2025 Philadelphia National Conference

March 26-29, 2025

4/9/2026 12:00PM EST: All sessions added to My Agenda prior to this notice have been exported to the mobile app and will be visible in the app when you login, under your profile. Any sessions added now will also have to be added in the app.
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2025 NSELA Annual Conference

Wednesday, March 26 • 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon H


Show Details

The 2025 NSELA Annual Conference, themed "Inspired by History, Driven by Innovation," is a one-day, immersive experience for district and state leaders, instructional coaches, and advocates to engage in a collaborative, high-impact setting.

PLI-1: OpenSciEd for Elementary is HERE!

Wednesday, March 26 • 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A

Add to Cart 55 tickets available


Show Details

Join us to experience how students make decisions and engage in class discussion as part of their sensemaking. Learn how the OpenSciEd Elementary’s instructional approach supports all students in figuring out complex science issues in their world through a coherent storyline.

TAKEAWAYS:
OpenSciEd Elementary units are designed to support students in collaborative sensemaking through use of Science and Engineering Practices and engagement in equitable discussions.

SPEAKERS:
Janna Mahfoud, Yanira Vazquez, Susan Gomez Zwiep

PLI-2: Customizing OpenSciEd’s Materials: Great Materials + Teacher Brilliance = Magic

Wednesday, March 26 • 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A

Add to Cart 52 tickets available


Show Details

At OpenSciEd, our teams of experts work tirelessly to design materials for the latest research AND we know you can make them even better. In this session we will map your customization “why” to a customization “what” and “how” to support you to make the materials your own.

TAKEAWAYS:
Thoughtful, collaborative customization of high quality materials can result in better materials while simultaneously deepening understanding of how to get the most from both customized and the original high quality materials.

SPEAKERS:
Erika Palys, Renee Affolter, Matt Krehbiel, Austin Moore

PLI-3: Position Your Middle School Students as the Knowers in Your Classroom with OpenSciEd Instructional Materials

Wednesday, March 26 • 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A

Add to Cart 34 tickets available


Show Details

Join NSTA and middle school educators from across the country to delve into using OpenSciEd instructional materials to hand over to your students the joyful responsibility of thinking, talking and acting like scientists to deeply learn science. You’ll experience science learning in an OpenSciEd unit from both student and teacher perspectives with emphasis on specific teacher moves and strategies that will support your continuing shift toward student-driven science learning.

In addition, the NSTA professional learning team will help you tailor a professional learning path forward for additional support in implementing OpenSciEd curriculum and helping all of your students build confidence as the knowers in your classroom. 

This session is for those newer to OpenSciEd and investigating the middle school curriculum for classroom, school, or district implementation.

 

PLI-4: Implement OpenSciEd High School Units in Your Classroom: Fostering Curiosity and Confidence in High School Science Learners

Wednesday, March 26 • 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B

Add to Cart 48 tickets available


Show Details

Experience student-driven, rigorous science learning fueled by students’ curiosity and concern for coastal communities through immersions in the OSE high school chemistry Unit C.1 Thermodynamics in Earth’s Systems (How can we slow the flow of energy on Earth to protect vulnerable coastal communities?). See how students’ sensemaking develops across this unit through careful analyses of classroom videos, real student work, and student and teacher interviews.

Whether you teach high school chemistry, biology, physics, or Earth and space sciences, you will walk away from this experience with an understanding of the instructional routines that comprise storyline units across the OSE high school curriculums and the supports you need to confidently implement an OSE high school unit in your classroom. In addition, you’ll become adept with navigating the resources embedded in the OSE unit materials so you can maximize your impact on student engagement and learning.

All conference attendees are invited to continue their professional learning virtually in the OSE High School Chemistry Unit C.1 Curriculum Launch Workshop (24 total hours) and Facilitator Training (32 total hours).

  • 6 hours onsite at the Philadelphia Conference PLI
  • 18 hours virtual to complete 4-day curriculum launch*
  • 8 additional hours virtual to complete facilitator training* (optional)

Virtual workshop sessions will be held over the month of April 2025.

*Registration for virtual sessions incurs additional cost

 

PLI-5: Creating Instructionally Supportive Assessment Tasks to Support 3D-Learning

Wednesday, March 26 • 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B

Add to Cart 63 tickets available


Show Details

What approach can science educators use to create assessment tasks that support instructional practice and students’ three-dimensional learning? Participants will experience an approach for designing 3-D assessment tasks that will help their students build toward the NGSS performance expectations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to construct 3-dimensional assessment tasks that they can use in their classroom to promote student learning of the NGSS performance expectations.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Harris, Joseph Krajcik

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Wednesday, March 26 • 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

SPEAKERS:
Ali Main

STEM Showcase

Wednesday, March 26 • 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Don’t miss this exciting event showcasing STEM and science-based programs, organizations, mobile labs, and local Philly attractions! Explore a variety of displays, connect with showcase presenters, enjoy tasty bites from the food cart, and take advantage of ample networking opportunities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about STEM and science-based programs, organizations, mobile labs, and local Philly attractions

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Eaton

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Wednesday, March 26 • 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Breakout Box Mobile Lab Open House

Wednesday, March 26 • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


Show Details

Stop in and take a peek at our mobile manufacturing lab! Learning Undefeated staff will show you around, answer questions, and share how you can bring this unique experience to your classroom.

Precision, Measurement & Data: Fresh Career Examples for your Classroom

Wednesday, March 26 • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A


Show Details

Join this dynamic workshop to explore three hands-on classroom activities that highlight the math and science skills needed in the manufacturing industry. Explore how geometry, measurement, and critical thinking skills all come together to create new products.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn 3 hands on activities that demonstrate how science and math skills translate to real world jobs in manufacturing.

SPEAKERS:
Ali Main

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Wednesday, March 26 • 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

NSTA First Timers Orientation Session

Wednesday, March 26 • 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Michael A Nutter Theater


Show Details

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

Opening Reception

Wednesday, March 26 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Grand Hall


Show Details

Join us at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for an opening reception to mark the start of NSTA Philly25! We’ll keep it casual—enjoy beverages and small bites while networking with old and new friends. The event is complimentary and open to all registered conference attendees. Don't forget to bring your free drink ticket included with your badge.

TAKEAWAYS:
NA

99% Human, 1% Amazing

Wednesday, March 26 • 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall E


Show Details

This keynote offers an inspiring roadmap for improving student outcomes and leaving a lasting impact on their lives. Through relatable analogies, and research-based advice, Daryl Williams Jr. shares his personal journey—from being an ineffective teacher to earning two Teacher of the Year awards. He will guide you on a transformative path of self-discovery, helping you uncover your own “1% Amazing” and unlock your full potential.

SPEAKERS:
Daryl Williams

Sunrise Yoga

Thursday, March 27 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 13


Show Details

Calling all yoga enthusiasts! Regardless of whether you’re a newbie or veteran, join yoga teacher, Azra Chughtai, RYT, for a warm-up with breathwork; hatha yoga (gentle stretching exercises to wake up the body); and, of course, meditation for relaxation and de-stressing. Beginner friendly!

TAKEAWAYS:
Recharge: Energizing and Stress Relief

SPEAKERS:
Vivienne Allgood

NSTA First Timers Orientation Session

Thursday, March 27 • 7:15 AM - 7:45 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Michael A Nutter Theater


Show Details

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

"Author" - Model-Based Inquiry in Chemistry: Three-Dimensional Instructional Units for Grades 9–12

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B


Show Details

We will introduce our 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:
Audrey Baird, Ron Gray

"Just Breathe: Finding Your Calm in the Classroom!"

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1D0XWiiLmYQpKt-bhpsx3uHgFOfIjaRX5/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110015008830196606412&rtpof=true&sd=true
[email protected]

Show Details

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

TAKEAWAYS:
The key takeaway from the description is that educators will acquire practical, research-based breathing techniques and chair yoga exercises that promote resilience and well-being, which can be immediately implemented in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Bridget Burke

“My Ancestors Were Scientists”: Investigating the Impact of Short Nonfiction Films on Science Identity and Nature of Science Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A


Show Details

Nonfiction films featuring diverse scientists telling their own stories can do more than promote conceptual understanding. We will screen two short films, Decoding Ancestral Knowledge and CRISPR Apostle, and show preliminary results of their impact on science identity and nature of science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn about the films from the study, how to access them, and the results that suggest they not only support student learning; they can also broaden perspectives on who does science and how science is done.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Behrman

21st Century Science Teacher Leadership: Driving Education Reform Without Leaving the Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

How can science teachers leverage their expertise as master practitioners to drive positive systemic change in the classroom and beyond? Explore how we can serve as catalysts for 21st-century STEM education reforms by fostering meaningful partnerships with the community and industry.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will discover practical ways to tap into their inner leadership potential and become leaders, advocates, and ambassadors for STEM education at the local, state, and national levels.

SPEAKERS:
Patty Mannion, Dianna Gobler, Yishan Lee

All Systems Go! Launching DoD STEM Resources in Your Community

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Launch your STEM program into orbit with @DoDSTEM resources! Discover hands-on learning, paid internships, and scholarships for future innovators. Join us to create your "All Systems Are Go" plan leveraging DoD STEM resources and opportunities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover the wealth of STEM resources and opportunities offered by the Department of Defense. From hands-on learning activities to paid internships and college scholarships, learn how DoD STEM can help you power the next generation of innovators.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Stanley, Jennifer Preston

Amazing Assessments that Align with Sense-Making Lessons

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
_Station 4 Bubbles and Matter .docx
Amazing Assessments
Blank Tree Cookie.docx
Station 3 - blank tree cookie
Camoflage on color.pptx
Center 1
Camouflage Data Sheet.docx
center 1
Station 1.docx
Directions to center 1 Camouflage
Station 2 Cloudscape.docx
Station 3 Climate and Environment.docx
Station 3 Directions - Climate and Environment
Station 3 Student Data Sheet.docx
Station 3 - student data sheet
Station 4.docx
Tree A and Tree B.docx
Station 3 - Tree Cookies

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Join us for an engaging session exploring several sense-making lessons, aligned with the NGSS. Discover amazing assessment tools used to inform your teaching and focus on increased student learning/excitement. Come investigate assessment strategies while engaging in sense-making lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
The participants will take away a deeper understanding of innovative assessments (prior, formative and summative) that will inform them using sense-making lessons. We will specifically focus on what the results of the assessments mean and how that will change their teaching and student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Dey, Judith McDonald

Attention All Chemistry and Physical Science Teachers: Add These Dynamic Demonstrations to Your Toolbox

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

If you can only attend one session, make it this one. Transform your classroom with exciting, easy-to-perform (& crowd-pleasing) chemistry & physical science demos! Perfect for teachers, admins, and new educators, this session showcases unique demonstrations and classroom classics to engage students.

SPEAKERS:
Mike Marvel, Ph.D., Jonnathan Medina Ramos, Ph.D.

Beyond the Claim– Master the "E" and "R" in CER

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Unlock student potential in writing and reasoning skills! This session dives deep into Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER), focusing on the crucial link between evidence and reasoning. Explore feedback strategies to empower students to apply their knowledge and construct strong scientific arguments.

SPEAKERS:
Kelsie Stocz, Sara Classen

Biotech basics for middle school and general bio

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Link physical science concepts like circuits and charged particles to the essential biotech method gel electrophoresis. Build a reusable gel electrophoresis system with the Bandit STEM Electrophoresis Kit, and use it to separate colorful dyes. Also, add the A to STEAM with creative pipetting art!

SPEAKERS:
Rose Chaffee-Cohen

Bot-Boppin' 3D STEM Lessons for K-2 Learning and Community Leadership

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B


Show Details

Join us for boppin’ lessons that address NGSS K-2 (force & motion, biomimicry, pollination). We integrate computational thinking, literacy, robots, science, and sense-making! We show how we adapted for students’ cultural, and linguistic (Apache, Navajo, Spanish) backgrounds.

TAKEAWAYS:
The attendees will learn to analyze and implement interdisciplinary K-2 STEM teaching and learning using 3D NGSS standards, sense-making, aligned assessment and also integrates the language, culture, and place of a community in ways that position young students as leaders for their communities.

SPEAKERS:
Sophie Forbes, Deena Gould, Megan Smith

Bridging Literature and Learning: Books as Gateways to Science and Engineering Practices

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B


Show Details

Led by members of NSTA Early Childhood-Elementary Committee, this 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 and engineering practices in classrooms.

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

SPEAKERS:
Simone Nance, Jennifer Williams, Melissa Parks

Bringing Biotechnology to Middle Schools!

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Imagine the excitement of middle schoolers as they learn how to use micropipettes and run their own gel electrophoresis! Come learn how to bring these exciting and fun techniques to your middle school classrooms using the teacher- and student-friendly MiniOne equipment.

SPEAKERS:
Whitney Hagins

Build-A-Boat: Scalability and Modularity in K-12 Navy STEM Outreach

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124


Show Details

This presentation shows how the UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition employs modular K-12 outreach to engage students from 2nd grade to high school along a few like-activities. Participants take part in our most successful activity, build-a-boat, in both the middle and high school configurations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn strategies for engaging students across grade levels to cultivate STEM curiosity while conserving resources through building scalable, modular lesson plans which serve a wide swath of ages with minimal design changes.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Logue

Building Bridges: A Dual Language Approach to PK-8 Science Instruction

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


Show Details

This session will explore how a Texas school district implements dual-language instruction in science for PK-8 students. With a focus on fostering biliteracy and bilingualism, we'll be sharing practical strategies to integrate language bridging into science lessons in both English and Spanish.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation offers educators a framework for integrating dual-language instruction into science, based on research and practical strategies from a proven dual-language model. Attendees will gain actionable insights and tools to foster bilingualism and content mastery in their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Merium Valdez, Magda Esparza, Gisella Calejo

Chasing the Tide: Coastal Environmental Issues to Engage Your Learners

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Chasing the Tide NSTA Handout 2025

Show Details

Use current environmental issues as an engaging teaching tool! View clips from Chasing the Tide, a docuseries that shows the 370-mile journey of a couple as they walk the length of Texas’s coast. Access FREE NGSS-aligned resources that guide students to explore pressing issues in coastal ecosystems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain three-dimensional teaching resources and strategies that guide your students to explore current environmental issues and identify actions they can take, no matter where they live or what resources they have access to, to support the health of our coastal and marine ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Marie Fayen

Conservation Nation Academy: Fun Lessons with Diverse Wildlife Conservation Leaders

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Conservation Nation Academy
Free lessons featuring diverse role models and careers in conservation.

Show Details

Engage with Conservation Nation’s unique resources featuring diverse role models in wildlife conservation. Explore topics ranging from mindful birding with leaders of Black Birders Week to innovative uses of DNA in conservation with scientists from the de-extinction company Colossal Biosciences.

TAKEAWAYS:
You can build student engagement and help more students see themselves represented in environmental spaces by bringing diverse conservation professionals and careers into your classroom via free lesson materials and resources from Conservation Nation.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Lill

Crafting Winning Science & STEM Grant Proposals: Unlock Funding for Your Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303B


Show Details

In this interactive workshop, educators will dive deep into the world of STEM grant writing, equipping themselves with proven strategies to secure funding for their classrooms. Participants will engage in hands-on activities and learn from real-world examples to develop their grant-writing skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will develop a toolkit of practical strategies to transform their Science & STEM project ideas into fundable grant proposals. This workshop will provide valuable insights to help you unlock new funding opportunities for your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Welch

Crash Cushion Design Challenge: A Lesson on Collisions

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

Engage students in a real-world engineering challenge! Learn how students can design and test crash barriers with live collision data to explore the link between momentum and impact forces. Analyze the resulting data to improve upon further design iterations.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Riley

Creating a Classroom Culture that Supports Equitable Science Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Creating a Classroom Culture that Supports Equitable Science Learning_PHIL2025.pdf
NSTA Session: Creating a Classroom Culture that Supports Equitable Science Learn
NSTA Session: Creating a Classroom Culture that Supports Equitable Science Learning collection of resources

Show Details

Science is a social endeavor! Gain strategies to transform your classroom into a community of learners in which students and teachers actively try to make sense of the natural and built worlds.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with strategies for developing classroom norms in collaboration with your students.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Soriano

Creating a Driving Question Board that Supports Students’ Ongoing Sensemaking

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

The DQB is an essential tool used throughout OSE units to generate, keep track of, and revisit student questions around the anchoring and related phenomenon. Join the collaborative fun finding ideas for developing, maintaining, and revisiting this exciting representation of students’ learning.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Tindall, Jen Gutierrez

CSSS: Effective Three-Dimensional Summative Assessment Tasks in Science

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

The session focuses on designing, building, and using 3-dimensional performance science assessment tasks. Analogous phenomena are used to develop novel K-12 tasks requiring the application of DCIs and CCCs to make sense of phenomena. A pool of items aligned to NGSS and STEELS standards is shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
The session will provide participants the strategies and insights into how analogous phenomena are used to develop summative assessment tasks for writing performance tasks for each of the NGSS standards.

SPEAKERS:
Juan-Carlos Aguilar, Brett Moulding

Cultivating Media Literate Citizens Through Science Education

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

Scientific misinformation, in all forms of media, can negatively impact citizens' health and safety. During this session, attendees will engage in activities to empower all learners to become media-literate consumers of scientific information capable of navigating the information age.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to apply scientific practices and crosscutting concepts to disciplinary scientific content in the media.

SPEAKERS:
Jocelyn Miller

Customizing Curriculum: Using a high quality science curriculum, is it really worth it?

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

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:
Learn how 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

Designing Dynamic 3-Dimensional Assessments

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Designing Dynamic Assessments Google Folder

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

This interactive workshop will help teachers develop assessment question clusters that align with NGSS and include all 3 dimensions of the framework, ensuring a holistic evaluation of student knowledge and skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave this session not only with strategies and a framework for designing 3-dimensional assessment question clusters, but also with an assessment they create during the session.

SPEAKERS:
Libbie Haller

Designing Schools: Connecting Phenomenon to Students’ Lives and Communities

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 2


Show Details

Learn how to support your students in connecting phenomena based on genetics and epigenetics to their own lives and communities through engineering practices using a free, EQuIP-reviewed unit designed for HS NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use engineering practices to teach genetics and epigenetics while facilitating a classroom environment that privileges connecting phenomena to their own lives and communities through engaging in a design-based challenge to recommend modifications to their school.

SPEAKERS:
Devin Foschi, Elizabeth Chatham, Dora Kastel

Don’t Believe Everything You Believe

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 306



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
www.generationskeptics.org
Teachers are great about teaching students to evaluate claims and their sources. But do we teach whow to evaluate the receiver of those claims, ourselves??

Show Details

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:
Bertha Vazquez

Empowering Science Teachers: Streamlining Lesson Planning with AI Tools

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B


Show Details

Explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can streamline the creation of NGSS-aligned science lessons. Through live demonstrations and guided practice, participants will generate personalized lesson plans, learn to ask effective AI prompts and understand how human expertise makes AI an effective tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
Write effective AI prompts for NGSS-aligned lesson plans Create classroom-ready plans using AI tools Understand how AI can augment lesson planning and evaluate your own AI-generated lesson plans for accuracy and NGSS compliance. Learn to integrate AI with their expertise for more efficient planning.

SPEAKERS:
Ariela Ikezawa

Engagement Matters: Sparking Curiosity in Science Through Hands-On Learning with LEGO® Education

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: LEGO® Education

Together, we can change this by making science more engaging, relevant and meaningful. We’ll explore how hands-on experiences with LEGO® Education spark those 'ah-ha' moments, helping students build knowledge, skills, and excitement for learning.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Sliwinski

Exploring Motion with the Go Direct® Motion Detector

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Engage students in hands-on, student-led learning with the Go Direct Motion Detector! We’ll share 3 hands-on experiments to help students explore position, velocity & acceleration. From kinematics in fall to dynamics & conservation laws in spring, this versatile sensor supports 3D learning all year.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Exploring OpenSciEd High School from Carolina (9-12)

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Come experience a hands-on model lesson from OpenSciEd for High School and discover how the new Carolina Certified Version enhanced these high-quality instructional materials, making them more accessible, user-friendly, and safer for classroom use.

SPEAKERS:
Cory Ort

Exploring SDGs through Collaborative Video Projects

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 3



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
3.27 - NSTA - Learning About Our World Through Collaborative Video Projects (4).pdf

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Empower students to create videos about environmental challenges addressed by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Discover tools and activities to build skills in inquiry, research, project organization, communication and using video technology. View samples of students’ inspiring work.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees with learn how to facilitate a problem-based learning project that employs a variety of STEAM and literacy skills to deepen their understanding of a global environmental challenge.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara Huth

Field experiences: Blending digital learning with authentic outdoor education in biology

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon H


Show Details

How can we leverage digital tools to support biology learning that’s authentic and engages with science practices and cross-cutting concepts? We’ll explore “sit spot” strategies that connect students to their local context and communities through digital tools and a place-based teaching framework.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how implementing a “sit spot” assignment series can connect existing biology curricula to NGSS-aligned, place-based science explorations, as well as support student personal development and motivation, while overcoming the limitations of a traditional classroom experience.

SPEAKERS:
Kirstin Milks, Whitney Aragaki

Fluorescence Files: Decoding Forensic Clues with Spectroscopy

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

How do forensic scientists find evidence in invisible ink? Students must think like both detectives AND scientists to find out! By capturing spectra of ink samples, students investigate electromagnetic radiation, explore light-matter interactions, and use mathematical models to calculate energy.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Forensic Escape Room: Design Your Own Biotech Adventure

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

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

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell, Maria Dayton

From the classroom to the community - engage your students with PBL at a local museum

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slides with an explanation of PBL and the overview of the project

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Move beyond passively visiting a museum to connect with curators & have your students take on the role of a teacher at a community event sponsored by the museum. Learn how to connect with local institutions, see samples of student work and leave with access to the full PBL project plan and more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to organize, integrate and evaluate a long term PBL assessment into your curriculum. Leave with rubrics, a project plan and research template.

SPEAKERS:
Ilana Saxe

Geoheritage as a Vehicle for Integration Across the Curriculum

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon J


Show Details

Geoheritage is a new construct in the US, but one well-established abroad. Integrating geoscience, history, economics, and aesthetic value of a place embeds students’ experiences in the landscape that surrounds them. This presentation will demonstrate how local geohertage narratives are generated.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science is embedded in the social and historical context in which it is generated and implemented. Geoheritage as a unifying construct enriches the relevance of a local site by illustrating how humans affect and are affected by that local landscape over time, promoting cross-curricular instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Pyle

Help Students Show What They Know with 3D Transfer Tasks

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 1


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Many high-quality curricula use transfer tasks, phenomenon-based assessments where students demonstrate their three dimensional understanding while exploring a novel scenario. In this session, educators will work through an example of a transfer task and an activity structure that helps students learn.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with an understanding of what transfer tasks are and an activity structure to use with students learning how to engage in this assessment practice.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Henson, William Penuel, Melissa Campanella

How Can We Get High-quality Instructional Materials into the Hands of Teachers Prepared to Use Them?

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

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

How Do Rodents Survive in the Desert? Using Phenomena Based 3D Learning to Drive Student Sensemaking in AP Biology

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon I



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
AP Biology Storylines Website
This website can be used by both AP Biology teachers and their students to supplement textbooks, daily videos, and provide class materials.
How Do Rodents Survive in the Desert
NSTA Presentation Slides - Storylines for AP Biology
How Do Rodents Survive in the Desert - Note Handout
Session notes handout and AP Bio storyline information

Show Details

Join us to discover how to enhance AP Biology with phenomena-based storylines that make curriculum topics relevant and fun! Gain skills to integrate student questions with science practices while implementing inquiry-driven lessons to increase student engagement and deepen understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
After an introduction to Lab Hamster’s AP Biology Unit 1 storyline, participants will leave with the knowledge and skills needed to implement student inquiry activities, apply science practices, and use pedagogical strategies that boost student engagement and reduce teacher workload.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Tatum, Joshua Anoff, Noel Pauller

Immersive STEM Engagement: A How-to On Elevating Classroom Experiences

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Immersive STEM Engagement (1).pptx

Show Details

Build a deep understanding of what STEM means by creating opportunities to fully engage students in science learning. Participants will engage in hands-on STEM and learn how to incorporate it in the everyday science classroom. Learn how STEM integration increases students’ desire to learn science!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain practical strategies for engaging all students in science learning using STEM integration. Walk away with a deeper understanding of what “doing STEM” means and how STEM integration offers an engaging, effective way for students to learn science.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Drager, Courtney Heikkila, Amy Monahan

Implementing NGSS through Children's Literature

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA - Implementing NGSS through Children's Literature.pptx

Show Details

Discover ways to strengthen NGSS practices through interdisciplinary practices with children's literature, beginning with Ada Twist and Rosie Revere.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Hesson

Including All Learners in Place-Based Sensemaking About Nature

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
GLOBE presentation.pdf

Show Details

This workshop will describe methods used to engage a range of learners, including neurodivergent and English Language Learners, in grades 3-5, in place-based investigations of plants and weather. Lesson descriptions and student work will be used to initiate discussion with attendees.

TAKEAWAYS:
This workshop will describe methods used to engage a range of learners, including neurodivergent and English Language Learners, in grades 3-5, in place-based investigations of plants and weather. Lesson descriptions and student work will be used to initiate discussion with attendees.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Feit, Andreia Ferreira, Soraya Santana, Peter Garik

Integrating Science and Language Arts for Classroom Teachers and Higher Ed: Chewing on Ideas with Food Chains

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Food Chain and Food Web lesson 5th grade.docx
Food chain Food Web 5th grade PowerPoint.pptx
Integrating Science and Language Arts for Classroom Teachers and Higher
"Chewing on Food Chains" PPT

Show Details

Come learn how we integrate science and language arts mini units, using food chains to guide participants through the process. Also, learn how we instruct our teacher candidates in higher education to do the same and then implement the lessons in local schools with immediate feedback from us.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to integrate science with language arts in classrooms, as teachers or instructors of higher education.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Lampley, Frances Hamilton

Inviting productive talk for deep science learning

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A


Show Details

In a learner stance, participants will explore productive talk based on observations and development of a model to explain a phenomenon. Switching to a teacher lens, participants will identify types of talk they used, how it shaped deep learning, and apply these ideas to existing tasks/lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will take away ideas for increasing productive talk when students engage in collaborative science tasks. Considerations include different types of talk students use to share ideas and move toward deep content understanding. Time will include strategizing how to inform existing lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Takumi Sato, PhD

Journey Through the Heart

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Take a tour through the mammalian heart and trace the path of a blood cell on its journey to oxygenation. Participants take blood pressure readings. Then dissect a preserved sheep heart to model blood flow and connect BP to heart anatomy. Don’t skip a beat - it’s going to be hands-on fun!

SPEAKERS:
Patti Kopkau

Kindergarten Forces & Interactions - Observing & Changing Motion With Ramps!

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Exploring Motion - Teacher Slides & Signs

Show Details

Build, test, and change ramps and consider ways to help early elementary students answer some BIG questions: How do different objects move? How can we change the way an object moves?

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave this workshop with the hands-on experience and curricular materials needed to support young elementary students as they explore and make sense of forces and interactions.

SPEAKERS:
Adrien Kaye

Learn how BIOZONE’s superb interactive worktexts deliver flexible and engaging High School science programs: print & digital.

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BIOZONE Corporation

BIOZONE's innovative worktexts deliver student-centred resources: AP, NGSS & electives. Identical print and digital titles integrate to provide a rich teaching program. Use our teacher resources to plan, deliver, & assess. Attendees receive a FREE print title & 30 day preview of our digital platform

SPEAKERS:
Mark Temons

Lessons from The Lorax: Hands-on Environmental Science for the Elementary Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
lessons-from-the-lorax.pdf
NSTA - Lessons from the Lorax Slides - March 2025.pptx
Slides from session on March 27 workshop: "Lessons from the Lorax: Hands-on Environmental Science for the Elementary Classroom"
world-of-difference-amazon.pdf

Show Details

Help students see the forest for the trees -- and all its biodiversity -- in this interdisciplinary, hands-on session. Engage in a game inspired by The Lorax, a simulation of biodiversity in temperate and tropical rainforests and a resource management game of strategy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn ways to introduce elementary students to concepts about natural resource use and management and the importance of preserving biodiverse ecosystems through games and 3D simulations that are interdisciplinary and inquiry-based.

SPEAKERS:
Bennett Steidinger, Pam Wasserman

Letting Children Lead Investigation and Design - Part of the COESEE Strand

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A


Show Details

Many curriculum materials minimize elevating students’ brilliance with teacher directed, pre-designed activities. COESEE envisions classrooms where students’ ideas are foregrounded and learning is centered in students’ lived experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Working collaboratively, educators will investigate ways to understand and elevate students' brilliance by centering science in their everyday experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Ewing, Mary Starr, Carla Zembal-Saul

Level Up Your Middle School Classroom with Gamification

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Teachers' Curriculum Institute (TCI)

Learn to promote interest and engagement while helping students achieve specific learning objectives with games. Join us as you learn simple and valuable ways to gamify your lessons. We will be sharing a few creative game ideas for building relationships and reviewing and learning content.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Kumar

Life in a Living Pond

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Inspire curiosity by examining pond water! Observe freshwater organisms feeding patterns and reproduction firsthand while exploring microbial diversity. These activities will build an understanding of ecosystems and provide phenomena that connects with biology and nature.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Stubbs

Making Thinking Visible: The Practice of Developing and Using Models

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Making Thinking Visible Modeling

Show Details

This session is designed to support participants in the practice of development and use of models. The goal of this workshop is for educators to learn ways to engage students in the use of models to predict and explain phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will leave with a clear understanding of what models are and how they can be used throughout the lesson and unit, the awareness that one size does not fit all when it comes to models and enhanced formative assessment capabilities by using models to reveal student misconceptions and connections.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Suter, Kerry Hammon, Peter McLaren

Marble Bashing to Egg Crashing: Integrating Free “Crash Science in the Classroom” Resources to Teach Real-world STEM Applications

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 4


Show Details

Join award-winning science educator Griff Jones and members of the IIHS Vehicle Research Center to explore a sample of engaging demos and video-supported, inquiry-based activities from the IIHS’s free, online “Crash Science in the Classroom” program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will see a selection of discrepant events and learn how to access 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, Joe Young, Griff Jones

Microplastics, Major Problem: Bringing the Hot Topic into your Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Microplastics Slide Deck

Show Details

5th through 12th grade students are ready to learn about the problem with microplastics! Join a group of educators who sailed Lake Erie with scientists to study plastic pollution. Help your students become citizen scientists, collecting, organizing, and reporting data within their own community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn the impacts of and solutions to tackling microplastics as well as strategies for involving their students in hands-on microplastics research along local bodies of water from educators who experienced this scientific research first-hand.

SPEAKERS:
Lara Roketenetz, Sabrina Deschamps, Kate Krischke, Brienne May

Mining Copper - Magnificent Malachite & Beautiful Butte (Montana)

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon L


Show Details

Use a lab and demo to talk about resources and the environment, using copper as an example. The labs can be used for many fields - geology, environmental science, chemistry; focus on the impact of resource acquisition; and provide resources to highlight the depth and complexity of these issues.

TAKEAWAYS:
Copper recovery from ore with two methods - these labs can be used for many fields: geology, environmental science, chemistry; they focus on the impact of resource acquisition; and they provide resources to highlight the depth and complexity of these issues.

SPEAKERS:
Briana Richardson

NASA Science Activation’s Native Earth | Native Sky: Integrating 3-Dimensional Teaching and Learning into Culturally Relevant STEM Curricula

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C


Show Details

We will share a process for developing middle school science curricula using Two-Eyed Seeing and place-based learning to increase the engagement of Indigenous students. We will sample lessons developed with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, walk through development process, and provide lesson links.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about an approach to developing a culturally relevant STEM curriculum using Two-Eyed Seeing and place-based learning and sample lessons that respectfully include Indigenous knowledges.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Just, KIRTIKA PANWAR, Sarah McDowell

NSTA’s Digital Resources and Online Community: Learn All that NSTA Has Available for Your Personalized Professional Learning!

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Michael A Nutter Theater



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA-Natl-Conf-PHILLY25-Digital_Resources.pdf

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

NSTA provides high-quality digital resources and opportunities—all within a professional community—that supports your personalized professional learning. Just in time, just enough, and just for you! Learn about NSTA’s professional Learning tools. NSTA staff will answer questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will become knowledgeable about the plethora of digital resources available at NSTA’s, about the live events, and professional learning community that can help them enhance their knowledge and manage their personalized professional learning.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez

Peas in a Pod: The Story of Heredity

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slideshow

Show Details

Discover engaging activities that help students explain the significance of Gregor Mendel’s pea plant experiments. Attendees will use glitter to represent the dominant and recessive traits of two parent plants and their offspring and complete a pompom Punnett square.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to explain that Gregor Mendel’s experiments on pea plants laid the foundation for the study of heredity, Punnett squares are a tool used to predict the traits of an offspring, and Mendelian genetics enables animal and plant breeders to produce new varieties with more accuracy.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Wallin

Phenomenal Science Notebooking: Putting the Interaction into Interactive Notebooks

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Link

Show Details

Make student thinking come to life with notebooks! Increase the rigor of student work—learn new strategies for organizing content and how to use templates for any science class. Take home many current NGSS classroom examples to get yourself started.

TAKEAWAYS:
Notebooking in science should focus on sensemaking and creating ownership of the work. Moving away from worksheets and discovering-1.) The how and why of science notebooks; 2.) How to engage ALL students in science; and 3.) Templates scaffold student learning for success.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Weibert

Physical Science Investigations Using Underwater Sound

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon K


Show Details

This workshop will incorporate the phenomena of underwater sound into science activities and investigations. Resources such as an audio gallery of underwater sounds produced by animals and people and activities challenging students to produce spectrograms and explore the science of sound.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using the topic of underwater sound can be an engaging vehicle for students to explore physical science concepts and connect these fundamental principles with the undersea environment and science of sound.

SPEAKERS:
Liesl Hotaling

Science Without Borders: Integrating Earth Science into Life and Physical Science Learning.

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon G


Show Details

Join us for an immersive EarthX experience, where you will don your student hat to explore the interconnectedness of Earth and the traditional sciences. We don’t experience the world as discrete biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth science interactions, so why do we teach these subjects in silos?

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave the session having experienced first hand a student-centered, 3-dimensional lesson showcasing NGSS Earth Science DCIs integrated into traditional high school curricula, taught by one of the Baltimore City science teachers who helped develop the materials.

SPEAKERS:
Edmund Mitzel, Jr., Ph.D., Kevin Garner, Alan Berkowitz, Cassidy Johnson, Angela Hood, Kyle Gregory, Nina Groseclose

Shifting from IRE to Productive Talk: Strategies for Fostering Engaging Classroom Discussions

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307


Show Details

This experience provides educators with strategies to shift from the IRE (Initiate-Response-Evaluate) talk pattern to productive classroom discussions. Learn how to foster deeper student engagement, encourage critical thinking, and create a more interactive, collaborative learning environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
This hands-on, immersive experience offers practical strategies to help teachers transition from the IRE (Initiate-Response-Evaluate) pattern to productive talk, promoting deeper student engagement and meaningful dialogue.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli

STEM Survivor Challenges

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2023 Curriculum Packet (to be revised).pdf
DIGITAL Version EZM Curriculum Packet 2024 (4).pdf
Hurricane Heroes Curriculum Packet.pdf
Survivor Island Curriculum Packet (Digital Version) (1) (9).pdf

Show Details

Engage with STEM Design Challenges by designing solutions in the aftermath of a fictional hurricane or stranding on a deserted island. Collaborate to evacuate citizens, build shelters, and develop alternative energy systems while redesigning the city’s infrastructure for future disaster prevention.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to integrate hands-on, real-world engineering design into your classroom, equipping students with critical thinking and collaboration skills to address complex challenges like disaster preparedness, sustainability, and engineering solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Ryack-Bell, Regan McKinnon, Kathryn Atkins

Student thinking and reasoning during small group engineering activities

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123


Show Details

This presentation provides a window into students’ thinking and reasoning as they propose, develop, and test engineering design solutions in small groups. We focus on how students use STEM content knowledge and the design context to make engineering decisions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the different ways students engage in the process of engineering in small groups and how to better support student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Muhammad Purwanto, Gillian Roehrig

Supercharge STEM Learning: Seamlessly Integrate Sensemaking and Engineering Design into Your K-12 STEM Classroom!

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Teach Engineering Hands-On Workshop

Show Details

Learn how to incorporate sensemaking and engineering design into your K-12 STEM classroom using the Teach Engineering Digital Library! In this hands-on workshop, participants act as students and tackle a real-world design challenge while engaging in phenomena-based and three-dimensional learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn effective strategies to integrate sensemaking and engineering design into their STEM classrooms. They will experience firsthand how engineering involves designing solutions to problems that arise from phenomena while engaging in student sensemaking and 3D learning.

SPEAKERS:
Dua Chaker, Jennifer Kracha, Ellen Sukovich

Teaching about the Intersections of Biology, Race, and Racism: Strategies, Curriculum Resources, and Research

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B


Show Details

Racism is prevalent in our society. Participants will examine resources for engaging students in respectful and productive activity that contrast the social construct of race with scientific understandings of genetics. Examples of how science education can be a form of social justice will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Anti-racism work in science education is difficult. Resources to support teachers in engaging in controversial topics will be examined and used by participants to rehearse effective pedagogical moves in engaging in classroom discussions of racism and science. Curricular resources will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Deb Morrison, Kelsie Fowler

The Design Sprint: Engage Your Students in Design Thinking and Problem Solving

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Algal_Blooms_and_Algae_Resources.docx
Flooding_and_Severe_Weather_Resources.docx
General_Topics_and_Resources.docx
Marine_Debris_Resources.docx
Plant_and_Animal_Invasive_Species_Resources(1).docx
The.Design.Sprint.pptx
Vector_Borne_Diseases_Resources.docx

Show Details

Problem solving? Creativity? Collaboration? Design Challenge? Learn about an instructional strategy that provides students opportunities to participate that focuses on local and state environmental issues. Join a mini design sprint and develop your own challenge before you leave.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about the design sprint, an instructional strategy that provides students with a unique opportunity to participate in a challenge that focuses on local and state environmental issues. Participants will create the initial ideas for their own student design challenge.

SPEAKERS:
Liz Martinez, Peggy Steffen

Those Are Neat- Creating Sensemaking Experiences Using Data Collection Probes and Sensors to Drive 3D Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon B


Show Details

Data collection probes and sensors provide the phenomenon and data to drive 3D student learning. This session will focus on how to utilize this technology to drive instruction. Teachers will experience a lesson using sensors to model photosynthesis, with a focus on sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will experience parts of a model lesson. Additionally, teachers will explore other examples of using probes to drive instruction. Lastly, teachers will have time to work collaboratively with other teachers to modify one of their lesson plans to effectively utilize probes in sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Justin Ingram

Transforming America with Transdisciplinary Education and Transformative Social and Emotional Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 305


Show Details

Transdisciplinary learning that positions students in the context of real-life scenarios to problem solve authentic issues can increase conceptual understanding of content area knowledge, inspire community connections, and increase student engagement, while also building transformative SEL skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will discover how transdisciplinary education and transformative social and emotional learning can be facilitated in their classrooms and educational communities.

SPEAKERS:
Stefanie Holloway

Unleashing the Power of SENSEMAKING in Science Classrooms

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon E



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Unleashing the Power of Sensemaking in Science Classrooms Resources: NSTA 2025

Show Details

We all want students to become critical thinkers, retain & transfer learning, and have a deep understanding of science ideas. Transform your instruction so students construct their own explanations of scientific phenomena that mirrors the process scientists use to make sense of the natural world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to define, identify, and apply characteristics of sensemaking into instruction. They will also become familiar with lesson models and resources that support sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Oakley, Tina Hovance

Use Games and Role Playing to Engage Students in One of the Most Dangerous Climate Impacts of Our Time: Sea Level Rise

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom III



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Beat the Uncertainty
Presentation Slides
This presentation includes a number of BONUS slides in addition to those presented on Thursday. Check it out!

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Why are sea levels rising? Why is it so dangerous - no matter where in the US you live? How can we address it? Using hands-on role-playing activities from NOAA, engage your students on one of the most dangerous climate impacts of our time.

SPEAKERS:
Alexandria Gillen, Peggy Steffen

Use Modeling Instruction in Chemistry to Integrate the Science and Engineering Practices

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon F



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Modeling Chemistry for NSTA 2025.pdf

Show Details

Participants will experience Modeling Instruction in Chemistry by planning and conducting data collection and analyzing data to develop models. They will also develop representations (graphs, diagrams, and equations) for their model and present them in white boarding discourse.

TAKEAWAYS:
In student mode participants will experience how the Science and Engineering Practices can be a regular part of student experience in the chemistry classroom as they develop and deploy models. In teacher mode they will reflect on what is required to create this learning environment.

SPEAKERS:
Jesse Braxton, AMTA Executive Officer

Using a STEM Picture Book to Support Literacy, Science Practices and Content in K-2 Classrooms.

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Using an Informational fiction STEM Picture Book to Support Literacy, Science Pr
This is the slideshow that accompanies the hands-on workshop. Workshop participants will be engaged in four hands-on NGSS standards-aligned investigations related to the Dr. Rosie story. The slides are for reference, context, and information and can be viewed in more detail after the workshop.

Show Details

Help students build empathy and connect science to their lives using a STEM picture book (Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals). Engage in science phenomena embedded in the story and learn how open-sourced interdisciplinary lessons can address literacy, science content, and inquiry skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will engage in student activities that show how NGSS content and inquiry skills can be addressed by investigating real-world phenomena introduced through a STEM picture book. Teachers will leave with the resources and background knowledge to facilitate these activities with students.

