This session will delve into a district-led initiative focused on the continuous curriculum improvement process (CCIP) in secondary biology education. Participants will gain insights into a collaborative framework that empowers teacher fellows to define, evaluate, and pilot curriculum resources aligned with a shared vision for inclusive, phenomena-driven learning. The presentation will highlight the key stages of this process, including the development of a biology vision statement emphasizing diverse sense-making, curiosity, critical thinking, real-world connections, and ethical solutions.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session offers a practical roadmap for districts and schools seeking to engage educators in a meaningful and impactful curriculum improvement journey from the teachers' perspectives.

SPEAKERS:
Betsy Barent

Learn how robust safety programs, driven by district leadership, are crucial for preventing science activity injuries. A public safety official presents a real-world case study of an experiment gone wrong, highlighting the vital role of comprehensive policies and procedures in ensuring a safe learning environment and avoiding emergency response scenarios.

TAKEAWAYS:
Equip your district with vital safety program knowledge to prevent science experiment incidents and ensure a secure learning environment.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Cassidy

How can we discuss difficult environmental realities with children in ways that are honest and empowering? This session presents the research-based 5Es of Eco-Action, a framework to support environmental action by fostering agency and solution-focused thinking. The climate emotion and environmental stewardship experiences of 6-11-year-old children are often overlooked. We undertook research focused on this group to understand how eco-anxiety affects motivation for pro-environmental behaviours. From this we developed the 5Es of Eco-Action framework that supports environmental learning while helping children process their emotions. In this session, attendees will be introduced to the framework and participate in hands-on activities. Practical tools and real-world examples will be explored. Educators will leave with fresh insights and ready-to-use strategies to support children in becoming confident, caring environmental stewards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with an understanding of the 5Es of Eco-Action (Empathy, Education, Excitement, Environmental Stewardship, Empowerment) and how this framework can be applied in the classroom to support children in becoming confident, caring environmental stewards.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Doyle

The Framework for K-12 Science Education urges us to promote scientific literacy among all the nation’s people as a democratic ideal worthy of focused attention, significant resources, and continuing effort. Promoting equity and justice should be approached as a never-ending, detailed pursuit of collective liberation by everyone involved in education (Bell,2019). Science is about explaining phenomena. Doing so requires knowledge and creative imagination. The Minnesota Academic Science Standards (2019) require Minnesota Students to demonstrate proficiency in the science and Engineering Practices adapted from the Framework. How can science educators, especially in Minnesota, transform these practices into justice-centered, equitable practices for all students? In this presentation, we will review some of the tools and strategies, develop our capacity, and examine our collective mindset in advocating for justice-centered science education for all students in Minnesota.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science education devoid of justice-centeredness is a misrepresentation of the essence of science

SPEAKERS:
Angela Osuji

Come learn about ways that you can help advance the field of Science Education and improve your teaching through the many different leadership opportunities that exist which also allow you to stay in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how participation in teacher advisory committees supporting museums and science centers, or other organizations such as Science Olympiad, NSTA, and NSELA can allow them to improve their teaching and be Science Education leaders while remaining in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
John Loehr

Explore how leaders can use the new BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning (AIL) instructional model to support teachers in creating learning experiences that motivate students with significant, real world phenomena and problems! Learn how AIL cycles of inquiry and sensemaking culminate in student agency! The BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model succeeds the 5Es and utilizes authentic phenomena/problems to anchor multiple cycles of inquiry and sensemaking, culminating with student explanations/design solutions. The research-based AIL model emphasizes coherence from students’ perspective. In this session, participants will consider how AIL integrates elements of the 5E instructional model, NextGen Science storylines, and problem-based learning instructional models, the role of an instructional model in high quality instructional materials, and their own education contexts and how they can apply AIL to design meaningful learning experiences to support their teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
The research-based BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model succeeds the 5Es as the basis for implementing HQIM. Leaders leverage this model to support teachers in developing a shared vision of effective science teaching and learning and creating a student-centered classroom for all.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Gay

What does it take to prioritize science instruction in an elementary system? Join the professional learning team from The Lawrence Hall of Science and fellow K-5 science educators to explore how one district made the shift from little-to-no science instruction for elementary students towards a burgeoning commitment to phenomena-based science teaching and learning for all. We will highlight three transformative leadership practices used by that district, and you will consider how to apply these same practices to build the capacity of teacher leaders and create the conditions for equitable opportunities for 3D phenomena-based science in your K-5 classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will take away ideas and next steps for enacting the three transformative practices related to instructional materials, instructional time, and professional learning, for use in their own classroom, school, or district context.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Stenger, Rebecca Abbott

The Nomination Committee will be seeking nominations and applications for new leadership positions within the Board and Leadership Council in the 2026 elections. This session will allow members to learn more about the open positions, the roles and responsibilities within each, and provide guidance for the application process. We would like to increase our recruitment efforts and this session would provide personal interaction for members with the committee and potentially with some of the current board and council members.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about opportunities for leadership in NSTA and how they can apply to be involved.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Butler

High school students embrace leadership guiding elementary scientific inquiry sparked by leveled storybooks. Using the Science Process through the Magic of Literacy (SPML) approach, the Centennial Science Club teaches science concepts through exploration while reinforcing reading, writing, and math standards. This program brings science back into the elementary classroom, fostering student leadership and helping teachers confidently integrate science into their daily lessons. Topics covered to date are thermal energy, motion, kinetic energy, energy transfer, biomimicry in engineering, and density. The littles are guided to ask questions from reading a storybook followed by collaborative development of a hypothesis and a procedure followed by data collection and analysis. The group ends with a conversation of errors and extensions. Come see the excitement, ask questions, and discover how literacy can be a powerful launchpad to provide autonomous scientific thinking at your school.

