organizers, and color-coding key vocabulary to any science unit.

SPEAKERS:
Sydnie Chouery, Mikayla Kagey

This presentation explores strategies for integrating Indigenous knowledge of thermal energy with NGSS standards of Engineering Design, Conservation of Energy, and Energy Transfer. Focusing on culturally relevant pedagogy and authentic opportunities that value Indigenous contributions to STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will receive lessons and extensions that demonstrate indigenous ingenuity connected to NGSS leading to improved student outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Busch, Jacie Jeffers, Jessica Felchle

Looking to add rigor to your elementary science lessons? Come learn how slight tweaks to how you use phenomena might be the answer for you. We’ll explore how to use phenomena to make science relevant to students, support sensemaking talk routines, and ground the development of academic vocabulary.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be able to improve how their lessons engage students with phenomena and adjust their curriculum to better support student engagement, sensemaking, and vocabulary development with phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Forsythe

Come engage with STEM resources to help you identify common features of quality STEM experiences. Learn how to enhance and expand quality STEM opportunities for students. Participants will receive tools and guidance to implement STEM programs in schools and systems, K-12.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with the tools to identify and evaluate quality STEM opportunities in various grade-level resources using the key features of quality STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Kaci Fontenot, Lanie Gueho

Presenters will share the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office EquiP HQ free K-12 resource, science of innovation video lessons, trading card lessons, journeys of innovation stories, and professional development opportunities. Resources are available for K-12 classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be provided with resources that can be implemented in K-12 classrooms and opportunities for professional development. Invention education integrates into the STEM curriculum seamlessly and can catalyze student engagement and creative thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Hoppe, Christine Lawlor-King

Science Club is an equity-based innovative approach to science professional learning that fosters hands-on, minds-on science engagement in preschool classrooms. Our approach embraces young children’s natural curiosity to engage in science as well as integrates children’s local context and culture.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn from project staff and teachers how to leverage young children’s interests, local context, and local culture to support engagement through intentional, flexible science experiences using our equity-based early childhood adaptation of the 3-D Framework for K-12 Science Education.

SPEAKERS:
Daryl Greenfield, Cynthia Parker

Practice three structured talk routines while engaging in collaborative sensemaking around research that centers how students acquire the language of science and develop their science identity. (K-12th Grades)

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with insight into educational research and resources for planning and implementing well structured student talk as a tool to support science language acquisition and foster the development of students' science identity.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Johnston

In this session participants will examine and discuss the Teacher Leader Model Standards. Digging into the standards they will describe key actions and practices for each of the seven domains. Participants will be asked to reflect on their role as a teacher leader in science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through participant dialogue, each attendee will walk away with a list of the Teacher Leader Model Standards, as well as ways to become an effective leader improving science instruction for all students.

SPEAKERS:
Jenne VandePanne, Jessica Wagenmaker

Discover ways to engage students in STEM fields and topics using real-world environmental issues in their region. Attendees will be shown tools they can use in their classroom that will help students become more aware of their household practices and their personal impact on the environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn strategies that empower students to become involved in their local community through environmental stewardship. A resource kit, including a lesson plan focused on carbon footprints and offsets, will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Charmaine Morgan

Immersing educators in a locally relevant context is a powerful way to foster professional learning, enhance curriculum, and boost student engagement. This session will present successful examples of immersive professional learning that have impacted hundreds of educators across the country.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the benefits of immersive and place-based learning and how it can bring the sensemaking process to life. We will explore how immersive professional learning can surface local phenomena that can be leveraged to support curricular modifications and enhance relevance.

SPEAKERS:
Rick Henningfeld, Craig Rebich, Brian Beierle

Transdisciplinary STEM learning that positions students in the context of real-life scenarios and to problem solve authentic issues can increase students' conceptual understanding of content area knowledge, inspire community connections, as well as increase student engagement in their learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn why transdisciplinary and convergence education matters for the twenty-first century and how this type of learning can be framed and developed, with an overall understanding of how this type of learning and teaching could transform our country and world.

SPEAKERS:
Stefanie Holloway

Discover thrilling STEM education with a range of NSTA-administered K-12 opportunities that engage through innovative programming and recognize achievement with amazing awards. We’ll explore interactive, hands-on learning programs that are designed to bring classroom concepts to life and awards that

TAKEAWAYS:
Empower your teaching with dynamic STEM programs and awards administered by NSTA as you learn about innovative opportunities to boost engagement and enthusiasm for students and teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Lasky, Jose Rivas, Brian Kutsch

Come learn about a research project you can implement with your middle school students. This is a way to highlight marginalized groups in STEM while teaching students about research & communication. I will provide the framework & some amazing resources, including ways to reach out to scientists.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn the ways to start a project like this in your classroom. You will leave with a pile of resources & ideas to help you kick off a project researching women in STEM with your students.

SPEAKERS:
Marjorie Vereen

Grading that supports student sensemaking doesn't have to keep you at school all night. Learn approaches to grading that prioritize 3D sensemaking and utilize technology, collaboration, and existing resources so you have can your evenings back.