SPEAKERS:
Judith Newcomb, Jennifer Welborn

Using Digital Notebooks & Journals in the Science Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Using Digital Notebooking & Journaling in the Science Classroom

Show Details

In this session, participants will explore digital notebooks and journals - a means for transferring student learning, practice, and reflection into a multi-media digital environment that allows for differentiation and student choice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to enhance classroom engagement using multimedia resources organized into digital notebooks or journals. Strategies and examples will show how students can and have participated using mini-notebooks, unit notebooks and journals.

SPEAKERS:
Mridula Bajaj, Shefali Mehta

Using Spreadsheets to Learn Chemistry/Science Inquisitively and via Differentiation

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon D



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
*BRING COMPUTER TO SESSION* Using Spreadsheets to Learn Chemistry Inquisitively
This is the how-to guide on making/editing your own spreadsheet lessons.
AACT Webinar Sign Up 4/10/25 at 7 PM EST
Follow this link to attend my webinar on 4/10/25 showing the process for how to create/edit spreadsheet lessons.
American Association of Chemistry Teacher's Featured Article (March 2025)
To get a great sense of what to expect in this session, read my article published by the American Association of Chemistry Teachers this month!

Show Details

A showcase of dynamic spreadsheet chemistry lessons that provide instantaneous, differentiated feedback to students as they learn or practice new content independently or in small groups. This method amplifies confidence for students of all abilities and frees teachers to assist those most in need.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn the power of digital spreadsheet chemistry lessons and learn how to create or edit their own lessons. If they wish, they can sign up to receive already created chemistry lessons for free to trial with their students.

SPEAKERS:
Sean Regan

What Do Scientists Do? Making the Nature of Science Come Alive with NSTA Kids Books

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Handout
Presentation slides
References

Show Details

Students often see science as a static body of knowledge instead of a dynamic human endeavor. Join the author of Notable Notebooks, Exemplary Evidence, and the newly published Wild Wonderings to learn how these books (and the stories of the scientists in them) can illuminate the nature of science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the lives and work of historical and contemporary scientists, why telling these stories is an important strategy for helping students understand the nature of science, and how they might use these books in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Fries-Gaither

Why Can Babies Survive Only on Milk?

Thursday, March 27 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 307



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Curriculum Link
MILK Slide Deck

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

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:
Chris Embry Mohr

Science From Space: Lessons Learned

Thursday, March 27 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall E


Show Details

This session will share the experiences of former educator turned NASA astronaut, Ricky Arnold in a fun, informational, and inspiring way. The conversation will explore several aspects of Ricky’s life, especially his years as an astronaut. Ricky will share what it was like to live and work on the International Space Station including the experience of spacewalks, conducting scientific experiments, and what astronauts do in their free time. As a classroom teacher in many countries prior to his astronaut selection, Ricky will share what the transition was like to his role as astronaut and what skills he brought to the table as a classroom teacher. Lastly, Ricky will provide words of encouragement to the NSTA audience and share how critical they are to the future of science and our endeavors in space exploration.

SPEAKERS:
Richard Arnold

NSTA Coordination & Supervision Roundtable

Thursday, March 27 • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 408


Show Details

Calling all Science Supervisors, department heads, principals, school coordinators and science leaders. Please join us for the third annual roundtable discussion on curriculum, resources and supervision of science departments. Participants will learn how NSTA can support their needs for professional development and will walk away with access to a Padlet of resources.

Are You a New Chemistry Teacher? (Or Do You Mentor New Chemistry Teachers?) These Engaging Demos & Labs Will Help Students Fall in Love with Chemistry!

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Are you looking for new ways to excite your classes? This session will showcase labs, demos, and inquiry-based activities to keep your classroom buzzing with excitement. Walk away with tools to engage students and ensure concept understanding. Handouts and door prizes provided!

SPEAKERS:
Jillian Saddler, Mike Marvel, Ph.D.

Beyond Recall: Deepening Science Understanding Through Question Asking

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Harness the power of effective questioning to elevate student engagement and understanding. Led by a former middle school science teacher and current science learning designer, this session focuses on crafting questions to foster elaboration, critical thinking, and meaningful connections in science.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Bonville, Sara Classen

Circuits Made Easy: Untangle Your Circuit Labs!

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

Experience the best way to teach basic circuits! Learn how to build circuits with modular components that look identical to schematic drawings. We'll show you how to skip the tangled wires that confuse students so you can focus on the physics.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Riley

Code Breakers: Using CRISPR for Sickle Cell Gene Editing

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

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

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell, Maria Dayton

Connect To BioInteractive: Free Resources to Support Your Three-Dimensional Instruction

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Workshop Participant Materials

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

New to BioInteractive? Come investigate HHMI BioInteractive’s many free resources to support life science educators. We'll review how to navigate a website with hundreds of high-quality resources as well as how to connect with your fellow life science educators through our online community.

SPEAKERS:
Christina Moran-Johnson, Karen Lucci

Crash Course in Physics: Exploring Motion and Force Phenomena for High School

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

From friction to collisions, engage students in real-world motion phenomena! Investigate questions like “How do brakes stop a bicycle?” or “Why are seat belts crucial to car safety?” We’ll explore sensor carts in action, analyze velocity and acceleration data, and share hands-on investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Discover, Collaborate, Engineer: A Workshop for Practical Learning in K-5

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Teachers' Curriculum Institute (TCI)

Join us for an interactive session where engineering meets speed dating! Experience hands-on challenges inspired by TCI's K-5 science programs. Attendees will participate in engineering-focused "speed dates," uncovering valuable insights.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Kumar

Encouraging Equitable Participation During a Discussion in the OpenSciEd HS Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Classroom communities make sense of what’s being investigated through discussions; it’s key to ensuring all students’ ideas are shared and valued. This session focuses on discussion types used to help draw out student ideas, negotiate and refine them, and support communicating in scientific ways.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Tindall

Engage students in genetics through space biology

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

This authentic case study analyzes microbial DNA from the International Space Station. Available as a hands-on gel electrophoresis experiment or a free virtual lab. This session will also feature Genes in Space, a free experimental design competition that sends student experiments to space!

SPEAKERS:
Katy Martin

Exhibit Hall Grand Opening

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall


Show Details

Please join us for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the exhibit hall, featuring companies with services, support, and resources for science educators.

Geology, Meteorology, Climate and the Earth Sciences for Todays's Classrooms

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Simulation Curriculum

Dive into Earth's wonders! Our Earth Science workshop offers hands-on activities, expert insights and teaching strategies to inspire curiosity and deepen understanding. Join us in exploring the dynamic systems of our planet! Geology, Meteorology, Climate & Physical Geography! Grades 5-8, 9-12.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Goodman

Introducing PhET Studio: Interact Your Way

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PhET Interactive Simulations

Be empowered with PhET Studio, PhET’s first customization tool for teachers! Learn how to create unique sim experiences that fit your lessons and inspire students like never before. Join us to see Studio in action and gain free Open House access. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity!

SPEAKERS:
Linda Stegemann

Keep Calm and Chemistry On: Successful Lab Activities for the New Chemistry Teacher

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Explore easy, engaging, and safe chemistry activities that guarantee a reaction in your students. These lab activities support 3-dimensional learning and work every time, not just periodically.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Nixon

Navigating the Shift to Three-Dimensional Science Teaching and Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

3D teaching and learning is a powerful way to engage all students in science, but making the shift in a classroom or district involves fundamental cultural and practical changes at all levels. Engage in examples and take away your own Change Management Playbook for navigating this important work.

SPEAKERS:
Isaac Stauffer, Naz Yaqubie

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration: Teaching Common Biology Concepts with Alginate Beads

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Participants will make and use alginate beads containing algae and alginate beads containing yeast. They will learn how the beads can be used to model the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Risko

Ripple Effects: Investigating Ocean Acidification and Aquatic Ecosystems

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Why are some coral and fish species disappearing? In this 3D lesson, biology and environmental science students use real-time data to explore how excess CO2 in water affects the pH. Using their findings, students can model how these changes impact interdependent relationships in ocean ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Sense-Making through Real Science of Thermal Runaway in an Overcharged E-scooter

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: UL Research Institutes

This workshop focuses on sense-making about lithium-ion batteries and the phenomenon of thermal runaway. Participants will develop models to understand the phenomenon, applying cross-cutting concept of matter and energy. Participants will then ideate solutions for safer battery enclosures.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Gilbert, Jessica Sparacino

Show me the Moo-ney! Determine the Genetics of a CA$H-Cow

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Agriculture, biology, and business knowledge are essential on the modern farm. In this hands-on workshop, use gel electrophoresis to visualize genotypes for a gene necessary for high quality cheese, and help a dairy farmer select which breeding pairs give her the best chance to have a Ca$h Cow!

SPEAKERS:
Glenda Goh Denison

STEELS: Equipping Teachers & Engaging Students

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: LEGO® Education

Successfully engaging students in scientific reasoning, discourse, and investigation requires confident educators and reliable tools. Join us to explore hands-on lessons you can use to spark student curiosity, address Pennsylvania’s STEELS standards, and improve outcomes with LEGO® Education classroom solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Tom Taylor, Evangelia Papacostas

A Force to Be Reckoned With: Using Hands-On and Literacy to Build Elementary Students’ Understanding of Forces (K-5)

Thursday, March 27 • 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Join our interactive science workshop where literacy meets exploration! Immerse yourself in a world of discovery as we blend scientific concepts with the power of language. Through engaging activities see how to unravel the wonders of science but also enhance literacy skills.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Sarah Glassman, Hoover Herrera

Exclusive Exhibit Hall Hours

Thursday, March 27 • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Discover the latest and greatest science and STEM teaching and learning resources, tools, and products available during this break in concurrent sessions.

21st Century Science Using 21st Century Tools

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

What are the latest and greatest technologies and websites for science instruction? Come learn about them and how they can be used.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with an understanding of a variety of resources for incorporating technology into their science instruction

SPEAKERS:
Patti Duncan

Air Pollution and Art

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This lesson anchors student learning in real world local climate issues as they combine data literacy and art in the style of current working artists. Students turn graphs of local air pollution trends into art pieces that showcase their understanding of the sources and effects of each pollutant.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers gain ideas to create multidisciplinary units around authentic place-based climate issues while developing students’ data literacy skills. This lesson is engaging and produces powerful and beautiful evidence of student learning. Adaptable lesson plans will be included.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Carpenter

An Evolution Lesson Exploring Strategies to Reduce Antibiotic Resistance

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Bierema Antibiotic Resistance Lesson Plans.docx
Bierema Antibiotic Resistance Worksheet.docx
HHMI Biointeractive’s Superbugs That Resist Antibiotics Can Evolve in 11 Days
Poster

Show Details

Engage students in learning about the evolution of antibiotic resistance by exploring prevention strategies. Assess their understanding via infographics. Attendees will view student examples and receive a link to lesson plans and student worksheets.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how students can illustrate their understanding of antibiotic resistance evolution through infographic creation. The infographics will highlight why specific strategies for reducing antibiotic resistance are effective.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Bierema

Arts-Based Data Visualization

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Learn about research-to-practice applications of an arts-based data visualization project designed to enhance students’ ability to creatively represent contextual data.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will view examples of teacher and student products of arts-based data representation projects and consider applications of the research to their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rearden

Battle of the Sugars: Don't Sugar Coat It!

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Growing-Sugar-Recipe-Card_5x7.pdf
Growing Sugar Experiment
Sugar-Facts-Worksheet.pdf
Facts about Sugar beets and sugar cane., and their similarities and differences.
Sugar-Facts_Cards-5x7.pdf
Sugar Fact Cards- to complete the compare and contrast activity.
Sugarbeet-Process_Cards-8x10.pdf
Sugar beet process cards
Sugarcane-Process_Cards-8x10.pdf
Sugar cane process cards

Show Details

Did you know sugar is grown and refined in 17 US states? Sugar cane thrives in the south, while sugar beets flourish in the north. Discover the difference!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about the sugar-making process from field to final product and see a variety of activities you can use with students to discover the difference between sugar cane and sugar beets.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Sponholtz, Michelle Blodgett

Block by Block: Building Brains in the Minecraft Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GKslOA05UkbvM5cqvUiHzwMel1-WZHZbtpi81b9Om9Q/edit?usp=sharing
Resources about Minecraft Education and activities you can do with your students, including clubs like Girls Who Game and school events.

Show Details

Educators can integrate Minecraft Education with academic standards. They can create challenges for students to gauge students' interests and provide creativity using Minecraft. Educators will also discover that there are built in lesson plans on Minecraft Education to assist with standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
After this session, participants will be able to create lesson plans, integrate standards from multiple academic content with Minecraft Education. Educators will be able to instill enthusiasm and positive learning outcomes using Minecraft Education to teach students their core academic content.

SPEAKERS:
Veena Black

Bot Builders: Crafting STEM Skills One Robot at a Time!

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Learn how you can use robots to integrate with core academic content to teach skills to your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn about different types of robots that are available and how they can incorporate technology with academic content.

SPEAKERS:
Veena Black

Bridging the Gap: Cognitive & Technical Science Learning Through Lead Contamination

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Resources: BDASL
To access the resources on Bridging Dimensions of Authentic Science Learning, please enter an email address.

Show Details

Engage students in authentic science learning about lead contamination through interactive activities that integrate cognitive and technical perspectives.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will discover the significance of reframing lessons and traditional lab experiments through the lenses of cognitive and technical authentic science learning, empowering students to engage meaningfully with real-world scientific issues like lead contamination.

SPEAKERS:
Eual Phillips

Bring the River to Your Classroom: Designing Low-cost Artificial Riparian Ecosystems

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Interested in bringing river ecology to your classroom? This presentation will introduce strategies to engage learners in place-based ecology on a budget. In this unit, students will research local riparian plant species, design a tank to house them, and monitor the ecosystem health over time.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students are more engaged when the learning they are doing resembles their surroundings. Viewers of this lesson can expect to encounter strategies to bring local riparian ecology into the classroom and how to adapt their lessons to reflect their local ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
Tobias Kochenderfer

Carbon Cycle in the Elementary Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

I will have a tri-fold of the carbon cycle. I will also have print outs of vocabulary to use, a coloring sheet with carbon cycle, and an exit ticket or a way to test knowledge. I will also have some other helpful links and resources that explain the carbon cycle.

TAKEAWAYS:
The attendees will be learning how to incorperate sceince into their school day. There will be resources and print outs of how to explain the carbon cycle to elementary level students.

SPEAKERS:
Lydia Chapman

Comparing Ground-Based Weather Observations with Satellite Data in the Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Resources
Poster Resources

Show Details

Learn to compare ground-based weather observations with satellite data using visible and infrared imagery. This session will provide hands-on activities with My NASA Data to help students analyze weather patterns and understand how different observations complement each other.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to integrate ground-based observations with satellite data, using hands-on activities with My NASA Data to help students analyze and understand weather patterns from both local and global perspectives.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Smoak, Diane Ripollone

Computer Science, Entrepreneurship, and Design – An Enticing Approach!

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This poster shares a middle-school project where students create fictional ice cream parlors! Students design menus and merch, create a website, and build 3D models. Along the way, they’ll pick up important skills through connections to computer science, engineering, entrepreneurship, and design.

TAKEAWAYS:
The ready-to-use “Ice Cream Parlor” project offers students exciting ways to engage with important STEM concepts in an interactive, relevant, and hands on learning experience. The project inherently has many avenues for extension that can integrate it seamlessly into a variety of courses.

SPEAKERS:
Cristin Sedelmaier, David Amiel

Connecting Students to Nature: Addressing the Plant Awareness Disparity Through Botanical Exploration

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Explore how our instructional modules address the Plant Awareness Disparity by empowering high school students to connect with their botanical heritage. Our hands-on approach fosters equitable access to STEM learning through place-based exploration of personal, cultural, and community assets.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will discover how our modules promote equity in science education by engaging students in hands-on botanical exploration, fostering deep connections with nature, and aligning with contemporary research and educational standards.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Moore

Cultivating Critical Thinkers for Real-World Science

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This session provides strategies to enhance students' critical thinking skills in science. Participants will learn ways to support students to navigate the information landscape, by discerning credible sources and building strong scientific knowledge.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will leave the session equipped with strategies to encourage students to extend their thinking and knowledge beyond the classroom, enabling them to become informed, thoughtful, and engaged citizens in an information-rich world.

SPEAKERS:
Rosiane Lesperance- Goss

Designing NGSS-Aligned Research Trips: Authentic Science in the Bahamas

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Resource Notion Page on Designing NGSS-Aligned Research Trip
Wong NGSS-aligned Research Trip Poster

Show Details

Explore how to design an immersive research trip that aligns with NGSS life science standards. I will share my experience leading a trip for 40 ninth-graders to the Bahamas, where students engaged in authentic science by conducting hands-on fieldwork, and what the students learned in the end.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn what NGSS life science standards are aligned in the overseas trip that incorporates authentic field research methodologies like GIS, environmental data collection, and graphing to create meaningful, real-world science experiences for students.

SPEAKERS:
Akira Wong

DIY Solar Lanterns While Aspiring Towards a ‘Purpose Driven Light’

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Sunshine in a Jar Shareables NSTA (Google Drive)
This Google Drive contains Student Lab Manuals, Student Assessments, PowerPoints, and the NGSS Standards aligned with the Sunshine in a Jar Project. My contact information is found on the "Shareables" Document. If you want to me to contact you when the new kits are available, fill out the Contact Form in the folder.

Show Details

Upon witnessing poverty in South Africa 13 years ago and wanting to make an impact, the idea of storing “Sunshine in a Jar” was developed. Currently, this solar lantern project is evolving into a “Power it Forward” movement in hopes of providing reliable solar power to those in energy poverty.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendants are briefed on the solar lantern project, which covers the middle and high school NGSS Physics standards as well as the NRC Framework Standards for Matter, Energy, and Human Impacts. Plans will be shared about how these lanterns are launching a movement towards alleviating energy poverty.

SPEAKERS:
Pamela Ulicny

Do You Know What’s M.I.S.S.I.N.G.?

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Do you know Meaningful Integration Strengthens, Supports, and Inspires the Next Generation? This hands-on workshop is designed for middle school instructors to give and share ideas, structures, and strategies to integrate science with math, reading, writing, and critical thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants leave ready to collaborate and demonstrate the new found structure and strategies gained from the workshop. The workshop provides attendees with authentic and meaningful ideas that inspire students to read, write, understand mathematics and use critical thinking in science.

SPEAKERS:
Yolanda Williams

Drop the Ball: Learning about Material Physics, Motion and Quadratics Through Sport Design

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

A Research Experience for Teachers (RET program) could be an inspiration for science and engineering lessons for the classroom. Our research rekindled our passion for STEM education and we believe it is contagious! Learn about the RET program and check out lesson materials for physics and math.

TAKEAWAYS:
How can you convert a university research experience into a high school classroom lesson?

SPEAKERS:
Tanima Mukherjee, Faith Palombi

Empowering Educators to Craft Inclusive Canvas Courses

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Empowering Educators to Craft Inclusive Canvas Courses

Show Details

This poster showcases how you can transform your Canvas courses into inclusive, dynamic, and enriching learning experiences for all students. Swing by to tap into essential strategies, tools, and best practices to foster inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility through your school's Canvas site!

TAKEAWAYS:
This poster showcases strategies such as Canvas Groups for collaborative learning, media opportunities with Canvas Studio, and using Canvas to showcase student understanding in vibrant, visual ways. Plus, discover proven webinar engagement strategies to captivate and inspire your online learners!

SPEAKERS:
Tanya MacMartin, Ed.D.

Empowering teachers to weave Indigenous Knowledge with STEM lesson through an Online Professional Development Course

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This poster showcases the culturally relevant middle school 5E STEM lesson that interweaves Native American stories, language, and culture through Two-Eyed Seeing and Place-Based Learning. The lesson is part of the Native Earth Native Sky free online asynchronous professional development course.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about effective strategies and tools to implement culturally relevant STEM lessons that interweave Native American stories, language and culture. Attendees will also learn about other lessons that are a part of an online asynchronous professional development course.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah McDowell, Angela Just

Engaging Learners in Science Storytelling, Journalism, and Communication Through STEM Education and Experiences

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
SciFri Educational Collections
Educational activities, audio and digital stories, and other media from Science Friday.

Show Details

Engage learners in science through exciting hands-on activities, media, and discussions that make complex topics accessible. This lesson showcase offers free, adaptable resources, tools, and strategies to inspire STEM interest in classrooms and spark critical thinking in learners of all ages.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain strategies to engage diverse learners with hands-on STEM lessons that foster inclusion, critical thinking, and community connections, while empowering them to address real-world challenges through science literacy and active participation.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Roberts

Engineering with Paper: Amazing projects with the Simple Supplies

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Access to supplies is often a barrier to learning yet amazing projects can be made with just paper, tape and scissors. Paper is great for introducing students to engineering fundamentals. Together we will explore how to use just  paper, tape and scissors to make amazing engineering projects

TAKEAWAYS:
Science and engineering can be done with inexpensive materials

SPEAKERS:
Godwyn Morris

Enhancing Assessment in Math and Science through Success Criteria

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
CLEAR Steps To Making Success Criteria (1).png
Enhancing Assessment Popwerpoint
How To Create Success Criteria With Students
Success Criteria Frequently Asked Questions

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

This session will explore using Success Criteria as steps toward mastery in math and science assessments to enhance student understanding and engagement. Participants will learn to create quality open educational resources (OER) that align with standards for effective assessment practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will leave with practical strategies for integrating Success Criteria into assessments, promoting student ownership of learning and improving instructional practices in math and science.

SPEAKERS:
Laura - Ashley Hayes

Enhancing K-12 STEM education with Teach Engineering and NCWIT AspireIT Toolkit

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Teach Engineering Poster
Teach Engineering Poster

Show Details

Teach Engineering and the AspireIT Toolkit offer educators free resources to enhance K-12 STEM education through inclusivity, hands-on learning, sensemaking, and student-centered instruction. These tools empower educators to create engaging and accessible STEM learning experiences for all.

TAKEAWAYS:
This poster session introduces the Teach Engineering K-12 STEM digital library and the NCWIT AspireIT Toolkit. These tools are designed to enhance K-12 education with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and hands-on learning, addressing the need for equitable access to high-quality STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Dua Chaker, Jennifer Kracha, Ellen Sukovich

Ethics in Science! Boosting Literacy Through Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Ethics, biology, algebra, reading, what do all of these things have in common? Much more than you would think! Stop by to learn how we have been using ethics as a throughline to help students develop their literacy and numeracy skills in their science class.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with cross-disciplinary tools. Attendees will see examples of ethics in science and how that fosters discussion and develops class culture while creating connections between core disciplines.

SPEAKERS:
Leila Haghi

Exploring Prosthetics and Al Inspired by Roz the Wild Robot: An AEOP - RESET Output

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

In this lesson unit, middle school students explore interdisciplinary concepts through the book "The Wild Robot" integrating ELA, Science, and Computer Science.Transitioning to the Engineering Design Process (EDP) students embark on a project to design and build prosthetic hands inspire by the book.

TAKEAWAYS:
This lesson unit not only enriches students' comprehension of "The Wild Robot" but also provides valuable experience in engineering and AI. It connects literature with practical applications, enhancing problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Suters, Kim Alvin De Lara

FlowTaters

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Potato aquaponics is a method of growing potatoes in a symbiotic system that combines aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil). Aquaponics reduces the need for various chemical fertilizers and helps to conserve water, making it a promising for urban farming.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn what is needed to be able to successfully grow potatoes in an aquaponics system. They will also, learn about the sustainability and resource efficiency that comes with this type of farming. The information provided will help with optimal growth for the plant.

SPEAKERS:
Emery Breitbarth

For the Love of Outdoor Education

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Outdoor Ed Resources
Outdoor Education Slides

Show Details

Outdoor education takes many forms and focuses on promoting real-world, inquiry-based learning. Learn how schools in different states have developed camping programs including how to effectively prepare, advocate for, and organize a camp experience integrating NGSS standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Outdoor Ed aligns with NGSS to enhance learning through hands-on, inquiry-based activities. Visitors will gain strategies to create an outdoor education program that fits their school's needs, including lessons and units that foster critical thinking and problem solving.

SPEAKERS:
Myriah Leisher, Pamela Waters

Geology Field Course in Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

The University of Nebraska offers a geology field course to science teachers where participants will travel through Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota over a 2 week experience. The only cost for participants is tuition.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants in the course will not only learn about the geology of the area, but they will also learn new strategies to reinforce 3 dimensional learning in their own classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kyle Thompson

Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to Life

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Explore innovative strategies from the book, "Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to Life". Join author Annalies Corbin, PhD as we reimagine the classroom, overcome change barriers, and collaborate on implementing successful school innovations that prepare students for the future.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will leave with a customizable "Hacking School Toolkit" containing five actionable strategies, and implementation guides to immediately begin transforming their classrooms by connecting curriculum to real-world challenges and opportunities.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Schneider

High School Biology Students' Sense-making Using Instructional Routines (NARST)

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Challenges exist in implementing the NGSS and structuring equitable collaboration opportunities in the classroom. Join us to learn from a research study on a NGSS-aligned curriculum development and professional learning project that integrated the use of discipline-specific instructional routines.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, participants will learn key take-aways from a research study on how the use of instructional routines supported NGSS implementation and student sense-making in a high-school level Biology course.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Chatham

How to Build a Local Data Set in your Own Backyard

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Attendees will receive materials for a unit on nutrient cycling and the transfer of matter. Student examples show collection and sensemaking of their own data using iNaturalist. Students then apply data to monitor and make changes to the ecosystem model, serving as a local and current data set.

TAKEAWAYS:
Scaled ecosystem models provide opportunities for students to generate their own data. Further generations of students can collect long-term data on the model. Data can be used to propose changes to the model and make sense of larger phenomena. Students develop personal connections to the ecosystem.

SPEAKERS:
Anna Verdiguel Gillet

Igniting Critical Thinking In an Anatomy Classroom with Patient Clinical Encounters

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

How does your doctor determine your potential diagnosis? Using the patient clinical format creates an interactive and engaging format for Anatomy & Physiology students to develop critical thinking and communication skills in a team-based setting.

TAKEAWAYS:
Beyond the realistic application of curriculum, students develop the skills and confidence to increase personal advocacy with their doctors and medical professionals when they understand the clinical problem solving process.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Howe, Becky Mortland

Implementing Hexagonal Thinking: A Concept Mapping Strategy

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Hexagonal Thinking in the Elementary Classroom (1).pdf
Slides from workshop-style presentation
NSTA 2025 Handout.pdf
PDF of handout with hyperlinked QR codes. Strategy for any grade level, any subject area (including interdisciplinary). PK-1 should be whole group with fewer words options.

Show Details

Hexagonal thinking is a collaborative hands-on concept mapping strategy focused on making connections across vocabulary, concepts, and other subject-specific components that can be utilized in any content area including cross-curricular settings. Come learn how to implement it in your own classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
For Upper Elem through HS. Participants will experience the strategy from a student POV, learn the process of implementation, and receive links to templates. Examples of student work will also be shown.

SPEAKERS:
Simone Nance

Introducing Science Tools to Our Smallest Scientists

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Introducing Science Tools .pptx
A few How To posters for the different tools and some of the activities

Show Details

This lesson teaches young children how to use some of the tools they will need when doing science with some simple (but fun!) activities. Tools introduced include: magnifying glasses, tweezers, stopwatches, eyedroppers, and measuring cups and spoons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be look at a few simple (but fun!) activities they can use to introduce basic science tools to their PreK-2 students. How-to posters, basic assessment sheet, and materials lists are included for these tools/activities.

SPEAKERS:
Marie Elaina Zuccaro

Inventor Trading Cards: Engaging Students with USPTO's Creative Learning Tools

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Join us at this Share-A-Thon to discover a treasure trove of educational materials and resources provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office of Public Engagement. Our poster session aims to showcase innovative teaching tools that empower educators to foster inventing and creativity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engage with live demonstrations of free educational tools and trading card lesson plans designed to enhance student learning across STEM at various grade levels. Learn about professional development opportunities for enhancing invention and intellectual property education.

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Hoppe

Investigating Human Impact on Coral Reef Ecosystems with Acoustic Data

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This poster demonstrates a series of activities using acoustic data from marine soundscapes to assess a coral reef habitat's ecological dynamics, functions, and resilience. The NGSS-aligned activities foster an interactive learning environment in all three dimensions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Ecological data, such as sound, can assess human impacts on Earth's systems and support decision-making to promote the responsible management of natural resources.

SPEAKERS:
Jocelyn Miller

Investigating Indoor Air Quality: Hands-On Learning for Grades 3-5

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Developed by experts in environmental health and K-12 STEM education, this unit for grades 3-5 teaches students how to understand and improve indoor air quality. Students read stories and engage in hands-on activities to explore indoor environments and take action to create healthier spaces.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to engage grades 3-5 students in investigating indoor air quality through storytelling and challenge-based activities. This modular unit empowers students to become active problem-solvers and builds their action competence in creating healthier indoor spaces.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Link, PhD

ISAMR: International Student Led Arctic Monitoring and Research Program

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Student leaders of International Student-led Arctic Monitoring and Research, a 20-year old after school science program. They will showcase 7 research groups' data and summer trip experiences including highs and lows on their science teaching and learning journey.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain a model for a science club doing authentic, novel research including concepts and lessons learned through 20 years of ISAMR. Adults will be on hand for questions, contacts and information sharing. Microbiome and permafrost depth feature heavily with some engineering and coding.

SPEAKERS:
Carla Guarraia

Making an Upcycled Seedling Planter and Wildflower Seed Bombs

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
How to Make a Seedling Planter.pdf

Show Details

Simple, easy, and inexpensive methods for starting a school garden by using upcycled and free materials

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will show teachers how to begin planting using upcycled and free materials, how to reuse containers as planters, how to make biodegradable seedling planters in seconds, and how to transform desolate ground into a blooming wildflower garden with seeds and a container of air-dry clay.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Kurson

Movement in Space: Evidence for a Hello-Centric Model

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Movement in Space
Accompanying Lesson Plan

Show Details

This lesson focused on Earth’s movement in space using a hands-on, inquiry based approach. In this lesson, students designed experiments to support a hypothesis that the helio-centric model is the most accurate in terms of explaining the phenomena: day & night and seasonality.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn to utilize inexpensive materials you may have lying around the classroom and/or at home to engage students in activities that will support them in their understanding of Earth’s movement in space. Teachers will receive an adaptable lesson plan with student examples that is customizable.

SPEAKERS:
Jaime Camero

NMLSTA - Sweet Math, How Much Corn Have You Drank Today?

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Carbonated beverage containers, juice and fruit drinks, dairy products, and sports beverages all contain sugar. Students better understand quantities and volumes and gain an understanding of serving size. Reading labels is important!

TAKEAWAYS:
One major goal of this activity is to get students to better understand quantities and volumes. What is the difference between a gram and a teaspoon? How much fructose, glucose, and/or sucrose is in the beverage you are drinking? A second goal is to assist students in understanding serving size.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Cunningham

NMLSTA: A National Organization for Middle Level Educators

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Learn about the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association and what we offer to our members.

TAKEAWAYS:
The National Middle Level Science Teachers Association (NMLSTA) is the only national organization dedicated to the support of middle level educators—grades five through nine.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Lou Lipscomb

PBS LearningMedia: A STEM Teacher's Toolkit for Engagement and Discovery

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Discover how PBS LearningMedia, a free and trusted resource for PreK-12 classrooms, utilizes media-rich resources from PBS shows like NOVA, NATURE, Weathered, and PBS Eons to spark students' curiosity, facilitate student sense-making, and support 3D learning frameworks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies for seamlessly incorporating multimedia content from PBS LearningMedia into curriculum and learn new methods to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving as students learn about and discuss challenges posed by environmental issues and the potential solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Merek Chang, Lori Brittain

Phone Physics: E&M Sampler

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
E&M Sampler

Show Details

How do you leverage the powerful computer in students' pockets to teach E&M? The modern smartphone's magnetometer can be used to do things as basic as detecting currents and permanent magnets and as complex as collecting data to linearize and discover distance dependencies.

TAKEAWAYS:
Every student "doing the lab" is better than one student "doing the lab" and 3+ students watching a demonstration of the lab. Turn your students into scientists with the tools to answer questions right in their pockets.

SPEAKERS:
Helene McLaughlin, David Rakestraw, Michael Tobler

Playdoh Is NOT just for Playing

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Experience Playdoh as a highly functional three-dimensional tool connecting two-dimensional learning. These STEM strategies engage and promote interactions with all learners across curriculums.

TAKEAWAYS:
Playdoh is a highly functional classroom manipulative that makes three-dimensional learning possible using two- dimensional curriculum

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Erica McNeil

Priming our Students for Success in High School Science

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

During this session we will introduce a series of lesson plans that can help students recognize the value of science to their personal decision-making, so that they fully engage in science lessons throughout the year.

TAKEAWAYS:
Our students are constantly bombarded with crazy claims on a daily basis. Science presents a process for elevating specific ideas that can then be deemed ‘factual’. Making scientific claims based on evidence is a process students should be aware of, especially when making decisions for themselves.

SPEAKERS:
Makenzie Kuhns, Samantha Bechtel, Nancy Yoak, Linda Fuselier, Keegan Woodlee

Putting the Spotlight on the People and the Process of Scientific Ocean Drilling in an Open Educational Resource (OER)

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Scientific ocean drilling is disappearing from textbooks. An OER was developed to share the ships and sampling process, profiles of scientists and crew, and onshore analyses. The OER includes multimedia material, interactive fact checks, and student exercises to increase ocean literacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Viewers will learn about the organization of a free educational resource on scientific ocean drilling, which includes spotlights of the scientists and crew in text and audio, video clips, interactive fact checks, and questions and exercises, to increase student ocean literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Guertin

Science Storytelling

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

What makes a good story? How can simple storytelling connect us to learning science? This interdisciplinary project allows students to explore science picture books and environmental children's stories while learning about science communication in their community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students can dive into diverse storytelling methods and explore the importance of storytelling in accessible science communication. Students will express environmental stories they care about to a community audience. AZ Standards Engaged: 1.E1U3.8, 8.W.2, 3, 4, 7

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Becker

Sensemaking About Bee Vision Through STEAM

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This poster will present an activity that dives into the phenomenon of bee vision, building personal relevance and connection through engagement in STEAM practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore the intersections between science sensemaking and STEAM, taking home a lesson that engages students in discovering how bees see the world.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Carsten Conner

Sensemaking in Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions for 8th Grade Physical Science

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Participants will be provided with engineering lessons for two 8th grade physical science topics: electromagnetism plus force and motion. The focus is on how the lessons were implemented, student work was assessed, and discussions to improve instruction and student learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will see video evidence of teacher-student interactions in real time as the engineering lesson was implemented. Additionally, participants will see samples of student work and the feedback teacher candidates provided.

SPEAKERS:
Imelda Razo, Makenzie Wall, Romola Bernard

Shaping the Future: 3D Printing & Modeling in Modern STEM Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Poster Presentation (1).docx

Show Details

Discover how 3D printing and modeling can transform STEM education. Come ready learn practical strategies, see student-driven projects, and gain resources to bring hands-on, problem based creative learning into your classroom. Learn how to integrate this into all subject areas to bring STEM to life

TAKEAWAYS:
Whether you're new to 3D printing or want to expand its use, this session will provide ideas, resources, and confidence to integrate 3D technology into your classroom. Learn how to use free software to bring science and engineering concepts to life, engaging students in real world projects

SPEAKERS:
Scott Woodard, Alicia Yewcic

STEM-ulating Choices and the Art of Differentiation: Making Science Fun for Everyone!

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This session will showcase STEM choices educators can consider to gauge students' interests with academic standards. Student artifacts will highlight the NSS of Human and Structure, i.e. the skeletal system on Minecraft Education, skeletal system illustration of cartoon characters.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will explore offering students choices to foster collaboration and creativity in their learning of science standards.

SPEAKERS:
Veena Black

Stirring Up Chemistry: Transforming Students’ Experiences Through Food and Cooking

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

How can we make chemistry more interesting, relevant, and exciting to students while maintaining rigor? Hear from different high school chemistry teachers about how they used food-based phenomena aligned to NGSS to teach chemistry concepts like bonding, IMFs, chemical reactions, and properties.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how teachers have used different series of lessons centered around different food-based phenomena and labs and how this has helped student engagement, disposition, their idea about what science is, and the understanding of science concepts.

SPEAKERS:
April Thompson, Jocelyn Puett, Alyssa Wachsman, Kate Strangfeld, Makala Woods

Sweet! Engineering Design Process Challenge

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Engage students in the engineering design process by having them design and create candy dispensing machines. The project will be presented from the perspectives of different educators at different grade levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how to use Halloween candy dispensing machines to engage students in exploring the Engineering Design Process. We will share project rubrics, instructions, and examples to guide the implementation. Discussion on extending the project to reflect additional themes will be included.

SPEAKERS:
Fernando Azcona, Eileen Koenig

Teacher Leadership in Action: Transforming Professional Development Through a Teacher-Led Elementary Science Conference Conference Strand

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Explore teacher leadership in this session on a pioneering elementary science conference created by teachers for teachers.Discover how two educators built a collaborative space to meet the need for quality science PD while leading from the middle.Including testimonials from participants.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore the journey of how teachers successfully led a science conference from initial concept to execution, as well as the challenges faced in exercising teacher leadership. Takeaways include insights into the structure and impact of a teacher-led conference on professional growth.

SPEAKERS:
Abbey Gilligan, Dr. Leana Peltier

Teaching Physics Using Multiple Representations

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Give students opportunities to demonstrate their understanding and dive deeper into physics content through multiple representations. Learn strategies that can be used to deepen students' understanding and improve performance on FRQ #2, Translation Between Representations, on the AP Physics exams.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn engaging classroom strategies that allow students to communicate their knowledge of physics through multiple avenues and make connections between multiple representations and physical scenarios.

SPEAKERS:
Dee Dee Messer

The Art Institute of Chicago: Art + Science Videos and Curriculum

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
RLC Presents: Art + Science Videos and Curriculum
Join museum conservators in their laboratories as they use science to investigate and care for works of art. Art + Science videos and their accompanying lesson plans explore science concepts and STEAM careers in museum conservation. Each lesson plan details teacher preparation and facilitation and is paired with a student resource to aid in student learning. The videos and curriculum are designed for middle and high school students. Art + Science is part of a collaborative effort between edu

Show Details

The Art Institute of Chicago’s Art + Science videos and accompanying lesson plans explore science concepts and STEAM careers through the work of museum conservators and technicians. Each lesson plan details teacher prep and facilitation and is paired with a student resource to aid in learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore core science topics and STEM career opportunities featured in the four Art + Science videos and their accompanying lesson plans through engagement with the videos, curricular materials, and hands-on activities.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Compton, Corinne Rose

The Fire Protection Engineering Design Challenge - A Local High School Competition Promoting Interest in STEM and Safety Science

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

An annual high school competition organized as a team-based student project to design a creative solution for a fire safety problem. Student teams work in their high school, are provided with educational material, a small-scale house model, mentoring, and compete on Burn Day to test their solution.

TAKEAWAYS:
An example of how high school science teachers can introduce exciting and instructive educational material on STEM and Safety Science into their classroom. Attendees will learn about the unique field of Fire Protection Engineering (FPE) and learn how to include FPE material into their curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Hollywood, Arnaud Trouve

The Formative Science Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Guiding your students through sensemaking is a combination of more than you’d expect: the questions you ask, the activities you choose, and even how your classroom set up. In this session, you will learn the components of a formative classroom and walk away with ideas to enhance students' learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn the components of a formative classroom, and specific techniques they can use in order to give students a more formative experience; examples include collaborative work, room setup, cycles for questioning, appropriate feedback, and more. This can be done with any age group.

SPEAKERS:
Rama Sreekantham

The Spooky Organism Project: A Highly Scalable and Creative Biodiversity Activity

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Spooky Organism Project Grading Rubrics_NSTA.docx
This document has all of the grading rubric used throughout the project.
Spooky Organism Project_NSTA.docx
Handout given to students at the start of the project. Students should refer to this throughout.
Student Presentation Grading_NSTA.docx
Give this to every single student in the class in order to grade their fellow classmates' presentations. The first page is a copy of the grading rubric used by the teacher and the second page contains tables used by the students to rate one another's presentations. Be sure to read the note at the top of the second page for key information about the final grade for the presentation.

Show Details

This workshop will have participants engaging in an abbreviated version of a highly interactive and creative project that emphasizes key concepts about biodiversity and ecology while allowing for creative flexibility. Teachers involved in the life sciences are encouraged to join!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about an engaging, fun, and creative multi-day in-class project centered around key concepts related to biodiversity and ecology. Attendees will also leave with materials to seamlessly integrate this project into their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Paul Marban

Unraveling Earth's Mysteries with the National Earth Science Teachers Association

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Dive into the "Curious Cloudy Connections" crafted by the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) to help foster systems thinking and community science engagement in classrooms. Learn how NESTA cultivates vital connections, enhancing Earth and space science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about a unique way NESTA supports quality Earth and space science instruction across all disciplines with community learning and engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Natalie Macke

Unveiling Student Motivation: The Influence of the Classbank Online Program on Reassessment and Engagement

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

This presentation will share results of my research with a middle school science class on how the online program Classbank boosts student motivation for reassessment in mastery-based learning. It examines how game-like rewards impact students' willingness to improve performance and perceive learning

TAKEAWAYS:
A key takeaway is how Classbank's gamification enhances middle school students' motivation to engage in reassessment, driving improvement in performance.