TAKEAWAYS:
High school students guide elementary scientific inquiry sparked by storybooks, reinforcing cross-curricular skills. This encourages student leadership, boosts teacher confidence, and fosters independent scientific thinking, demonstrating how literacy can be a powerful tool for hands-on learning.

SPEAKERS:
CHERYL FARRER

This poster details a ready-to-implement curriculum and comprehensive teacher guide that empowers middle school students to be scientists. Students are introduced to moths (Lepidoptera) and, through a scaffolded process, develop their own original scientific questions about moths in their local habitats. They then design and build moth traps, collect authentic field data, and analyze their results to answer their research questions. The MothEd experience can be implemented fully offline using printable, paper-based lessons, or enhanced through an online platform called CLUE (Collaborative Learning User Environment). All materials are linked to NGSS performance expectations. The MothEd experience was co-developed with teachers and tested over four years across multiple states. This curriculum offers a low-cost, high-impact way to engage students in real-world ecological science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers can easily implement a curriculum that empowers students to ask authentic scientific questions about their local environments—and to experience the full process of being scientists, from discovery to data analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Peter White

Leaders will share their purpose for joining this session and then engage in a simulation as a “common experience” and use that experience to consider how key lessons about change played out in the simulation and how the lessons play out in their work. Leaders will read and discuss the Change Management text from The Elements: Transforming Teaching through Curriculum-based Professional Learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Join other leaders to consider key lessons from change and dig into Change Management from The Elements: Transforming Teaching through Curriculum-based Professional Learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jody Bintz

The Summer Research Academy is a series of two-week research opportunities for students in grades 7-12, developed as a collaboration between our school and a local college with sessions co-lead by faculty from both institutions. We’ve developed a model for engaging students in the research process by introducing accessible topics and techniques, and facilitating the research process in an developmentally-appropriate manner. This includes developing research questions and experiments that can be answered in our limited time together. As students work through the experimental design and data collection process, they learn that science is not a linear process, continually revisit their hypothesis, and modify their experiment. The week ends with a research symposium where results are shared with their families and the community. SRA sessions have included a range of topics, such as: water quality of the local watershed, biodesign, astrophysics, zebrafish physiology, and microbiology.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to scaffold authentic science research experiences across a range of disciplines. We will present a model to help students develop research questions, design experiments, collect and analyze data, and present results - all in a two-week period.

SPEAKERS:
Rachael Lancor

My Taiwan Fulbright-Hays experience inspired me to incorporate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in all my courses (Environmental Science, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology). The SDGs help to teach our students through the lens of interdisciplinary challenges that are part of all our lives. This session will include examples of how I have integrated the SDGs and Climate Action into the standard curriculum for grades 9-12.

TAKEAWAYS:
Examples will be provided as to how to incorporate the UN SDGs into a high school science class, including elective courses (Environmental Science, Anatomy & Physiology) as well as core science classes with a more stringent curriculum (Biology, Anatomy & Physiology).

SPEAKERS:
Kristina Hayda

Sponsoring Company: ECA Science Kit Services

In this session we will select 3-4 popular science programs to evaluate using the 15-Questions developed by ECA Science Kit Services. The objective is to have participants walk away with an easy guide to use as they evaluate different programs to adopt. The takeaway will be an understanding of how to set teachers up for a successful implementation. This process will share information about alignment, usability and budget (yes! we will talk money and share “blindspot” costs to prepare for). It will cover short-term and long-term goals for implementation. There will also be an activity related to the “usability” portion of the presentation! Participants will have a fun experience and leave with a simple navigation guide to support their adoption and implementation process.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Harlan

Equitable grading isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. In this how-to session, two science educators share lessons from 12 years of working with public, private, and charter schools, navigating the shift from standards alignment to equitable grading. Learn how to address resistance, support uneven adoption, and overcome both real and perceived barriers while bridging the gap between early adopters and hesitant stakeholders. Whether your school uses standards-based grading or traditional gradebooks, this session offers practical strategies to shift mindsets, align assessment practices, and move grading systems forward.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain actionable tools to support teachers in moving from unpacking standards to selecting aligned assessments and implementing equitable, standards-based grading, tailored to meet educators at different stages of change.

SPEAKERS:
Kathleen Kaywood, Melinda Campbell

Sponsoring Company: Stile Education

Banish “I don’t know” from your classroom! In this energetic, hands-on workshop, you’ll learn a set of practical strategies to ensure every student feels confident to contribute. From low-stakes response structures to evidence-based questioning techniques, you’ll discover how to create a culture of accountability, equity, and joy in participation. You’ll leave with a ready-to-use playbook of strategies that drive engagement and keep all learners actively involved.

SPEAKERS:
Erika James

We know two things: 1) the purchase of new instructional materials represents a significant district investment and 2) effective classroom use of high-quality instructional materials improves student learning. NextGen TIME can help districts ensure investment in the best possible instructional materials and provide them to teachers prepared to use them effectively. NextGen TIME is a suite of tools and processes to support districts in evaluating, selecting, and implementing instructional materials designed for the NGSS. NextGen TIME is also designed as a professional learning experience for teachers to deepen their understanding of NGSS as they analyze instructional materials. It addresses the needs of states, districts, and schools for a deep understanding of the NGSS to make selection decisions for instructional materials, plan for implementation of those materials, and provide teacher professional learning that enables effective implementation of NGSS‐aligned teaching and learning.