TAKEAWAYS:
The process of giving feedback and assigning grades is easier when there are strong materials and assessments to build from and technology can help make it faster without decreasing effectiveness for students.

SPEAKERS:
Matt Krehbiel, Sarah Delaney

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

This session will explore a process for creating NGSS aligned IEP science goals using the Science & Engineering Practices. Attendees will be presented with a prototype tool for collecting data, writing goals, and monitoring progress that has been created for use across Chicago Public Schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore a process for writing science IEP goals that goes beyond simply recreating math and literacy based goals.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Brady, Joseph Seabloom

By 2025, it’s estimated that 463 exabytes of data will be created daily; that’s like 212,765,957 DVDs/day! How can our students know if the information they receive is credible? Generation Skeptics teaches the necessary skills with lessons and guest speakers. (www.generationskeptics.org)

TAKEAWAYS:
Generation Skeptics arms educators with free resources to instill skepticism in students. Recognizing the proliferation of misinformation, GenSkeps seeks to equip the next generation with the enduring principles of the scientific method and the importance of substantiating claims with evidence.

SPEAKERS:
Melanie Trecek-King

In this session, participants will learn how to bring electrical engineering to life with the creation of "Electric Houses". Participants will walk through the steps of turning science standards about electricity into a fully hands on project that involve all types of learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be immersed in a project based activity bringing electricity and circuits to life. Using basic knowledge of electrical circuits, participants will be able to teach concepts in a hands-on immersive way to engage their learners in a real world situation about electrical engineering.

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Reno

Explore how makerspaces can be seamlessly integrated into the classroom to facilitate transdisciplinary and project-based learning. Discover strategies for designing engaging, hands-on activities that cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration across subject areas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn to leverage makerspaces as dynamic learning environments that empower students to tackle real-world challenges. Help students develop critical skills, improve collaboration and communication, boost technical fluency, improve perseverance and resilience, develop a maker mindset.

SPEAKERS:
Kelleigh Huey, Andrew Bruening

Still confused about the basics of the NGSS? Need a refresher about what it is and why it matters? Come learn from the experts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with a basic understanding of the structures of the Next Generation Science Standards and how they inform 3-dimensional standards and 3-dimensional science teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Katy Fattaleh, Tara Foster, Karin Klein

In this session, we review the importance of exit tickets as tools for guiding instruction. Assessments should inform teaching, not just evaluate students. Learn to adjust daily instruction by making learning visible.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use formative assessments to adjust daily instruction, ensuring it meets the specific learning needs of students in grades 3-12 science, math, and engineering courses.

SPEAKERS:
Victor Sampson

Help student craft illustrated "wonder essays" — a unique blend of memoir and nature writing — through an original Science/ELA unit inspired by Aimee Nezhukumatathil's World of Wonders. Gain classroom-ready resources!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the Bay Area Wonders project of illustrated "wonder essays" that are anthologized to celebrate biodiversity and affirm student identities; they will receive all the lesson plans and documents to implement this original Science/ELA unit in their own communities.

SPEAKERS:
Cristina Veresan

Explore and apply methods to restructure 3D HQIM assessments and grading guidance to efficiently and objectively grade student responses and offer clear, concise feedback. Participants will also engage with an evaluation tool to ensure that restructuring the assessments and grading guidance does not change the integrity, rigor, and 3 Dimensional quality of the tasks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the process behind the LDOE/NSTA Partnership and explore practical strategies for using NSTA resources to build science leader capacity. Attendees will walk away with skills and tools necessary for restructuring the format and grading guidance of HQIM embedded assessments in a way that ensures maintenance of rigor and standards alignment.

SPEAKERS:
Jill Sutton, Molly Talbot, April Winstead

Are you curious and ready to discover practical strategies that promote inclusivity and equity in your classroom? This is a session to help educators recognise their implicit biases and work towards solutions to provide equitable classroom science experiences to all.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will; understand and identify biases and stereotypes in science education; leave with a list of applicable easy to implement sharable strategies; feel confident implementing equitable teaching practices; and identify areas in curriculum where they adapt gendered language.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Dowd

By intertwining the principles of inquiry with the interdisciplinary nature of science and social studies, students will develop a holistic understanding of the world around them, its scientific underpinnings, and its societal implications.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will have the opportunity to start creating inquiry based interdisciplinary units in STE and H/SS, to maximize their time on learning in a culturally aware, critical thinking and sensemaking lens.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Orlinski, Elizabeth Warren

Join our student-led citizen science group dedicated to environmental research and hands-on projects. Together, we innovate solutions for pest control, apiary management, and biodiversity conservation, partnering with researchers to tackle pressing environmental challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Build a new toolbox on how to develop the transformative potential of collaboration between passionate students and experienced scientists in addressing pressing environmental challenges and fostering sustainability, highlighting the pivotal role of young minds as drivers of positive change.

SPEAKERS:
Stuart Fleischer