SPEAKERS:
Alma Fernandez, Cecilia Duenas

Using Hands-on Activities to Engage Students

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

It is quite a task to keep teenagers engaged in concepts being taught in the classroom, especially if it is a subject that they are uninterested in. This lesson focuses on one of the ten broad concepts of physics, Light, and provides an opportunity for the students to have hands on learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learning doesn't involve just lecturing for sixty minutes. There are many different learning types, and in a classroom, you may experience different backgrounds, knowledge level, and comfortability. This lesson should remind the attendees how important it is to keep learning interesting.

SPEAKERS:
Ellianna Trilling

Using Makey-Makey to Enhance Hands-On Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Using Makey-Makey controllers is a great way to increase hands-on learning in STEM classes. This presentation will explore how Makey-Makey works and how it can be used within different lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how the Makey-Makey controller can be used in a variety of different lessons and settings.

SPEAKERS:
Alyna Raynovich

Using Molecular Models can be a Sparkling Experience, Opening the Door to Science

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
InvitationToHEC
Please also check out our other sessions.
PosterMolcularModelsPhilly2025.pdf
The QR code at the bottom right of this poster provides more information about the lesson plans and the app. Please visit our website ! https://www.kasetsu.org/4_english/news.html
StudentsLoveMolecularModels
A quick look at our poster

Show Details

How can we introduce even first-grade students to atoms and molecules? Visitors can hold actual teaching materials and models that students will build, view photos and classroom evaluation data, and learn how molecular models can deepen even young students’ scientific understanding of our world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn a basic plan for younger students who are new to atoms and molecules and for more advanced students who are fed up with reaction formulas. It includes concrete, practical examples to introduce them to the physical images of atoms and molecules in a fun way.

SPEAKERS:
Koji Tsukamoto, Haruhiko Funahashi, Tomoko HASEGAWA, Mariko Kobayashi, Taro YAMAMOTO

Using Research Projects to Engage Students

Thursday, March 27 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Animal Research Project Poster

Show Details

This research project is a multi-day project that enables students to improve their communication skills, their ability to find accurate information, and to use the creativity inside of them. Students will create a diorama of their animal in its habitat and assist a younger student in their learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
This poster will help give attendees an idea of how they can incorporate more activities that dip into multiple subjects in their lessons. It will provide them with practical examples that they can take and use in their own classroom regarding research projects.

SPEAKERS:
Kylie Buchholz

Adapting Instructional Materials to Focus on Climate Justice: A High School OpenSciEd Physics Example

Thursday, March 27 • 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B


Show Details

We show how instructional materials can be adapted for local contexts—and how to elevate issues of climate justice and ethical responses to the climate crisis. Participants will learn about how a high school physics unit from OpenSciEd was adapted to attend to Indigenous land rights and sovereignty.

TAKEAWAYS:
In relation to science and engineering projects in society (e.g., associated with the energy transition, ecological restoration, urban development), teachers will learn how to engage students in exploring moral and ethical dimensions of trade-offs in project approaches.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell, Kelsie Fowler

AI Meets PBL: Building NGSS-Aligned Units with Ease

Thursday, March 27 • 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slides and Resources

Show Details

Engage your science classroom with Project Based Learning aligned to NGSS. Explore how AI streamlines creating PBL experiences, build a PBL unit with an AI-powered platform, and refine it with collaborative feedback for actionable classroom ideas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use AI to create Project Based Learning experiences that are aligned with the 3 Dimensions of NGSS

SPEAKERS:
Kristy Lathrop

How Can We Get Staff Ready for the Shifts Required for the Effective Implementation of High-quality Instructional Materials?

Thursday, March 27 • 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

The implementation of high-quality instructional materials requires support as teachers make the shifts needed for effective use. Dig into Change Management from The Elements of curriculum based professional learning to figure out how key lessons can help you lead change.

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:
Jim Short, Jody Bintz

"Author" - Model-Based Inquiry in Biology: Three-Dimensional Instructional Units for Grades 9–12

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B


Show Details

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Audrey Baird, Ron Gray

"I Can't Wait for Science!" The How and Why of 3D, Phenomena-based Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A


Show Details

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 it.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Delaney, Matt Krehbiel

#CombattingMisinformationInSocialMedia

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon J



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Climate Change Misconceptions.pptx
Power Point from the presentation. QR codes within link to the Google Doc that accompanies the activity

Show Details

Learn how to leverage the power of social media to break down student misconceptions, rather than build them. Teachers will engage in an activity finding fake news on social media, then discussing how to adapt the activity for their own classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will experience an engaging activity designed to help students directly confront misinformation they encounter on social media. By having students confront their own misconceptions about hot topics, we empower them to be more responsible consumers of information in the future.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Dobrin

“Seeing” Biology: Strategies to improve access for students who are blind in our biology classrooms

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon B


Show Details

Participants will engage with different stations that focus on 3D models and activities that are modified to help students who are blind experience inquiry in an appropriate and parallel way as sighted peers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave this 60 min workshop with strategies for modifying their own labs and hands-on class activities to better ensure that every child can “see” biology.

SPEAKERS:
Steffanie Shoop, Hellanna Koflowitch

15-Questions To Ask Before You Adopt Any Program

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

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 success for implementation. This process will share information about alignment, usability and budget, as well as exposing “blindspot” costs. 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 navigational guide to support their adoption and implementation process.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Harlan

All About Balance: STEMwonder in PK-2 Classrooms

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
AAB Categories for Mini Unit Blocks (2).pdf
Sometimes we lose sight of creative ways to challenge ourselves. Take your thinking deeper as you work with a balance bar with these challenges.
AAB Game_Hula Hoop Game 7.15 (1).pdf
Suggestions for games using hula hoops.
AAB Game_Stacking Stones 7.15 (1) (1).pdf
Suggested rules for playing the stacking stone game.
AAB Game_Tetra Tower (1).pdf
Directions for how to play Tetra Tower.
AAB Game_Tetra Tower Cards (1).pdf
The purchased games has very tiny cards. We enlarged them to help children with tiny hands.
NSTA ALL ABOUT BALANCE OVERVIEW.pdf
Selected slides from the presentation
Questions That Nurture STEM Thinking: A Handout to Support Asking Good Questions
Research tells us that children learn most when consistently given feedback on performance (Pianta, et al, 2005). Effective feedback focuses on the process of learning NOT simply on getting the right answer. When educators provide specific information about their work, children can reach a deeper understanding of concepts than if they work without feedback. Feedback can also provide the motivation to stay engaged in an experience. Children want to know that their teacher values their work and by
Rise and Thrive with Science: Teaching PK-5 Science and Engineering
This publication from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine is free for download. It is practitioner friendly and a great resource for a book study.
Science and Engineering in Preschool Through Elementary Grades: The Brilliance o
This publication from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is free for download. It contains the research and supports to advocate for early STEM learning.
STEM for Our Youngest Learners Series by Teachers College Press
This book series supports educators of young children in investigating force and motion, light and shadow, and water dynamics.
STEMwonder Professional Development.pdf
Our approach to early STEM education and how our approach to early engineering differs from most curricula
Tinkering with Tops
This is a Cliff's Notes style of a STEM experience exploring rotational motion with young children.

Show Details

No time for science? Tap into children’s curiosity and wonder to bring joyful, student-led STEM experiences into your classroom. Engage in teacher-play as you design and engineer kinetic balance sculptures and imagine how you can make STEM learning happen daily in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
PreK-2 educators will be provided a framework for integrative STEM learning that fits into their scheduled day, and learn how it easily integrates with existing curriculum. By designing and engineering a kinetic balance sculpture, participants will view STEM from the perspective of PreK-2 children .

SPEAKERS:
Beth Dykstra VanMeeteren

Astronomy & Space Science for Today's Classrooms for Grades K-4, 5-8 and 9-12

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Simulation Curriculum

Unlock the cosmos for your classroom with our tailored workshop! Discover engaging teacher resources and delve into the latest astronomical discoveries. Gain confidence and tools to ignite students' curiosity about the wonders of the universe, fostering a passion for science. Grades K4, 5-8 and 9-12

SPEAKERS:
Michael Goodman

Be a Genetic Counselor!

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon E



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Folder with student and teacher launch pads, links to rubrics, primary literatur

Show Details

Give your students the chance to take on the role of a genetic counselor and apply their understanding of genetics to real world scenarios, including creating a pedigree, using NCBI and interpreting primary literature.

TAKEAWAYS:
Work through the genetic counselor project from a patient background, solving a pedigree, learning how to use NCBI, and interpreting primary literature. You will take home the student directions, exemplar projects, list of relevant primary literature articles, and teacher key.

SPEAKERS:
Ilana Saxe

Beyond the Label: Authentic STEM Experiences for Students with Disabilities

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C


Show Details

Gain practical knowledge to provide accessible STEM experiences for all students. Participants will analyze scenarios and brainstorm ways to create a more authentic experience for students. Participants will have the opportunity to apply these new strategies using provided STEM lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with ideas and actionable strategies to engage all students in learning STEM at appropriately challenging levels.

SPEAKERS:
Beverly Berekian, Jessica Minton

Brand New Active Integrated Physics and Chemistry book – 1st edition 2025!

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Come and participate with the author of the book, Arthur Eisenkraft, for a close-up look at a new Physical Science book. Experience a fun, take-home lab and learn more about this super curriculum from Activate Learning.

SPEAKERS:
Gary Curts, Arthur Eisenkraft

Bringing Back the Macromolecule Lab Without Crazy Prep

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Teach macromolecules without the crazy prep! In this micro-scaled lab activity, students test for starch, glucose, protein, lipids and DNA, without the need for large volumes of reagents, cleaning test tubes, or boiling reagents. Then students apply their knowledge and test various unknown samples.

SPEAKERS:
Priya Mangano, Lindsay Hamilton

Bringing STEM to Life: Uncovering the Power of History in the Science Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides

Show Details

How can we bring STEM to life by weaving in history? Explore exciting activities that link groundbreaking discoveries and innovations with historical events, helping students connect STEM to the real world and see its role in shaping our past, present, and future!

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover fresh, innovative ways to fuse history with science! Attendees will explore hands-on, interdisciplinary activities that bring science lessons to life, deepening student engagement and making complex concepts more relatable by linking them to historical breakthroughs and events.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Verdeflor, Yishan Lee

Civil Discourse in the Environmental Science Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 3



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Civil Discourse in Science and Technology
A tips & tricks document, example Environmental Science connected lesson, and videos. More coming soon.
Civil Discourse Toolkit for Middle School Teachers
Many free slideshows, resources, forms, lessons, and more that are adaptable to a wide range to set a foundation for ongoing civil discourse in the classroom.
STEM Educator Survey
Sphere wants to hear from you! Our nonprofit is dedicated to helping educators foster civil discourse, and we strive to create resources that meet your needs. Share your thoughts to help shape our support for you.

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Integrate healthy habits of conversation into your students' learning with the civil discourse framework. Empower yourself with strategies and resources to engage students in respectful discourse when conveying their understanding of a topic related to environmental science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Equip yourself with tools and lessons to leverage in bringing civil discourse to your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Lane, Elyse Alter

Classroom Agreements to Support Sensemaking: OpenSciEd Elementary

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A


Show Details

Experience how classroom agreements can create productive and safe spaces for elementary students to share their ideas, let those ideas change and grow, and engage with each other as a community of learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Elementary students can co-construct classroom agreements that support an environment where they recognize that science can be done in many ways, feel safe and compelled to share their ideas and questions, listen/look/respond to others' ideas, and let their ideas change and grow.

SPEAKERS:
María González-Howard, Carla Robinson, Leticia Garza, Janna Mahfoud

CSSS: Effective Use of Reading within Hands-on Investigations

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B


Show Details

Reading comprehension is central to sense-making in science. Hands-on investigation provides context and curiosity to motivate students in active reading. The session provides science education leaders and teachers with tools and strategies for using exact readings in scientific investigations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants receive a set of strategies for using effective readings within scientific investigations and a set of over 400 lessons aligned to the NGSS and STEELS standards. The lessons have hands-on investigations with exact readings to support learning core ideas and crosscutting concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Brett Moulding, Sarah Sleasman

Data Logging from Egg and Spoon Races to Earthquake Proof Structures

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B


Show Details

A hands-on experience for understanding how to utilize Micro:bits as a tool for manually or automated data collection, analyzing data sets, introducing data science concepts, and using phenomena to evoke curiosity and connecting to a STEM project.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore how students can use Micro:bits to log motion data in and egg and spoon race and then improve the design of their spoons to reduce motion. Extensions to the use of the data logging function include designing earthquake proof structures and a mini house moving project.

SPEAKERS:
Eileen Koenig

Deeper Learning with BrainPOP Science

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Spark engagement and deepen understanding with BrainPOP Science! This workshop explores phenomena-based learning, investigations, and STEELS-aligned strategies for grades 6-8. Discover how to differentiate instruction and empower students to become confident scientific thinkers and writers.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Bonville

Demystifying What Data Skills to Teach When & How in Elementary Classrooms

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A


Show Details

Building a strong foundation in working with data is key to students’ long term science interest and success. However, it can be hard to find ways to best help students make sense of data. We will share a research-backed developmental sequence and grade-leveled rubrics for student data literacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a developmental sequence for developing data literacy for students across grades K-12, with particular focus on how to use it for instructional and assessment development for late elementary school.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Jabot, Kristin Hunter-Thomson

Devices for Delivering and Developing 2D & 3D Assessments

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Devices for Designing & Developing 2D & 3D Assessments

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Looking to design well-scaffolded, standards-based, clustered assessments but not sure where to begin? Learn about available tools and resources to help kickstart your 2D and 3D assessment design. Develop a system for constructing performance assessments that are relative and meaningful for all learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will evaluate existing 2D & 3D assessments, gain access to assessment design checklists, learn how to develop questions, distinguish between scenario and data-based prompts and begin to construct their own scaffolded performance-based assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Burns, Jessica Mintz

Differentiating Instruction in the MS Science Classroom (Why, When, & How)

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Differentiation in MS Science at Dawson NSTA 2025.pptx

Show Details

In science, differentiation supports inquiry-based instruction and learning. When the teacher takes students' needs into account, investigations and explorations become more engaging and authentic for students as they explore the natural and designed worlds.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with strategies for differentiating instruction by aptitude, outcome, feedback, and resources, including things they can do before, during, and after instruction to meet the needs of each student where they are.

SPEAKERS:
Hilary Kahn, Kelly Gooden

Discover, Collaborate, Engineer: A Workshop for Practical Learning in Middle School

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Teachers' Curriculum Institute (TCI)

Join us for an interactive session where engineering meets speed dating! Experience hands-on challenges inspired by TCI's middle school science programs. Attendees will participate in engineering-focused "speed dates," uncovering valuable insights.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Kumar

Empower & Create: Maker Space STEAM Projects for Neurodivergent Learners

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Makerspace STEAM Projects for Neurodivergent Learners

Show Details

Neurodivergent students often think differently - aren’t we lucky they do? We will share best teaching practices that involve inclusive innovation. Learn to engage students in STEAM learning where they create authentic maker space products that build their self-confidence.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain ideas for maker space projects that utilize laser cutting, 3D printing, stop motion videos, and coding. These can help students demonstrate their understanding of earth science, physics, and life science, as they build on students’ strengths and creativity.

SPEAKERS:
Brianna Surette, Megan Saunders

Empowering Advocates for Climate Justice

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA PHILA25_ Empowering Advocates for Climate Justice.pdf

Show Details

Climate change disproportionately impacts people living in already vulnerable communities. Developing student understanding of equity and justice is crucial to building a more climate literate society. Join us to explore hands-on activities that empower students to become part of the solution.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore strategies for facilitating meaningful conversations about climate justice through hands-on activities that encourage students to identify inequities that leave communities vulnerable to the effects of climate change and to brainstorm ways to counteract those impacts.

SPEAKERS:
Youna Kim, Rosa Pongchit, Timanda Wertz

Empowering Next-Gen STEM Entrepreneurs with Turnkey Science Programs

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon H


Show Details

Join us for an exciting mini workshop designed to familiarize students with innovative technology, entrepreneurship, and career pathways leading to a career in STEM. This hands-on session is perfect for teachers to explore trending STEM careers with easily scaled classroom programs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers and faculty will walk away with examples of STEM innovation and entrepreneurship programs developed by the Manufacturing USA network. These programs can layer over existing classes and familiarize students with career pathways and new technologies.

SPEAKERS:
Brad Conrad, Amy Keesler, Christy Johnson, John Zappa

Empowering Student Voices: Building Future STEM Leaders with the CSO Initiative

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon L



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Philadelphia - CSO Presentation

Show Details

Join us for an engaging session with the Chief Science Officer (CSO) state coordinator, a high school mentor, and students as they lead a panel on this transformative initiative. Discover how this hands-on program builds workplace skills, amplifies student voices, and shapes future advocates.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to foster student empowerment through the CSO program, support advocacy, and explore its statewide impact. Discover how the program prepares future STEM leaders and change advocates while strengthening your science community, and learn how to bring it to your district!

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Schwab, Dylan Fedell

Empowering Teachers as Designers of Science Instruction

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Ftf_AKENAXFK-ensSCqHwwybSYmx72ii2ertRETW0d0/edit?usp=sharing

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

In three-dimensional science instruction, teachers play a critical role as designers of learning experiences that promote sensemaking. This session will explore how educators can implement high-quality instructional materials to create engaging, three-dimensional earning environments. Participants will examine key indicators of effective science instruction, their implications for classroom observations and evaluation, and strategies for fostering teacher confidence and innovation. Attendees will gain insights into supporting teachers as they design and implement meaningful, student-centered science learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Zoe Evans, Elizabeth Pawlowski

Engaging Students and Multilingual Learners with Nature-Based Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
PLT Actividad Cada Arbol Por Si Mismo
PLT Every Tree for Itself Activity
PLT Explora tu Ambiente
PLT Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide
PLT Slides - Engaging Multilingual Students

Show Details

Learn strategies and try hands-on lessons to engage all students and multilingual learners in exploring the natural world through, STEM-focused content. Receive three free lesson plans with connections to NGSS, Common Core, and UN SDGs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain knowledge and materials needed to engage all students and multilingual learners in nature-based learning. Walk away ready to immediately use these strategies and materials.

SPEAKERS:
Ana Leirner, Kate Nagle

Engineer Physical Science Excitement with a Carolina STEM Challenge®

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Rockets zoom and race cars zip through hands-on activities that engage your middle and high school students. Apply creative problem-solving skills and engineering practices to chemistry and physical science challenges. Experience how Carolina makes it easy to incorporate STEM into your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Patti Kopkau, Alexandra Felts

Examining status as a way to support student science identity development

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon G


Show Details

Teachers can increase equitable instruction by understanding student status and identity. Attendees will reflect on their status and identity as science learners to inform classroom practices by graphing their status, discussing the role of identity and naming strategies to elevate all learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain strategies to positively influence student status and support identity development for an equitable classroom culture. Collaboratively, attendees will raise questions about developing equitable classroom communities and generate strategies to support all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Rosiane Lesperance- Goss

Experience Kinematics: Multiple Representations in the Physics Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon K


Show Details

Learn what representations and data your students can use to bridge phenomena and mathematics, and how to use data tasks to assess 3D kinematics understanding, as opposed to rote algebra skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to assess student problem-solving ability and conceptual understanding through students' use of multiple representations and approaches in physics classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Moore

Explore National Ocean Service (NOS) Education Resources for Your Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom III



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA FY25 NOS Classroom Resources Workshop Presentation_Final.pdf

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Dive into a sea of classroom-ready resources! With standards-aligned teaching materials, tutorials, hands-on activities, PD, and funding opportunities, NOS Education supports ocean, coastal, and climate learning at ALL levels and engages students and communities in hands-on stewardship.

SPEAKERS:
Alexandria Gillen

Exploring OpenSciEd Elementary School from Carolina (K-5)

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Come experience a hands-on model lesson from OpenSciEd for Elementary School and discover how the Carolina Certified Version enhanced these high-quality instructional materials, making them more accessible, user-friendly, and safer for classroom use.

SPEAKERS:
Hoover Herrera

From Chalkboards to AI: Leveraging Instructional Tools and Practices

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Link to Resources and PDF of Presentation Shared
Please reach out to me if you have a question at [email protected]

Show Details

AI is rapidly transforming the landscape & will soon be a regular part of your students' everyday experiences. Join me to discover how to utilize AI tools to enrich your professional growth & instruction. We'll delve into the potential pitfalls of AI & how it might mislead you and your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn to explain the workings of AI tools like ChatGPT, leverage AI to enhance their professional expertise & incorporating it into your planning and lessons. They will also become aware of the limitations of AI tools in aspects such as safety and questioning techniques.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Anne Royce

From Silence to Spark: Tools and Strategies for Guiding Meaningful Student Discussions

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Discussion Planning Guide-2.pdf
OpenSciEd 3 Discussion Types
OpenSciEd Discussion Planning Tool
Silence to Spark Slide Presentation - FINAL.pdf
Silence to Spark Slides with notes.pdf

Show Details

Unlock the secret to engaging middle school minds! Dive into dynamic discussion tools and powerful questioning techniques that will ignite classroom conversations. Elevate your teaching game with enhanced pedagogical insights, ensuring science becomes irresistible to your students. Don't miss out –

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain practical discussion and questioning tools, rooted in the crosscutting concepts, to transform quiet classrooms into spaces of students actively engaged in sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Brianna Reilly Oliveira, Kate Soriano, Ann Guglielmo

Get Moving! Kinesthetic Clues and Cues for Success v2025

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Get Moving! Presentation Slides
HOW TO_ Cell Membrane structure.pdf
HOW TO_ Doppler Dodger.pdf
HOW TO_ Human Diffusion Lab.pdf
HOW TO_ Meteor Disco.pdf
Human Diffusion Lab worksheet.pdf
For student use when completing the Human Diffusion Lab.

Show Details

Learn to use some of the standards-based physical activities and "kinesthetic clue" mnemonic devices used at one of New Jersey's top-performing middle schools. See how when you get kids moving, it gets them learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Tired of having your students waste time and energy trying to memorize things? Have them “Get Moving!” Kinesthetic activities help make the shift from memorizing to mastery.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ciuffreda

Get Your Classroom Poppin’ with Boba: Unpacking Ions, Ionic Compounds, and Chemical Reactions through Hands-On Labs [Teaching Science through Food-Based Phenomena]

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon D


Show Details

How can we teach concepts like ions, ionic compounds, & chemical rxns in a fun, meaningful, & rigorous way? Through the phenomenon of popping boba! We will walk through a series of investigations and hands-on labs to explore its properties and how it is made.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a phenomenon-based lesson rooted in core chemistry concepts. They will engage in easy, investigative, and fun hands-on labs and see how we unpack how a gel-encapsulated liquid (popping boba) forms by exploring ions, charges, ionic bonding, and electrostatic attractions.

SPEAKERS:
April Thompson, Jocelyn Puett, Alyssa Wachsman, Megan McCall, Kate Strangfeld, Makala Woods, Hannah Holt

Hydroponics Across Borders: Two Educators’ Journey in Classroom Innovation

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon C


Show Details

Navigate utilizing hydroponics in the classroom to inform plant science concepts to generate a product used by your school lunch program. Teach students about the dynamics from seed to harvest and the scientific practices to manage systems to help feed a growing population in their communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain strategies to incorporate standards into a variety of course offerings using hydroponic systems as a view into the world of agriculture and their life science standards to support their learning. Teachers will walk away with lessons ready to implement in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Sprague, JESSICA JONES

I’m Drinking Acid?!: Explorations in Food Chemistry

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

From coffee to cola, many of your students’ favorite beverages contain acid! Help them investigate the acid concentrations in different drinks using pH sensors and a simple acid/base titration. Walk away with a go-to experiment and tips to connect key chemistry concepts to real-world food science.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Inclusive Chemistry Classroom: Strategies for Supporting ALL Students

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 307


Show Details

Join experienced inclusion teachers as they share practical strategies for supporting ALL students in chemistry classsroom. It will include a short, NGSS-aligned, phenomenon-based lesson, demonstrating how to adapt instruction for diverse student needs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with concrete strategies for supporting neurodivergent students,

SPEAKERS:
Cathy Zavacki, Anjana Iyer

Inspiring Future Scientists with NASA (Hosted by LEGO Education)

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: LEGO® Education

Join LEGO Education for a special presentation/Q&A with Dr. Lisa Carnell from NASA’s Biological and Physical Science Division. Learn how they use space-based research to study phenomena in ways that cannot be done on Earth. Get inspired, be curious, and empower the next generation through science. 

Integrating Data Science through the High School 2 Health Care Project: Empowering Teachers and Inspiring Students

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 305



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA2025 presentationIntegrating Data Science through the High School 2.pptx
NSTA 2025 slide deck

Show Details

Why is data science important? How can I integrate it in my classroom? The High School 2 Health Care project will share engaging data science content for teacher professional development. Join our interactive session to gain confidence to teach real-world data science and inspire your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
The High School 2 Health Care project aligns with the NSTA’s Position on Data Science that all students should have knowledge of data science and ethical use of data. Data science modules will be provided and results showing our modules increased teachers’ data science knowledge and self-efficacy.

SPEAKERS:
Simpfronia Taylor, Rebecca Reynolds

Integrating Space Concepts Into Your Classrooms

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A


Show Details

Learn how Blue Origin's Club for the Future is helping students get excited about space careers via hands on STEM lessons. Explore the lesson Cosmic Clutter: The Mission to Clean Up Space Debris and learn how to implement the lesson into your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to implement the lesson into their classroom and learn about the free resources Club for the Future has to offer.

SPEAKERS:
Kristen Yip

Interactive Soil Science Experiences for Students and Teacher

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C


Show Details

Participants will conduct a series of hands-on activities on the properties of soil and how they relate to ecosystem health and sustainability. Teachers will also learn about additional professional development opportunities where they can participate in fieldwork with soil scientists in their area.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave the session with concrete strategies and resources for teaching soil science concepts as they relate to a number of middle school standards. The activities foster inquiry-based learning and are intended to spark curiosity about the Earth beneath our feet.

SPEAKERS:
Sequoyah McGee, Lauren Brase, Ed Robeck, Lindsay Mossa, Maliya Malik

Lemur conservation: exploring biodiversity in Madagascar through DNA analysis

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Bring molecular techniques to Ecology and Evolution units with an activity based on the work of the Duke Lemur Center. Has an extinct lemur species been found again in the wild? Test DNA with gel electrophoresis, build phylogenetic trees, and analyze authentic field data.

SPEAKERS:
Rose Chaffee-Cohen

Lion Family Reunion: Conservation Biology Genetics

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

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

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell, Maria Dayton

Localizing National Curricula: Working together to center students and their communities

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Localizing Materials - IslandWood and The Lawrence
Localizing Slide Deck - IslandWood and The Lawrence

Show Details

Learn equity-focused strategies for centering students and their communities while teaching with NGSS-designed instructional materials. Using a localizing framework, you will explore examples created by teams of K-12 educators and consider how to adapt and apply these strategies in your own context

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with research-based tools and strategies that incorporate community assets, families, and student’s funds of knowledge into your science units to help your students see how science is relevant in their lives and their communities.

SPEAKERS:
Brad Street, Rebecca Abbott

Make Lab Safety Your Top Priority! Things EVERY Science Teacher Should Know and Do!

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

This session covers essential safety practices, including hazard analysis, proper PPE, GHS labels, risk management, and communication with administrators. Ideal for all science teachers, science supervisors, administrators and lab supervisors. Leave with actionable tips to prioritize safety! Visit https://www.flinnsci.com/safety/ for more information.

SPEAKERS:
Mike Marvel, Ph.D.

MFLOW - Coding Sound and Music Compositions for Elementary Students

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Listening to Waves Website
The curriculum and web applications are accessible at listeningtowaves.com

Show Details

You will learn how to use MFLOW, a web-based programming platform that makes it extremely easy to play with sounds and create sound compositions while learning the basics of programming. You will gain access to an NGSS-aligned curriculum to support students with coding and sound engineering.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn how to use MFLOW to sound engineer and code your own sound or music composition. Also, you will learn how to engage your students with coding through engineering design challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Alec Barron

Middle School Science: Exploring Real-World Phenomena with Vernier Sensors

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Is there a reason to wear sneakers in gym class or a white shirt on a sunny day? The data say yes! Help middle school students explore real-world science with Vernier sensors that measure temperature, light, color, force & acceleration. Walk away with 3D, sensor-based experiments for your toolkit.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Modern Day Citizen Scientists - how leaf packs can change how students view science in a high school biology classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 306


Show Details

This session will dive into how projects like a leaf pack ecology lab can turn students into citizen scientists and increase engagement in a high school biology classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a better understanding of ways they can help develop their students into citizen scientists through a leaf pack lab or other methods - the opportunities are endless!

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Aguiar

Moving from Primary to Secondary Data: Leveraging NASA Data to Explore Local Phenomena

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A


Show Details

Join us to learn how to use a place-based approach with data from NASA’s Earth System Data Explorer tool. Participants will take part in hands-on activities and pedagogical discussions to think about implementing place-based, data-rich activities using NASA resources in their own classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to access and use both primary and secondary data from NASA’s Earth System Data Explorer and other NASA resources (e.g., My NASA Data Literacy Cubes) to explore global phenomena at local scales, and reflect on instructional trade-offs for using different tools.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Salisbury, Karen Lionberger

Need a Biotechnology Curriculum? BioBuilder Has a Solution!

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Explore hands-on training in biotechnology! Teachers in this workshop will conduct two activities with BioBuilder’s proven classroom and laboratory curriculum designed for students gain industry microcredentials and to be college and career ready. Search "BioTechBuilder" online to learn more!

SPEAKERS:
Natalie Kuldell

NSTA's Position Statement on the Teaching of the Science of Climate Change

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

NSTA has revised and updated its position 2018 position statement on climate science, strengthening its commitment to high quality education on the teaching of the science of climate change. This presentation outlines the changes to the position statement and the rationale for the changes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will become equipped with the rationale and tools for necessary for teaching the science of climate change, as well as needed talking points necessary for engaging with the range of constituencies that have voice in or impact upon science education in general.

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Holzer, Michael Wysession, Kelli Grabowski, Eric Pyle

OpenSciEd for Chemistry! A Collaborative Working Group for Chemistry Teachers Beginning to Navigate the Curriculum

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon F



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
CWG Landing Page
A copy of the landing page for our session; has access to important links and space to record notes.
CWGOpenSciEd Slide Deck
Google slides that follow along with presentation.

Show Details

In this session, teachers will unpack the OpenSciEd Chemistry curriculum from a teachers point of view. Then they will work together to share tips and best practices around utilizing OpenSciEd in chemistry for their specific school context.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will have a better understanding about OpenSciEd in Chemistry through sharing with other teachers - no matter where they are in using this curriculum - and identify a future working group to navigate the curriculum together.

SPEAKERS:
Anthony Stetzenmeyer

OpenSciEd High School: Building Environmental Literacy with Local Phenomena

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 4



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
B.2 Virtual Storyline Activity
Session Slides

Show Details

How can you customize an OpenSciEd unit to dive into the issues that really matter to your students? This workshop aims to help teachers find and leverage community resources from outside the classroom to adapt an OpenSciEd unit (MS or HS) to include local phenomena around environmental justice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will walk away with tips and tools to help them choose local phenomena, find community partners, and integrate them into an OpenSciEd unit, all while maintaining coherence from a student’s perspective and honoring the lived experiences and resources of environmental justice communities.

SPEAKERS:
Erin McCool, Michelle Bolliger-Fyler

Phenomenon-based Learning: Using the Three Dimensions to Explore Space!

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 1


Show Details

Learn how to engage your students with the rich phenomena that stars and exoplanets can provide through the use of a free EQuIP-reviewed high quality ESS unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will deepen their understanding of how prioritizing phenomena-driven learning supports key HQIM features through exploring a free NGSS-badged ESS unit that engages student interest and relevance while integrating the three dimensions of argumentation, stability & change, and various DCIs.

SPEAKERS:
Devin Foschi, Dora Kastel

Precision, Measurement & Data: Fresh Career Examples for your Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 2


Show Details

Join this dynamic workshop to explore three hands-on classroom activities that highlight the math and science skills needed in the manufacturing industry. Explore how geometry, measurement, and critical thinking skills all come together to create new products.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn 3 hands on activities that demonstrate how science and math skills translate to real world jobs in manufacturing.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Diamantides

Promoting Scientific Inquiry through Dialogue

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B


Show Details

This workshop is designed to equip elementary teachers with strategies for fostering science inquiry through dialogue and discussion. By emphasizing collaborative learning and critical thinking, the workshop aims to enhance student engagement, understanding, and scientific literacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
The workshop aims to provide teachers with strategies for creating a supportive and inclusive classroom environment for discussion.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Sanvictores, Michelle Velho

Raising Nature Heroes- Bringing Climate Justice to Our Youngest Learners

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Blanket Activity-EE.pdf
Climate Action Resources.pdf

Show Details

Climate change affects us all, but not equally; the worst impacts are felt by marginalized communities. This is everyone’s problem to solve! We’ll explore real examples of kids coming together to make a meaningful change, and the role you as a teacher can take to support students in taking action.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore issues affecting their local communities and discuss ideas for curriculum around said issues. They will also develop skills for facilitating discussions with students and supporting children’s ideas for creating change.

SPEAKERS:
Rina Zampieron

Redefining Student Participation: How to Engage Middle School Students and Make Their Thinking Visible

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Philly 2025, Making Thinking Visible
Redefining Student Participation: How to Engage Middle School Students and Make Their Thinking Visible

Show Details

This session broadens understanding of student participation in science education by emphasizing idea sharing, dialogue, and collaboration. Participants will explore strategies to promote equity of voice and diverse ways of demonstrating understanding while identifying effective teaching moves to en

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with adaptable strategies to enhance student participation and discourse in science classrooms. They will learn how to create an engaging environment that promotes visible thinking and supports diverse learners through responsive teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Hernandez, Rose Ventimiglia, Grace Andrews

Scientific Inquiry and the NGSS in the Science Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Michael A Nutter Theater


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: The Wonder of Science

Explore 3-dimensional science instruction through modeling, argument-driven inquiry, and phenomenon-based teaching. Learn to apply the NGSS SEPs and CCCs using best practices and resources from The Wonder of Science. Led by Paul Andersen, this hands-on workshop is inquiry-driven.

SPEAKERS:
Paul Andersen

STEM Seeds: Cultivating Future Innovators Through Integrated Literacy and Technology in Early Childhood

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B


Show Details

Transform early learning with "Teaching STEM Through Literacy". Blend STEM, books, and tech to nurture 21st-century skills in young minds. Join us for hands-on activities that create immersive learning spaces, igniting curiosity and problem-solving in our littlest innovators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Empower early childhood educators to seamlessly integrate STEM, literacy, and technology, creating engaging, multi-disciplinary learning experiences that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of learning in young children.

SPEAKERS:
Clint Coleman

Stoichiometry: Visual & Hands-On Strategies for Student Success

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to facilitate deeper student understanding of mole ratios, stoichiometry, and limiting reactants. This hands-on activity uses common household chemicals to simplify setup and a Wireless Pressure Sensor to support live data collection and immediate data analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Riley

Storylines as Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies for Differentiating Student Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Participant Materials Folder

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Delve into the power of science as storytelling using storylines! Explore how the BioInteractive Sickle Cell Storyline sparks student questions to help them create connections between biological concepts and build deeper understandings.

SPEAKERS:
Lee Ferguson, Chris Monsour

Stream Monitoring & Civic Action Through the Leaf Pack Network

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: LaMotte + Stroud Water Research Center

Observe aquatic macroinvertebrate specimens, conduct experiments, learn classification skills, and calculate a biotic index in this hands-on introduction to stream ecology. Come learn from a Stroud Water Research Scientist. Take-aways and door prize!

SPEAKERS:
Michael Smith

Students as Data Artists: Breaking away from bar graphs

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Students as Data Artists Workshop.pptx

Show Details

Deepen student data literacy and build engagement with data sets that will surprise you! Activate critical thinking and questioning in data readers with innumerable and creative ways to represent data. Experience data representation as a scientist and artist.

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience graphing in artful and innovative ways. Modeled after ‘Dear Data,’ attendees will obtain and organize data, then create data visualizations to view as a community. Participants will receive lesson and activity plans to expand students’ thinking around graphing and data representation.

SPEAKERS:
Nina Hipps, Amanda Becker

Supporting All Learners in Successfully Engaging in the NGSS

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Participant Resources for Supporting All Learners

Show Details

Join us for a session on how 3-dimensional, phenomenon-based learning is designed for students with diverse learning needs and how we can ensure their success as we teach using the NGSS. We will explore practical examples of how to ensure your instruction is universally designed and accessible.

TAKEAWAYS:
Incorporating UDL with the NGSS helps all learners be successful. Attendees will gain practical strategies and tools for accessibility and inclusive practices for students in science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Sciacca

Supporting Civically Engaged Argument Writing in Science Classrooms

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slideshow
Website: Supporting Civic Argument Writing with Primary Sources

Show Details

Engage with routines and text sets—including primary sources from the Library of Congress—that can be used to support civically engaged argument writing about cross-disciplinary environmental issues like space debris, fast fashion, palm oil in foods, and minting new pennies.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to support students in (1) making sense of multiple perspectives and (2) contributing to ongoing civic conversations about issues of importance with the help of approaches and tools that have been developed by teachers and are freely available online.

SPEAKERS:
Trey Smith, Lisa Lapina, Javaha Ross

The ASCEND K–5 Project: Accelerating K–5 Science Education Through Networks and Design

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116


Show Details

Discover ASCEND K-5, an initiative that empowers educators, researchers, and leaders to take tangible actions, prioritizing equitable access and transforming K-5 science education in their systems. Join us to explore how it connects to your work in driving change in elementary science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will offer feedback on the ASCEND K–5 project, focused on transforming elementary science education by addressing key challenges. Through collaboration, networking, and shared insights, participants will help shape the strategic direction and contribute to the project's success.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanna Loper, Daniel Alcazar-Roman

The Environmental Footprint of Livestock

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon I



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Philly Env Footprint of Livestock handout.pdf
Workshop Slide Deck
Slide deck used in the workshop.

Show Details

Explore modern livestock farming practices and their environmental impacts. Classroom activities will be shared to help students understand why plant-source and animal-source foods differ in their environmental impact as they think critically about the trade-offs involved in various food systems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Animal-source foods have a larger environmental footprint than plant-source foods (per unit of food produced). Evaluating the sustainability of food production systems requires critical thinking and an evaluation of socioscience to understand factors outside of science that impact our food choices.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Gardner

The Power of Peer Support: Elevating Science Instruction Through Informal Leadership

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Landing Page w/ Resources
Session Slide Deck

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Teacher mentors can support the implementation of high-quality science curriculum. Come learn about a model that provides teachers with ongoing professional learning to develop leadership and informal mentoring skills that support science instruction when called upon by their colleagues.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about a program that prepares teachers to serve as informal mentors who can support the implementation of high-quality science curriculum within their school community. The model provides teacher mentors with on-going professional learning to continually improve their leadership skills.

SPEAKERS:
Caroline Stabile, Kelly Houle, Zachary Orefice

The State Policy Landscape in 2025 and Its Implications for Science Education

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 304/VIP


Show Details

This presentation would cover 2025 trends developing in state-level education policy and their potential to impact science education and science teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Be an informed science educator on the big policy issues that could impact your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Alex Molinich, James Brown

Three Dimensional Assessment and Standards Based Grading: It just makes sense!

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Anchored Science Holistic Grading NSTA Phila Handout
Anchored Science Holistic Grading NSTA Phila Slides

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Assessing student sensemaking can be time-consuming, and applying standards-based grading can seem overly vague. In this session we’ll analyze 3D assessment scenarios to uncover their scaffolded structure, and use that structure to develop leveling rubrics that quickly convert to traditional grades.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with samples of high-quality, scaffolded three-dimensional assessment scenarios, and strategies to make standards-based grading quick and consistent.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara McIntyre, Chris Geerer

Unlock Excitement in Education: K-12 STEM Competitions and Awards Administered by NSTA

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Shell Awards flyer
Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge requirements and checklist

Show Details

Discover incredible opportunities in 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 programs and awards that are sure to ignite a passion for discovery and innovation.

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 K-12 students and teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Lasky, Amanda Upton, Sue Whitsett, Brian Kutsch

Using Data Puzzles to Explore Offshore Wind Energy

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Wind Farms of the Future Landing Page

Show Details

Come learn about Data Puzzles, a free resource co-designed by climate scientists and instructional specialists from the University of Colorado Boulder that combine authentic data with Ambitious Science Teaching instructional practices to help students make sense of phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore the Data Puzzles instructional framework in the context of the Wind Farms of the Future resource and leave prepared to implement these 2-3 day sensemaking lessons in their own middle and high school classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Ann Marie Dubick, Kerri Wingert

Using Research-Based Strategies to Promote More Equitable Participation in OpenSciEd Classrooms

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Coherence Research Brief
This brief focuses on research-based strategies for promoting equity in students' sense of coherence.
Contribution Brief
This brief focuses on research-based strategies for promoting equity in students' contributions to knowledge building.
Relevance Brief
This brief focuses on research-based strategies for promoting equity in students' perceptions of the relevance of a lesson
Session Slides
tinyurl.com/allseetitems

Show Details

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 participation.