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

Environmental Literacy refers to the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to address and resolve environmental issues—individually and collectively—in ways that support ecological, economic, and social sustainability. This thematic instructional approach offers an authentic framework for guiding three-dimensional learning, creating engaging and continuous experiences that scaffold effectively from kindergarten through high school science. For successful and systematic integration of environmental literacy concepts, skills, and practices into a school or district’s curriculum, a structured curriculum framework—such as an Environmental Literacy Plan (ELP)—is essential. Using an environmental theme is a powerful strategy for teaching both disciplinary and crosscutting concepts. It provides a meaningful context for developing science and engineering practices, and through authentic, place-based experiences, it can also introduce students to a wide range of career opportunities

TAKEAWAYS:
Education leaders will learn how an environmental literacy plan can enhance teaching and learning; examine the main elements of an ELP, review example ELPs from several different states, and use templates to draft an ELP for their school or school division.

SPEAKERS:
Dat Le

Although concerns about navigating a commitment to high-quality science teaching and learning for every student amidst increasingly polarized rhetoric are acute right now, they are not new. In this session, participants will discuss why assessment practices that account for students backgrounds and experiences are necessary for achieving our vision for science education, and how to pursue this goal in the face of increasingly difficult and systemic pushback. We will discuss the neuroscience of equitable learning and assessment, frameworks for culturally relevant assessment that intentionally navigate around political pushback, and engage in scenario-based practice for participants to consider how they might respond to specific situations with grace, savvy, and a commitment to meaningful assessment for all.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, participants will engage with ideas about science assessment for every learner that intentionally balances an equity- and justice-orientation with navigating current political realities.

SPEAKERS:
Aneesha Badrinarayan

Mentorship and support are vital to ensuring that we continue to grow the representation and retention of educators of color in STEM. In this session, we will build and curate a community of educators where we can learn from each other, no matter what stage of our careers. We will share stories, seek advice, provide feedback, address burnout, and walk away with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to the STEM education community.

TAKEAWAYS:
A set of new connections and the ability to seek continued mentorship and camaraderie beyond the conference. Participants will also leave with a meeting guide to host recruitment, retention, and community events, continuing the charge to build a community of diverse educators in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Osuji

Learn about and apply lessons learned from Saint Paul Public Schools and BSCS Science Learning’s partnership to customize high quality instructional materials to align with state-specific 3D standards and local contexts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn what considerations are important for developing a well-crafted plan for implementing and customizing high quality instructional materials for use in local contexts. Leaders will review examples of customized units that are aligned with the MN Academic Standards for Science.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Leifeld, Abraham Lo

Sponsoring Company: Stile Education

Turn struggling readers into confident scientists! Discover simple, high-impact literacy strategies that help students tackle tough science texts, master vocabulary, and make meaning of complex ideas. See how a few tweaks can transform reading time into real science learning—and send your students’ confidence soaring.

SPEAKERS:
Erika James

Yale professor Laurie Santos' course "Psychology and the Good Life" became a campus phenomenon in 2018, attracting nearly 25% of Yale undergraduates. Its free Coursera version has since enrolled almost 5 million people worldwide. This workshop offers educators a condensed experience of the science behind happiness and well-being through targeted mini-lessons and interactive activities. Drawing from Santos' research and "How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier," participants will explore why our intuitions about happiness often mislead us and examine the cognitive biases that distort our expectations. The seminar introduces evidence-based strategies from gratitude science and positive psychology for authentic happiness. Teachers will gain practical tools to implement these techniques in their personal lives and classrooms, fostering student well-being and creating school communities that promote genuine flourishing and positive habit formation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn evidence-based strategies to enhance personal well-being and discover practical tools to implement happiness science in their classrooms, helping students develop authentic happiness practices while addressing common misconceptions about what truly drives human flourishing.

SPEAKERS:
Stephen Kos

Sponsoring Company: PLTW

What happens when students see themselves as future healthcare professionals—before graduation? In this workshop, engage in a hands-on activity from PLTW’s Biomedical Science program: a classroom-ready lung model demonstration drawn from the “Take a Breath” unit. Discover how this four-course high school program builds career awareness and student motivation through real-world lab experiences and ethical case studies. You’ll explore how BMS supports CTE and science standards while preparing students for industry certifications, postsecondary success, and high-wage careers in healthcare. From HOSA integration to skill-building in collaboration and communication, PLTW BMS gives educators the tools to deliver rigorous, equitable, and inspiring STEM learning—right now, in every school.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Sarbacker

AI is rapidly reshaping the educational landscape and will soon become a regular part of your students' daily lives. Join me to explore how you can harness AI tools to enhance your professional development and classroom instruction. We’ll also examine the potential challenges of AI, including ways it may inadvertently mislead both educators and learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to explain the functions of AI tools like ChatGPT, use AI to strengthen their professional skills, and effectively integrate it into their planning and instruction. They will also gain an understanding of the limitations of AI, particularly in areas such as safety and the use

SPEAKERS:
Christine Anne Royce

In addition to the two-yearly national conferences on science education, NSTA provides year-round in-person, online, and blended personalized professional learning experiences for groups of K–12 educators. This is the ideal formula for best professional learning, as it must be high quality and on-going. So, what are your plans for the teachers in your district? Join us to learn what NSTA has to offer. The online option, known as the NSTA Partner Program, provides educators with access to digital resources, virtual events, the online community, expert staff, and digital professional membership for all participants. A variety of in-person workshops are available, including OpenSciEd. Presenters will share case studies that are representative of the different professional learning options available.

TAKEAWAYS:
Education leaders will learn about 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. Some programs include membership for all participants.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez

Come start and end your day with NSELA! The Leader's Lounge is your exclusive networking space for science leaders. Join us at the beginning and end of the day to connect with colleagues, relax, and recharge. Light refreshments and food will be available. Come snack, chat, and share insights with NSELA and other leaders in this dedicated, comfortable space.

TAKEAWAYS:
An opportunity to build your professional network by connecting with other science leaders in a relaxed, informal setting with complimentary refreshments.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Weatherhead

Have you read great articles in the NSTA journals that changed or added to the ways you and your students do science for the better? You could inspire other educators across the country in the same way by sharing your teaching ideas, activities, or lessons as an NSTA journal author!