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. The key to improvement is testing research-based strategies for promoting more equitable participation in class.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Campanella, William Penuel

What Science Champions Sound Like: How Our Classrooms Have Made the Shift

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Amplify Science What Science Champions Sound Like - NSTA 2025

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

Learn from a panel of educators who have successfully made the shift to 3-D teaching and learning – what steps they took to begin, strengthen, and sustain their implementation journey and how it has impacted classroom culture and student growth.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Stenger, Hilda Aganga-Williams

Who Wants to Win Jeopardy When You Can Be MacGyver

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Planning Cycle Worksheet
This is the template to use to help plan units.
Presentation Slide
This file contains a pdf of the presentation slide for "Who Wants to Win Jeopardy When You Can Be MacGyver"
Systems Game Rules of Play.pdf
This file contains the rules of the system game played during the presentation

Show Details

Performance Learning Instruction shifts from traditional content based teaching to a hands-on approach, where students, like "aspiring MacGyvers," construct knowledge by solving problems and sense-making, rather than simply verifying and recalling information.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this workshop, you will engage in instructional design by viewing performance learning and phenomena from the perspective of students and then teachers. Learning by doing, participants will collaborate to learn how to design instructional units grounded in phenomena and promoting sense-making.

SPEAKERS:
Beth Penney, Heather Wheeler, Sue Downer

Wondering, Wiggling, and Working- Bringing Inquiry to Your Primary Science Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Wiggling, Wondering and Working- Bringing Inquiry to Primary Science Classroomas

Show Details

Participants will explore hands-on stations as they use inquiry analysis tools to dive into phenomena, primary sources, and discovery boxes about coastal phenomena. Participants will share, engage, and connect with multiple tools, strategies and PreK-2 resources to use to analyze coastal phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Inquiry-based teaching focuses on moving students beyond general curiosity into the realms of critical thinking and understanding. We must encourage our students to ask questions and support them through the investigation process, understanding when to begin and how to structure an inquiry activity.

SPEAKERS:
Betsy Glisson

You are what you Breathe: Demystifying air quality in the science classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
You are what you Breathe NSTA Philly 2025.pptx
Thank you for attending the air quality session. Please use the links and QR code in the slide deck to access the activities we presented in the session on 3/27/25.

Show Details

Teachers rotate among stations to explore air quality activities, sensors, service projects, and games aligned with NGSS/CC standards followed by discussion. Phenomena-based lessons and assessments that address wildfires, climate change, and environmental justice will be prioritized.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers can confidently engage students with air quality topics to empower them with skills, content, and actions to protect their communities. Includes free activities from the Air & Waste Management Association, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Clean Air Partners.

SPEAKERS:
Joann Held, Madelyn Percy, Amelia Cavazos, Elizabeth Spike

"SAT" - Sweet Math: How Much Corn Have You Drank Today?

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Carbonated beverage containers, juice and fruit drinks, dairy products, and sports beverages all contain sugar. Using sugar packets to visualize amounts, students see the quantity and volume of sugar in various drinks and gain an understanding of serving size. Reading labels is important!

TAKEAWAYS:
Students can easily compare sugar content in containers of the same volume. Similar drinks packaged in different sized containers, or different drinks packaged in different containers makes calculating sugar content a math problem. Students use math to calculate sugar concentrations and totals.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Cunningham

AMS Professional Development Opportunities

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
AMSSummerCourses.png
https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/education-careers/education-program/k-12-teachers/

Show Details

The American Meteorological Society’s Education Team offers four professional development courses for teachers throughout the year. Learn about these free opportunities to deepen your understanding of Earth Science topics and how to teach them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will walk away with information about the DataStreme Weather and Ocean, Project Ice, and Project Atmosphere, including the focus and components of each course, types of activities, and how to apply.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Ripollone, Erin Smoak

Creating a Circuit Board Game

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Circuit Board Game supplies
Copy of space game board template.docx
space game draft template.docx

Show Details

I will present an electrical circuit game that uses closed circuits and a switch. This game can be adapted for higher or lower classes and can be used for limitless topics.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to help students research, design, and build a closed circuit gameboard that uses simple materials.

Deal me in! The ADAPTATION GAME Brings Science to Life

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
1 NSTA Resource List-Passive to Active.pdf
Resource List (with clickable links) for STEM books with game activities, prepared for NSTA Session "Passive to Active: Games to Make Science Literature Accessible" - March 29 at 1 pm, Room 115B.
Adaptation Game Instructions-The Oddball Book of Armadillos.pdf
Teacher instructions for playing "The Adaptation Game" with students (bingo-style!)
DOOR PRIZE TICKET.pdf
Use this ticket to enter door prize drawings at our sessions: win beautiful newly published STEM books!
NSTA 2025 resource folder for teachers.png
QR code link to resources for our sessions. Come join us! Door Prizes! - NMLSTA DEEP DIVE: STEM Book Activities to Spark Curiosity and Inquiry - PASSIVE TO ACTIVE: Games to Make Science Literature Accessible
ODDBALL BOOK OF ARMADILLOS-Teacher Guide.pdf
Full teacher guide to THE ODDBALL BOOK OF ARMADILLOS including printout pages for cards (or contact [email protected] for printed card decks)

Show Details

Gamify your classroom with "The Adaptation Game," a fun activity supporting critical thinking, art skills, and data organization. Loosely based on the nonfiction book, THE ODDBALL BOOK OF ARMADILLOS, the game helps kids understand natural selection. Free card decks and book giveaway!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain a free, easy-to-use classroom activity that encourages science literary and supports reading skills. During the session, we'll play a round or two. You'll design and draw your own special critter...but will it survive? Suitable for MS and upper elementary levels.

SPEAKERS:
Sierra Satterstrom, Elizabeth Shreeve

Designing for Diversity

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Our classrooms are filled with diverse learners who value choice. We must proactively design differentiated activities that empower students, fostering independence, creativity, and ownership. Join this share-a-thorn session to explore strategies for designing and implementing Choice & Voice!

TAKEAWAYS:
Takeaway from the share-a-thorn session include: designing Choice & Voice assessments and empowering students to be independent learners, knowledge constructors, and creative communicators. The presenter will share tested, standards-based Choice & Voice assessments and student work exemplars.

SPEAKERS:
Gaganjot Singh

Dragon Fire

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Dragon Fire Genetics.pdf
Translating genotypes to phenotypes

Show Details

Students cross alleles to create a dragon genotype. They will then interpret the genotype into a phenotype and assemble a paper dragon.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to decode genotypes and turn them into phenotypes.

SPEAKERS:
Sharon Miller

Elevate Your Earth and Space Science Classroom with Windows to the Universe

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Enhance your Earth and Space Science teaching and student learning with free instructional resources from Windows to the Universe! Bundle high-quality materials for effective lessons related to any Earth and space science topic.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will access the Windows to the Universe web resource filled with high quality instructional resources that can be used to enhance Earth and Space Science lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Holzer

Energy!

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
5th Tracking Matter Prairie Cards.pdf
5th Tracking Matter Teacher Pages.pdf
5th Tracking Matter Wetland Cards.pdf
5th Tracking Matter Woodland Cards.pdf

Show Details

NGSS inquiry based lessons about food and energy, as well as energy transfer will be shared. All lessons are OER.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with an understanding and blueprint of how to incorporate these lessons into their classroom, as well as make necessary modifications.

SPEAKERS:
Liz Martinez

Explore Classroom-ready, NGSS aligned, Earth Science Resources from NOAA Ocean Service Education

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

NOAA Ocean Service Education offers classroom ready, standards aligned Earth science resources for teachers to immediately plug into existing curriculum, as well as opportunities to receive up to $5000 in funding to develop and carry out stewardship projects in their school or community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will receive classroom ready, standards-aligned resources so they and their students can learn about Earth science in the air, on the ground, in the ocean, how it relates to their everyday lives, and how they can receive funding to address environmental impacts to their community

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Moravchik

Exploring Kinetics with Sphero

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Activity card (Golf).pdf
All my information that I give to all the teacher that went to my presentation.
Activity Card (Soccer).pdf
Activity Card.pdf
Activity Cards .pdf
Case Study_ Harlem Childrens Zone.pdf
Code Mat (City).pdf
Code Mat (Instructions).pdf
Code Mat (Space).pdf
Code Mat Instruction.pdf
Direction sheet for practice day.pdf
Exploring Kinetics.pdf
Forces and Changes in Motion Education Presentation in Hand Drawn Lightly Textured Style.pdf
Guide at Home.pdf
Lesson Plan Form.pdf
Sphero Kinetics.pdf
Sphero Robots and the Periodic Table.pdf
STEM Funding .pdf
Whitepaper Play Based.pdf

Show Details

Learn to use the Sphero Mini robot to teach middle school students kinetics concepts like velocity, acceleration, and force. This session offers hands-on activities aligned with NGSS, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and inquiry-based learning to make science engaging and interactive.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to integrate the Sphero Mini robot into science lessons to teach kinetics concepts such as velocity, acceleration, and force, using NGSS-aligned, hands-on activities that foster student engagement, critical thinking, and collaborative inquiry-based learning.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Marrero

Growing Green: Launching and Leading Your School's Green Team

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Visiting teachers will explore strategies and resources to start or strengthen a Green Team at their school. Two experienced advisors—one specializing in 4-5th grade teams and another in 6-8th grade teams—will provide insights and actionable tips for launching or enhancing an effective Green Team.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about options for meeting schedules, team goals, and varying levels of involvement, so they can decide what will work best for their students. Beginners and those advisors with established teams will leave inspired with actionable ideas to implement and improve their Green Team.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Metzger, Kristin Slota

It Takes a Watershed to Raise an Oyster

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This middle school oyster curriculum project uses the Eastern Oyster in Chesapeake Bay as the organizing theme through 7 lessons that incorporate the three dimensions of learning and builds issue investigation skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
The interdisciplinary lesson sequence asks students to investigate how the Eastern oyster populations and the Chesapeake Bay watershed have changed since the time of Captain John Smith, the effect of land use on water quality, and how we can rebuild oyster populations and the reef ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
Peggy Steffen

Just a Small Town School, Living in a STEM World

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

All students should have access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities, especially PK-12 learning environments. Experience and learn how one small rural school has sparked excitement for STEM on the primary campus and continued to foster this environment on the secondary campus.

TAKEAWAYS:
After this session, participants will be able to learn how one small rural school has sparked excitement for STEM on the primary campus and continued to foster this environment on the secondary campus.

SPEAKERS:
Judy Butcher

Life Science Sans Specimens

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Animalearn will showcase hands-on and tech-focused dissection alternatives, including a newly developed and low cost dissectible frog model and AR/VR experiences that will wow middle school students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Middle level science teachers will learn about a wide variety of non-animal anatomy resources that can be utilized in the classroom to replace dissection specimens.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Green

Monitor Global Seismicity In Your Middle School Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Using free or low-cost resources in the middle school classroom, you can get your students excited about earthquake science. IRIS and EarthScope resources will be shared, explained, and demonstrated.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be able to have their classrooms and students monitor local, regional, and global seismic events even before they make national news stations. Authentic seismic data in the classroom will make your science classes more relevant and interesting for all students.

SPEAKERS:
David Curry

NASA Earth System Satellite Images and Data Literacy Cubes

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Explore the NASA Earth System Satellite Images for six variables over the course of a year and six lesson plans incorporating the My NASA Data Literacy Cubes to make sense of the mapped data.

TAKEAWAYS:
This resource uses differentiated resources to make sense of curated NASA Earth data.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Rizzi

Reflecting on Resilience in Middle Grade Classrooms with the Dimensions of Success Observation System

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

You will learn how the Dimensions of Success for Middle Grades Learning Engineering and Science (DoS-MiddLES) classroom observation system can help teachers reflect and discuss with peers about their strengths & areas for growth as they integrate resilience with science and engineering learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Do you want to identify strategies to support your students' building resilience and thriving skills, such as perseverance, voice, reflection, or positive relationships, through engaging in authentic science and engineering experiences in grade 6 to 8 classrooms?

SPEAKERS:
Virginia Andrews

Resources, Resources, and More Resources! Science Resources for Middle Level Educators

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

These materials have been compiled by the NSTA Middle Level Teaching Committee working in conjunction with our affiliate the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association (NMLSTA). They include a comprehensive document that displays resources linked to NGSS PEs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with a set of online resources that they can use immediately!

SPEAKERS:
Anne Schoeffler

Shape of Life Debuts the New Tree of Life Animation Film

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Shape of Life will debut their new animated film of the Tree of Life created by Ray Troll which depicts the beginning of life on earth.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through two featured Lesson Plans, teachers will learn how the film was constructed with a fun intereactive Tree of Life puzzle along with how to build animation.

SPEAKERS:
Denise Ryan

Shape of Life Presents Ray Troll's Tree of Life animation film

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Shape of Life provides FREE online resources that depicts the evolution of the animal kingdom on planet earth. Drived from a PBS eight hour series, Shape of Life offers short videos, animation film, lesson plans, feature articles and readings that have been engaging students all over the world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how students may create their own cartoons and animations that depict the evolution of the animal kingdom as seen in the newly produced film by Ray Troll.

SPEAKERS:
Denise Ryan

Share the Excitement! Biotechnology for Middle School!

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Come try engaging, exciting and hands-on biotechnology activities for middle school students. Using colored dyes, students learn the basics of pipetting and running an electrophoresis gel.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about age appropriate biotechnology activities for middle school.

SPEAKERS:
Whitney Hagins

Soaring into STEM: Air Camp Middle School Aviation Resources

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Air Camp is a hands-on educational adventure in aviation and aeronautics for students in grades 4-12 and K-12 STEM educators. Aiming to connect, inspire, and provide STEM learning opportunities while offering teachers professional development, valuable resources, classroom materials, and much more.

TAKEAWAYS:
Access to teacher resources and professional development opportunities designed to integrate aviation-focused STEM lessons and real-world applications into the middle school classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Stormer, Christina Davis

STEM in Action: Free Resources Through The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) immerses students and educators at all levels for free in STEM programming. Through competitions, summer camps, and comprehensive professional development, AEOP stands at the forefront of educational innovation, preparing participants to excel in life.

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:
Brian Kutsch

Teach Evolution like a Pro!!!

Thursday, March 27 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science has dozens of FREE resources, including entire units for teaching evolution in an engaging way. We will be giving away copies of our book, On Teaching Evolution. Become a part of a friendly teacher network that pays you to present to fellow educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers are their own best resources. Whether you are looking for resources or want to share your love of evolutionary biology with colleagues, our institute wants to help. Funded entirely by donors, we offer free professional development in all 50 US States.

SPEAKERS:
Bertha Vazquez

5+1 Model: How to Integrate Earth Science in Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 3


Show Details

The EarthX team has developed a 5+1 model to integrate earth science in biology, chemistry, and physics curricula. Attention to three-dimensional teaching, phenomena driven units, student-centered learning, and responsive teaching for all students are paramount to this model.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using the 5+1 model for Earth science integrated instruction, participants will analyze units and lessons in biology, chemistry, and physics for the presence of key components designed to differentiate instruction for all students with a focus on diverse learners.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Hood, Kevin Garner, Alan Berkowitz, Cassidy Johnson, Edmund Mitzel, Jr., Ph.D., Kyle Gregory, Nina Groseclose

A Closer Look at Animal Behavior: Using Ethograms to Support Student-Centered Investigations

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/EducatorPrograms
A link to materials will be provided to session attendees.

Show Details

Ethograms are tools that scientists use to study and share data about animals in nature and in managed care. This NGSS standards-informed session provides an introduction to ethograms, practical tools, resources and strategies for engaging students in their own animal behavior studies.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain "start to finish" strategies, tools and resources to support student-centered animal behavior studies and inquiry using ethograms. Participants will also gain knowledge about how scientists use ethograms and behavior studies to monitor and support animal well-being.

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Steinmeyer

A Tree Grows in the City - Student Sensemaking through Urban Tree Data

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon E



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Link for A Tree Grows in the City - Wade Institute

Show Details

Urban tree populations have a unique ecology that you can bring into your classroom! Join the Wade Institute for Science Education and the Forest Service’s Springfield and Philadelphia Urban Field Stations to explore storyline teaching, inquiry investigations and local phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be introduced to strategies central to storyline teaching, including phenomena-based instruction, and learn how to collect data using tools and methods to evaluate urban forest and tree health, and share that data through participatory science.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Ryack-Bell, Kathryn Atkins

Adapting OpenSciEd Materials to Address Local Phenomena and Community Priorities

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 1



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
ACESSE Resource E
This resource is focused on helping selecting an anchoring phenomenon for a unit you are developing
Adaptation Tool
This is an investigative phenomenon adaptation tool from the PeBLS2 project
Interest Survey Data
Summary of data examined in the session related to students' interests
Overview of ACESSE Resource H
This resource focuses on how to attend to student interests and community priorities in selecting phenomen and has examples from different regions
Slides from Session

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

It is powerful to connect science instruction to local phenomena and community priorities—but it is challenging work! Join us to explore benefits and cautions of adapting OpenSciEd instructional materials to local contexts and to learn multiple strategies for localization of resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with practical strategies and resources to adapt OpenSciEd effectively, making science education more culturally relevant, engaging, and impactful for their students.

SPEAKERS:
William Penuel, Melissa Campanella

Awesome Real-World STEM Activities You Can Use Today! Ideal for Middle and High School STEM Courses!

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Ignite your students’ curiosity with hands-on STEM activities that integrate engineering, physical, life, and earth sciences. Designed for middle and high school teachers, these real-world connections energize students and enhance learning. Handouts provided! Visit www.flinnsci.com.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Cambron, M.S., Jillian Saddler

Bacterial transformation made easy with True Blue

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Finally, an easy-to-implement genetic engineering lab. This robust lab allows students to visualize the transformation of bacteria from white to bright blue with a protocol that fits in a 45-minute class. Simple teacher prep with no starter cultures, and reliable student results!

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hennessy-McDonald, PhD

Biology Essentials: Getting Started with Vernier

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Learn about our 3 most popular biology sensors that support hands-on, phenomenon-based learning with real-time data. You'll learn how to investigate cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and enzyme action with easy-to-use probeware and data-analysis apps that work together to promote 3D learning.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

BIOZONE WORLD - Elevate your teaching with BIOZONE’s new science digital platform.

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BIOZONE Corporation

BIOZONE’s platform combines digital replicas of our highly acclaimed print titles together with Presentation Slides, 3D models, and curated videos, providing powerful options for delivering high school science programs. Attendees receive a FREE print title & 30 day preview of our digital platform.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Temons

Boost Your Assessment Game with Rubrics that Build Science Skills

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Boost your Assessments Slideshow
A slideshow with links to resources and examples of skill-based rubrics and assessments.

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Discover how to design and use rubrics that help create assessments that build and practice science skills. Learn how cognitive demand theory can elevate assessments and engage students in deeper learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using universal backwards design and rubrics can help to create assessments that not only assess content knowledge but also promote critical thinking, skill mastery, and deeper learning by integrating cognitive demand principles into science skill building.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Stindt

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 2:50 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Career-Connected Learning and STEM Pathways

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

This session focuses on the context, vision, and projected impact of a career-connected learning framework that is being implemented across organization in the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC). We will share a model for connecting STEM learning, in both in- and out-of school environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
A model for designing STEM learning experiences in articulated pathways to emphasize transitions and hand-offs that are critical for students to pursue STEM.

SPEAKERS:
John Lee, Eric Moore

Collaboration Makeover: Tools to Make PLC Time Powerful for your Work

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Many schools have common planning time or PLCs but sometimes they can feel more like a chore than a benefit. Why can’t you just have more personal prep time? In this session, we will share resources for CPT or PLCs that make them feel worthwhile, productive, and even enjoyable.

TAKEAWAYS:
Common planning time or PLCs are more effective when teachers are working with strong curricular materials. Well-designed and ready to use tools and structures for CPT/PLCs can support teachers to deepen their understanding of the materials and effectively prepare for future lessons they will teach.

SPEAKERS:
Benjamin Lowell, Renee Affolter

Collaboration Strategies for Implementing 3D Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Homepage for all sessions

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Even with the highest quality PD, planning for and implementing 3D learning as described in the Framework can be challenging. In this session we’ll share strategies and supports used to bridge PD to classroom practice through high-impact collaborative classroom visits and analysis of student work.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with tools (including protocols) and strategies for supporting meaningful, high-level collaborative conversations that support classroom implementation of equitable and effective 3D science instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Wil Van der Veen, Stacey Van der Veen

Connecting Race, Science, and Equity in the STEM Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2025 NSTA RDEISE C1 - To Share.pdf

Show Details

Join LabXchange as we explore our latest initiative, Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Science Education (RDEISE). We will discuss how these unique, interactive student resources can be integrated into classrooms to make science more diverse, inclusive, and equitable.

TAKEAWAYS:
RDEISE learning resources can be integrated into a variety of topics including biology and environmental science, and can serve as a helpful starting point for developing course curriculum or program materials.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Sjoblom

Crafting Targeted Feedback with Framework Aligned Standards and Danielson

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Join us to explore strategies for providing feedback to science teachers utilizing framework aligned standards and the Danielson Framework. Participants will engage in authentic practice and will leave with resources to implement these strategies in their schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies for providing feedback to the teachers they supervise.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Weatherhead, Kammas Kersch

Creating and Using Instructionally Supportive Assessments in NGSS Classrooms

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

What approach can science educators use to create assessment tasks that support instructional practice and students’ three-dimensional learning? Participants will experience designing 3-dimensional tasks for classroom use that will help their students build toward the NGSS performance expectations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to construct 3-dimensional assessment tasks that they can use in their classroom to promote student learning of the NGSS performance expectations.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Harris, Joseph Krajcik

Creating Space for All

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C


Show Details

Build capacity in providing opportunities for students to have voice and choice in exploring topics and fostering STEM skills through engaging space-themed curriculum. The charge is on educators to provide opportunities for all students to envision themselves in a STEM career field.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with ideas and simple yet impactful strategies to leverage knowledge of students to help ensure all students feel valued in STEM learning and can envision themselves in STEM careers.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Minton, Beverly Berekian

Creating Space for Productive Struggle

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Great Minds

Come along as we undergo a rigorous student experience to work through a complex investigation. Throughout the course of the session, participants will discover the importance of fostering an environment that encourages challenge where students can struggle in a safe space.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Ingram

Creating the Earth EarthSySTEM Observatory: Building a GLOBE Satellite in Education Team

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B


Show Details

Representatives from the GLOBE Program, MYNASA Data, and NASA GLOBE Mission Earth, will discuss and answer questions about available educational and scientific products, that focus on Acquiring -Analyzing- Applying satellite imagery, remote sensing, and computer visualizations for student research.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using the Space to Earth:Earth to Space (SEES) Model, students can actively engage in investigations using authentic NASA imagery, data, and visualizations using from Earth Observing Satellites, remote sensing, and ground observations and measurements using scientific protocols

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Taylor, Michael Jabot, John Moore

Design Engaging Scientific Inquiry to Action Projects Around Water and Watersheds

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 305



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slide Deck - Action Projects around Water an Watersheds

Show Details

Design standards driven, highly engaging inquiry to action units that empower students to become changemakers in their local communities? Explore using the Solutionary Framework to support student implementation of real-world solutions to issues of clean water access and quality in their communities

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how using the Solutionary Framework can improve student engagement and support teachers in designing and implementing student-led projects to address water quality and watershed health in their communities. Free materials and lesson plans.

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Bertini, Angela Whittaker

Designing Authentic Life Science NGSS Assessments: Standards-Based Grading and Student-Focused Rubrics

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon I



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation (with accessible links)

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Explore how to design authentic assessments that align with NGSS and utilize standards-based grading. Learn practical strategies for unpacking rubrics to guide student learning and provide clear, actionable feedback that drives improvement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to create NGSS-aligned assessments and develop rubrics that students can easily understand and use for self-assessment, promoting deeper learning and growth.

SPEAKERS:
Parwaneh Rezai Sepasi

EarthComm 4th Edition – 2025 Copyright – Come Experience!!!!!

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Get the first look at the newly revised EarthComm book, 4th edition earth science book. Experience a great take home lab and learn how to infuse United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) into instruction, plus see all the changes that were made to this classroom resource!

SPEAKERS:
Gary Curts, Lindsay Mossa, Ed Robeck, Sequoyah McGee, Lauren Brase, Maliya Malik

Emily Calandrelli’s Space Experiments with Fast Plants for Your Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Join this hands-on workshop to explore three engaging experiments about how light, gravity & nutrients impact plant growth. Each participant receives Fast Plants seeds flown in space with Emily Calandrelli on a Blue Origin rocket, plus fun lesson plans for all experiments.

SPEAKERS:
Hedi Lauffer, Alexandra Felts

Empowering Educators and Students: Connecting Climate Change, Health, and Community Solutions through Environmental Literacy

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C


Show Details

This workshop teaches methods for schoolyard investigations aligned with Pennsylvania STEELS standards. Students collect and analyze local environmental data, designing solutions to enhance community well-being. It emphasizes 3-dimensional learning and fosters student-led change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants investigate the links between climate change, environmental impacts, and human health. They gather and evaluate data for sensemaking, connecting it to environmental justice topics. The focus on instructional practice enhances educators' capacity to teach environmental literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Peglow

Empowering Middle School Teachers with a Ready-to-Use Climate Science Unit

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C


Show Details

Developed by experts in environmental health and K-12 STEM education, this FREE and turn-key, research-based unit empowers middle school teachers to bring climate science into their classrooms through engaging, hands-on activities and real-world problem-solving challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to use a research-backed climate science unit in their classrooms. They’ll discover practical strategies for engaging students through experiments, case studies, and design challenges, making climate science accessible, interesting, and relevant to middle school learners.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Link, PhD

Engaging Students in Talking about Indigenous Sovereignty and Climate Systems

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B


Show Details

Youth need opportunities to learn about green colonialism and how Native Science and Indigenous sovereignty are fundamental to addressing the climate emergency. Workshop participants will engage in talk activities designed to support non-Indigenous youth in learning and processing these topics.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will support educators in understanding that climate experts across the globe are calling for the broad recognition of Indigenous sovereignty and climate expertise as fundamental to mitigating climate change and building a just future.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell, Kelsie Fowler, Deb Morrison

Every Day AI

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Workshop Slides

Show Details

Girls Who Code (a global free non-profit) is on a mission to close the gender gap in tech and change the image of what a programmer looks like. Join us to learn about free CS resources and participate in an immersive deep dive on getting started with AI that you can adapt for your own classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Join Girls Who Code and immerse yourself in an AI lesson for your elementary aged students that you can replicate in your classrooms tomorrow! We’ll reflect and make interdisciplinary connections between AI and your CS, Science, and Mathematics standards.

SPEAKERS:
Joe Ochterski, Christine Thompson

Exploring Biodiversity and Biotechnology through Course-based Research Experiences: An Introduction to the Wolbachia Project

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 306


Show Details

How might a single microbe curb the spread of mosquito-borne diseases and invasive species? Join us to discuss the implementation of student-driven research programs and contribution of meaningful data to the scientific community. Together, let’s unravel the biodiversity of this fascinating microbe!

TAKEAWAYS:
Course-based research experiences (CREs) develop workforce-ready skills, build confidence and expertise to pursue postsecondary STEM education, and, most importantly, allow students to envision themselves as scientists.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Rosensteel, Meghan Kanski, Sarah Bordenstein

Exploring OpenSciEd Middle School from Carolina (6-8)

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Come experience a hands-on model lesson from OpenSciEd for Middle School and discover how the Carolina Certified Version enhanced these high-quality instructional materials, making them more accessible, user-friendly, and safer for classroom use.

SPEAKERS:
Cory Ort

Fascinating Fireflies

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Fascinating Fireflies Slides

Show Details

Discover chemical reactions and animal adaptations through fireflies! We'll explore chemiluminescence, build a circuit, and practice communicating like beetles. This workshop is half chemistry lab, half engineering design challenge, and 100% fun!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learners will walk away with a clear understanding of how to run the lab activity, including access to all digital and printable materials. A hyperlinked list of affordable consumable materials is included.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Leys

Fermentation Fascination: Engaging Students in 3D Learning and the Characteristics of Life You Can Taste

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon B


Show Details

Discover how to engage students in hands-on 3D learning through sourdough fermentation! This workshop shows how "bread pets" can bring microbial life and biological concepts to life while fostering critical thinking, inquiry, and collaboration in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to engage their students using sourdough fermentation as a hook to explore core biological concepts and foster critical thinking and collaboration skills in a hands-on, real-world context.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Barlow, Alexis Custer

Fostering Engagement and Student Belonging through High-Quality Instructional Practices

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Fostering Engagement and Student Belonging through High-Quality Instructional Pr

Show Details

In today’s diverse classrooms, student engagement and a sense of belonging are essential to academic success. This session explores the value and implementation of high-quality instructional practices that foster both active engagement and a deeper sense of belonging among students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with actionable strategies in collaborative learning, tech integration, and culturally responsive instruction which they can implement immediately to enhance student motivation, class cohesion, and overall academic achievement.

SPEAKERS:
Tanya MacMartin, Ed.D.

Fostering Productive & Inclusive Collaborative Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A


Show Details

Collaboration is essential in science. This session covers groupwork challenges, introduces "groupworthy" tasks, and shares strategies for fostering effective collaboration. Come gain the tools to improve collaboration and inspire curiosity-driven learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will identifying common challenges in designing and implementing groupwork and learn strategies to improve collaborative learning experiences for students while engaging in science group tasks.

SPEAKERS:
Anna Monteiro

From Asking Questions to Using Evidence: Science, Math, and Social Studies Unite!

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125


Show Details

Science, math and social studies educators employ similar strategies for teaching students to build arguments and support conclusions. Explore how to use historical primary sources from the Library of Congress to engage learners in thinking practices they can use the whole school day!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to inspire students to investigate questions of personal, local, cultural, and societal concern, build new knowledge, and keep coming back to the evidence as their arguments grow in sophistication, across multiple school subjects.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Apfeldorf, Ralph Pantozzi

From Learning About to Figuring Out: Integrating the Science and Engineering Practices into High School Science Units

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon L



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1byOYSGV_s9KMtNj60tzD_Jjt-ucX0XNH1zCsLgJJ-TM/edit?usp=sharing

Show Details

Do you want your high school students figuring out how the world around them works?  Do you want them to build the skills needed to enter careers of their choice, including (but not limited to) STEM careers? Take a deep dive into the science and engineering practices and learn how you can support your students' engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will analyze the elements of the science and engineering practices and discuss what a classroom will look, sound, and feel like when students are engaged in them. They will then see how the SEPs are integrated into and assessed in an OpenSciEd phenomena-based unit.

SPEAKERS:
Caitlin Matyas, Erin McCool

Hot Metals for Cool Teachers

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon F


Show Details

Explore how students can change a metal’s properties through alloying, heat-treating, and/or cold-working. Classroom activities that will enhance chemistry understanding of atomic structure and real world engineering relevance. Deepen understanding of binary phase diagrams.

TAKEAWAYS:
How do architects and manufacturers manipulate common metal properties to get the metals to behave in the desired way for a specific use? Participants will make a simple low-melt tin-based alloy and explore a binary phase diagram. Heat-treating of steel and cold-working of copper is also explored.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Spohler

How Can Leaders Support Student-centered Teaching and Learning?

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

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!

TAKEAWAYS:
The research-based BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model succeeds the 5Es and forms the basis for high-quality instructional materials. Leaders can leverage this model to support teachers in creating a student centered classroom that provides effective teaching and learning for all.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Gay

How Does That Sound?

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B


Show Details

Join us as we simulate a mini unit on sound which integrates 1st grade reading, math, and science standards through an engineering task assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience a project based learning task which integrates standards from multiple content areas.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bay, Margaret Strehle, Alyssa Larkham

Integrating Climate Change Education into Problem Based Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123


Show Details

How to incorporate climate change education into cross-curricular Problem Based Learning for K-12 students. The session emphasizes hands-on learning through solution oriented design challenge collaborative activities, where attendees collectively engage in tackling critical climate change issues.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will get the opportunity to work through several parts of different Climate Change PBLs.

SPEAKERS:
Edward Cohen, Brielle Kociolek

Leading Project-Based Learning (PBL) Activities in Schools and District Initiatives

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

This session will equip educators with practical strategies to lead project-based learning (PBL) activities that align with state standards, engage students in real-world problem-solving, and foster a collaborative school culture, ultimately preparing students for future success.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to effectively implement and lead project-based learning (PBL) activities that align with educational goals, enhance student engagement, and foster essential skills like critical thinking and collaboration, ultimately transforming school culture and improving student outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Oktay Ince

Let’s Talk About Science: How to Support Data Analysis in Three Dimensional Lessons Using “Data Discussion” Talk Routines

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A


Show Details

Looking to build student thinking about data? Come learn how the “Data Discussion” talk routine scaffolds class discussions about patterns in data. We’ll explore key features of the routine, participate in enactments, and brainstorm how to bring quality three-dimensional talk time to your lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be able to provide opportunities for elementary students of all language proficiency levels to engage in “data discussion” talks in which they make data public and analyze meaningful patterns in their own and their classmates’ investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Forsythe

Leveraging Student Communication in the OpenSciEd Chemical Reactions Unit

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 2



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Leveraging Student Communication in the OpenSciEd Chemical Reactions Unit
Slides from Philly Session Presentation (High School Haven) NSTA National Conference on Science Education Philadelphia, PA Thursday, March 27 2025 2:20 - 3:20

Show Details

Join us to explore how to leverage students' communication tools in the high school science classroom. This session will focus on strategies and approaches integrated into the OpenSciEd Chemical Reactions unit which challenges students to investigate chemical processes impacting oyster populations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to guide students in articulating their ideas, collaborating effectively, and constructing evidence-based explanations while encouraging the use of their own language and perspectives to make sense of complex scientific concepts and connect them to pressing environmental issues.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rademaker, Holly Hereau

Looking Forward to the 2025 STEM Policy Landscape

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 304/VIP


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

This session will provide an overview of the major national policy trends relative to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education going into 2025. We will discuss what we can expect from the recent 2024 Election results and their implications for the science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learning what is brewing at the national level in STEM education and that trends you can expect in federal education policy in 2025.

SPEAKERS:
James Brown

Minecraft and Science: Build, Explore, Discover

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B


Show Details

Don't miss this informative presentation on integrating Minecraft into science education. Discover innovative strategies to enhance student engagement, promote collaboration, and inspire critical thinking. Leave with actionable strategies to bring the power of Minecraft into your classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with ideas to empower students to explore scientific concepts creatively through Minecraft, enhancing engagement and fostering a deeper understanding of the material.

SPEAKERS:
Erik Wade

Modeling - A Student-first Approach to Chemistry

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 307



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Iced Box Phenomena PDF
This is a modeling activity you can perform with students to evaluate, in general, the heat capacity of aluminum vs foam. The students will be required to evaluate which material would be better to store cold items and ice in.
Modeling - A Student First Approach Slideshow PDF
A pdf copy of the presentation.

Show Details

We will be discussing the use of modeling in the chemistry classroom. Using modeling students are able to develop questioning and reasoning skills to explain complex, real world lab data analysis, chemistry articles and readings, and various phenomena on a molecular "Zoomed In" level.

TAKEAWAYS:
By utilizing modeling students are able to organize thoughts, justify conclusions, and rationalize arguments. Modeling can easily be used to explain concepts from Coulomb's law to intermolecular forces and how certain concepts explain complex chemical interactions.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Reidy, Kevin Wessler

Multidimensional Science Through Engineering

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Unlock the full potential of multidimensional science learning through engineering! Discover how to engage students with hands-on learning and digital tools that bridge science content and practices. Boost critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity!

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Bonville, Sara Classen

NGSS in Action: Elevate Learning through Building and Testing Ziplines

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117


Show Details

This hands-on session is designed to engage elementary science teachers in a model lesson on building and testing ziplines using an engineering design process as advocated by the Next Generation Science Standards. We will also explore the physics, and energy and forces involved in a zipline.

TAKEAWAYS:
The experience within the session will help teachers develop a shared understanding of NGSS in action, 5E model, and engineering design process. Participants will work collaboratively to experience designing and testing ziplines for them to engage their future students in engineering design.

SPEAKERS:
Derek Cox

NMLSTA- STEM Design Challenges in Upper Elementary and Middle School: Applying the Engineering Design Process to Real-World Problem Solving

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
STEM Design Challenges in Elementary Classrooms:
Please feel free to use these materials!

Show Details

Integrating STEM design challenges into Science and STEM classrooms for students in grades 4-8 offers valuable opportunities to emphasize and practice the Engineering Design Process, while fostering the development of essential soft skills like collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain strategies for incorporating real-world problem-solving into their classrooms, along with differentiation techniques. Educators will complete a Make and Take project that can be adapted for their own classrooms, so they leave with a practical resource ready for implementation.

SPEAKERS:
Jamie Swanson, Kristin Slota

OpenSciEd Elementary Classroom Discussions: Supporting Students to Share and Discuss their Ideas with the Classroom Community

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A


Show Details

Engage in an OpenSciEd Elementary unit and see how classroom discussions can support ALL students’ in using their ideas, experiences, and evidence for collective sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about how to engage elementary students in classroom discussion to share initial ideas, build understanding and come to consensus about the phenomenon they are trying to collectively figure out.

SPEAKERS:
Guy Ollison, Susan Gomez Zwiep

OpenSciEd High School: Unlock Newton's 2nd Coherently and Intuitively

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon H


Show Details

Looking for a new way to bring Newton’s 2nd Law to life? Come experience a unique investigation from OpenSciEd HS Physics Unit 3: Collisions and Momentum, that you can use with your students to help them uncover Newton's 2nd Law.

TAKEAWAYS:
The method of uncovering Newton's 2nd Law in OpenSciEd Physics Unit 3: Collisions and Momentum is motivated by student ideas. Students are wondering how much time it takes to stop a car. Using a unique piece of equipment, the "force cart", students design the experiment themselves and use the data

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Kremer, Dr. Patty McGinnis

OpenSciEd: Exploring Next-Gen Science with Sensor-Based Data Collection

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

Discover how PASCO's innovative equipment seamlessly integrates with OpenSciEd's standards-based curriculum. Engage in hands-on Middle School investigations. See how sensor-based data transforms traditional labs into dynamic learning experiences, empowering students to think like scientists.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Riley

PBS LearningMedia: A STEM Teacher's Toolkit for Engagement and Discovery

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A


Show Details

Discover how PBS LearningMedia, a free and trusted resource for PreK-12 classrooms, utilizes media-rich resources from PBS shows like NOVA, NATURE, Weathered, and PBS Eons to spark students' curiosity, facilitate student sense-making, and support 3D learning frameworks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies for seamlessly incorporating multimedia content from PBS LearningMedia into curriculum and learn new methods to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving as students learn about and discuss challenges posed by environmental issues and the potential solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Merek Chang, Lori Brittain

Physics Essentials: Getting Started with Vernier

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Get to know our most popular physics sensors! From exploring Ohm’s law in simple circuits to studying Newton’s third law with force sensors and a rubber band, Vernier data-analysis technology makes it easy to integrate hands-on, 3D learning into your physics and physical science curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Plant-focused Investigations on a Shoestring

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Master Gardener locator
How to find a Master Gardener in your state!
NSTA 2025 Plant-focused Investigations on a Shoestring.pdf
Plants on a shoestring handout.docx
This handout lists the activities we'll talk about in the presentation and two that we'll be doing - Seed Detectives and Plant People!
Science Education Research Foundation
This organization provides grants of up to $500 for equipment to support classroom research projects. The website will be updated this summer, and applications will be due in August.
Seed sleuth chart updated.pdf
This is the chart we'll use during the Seed Detective activity

Show Details

Engage in plant-focused classroom demos and investigations using budget-friendly materials, and learn about community resources such as Master Gardeners who can ignite students' curiosity about plants in their local environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be provided with resources for implementing low-cost, standards-based life science demonstrations and investigations and learn about the classroom resources that their local Master Gardeners can provide free of cost.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Cummings, Kristin Rearden

Put the M into STEM: Quantitative Techniques for Biotechnology

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

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

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell, Maria Dayton

Reading, Writing, and Student Discourse: Essential Elements of Sensemaking in Science

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Reading, Writing, and Student Discourse_ Essential Elements of Sensemaking in Science NSTA 2025- COPY.pptx
This presentation has been changed from the one shared during this session. The classroom video examples have been removed.

Show Details

Sensemaking is essential to science learning. Reading, writing, and student discourse can foster sensemaking as students figure out phenomena in order to articulate their ideas when they write and talk. This doesn’t happen by accident and teachers need to plan opportunities for sensemaking to occur.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, participants will see classroom examples of elementary students engaging in sensemaking through paired reading, focused writing tasks and prompted student discourse as well as develop their own prompts for sensemaking through reading, writing and student talk.

SPEAKERS:
Edwin Emmer

Recharge yourself! From Striving to Thriving - How to Manage Your Stress

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Philadelphia Striving to Thriving Parts 1 and 2.pdf

Show Details

In today’s fast-paced world, chronic stress is common, but your mind and body can pay a high price. Learn to recognize overwhelming stress—and what you can do about it. Most importantly, learn how to use the power of your senses to relieve stress on the spot and stay calm, productive, and focused

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with tips on how to manage stress.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips, Vivienne Allgood

Resources to Support the Science Teacher's Transition to STEELS

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon G



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Resources to Support the Science Teacher's Transition to STEELS

Show Details

This session will provide strategies and resources to support Pennsylvania science teachers, administrators, and curriculum supervisors transitioning to the PA STEELS standards. Many of the resources provided are also applicable to NGSS standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with knowledge of a website with a variety of resources for implementing 3-dimensional learning.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Wack

Science Made Local: Bringing NY + NJ Phenomena into the Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Stile Education

What if you could easily tailor your science curriculum to reflect the world your students live in? In this interactive workshop, educators will discover how to use Stile’s Prepare Mode to seamlessly integrate local phenomena into their science lessons. We’ll explore how making local connections boosts engagement and learning outcomes, and you’ll collaborate with fellow teachers to build a custom lesson featuring New York- and New Jersey-specific science phenomena in real time. Whether it’s a case study on Hurricane Sandy, an analysis of water levels in the Manasquan Reservoir, or an exploration of genetically diverse cockroaches in Manhattan, you’ll leave with a personalized lesson ready to spark dynamic, student-led discussions in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Julianna Jimenez

Scientist Circles: Empowering Teaching through Collaborative Learning and Curiosity

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Scientist Circle Observation Checklist.pdf
Scientist Circle Planning Guide-2.pdf
Scientist Circles_ Empowering Teaching through Collaborative Learning and Curiosity 3.27.25 Philly.pdf

Show Details

Empower your teaching with Scientist Circles! Discover research-backed strategies to foster collaborative learning, critical thinking skills and ignite curiosity in the classroom. Engage in hands-on-activities, share best practices and leave empowered to implement Scientist Circles effectively.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain effective strategies and actionable tips to boost student engagement and foster meaningful whole-class discussions.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Hereau, Kate Soriano, Ann Guglielmo

Shared Waters: a Free Classroom Ready Elementary Curriculum Exploring Watershed Health

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B


Show Details

Explore Shared Waters, a NGSS-aligned, hands-on curriculum for grades 3-6. This 10-lesson unit empowers students to investigate local watersheds and develop action projects to protect them. Perfect for educators looking for classroom-ready resources to engage students in environmental science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away equipped with a ready-to-use, NGSS-aligned curriculum that brings environmental science to life. They'll learn how to inspire students to explore, investigate, and protect their local watersheds through hands-on activities and impactful action projects.

SPEAKERS:
Nanette Marcum-Dietrich

Shifts Happen! Identifying Evidence of Three-Dimensional Science Instruction

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

As science instruction shifts to align with the vision of the Framework for K12 Science Instruction, administrators and educators must recognize what high-quality, three-dimensional teaching and learning look like in classroom observations. This session will explore how sensemaking serves as the foundation of three-dimensional science instruction and how to identify meaningful evidence of student engagement with disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts. Participants will examine key "look-fors" in classroom observations, discuss how these indicators connect to learning goals and targets, and consider how to provide meaningful feedback that supports teachers in refining their practice.

SPEAKERS:
Zoe Evans, Elizabeth Pawlowski

Should You Text and Drive?: Science, Data, and Your Eyes! NGSS  Investigations into Human Perception

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B


Show Details

Should you text and drive? Let’s find out with fun, easy-to-do, hands-on, and content-rich activities from the Exploratorium. Open your eyes to your eye-brain system and how clearly you see the world. Explore your visual perception while engaging with three dimensions of the NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Find out why you need to “Keep your eyes on the road!” Participants will engage in hands-on activities. They will collect, analyze, and interpret data about their own eyes and visual systems. Discover the “Structure and Function” and how “Information Processing” works in the eye-brain system.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Muller

Sickle Cell Surveillance

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Sickle cell is an autosomal recessive disorder, and genetic testing is available to determine carrier, affected and normal genotypes. Run and visualize an electrophoresis gel to determine the genotypes of a family with history of sickle cell, and hear about progress with treating this disease.

SPEAKERS:
Ariel Cohen, Holly Khong

Sickle Cell, But Not Sick? Exploring BioInteractive's Gene Expression Resources

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Participant Materials Folder

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

How can two people with the same genotype have different symptoms? Join us as we explore free BioInteractive resources that use the phenomenon of sickle cell disease to engage students in a variety of evidence-based strategies for facilitating sense-making about gene expression and evolution.

SPEAKERS:
Kristen Short, Brenda Royal

Socio-Environmental Science Investigations: School-based Inquiries with GIS Data Collection and Analysis

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon J



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025 Popejoy.pdf

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Discover how GIS tools empower students to investigate their school environment, collect data, identify patterns, assess human impact on ecosystems, and suggest improvements. Topics include Urban Heat Island, ecological benefits of trees, and analysis of cellular and Wi-Fi signal strength.

TAKEAWAYS:
By the end of this session, you'll be equipped to integrate GIS tools into your environmental science, biology, chemistry, and physical science classes. You'll also discover the adaptations we've made to support students with special needs.

SPEAKERS:
JODIE HURLEY, John Costanza, Kate Popejoy, PhD

Stirring up Student Engagement

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Stirring up Student Engagement - NSTA 2025 (1).pdf

Show Details

Transitioning to a learner-centered classroom can be challenging but rewarding. This shift turns students from passive recipients into active participants, encouraging them to take responsibility for learning. By fostering curiosity, they become problem-solvers, engaging deeply in their education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore transitioning from a teacher-centered to a learner-centered classroom, enhancing student responsibility, engagement, and problem-solving. This session offers tools for fostering active learning, curiosity, and effective classroom management in a learner-driven environment.

SPEAKERS:
Shefali Mehta, Mridula Bajaj

Supercharging Your Science & STEAM Classrooms with Invention Activities

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


Show Details

Invention Education supercharges STEM for all K-12 students! Learn how invention meets the needs of all learners and become an inventor yourself! Through one of our invention activities you will transform ordinary items into extraordinary inventions, igniting creativity and problem-solving skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience the power of creative problem solving through an innovation activity 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 free resources too!

SPEAKERS:
Denise Henggeler, Christine Lawlor-King

The Case of The Murdered Mayor – Solve a Forensic Case Using Multiple Lines of Evidence

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Assume the role of a crime scene investigator to solve a realistic crime scenario. Students use fingerprint, hair analysis, tire track impressions, blood typing, forensic entomology, and a police log review to identify a primary suspect from a pool of 6 alleged perpetrators.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Nixon

The future of Youth in Tech: How CCA TechWorks is creating a Future-Ready Workforce

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C


Show Details

Commonwealth Charter Academy is leading the way for workforce development through our innovative Works Programs. Our career readiness programs align with the PA STEELS standards. K-12 educators/administrators are welcome to learn how we are changing the landscape in TechWorks, AgWorks and MedWorks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about CCA's innovative workforce development programs

SPEAKERS:
Debbie Reynolds

The Next Time You See: The Integration of Children's Literature with Everyday Phenomena in the Natural World

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B


Show Details

Led by NSTA Early Childhood-Elementary Committee members, the session addresses the relationship between the NSTA book series and natural phenomena, providing an interactive platform for educators to discover how this series of books can support & enhance SEPs in the classroom.

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

SPEAKERS:
Simone Nance, Jenn Brown-Whale, Anne Lowry, Mary Lynn Hess, Jennifer Williams

The Science of Learning: Enhancing Science Instruction with Cognitive Psych Principles

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon D



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
nsta - brain based instruction - 2025 - philly -uploaded.pdf
PPT of presentation

Show Details

Cognitive science has identified flexible and often counterintuitive cognitive strategies that boost learning across diverse groups of students . Teachers will learn how to implement these techniques within their classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to apply multiple practical, flexible, and research-based cognitive strategies, including retrieving information from memory, distributing practice across time, scaffolding, and mixing together different examples, within their own classrooms to improve student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Tullis

Think Like a Scientist with Hands-on Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: LEGO® Education

Ever wonder how your cells are like a tiny city? Or what a sheep would want in their hotel room? Come experience science standards in a way that will make science the highlight of your students' day. Reignite your passion for teaching with engaging, hands-on science lessons and LEGO® bricks.

SPEAKERS:
Jenny Nash

Unlock Science Sensemaking in the Classroom with Simulations

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: ExploreLearning

Discover how to empower students to do all the science sensemaking practices with far less prep for you. You’ll get practical strategies for using simulations to add more SEPs into your teaching and go hands-on with Gizmos and upcoming new Gizmos lessons that fully engage students in the practices.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Kehret

Using Performance Assessments to Teach and Assess in K-8 Science Classrooms

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Teachers' Curriculum Institute (TCI)

Join our session to learn how to harness the power of three-dimensional Performance Assessments! Beyond evaluating learning, these assessments offer students a meaningful context to demonstrate understanding. Explore the role of performance assessments in teaching core science concepts effectively.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Kumar

Using School & Student Data to Reflect on Students’ Access to Physics

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon K


Show Details

Participants will analyze “example data” of different schools and physics classes, and discuss students' pathways to physics and implicit structural barriers. Come to learn about identifying hidden obstacles to students' success and upcoming professional learning opportunities with STEP UP program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Many factors influence which students take which classes in your school. Reflecting on those influences, examining the make-up of your physics classes, and considering how they may change to better reflect your school at large are the first steps towards improving access to physics for all.

SPEAKERS:
Pooneh Sabouri

Using Scientific Models to Scaffold Student Writing

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B


Show Details

Writing is an essential skill for students to communicate scientific reasoning. Students can develop and use scientific models to organize the evidence for effective writing. This session provides educators with strategies, tools, and lesson plans to improve student writing skills and sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants receive a set of lessons aligned to the NGSS and STEELS standards that use strategies to engage students in writing scientific explanations and arguments. Participants learn how to use models to support student writing and how to apply these strategies to their instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Brett Moulding, Candace Penrod

Using Sensemaking through Tactile and Visual Simulation to Teach Animal Adaptations.

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Using Sensemaking Through Tactile & Visual Simulation to Teach Animal Adaptation

Show Details

This session will use the attributes of sensemaking (phenomena and science ideas) through tactile, auditory and visual simulation to examine how organisms adapt to their environments. Participants will walk away with a free whale vision simulator which they can replicate to create a classroom set.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will participate in a “student hat” to explore the power of sensemaking via simulation to learn how whales have adapted to their environment. A “make and take” and lesson plan will allow teachers to apply the lesson easily in their own classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Snyder

Using Simple-to-Use (and inexpensive) Microcontrollers to Facilitate STEM Inquiry Investigations

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
00. 2025 Philly NSTA Using Microcontrollers in Inquiry-based STEM to facilitate learning for all.pdf
01. Activities for NSTA Microbit workshop.pdf
02. Counter-Timer w Radio Send 2024.pdf
03. Remote Microbit Code 2024.pdf
04. Countdown Timer Code 2024.pdf
05. BowenGermanKhan - Timer Instructions.pdf
06. GMBowen Hand-Eye Coordination Testing with a Microbit.pdf
Description of Files
It's a description of the content of the other files.

Show Details

Physical computing allows students to design and create interactive objects that encourage inquiry investigations and emphasize computational thinking skills. Participants will engage in activities designed for middle school students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Microcontrollers are small computers that can come with several integrated sensors making them useful for bothc investigations and engineering projects. Participants will learn about and experience hands-on various microcontrollers & their use in inquiry investigation tasks & student sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Susan German, Michael Bowen

Utilizing STEM to Foster Resilience in 21st Century Students

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://theislandteachers.com/downloads/

Show Details

Join us for an interactive workshop on promoting resilience in students through STEM education. Discover strategies such as hands-on problem-solving projects, fostering a growth mindset, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engage students in hands-on STEM projects that encourage them to persist through challenges and setbacks, developing resilience when faced with complex tasks.

SPEAKERS:
Stephen Bowen, Ashish Gilbert Bowen

We are Engineers! Engineering Tasks through STEM, Reading and Writing.

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
_NSTA 2025 We are Engineers shared.pdf
Copy of NSTA Provocations Planning Form.docx.pdf

Show Details

We will share how we have helped our students see themselves as engineers. Using picture books that lend themselves to engineering tasks, students build to solve a problem. Then record what they built through drawing and writing. Participants will get to experience this and plan for their classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with plans on how to integrate reading, writing, and science into their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Sheri Geitner, Jennifer Mouland

What Are K-5 Students Really Thinking About the Disciplinary Core Ideas in Science?

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Explore how NSTA's formative assessment probes from the popular Uncovering Student Ideas series are used in an instructional sequence to understand the ideas your K-5 students bring to their learning, inform next steps for responsive instruction, and build a powerful thinking classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
A key takeaway is how to use formative assessment probes to uncover and understand the prior knowledge that K-5 students bring to their learning in order to tailor next steps where student thinking is valued, misconceptions are addressed, and deeper conceptual understanding is cultivated.

SPEAKERS:
Page Keeley

What early-career teachers’ stories teach us about teacher leadership

Thursday, March 27 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 4


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

How do beginning STEM teachers develop as teacher leaders? We share how teachers have engaged in practitioner inquiry and written personal “stories of teacher leadership” over the past 10 years. We explore what we all can learn from the stories about what it’s like to become a teacher leader.

TAKEAWAYS:
Recognize key themes about teacher leadership from the stories, compare to your own experiences with teacher leadership, and identify teacher leadership actions you can bring to your school based on ideas from the stories.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Rozelle, Roseanne Rostock

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Thursday, March 27 • 2:50 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

2025 Best STEM Books: Ways to Use These Books in Your Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B


Show Details

Join NSTA Early Childhood-Elementary & BSB Committees as they explore how these award-winning books support STEM learning. Educators will engage in interactive activities, leaving with a head full of ideas on how these books enhance science & engineering practices (SEPs) in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants can view and discuss the 2025 Best STEM Book winners and ways to incorporate them into their classrooms to teach the SEPs.

SPEAKERS:
Simone Nance, Emily Brady, Melissa Parks, Mary Lynn Hess, Jennifer Williams, Anne Lowry

A Crash-Course in Meteorite Science: What you need to know about the amazing, mind-boggling and potentially scary world of meteorites and asteroids!

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 306


Show Details

There is no shortage of jaw-dropping discoveries made from meteorites. Known as the “poor man’s space probe” most meteorites come from the asteroid belt, but now that we have actual material from a known asteroid, we better sharpen up about meteorite science because we’re going to need it.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will how to teach about the exciting history and evolution of meteorites science through falls and discoveries. From 500 years ago to recent meteoritic events, the science just keeps advancing as we are showered by these enigmatic rocks from space.

SPEAKERS:
Martin Horejsi

A hands-on lab to teach the central dogma of molecular biology

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Tired of textbook diagrams showing DNA to RNA to protein? Bring the central dogma to life with a hands-on experiment to visualize transcription and translation using fluorescence. Explore gene expression in real-time using low-cost tools made for the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Katy Martin

Am I SENSING climate change?

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon E


Show Details

In this session, participants will learn how to use data-collection technology to investigate the albedo of different surfaces. Teachers will walk away empowered to make their albedo effect lessons more relevant and engaging by using hands-on, real-world data-collection methods that connect climate

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with the confidence to integrate data-collection technology and analysis software into their classrooms. They will learn how to help students collect, analyze, and interpret real-time environmental data using graphical tools that make science more interactive and meaningful.

SPEAKERS:
Cecelia Gillam

Applying AI to Achieve High-Quality Science Education for All

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B


Show Details

This session will present the findings of a NARST committee on the potential and issues of AI in facilitating meaningful and equitable science learning in classrooms. We will engage teachers in discussions of the practice of AI-based science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain insights into the potential and challenges of AI in creating equitable science education, explore a framework for addressing these concerns, and receive recommendations for using AI to foster inclusive and meaningful science learning for diverse student populations.

SPEAKERS:
Juan-Carlos Aguilar, Xiaoming Zhai

Ask the Teacher: How can Hands-on Learning Transform your Classroom?

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: LEGO® Education

Walk away with powerful insights from real classroom on how to better engage students in science with hands-on playful learning. A panel of educators will share how they use hands-on, inquiry-based methods and tools to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and improve long-term learning outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Joshua Johnson, JoEllen Schuleman, Paula Don, Theresa Goltermann, Jenny Nash

Asking the Right Questions: Amplifying Student Voice and Choice

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Resources
Workshop Resources

Show Details

Are your students actively making sense of the instruction you're delivering in the classroom? Driving Questions Boards help students generate questions, increasing engagement, maximizing learning, and deepening understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators attending this workshop will understand how Driving Question Boards increase engagement, amplify student voice and choice, deliver more equitable instruction, and help students make sense of phenomena through inquiry based practice. Participants will develop a plan to implement a DBQ.

SPEAKERS:
Jaime Camero

AUTHOR: Improving Student Data Analysis Competencies for STEM Investigations

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
HO Marble Rolling Lab Activity1_2016.pdf
Presentation Slideshow
representing data rolling marble outline.pdf
Strategies to better develop student analysis of data in STEM Subjects-2025.pdf

Show Details

Participants will learn data analysis/collecting techniques to help students young and old learn the relationships between types of data and effective analysis of those types.

TAKEAWAYS:
Concrete hands on examples linking types of data being collected with types of graphical representations to use. These were developed in response to research which demonstrated that students do not have a conceptual foundation to make decisions about which type of graph to use.

SPEAKERS:
Susan German, Michael Bowen

Biology Storylines and the Exceptional

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Biology Storylines and the Exceptional NSTA 2025.pdf
Folder with resources

Show Details

This session will share strategies for scaffolding work products and instructional materials in a sheltered Biology classroom using storylines with students with limited English proficiency. We will also discuss effective collaboration using the co-teaching model to maximize student success.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will equip participants with strategies to attend to the diverse needs of learners using high-quality instructional materials. All students have the opportunity to access these materials and engage in sensemaking using a relevant phenomenon to better understand key science ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Chatoria Franklin

Biotech for All: Incorporating Project-Based Learning and Community Partners to Engage High School Students in STEM Learning and Career Readiness

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon K



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Biotech for All

Show Details

In this interactive session, teachers will share how they designed and implemented BioSTEM: a curriculum that immerses all students in real-world science practices and connects them to jobs of the future. Hands-on demos and program data will show how the curriculum benefits teachers and students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with insights from and access to a free, teacher-developed biotechnology curriculum. With these tools, they will be equipped to incorporate more project-based learning and community involvement in their classes, including scaffolding content for struggling learners.

SPEAKERS:
Amber Comer-Jensen, Ben Gold

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:10 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Building Student Sensemaking About Phenomena Across Lessons Through Spiraled Talk Routines

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A


Show Details

Looking to amplify your elementary students’ sensemaking? 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 curriculum supports students in critical thinking about phenomena and adjust their lesson activities and assessments to better support student engagement, sensemaking, and academic vocabulary.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Forsythe

CER in Action: Shifting to Student-Centered Science

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Move from teacher-led to student-driven learning with Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER)! Explore a variety of resources and questioning strategies that promote authentic practice. Learn how the CER process and science and engineering practices can be part of a scaffolded and low-stakes journey.

SPEAKERS:
Kelsie Stocz, Sara Classen

Chemistry Essentials: Getting Started with Vernier

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Learn about our 3 most popular chemistry sensors that support hands-on, phenomenon-based learning with real-time data. You'll learn how to investigate acid-base reactions, gas laws, and reaction rates with easy-to-use probeware and data-analysis apps that work together to promote 3D learning.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Cleared for Takeoff: Soaring into Engineering Design!

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B


Show Details

Inspire your students to think like scientists and engineers with this hands-on STEM approach. Test variables, make predictions, and design the perfect plane—a new twist on straw rockets! Engage in reverse engineering to analyze existing designs. Get resources to elevate your STEM lessons today!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn hands-on strategies to help students develop measurement, data collection, and analysis skills they can apply in engineering design lessons. You will learn methods to differentiate this in any K-12 setting and leave with free resources to implement this in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Stormer, Christina Davis

Climate Justice Overview: Priority Areas and Educational Approaches

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B


Show Details

Science education has a key role to play in supporting a just transition to the climate crisis. Participants will learn about 20 priority areas associated with climate and environmental justice—and explore educational approaches, resources, and groups related to these areas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Working towards climate justice involves a multifaceted set of issues and priorities. Teachers will identify which priority areas relate to their goals and context and learn about related resources. A climate justice framework will help teachers learn about different dimensions of climate justice.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell, Kelsie Fowler, Deb Morrison, Nancy Price

Climate Superpowers: Schools and Communities Unite for Climate Action Planning

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Philadelphia - Youth Climate Summit Presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Youth Climate Summits are a great way for teachers and students to discover their climate superpowers that can support their leadership on climate action in their schools and communities. Discover how to create your own action plan to transform your organization.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore their own superpowers and be provided tools to start developing their own climate action planning and leadership goals for their schools and communities.

SPEAKERS:
Dylan Fedell, Lauren Fosbenner, Kathryn Semmens

Create Engaging and Immersive Science Field Explorations for your Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B


Show Details

Participants will gain first-hand experience in designing a virtual field trip. They will learn how to use Tour It, a free tool available through the NASA Infiniscope project, to create immersive virtual experiences that make the benefits of place-based education more broadly accessible.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this workshop, participants will begin creating an immersive student field experience using Tour It. They will learn how to capture media, design for place-based learning, and accommodate the needs of diverse learners.

SPEAKERS:
Melanie Narish, Sina Kirk

Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

In this presentation, Dr. Whitecraft will draw upon the works of Hammond, Gorski and Hebb to demonstrate how experiences that are intense, prolonged or repeated will physically change the anatomy and the chemistry of the brain.

TAKEAWAYS:
Per Parker Palmer: academics ignore all the research-based knowledge we have on the role of emotions in learning largely because embracing the implications of that knowledge would take them out of their emotional comfort zones! It is enough to make one’s head spin.

SPEAKERS:
Michele Whitecraft

Curiosity Through Career: Leveraging NSF Grants to Bring Authentic STEM to Formal or informal PreK12 Settings Near You!

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Curiosity Through Career Leveraging NSF grants to bring authentic STEM
Learn how to partner with R1 & R2 institutions while leveraging federal grants for STEM workforce development.

Show Details

With a declining workforce population, NSF & others have PreK12 opportunities to promote STEM identity and potential future careers in a growing national STEM workforce. Tap into large-scale grants that bring authentic pK12 STEM experiences to a learning setting near you through NSF Broader Impacts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants explore the "Ah Ha" insights that a "retired" 35-year STEM teacher learned in an encore career as a Broader Impacts professional at an R1 research institution. Get an inside scoop on taking PreK-12 students on paid authentic STEM journeys! The ultimate STEM opportunity playbook!

SPEAKERS:
Jeff Remington

Decoding Cancer

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon A


Show Details

Engage in cancer focused classroom-ready interactive lessons, discuss the myths of cancer and explore the technology advances in cancer research to share with students. View more free lessons www.decodingcancer.org

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain an understanding of cancer innovations and STEM careers within cancer health advocacy to share with their students.

SPEAKERS:
Casandra Gabriele

Discover Distracted Driving Dangers with Touch Tracks: Test drive students’ skills with simple finger-mazes and other fun STEM activities from the free “Crash Science in the Classroom” program.

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon J


Show Details

Complete a distracted driving hands-on activity and discover award-winning videos and more inquiry-based activities from IIHS’s Crash Science in the Classroom program that illustrate the vital connections between biology, physics, mathematics, medicine, engineering, and teen driver safety.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will measure their reaction time and complete a distracted driving simulation using a series of 4 activities simulating the 4 major types of driving distractions. Participants will also learn how to access detailed lesson plans, teacher tips videos, student lab sheets and answer keys.

SPEAKERS:
Pini Kalnite, Joe Young, Griff Jones

District and School Leaders: Engage Your Groups of Teachers in a NSTA Professional Learning Cohort

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA-Natl-Conf-PHILLY25-Leaders.pdf

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

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. Learn how your groups of teachers can participate.

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.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez

Diversifying STEM Pathways with Phenomena-Driven Science

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
_NSTA_Handout_Final.pdf
3D Science Overview.pdf
bionic_eye__an_iconic_innovation.11.pdf

Show Details

Learn how to use three-dimensional, phenomena-based instruction to expand access to educational experiences that reflect the real world and help students of all backgrounds discover the tools to be scientific thinkers and citizens. Hone your lens for science instruction that changes lives.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will identify how their current science instructional practices meet the demands of the NGSS standards and leave with concrete next steps for strengthening use of phenomena-based practices. Leaders will learn to approach science support with a systemic lens and common teacher actions.

SPEAKERS:
Solona Hollis, Amanda Drenth

DNA Forensics Solves the Murder Mystery of Dr. Ward

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Hair, fingerprints, and DNA evidence are left behind at the scene of a murder. Can you use them to find Dr. Ward's killer? Your students will love being the crime scene investigators while learning how to use electrophoresis to perform DNA analysis in a single classroom period. Come learn how!

SPEAKERS:
Priya Mangano, Lindsay Hamilton

DoD STEM Ambassador Program - A Collaborative Approach to Educator Empowerment

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

This presentation highlights how the DoD STEM Ambassador program serves as a model for fostering collaboration between industry, non-profit, academia, and government to empower educators and amplify the impact of STEM education and opportunities for students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how unique approaches to educator programs and professional development can meaningfully advance STEM outreach and access for students.

SPEAKERS:
Kia Thomas, Darci Kimball, Topaz Navarro, Eric Moore

Educating in a Changing Climate: Supporting Youth to Discover, Understand, and Act for a Sustainable Future

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon G


Show Details

How do we help youth navigate the complexities of climate change and its impacts in their own communities? Engage in hands-on activities from Smithsonian Science for Global Goals guides on climate action and resilience to facilitate discovery, understanding, and action for a sustainable future.

TAKEAWAYS:
Smithsonian Science for Global Goals guides are essential resources that combine climate science comprehension with a deep understanding of the ways communities relate to the changing climate and the collective and individual actions students can take to create a positive climate future.

SPEAKERS:
Khadijah Thibodeaux, Heidi Gibson

Eels in the Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon I


Show Details

Explore community science with eels! This workshop engages teachers in hands-on mapping activities, eel life cycles, and migration research. Learn about fisheries conservation, data literacy, fieldwork, and access online interdisciplinary K-12 unit plans. Free estuary resources provided!

TAKEAWAYS:
Studying eels allows teachers to address science standards using data collected by students and community scientists. Educators gain practical resources to enhance classroom and field experiences with this oddly engaging animal. Eel conservation makes learning science fun and impactful!

SPEAKERS:
Roy Arezzo

ELA & Math in OpenSciEd’s Kindergarten Weather Unit

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A


Show Details

Explore the storyline of the newly released OpenSciEd Unit K.2 How Can We Be Prepared for the Weather? and see how students leverage connections to ELA and math as they investigate and make sense of their local weather conditions.

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:
Gail Housman

Empowering All Students for Success: Multimodal Instruction & Game-Based Learning

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


Show Details

Today, teachers face challenges around engagement, widening achievement gaps, and the need to prepare students for an ever evolving future. Game-Based Learning (GBL) paired with multimodal instruction provides an innovative solution, fostering engagement, deeper understanding, and long-term success.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how teachers are able to provide a captivating experience for students to acquire knowledge, develop essential skills, and apply their understanding in meaningful contexts through this pairing of methodologies.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Gerlach

Empowering Students to Ask Better Questions: A Guide to the Question Formulation Technique

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Digital Resource Collection- Question Formulation Tecnique
All resources, including presentation slides, are linked in this collection.

Show Details

Looking for strategies that improve student questioning skills? Are your students struggling with developing questions for a Driving Question Board? The Question Formulation Technique empowers students to develop critical thinking by asking better, more insightful questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this hands-on experience, educators will discover how to utilize an effective instructional strategy, the Question Formulation Technique (QFT), to customize OpenSciEd lessons and support students with developing questions for a Driving Question Board (DQB) about the causes of a phenomenon.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli

Empowering Young Scientists: Our Journey with OpenSciEd Elementary

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125


Show Details

Join us as we share how OpenSciEd transformed classrooms in Roselle Public Schools, NJ, with seven elementary teachers (from five schools) leading the pilot. Through real teacher experiences, learn how this NGSS-aligned curriculum fosters student-led inquiry, collaboration, and critical thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will hear firsthand from practitioners about how OpenSciEd fosters student autonomy and deep thinking, helping educators create equitable, student-centered classrooms that inspire curiosity and meet NGSS goals.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Cunningham, Phaldynia Satchell

Engaging Young Children in Science Explorations: Rich Hands-On Explorations, Combined with Use of New, Cutting-Edge Technology Tools Designed Specifically for Young Learners, to Inspire Sustained Curiosity and Sense-Making!

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A


Show Details

Speaker will model and actively engage attendees with strategies and explorations, where children investigate, explore and manipulate materials and technology-rich tools, to see the effects of their actions, creating sense-making and increasing sustained curiosity and engagement. Handouts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies and engaging exploration ideas, to create sense-making opportunities for young children, and to inspire children’s sustained curiosities. Activities will be easy and inexpensive to replicate and will help launch a trajectory of learning for young children.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell

Engineer Inquiry with DIY Bird Feeders

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

Feeding birds can spark kids’ curiosity, interest in the outdoors, and engagement with science. You can make the experience more meaningful by incorporating engineering practices and challenging students to design their own feeders to help their local birds by using our Feeder Design Guide.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to develop students’ science and engineering skills with a feeder design challenge. Students will work together to consider the needs of birds, develop an understanding of what makes a good bird feeder, brainstorm designs, build the feeder, and evaluate its performance.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Schaeffer

Equity Through Place-Based Learning: The Environmental Empowerment Project

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_MAEOE_2025.pptx

Show Details

The Environmental Empowerment Project is a grant funded curriculum project. Each of the NGSS aligned units in grades K-8 center locally relevant environmental issues and empower students to act on them. This presentation will describe how the units were developed and how to access them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Student and community voice in curriculum are essential to maintaining and motivating student engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Eric CROMWELL

Experiment and Explore: Creating a Dynamic, Experiential Organic Chemistry Curriculum for High School Students

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon D


Show Details

Organic Chemistry is a highly relevant topic which can be made accessible for students at all levels. In this workshop, participants will learn how to create a dynamic elective course that will help students experience relevant content, and also try out some of the experiments used in the course.

TAKEAWAYS:
Organic Chemistry courses can offer highly relevant science content, and with the right approach can be made into an engaging, memorable, and accessible experience for students with diverse backgrounds.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Alvarez, Derrick Wood

Explore the Changing Shape of Disease Using BioInteractive's CRISPR Resources

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Participant Materials Folder

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

How can CRISPR re-shape the future for people with genetic diseases? Using virtual and hands-on models, we'll explore how CRISPR allows for a variety of genetic medicine.Teachers will use Biointeractive resources to help students manipulate and analyze CRISPR impact on genetic disorders.

SPEAKERS:
Kristen Short, Brenda Royal

Facilitating Growth: Building Equitable and Collaborative PD Spaces

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

More teachers are taking on leadership in professional development, sharing their expertise. In this session, we’ll explore facilitation principles that equip teachers to recognize and elevate all learners' ideas, fostering professional communities where every educator feels valued and can thrive.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to apply facilitation principles, mindsets, and behaviors to create PD experiences that are more meaningful, equitable, and relevant to colleagues while keeping student learning at the center of the work.

SPEAKERS:
Anthony Stetzenmeyer, Laura Shafer, PhD

From Inquiry to Evidence: The Impact of Three-Dimensional Science on Student Work

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

With the shift to three-dimensional science instruction, the nature of student work in science classrooms is changing. This session will explore how student work evolves with the adoption of three-dimensional science standards, focusing on how students demonstrate their understanding of science in new ways. Participants will examine real examples of student work, highlighting how students apply these three dimensions to engage in problem-solving, experimentation, and evidence-based reasoning. Through these examples, we will discuss the new strategies needed to guide students in articulating their scientific thinking and reasoning.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Pawlowski, Zoe Evans

From Struggle to Success: Reading Strategies in the Science Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A


Show Details

Reading proficiency is tied to academic success. Teaching various reading and testing strategies while using high quality instructional materials (HQIM) and innovative technology can help students overcome their challenges with comprehension and vocabulary acquisition.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to use reading strategies coupled with technology to help all students develop ways to navigate grade-level, challenging text. How creating a classroom culture can cultivate an environment conducive for welcoming and increasing literacy in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie White-Keuchler

From Words to Wonders: Enhancing Academic Language through Science

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116


Show Details

Using the science classroom for language development empowers all students, specifically multi-language learners, to build their confidence with communication needed for all academic areas. Learn strategies to incorporate language activities, movement, and song into your science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with instructional strategies that support elementary students, specifically multi-language learners, with academic language development within the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Houle, Sarah Reis, Catherine Knasas

Hands-on Explorations for Students to Connect Science with Careers

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A


Show Details

Hands-on activities aimed to help secondary and CTE students become acquainted with careers that exist in the energy industry and beyond, as well as to understand personality traits and soft skills that are essential to being a good worker and team player.

TAKEAWAYS:
Activities to conduct with secondary students to showcase career opportunities in energy-related fields and help students to identify skills and traits for career readiness, not just with a four-year degree but also certification and trade school career paths.

SPEAKERS:
Paula Miller

Human Factors Engineering, Where STEM Meets Human-Centered Design

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon H


Show Details

This workshop will discuss the value of a HFE course to K-12 education and how to adapt HFE to technology education and vocational high school curriculum environments. Workshop activities will reinforce hands-on analysis, decision making and redesign methods, with a Q&A discussion to follow.

TAKEAWAYS:
Consider Human Factors Engineering as a means of adding valuable practical hands-on, project-based, user-centered design, and transferable skill experiences with authentic real-world application.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Tenenbaum

Human Space Exploration for Everyone

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Texas A&M University / NASA Texas Space Grant Consortium

Astronaut and Professor Greg Chamitoff will share some of his personal journey in Space while explaining a new STEM program called Space Teams Academy that immerses student teams in virtual collaboration, design, and execution of their own space mission.

SPEAKERS:
Gregory Chamitoff

I Talk, You Talk, We ALL Talk SCIENCE TALK- Building Language Development in Primary Classrooms

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
I Talk, You Talk, We ALL Talk Science Talk!

Show Details

Let's DO Science and increase our language development! Come investigate plants as we walk through a Science talk protocol, ask questions, make comparisons and predictions, and document and share our results from five plant exploration stations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science talk protocols will help develop understanding of science concepts, academic vocabulary, and oral language skills. Learn discussion and questioning techniques, ways to engage and communicate, how to use inquiry to spark curiosity, and strategies that build speaking, listening and writing.

SPEAKERS:
Betsy Glisson

Inquiry Learning Made Easy! Transforming Science Education with Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning: A Hands-On Mini POGIL Workshop

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Revolutionize your teaching with this hands-on introduction to POGIL (Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning)! Designed for science teachers, curriculum developers, and administrators, this session will explore team roles, the POGIL Learning Cycle, and strategies to develop problem-solving critical skills.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Mancini

Integrating Reading and Writing with STEM

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: hand2mind

Bring your literacy block to life with STEM Bins®! During this session, you will learn how to use STEM Bins as an engaging hook for storytelling and creative writing. Participants will explore how to integrate read alouds with STEM and incorporate engineering with STEM Bins into literacy centers.

SPEAKERS:
Brooke Brown

Intro to Vernier: Tools, Training, and Resources for Educators

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Discover Vernier’s comprehensive solutions for chemistry, biology, and physics educators, including sensors, software, lab books, and professional development. Learn how to integrate our data-collection tools into your classroom and walk away with practical tips and best practices for success.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Introduction to OpenSciEd Elementary

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Come learn more about the OSE elementary curriculum! We’ll look at shifting to a classroom where students' natural curiosities about the world are leveraged to motivate their learning in science. Meaningful conversations and ideas about what that might look like with your teaching and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jen Gutierrez

Journey Through the Heart

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Take a tour through the mammalian heart and trace the path of a blood cell on its journey to oxygenation. Participants take blood pressure readings. Then dissect a preserved sheep heart to model blood flow and connect BP to heart anatomy. Don’t skip a beat - it’s going to be hands-on fun!

SPEAKERS:
Patti Kopkau

Leading the Future: Empowering Science Educators with Strategic Thinking for Unpacking Performance Expectations

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

In this session, participants will use the Generate, Sort, Connect, Elaborate thinking routine to unpack science performance expectations of a sample unit. Leaders will be equipped to replicate this process with their teachers, supporting them in connecting and breaking down performance expectations

TAKEAWAYS:
Leaders will learn how to use the “Generate, Sort, Connect, Elaborate” routine to unpack science performance expectations, enabling them to guide teachers in connecting expectations across units and breaking down their components, ultimately supporting deeper student understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Allison Porzillo

Leveraging Semiotic Resources to Support Multilingual Learners’ Productive Engagement in Science Investigations

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A


Show Details

This workshop will expand teachers’ attunement to the diverse communicative resources that can support multilingual learners’ (MLLs) sense-making in science classrooms, how teachers can integrate these resources into their practice, and the role of personal narratives in enhancing student engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore and leave with actionable strategies they can use in their classrooms to leverage students’ diverse semiotic resources for supporting MLLs’ productive engagement in science investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Eve Manz, Diana Garity, Souhaila Nassar

Listening, Reflecting, Improving: Leveraging Feedback to Transform Science Instruction

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Kognity

Discover how the strategic use of feedback and reflection can revolutionize your instructional practices and student learning outcomes. In this collaborative session, engage with fellow educators to explore practical strategies for fostering a classroom culture that listens actively, reflects thoughtfully, and continuously improves.

SPEAKERS:
Wayne Wright

Moving Elementary Science Forward in Michigan

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

MSELA and CREATE4STEM share their story on how they partner with other state organizations to advance K-5 science in Michigan. Both a vision for elementary science and resources to support system change are used to empower leaders to ensure all students have access to high quality science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Support state and local systems with an advocacy model for K-5 science education by highlighting Michigan’s efforts to network statewide support systems, provide professional learning, and prepare district leaders with resources to remove barriers and shift mindsets to advance science instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Wendi Vogel, Cory Miller, Amber Richmond, Elizabeth Reinhold

Multiple Ways of Knowing: Lessons from the Perspectives of Others

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C


Show Details

Teaching approaches that incorporate different perspectives are often discussed in classrooms and school districts, but why is it important to understand their benefits for all students? Immerse yourself in a Papakū Makawalu science lesson and be open to potential discomfort, confusion, and new learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Expand your awareness of the knowledge that students bring into the classroom by engaging in a science setting that values multiple ways of knowing and learning. Identify and discuss opportunities to implement teaching methods that reflect a variety of perspectives in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Toni Marie Kaui, Whitney Aragaki

No More Copying: Transforming Note-Taking for Active Minds!

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides

Show Details

Do your students think copying notes is learning? Join this interactive workshop to discover how we can elevate our students' learning experiences through active note-taking practices. Let’s explore a variety of strategies that empower students to take ownership of their sense-making.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a toolkit of versatile note-taking strategies to transform students from passive recipients into active knowledge-seekers.

SPEAKERS:
Cathy Xiong, Evonnia Smith, Yishan Lee

NOAA in Your Classroom: How Hydrothermal Vent Chimneys Form: A Student Sensemaking Approach

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom III


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Join us for a tour of our education website and discuss how NOAA can meet your needs. We’ll show you how to navigate our educational resources on the ocean, coast, Great Lakes, weather, and climate. Bring your questions and comments on what you’d like from us. This session is for K-16 educators.

SPEAKERS:
Tami Lunsford, Michael Gutierrez

Optimizing Teacher Efficiency and Student Learning: Dugga's Generative AI for Assessments

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Enhance your teaching practice with generative AI! This workshop helps you create smarter assessments, provide personalized feedback, save valuable time, and enhance student learning, all while boosting your teaching efficiency.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Claudia Rademaker, Dr. Patrik Nilsson

Playing with Newton's Laws

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Playing with Newton's Laws Digital Files
Digitized versions of handouts as well as supplemental materials about bringing physics games into a physics curriculum.

Show Details

Bring Jenga, Bounce-off, Ker-Plunk, and other kinetic games into the classroom for use as a phenomena-based assessment of Forces, Energy, or Newton's Laws of Motion (MS-PS2&3). Engaging and rigorous assessment through observing, writing, diagraming, and modeling of moving objects.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will receive lesson or assessment frameworks for using a wide-variety of kinetic and dexterity tabletop games to describe relative motion, forces that cause motion, energy transfer, or Newton's Laws. Attendees will also discuss opportunities for differentiation and cross cutting concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Skinner

Projectile Motion with Students in Action!

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 4


Show Details

Learning projectile motion can be a challenge for many students in physics. This session will immerse participants on student-centered activities that allow students to work together to understand projectile motion both horizontally and at an angle.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will go through two lab-based activities to see how students can use mathematical thinking to see projectile motion. They will also be shown a third option to use in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kyle Thompson

Promoting Argument-Driven Explanations in Elementary Science

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Elementary MEL on Fossils

Show Details

This session introduces a storybook-like scaffold that helps elementary students purposefully evaluate connections between lines of evidence and alternative explanations of phenomena to construct a deeper understanding of the topic.

TAKEAWAYS:
The scaffold encourages students to engage in science practices, literacy, and argumentation strategies to communicate basic content knowledge on climate change.

SPEAKERS:
Chantelle Renaud-Grant, Lorraine Ramirez Villarin

Providing Effective Feedback on Students’ Argumentation

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124


Show Details

The modeling-focused activity centers on interpreting student work and providing effective feedback on students' modeling and argumentation practices using the Argumentation and Modeling Science Practice Instructional Tools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn techniques to offer feedback on (1) the reasons behind the differences in particle motion during freezing and melting and (2) the most effective ways to depict particle motion visually.

SPEAKERS:
Alex St. Louis, Jaclyn Murray

Science for All: Designing Opportunities for Differentiation in Your Middle School Science Classroom

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Anchored Science Opportunities for Differentiation NSTA Phila Handout
Anchored Science Opportunities for Differentiation NSTA Phila Slides

Show Details

An NGSS classroom promises Science for All, but sometimes students have different needs. See how classroom teachers build a culture of choice, create differentiated literacy and assessment products, and help students meet differentiated goals for 3D learning within an inclusive classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with ideas and routines for fostering a differentiated classroom culture, samples of high-quality, scaffolded guides for scientific readings and assessments, and strategies to allow students to set their own goals for meeting or exceeding standards.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara McIntyre, Chris Geerer

Science notebooks - Turn students' piles of papers into their super power using science notebooks.

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Presentation Mar25 (1) (1).pdf

Show Details

Students’ notebooks should be more than just piles of papers! In this session we’ll discuss the multiple ways available to organize students’ science notebooks, ultimately making it students' go-to tool for sensemaking, evolving their use from more than just papers, into their daily essential tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with specific strategies and ideas to help students manage and use their science notebooks as resources for sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Tonya Brainsky

Science Teacher Compensation in a Competitive Landscape

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 304/VIP


Show Details

This session will unveil NSTA's new position statement on science teacher pay and will discuss the public policy issues it raises for state, local, and federal government policymakers.