TAKEAWAYS:
Instructions and tips on how to prepare and submit your manuscript for publication in NSTA's journals.

SPEAKERS:
Peter Lindeman

This session will delve into a district-led initiative focused on the continuous curriculum improvement process (CCIP) in secondary biology education. Participants will gain insights into a collaborative framework that empowers teacher fellows to define, evaluate, and pilot curriculum resources aligned with a shared vision for inclusive, phenomena-driven learning. The presentation will highlight the key stages of this process, including the development of a biology vision statement emphasizing diverse sense-making, curiosity, critical thinking, real-world connections, and ethical solutions.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session offers a practical roadmap for districts and schools seeking to engage educators in a meaningful and impactful curriculum improvement journey from the teachers’ perspectives.

SPEAKERS:
Anton Olbricht, Taylor Wusk, Betsy Barent

Discover the power of NSTA Resource Collections – curated "bundles" designed to organize your digital library with resources from NSTA and beyond. This hands-on workshop guides you through creating your own collection, a vital tool for saving time when searching for topic-specific materials. Learn how to effectively share these collections with your school or district colleagues, or make them public to benefit the wider NSTA community. Leave ready to build and leverage collections to streamline your resource management.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave knowing how to create NSTA Resource Collections, add NSTA and external materials, and manage sharing options. They will grasp the benefits of organizing, including time savings and collaboration, and gain practical skills to build and share curated resource bundles.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez, Jaclyn Murray

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. Combining these practices facilitates a deeper understanding and more effective use of both.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Borton

Imagine a classroom transformed into a stage where fourth and fifth graders become thought leaders, sharing innovative ideas and sparking change. This session provides a roadmap for planning and executing a student-led TEDx conference—from initial idea to final publication on TED’s platform—integrating STEM, humanities, and public speaking. Participants will learn how to empower students to research, develop, and present ideas that matter to them and their communities. Rooted in the belief that all learners deserve access to high-quality science education, this project fosters science literacy, collaboration, and critical thinking. From incorporating technology and media production to cultivating real-world problem-solving skills, educators will leave with practical strategies to amplify student voices and build a learning community that inspires curiosity, passion, and lifelong learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to plan and execute a student-led TEDx conference, empowering young learners to research, develop, and present big ideas while integrating STEM, humanities, and public speaking to create a meaningful, real-world learning experience.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Robinson, Katie Musick, Jesse Wren

Are you interested in making the shift to STEM teaching and learning, but you're not sure where to begin? This hands-on workshop will guide you through a strategic planning protocol designed to help educators and leadership at any stage of the STEM journey. Together, we will envision your ideal STEM classroom or school, explore the essential attributes of high-quality STEM learning environments, and backward-plan a clear, actionable plan to bring your vision to life. Whether you're just exploring STEM or ready to launch a school-wide program, this session will equip you with the tools and confidence to take your next step.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will work through a protocol for strategic planning that can be applied to whole-school or classroom planning. Attendees will leave with the protocol, samples, and a draft of their personalized strategic plan to bring back to school/district.

SPEAKERS:
Lis Dziminski, Tracey Howard

Come hear what secondary science teachers have tried in their classrooms related to the astronomy standards! Teachers from the Earth Science Teacher Education Project (ESTEP) and Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) will share. Look for handouts, lesson plans, and unit plans that tie to standards, as well as conversation about our community goals around teaching astronomy in Minnesota.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teacher-tested astronomy activities from the teachers themselves.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Anderson, Alan Dewey, Robert Palmer, Kate Rosok, Emma Johnson

Equity is often stated as a key value in education, but how can we embed equity in science leadership work? Reflect on your own ideas, beliefs, and approaches to equity and learn how one science leadership development program weaves equity into the fabric of science curriculum leadership.

TAKEAWAYS:
Beliefs, knowledge, context, and lived-experiences shape approaches to equity work. The NEXUS Academy for Science Curriculum Leadership has developed Equity Principles to consider and intertwine with other leadership knowledge bases as leaders work to ensure equity for all learners in the system.

SPEAKERS:
Janna Mahfoud

This workshop guides science leaders in assessing district-specific needs and refining a K-20 science vision. Participants will explore national trends, collaborate on strategies, and design sustainable professional learning frameworks to enhance three-dimensional science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will refine or define their K-20 science vision using National Academies research, identifying strategies to drive improvement in three-dimensional science teaching and learning across their schools.

SPEAKERS:
Callie Dollahon, Joshua Smith, Gregory MacDougall, Matthew Christiansen

In this session, participants will explore research-based mentoring and instructional coaching approaches, professional development strategies, and practical interventions designed to support beginning science teachers' professional growth, classroom effectiveness, and long-term retention in the field. Novice science educators face unique challenges during their initial years in the classroom. Generalized management and engagement strategies from teacher prep programs are often not fully adequate when considering the technical and nuanced nature of science content, vocabulary, and student practices. Initial educators need additional time and support to explore content-specific strategies and teacher practices for engagement and management in the science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will identify common challenges experienced by early-career science teachers, develop targeted mentorship and support frameworks, and implement evidence-based coaching strategies.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Baillargeon

This session will delve into a district-led initiative focused on the continuous curriculum improvement process (CCIP) in secondary biology education. Participants will gain insights into a collaborative framework that empowers teacher fellows to define, evaluate, and pilot curriculum resources aligned with a shared vision for inclusive, phenomena-driven learning. The presentation will highlight the key stages of this process, including the development of a biology vision statement emphasizing diverse sense-making, curiosity, critical thinking, real-world connections, and ethical solutions.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session offers a practical roadmap for districts and schools seeking to engage educators in a meaningful and impactful curriculum improvement journey from the teachers’ perspectives.