TAKEAWAYS:
NSTA speaks to the issue of how our nation's schools should pay science teachers in a competitive economic environment.

SPEAKERS:
Jim Wyckoff, Dr. Alicia Conerly, James Brown

Simplify Photosynthesis with Sensors!

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

Learn how to facilitate simple hands-on photosynthesis experiments with wireless sensors. Help students collect and analyze carbon exchange data from plant leaves in real-time! Dispel student doubts in their understanding of photosynthesis and respiration.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Riley

Spectroscopy Puzzles

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon F



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Spectroscopy Puzzles NSTA 2025

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Implentation of spectroscopic evidence in an elective high school chemistry course to identify various unknown organic structures.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be provided with resources and assessments to identify an unknown organic compound given its % composition. The spectroscopic methods used are Infrared Spectrometry, Mass Spectrometry, and proton NMR Spectroscopy.

SPEAKERS:
Jeromy Bentley

The “Great Escape” Box Challenge: Analyze Clues to Solve the Environmental Mystery

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 307


Show Details

Join us in figuring out how to unlock the “escape box” to determine what is causing a failure at the local sewage treatment plant. You will locate hints, analyze data, and use the combined clues to solve the challenge (for a prize). Engage in serious problem solving in a fun environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to describe the biotic and abiotic factors that contribute to healthy organic waste treatment. By solving a mystery, participants will apply analytical skills to determine what disrupted the treatment process.

SPEAKERS:
Madeline Stallard, Amber Meeks, M. Gail Jones

The DNA Detective: Reuniting Families with DNA Fingerprinting and Electrophoresis

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Use forensic genealogy to identify two boys separated from their parents and reunite the family. In this hands-on electrophoresis experiment, students will analyze dye samples that represent mitochondrial and chromosomal DNA. Through data analysis, students explore inheritance and DNA polymorphisms.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell, Maria Dayton

The Ups and Downs of STEELS: Strategies to Help PA Educators Make a Smooth Transition to the New Standards

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 305



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Ups and Downs of STEELS Presentation
Want to hear from a high school biology, chemistry, physics, and E/S teacher on how their transition to the new standards went last school year? This presentation will reflect on their year of teaching STEELS and offer action steps to make the transition easier for other educators.

Show Details

Want to hear from a high school biology, chemistry, physics, and E/S teacher on how their transition to the new standards went last school year? This presentation will reflect on their year of teaching STEELS and offer action steps to make the transition easier for other educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Main takeaways will be the positives, challenges, and action steps that PA educators can use to navigate the transition to the new STEELS standards in a high school biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science class.

SPEAKERS:
Katelyn Daggan, Thomas Densmore, Ruth Henderson, Anthony Prinzo

Transforming Classrooms: Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge teacher competition

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

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.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton

UDL in Action: Supporting All Learners in the OpenSciEd Natural Selection Unit

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 2



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
UDL in Action: Supporting All Learners in the OpenSciEd Natural Selection Unit
Slides from Philly Session Presentation (High School Haven)

Show Details

Explore how UDL principles are integrated into the OpenSciEd Natural Selection unit. This session will focus on using high quality instructional materials that meet the needs of all learners, ensuring accessibility and engagement for diverse student populations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain practical strategies for scaffolding complex concepts, providing multiple means of representation and expression, and fostering student agency in collaborative, real-world problem-solving.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rademaker, Holly Hereau

Uncovering Student Misconceptions Series: What is the Difference Between Weather and Climate? A Critical Concept for Students to Understand Climate Change.

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation PowerPoint
If you would like the actual PowerPoint, please contact me at [email protected]

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Using a probe from the popular “Uncovering Student Misconceptions” series, the co-author will share student responses to address this foundational concept for teaching climate change. You will also gain a deeper understanding of the power of formative assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understanding student misconceptions in this foundational component of climate change is critical prior to teaching the subject. Discover how engaging, open-ended probes provide insight into student ideas and misconceptions while learning ways to support them in understanding the concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Tucker

Unpack OpenSciEd Lessons in 30 Minutes!

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 1


Show Details

High quality curriculum materials like OpenSciEd can be overwhelming! Join us to learn how to use the lesson unpacking protocol to get ready to teach with OpenSciEd.

TAKEAWAYS:
Prticpants will leave with a step-by-step protocol for unpacking OpenSciEd lessons in 30 minutes.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Henson

Using GIS to explore connections between forests and watersheds

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Forests to Faucets 2.0
Forests, Water & People Activity Collection
PLT Slides - Using GIS to Explore Connections Between Forests and Watersheds

Show Details

Learn about this unit of instruction that uses a GIS data explorer tool made possible by the USDA Forest Service to explore connections between forests and watersheds. You’ll have an opportunity to try out the activities (bring your computer!) and receive copies of three NGSS aligned lesson plans.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will have the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to engage students in using cutting edge GIS technology in learning about natural systems and the connection between forests and the water they drink. Walk away able to use these tools immediately in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Ana Leirner, Kate Nagle

Using Metacognitive Reflection and Community Circles to Create an Inclusive Classroom Community

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 3



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dM57KxD3IdapWbgCPeC2bJl2J4Te9Z-LedAn6WTC3FI/edit

Show Details

Students feel capable of taking risks and challenging themselves when they feel a sense of community in class.You will learn how to use community circles and metacognitive reflections to promote belonging in the classroom, while helping students to make authentic, intentional connections to content.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about using metacognitive reflections and community circles to build community and connection to content. Participants will review examples of these reflections and plan how to implement them, and engage in a circle and receive resources on how to build a circle practice.

SPEAKERS:
Casey Nolan

Using Models to Teach Climate and Climate Change

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Help your students understand complex concepts like climate and climate change through modeling. Participants will do hands on activities that can be used in the classroom to explain climate mechanisms and explore how we know climate is changing.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Risko

Using Models to Understand Phenomena

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Great Minds

Explore a 5th grade module to figure out how Balinese Rice farming has endured for 1,000 years. Through exploration, participants uncover a new process for developing models in science and see how the communication of ideas through models and sketches increases opportunities for student engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Ingram

Using Phenomena to Make Your Elementary Classroom Phenomenal!

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B


Show Details

Struggling with student engagement in your science classroom? Incorporating the use of phenomena will spark student interest and engagement. Learn how to incorporate phenomena, and the Ambitious Science Teaching practices of student discourse and student created models in your elementary classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will utilize the Ambitious Science Teaching practices of Eliciting student ideas and developing models. In this session we will use a phenomenon to spark interest and work through getting students to engage in science discourse and develop a science model to explain their understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Sauder

Using the Record-Breaking 2023-2024 Global Temperatures to Teach the Latest Science About Climate Change

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Grand Ballroom Salon L



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Wysession_NSTA_Philly_Climate_Part1.pdf
Wysession_NSTA_Philly_Climate_Part2.pdf

Show Details

Dr. Michael Wysession, NGSS co-author and geophysics professor, will explore ideas for using the record-breaking high globally-averaged 2023-2024 temperatures and associated extreme weather events as the basis for climate-related storylines that explore the results from the IPCC AR6.

TAKEAWAYS:
The extreme weather events that have been occurring around the world (heat waves, extreme flooding, forest fires) can engage students and prepare them for assessments for the HS-ESS3-5 and HS-ESS3-5 performance expectations, covering climate forcings, feedbacks, impacts, and environmental justice.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Wysession

Walk the Walk with Equity in STEM

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

In urban low-resourced districts, there's often a focus on literacy and math, what happens to science? Every student, regardless of race, gender, or zip code, deserves high-quality science learning. We will explore the role in elevating science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with actionable steps to make science instruction a priority in their districts, ensuring every student has the opportunity to think, explore, and engage with the world scientifically.

SPEAKERS:
Tyrone McNichols, J Carrie Launius

Weather & Climate: Use a FREE Web-based Graphing Tool to Analyze and Interpret Local and National Climate Data for Patterns or Change

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
0 NSTA Philadelphia 2025 Climate & Weather (60 minute) v1.0.pptx
3 Climate Investigation Plan (1).docx
AMNH Patterns in Weather and Climate Tool
Session Slide Deck

Show Details

In this workshop, explore nationwide weather and climate data through an online graphing tool that simplifies data visualization. The tool makes it possible for students to focus on analysis and interpretation, rather than getting stuck on complex data. http://uanyc.science/pwc

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use the free AMNH Weather and Climate graphing tool with their students, and will walk away with worksheet resources that make this graphing tool even more accessible to their students.

SPEAKERS:
Jasmina Nikolov, Rachelle Travis

What Next for Science Standards. NGSS 2.0? (NARST)

Thursday, March 27 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Fast-and-Frugal-misinformation.pdf
Handout 1.pdf
Slides (What next for science education standards)
This is a copy of the slides used in the session.
Teaching about the critical role of key scientific institutions
Materials and lesson plans

Show Details

This workshop will explore the impact of the NGSS, 13 years after their inception. It will provide an opportunity to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses and how they can be improved to meet the needs of all future citizens and not privilege just those who will pursue scientific careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science standards must evolve to meet the needs of young people in a changed society. Current standards overemphasize college and professional career preparedness and do not do enough to address the needs of the majority as citizens and consumers. There are simple things that teachers can do now.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Osborne, Daniel Pimentel, DOUGLAS ALLCHIN, Andrew Zucker

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Thursday, March 27 • 4:10 PM - 4:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Movie Night: OBSERVER - Presented by the Science Communication Lab

Thursday, March 27 • 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall E


Show Details

Join us for a red carpet premiere with light hors d'oeuvres, popcorn and a free drink. Pre-registeration is now closed, but anyone may attend. Stop by the SCL booth #681 to get a free drink coupon.

The Science Communication Lab is proud to present the North American Premiere of their upcoming feature film, OBSERVER, for the NSTA community! Be one of the first people in the world to see this poetic and thought-provoking film and chat with the filmmakers after the screening at the Q&A.

The Science Communication Lab engages students and the public through award-winning films that captivate and inspire a deeper connection to science. Visit our Movie Theater Booth #681 to find out more about the film and our free content for educators!

About the Film: In OBSERVER, filmmaker Ian Cheney embarks on an experiment in which he brings a series of keen-eyed observers - scientists, artists, a hunter - to a range of locations around the world, often without telling them where they are going, and asks them simply to describe what they see. What unfolds is a deep exploration and celebration of the power of observation: what happens when you find new ways to sense and perceive the world around you? With customary whimsy and a small painted red square that Cheney brings on every journey, the film is an invitation to viewers to find beauty and meaning in even the most quotidian of locales.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Goodwin, Elliot Kirschner, Ian Cheney, Shannon Behrman, Ben Riggs

The Early Childhood Elementary Science Teaching Committee Meeting

Thursday, March 27 • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 407


Show Details

This is a face to face meeting for members and other interested parties of the Early Childhood Elementary Science Teaching Committee.

ESPRESS-O Yourself @ NSTA’s Morning Coffee Chats

Friday, March 28 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Saxby's (200 Level)


Show Details

Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and join us for an informal get-together with your peers. Each day of the conference will feature a morning coffee chat with opportunities to share ideas and experiences, expand your network, and connect with colleagues and friends from around the country.

TAKEAWAYS:
NA

Sunrise Yoga

Friday, March 28 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 13


Show Details

Calling all yoga enthusiasts! Regardless of whether you’re a newbie or veteran, join yoga teacher, Azra Chughtai, RYT, for a warm-up with breathwork; hatha yoga (gentle stretching exercises to wake up the body); and, of course, meditation for relaxation and de-stressing. Beginner friendly!

TAKEAWAYS:
Recharge: Energizing and Stress Relief

A Strengths-Based Approach to Engineering with DESIGN SQUAD LATINX

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025_DSL Workshop.pptx

Show Details

Come try an activity from DESIGN SQUAD LATINX and experience how the program materials connect students' funds of knowledge (skills, interests, and talents acquired from family, community, culture, and lived experiences) to the engineering design process, deepening student engagement and interest.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave this workshop with an understanding of why it is important to champion a funds of knowledge approach in your classroom and program, and gain tips and ideas for how to bring a funds of knowledge approach to STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Nicki Sirianni

A Tale of Two Trials: Scopes at 100 and Kitzmiller at 20: Today’s challenges to Science Education.

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 307



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
KRM-Kitzmiller-at-10.pdf
How the scientific case for Kitzmiller might be updated
Tale-of-Two-Trials.pptx
Slides from the presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

2025 is the 100th anniversary of the infamous Scopes trial and the 20thanniversary of the Kitzmiller v. Dover trial, which took place in Harrisburg, PA. We will examine the lessons for science educators today that can be drawn from the similarities and differences between these trials.

TAKEAWAYS:
The motivations, strategies, and tactics of science denial have changed little in the 100 years following the Scopes “Monkey” trial. I will review today’s threats to evolution education and will suggest strategies that educators can use today to defend the integrity of science in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Miller

Adventures in Modeling Instruction

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 6


Show Details

Modeling Instruction has transformed science classrooms, making research-backed practices such as student generation of concepts, multiple representations, and teamwork an integral part of the learning process. Experience a “modeling cycle”: lab investigation, development of a model, and deployment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to describe Modeling Instruction and will know where to go for support in implementing this practice in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Gary Pritts, Amanda Horan

AI-Powered Project-Based Learning with Inkwire

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Inkwire

Use a free AI tool to make your curricular dreams come to life. Input your ideas into Inkwire and see them transformed into a project-based unit complete with assessment, student showcase, and lesson ideas aligned to Common Core and NGSS standards.

SPEAKERS:
Jared Fox, Aatash Parikh

All Hands on Deck: Orchestrating Community Support for Dynamic STEM Learning

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
All Hands on Deck - Community Partnerships Slide Deck
Partnership Planning Handout

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Transform your STEM programs through powerful community partnerships. Learn proven strategies to identify and engage partners from businesses to universities. Get practical tools for establishing sustainable collaborations that support project-based learning and create authentic career connections.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how to transform your STEM program through strategic partnerships. Learn to identify potential collaborators, define partnership roles, and develop a mindset that opens doors to enriched learning experiences. Walk away with practical tools to build/sustain meaningful community connections.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Nilvo, Lisa Blank, Heather Overkamp

Asking Questions Routine: Using QFT with Xplorlabs

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: UL Research Institutes

In this session, we will practice the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) by engaging in lab footage from UL Research Institutes and then reflect upon how this technique can be applied in our classrooms to support student-centered, phenomenon-driven learning.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Gilbert, Jessica Sparacino

AUTOPSY Part 1: Forensic Pig Dissection

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Revitalize your structure and function lesson while employing 3D instruction with a classroom autopsy! In Part 1, participants explore the external anatomy and begin the dissection of a Carolina’s Perfect Solution® pig using the protocols of a forensic pathologist. NOTE: This is a 2-block session.

SPEAKERS:
Patti Kopkau

Bridging Technology and American Sign Language Education: A Hands-On Experience with Tech ASL Education Platforms.

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B


Show Details

Join us for an immersive workshop from Georgia Tech, exploring the intersection of technology and ASL, such as apps ranging from interactive lessons to AI feedback. Try real-time hand detection, engage in discussions on ASL education, and discover how cutting-edge tech is shaping ASL learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how AI-powered and technological tools enhance accessibility and transform ASL education. Attendees will then engage in discussions on effective methods for teaching and learning ASL, and explore how tech is reshaping language acquisition.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Vega, Andre Grossberg

Building an Inclusive Classroom Culture for Collaborative Sensemaking in the OpenSciEd Electromagnetic Radiation Unit

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 2



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Building an Inclusive Classroom Culture for Collaborative Sensemaking
Building an Inclusive Classroom Culture for Collaborative Sensemaking in the OpenSciEd Electromagnetic Radiation Unit Slides from Philly Session Presentation (High School Haven) NSTA National Conference on Science Education Philadelphia, PA Friday, March 28 2025 8:00 - 9:00

Show Details

Discover how to foster a classroom culture where students actively contribute to knowledge building in science learning. This session will highlight practices and strategies embedded in the OpenSciEd Electromagnetic Radiation unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain insights into facilitating discussions, promoting equitable participation, and supporting sensemaking and explore how to create an inclusive learning environment that empowers students to collaboratively engage in sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rademaker, Holly Hereau

Building Scientific Literacy: Activities to Explicitly Teach the Nature of Science

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

This session offers simple, practical activities to explicitly teach the Nature of Science (NOS), promoting scientific literacy and understanding. Participants will leave with ready-to-use resources that foster student engagement with NOS concepts in accessible and meaningful ways.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use straightforward activities to teach NOS explicitly, making science accessible to all students and promoting critical understanding of scientific inquiry and literacy in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Moore

Can playing games build environmental literacy & greater emotional resilience? Come play some games and discuss your experience with climate emotions experts!

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Adventerra Games North America LLC

Many young people are overwhelmed by the climate crisis, so let's give them the skills & confidence to protect the planet! Adventerra's eco games engage students, achieve curricular goals, and teach STEM skills. We'll play some games & discuss how to respond when climate emotions show up in class.

SPEAKERS:
Carolyn McGrath, Sue Mundell, Bryan Mundell, Ruthie Mundell

Choosing Phenomena for Standards-Based Assessments that Connect to Students’ Interests and Community Priorities

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 1



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
5D Assessment Project Website
Presentation Slides

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Want to create 3D assessment tasks that students enjoy completing and leave wanting to learn more? Join us for this session where we will explore three different approaches to choosing phenomena and problems for assessments that align to standards and connect to students’ interests and identities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will leave with a plan for learning about your students’ interests and the priorities of their communities pertaining to a 3D standard you are teaching and assessing next semester.

SPEAKERS:
William Penuel, Abraham Lo

Collaboration over Compliance: How to Effectively Egage Students in an Interactive Science Classroom Through Student Decision-making

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A


Show Details

What are some simple ways to better engage your students in science learning? How can you get your students to work with you rather than against you? In this hands-on presentation, we will demonstrate numerous strategies you can use to improve student decision-making and collaboration.

TAKEAWAYS:
Exploring principles for student decision-making through engaging in meaningful science activities.

SPEAKERS:
Jesse Wilcox

Color Your Classroom: Engaging Students with Bacteria and Bio-Art

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Transforming bacteria with vibrant colored proteins is an unforgettable way to teach the central dogma of molecular biology. Take it further by creating bio-art with your students! In this workshop, we’ll share transformation tips, explore microbial creativity, and even award our favorite designs!

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell, Maria Dayton

Creating Collaborative Experiences: Engaging All Chemistry Students in Sensemaking with Canva

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 10



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Canva Slides for IMF Solids and Liquids.pdf
Directions of How to Sign Up for a Canva for Education Account copy.pdf
Making a Model of Your Understanding.pdf
NSTA 2025 IMFs Solids and Liquids DICNB
NSTA 2025 Question Formulation Technique IMF Solids Liquids DICNB 2025
NSTA 2025 Small Group Consensus Model Template
NSTA To Share Individual Model IMF Solids and Liquids 2025
Small Group Consensus Model Protocol.pdf
Small Group Question Formulation Technique (QFT) Protocol.pdf

Show Details

Want to digitally capture all students' sensemaking in chemistry? Discover the potential of Canva’s infinite whiteboard for fostering collaboration and creativity through modeling and QFT. Leave with practical tips, editable protocols, and fresh inspiration to start implementing immediately!

TAKEAWAYS:
This interactive session uses Canva’s whiteboard as an effective platform for all students to collaboratively engage in SEPs, such as creating models and asking questions in an equitable learning environment. This chemistry focused session provides student examples and tips for implementation.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah English

CSSS: Effective Three-Dimensional Science Assessment

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

This session focuses on designing, building, and, using three-dimensional performance tasks to assess learning of science. The session will feature ways to find analogous phenomena to use in assessment three-dimensional science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain an understanding of effective three-dimensional science assessment practices for grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 and a pool of three-dimensional assessment tasks for each of the NGSS standards.

SPEAKERS:
Brett Moulding, Juan-Carlos Aguilar

Curriculum Adoption as a Pathway for Teacher Leadership and Professional Learning

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_2025_March_Curriculum Adoption as a Pathway for Teacher Leadership and Professional Learning (1).pdf

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

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

Customizing Curriculum: Partnerships That Support Implementation and Customization of OpenSciEd to Advance Environmental Literacy and Sustainability

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A


Show Details

Explore how a Watershed organization partnered with a large suburban PA school district to adapt the OpenSciEd curriculum, creating engaging learning experiences that build environmental literacy through real-world, local issues. Hear from formal and non formal educators on leveraging the rich resources available.

TAKEAWAYS:
We’ll share how we set the vision for our work, planned field experiences, trained volunteers, and piloted lessons to ensure learning goals were met. Participants will engage in discussion to identify how they can utilize this process to identify partners and field experiences that fit into OpenSciEd.

SPEAKERS:
Erin McCool, Eryn Jackson

Determination of Biological Sex with the Bradford Assay: A Forensic Approach

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

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

SPEAKERS:
Tamica Stubbs, Leigh Brown

Do IPAs Give You a Case of Bitter Beer Face? Check your Genetics!

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

What do your genes say about your beer preference? Research behind bitter taste has been ongoing for over 100 years. Come see how bitter taste genotype and phenotype are linked, and how it can play a role in your fondness for certain foods!

SPEAKERS:
Ariel Cohen, Holly Khong

Early Childhood STEM Teaching with Thinking Maps Capitalizes on Children’s Naïve Theories, Reasoning, and Sensemaking: Perspectives from China and the US!

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A


Show Details

Early STEM activities capitalize on young children’s interest, curiosity, and prior knowledge during indoor and outdoor cooperative play-based activities. As a metacognitive approach, Thinking Maps helps educators understand and document children’s naïve theories, sensemaking, and problem solving.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science and engineering rely on a range of communication modalities, practices, and languages to support sensemaking and problem-solving efforts. Discourse tools and artifacts like Thinking Maps are fundamental mediational tools helping children to externalize and develop their observations and reasoning.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Lowry, Chaoyun Yan, Wenming Zhang, Shelly Counsell

Young Children’s Music Making is Science Learning

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B


Show Details

An active workshop for participants to make music using their bodies, tables and/or chairs to create sounds, individually and with others. They will hum tunes and create accompaniments. They will be encouraged to include music exploration daily in their classrooms. Music vocabulary included.

TAKEAWAYS:
The focus is young children’s explorations of music-making and connections to science and mathematics. In every culture, people tap/hit items and use their mouths to create specific sounds. Adult explanations of music terms will include pitch, rhythm, tempo, volume, melody, harmony, and timbre.

SPEAKERS:
Ellen Cogan

Eco Engineers: Intro to Wind Turbine Design for All Levels

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

How do wind turbines convert wind into energy? Let’s find out with KidWind kits! Introduce students of all levels to renewable energy by exploring turbine design, building prototypes, and optimizing. Get tips on materials, project setup, and how to engage students in creative and critical thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Elementary Presidential Awardees Leveraging Literacy for Science

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025 SEPA Activities_Resources.pdf
Lesson resources and activities paired with Outstanding Science Trade Books to leverage elementary science instruction.

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

This session will showcase NSTA's outstanding science trade books and lessons that can support and strengthen K-5 elementary science programs. Information will be shared about the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching and the impacts that it can have professionally and personally.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will get lessons for NSTA’s outstanding trade books from nationally recognized elementary educators. Members from the Society of Elementary Presidential Awardees (SEPA) will share about the PAEMST application process and the benefits that come from networking with this learning community.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Brown, Katie Stevenson

Elementary Science Made Easy with Science Olympiad

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Ward's Science

Take the guesswork out of science inquiry at the elementary level. We will explore activities that engage students' curiosity and ignite their passion for science through Science Olympiad. Discover some great activities for the classroom, after school programs, family events and STEM programs.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Bogan, Patty Muscatello, Norman Marshall

Embracing Uncertainty: Creating a Classroom Culture to Support Student Sensemaking

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B


Show Details

Have you presented a phenomenon to your class only to have students ask for the answer? Uncertainty is uncomfortable, and figuring things out is not easy. Explore and discuss challenges and opportunities that arise when teachers encourage students to sit with unresolved phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participate in a series of hands-on phenomenon-based lessons, and practice new strategies for encouraging students to embrace uncertainty as an exciting opportunity, rather than a potential risk. Receive print copies of high-quality instructional materials to bring back to your students.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Emily Harrison

Empowering Educators: Win up to $10,000 - Shell Teaching Awards

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Shell Science Teaching Award
Shell teacher winner videos
Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Attention diverse and experienced educators making a meaningful impact! Join us to learn how you can win up to $10,000 through the Shell-sponsored teacher awards. This is a great opportunity to celebrate your contributions and enhance your teaching initiatives!

TAKEAWAYS:
During the session, you’ll learn about the different award categories, eligibility criteria, and tips for crafting a compelling application. You’ll connect with fellow educators, share ideas, and learn best practices. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your work and make an even greater impact!

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton

Empowering Scientific Journeys: Digital Portfolios for Student Engagement

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The presentation seeks to revolutionize science education by providing students with a dynamic platform to document, reflect on, and showcase their scientific learning experiences using diverse array of multimedia artifacts.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation will help the attendees with startegies to enhance student engagement, improve digital literacy, take ownership of their scientific journeys and prepare learners for future educational and career opportunities.

SPEAKERS:
Himani Nigam

Engineer Physical Science Excitement with a Carolina STEM Challenge®

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Rockets zoom and race cars zip through hands-on activities that engage your middle and high school students. Apply creative problem-solving skills and engineering practices to chemistry and physical science challenges. Experience how Carolina makes it easy to incorporate STEM into your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Alexandra Felts

Seeing is Believing! Fantastic Phenomena for Middle and High School Physical Science Ready for You to Use.

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Boost student curiosity with quick, impactful demos for teaching force, motion, waves, energy, and more! Ideal for middle and high school physical science teachers, this is a "can't miss" session! Handouts for all activities included! Visit www.flinnsci.com.

SPEAKERS:
Jonnathan Medina Ramos, Ph.D., Mike Marvel, Ph.D.

Exploring Climate Solutions: Engaging Students with the EN-ROADS Simulator to Inspire Local Action

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Landing Page w/ Resources
Session Slide Deck

Show Details

Learn how to engage students with the EN-ROADS climate simulator to explore policies that can provide solutions to climate-related problems in their communities. Leave the session with practical resources that encourage students to take local action while developing their global competence.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about the EN-ROADS climate simulator by exploring policies that can provide solutions to climate-related problems in local communities. Learn how to connect these local issues to global concerns by considering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Emery, Zachary Orefice

Exploring Health & Biomedical Science with Vernier: Tips, Tricks & Best Practices

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Join us to explore best practices for using biomedical sensors with Graphical Analysis! We'll cover EKGs, EMGs, heart rate, and respiration. Designed for health sciences, biology, and physiology educators, this session offers hands-on experience, Q&A, and support for all experience levels.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Exploring Mendelian inheritance with dog genetics

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Puppies are born to Molly the Labradoodle, and students must use genetics to solve the paternity mystery. Use Punnett squares and DNA gel electrophoresis to track the inheritance of a single trait across the litter. Then decide who’s the daddy: Zeus the Poodle or Otto the Labradoodle?

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hennessy-McDonald, PhD

Exploring OpenSciEd High School from Carolina (9-12)

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Come experience a hands-on model lesson from OpenSciEd for High School and discover how the new Carolina Certified Version enhanced these high-quality instructional materials, making them more accessible, user-friendly, and safer for classroom use.

SPEAKERS:
Cory Ort

Fishing for the Future and Rays of Hope: Lessons for a Sustainable Future

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 8



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Aquarium Feedback Form
Curriculum: Feeding the Future: Modeling Sustainable Fisheries
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/for-educators
NSTA Conference 2025 Fishing for the Future and Rays of Hope_ Lessons for a Sustainable Future.pdf
Slides
Rays of Hope-Online course
SciShow in collaboration with Seafood Watch 6 Futuristic Fishing Nets
Times article: These Black Icons Have a Novel Idea to Save the Ocean
Tragedy of the Commons [Part 1] | NSF Chalk Talk
Tragedy of the Commons [Part 2] | NSF Chalk Talk

Show Details

Join the Monterey Bay Aquarium as we dive into sustainability! Use a hands-on activity to explore the complexities of sustainable fishing, examine inequities, design solutions, and discuss application in other contexts. Leave with free resources to replicate this session in your classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
Sustainable systems are the essential path to a just and equitable world where the needs of all beings can be met. Hear who has and is currently doing the work of sustainability and explore a free engineering design resource.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Hudgens, Jerry Knaack

Flipped Classroom and Literacy in Life Science Education

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Flipped Classroom 2.0 Presentation
Feel free to email me at [email protected] for specific examples and resources.

Show Details

Benefits of Flipped Classroom models to foster Student-Centered Learning in Middle and Upper School Life Sciences courses. Learn about tools, strategies, implementations, and resources to use when creating a course using Flipped Classroom models. Use literacy content and skills as enrichments tools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn to use a Flipped Classroom model and Literacy tools to foster a more robust Student-Centered learning experience. Attendees will also be able to brainstorm the design of a lesson using flipped classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Fernando Azcona

Groovy Sounds: NGSS Investigations into Waves

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B


Show Details

Get in the groove and make a real working record player! Investigate sound and wave properties with an easy-to-build homemade record player. Learn how music is encoded and played back. Understand the difference between digital and analog information transfer with this DIY device.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how to play the biggest hits of the NGSS: Learn about sound, waves, and the difference between digital and analog encoding with a DIY vinyl record player.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Muller

Growing a Sustainability Program: Lessons, Projects, Curriculum, and Funding

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025 presentation 03182025 (2).pdf

Show Details

Want to incorporate sustainability at your school but don’t know where to start? Join us to learn how to bring hydroponic gardening, composting, and other student-led environmental projects to your school. We will also discuss funding and curriculum support available from Walking Softer Education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to start and/or grow a sustainability program at their high school with support, including project funds, teacher stipends, and scholarship opportunities, from Walking Softer Education.

SPEAKERS:
Jason Ader, Jackson Ray, Briana Diacopoulos

Guidance on Being a Teacher Leader Without Leaving the Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 305


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Learn about a Science Education Fellowship program that helps science teachers become leaders without leaving the classroom. The SEF program has transformed the lives of hundreds of Fellows and thousands of students. The collaborative effort includes teachers, science coordinators, and administrators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about how to foster K-12 vertical articulation of science curriculum, an in-depth means to learn about science and engineering practices and how to be a teacher leader without leaving the classroom. Teacher leadership can lead to school district transformation.

SPEAKERS:
Arthur Eisenkraft

Guiding Students in Developing and Using Models: A 5-Step Routine for Success

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 304/VIP


Show Details

Educators will engage as student learners to experience an anchoring phenomenon from a middle school OpenSciEd lesson to discover an effective, 5-step modeling routine for helping students make sense of phenomena adapted from the text, Ambitious Science Teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will gain an understanding of an effective, 5-step instructional, collaborative routine for developing student’s proficiency with the Science and Engineering Practice of Developing and Using models and discover how it supports sensemaking and phenomena-based instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli

Harnessing Computer Science Skills for Enhanced 3D Learning

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C


Show Details

Explore how computer science (CS) can enhance students’ engineering designs and scientific sensemaking in middle school CS modules that use algorithms and simple block-based coding. Apply math and science knowledge for data collection and analysis embedded in authentic engineering design challenges!

TAKEAWAYS:
Technology, the T in STEM, can enhance 3D learning by integrating computational thinking, science, and engineering through real-world problems. This session will guide participants in using open-source materials that link algorithms and block-based coding to authentic contexts, enabling students to

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Bateman

Harnessing the Wind: Engaging Teachers in Renewable Energy Education

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Introduction to Wind Lesson Plan
Discover the power of wind! In this hands-on lesson, students explore wind as an energy resource, learn how it generates electricity, and build their own windmill to see wind energy in action. Includes Hands-On Lab to build a Windmill
Session Slide Deck

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Switch Classroom

Attendees will leave equipped with a student-tested wind energy lesson, incorporating hands-on activities and collaborative learning, adaptable for grades 4-12, fostering a deeper understanding of renewable energy concepts aligned with NGSS standards.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Kistler

How to Keep Your Teachers: Strategic Prevention of Burnout, Demoralization, and Exploitation for Leaders

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Cleeves_HowToKeepYourTeachers_distribution_NSTA_March2025.pdf

Show Details

Mentor teachers, teacher leaders, and administrators must go beyond burnout to address the impact of demoralization and exploitation. This session addresses specific causes, symptoms, and, most importantly, strategic, no-cost remedies to increase educator efficacy, satisfaction, and longevity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn the difference in causes and treatments for burnout, demoralization, and exploitation from individual and organizational perspectives.

SPEAKERS:
Jess Cleeves

Inclusive Science Engagement in an Informal Setting

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://sites.google.com/calacademy.org/casnstaphiladelphia2025/home

Show Details

Science learning in an informal environment, such as a museum, park or aquarium serves a large audience- there is so much opportunity to spark joy and curiosity! Educators hold a critical role in providing responsive, inclusive programing to serve our audiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
When goals and outcomes of programs and activities are clear, creating accommodations and modifications are more easily identifiable in the moment in order to support all learners. We will explore and practice using a tool to help educators reflect on the means of reaching desired outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Eileen McAleer

Instructional Design for Youth Empowerment in Science Education: Evidence-based Service and Feeding Philly

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 7



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Evidence Based Service.pdf

Show Details

Do you want to make authentic connections between the science you are teaching and the real-world? This session will focus on helping teachers successfully incorporate service learning into their science teaching by framing instruction around empowering students through civic engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will support teachers to design and implement a successful service project in their science class. Participants will learn about an instructional design framework called evidence-based service, brainstorm curricular entry points, and create a community asset map to identify partners.

SPEAKERS:
Lu Snyder, Diane Fanega, Cole Shamis

Interdisciplinary Climate Change Initiative

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Building Climate Resiliency Project Student Guide.docx
Changes to Land Use Student Guide.docx
Interdisciplinary Climate Field Investgations NSTA 2025.pptx
Thanks for attending the presentation. These materials include the slide deck and the curriculum materials for you to adapt.
Online Reources.docx
Sea Level Rise Student Guide.docx
Storymaps Student Guide .docx

Show Details

This is a story of collaboration between local organizations, a school system, and AP Science and Social Studies Teachers to create equity of opportunity by investigating climate change phenomenon occurring locally and culminating with students designing solutions to promote community resiliency.

TAKEAWAYS:
This story is a potential model of professional learning, curriculum development, and student inquiry within climate change phenomena. The interdisciplinary student field investigations and data collection tools are standalone resources that will be shared to adapt to your own story.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Larney, Erin O'Neal

It’s Foundational - Soil Is the Key to Earth’s Sustainability!

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A


Show Details

This workshop will delve into the critical role of soil in the sustainability of our planet, incorporating the four pillars of sustainability: economic, social, environmental, and cultural. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of human activities on soil health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using classroom-ready resources shared, participants learn about the economic benefits of healthy soil, the social implications of soil degradation, the environmental importance of soil conservation, and the cultural significance of soil in different societies.

SPEAKERS:
Melanie Szulczewski, Margaret Holzer

Jumpstart Biotechnology Careers by Incorporating Free Bioscience Industry Badges into Science Curricula!

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 4



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam (BACE) Categories
Detailed description of each category on the BACE
Overview of the Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam (BACE)
UF Biotility BACE Badging System
Descriptors of 8 Categorical Bioscience Industry Badges to support BACE credential preparation.

Show Details

With the goal of assisting science educators embed bioscience workplace competencies into curricula, inspiring students to pursue meaningful careers, and enthusing them to earn the national Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam (BACE) credential, UF Biotility has launched a free badging system.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how these eight bite-sized accomplishments serve as motivators and indicators of capabilities to employers, plus provide valuable teacher feedback. Attendees will also learn about industry careers, and aligning standards included on the BACE.

SPEAKERS:
Tamara Mandell

Kids Ask the Darndest Things: The Art of Questioning in Early Elementary Classrooms

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A


Show Details

Experience learning opportunities designed for early elementary students and reflect on strategies used to build instruction around students’ ideas and questions and support students in figuring out phenomena. Explore free, NGSS-aligned, research-based, resources for your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Children are naturally curious; let’s use that curiosity to foster and facilitate students’ questioning and discourse about phenomena in an elementary classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Amber Richmond, Chiara Kirkland, Cory Miller

Launch, Descent and Reconnaisance: Teaching Rocketry on a Low Budget

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

Inquiry based lessons aligned with NGSS will be reviewed with a particular emphasis on low cost activities involving rocketry. Supported through a USAF grant experimentation, 5E model and Project Based Learning activities focused around topics launch, descent and reconnaissance are covered.

TAKEAWAYS:
That many rocketry based science concepts (e.g., Laws of Motion) can be taught on a "shoe string" budget.

SPEAKERS:
William Sumrall

Learn to Notice and Support how Multilingual Students use Different Language Resources for Scientific Sensemaking via “Language Expansive Noticing”

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C


Show Details

Come learn about “language-expansive noticing” - a practice that enables teachers to recognize multilingual students’ brilliant ideas in addition to the various ways these students might draw from linguistic and multimodal resources to develop and communicate their scientific sensemaking!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will understand why developing their practice of language-expansive noticing is critical for ensuring equitable science learning experiences for multilingual students. They will leave with strategies and resources to help them continue to develop and use this practice in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Sage Andersen, María González-Howard

Leveling Up: Empowering Urban Science Educators

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_PHILLY25_Presentation-USEAB.pptx
Thank you for attending our session. Please use the slide deck to access the resources presented in the session on 3/28/25.

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Explore the range of needs of urban science educators. Interactive rotating discussions and networking will focus on instructional strategies, professional development opportunities, school environment challenges, technology integration, equity and inclusion issues, and collaborative partnerships.

TAKEAWAYS:
Urban science educators gain a deeper understanding of their specific needs and develop practical strategies to enhance their teaching practices, access resources, address equity and inclusion challenges, and build partnerships within their urban school environments.

SPEAKERS:
Selene Verhofstad, Elizabeth Spike

Mapping Concrete Aspects of Teacher and Student Actions to Support Deep Conceptual Understanding of Science

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Innovation Configuration maps help educators focus on concrete aspects of teacher and student actions that lead to deep conceptual science understanding. Participants will analyze classroom videos, using the maps to practice reflecting on classroom actions and set goals for continuous improvement.

TAKEAWAYS:
IC Maps—frameworks of effective teaching and learning strategies and evidence-based practices—can be used as part of reflective practice and continuous improvement by allowing educators to identify where their current practice falls in the map and set actionable goals to move their practice forward.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Ewing

Microbits in the Core Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 11


Show Details

In this workshop, attendees will put on their student hat and become students as they learn how to code and program MicroBits. Attendees will learn how to incorporate MicroBits to support student sense making, data gathering and analysis, and project based learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the various capabilities of the MicroBit, and numerous ways to use them in a core science class to support data gathering and analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Allison Bogart

No Coaches! No Problem! Teacher Leaders to the Rescue!

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

In Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula, a teacher leadership model has enabled an effective system of teacher-led elementary science support where teachers learn from and support one another. Learn from two teacher leaders who have helped develop a sustainable professional learning community!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how a teacher leadership model can benefit schools by ensuring high quality science learning for all elementary students and providing professional development for teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin St. Onge, Megan Dell, Jessica Krueger

NOAA Planet Stewards: Affect change through education, collaboration, and action - and receive up to $5000 to do it!

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom III



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA FY25 Planet Stewards Workshop Presentation_Final.pdf

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

NOAA Planet Stewards Educators are STEM agents of change in their schools and communities. Access professional development opportunities, education resources, and FUNDING, to increase students’ science literacy, and have them respond to real world environmental threats. Appropriate for Grades K-12!

SPEAKERS:
Alexandria Gillen

Novel Engineering: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Engineering and Literacy

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B


Show Details

With NE, classroom texts are the context for engineering design problems with characters acting as clients and finding characters’ problems, identifying design constraints and criteria through close reading of the text, and then designing and building physical solutions to selected problems.

TAKEAWAYS:
The session will include an introduction, examples of K-8 student work, how to put students’ ideas are at the forefront as they work on ELA and engineering, and several short Novel Engineering introductory activities in which audience members can participate to give them first-hand experience.

SPEAKERS:
Elissa Milto

NSELA Sponsored Session - Leading the Charge: (Re)defining a Vision for Sustainable Three-Dimensional Science Learning

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSELA Pathway Participant Journal
NSELA Pathway Session 1 - Presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

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:
Betsy Barent, Matthew Christiansen

One Health Education Now for Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 306


Show Details

The Saint Louis Zoo is committed to helping the next generation of students foster a deeper understanding of the world through the topic of One Health. Join us as we share how we partnered with local students to create lessons and how you can utilize One Health curriculum in your classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how One Health as a growing topic can fit into the attendees' future curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Grace Warshaw

Participatory Science: Engaging All Students in Authentic Outdoor Science

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303B


Show Details

Discover how birds and participatory science connect kids to nature while providing exciting gateways to authentic science learning for all students. We’ll explore the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s participatory-science projects, share free resources, and go on an eBird walk. Bring your smart device!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participatory-science projects, like eBird, provide an authentic way to meet science standards while building a lifelong passion for science and nature. We’ll discuss strategies for engaging students typically underrepresented in STEM fields.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Schaeffer

Patterns & Shapes in Nature with Fibonacci

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Living Classroom Learning Lab, NSTA 25 Introduction Video
Excited to share that The Living Classroom Learning Lab is back at the NSTA Conference in Philadelphia! Join us for our presentation on Patterns and Shapes In Nature With Fibonacci, on Friday, March 28th, at 8:00 a.m. in room 116 of the convention center! This incredible program, born in the suburbs of Chicago, has blossomed into a K-5 environmental education curriculum that weaves together literacy, social studies, and social-emotional learning. From Nature Detective to Ecosystem Studies,

Show Details

Examine number & geometric patterns, learn the Fibonacci Sequence, understand Native Peoples’ symbiotic relationship with nature, use geometry to recreate a shape in plants or animals captured on the nature walk, draw a Golden Spiral and compose Fibonacci poetry, integrate literacy, math & arts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Use Nature and any outdoor space as a classroom and catalyst for learning. Use the power of observation and wondering to lead to innovation. Understand history of Fibonacci & Native Peoples’ symbiotic relationship with nature. How to integrate science, mathematics, literacy, social studies and art.

SPEAKERS:
Danette Riehle

Physics in an Astronomy Context: Four Activities about the Sun from NASA HEAT

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 3



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2025 NSTA HEAT Presentation.pptx
https://aapt.org/Resources/NASA_HEAT.cfm

Show Details

Learn how the NGSS integrates physics and ESS through an introduction to four innovative lessons about heliophysics. All activities are based in research on a survey of physics and ESS teacher needs and interests and have been tested in high school and introductory college classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will take back lessons to (1) teach about motion graphs with images of coronal mass ejections, (2) relate sunspot cycles to period and frequency, (3) model spectra from the Sun and other stars, and (4) visualize magnetic fields and their relationship to the Sun and planets.

SPEAKERS:
HAVA TURKAKIN, Francesca Viale

Place-based teaching: Expeditions in the Schoolyard

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 5


Show Details

Place-based science teaching positions aspects of place–geographic location, geologic time, identity and community–at the forefront of science practices. This session will focus on the opportunities for place-based learning and teaching to explore our own locations: schoolyards and communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Place-based learning honors the lived experiences of students and the living beings that form a community. Participants will learn how to implement a NGSS-aligned, place-based science lesson in their own space: schoolyard or community.

SPEAKERS:
Kirstin Milks, Whitney Aragaki

Pre-service Teachers Prepare and Present an Environmentally Based Field Trip for High School Students - Lessons Learned

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Pre-service teachers (currently student teaching) had some hands-on experience preparing and presenting an environmentally themed field trip for high school students. Challenges faced included sudden change of venue and preparing for the unexpected when doing field trips.

TAKEAWAYS:
Field trips should continue to be a FEATURE of any science curriculum, but the messaging must be clear.

SPEAKERS:
Kathleen Jones, Jalen Steiner

Scaffolding Elementary Students' Scientific Evaluations of Model-Evidence Relationships About Fossils (NARST)

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
ADiscoverywithAmiAmmoniteeMELActivity2023-05-162.pdf
eMELLARGEBOOK2023-05-16.pdf
eMELSMALLBOOK2023-05-16.pdf
eMELWorksheetv3_2022-09-09_tk.pdf
FinalAnswerImage.pdf
The Elementary MEL Quick Start Manual.pdf

Show Details

Elementary teachers will learn about the role of plausibility in science and a new scaffold for their students' evaluation of the relationship between scientific evidence and explanatory models. This lesson about fossils includes a narrative nonfiction story and an interactive worksheet.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will takeaway that plausibility is a key cognitive construct in science and that elementary students are capable of evaluating these complex relationships.

SPEAKERS:
Timothy Klavon

Selecting Phenomena to Motivate Student Sensemaking

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Phenomena NSTA Philly March 2025.pdf

Show Details

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

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will appreciate how having students make sense of phenomena leads to greater engagement and better understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard

STEM Leaders Unplugged: Career & Leadership Insights to Power Your Journey

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Join us for an engaging session where participants will gain practical strategies to enhance their leadership presence, foster community through networking, and maximize professional learning for career growth.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will receive practical strategies to strengthen their leadership presence and advance career development in science and STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Camille Sanders, Dr. Alicia Conerly, Leena McLean, Kevin Niemi, Karen Hays, Adam Fagen

Stoichiometry: Visual & Hands-On Strategies for Student Success

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to facilitate deeper student understanding of mole ratios, stoichiometry, and limiting reactants. This hands-on activity uses common household chemicals to simplify setup and a Wireless Pressure Sensor to support live data collection and immediate data analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Riley

Strategies and Tools for Enhancing Computational Thinking in The High School Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
CT-S High School NSTA 2025.pdf

Show Details

Gain strategies and tools for enhancing opportunities for computational thinking in your current high school life or physical science curriculum. Bring current lessons and leave with concrete ideas for helping students engage authentically in the SEP of Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will take home strategies and tools based on the Computational Thinking for Science Framework that they can use to enhance opportunities for CT-S in any high school science curriculum. They will receive immediate feedback on lesson modifications they can implement in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Maia Binding, Eric Greenwald, Wendy Jackson

Supporting Equity and Justice Through Science Instruction: The Road Traveled and the One Ahead

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B


Show Details

All students have the right to develop a deep understanding of how the world works in ways that support their personal goals and the interests of their community. Come explore how instruction can more equitably support science learning that is consequential to your students and their communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will develop an understanding of an equity project framework for science education for supporting professional learning and implementation projects. They will learn how open education resources (http://stemteachingtools.org/) can help them develop equitable approaches to science teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell

Supporting Multilingual Learners in Equitable Engagement in the Science & Engineering Practices

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C


Show Details

We will explore equitable ways to engage multilingual learners (MLLs) in science and engineering practices. Participants do hands-on activities followed by reflective, pedagogical discussions to amplify their instructional resources for MLLs as they engage in collaborative, scientific sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants leave with explicit instructional strategies for leveraging multilingual learners’ (MLLs) linguistic and cultural assets. These strategies allow more equitable and accessible opportunities for MLLs to engage in collaborative, scientific sensemaking with their peers.

SPEAKERS:
Nico Janik, Karen Lionberger

The Three Dimensions of the PA K-12 STEELS Standards: What, Why and How

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Evaluating Lessons_Sensemaking Tool_Artifacts_Philly25.pdf
Session Collection
Three Dimensions of the PA K-12 STEELS Standards_ What, Why and How 3.28.2025.pdf

Show Details

The excitement around the PA K-12 STEELS Standards involves opportunities to engage students in three-dimensional learning. In this session, we’ll explore what the three dimensions are, why they matter for student learning, and how they are implemented in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Be familiar with the three dimensions of the PA K-12 STEELS Standards

SPEAKERS:
Holly Hereau, Emily Mathews

Two Teachers’ Take on Using Soil, Water, and Land Analysis for Sustainable Land Management

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 12


Show Details

Explore a hands-on lesson answering utilization of soil, water, and land use data to make decisions. Put on your student hat and see how they will analyze data to construct a solution for a relevant land use concern. Then, switch over to teacher mode and discuss ways to apply in our classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with experience in a versatile lesson that can be applied as an assessment tool, an engagement tool, or both. These tools are phenomenon based and use science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Sprague, JESSICA JONES

Unnatural Selection: Investigating Human Impact on Evolution with HHMI BioInteractive

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Participant Materials Folder

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

How do human activities affect the composition of wildlife populations? Explore free HHMI BioInteractive resources that guide students through constructing structured explanations about how urbanization and poaching affect wildlife.

SPEAKERS:
Christina Moran-Johnson, Karen Lucci

Using Effective Phenomena To Help Students Learn High School Chemistry and Physics

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Wysession_NSTA_Philly_Phenomena.pptx

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Use phenomena to inspire inquiry and mastery of chemistry and physics. Learn NGSS-aligned strategies, including the 5E model, to build storylines that spark curiosity, drive student questions, and deepen understanding of core ideas, practices, and concepts through engaging, student-led investigation

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Moore, Michael Wysession

Using My NASA Data Literacy Cubes in a Co-Teaching Model

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Data Literacy Cubes Presentation-Philly.pptx

Show Details

Learn how to modify and implement the NASA Data Literacy Cubes with students in a co-teaching model. Experience a lesson with combined Science and Social Studies content that provides students a unique opportunity to learn about oil and gas deposits and landforms in Ohio.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will experience a co-taught lesson using the NASA Data Literacy Cubes. They will be provided with the opportunity to adapt the lesson to fit their own content, curriculum, and state standards. Attendees will receive copies of the lesson plan, the Data Literacy Cubes, and student materials.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Creech, Michele Lewis

Water’s Wonder: A Molecular Exploration

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Explore water’s structure, polarity, and hydrogen bonding in this hands-on workshop. Through interactive activities, gain insight into water’s role in biological and environmental systems. Aligned with NGSS, this session offers an innovative approach to teaching fundamental chemistry principles.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt

Wild Connections: Fostering Collaboration Between Zoos and Schools for Enhanced Learning

Friday, March 28 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 9


Show Details

Join staff from Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago Public Schools as they discuss their innovative partnership, which has evolved from logistical support to collaborative teacher PL and a classroom-ready activity developed with zoo scientists. Participants will have the chance to try the activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
A creative partnership between Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago Public Schools has led to multiple opportunities for innovative collaborations and engaging, NGSS-aligned student activities.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Compton, Rosie Arnold

All About Balance

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Balance phenomena permeates our lives. Explore the phenomenon of balance in playful ways that include rotational balance, kinetic balance sculptures, and mobiles. Take a handout with you with ideas on how to provide your students daily opportunities to investigate balance using simple materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be empowered to introduce space, time, and materials for their students to investigate balance for stability, kinetic balance, and balance to compare.

SPEAKERS:
Beth Dykstra VanMeeteren

Bringing Scientists and Engineers Alive in the Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Recent studies show even young students, especially girls, doubt their STEM skills or STEM futures because they know little about real STEM people. Bring scientists and engineers' exciting work alive, and inspire kids, with new, fun hands-on/gloves-on/feet-on STEM activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how and where scientists do what they do—from Antarctic penguin colonies to the International Space Station—and learn easy, inexpensive, innovative ways and tools for getting kids to imagine themselves in real and valuable STEM work.

SPEAKERS:
Deborah Rose

Curiosity Takes Flight: Elementary STEM with Air Camp

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Air Camp is a hands-on educational adventure in aviation and aeronautics for students in grades 4-12 and K-12 STEM educators. Aiming to connect, inspire, and provide STEM learning opportunities while offering teachers professional development, valuable resources, classroom materials, and much more.

TAKEAWAYS:
Access to teacher resources and professional development opportunities designed to integrate aviation-focused STEM lessons and real-world applications into the elementary school classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Stormer, Christina Davis

Early Childhood Science and Integrated STEM - Professional Learning, Activity Ideas, and More

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

One of the authors of the Early Years column in "Science & Children" will share example columns and related classroom activities, as well as professional learning resources available through EC STEM Lab. The table will feature hands-on activities and giveaways.

TAKEAWAYS:
Very young children are capable of incredible science and integrated STEM thinking, doing, and imagining.

SPEAKERS:
Alissa Lange

Teaching Science through Play

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This hands on session shows a range of play activities which can be used to teach science concepts

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with ideas for teaching specific science concepts through play

SPEAKERS:
Anne Lowry

Science Inquiry through Nature

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Nature is a perfect lens for sparking a child's curiosity. Nature-based materials provide opportunities for children to dive into the world of scientific inquiry, asking questions, designing experiments and collecting data. Come explore some exciting nature-prompts and see where it takes you.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in a range of activities designed to spark science inquiry in young children through nature-based materials and explorations. They will leave with tools for using nature as a resource to provide opportunities for science inquiry with young children.

SPEAKERS:
Rina Zampieron

Engineering a Story

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Engineering a Story handout.docx
Engineering a Story_Philadelphia 2025.pptx

Show Details

This presentation is an innovative approach to integrating the engineering practices of NGSS and literacy in the elementary classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use existing classroom literature (stories, novels, expository texts) as the basis for engineering design challenges that help students identify problems and create solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Annette Venegas

Engineering with Paper: Adventures in Roller Coaster Physics

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Explore basic physics principles while learning to make creative roller coaters from just paper, tape & scissors. Kids love hands on projects and learn best when they create their own experiments. Join us for a hands on activity using simple supplies and simple methods to build amazing projects.

TAKEAWAYS:
You don't need expensive equipment to engage students in hands on activities

SPEAKERS:
Godwyn Morris

GLOBE Educator One-Week Pacing Guides

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Reduce your planning time with one-week pacing guides. These NGSS aligned pacing guides cover cloud types, plant phenology, and solar eclipses. Each has a driving question, teacher background information, GLOBE Program data collection, and connections to NASA.

TAKEAWAYS:
These one-week pacing guides cover clouds, plant phenology, and solar eclipses in NGSS aligned sequences which include student data collection.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Rizzi

Hands-on Environmental Education for a World of 8 Billion

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Discover interdisciplinary, role-playing activities, games and group collaboration from Population Education to explore human-environmental interactions, impacts on fragile ecosystems and paths to sustainability. Receive lessons ready to use at informal education settings.

TAKEAWAYS:
Share-a-thon visitors will discover ways to incorporate hands-on activities into their programming that explore relationships between people and the environment.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara Huth

Homes for the Hurricane Homeless: The Integration of STEM, Place-Based Learning, and Designing Thinking in the Elementary Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

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

How School-Based Participatory Science Projects Foster Schoolyard Sensemaking

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Educators will get our free teacher-tested support materials for two participatory (citizen) science projects and explore how to increase students’ outdoor learning experiences, authentic data collection, and sensemaking in third through sixth grades.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will walk away with materials to engage their students in 3D learning opportunities and support sensemaking for data that students collect in their own schoolyard. The two standards-aligned participatory science projects involve daily precipitation data and searching for native ladybugs.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Scharen

Implementing Hexagonal Thinking: A Concept Mapping Strategy

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Hexagonal Thinking Slides
Slides from 1-hr workshop-style presentation
NSTA 2025 Handout.pdf
Handout with overview. QR codes are hyperlinked. Can be used for any grade level, any subject including interdisciplinary. (PK-1 should be whole group, fewer words.)

Show Details

Hexagonal thinking is a collaborative hands-on concept mapping strategy focused on making connections across vocabulary, concepts, and other subject-specific components that can be utilized in any content area including cross-curricular settings. Come learn how to implement it in your own classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
For Upper Elem through HS. Participants will experience the strategy from a student POV, learn the process of implementation, and receive links to templates. Examples of student work will also be shown.

SPEAKERS:
Simone Nance

Integration Station: I'm Going to Eat You!

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

We will integrate science with language arts using the book "I'm Going to Eat You!" as inspiration. Activities include food chains in Miro (visually representing), presenting boards (speaking and listening, viewing), writing about food chains, and creating 2-D models of food chains.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to integrate science with language arts using food chains.

SPEAKERS:
Frances Hamilton

Interactive Word Walls for Early Childhood and Lower Elementary Students

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Student-generated interactive word walls resemble graphic organizers or data tables. They highlight connections between concepts and artifacts from inquiry-based science activities and connect scientific concepts with academic vocabulary.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will discover how to transform traditional static word walls into powerful teaching tools that support academic language development.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Jackson

Introducing Free (OER) Integrated ML-PBL Science Resources for Elementary (Grades K-5)

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Check out and learn how to access free ML-PBL integrated science curricular units for Grades K-5. See how the features of PBL support sensemaking, check out examples of unit overviews, literacy integration and recommended trade books, and research supporting the Multiple Literacies in PBL Project.

TAKEAWAYS:
After viewing examples from multiple units within the ML-PBL K-5 unit sequence, participants will learn how to access the free K-5 curricular resources on the Sprocket site. Handouts provide information for accessing and implementing the resources, or for adapting current units.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Codere

Modeling Characteristics of Wetlands: Project Ideas for the Elementary Level

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

'Why are wetlands important?' is the question that these series of hands-on labs answer through student-led construction, experimentation, and data collection of 3 main characteristics of wetlands: Absorption, Filtration, and Wildlife Habitats.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to facilitate construction of a reusable watershed model with removable wetlands and what materials are required. Build and test your own filter with layers of various materials in a 2L bottle! See examples of student-made field guides for your own local wetland observations.

SPEAKERS:
Anna Grant

Publishing Your Ideas in Science and Children

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Become part of the Science and Children team as an author or reviewer.  Science and Children is the premier journal for educators working with children in early childhood and elementary. We share classroom-tested ideas and innovative practices for all educators, including preservice teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Expand your leadership pathway by becoming an author or reviewer for NSTA's ECE Journal, Science and Children.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn

Teaching the Brain to Elementary students

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Brain-Based Mindfulness for Young Learners 2025.pptx

Show Details

What do young learners know about how the brain works? Brain-based research and mindfulness can have a profound impact on young learners. Foster a growth mindset in your young students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learning about the brain in elementary school supports lifelong achievement and development.

The 2025 Outstanding Science Trade Book Winners

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This year’s OSTB award books will be available for participants to peruse and enjoy. Learn about connections you can make to your instruction using these books and our experiences serving on the committee.

TAKEAWAYS:
NSTA and The Children’s Book Council have given awards for the best science trade books for over the past fifty years – At this share-a-thon table, learn more about this year’s selection and peruse some potential instructional connections.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Geary, Ana Houseal

Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Tumble is a science podcast for kids that aims to enhance science literacy for children aged 3 to 13. We have developed several accessible resources for teachers, parents, and others that we are excited to share.

TAKEAWAYS:
There are lots of ways Tumble can help your students engage with (and create!) podcast content to enhance science learning at home and at school.

SPEAKERS:
Marshall Escamilla

Using Biographies to Encouraging Girls' Interest in STEM

Friday, March 28 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

In our increasingly technological world, it is more important than ever for children to feel comfortable with STEM concepts, facts, and vocabulary. Reading picture book biographies about women in STEM immerses girls in the process of scientific thinking and boosts their interest STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Reading picture book biographies of women in STEM gives girls role models as well as providing a wealth of STEM information.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Wallmark

Accessing and Elevating Children’s Ways of Communicating and Negotiating Ideas for Sensemaking - Part of the COESEE Strand

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B


Show Details

Explore the expanded ways of communicating and negotiating meaning children use as they engage in sensemaking at all ages. Work with us as we share ways to becoming more attuned to the multiple ways children explore meaning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will engage in meaning making around children's communication and processes of negotiating meaning to become more familiar with various strategies and their importance.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Ewing, Mary Starr, Carla Zembal-Saul

An Ancient Love Machine, The Science Practices, and Complex Instruction, Oh My!

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Slides

Show Details

We will begin by exploring a puzzling phenomenon; a "machine" that claims to tell you how in love you are. Participants will self assess their depth of engagement in the Science Practices during the task using the K-12 grade band articulation of each practice. Appropriate for K-12 science teachers!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to support their students' engagement with the science practices at the depth and complexity called for in the Framework for K-12 Science Education.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Shafer, PhD, Megan Fretz

Anatomy & Physiology for Today's Classrooms - Grades 9-12

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Simulation Curriculum

Join our anatomy and physiology workshop and see Interactive Anatomy & Physiology in action! Explore key body systems, interactive models, and teaching strategies to boost student engagement. Gain practical tools and resources to enhance lessons & make complex concepts easier to understand.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Goodman

AUTOPSY Part 2: Forensic Pig Dissection

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Attendees from Part 1 continue the autopsy of their Carolina’s Perfect Solution® pig in the final portion of this workshop! Each “pathologist” will remove the organ block and examine individual organs, while learning tips about dissection and 3D instruction implementation. NOTE: Must attend Part 1.

SPEAKERS:
Patti Kopkau

Bird flu: The next pandemic?

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Humanity fights a perpetual arms race with pathogens. COVID and HIV recently hopped from animal hosts to humans and spread widely. Strains of H5N1 “bird flu” are poised to make that leap and threaten public health. How does viral evolution create new threats, and how we can defend ourselves?

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Levine

Bringing the World to Your Classroom: How Informal Learning Institutions Can Help

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Come learn about the resources that zoos, science centers, out of school time programs, government agencies, and other Informal Learning partners provide that can help you improve your students’ learning beyond just field trips or joining the program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about resources and opportunities that zoos, science centers, out of school time programs, government agencies and other Informal Learning partners, offer classroom teachers to expand their students’ knowledge, borrow classroom resources, or develop themselves.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsay Milner, Karen Hays, John Loehr

Can a Three Dimensional Ecosystem Exploration Reduce the Opportunity Gap for Underrepresented Minority Students in an Elementary Classroom?

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
3D Ecosystem Exploration - NSTA (conference copy).pptx

Show Details

Do you like seeing the microscopic world? Immerse your senses in food webs by designing them in a collaborative competition using Merge Cubes, an augmented reality (AR) tool. This session highlights how AR usage improves outcomes for underrepresented minority students in elementary settings.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore a STEM PBL hands-on augmented reality food web and identify how the real-world student experience of an augmented reality activity can be used to improve outcomes for underrepresented minority students.

SPEAKERS:
Jarrod Collins

Challenge Your Middle School Students with OpenSciEd Curriculum

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Ward's Science

Challenge and inspire your middle school students using the OpenSciEd curriculum. Perform hands-on experiments in Chemistry and Physics through problem-based learning activities from a 3D framework. Get a taste of Ward's Science kits that complement this open-source program.

SPEAKERS:
Patty Muscatello, Michelle Linn, Norman Marshall

Coherent Lesson Components in K-5 Science Units

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Resources folder
Slide deck and related materials for the Coherent Components in K-5 session

Show Details

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:
Guy Ollison, Gail Housman

Core Competencies for Informal Science Educators

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 305


Show Details

Calling all informal science educators! Join members of NSTA’s Informal Science Committee to participate in their efforts to define a set of key skills and abilities designed to create an equitable foundation for practitioners and ensure quality experiences for students.

TAKEAWAYS:
The core competencies will help to define what it means to be an informal science educator within NSTA and provide clearer and more equitable opportunities for professional learning in the future.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Eisla, Rosie Arnold

CRISPR and the New Science of Genetic Engineering: The Revolution in Human Genetics

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 307



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
CRISPR-Case-Studies NSTA.pdf
Case Studies on Genetic Modification
GeneticRevolution-NSTA-2025.pptx
Presentation slides

Show Details

Techniques such as CRISPR, mitochondrial transfer, and mRNA therapeutics have opened new possibilities for genetic manipulation of plants, animals, and the humas genome, bringing with them new opportunities to energize the biology curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be introduced to high interest case studies/phenomena that will engage their students in biology, demonstrating that biology is both dynamic and relevant to their lives.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Miller

Cultivating Sustainable Communities Through Hawaiian Knowledge and Practices

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Cultivating Sustainable Communities Through Hawaiian Knowledge and Practices

Show Details

This session describes how Hawaiian knowledge and practices were integrated with NGSS project-based curriculum. Central to the project-based curriculum are contemporary ecological and watershed challenges. Session participants will explore resources and strategies to support sustainable communities,

TAKEAWAYS:
Session participants will takeaway strategies for integrating indigenous practices into science classrooms. Session leads will provide a toolkit of practical strategies and resources that can be used to implement sustainable initiatives in their own communities.

SPEAKERS:
Shawna Nishimoto, Katrina Roseler, Lupita Ruiz-Jones, Christina Chan

Curious about Picture Perfect STEM? Come Join Us to See What It Is All About

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C


Show Details

If you have ever wondered about NSTA's Picture Perfect STEM lessons, and how they will fit into your classroom, this session is for you. Come and learn about these dynamic lessons written in the 5E model that engage your youngest learners in sensemaking through investigation and problem-solving.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to engage students in trade books that launch each science unit and how NSTA's science kits make each lesson easy to incorporate into your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren LoPorto, Kristen Crawford

Developing Effective Science Disciplinary Literacy Practices: Creating Grade 4-8 Science Experiences and Investigations That Help Students Develop Their Abilities to Think, Act and Communicate Like Scientists

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

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

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to help students formulate effective questions to guide their investigations, and then apply their critical thinking skills and disciplinary skills (objective observations and analysis of phenomena), to determine cause and effect and analyze results of the investigation.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell

DIY Solar Lanterns While Aspiring Towards a ‘Purpose Driven Light’

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 4



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Sunshine in a Jar Shareables NSTA (Google Drive)
This Google Drive includes Student Lab Manuals, Student Assessments, Powerpoints, My Contact Information, and a Contact List if you are interested in updates as to when the 'new' Sunshine in a Jar kits will be available

Show Details

Participants will convert a glass canning jar into a solar lantern using photovoltaic panels, rechargeable batteries, and a customized PCB. This STEAM based workshop demonstrates how students can construct their personalized take-home solar lanterns with an eye towards a greater good.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to make solar lanterns while addressing the middle and high school NGSS Physics standards as well as the NRC Framework Standards for Matter, Energy, and Human Impacts. Connect this simple lantern to the collective work of teachers and engineers working towards alleviating energy poverty.

SPEAKERS:
Pamela Ulicny

DNA Exoneration and Wrongful Convictions

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Use DNA testing to support claims of innocence in this hands-on lab for high school and university-level biology and forensic science students. Explore evidence types and factors leading to wrongful convictions.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsay Hamilton

Energy Engineering Challenge Activities!

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A


Show Details

Learn how to seamlessly incorporate engineering and design into your science content lessons with fun, hands-on design challenges and lessons!

TAKEAWAYS:
The activities are intended for students to develop the skills necessary to problem-solve and design solutions to well-defined challenges, but that will also only take a class period or two to complete.

SPEAKERS:
Paula Miller

Experience Stoichiometry: Multiple Representations in the Chemistry Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 10


Show Details

Learn what representations and data your students can use to bridge phenomena and mathematics, and how to use tasks to assess 3D stoichiometry understanding, as opposed to rote algebra skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to assess student problem-solving ability and conceptual understanding through students' use of multiple representations and approaches in chemistry classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Moore

Explore the Ocean, Weather, Climate Connection with Teek & Tom, NOAA’s New Animated Series and Lesson Plans

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom III


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Teek and Tom Explore Planet Earth investigates the relationship between the ocean, weather and climate on local to global scales. You’ll sample some of the ten hands-on activities for upper ES and MS students to reinforce Earth science concepts related to oceanography, meteorology and climate.

SPEAKERS:
Peggy Steffen, Kurt Mann

Exploring Extreme Heat with Understanding Global Change

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 5



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Materials and Resources Landing Page

Show Details

Explore an extreme heat based phenomenon with the Understanding Global Change (UGC) framework’s modeling practices. Learn UGC practices and tools to help incorporate an Earth systems perspective into your curriculum and adapt existing resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience the nature and processes of science by constructing explanations about a global change phenomenon with the Understanding Global Change framework and explanatory modeling practices.

SPEAKERS:
Alec Barron

Exploring OpenSciEd Elementary School from Carolina (K-5)

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Come experience a hands-on model lesson from OpenSciEd for Elementary School and discover how the Carolina Certified Version enhanced these high-quality instructional materials, making them more accessible, user-friendly, and safer for classroom use.

SPEAKERS:
Hoover Herrera

Exploring Phospholipids and Membrane Transport

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Model with us to explore phospholipid structure, their role in cell membranes, and membrane transport proteins through hands-on experiences and classroom modeling strategies that make abstract concepts tangible.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt

Exploring STEM Careers: Inspiring Future Engineers in the K-2 Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
GEMS Net, Elementary Engineering Careers, Bio-Inspired Engineering
Landing page for presentation on presenting engineering careers, early and often. Interactive video, language integration and engineering design task. Based on bio-inspired engineering at University of RI.

Show Details

Connect your current science lessons to cutting-edge engineering research and inspire students to pursue careers in STEM. Receive access to K-2 NGSS-aligned resources that immerse students in meaningful hands-on engineering tasks with real-world applications.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to enhance student engagement and promote STEM college and career pathways by connecting classroom learning to current engineering research at URI and UCONN. Leave with access to video and instructional resources aligned to NGSS and connected to the research.

SPEAKERS:
Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi, John Koziatek, Charlene Tuttle, Kelly Houle

Help your Students Fall in Love with Science: See How These Physical, Life and Earth Science Activities Engage Middle School and Beyond!

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Bring science to life with fun, NGSS-aligned activities for middle school and high school! Explore physical, life, and earth science topics like chromatography, energy, and blood types. Perfect for middle and high school teachers! Handouts included. Visit www.flinnsci.com.

SPEAKERS:
Jonnathan Medina Ramos, Ph.D., Mike Marvel, Ph.D.

Food Justice is Climate Justice

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slide Deck
Slide deck from Friday's session

Show Details

By understanding food systems and justice, we can more effectively combat climate change. This knowledge helps us recognize how food production, distribution, and consumption impact the environment. By promoting equitable access to sustainable food sources, we can reduce waste and lower emissions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understanding food systems and food justice is essential for effectively addressing climate change, as it enables us to promote sustainable practices and equitable access to food, ultimately reducing environmental impact and fostering healthier communities.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Luna

For the Love of Outdoor Education

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Outdoor Education Resources
Outdoor Education Slides

Show Details

Outdoor education takes many forms and focuses on promoting real-world, inquiry-based learning. We will discuss how schools in different states have developed camping programs and will share how to effectively prepare, advocate for, and organize a camp experience integrating NGSS standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
The main takeaway is how Outdoor Ed aligns with NGSS to enhance learning through hands-on, inquiry-based activities. Attendees will gain strategies to create an outdoor education program that fits their school's needs, including lessons and units that foster critical thinking and problem solving.

SPEAKERS:
Myriah Leisher, Pamela Waters

Formulate, Motivate, Investigate! How Teaching Students to Formulate Testable Questions Can Unlock Better Student-led Labs

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

See your labs–and your students–in a new light: teach students to develop their own testable questions. Experience the Question Formulation Technique, a step by step process that supports students to articulate what they are curious about and then turn those ideas into testable scientific inquiries.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn the Question Formulation Technique by experiencing the process for themselves. They will be able to immediately replicate the strategy in their own classroom to spur student questioning that drives more effective lab investigations and advances other science learning goals.

SPEAKERS:
RACHEL RIEMER, Katy Connolly

Found a Box of Vernier Sensors in Your Classroom? Start Here!

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Join our beginner-friendly, interactive workshop to help you understand how to assess, calibrate, and start using new-to-you Vernier tools. Explore our suite of hands-on sensors and how they work with our Graphical Analysis app to support 3D science learning in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

From Diego Rivera Murals to Ford’s First Factory: Integrating STEAM with PBL³ (Project-, Problem-, and Place-Based Learning) in Detroit

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slideshow

Show Details

Attend this ‘short course’ - with highlights from the full four-day workshop in Detroit! – to discover how you too can use real-world challenges, community assets, and history to create dynamic interdisciplinary units for students with PBL³ and Library of Congress primary sources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to leverage primary sources and community issues to foster interdisciplinary problem-solving and creativity, and discover how Project-, Problem-, and Place-Based Learning can elevate STEAM units in ways that foster creativity, critical thinking, and student agency.

SPEAKERS:
Trey Smith, June Teisan

From Good to Great: Unlocking the Pedagogical Characteristics of “Rock Star” STEM Teachers

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Interest Form for Online Course
Mastering the Elements of Rock Star STEM Teaching Pedagogy Online Course: To receive more information in the fall about how you can participate in this course or how you can bring this course to your school or district, please fill out the form!
Photos of Our Posters from Today
Participants were asked to identify 1) why this pedagogical skill is so important to have in a STEM classroom and 2) why this skill is hard for a teacher to develop.
Session Resources (including slide deck)
Resources specific to this session and also curated STEM resources from the National STEM Fellowship sponsored by the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY)

Show Details

Come unpack practical strategies for creating vibrant K12 STEM classrooms that foster student engagement and promote academic risk-taking. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to elevate their teaching pedagogy, inspire creativity, and cultivate a student-centered learning environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about seven essential pedagogical skills of "rockstar" STEM teachers - what they are, why they are so important, and how to learn to do them well. Attendees will receive immediately actionable resources to employ in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Girtain, Carolyn Kielma, Anthony Grisillo, Kristen Record

From Teacher Leader to PL Provider: Developing a Program to Prepare Facilitators

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 9


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

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 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:
Dora Kastel, Elizabeth Chatham

Gamification of Science Curriculum as an Approach to Differentiation

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://starofverisimili.weebly.com/curiouscase.html

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

This session explores how integrating executive functioning strategies and gamification in science promotes student autonomy, engagement, and resilience. Learn how leveled assessments provide differentiated challenges, empowering students to choose their learning path and showcase their strengths.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to incorporate executive functioning strategies and gamification into science instruction, using leveled assessments to provide differentiated challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Casey Kleiman, Kris Tidball

Identifying Sensemaking and Phenomena in K-12 Materials and Lessons

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 304/VIP



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_2025_March_ Identifying Sensemaking and Phenomena in K-12 Materials and Lessons (1).pdf

Show Details

Through engagement in examples of K-12 lessons and materials, this session will focus on how to identify phenomena, problems, and sensemaking in order 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

Integrated Engineering for Young Learners

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A


Show Details

Participants will use the engineering design process to create models that support science, literacy, and math standards. Energetic engineering activities will be linked with nursery rhymes for research-based learning that can be easily replicated in the classroom. Come engineer with us!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to teach science and engineering practices to young learners who undoubtedly need these foundational skills. Engineering explorations will be seamlessly integrated with language, literacy, and math standards, leading to valuable cross-curricular learning.

SPEAKERS:
Pam Nolan-Beasley

Integrating Education for Sustainable Development into the Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

Come ready to wear your student hats and your teacher hats as we dive deep into how to integrate education for sustainable development (ESD) into the science classroom. Through ESD, we empower students to become advocates for environmental justice and sustainability!

TAKEAWAYS:
The major takeaway from this session is that regardless of your level of familiarity with ESD anyone can begin the process of integrating it into their classroom and that its natural ties to science content allow us as educators to promote advocacy for environmental justice and sustainability.

SPEAKERS:
Nicholas Kukla

Introduction to Vernier: Sensor Basics for Beginners

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Get started with Vernier! Explore our top sensors for chemistry, biology, and physics and learn how to integrate real-time data collection into your curriculum. Support student-led science learning with hands-on, sensor-based investigations that help students make sense of the world around them!

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Is That What Scientists Do?: Incorporating Discipline Literacy in Middle-Level Science Classrooms

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
6+LS1+1-+Living+Things.docx
6-LS1-3 Lesson Plan.pdf
sample lesson plan
6-PS3-3 6-PS3-4.pdf
Sample lesson plan
NSTA_Is That What Scientists Do.pptx

Show Details

This session explores how science educators and library specialists can collaborate to embed disciplinary literacy into science classrooms, thus providing opportunities for students to increase and engage with literacy skills as classroom scientists.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, we will provide a definition of disciplinary literacy, explore sample lesson plans with resources offered by library specialists, obtain disciplinary literacy strategies, and emphasize the importance of disciplinary literacy in building literacy skills and closing the equity gap.

SPEAKERS:
Caroline Sanders, Kiana Eaddy

Leadership for the Implementation of High-Quality Instructional Materials: Launch through Sustainability

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

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

Make it Make Sense! Implementing Sensemaking Strategies in the K-12 Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A


Show Details

Join us on the Sensemaking journey! During this session, participants will have an opportunity the explore the pillars of the Sensemaking Framework. We will engage in authentic learning experiences that will bring the 3 Dimensions of science to life for teachers AND students as we figure stuff out!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the pillars of 'Sensemaking' as well as useful strategies for engaging students in 'figuring-out' phenomena as they experience authentic science.

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Murdock

Mastery Grading Made Simple: Practical Steps for AP® Environmental Science and NGSS Biology with Kristi Schertz

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BFW Publishers

Interested in mastery grading? This workshop will provide some practical steps you can take to transition, including using textbook-provided resources: learning objectives, practice, and mastery check assessment The presenter will discuss experiences with AP® Environmental Science and NGSS Biology.

SPEAKERS:
Kristi Schertz, Rachel Friedman

Meet Atom - NSTA's New AI Assistant

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B


Show Details

Atom is an AI-powered assistant trained on NSTA's extensive content, products, services, and educational programs. As our most educated team member, Atom can quickly and efficiently address all your association-related inquiries—whether you need help with membership, tracking orders, want suggestions for NSTA lesson plans, or more!

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, you’ll discover how Atom, NSTA’s AI-powered assistant, is transforming the way science educators access information and resources. You’ll learn how Atom can streamline your interactions with NSTA, providing instant support for membership inquiries, order tracking, etc.

SPEAKERS:
Tia Embke, Chip Flater

Money For Your Idea: Educators Teaching Grades K-12 Can Apply for Grant Funding for STEM Action Projects

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Toshiba America Foundation Overview
Toshiba America Foundation Overview

Show Details

Do you have an innovative idea for improving Science, technology, engineering and math learning in your classroom? Is your idea project based learning with measurable outcomes? What do you need to make learning STEM fun for your students? Engage with teachers who received funding!

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn tangible tips on how to complete their grant application online before the October 1 annual deadline.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Stotz, Ariel Coff, John Anderson, Miz Fischer, Eddie Temistokle

NMLSTA: Small Molecules to Macromolecules Model Comparisons

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125


Show Details

Models are excellent tools assisting students’ understanding of chemical structure and function. Different models highlight different aspects of the chemical they represent.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students can discuss how the 3-D structures of molecules affect their chemical properties as they “Act as Enzymes”. The students use another analogy, the English language, to explain cellular processes and growth. Models are used to develop questions, predictions, and explanations.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Cunningham

NSELA Sponsored Session - Leading the Charge: Selecting and Refining High-Quality Science Curriculum

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSELA Pathway Participant Journal
NSELA Pathway Session 2 - Presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

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:
Betsy Barent, Matthew Christiansen

OpenSciEd: Exploring Next-Gen Science with Sensor-Based Data Collection

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

Discover how PASCO's innovative equipment seamlessly integrates with OpenSciEd's standards-based curriculum. Engage in hands-on Middle School investigations. See how sensor-based data transforms traditional labs into dynamic learning experiences, empowering students to think like scientists.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Riley

Ozempic and Semaglutide Science: Mastering Diabetes and Weight Loss

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

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

SPEAKERS:
Tamica Stubbs, Leigh Brown

Parallax Distance Finding in the Universe ... and Your Parking Lot

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 12


Show Details

Parallax is hard to understand from traditional illustrations. Here's a fresh take on parallax, and how to use your cellphone with google apps and a little dance to measure angular displacement between images, calculate distances, and validate your results.

TAKEAWAYS:
You'll learn to measure your phone camera's field-of-view, and use that information with layout tools in the Google Suite (or any similar suite) to measure angular displacement between views and calculate distances. We'll also discuss the Gaia mission to use parallax to make a 3-D map of our Galaxy.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Kaiser, Vincent Urbanowski

PhET Interactive Simulations New Activities Database and Equity Strategies

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 11


Show Details

PhET simulations are evidence-based open education resources shown to improve student learning. Engage with PhET’s 170+ simulations, find and evaluate lesson plans against an equity-centered rubric, and curate a collection of your best finds using our newly-redesigned Activities database.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to (1) navigate the newly redesigned PhET Activities database with the capacity to save their favorite lesson plans, (2) evaluate lesson plans for quality and equity, and (3) become a contributor and reviewer for activities.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Blackman

Physics Modeling Instruction + PER = Engaged Students

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 6



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1A1NWekMHNn3E6esydNfEby-ZXLUt3gdd/edit?slide=id.g1f5bed8d612_0_0#slide=id.g1f5bed8d612_0_0

Show Details

Modeling workshops are structured inquiry approaches to physics teaching that incorporate computers and insights from content and physics education research. Modeling workshop attendees develop skills in scientific discourse, Socratic questioning, and in assessment of student learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees at this session will be introduced to Modeling Instruction via a hands-on activity that is engaging and is representative of a typical modeling paradigm lab.

SPEAKERS:
Lee Burwasser, Jon Anderson

Precision, Measurement & Data: Fresh Career Examples for your Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 2


Show Details

Join this dynamic workshop to explore three hands-on classroom activities that highlight the math and science skills needed in the manufacturing industry. Explore how geometry, measurement, and critical thinking skills all come together to create new products.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn 3 hands on activities that demonstrate how science and math skills translate to real world jobs in manufacturing.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Diamantides

Princes in the Tower: Investigate a historical mystery with forensic DNA analysis

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

In 1483, two English princes vanished; now, their remains may have been found! Students use DNA analysis based on the FBI CODIS system to determine if the remains might belong to the lost princes. This gel electrophoresis activity makes it easy to add hands-on DNA analysis to your forensics class!

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hennessy-McDonald, PhD

Professional Partnerships: K12 Educators and STEM Organizations

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Professional Partnerships: K-12 Educators and STEM organizations
Presentation Resources Drive

Show Details

This session will shed light on how partnerships between STEM organizations and K12 educators amplify impact, break down silos, and empower students. Participants will hear from successful collaborations that bridge gaps and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn best-practices and strategies in forging impactful partnerships with STEM education organizations.

SPEAKERS:
Caitlin Hayes, Jessica Kesler, Jason Morgan, Kim Alvin De Lara, Eric Moore, Jillian Blair

Programmable Sensors for Sensemaking in the Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A


Show Details

Our innovative approach to science and STEM engages students through hands-on and minds-on physical computing curricular units. Through this approach you can enable students to leverage computational thinking to investigate, develop models and ultimately enact local and global change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to effectively bring computational thinking and programming into the middle school classroom, based on curriculum units developed by Schoolwide Labs at the University of Colorado Boulder. Our place-based focus is a powerful promoter of equity for all students.

SPEAKERS:
Greg Benedis-Grab

Project Based Assessment in a One-Semester Conceptual Physics Course

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Connect with Me.pdf
Portfolio Compilation.pdf
A collection of the 8 portfolio assessments that Laura Romanovich uses in a 1-semester conceptual physics course
Project Based Assessment in a One-Semester Conceptual Physics NSTA.pptx
Presentation Materials Connect to me: [email protected] [email protected]

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

A discussion of philosophy and experiences of reshaping teaching and learning of conceptual physics at a small technical college. The presentation will detail the use of a portfolio assessment approach instead of traditional high-stakes exams, and the effects on student performance and attitudes.