SPEAKERS:
Anton Olbricht, Taylor Wusk, Betsy Barent

What happens when students lead global climate and biodiversity education? In this session, discover how high school students created the National Biodiversity Teach-In, a student-run webinar series reaching 120,000+ participants in over 40 countries. Aligned with the NGSS and the Framework’s vision of student agency, this project empowers students to investigate real-world environmental issues, collaborate with scientists, and produce professional-level public outreach. Students manage logistics, interview scientists, co-create presentations on topics like Arctic warming and plastic pollution, and inspire local and global action. The model fosters 3D learning, civic engagement, and sustainability literacy. Attendees will explore classroom strategies, student artifacts, and ready-to-use resources to launch similar programs in their own schools amplifying youth voices in climate and biodiversity education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how students can lead powerful, real-world climate and biodiversity education by organizing global webinars with scientists. Walk away with tools, resources, and inspiration to launch student-driven initiatives that foster agency, 3D learning, and sustainability action.

SPEAKERS:
Frankie Valenzia, Vincent Fosco, Brittney Mallen, Deborah McMullen

Once you’ve adopted high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), how do leaders ensure effective and sustained implementation? Join us to explore critical actions of leaders to launch and sustain the implementation of HQIM!

TAKEAWAYS:
Effective and sustained implementation of high-quality instructional materials requires planning for change prior to implementation, generating excitement, providing transformative professional learning, monitoring implementation progress and using data to support continuous improvement.

SPEAKERS:
Jody Bintz

Sponsoring Company: ECA Science Kit Services

In this session we will select 3-4 popular science programs to evaluate using the 15-Questions developed by ECA Science Kit Services. The objective is to have participants walk away with an easy guide to use as they evaluate different programs to adopt. The takeaway will be an understanding of how to set teachers up for a successful implementation. This process will share information about alignment, usability and budget (yes! we will talk money and share “blindspot” costs to prepare for). It will cover short-term and long-term goals for implementation. There will also be an activity related to the “usability” portion of the presentation! Participants will have a fun experience and leave with a simple navigation guide to support their adoption and implementation process.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Harlan

Leaders will explore key benchmarks for selecting, adopting, and refining high-quality science curricula, building systems that meet diverse student needs and support teachers for long-term instructional success.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to evaluate high-quality science curricula that align with three-dimensional learning, ensuring they meet diverse student needs and are supported by effective assessments and professional development.

SPEAKERS:
Callie Dollahon, Joshua Smith, Gregory MacDougall, Matthew Christiansen

Instructors using NSTA in lieu of a textbook (or as a supplement to a textbook) have students who create a library of resources, grow their network, and enhance their content and pedagogical knowledge as they complete their assignments. Instructors get a class landing page to manage the course, a private forum for asynchronous discussions, and an instructor's dashboard to monitor students' work. All instructors receive a free digital professional membership, and their students become members for a year or through graduation, depending on the price selected by the instructor. In this session, instructors talk about how they integrate NSTA in their courses. Come and listen to their stories and ask them questions. Find out the benefits that this opportunity provides you and your teacher candidates.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will meet and ask questions of instructors who are using NSTA resources, webinars, and online community in courses for preservice teachers of science. Participants will learn how others integrate NSTA in their courses and about the benefits of the program for easy implementation.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez

Science Curriculum Implementation, as a change process, provides opportunities to confront persistent inequities in educational systems. Curriculum leaders consider and seek information from multiple levels to understand how the current system is disadvantaging some learners so that they can redesign the system accordingly. The examination of state, district, and school level policies and practices can reveal factors contributing to equitable or inequitable outcomes. Participants will engage in an equity simulation and consider important takeaways that can help them lead change in ways that produce more equitable outcomes across student groups.

TAKEAWAYS:
Barriers to equity are not in learners, but rather in environments. When seeking to reach “all”, historical and current policies and practices need to be examined. Educational policies and practices that are seemingly neutral can contribute to persistent inequities for marginalized student groups.

SPEAKERS:
Jenine Cotton-Proby

Have you ever posed a scientific question to your students only to hear crickets? Have you ever planned an intriguing investigation only to have it flop because of lack of student engagement? In this session, science teachers will explore practical strategies to cultivate a classroom culture that inspires curiosity, fosters collaboration, and maximizes student engagement. Participants will learn how to create an environment where students feel valued, safe to take risks, and excited to explore the wonders of science. Through guided discussions, case studies, and hands-on activities, teachers will discover techniques to promote active learning, build a sense of community, and develop classroom routines that support inquiry-based and student-centered teaching. By the end of the session, educators will leave with a toolkit of strategies to strengthen student connections, enhance participation, and create a dynamic classroom atmosphere where students are motivated and eager to learn.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover strategies to spark curiosity, foster collaboration, and boost engagement, creating a dynamic, student-centered science classroom where inquiry and active learning thrive.

SPEAKERS:
Chad Janowski, Elizabeth Mayenschein

This session will describe a partnership between instructional coaches and SC elementary/middle school science teachers working to shift from a "traditional" approach to a 3D model. As part of a multi-year NSF grant, teachers received one-on-one support through monthly coaching meetings and biannual in-person coaching cycles. The presentation focuses on this coaching component, targeting school/district leaders and coaches seeking to support similar shifts in their schools and districts. The presentation will introduce the dialogical coaching model (Knight, 2018), outline the coaching structures used, and describe how the NGSS Science & Engineering Practices and teacher-identified goals guided reflection and feedback throughout the year. Teachers' challenges and successes in implementing 3D instruction will be shared, along with students' learning outcomes. A live Q&A backchannel will be available, with time reserved at the end for discussion. Resources and references will be provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain an understanding of how to design & implement a supportive coaching model grounded in the dialogical approach, differentiated based on teachers' goals, & structured around the Science & Engineering Practices to support the shift to 3D instruction in K–8 science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Anna Morrison

This interactive session equips leaders with strategies to implement impactful district-wide professional learning initiatives. Participants will engage in activities to enhance teaching practices and student outcomes, leaving with a draft plan for NGSS-aligned professional learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore structures for planning effective professional learning that improves teacher practice and student learning outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Joshua Smith, Gregory MacDougall, Matthew Christiansen

Sponsoring Company: Stile Education

Get ready to launch your first Stile unit with confidence! In this interactive session, you’ll explore Stile’s powerful curriculum planning tools—including Scope and Sequences, Teaching Plans, and Lab Guides—that make lesson preparation seamless. Try out interactive teaching tools designed to spark student discourse, strengthen collaboration, manage behavior, and provide real-time feedback. Plus, see how easy it is to customize and personalize Stile to meet your students’ unique learning needs. You’ll leave equipped and inspired to hit the ground running with Stile in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jacky Rooney

Interested in using AI to elevate your teaching? Learn how Awardees of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are transforming their instructional planning and classroom management using AI tools. This session will demonstrate practical strategies for leveraging AI to streamline your daily preparation while maintaining pedagogical rigor and authenticity. Discover how AI can reduce routine workload, allowing you more time to focus on student relationships and high-impact teaching moments. Expert practitioners will share their frameworks for generating instructional materials, addressing bias concerns, and integrating digital citizenship concepts into your planning process. You'll see firsthand how to craft effective prompts that support curriculum development, customize AI tools for your specific classroom needs, and use AI to enhance assessment and data analysis tasks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn practical AI skills to make classroom planning more efficient, authentic, and sustainable.

SPEAKERS:
Marni Landry

Do you teach courses for science preservice teachers? Learn how NSTA's resources, webinars, and online community can help students become the BEST teachers they can be. Instructors using NSTA in lieu of a textbook (or as a supplement to a textbook) have students who create a library of resources, grow their network, and enhance their content and pedagogical knowledge as they complete their assignments. Instructors get a class landing page to manage the course, a private forum for asynchronous discussions, and an instructor's dashboard to monitor students' work. All instructors receive a free digital professional membership, and their students become members for a year or through graduation, depending on the price selected by the instructor. Resources include all NSTA-member resources (like articles and lesson plans) and fee-based resources like Interactive E-Books+ Professional and Professional Learning Units.

TAKEAWAYS:
University instructors walk away ready to implement a program through which they “adopt” NSTA as their textbook for a course, allowing their students access to a great variety of professional learning resources, many that are not included with NSTA’s regular membership.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Today’s Chemistry classrooms are more diverse than ever—so why use a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching? This dynamic, strategy-packed session will show you how to reach all learners, including multilingual students, striving learners, and those with special needs, without starting from scratch. Discover easy-to-implement tools that help students connect chemistry concepts to their everyday lives. You’ll learn how to leverage students’ cultural and linguistic strengths, embed cooperative learning for deeper understanding, and present complex content in multiple accessible ways. Walk away with classroom-ready strategies that integrate seamlessly into your existing lessons—no overhaul required.

SPEAKERS:
Ramy Mahmoud

This session explores strategies for monitoring the long-term effectiveness of district-wide professional learning initiatives. Participants will engage with tools and techniques to assess the impact on teaching practices and student outcomes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn structures for feedback, coaching, and monitoring to ensure continuous adjustment and success of professional learning plans.

SPEAKERS:
Joshua Smith, Gregory MacDougall, Matthew Christiansen

Inviting all Preservice Teachers and Instructors to learn about NSTA’s Preservice Teacher Chapters. Chapters support individuals entering the profession with leadership experiences, networking opportunities, and professional learning resources available at NSTA. The NSTA Preservice Teacher Chapter Program consists of two types of chapters: (1) The National Preservice Teacher Chapter and (2) The Local Preservice Teacher Chapters at Universities. In this session, NSTA staff will share concrete examples of leadership experiences, networking events, and professional learning resources available at NSTA to all preservice teachers of science, members and non-members of NSTA. Similarly, a current faculty advisor of a local chapter will talk about the benefits of student-led organizations. For those interested in starting their own chapter, the faculty advisor will share information about how to start, grow, and maintain a chapter at a university.

TAKEAWAYS:
Preservice teachers and potential faculty advisors walk-away informed about how to engage with NSTA opportunities and resources and with ideas about how to start, grow, and maintain their local preservice teacher chapter.

SPEAKERS:
Jim McDonald, Flavio Mendez

Join us for a dynamic workshop where educators will learn research-based breathing techniques aligned with CASEL, and experience chair yoga to reduce stress and enhance focus. Leave with practical activities that can be used immediately in the classroom, fostering resilience in you and your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn research-based breathing techniques and chair yoga to prevent burnout, promote resilience, and enhance well-being. These strategies support self-regulation and student regulation, and can be immediately implemented in the classroom to create a calm and positive classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Bridget Burke

Far too often equity efforts are relegated to the sidelines instead of embedded in core curriculum leadership tasks. Join us to consider how anchoring science leadership in equity principles can remove barriers to science teaching and learning through curriculum implementation efforts.

TAKEAWAYS:
The implementation of HQIM can lead to more equitable systems when barriers to equity are confronted and removed. The process of confronting barriers includes collaborating for justice, taking small actions to learn, and continual reflection and revision of implementation plans based on data.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Gomez Zwiep

Upgrade your science teaching! NSTA's bite-sized PLUs fit any schedule and will deepen your understanding of three-dimensional teaching and boost student learning. Earn credit, conquer challenges, and unlock equitable classrooms - all on your terms!

TAKEAWAYS:
Lead your professional learning community’s learning using NSTA PLUs.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rademaker, Zoe Evans

Too often, science teachers are evaluated with generic observation rubrics that overlook the unique aspects of effective science instruction. In this immersive session, participants will step into the student role and engage in a brief 3D science activity. Then, from the perspective of administrators or teacher leaders, they will use a science-specific evaluation tool to assess the experience. We’ll explore how NGSS-aligned practices—like evidence-based reasoning, engineering design, and phenomenon-driven learning—can be recognized and supported in classroom observations. Participants will leave with a practical framework and conversation strategies for guiding administrators toward more meaningful science instruction evaluations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain a science-specific evaluation framework and tools to support more accurate, equitable, and constructive evaluations of science instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Jonte' Lee

This presentation shares findings from an NSF-funded research study that explores the development of a model enabling teachers to partner with community STEM resources to create ʻāina-based (land-based) NGSS learning experiences for classroom teachers and students. K–12 students learn science best by engaging in scientific inquiry and engineering design processes. However, the availability of high-quality, place-based, NGSS-aligned learning experiences remains limited, particularly in rural schools and communities. Professional development plays a critical role in supporting the successful implementation of science lessons grounded in students’ local community experiences. This partnership development project addresses gaps in science teaching and learning by strengthening connections between schools and community partners. The leadership cadre collaborates to design a model that creates opportunities for students to engage in meaningful, locally relevant science lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
The project explores community partnership resources to support the creation of NGSS-aligned experiences for classroom teachers/students. This cadre is developed using a Problem-Identification process to establish a Problem-Solution space aimed at strengthening/enhancing existing STEM partnerships.

SPEAKERS:
Judith McDonald

The University of Wisconsin-Stout recently hosted a summer STEM Camp for elementary teachers. The purpose of the STEM Camp was to provide professional development and curriculum resources to help elementary teachers to integrate engineering design activities into the elementary classroom. This professional development opportunity was funded by a 3M STEM Education Equity Grant. The attendees of this session will learn about the design of the STEM Camp as a professional development experience, the engineering design process, and strategies for using engineering activities in the elementary classroom that are aligned with the science and engineering practices of the Next Generation Science Standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
The attendees of this session will learn about the design of the STEM Camp as a professional development experience, the engineering design process, and strategies for using engineering activities in the elementary classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsay Barnhart, Kevin Mason

How might an integrated approach to system-level math and science strategy expand possibilities for students’ lives? System leaders often struggle to effectively integrate math and computational thinking (CT) into science education, missing an opportunity to help students develop durable skills needed for future success. This can result in graduates who have content knowledge but are not prepared to tackle complex, real-world problems. A former chemist turned science educator and a director of science will explore how system leaders can champion instructional approaches that bring math and science together. Learn how to support teachers to use math and CT to strengthen science and engineering practices and foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical abilities that are essential for students’ future success. Also explore how effective resource allocation, vision building, and data evaluation can improve student outcomes and equip learners with lasting capabilities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain actionable strategies to integrate math and computational thinking with science strategy. Learn how you can support teachers to use practices that deepen students’ conceptual understanding and develop durable skills.

SPEAKERS:
Solona Hollis

Can students become real-world scientists by investigating the ecological communities in their own neighborhoods? In this session, participants will explore MothEd, a modular, NGSS-informed curriculum that engages students in authentic, place-based scientific inquiry. Students are supported in developing their own research questions about local moth populations. They then build DIY moth traps, collect and analyze moth data from nearby habitats, and share their findings through an online platform. MothEd fosters three-dimensional learning, biodiversity literacy, and a deeper connection to local environments. It also incorporates engineering practices as students design and build their own traps using low-cost, accessible materials. This session will highlight the MothEd Teacher Guide, which includes a full suite of paper-based and technology-enhanced resources. Participants will leave with free access to the curriculum and tools to support authentic, community-based ecological research.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to engage students in authentic, place-based science by investigating local moth communities, developing research questions, collecting and analyzing field data, and building connections to their own ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
Peter White

Current global environmental challenges necessitate the development of future generations through training that enables them to create meaningful impacts. Through hands-on projects the Environmental Club at Kennedy Middle School develops student leadership capabilities and environmental advocacy among participants. The research investigates the improvement of students' environmental science comprehension along with their leadership abilities and sustainability advocacy skills as a result of their involvement in the club. Environmental scientists will use this research to evaluate outcomes which include higher recycling rates alongside energy-saving efforts and heightened environmental consciousness. This project will establish a replicable environmental program framework for schools and motivate future leaders to pursue sustainable development via student-led programs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Student-led environmental advocacy groups such as Kennedy Middle School's Environmental Club help advance sustainability, leadership development, and environmental awareness. This session will demonstrate a successful approach to cultivating environmental advocates through school education.

SPEAKERS:
Princess Margaret Paz

Professional development, fellowships, grants, scholarships, and classroom enrichment opportunities: I am here to share every resource I have with other educators! Over the last 7 years I have raised over $50,000 for my classroom, school, and my own learning. In a time where funding and budgets are uncertain, we can work together to find resources. I have benefitted from these resources and want to ensure that you can to! I have joined a global network of amazing science educators and leaders and I want to expand that network! If you are tired of completing P.D. behind a screen, come learn about the dozens opportunities available to you and build a more robust curriculum along the way.

TAKEAWAYS:
From Ozobots, to a school garden, fossil kits, to graduate school, there are opportunities to meet your needs. Come by to learn about ways to fund your ideal classroom and fuel your own growth as an educator!

SPEAKERS:
Andi Twiss

Win up to $20,000! Are you making a difference in your school and community with STEM? If you teach K–12, come join us to begin your application for one of three programs sponsored by Shell USA, Inc. We’ll guide you through the application process step by step, starting your application live!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn key tips regarding how to complete a strong application for the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge. Win prizes at the session!

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton

First-year science teachers often feel overwhelmed once in their own classroom. Preservice science educators (current college students) and their instructors do the best they can to prepare for this moment, but the best advice comes from individuals that have gone through it themselves. The purpose of this roundtable is to for educators across the nation to share their best piece of advice for the soon-to-be science teacher. You will get to meet with current Biology and Chemistry education students attending Valley City State University, in Valley City ND and help prepare them for their next adventure. Advice including ways to build connections across disciplines and throughout the school is encouraged.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session aims to provide preservice science educators with practical advice and strategies to help them navigate their first year in the classroom successfully.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Lahtonen, Cameron Pero, Michael Ouradnik, Lindsey Kiecker

In response to the need for high qualify, affordable professional development for Minnesota science educators, Minnesota Science Teachers Association partnered with a group of college professors and K12 teachers to develop summer workshops and online courses around our newly adopted, NGSS based science standards. Our teachers need training in the three-dimensional teaching and learning strategies needed to move to to a sensemaking, student-centered classroom, as well as in new content. ESTEP, (Earth Science Teacher Education Project), is now a grant funded series of workshops, online courses, seminars and a free repository for teachers to get the help they need to implement the new standards, using Minnesota based phenomena. Trainings are ongoing, free or low cost to teachers and districts, and have allowed many teachers at the high school level to obtain additional licensure. Join us as we share how to create and implement this in your state!

TAKEAWAYS:
Moving from teacher centered to student centered teaching and learning is a process that requires ongoing training and practice. As states are often unable to meet this demand, there are ways for science teacher associations to build and implement this much needed professional development.

SPEAKERS:
Lee Schmitt, John Olson, Dana Smith

What does it really look like when a scientist and an educator join forces to bring applied, real-world science into the classrooms? In this candid discussion, an industry scientist and an education specialist will share how their collaboration began and how it grew into co-developing classroom activities rooted in agricultural biotechnology and data science. We will share what worked, what we had to figure out on the fly, and how you can start similar connections with researchers in your community. Whether teaching biology, environmental science, or looking to make careers more tangible for students, you will leave with practical ideas, tactics, and conversation starters to build your own local partnerships.

TAKEAWAYS:
Hear how a scientist and an educator built a successful partnership and learn how to start your own. Gain tips and hear candid perspectives from both sides, offering practical advice on how to bridge the gap, even if science careers outside the classroom seem distant.

SPEAKERS:
Jane Hunt, Zack Bateson

Join us and navigate together through the NSTA Website and discover all the different types of digital resources available to you to enhance your professional learning. 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 content knowledge and improve their teaching practice. Numerous live events are offered to educators of science every month to enhance and extend their content and pedagogical knowledge - most of them free to NSTA members. Participants will also learn how to engage with other educators of science and grow their network of like-minded individuals. We will feature NSTA’s My Library, Forums and Profile professional learning tools. 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 practice.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez

How can we design professional learning that mirrors the rigorous, equitable, inquiry-driven classrooms we want for students? In this interactive workshop, participants will engage with five tested principles for designing effective PD, developed through real-world piloting of high-quality, project-based curricula. We’ll model strategies such as symmetry between adult and student learning, coherence, staff culture-building, practice-based learning, and leadership alignment. Grounded in the vision of 3D learning from the Framework for K–12 Science Education and NGSS, this session offers practical tools, planning frameworks, and facilitation moves to create transformative, equity-centered teacher learning that builds lasting instructional shifts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to plan and deliver teacher professional development that can transform instruction in science classes.

SPEAKERS:
Cole Entress

Discover how global experiences can transform science education in this dynamic panel featuring Fulbright Teacher Exchange alumni. Panelists will reflect on how they leveraged their exchanges abroad to integrate international perspectives into their K–12 science classrooms, enriching student learning and fostering global awareness. These educators will also share practical strategies for weaving real-world themes and examples into science instruction, providing insight into the profound impact of cultural exchange on teaching practice. Come learn how you and your classroom can benefit from these fully-funded international opportunities!

TAKEAWAYS:
This moderator-led panel discussion will provide innovative, actionable teaching strategies from Fulbright educators' global experiences. Participants will explore cultural exchange in K-12 science classrooms, hear real-life examples, and connect with fellow educators for future collaboration.

SPEAKERS:
Pamela Joslyn, Rochelle Darville, Lindsey Smaka, Kelsey Anderson

Sponsoring Company: Stile Education

Dive into an exhilarating, hands-on escape room experience blending science, teamwork, and problem-solving! Compete against the clock to tackle exciting, interactive science puzzles. Leave fully prepared with your own comprehensive Escape Room Kit – packed with everything you need to engage your students in thrilling scientific discovery.

SPEAKERS:
Jacky Rooney

Students often express frustration with their learning: “This is boring,” “Why do we have to learn this?” or “How does this connect to me?” In response to rising apathy and disconnection, we developed a simple, powerful approach called Curiosity Sprints—a co-designed process where students share what they’re curious about before a unit begins. Using this input, teachers adapt existing lessons to better reflect student interests while still meeting standards. The result? More engaged learners, more responsive teaching, and fewer eye-rolls at the start of a new topic. Join us to explore how co-design can transform your classroom from “Why are we learning this?” to “What are we learning next?”

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore how student curiosity can help you co-design lessons that feel more relevant, spark engagement, and bring new energy to your teaching, without tossing out your standards or starting from scratch.

SPEAKERS:
Maureen Griffin, Eric Hall

Explore how a multi-year teacher leadership initiative evolved into the development of a formalized program to prepare facilitators for curriculum-based professional learning and learn how these PL providers are supporting scaled curriculum adoption and implementation efforts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain insight into the key components of a long-term teacher leadership initiative, including how it informs professional learning for PD providers, through an immersive experience that highlights our curriculum-based facilitator preparation model.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Chatham