TAKEAWAYS:
The use of a portfolio assessment strategy allows students the chance to learn and apply physics through doing, rather than memorizing and applying formulas. A draft based approach encourages students to continually revise and improve their understanding of difficult concepts over the semester.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Romanovich

Pros and Cons of Energy Resources Activity Stations

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Energy Sources Activity Stations
This handout guides students through Switch Classroom videos and activities, exploring energy sources' pros and cons. Reflection questions promote critical thinking and can be completed in science journals for deeper analysis.
Pros and Cons of Energy Resources - Switch Classroom.pdf
Session Slide Deck
Understanding Energy Transformations
Explore how energy from the Sun and ancient stellar fusion powers our world! Students will trace energy transformations across major sources—solar, wind, fossil fuels, and more—connecting them to the electricity we use and the motion that moves us.

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Switch Classroom

This presentation will showcase best practices to address that “all forms of energy production” have “risks as well as benefits.” The free, online Switch Classroom provides non-partisan content in this critical area of NGSS instruction. Adaptable for grades 4-12.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Kistler

Prospective STEM Students want Early College, Let’s Give it to Them!

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C


Show Details

Expanding early college programs can enhance student success, retention, and graduation rates. Learn the key aspects of planning, including addressing state-specific challenges, FERPA compliance, equitable access, and structured advising, that help ensure effective implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain practical strategies for implementing effective early college programs with robust student support systems. Get an overview of early college programs, including success data and state-specific insights, and understand key considerations such as federal privacy law and equitable access.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Finch, Kari Espada, Cyrus Sadeghian

Putting the "Lab" Back in Laboratory Classes: Assessment Tools for Practical Lab Skills

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 306



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1s4k8rhNhX93kYctU7wiABZUvLE8TnTO8/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112143397468409403667&rtpof=true&sd=true
Presentation with links to google drive

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

In the age of project and lab based learning, how can we include ways to assess students on the laboratory skills that they practice? Learn strategies for including lab-based assessments that target lab skills without simply labeling diagrams. Linking lab skills to careers in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Practical ways to implement assessments of lab skills in biology and biotechnology classes.

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Hamilton

Reducing Barriers for Marginalized Students in STEM Classrooms

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 8



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2025 NSTA RDEISE C2 - To Share.pdf

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Join LabXchange as we explore the Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Science Education (RDEISE) initiative and its science educator resources for advancing equity in STEM. We will discuss the concept of bias and strategies educators can implement to mitigate their impact on learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators must be aware of their own biases in their teaching practices, and execute strategies to mitigate their own impact on racially marginalized learners to ultimately reduce barriers in STEM spaces.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Sjoblom

Science and Engineering Practices: Data and Evidence

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Collection of Resources for Science and Engineering Practices: Data and Evi
Participant Copy of Science and Engineering Practices_ Data and Evidence_Philadelphia2025 .pdf

Show Details

Is it important to distinguish between data and evidence in science? YES! We’ll observe young students engaged in analyzing data and then broaden our focus to explore how data and evidence are woven through the science and engineering practices and across students’ K-12 science experience in school.

TAKEAWAYS:
Distinguish between data and evidence and why the difference matters in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Soriano, Brianna Reilly Oliveira

Science Talk, Modeling, and Writing about Molecules in the Kitchen

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A


Show Details

Have you ever wondered why the excited chatter during a science investigation disappears when teachers ask their students to write science explanations? Students enjoy hands-on investigative activities but need support to shift from their provisional language to science-specific language.

TAKEAWAYS:
Writing strategies and talk moves can improve students’ ability to develop clear writing. Appropriate scaffolds benefit all students, particularly multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Participants will learn how to support students’ development of ideas into written explanations.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Haverstick

Sensemaking in the Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Resource Folder and Presentation

Show Details

A critical component of any science lesson is the opportunity for students to make sense of their experiences. After a brief hands on lesson, engage in sensemaking yourself and leave with clear strategies to use in your classroom on Monday. Sensemaking norms posters link is included!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn strategies for providing sensemaking discussions through discourse in the elementary science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Lausten

Shifting Mindsets for 3D Learning: Embracing the Engineering Design Process in All Classrooms

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
3D Learning - Shifting Mindsets.pdf
SYLLABUS - Designing_Minds_condensed.pdf

Show Details

This interactive workshop empowers educators to embrace the Engineering Design Process as an instructional pedagogy for fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and engagement across all subjects. Participants will explore how the EDP supports 3D learning and can be integrated into any class.

TAKEAWAYS:
This workshop focuses on a mindset shift: embracing the Engineering Design Process as an adaptable instructional framework that enhances student learning and engagement in any classroom or subject, fostering a deeper sense of ownership, inquiry, and problem-solving.

SPEAKERS:
Devin Canaday

Supporting 3D Student Sensemaking: Exploring the Genetics of Mountain Lions

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 1


Show Details

Learn how to support meaningful student sensemaking through the integration of the three dimensions of the NGSS by engaging with a complex phenomenon on the genetics of isolated big cat populations in a free storyline-based HS biology unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to support meaningful student sensemaking by effectively integrating the three dimensions of the NGSS, a key feature of HQIM, through experiences from a HS biology unit exploring the conservation of megafauna through the lens of the genetic viability of isolated populations.

SPEAKERS:
Devin Foschi, Dora Kastel

Supporting Equity in STEM Through Biographical Read-Alouds

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

This session advocates for biographical read-alouds as a key part of K-8 STEM education. Attendees will learn to prioritize equity using STEM role models, review biographies that can be used as an entrance to inquiry, exploration, and engineering, and inspire all students to see themselves in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using STEM read-alouds in K-8 education promotes equity by engaging diverse learners—including multilingual, female, and students of color—in STEM content and careers, framing STEM education as a commitment to social justice and a field that all can enter.

SPEAKERS:
Geoff O'Brien, Nicole Glen

Surviving, Thriving, or ??? the AI-pocalypse in Education

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Surviving or Thriving.pdf
Please feel free to reach out to any or all of us.

Show Details

AI has taken the education world by storm, reshaping and transforming traditional teaching methods at a breakneck pace. As it evolves, the question for educators, students, and institutions becomes clear: Will you survive the chaos, thrive in this new era, or strive to adapt and remain relevant?

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will better understand transformative AI tools in the current education landscape.

SPEAKERS:
Charles English, David Barnes, Christine Anne Royce

The Future of STEM: Empowering Today’s Educators and Tomorrow’s Leaders through the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B


Show Details

The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) immerses students and educators at all levels for free in STEM programming. Through competitions, summer camps, and comprehensive professional development, AEOP stands at the forefront of educational innovation, preparing participants to excel in life.

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

Three transformative leadership practices to prioritize elementary science

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Three Transformative Leadership Practices — NSTA Philadelphia 2025

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

How can we shift the culture of science teaching and learning in an elementary school or district? Explore how transformative leadership practices can build the capacity of educators and create the conditions for equitable opportunities for 3D phenomena-based science in K-5 classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will take away ideas and next steps for enacting transformative leadership practices in their own context, whether it is in their classroom, school, or at the district level

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Stenger, Suzanna Loper

Tipping Point: Exploring Climate Change and Wildfire Science with BioInteractive

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Participant Materials Folder

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Human activities lead to changes in environmental processes, including the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Join us as we use free BioInteractive resources to help students analyze authentic data and construct explanations for how changes in the environment influence wildfire dynamics.

SPEAKERS:
Lee Ferguson, Chris Monsour

Trailblazers: Investigating chemotaxis with C. elegans

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Unlock biology's mysteries with model organisms! Learn to culture and study C. elegans in your classroom laboratory. Explore chemotaxis with a simple locomotion assay. Integrate STEM concepts, data collection, and statistics for an enriching learning experience. Meets standards for AP Bio Lab 11.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell, Maria Dayton

Transdisiplinary Teaching in a Middle School Setting

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B


Show Details

How can silo-disciplined teachers facilitate transdisciplinary lessons? As a grade level, we learned what it can look like to converge disciplines so that students could see the interdependent nature of our classes. I would love to share these lessons and lessons learned with you!

TAKEAWAYS:
In this presentation I will share a set of lessons where a phenomenon, or problem, directed student learning in science, math, social studies, reading, and English language arts and where students had to work collaboratively across these classes to construct explanations and solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Abi NeSmith

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Through Anatomy in Clay

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Anatomy in Clay

In honor of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month, this one-hour interactive workshop will explore the human nervous system using Anatomy in Clay® models to gain a deeper understanding of this disease and its impact on the body.

SPEAKERS:
John-Paul Theriault

Using Art Pedagogy in Science Class to Teach Climate Justice

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B


Show Details

Learn about making art as a way of understanding and engaging climate and environmental justice issues happening in our world today. We will engage the current science related to climate change and produce art to creatively explore and communicate just responses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will come away understanding of how climate science can be engaged and represented through various artistic forms—and the pedagogical power of art pedagogy. People will use supplies in this workshop to make their own creations during the session.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell, Nancy Price

Using Evidence in Decision-Making: A Water Quality Scenario

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 3



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Presentation Unit 1 Activity 1 - Mar 28 2025.pdf
NSTA STK Sessions Overview.pdf
STK Field Test Info 2024-25.jpg
Unit1_StudentBook.Activity_01.pdf
Unit1_TeacherEdition.Activity_01.pdf

Show Details

Investigate the role of evidence in scientific explanations using an interactive activity! Participate in a real world-based scenario about drinking water and make a decision based on evidence. This lesson is part of a free high school curriculum developed at the University of California, Berkeley.

TAKEAWAYS:
This lesson supports students’ use of evidence in decision-making so that teachers may use this approach in their own classrooms. The activity, a part of a 10-lesson unit on evidence and iteration in the context of water quality and availability, is free for download.

SPEAKERS:
Kristina Duncan, David House, Sarah Metz

What Are Middle and High School Students Really Thinking About Disciplinary Core Ideas in Science?

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Explore how NSTA's formative assessment probes from the popular Uncovering Student Ideas series are used in an instructional sequence to understand the ideas your Grades 6-12 students bring to their learning, inform next steps for responsive instruction, and build a powerful thinking classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
A key takeaway is how to use formative assessment probes to uncover and understand the prior knowledge that grades 6-12 students bring to their learning in order to tailor next steps where student thinking is valued, misconceptions are addressed, and deeper conceptual understanding is cultivated.

SPEAKERS:
Page Keeley

What’s a Model Good for? Cultivating Engagement from Student-built Watershed Models

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 7


Show Details

Attendees will learn strategies to engage students in designing models to make sense of a local phenomenon focused on watersheds. Attendees will practice sense making of topographical and pH data to design three dimensional models, then use said models to make predictions about future phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students build models in classes all the time; but how can we guide students to use models the way scientists do? Urban schools face the challenge of explaining natural phenomena students have not experienced. These models allow students and scientists to make sense of these phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Tobias Kochenderfer, Anna Verdiguel Gillet, Michael Bogan

Wishes Granted: Finding Grants for Your Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Does grant writing feel overwhelming? This session will provide practical tips, strategies, and resources to help you write grants that win!

SPEAKERS:
Covey Denton

Working Smarter not Harder - Grading that's Good for Students and Teachers

Friday, March 28 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

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:
Sarah Delaney

A Chemical Inquiry: Let’s Learn Equilibrium!

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 10


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Join this workshop: “A Chemical Inquiry: Let’s Learn Equilibrium!” and participate in a “hands on” activity to help students overcome common chemical equilibrium misconceptions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to use Inquiry to overcome student misconceptions about chemical equilibrium.

SPEAKERS:
Gregory Dodd

Adventure Awaits: Gamifying Science with Engaging Side Quests

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Adventure Awaits.pdf

Show Details

Are you tired of hearing, "I’m done"? Add side quests as an extension to your science curriculum. Side quests can add a gamification element to your science classes that will extend the learning and deepen the creativity of your students no matter what grade you teach.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave this session with ideas and templates to add side quests to any science curriculum. Participants will also receive ideas for creating a badge system as a currency to gamify their class.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Simmons

Arrested Without Drinking: Hands-On Genetic Profiling and Legal Insights into Auto-Brewery Syndrome!

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Explore Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS), where gut fermentation causes intoxication without drinking. Use PCR and electrophoresis to genotype ADH and ALDH genes, study ethanol metabolism, and apply genetic findings to support legal defenses for involuntary intoxication cases.

SPEAKERS:
Tamica Stubbs, Leigh Brown

Author Session: Instructional Sequence Matters: Explore-Before-Explain, Physical Science Grades 9-12

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B


Show Details

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Brown

Biotech for Life: Capturing a Bigfoot is no Small Feet

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Ward's Science

Many life science teachers would love to incorporate real biotechnology techniques into their classrooms, but lack the equipment and know-how. Ward's Biotech for Life kits make it easy to do real science, and focus students' learning with engaging, realistic questions.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Linn, Norman Marshall

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Bridging Success Criteria and Sensemaking: Empowering Elementary Students in 3D Learning

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
10_Minute_NSTA_Presentation_Hayes-Johnson_(2)[1].pdf
CLEAR Steps To Making Success Criteria (1).png
Correlating Sensemaking With Success Criteria
Success Criteria Frequently Asked Questions

Show Details

This session will show how integrating Success Criteria with sensemaking pillars enhances 3D learning for elementary students. Participants will learn to create clear Success Criteria that guide young learners through authentic phenomena and foster equitable engagement in science practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Success Criteria empower elementary students to engage deeply with scientific phenomena, connecting their ideas to practices and achieving clarity in their learning, promoting a more equitable 3D learning environment.

SPEAKERS:
Laura - Ashley Hayes

Building STEM Identity: Leveraging Social Networks and Video Conferencing to Connect and Inspire

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


Show Details

This session will discuss the influence of role models on STEM identity development, which research shows is critical for students from underrepresented populations. Social networks and video conferencing platforms have removed barriers so that students can meet people in STEM careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Social networks such as LinkedIn and video conferencing platforms such as Zoom can be leveraged to bring alumni from your school back into your classroom in future years as STEM professionals. These former students can connect in profound ways that even the best teachers cannot match.

SPEAKERS:
Derrick Wood

Chat with the ISS LIVE via Ham Radio!

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B


Show Details

Learn how various technologies of space communication can let your school chat with an astronaut LIVE in space through Amateur Radio on the International Space Station. Investigate the use of electromagnetic waves, as well as the affects of life in space in these shared interactive lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to submit a proposal to ARISS to talk to an astronaut LIVE. The exciting ISS Chat is a day student will always remember, but it is just part of an extended learning opportunity about life, physical and space sciences. Examples of lesson plans will be shared and modeled.

SPEAKERS:
Dara Gardner

Communicating Physics Knowledge via the New AP Physics FRQ Types

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 4


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

This session will focus on helping all physics students communicate their knowledge. AP Physics Course Leads will share strategies for incorporating Science Practices into all physics classrooms, with a focus on preparing students to communicate their understanding on the new AP Physics FRQ types.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the skills assessed on each of the four free response questions and strategies for how they can prepare students for success on the AP Physics Exams. Time will be reserved for questions and discussion.

SPEAKERS:
Dee Dee Messer

Crash Cushion Design Challenge: A Lesson on Collisions

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

Engage students in a real-world engineering challenge! Learn how students can design and test crash barriers with live collision data to explore the link between momentum and impact forces. Analyze the resulting data to improve upon further design iterations.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Riley

Creating and Delivering a Drop-in Makerspace to Fire up Group Work

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025 Makerspace SpeedShare Talk Web.pptx

Show Details

The same problems often crop up with group work. Learners that want to work individually, trouble with ideation, and kids who feel they don't belong in this activity or field. I will share a workshop with the goals of supercharging group work with empathetic design and fostering empowerment.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will see pictures from programs, example setups, and sample student projects. I will share how to set up a budget-friendly drop-in makerspace, manage students' creativity reservoirs, and how this culminated in high-quality focused group work.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Sieke

CSSS: Navigating Difficult Conversations Around Climate Change and Sustainability Education

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA CSSS_ Navigating Tough Conversations.pdf

Show Details

Conversations on climate change and sustainability can be challenging. Join state and national leaders on climate change and sustainability education as they share newly published findings and help you plan for navigating these difficult conversations in your own community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with tools and resources to engage productively in conversations and generate strategic communications for their own context. They will rehearse facilitating a difficult conversation with a specific interest-holder from their community and leave practiced and confident.

SPEAKERS:
Lori Henrickson, Shannon Wachowski, Carol ODonnell

Customizing Curriculum: Increasing Relevance for Students

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 12:10 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A


Show Details

Wondering how to customize your curriculum to be more relevant for your students? Using examples from OpenSciEd as a context, we’ll share tools and strategies for customizing curriculum to increase relevance. Come ready to work!

TAKEAWAYS:
If curriculum enactment pairs great materials with support for teachers to make those materials even better, amazing things can happen. Customizing the use of phenomena in quality materials to support relevance for students is a great way to increase engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Affolter, Austin Moore

Data-Driven Labs in the Physics Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 11



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Google Drive folder of example lab activities

Show Details

Equations are central in physics, but how can we ensure students understand them on a conceptual level? In this workshop we will conduct a short lab activity demonstrating how labs can be entry points to derive equations, allowing students to better understand where they come from and why they work.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn lab strategies to help their physics students make connections between observations, data, and equations. The goal is to help teachers ensure their students understand physics equations beyond just using them to "plug-and-chug" answers with numerical values.

SPEAKERS:
Joshua Paugh

Diagnosing hereditary cancer risk with DNA analysis

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Explore how genetic testing can assess hereditary cancer risk. Students use gel electrophoresis and pedigree analysis to test family members for Lynch syndrome. Plus, engage with the medical and bioethical implications of genetic testing through a role-play activity!

SPEAKERS:
Rose Chaffee-Cohen

Dialogic Collaborative Action Research to Improve Science Teaching and Learning

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 3


Show Details

Participants will be introduced to dialogic collaborative action research (D-CAR) and explore its methodological underpinnings. They will also engage in DCAR as we discuss “wicked problems” such as recognizing students’ identity and voice, and scientific ones such as climate change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain an understanding of the nature of action research and what D-CAR is. They will also learn how to engage in D-CAR, and how to convene and facilitate science teacher groups. Participants will learn about wicked problems and how they can be mitigated through D-CAR.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Nation, Katie Laux, Allan Feldman

Discover Your Changing World with Innovative Tools from NOAA

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom III


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Join the National Earth Science Teachers Association to explore NOAA's resources and dive into interactive, data-rich investigations. Engage students in exploring human impacts on terrestrial and ocean ecosystems, environmental changes, and pathways to informed decision-making.

SPEAKERS:
Peggy Steffen, Margaret Holzer, Diane Tom-Ogata, Alexandria Gillen

Elementary Agriculture Education: Using Agriculture as a Teaching Tool

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Agriculture As A Teaching Tool_NSTA Final.pptx
Lesson plan Native FL Resources and Tools.docx
What's IN the Ranch.docx

Show Details

We’ll explore how agriculture is used in Florida elementary education to teach STEM, critical thinking, and environmental stewardship. Participants will learn strategies, resources, and lesson plans to engage students, meeting NGSS while making science relevant and connected to their daily lives.

TAKEAWAYS:
Agriculture can be used as a teaching tool in elementary education.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Lynn Hess, Jennifer Morgenthal

Empowering Scientific Voices: Mentoring Students Through the Research Publication Process

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A


Show Details

Discover student-focused science publications as we explore opportunities for student publishing, then equip educators with practical resources and strategies to support students throughout the publication process, from crafting manuscripts to navigating peer review.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to effectively guide students through the process of publishing their scientific research, gaining knowledge of student publication venues and acquiring practical tools to support young researchers from manuscript preparation to successful submission and peer review.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Mader, Sarah Fankhauser

Engaging Students in the Practice of Science

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Create integrated STEM learning experiences that connect content areas and engage students in scientific practices. Shift the focus from end results to the learning process as students investigate, problem-solve, and develop deeper understandings of science through real-world connections.

SPEAKERS:
Zipporah Miller

Equitable Assessment in the OpenSciEd Thermodynamics Unit: Supporting Diverse Learners

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 2



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Equitable Assessment in the OpenSciEd Thermodynamics Unit: Supporting Diverse Le
Equitable Assessment in the OpenSciEd Thermodynamics Unit: Supporting Diverse Learners Slides from Philly Session Presentation (High School Haven) NSTA National Conference on Science Education Philadelphia, PA Friday, March 28 2025 10:40 - 11:40

Show Details

Discover the equitable assessment system applied in the OpenSciEd Thermodynamics in Earth’s Systems unit. Examine assessment practices that value and elicit diverse ways of knowing, supporting all students in demonstrating their understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore how formative and summative assessments are designed to be inclusive and culturally responsive, providing students with multiple opportunities to engage with, reflect on, and communicate their learning.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rademaker, Holly Hereau

Exploring STEM Solutions for a Sustainable Future with a Learner-centered, Inquiry-driven Framework

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 12:10 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Exploring STEM Solutions for a Sustainable Future with a Learner-centered, Inquiry-driven Framework 2025.pdf

Show Details

PA built upon NGSS to include Environmental Literacy & Sustainability, fostering partnerships between cross-sector educators to implement the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) framework. Discover how MWEEs connect environmental science to STEM, enhancing authentic science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with resources that include activities to engage learners in local phenomena and promote future leaders of sustainable practices. Gain experience with this student-centered framework that includes investigation cards and the MWEE think cloud which reflect real-world science practices.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Fredebaugh-Siller, Tamara Peffer, Ellen Schultz, Diana Potts, Maryann Molishus, Michelle Niedermeier

Family Engagement in the Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B


Show Details

This session will provide practical tips and templates of how teachers can promote family engagement in the science classroom through student-family interviews on relevant course topics and family project-sharing sessions. Examples are for 9th grade Biology but easily modified for other sciences!

TAKEAWAYS:
Engaging families, even at the secondary science level, is important, possible, and can be simple for both teachers and students with student-family interviewing and family project-sharing strategies incorporated into the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kayla Silvers

Family-Friendly STEM: A Guide to Successful Outreach

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B


Show Details

Learn how to develop family-friendly STEM events that foster curiosity, collaboration, and lifelong learning. This session will provide practical insights, real-world examples, and actionable tips, tools, and strategies to help you make your family-friendly STEM events successful!

TAKEAWAYS:
Session attendees will come away with a list of must-haves for family STEM engagement. They will participate in STEM activities from past STEM events hosted at the Oakley STEM Center at TN Tech University.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Edwards, Jennifer Meadows, Kelly Moore, Leslie Suters

Free Short Science Films that Support Conceptual Understanding, Science Identity, and Nature of Science Learning

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

Science films are immersive storytelling formats that can engage students and promote conceptual understanding, while also supporting science identity formation and nature of science learning. Get a quick demo of free short films and teaching resources by the Science Communication Lab.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave knowing the different types of free science films and teaching resources made by the Science Communication Lab, examples of science standards they cover, and where to access them.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Behrman

Fueling Curiosity: The Impact of Science Current Events on Middle School Students

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Fueling Curiosity The Impact of Science Current Events on Middle School Student
NSTA Philadelphia 2025 Current Events.pptx
Fueling Curiosity: The Impact of Science Current Events on Middle School Students. Power Point with links

Show Details

Middle school is a crucial period of cognitive development, where students are honing critical thinking skills and expanding their understanding of the world around them. Engaging with science current events offers a myriad of benefits. It nurtures curiosity and prepares informed engaged citizens.

TAKEAWAYS:
Want to engage students with the very cutting edge of science and technology development? Do students need connection and insights into the scientific method in action? In this session, learn to reap the benefits of scientific journalism & cultivate the scientifically literate citizens of tomorrow.

SPEAKERS:
Peter Kelly

Get Hooked! Igniting Scientific Curiosity and Engagement with Zebrafish: A Hands-On Approach for Educators.

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 307


Show Details

Explore how zebrafish (Danio rerio), a common pet store fish and key biomedical research model, can spark students’ curiosity in science. Join 32 educators using zebrafish aquariums and their transparent embryos for hands-on experiments, providing diverse learning experiences for ALL students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learning how zebrafish and low-budget pet store supplies can be used to engage diverse learners including English learners in multimodal (visual, kinesthetic) real-life science learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Pam Kirkland, Vinita Hajeri

Going Viral in the Classroom: Crafting Virus Prototypes!

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 9


Show Details

Join the CDC team (NSTA’s version) to create a virus prototype and share it with the public. Explore practical strategies and resources to make the fascinating world of viruses engaging, relevant and accessible for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will engage in a PBL unit that applies the Engineering Design Process to design and build a virus prototype.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Kipp, Carlos Perez

Grading for Growth: Fostering a Culture of Learning in an Integrated Math-Science Course

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

This presentation will explore the implementation of Standards-Based Grading (SBG) within an integrated math and science 9th grade course, highlighting its benefits, challenges, and practical strategies for effective assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore Integration of Math and Science: Present the pedagogical rationale for integrating math and science in the freshman curriculum. Share examples of interdisciplinary lessons and assessments that utilize SBG principles.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Vogl, Zhanna Glazenburg

Hitting the Target with the Science and Engineering Practices

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 8



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA25.pdf
Target cards.docx

Show Details

In this hands-on workshop, participants will engage in activities to develop a shared understanding of observable features that can help them decide when students are hitting grade-level targets for engaging in sensemaking using the science and engineering practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will hone their definitions of the science and engineering practices to better develop strategies that engage students in grade-level appropriate sensemaking using the science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Brosnick

Homeostasis in Human Body Systems: Developing the Practice of Modeling Over Time

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 1


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Learn how to support students in using the three dimensions of the NGSS with increasing depth and sophistication by exploring a free, quality biology unit that foregrounds the progression of modeling to explain the puzzling phenomenon of a marathon runner who fails to maintain homeostasis.

TAKEAWAYS:
Designing HQIM for the NGSS requires an emphasis on building progressions across the three dimensions. See how students develop their use of the Modeling SEP over time to reach high school proficiency in this EQuIP-reviewed homeostasis unit.

SPEAKERS:
Devin Foschi, Dora Kastel

How Can AI Help You Build Interactive STEM Lessons Students Love?

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: JoVE

Join our hands-on workshop to learn how to use AI tools like ChatGPT and JoVE videos to create interactive STEM lessons. Explore real-world applications, tailor activities for diverse learners, and leave with resources to transform your classroom into an engaging STEM hub! Bring your laptop.

SPEAKERS:
Kerry Richmond

How Can We Anchor Science Leadership in Equity Principles?

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 12:10 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Equity is often stated as a key value in education, but how can we anchor equity in science leadership work? Reflect on your own ideas, beliefs, and approaches to equity and learn how one science leadership development program embeds equity as part of learning to lead curriculum implementation.

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:
Susan Gomez Zwiep

iDron Online Camp: A Project-Based Assessment of Students’ STEM Affinity and their STEM Career Aspiration

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

The iDrone Online Camp engages middle and high school students in STEM through hands-on drone technology experiences. Participants engage in project-based learning, competitions, and FAA Part 107 discussions, enhancing critical thinking, teamwork, and self-efficacy in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
The session will highlight the positive impact of experiential learning on students' STEM interests and career aspirations.

SPEAKERS:
Jiyoon Yoon

Improving Student Success in a Non-Major Community College Biology Course

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A


Show Details

This session discusses utilizing the institution’s LMS to improve students' success in a non-major biology class at a community college. It emphasizes the crucial role of the faculty member in providing a method for the students to assess their personal level of learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using the learning management system can improve the entire student learning experience in any course. Each system has a diverse spectrum of tools to help the faculty members and the student population. The question was which tool(s) should be used and how they were applied.

SPEAKERS:
Lance Morris

Incorporating Paleontology Into the Early Childhood Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Incorporating paleontology into the Early Childhood classroom.pptx
KT flyer 031425.pdf

Show Details

Teachers are introduced to micro fossil material from the Pungo River formation, Aurora, North Carolina. Session will include ways to incorporate the materials into the early childhood science classroom (ages 4-10).

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will receive teaching materials as well as a hands on lesson in searching for and identifying micro fossils that are dated from 25 million t 5 million years old.

SPEAKERS:
Ginny Switt

Integrating Data, AI, and Cyber Literacy into Core Curricula

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA - Integrating Cyber AI Data Literacy Presentation.pdf

Show Details

Discover strategies for integrating data analysis, AI concepts, and cybersecurity literacy into K-12 core subjects. This session provides practical, cross-disciplinary approaches to empower students with essential 21st-century skills while meeting curriculum standards across various content areas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain ready-to-implement techniques for integrating data, AI, and cyber literacy into their existing curricula. They'll leave with resources and strategies to enhance student engagement and prepare them for an increasingly digital world.

SPEAKERS:
Charles Wang

Interdisciplinary Ideas: Literacy and Science

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Resources from Interdisciplinary Ideas: Literacy and Science
These are the materials I created and will refer to in the session. These are in Google Doc form so they can be adjusted to meet your need. If sharing with others, please give Katie Coppens credit for creating these.

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

NSTA's Science Scope columnist and NSTA Press’s Creative Writing in Science author Katie Coppens will provide strategies to integrate reading and writing in science with an emphasis on differentiation. Models and rubrics will be provided. Everyone will leave with ideas for implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Integrating science and literacy engages students while enhancing their scientific knowledge and improving their writing skills! Each activity gives students voice and choice to strengthen their interest in various areas of science. Student models are provided to show strategies in action.

SPEAKERS:
Katie Coppens

Learn AI with Self Driving Cars

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A


Show Details

In this workshop you will experience our innovative unit: Self Driving Cars. Incorporate AI, computer science, and a compelling social issue into science and STEM classrooms. During the workshop you will participate in hands-on unit activities as well as review this freely available curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will leave ready to implement our high quality unit with your students engaging student interest and using powerful storylining teaching routines. You will also have authentic student assessments to accompany the unit.

SPEAKERS:
Greg Benedis-Grab

Levitation: Making Sense of Magnetism and Fields

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 6


Show Details

Understanding magnetic fields can be challenging for students. This hands-on session will show how to use engineering design to help students make sense of the core ideas of magnetism, properties of fields, magnetic levitation, and how maglev trains work.

TAKEAWAYS:
This lesson can be easily implemented to help students understand magnetic fields and their role in maglev trains. The engineering design component allows students to use magnets to levitate an object and draw connections to other types of levitation such as quantum levitation.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Matsler

Lights, Current, Voltage! Exploring Electricity with Vernier

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Why does the fuse blow when I use a hair dryer? Why does my device battery get hot? Let’s investigate real-world questions on electricity with hands-on voltage and current sensors! Get tips for engaging physics students in Ohm’s law and simple circuits using real-time data analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

LOVE of Innovation: AI’s Impact on STEM Education

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
LOVE Of Innovation - AIs Impact on STEM education
Presentation material.

Show Details

Learn how LOVE (Learning Opportunities Valuing Everyone) will help you effectively integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into STEM education. See how Google Gemini, Notebook LM, School AI, and other tools can help students organize their thoughts, ask deeper questions, and synthesize information.

TAKEAWAYS:
Unlock practical AI strategies to enhance STEM education and ignite student curiosity. Leverage cutting-edge AI tools to streamline brainstorming, develop methods that support differentiation, increase creativity in coding, and analyze data sets within the constraints of a class period.

SPEAKERS:
Lora Gibbons, Randy Kolset

Mathematical Modeling in the Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: ExploreLearning

Join us in this interactive workshop to discover how Gizmos simulations amplify mathematical modeling in the classroom. Participants will engage in virtual and hands-on experiments to explore examples using Newton’s Laws, Hooke's Law, and the spring constant.

SPEAKERS:
Abby Dogum

Modeling mRNA—Life after Transcription

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Engage in a hands-on approach to transcription and mRNA modification, taking your Flow of Genetic information kit to the next level for AP® Bio, including exon splicing, GTP cap, and poly-A tail.

SPEAKERS:
Alice Scheele

Moving Beyond Elementary Science as a “Special” - Phenomenon-Based Learning for the K-5 Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A


Show Details

Ignite excitement and curiosity about science in your elementary classroom! Engage in and explore how phenomenon-based instruction can spark students' interest in science and go beyond special activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience how including science in the elementary classroom engages children's curiosity about the world while authentically applying literacy and math skills.

SPEAKERS:
Yanira Vazquez

Navigating DoD Science Education Resources and Emerging Trends in Technology from the NSWC Philadelphia Division Lab

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B


Show Details

Learn how DoD scientists & engineers in Philadelphia work with educators and students to translate complex emerging technologies and concepts into classroom projects that make STEM relevant and enticing to all students. You will also learn how to access the vast portfolio of DoD STEM resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
The DoD serves as one of the world's largest incubators of STEM innovation. Learn how to access its vast portfolio of resources and tools, such as lesson plans, classroom projects, internships, scholarships, and fellowships for students and educators.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Stolzer, Tristan Wolfe

Stop the Clock! Add These One-Period Activities to Your Lesson Plans for a Great Year of High School Chemistry!

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Streamline your chemistry curriculum with engaging one-period labs, demos, and POGIL activities! Perfect for both new and veteran chemistry teachers, this session provides ready-to-use experiments for core topics to ensure students grasp concepts while appreciating the beauty of chemistry. Handouts included! Visit www.flinnsci.com.

SPEAKERS:
Jillian Saddler, Jonnathan Medina Ramos, Ph.D.

NSELA Sponsored Session - Leading the Charge: Enhancing Teacher Practice Through Impactful Professional Learning

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
04a Session 4 Monitoring and Sustaining.pptx

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

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 improve teacher practice and student learning outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Joshua Smith, Justin Ingram, Kathy Renfrew, Gregory MacDougall

NSTA Postsecondary Presents: Moving Beyond Lecture - Proven Pedagogy for the 21st Century College Science Classrooms

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Beyond the Lecture (Haines)
Beyond the Lecture (Pereira)

Show Details

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Haines, Victor Pereira

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration: Teaching Common Biology Concepts with Alginate Beads

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Participants will make and use alginate beads containing algae and alginate beads containing yeast. They will learn how the beads can be used to model the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Risko

Professional Learning: The good, the bad, the virtual

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://ssec.si.edu/smithsonian-science-nc-and-sc-classrooms
NSTA 2025 PL slides.pdf

Show Details

Smithsonian Science Education Center has explored many ways of introducing hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum. Learn more about how we presented virtually, hybrid, and in person, the pros and cons, and what teachers had to say. Join us in discussing key features of high quality professional learning

TAKEAWAYS:
Each mode of professional learning delivery has pros and cons but providing time for collaboration, reflection, and exploration is key to teacher engagement and understanding in order to change teacher practice.

SPEAKERS:
Katie Gainsback, Katherine Fancher

Rubber Band Rocket STEM Challenge

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Estes Rockets

Learn how to use simple household materials to create a fun and engaging STEM challenge for your students. Concepts covered include potential and kinetic energy conversions and the impact of mass on height. Get hands on, have some fun, and take away a great activity to use in your classroom!

SPEAKERS:
Bela Power

Saving Flood Line Area

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Saving Flood Line Areas
This STEM project was aimed at Climate change and flooding in major cities and rural areas as well. Students worked on this project for one year at Boys Latin Charter High School. They created power point presentations to address the issue.
Saving Flood Line Areas example of students work
This google slide presentation was my former students work at Boys Latin Charter High School. They were in 9th grade at the time. They are currently Juniors at Boys Latin Charter High School
This is my original presentation on Saving Flood Line Areas.
This presentation address the flooding in areas in major cities, rural areas and suburb areas. According to study that Climate change will increase major flooding in next 20 years.

Show Details

Saving Flood Line Area is based on Research that my students and I did at Boys Latin Charter High School. Based on the flooding of the Vine Street Express way three years ago. Students look at the change in weather and ways that we could possible help other cities.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation gives knowledge about the changing in our weather climate and how we can support each other in these changes due to flooding in areas.

SPEAKERS:
Anthony Edmond-Pinckney

Schoolyard Sensemaking through Outdoor Data Collection: Bringing School-Based Participatory Science Projects to Your Class

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303A


Show Details

Participants will get free teacher-tested support materials for two participatory (citizen) science projects, engage in the projects' monthly activities, and explore how to increase students’ outdoor learning experiences, authentic data collection, and sensemaking in third through sixth grades.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away ready to engage their students in 3D learning opportunities as students make sense of real-world data collected in their own schoolyard involving daily precipitation data and searching for native ladybugs.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsey Sachs, Danielle Scharen

Science & Literacy – A Compatible Compound

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A


Show Details

Every science lesson is a chance to build student literacy skills! Accentuating language and literacy skills is sure to build student science understanding while cultivating science knowledge. This session will provide actionable techniques that build student literacy skills through rigorous science

TAKEAWAYS:
Teaching science with a literacy mindset accentuates the learning of both science and literacy. Participants will be provided with the tools they need to support literacy in their daily instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Talada

Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A


Show Details

Take a deep dive into the practice of developing and using models! We’ll explore how creating and using models help students build science ideas and can support students’ in developing and writing explanations. Experience the power of building science ideas together as part of a learning community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Developing models individually, in groups and as a class makes all students essential members of the knowledge-building community.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rademaker

Science in the Classroom: Translating Research Experiences into Student-Centered Learning.

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Borrero etal NSTA 2025 final.pdf
PPT presentation offered at the workshop. It includes QR codes to access all materials.

Show Details

Attendees will participate in hands-on, inquiry-based classroom activities and demonstrations based on research involving air quality, algae, bees, flies, and macroinvertebrates. We will showcase how these activities, using flexible resources, help students build essential scientific skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will be equipped with different strategies and contexts to promote students’ engagement and essential scientific practices through hands-on activities and demonstrations that focus on air quality, algae, bees, flies, and macroinvertebrates.

SPEAKERS:
Carlos Vazquez Vargas, Marisel Cherena-Martinez, Aixa López Muñoz, Michelle Borrero, Jacqueline Lopez, Wilmari Torres-Ortiz, Yajaira Torres - De Jesus, Myraida Torres Cotto, Elianid Espinosa

Getting Started with Science Notebooks

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A


Show Details

Join the author of Science Notebooks in Student-Centered Classrooms to discover how notebooks are an interdisciplinary, sensemaking tool. Leave with strategies for immediate classroom use.

TAKEAWAYS:
When science notebooks are incorporated into student-centered, three-dimensional classrooms, they become powerful interdisciplinary sensemaking tools and a rich source of assessment data.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Fries-Gaither

Solving Food Challenges for a Changing Planet

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 5



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Curriculum Link
Popcorn Slide Deck

Show Details

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

Spark Interdisciplinary Learning with PBS's Solutions-based Media

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 7


Show Details

Explore how PBS video clips paired with free, standards-mapped support materials engage students in positive, solutions-based environmental stories that can reinforce curriculum learning, grow and flex crosscutting skills, instill hope, and inspire action.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how free, solutions-based stories from PBS LearningMedia can enhance environmental science learning by instilling hope and inspiring action in your students.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Chyczewski, Tania Burchell

STEELS Notebooking 101

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A


Show Details

STEELS notebooking is an approach that allows students to make sense of their learning while developing their scientific thinking and understanding. The method places emphasis on inquiry-based learning, three-dimensional learning, and student engagement in scientific practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the science and benefits behind notebooking. They will be provided with examples and teaching on setting clear expectations, the structure of notebooking, collaborative uses, formative assessment, reaching diverse learners, and strategies on how to get started.

SPEAKERS:
Natalie Hafer, Karen O'Neill

Strategies for Fostering Girls’ STEM Identity and Building Community Online

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 305


Show Details

Brite is an online, interdisciplinary STEM program for girls ages 13-16, centered on collaborative learning and engagement with diverse women STEM role models. Participants will learn strategies and gain access to resources for fostering girls’ STEM identity and building community online.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn strategies for fostering girls’ STEM identity and building community online, including curricular resources for developing and facilitating collaborative and independent activities, and guidance on designing and implementing role model experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Abi Olukeye, Kata Lucas

Sustainable and Inclusive STEM for K-5 Teaching and Learning

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slides from our presentation

Show Details

We will discuss plans for working with a cohort of 12 K-5 teachers on developing: leadership skills, climate change content knowledge, and strategies for including ALL learners in STEM teaching over the course of a 5-year period. We will be at the beginning of an NSF-funded Noyce grant.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn tools and strategies for enhancing inclusive STEM teaching and learning about climate change for K-5 teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Taylor, Melissa Zrada, Helen Corveleyn, Lauren Madden

Teachers Unite: Advocating for Excellence in Education

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jkYKrl0qgcYbZlLtpJfEEwFVn-2bToY6jXLGYgoJ-90/edit?usp=sharing
The tubric activity can be for elementary students.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2CAmW7c-Ow
https://my.pblworks.org/resource/document/driving_question_tubric (tubric handout)

Show Details

Are you tired of complaining about what is happening in your classroom, school, district, state? Be a problem solver. Find out how you can make a difference as a teacher activist!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn about how to advocate for themselves, their colleagues, their students without compromising their positions as educators. They will learn to be confident and voices for legislators who need guidance on how to write legislation for our educators and students.

SPEAKERS:
Veena Black

The A3Sat Emulator: Broadening Participation in SmallSat Technology and Education

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 306


Show Details

The A3Sat Project, Acquire-Analyze-Apply, the fundamentals of Remote Sensing Education, allows students to build an active CubeSat Emulator incorporating components of an authentic design engineers use for launch into space.

TAKEAWAYS:
Authentic STEM experiences like this can no longer wait to be explored only at the college or university level … they must begin in the pre-college community. The A3Sat project is broadening participation and creating diversity within these communities due to the interdisciplinary nature.

SPEAKERS:
John Moore

The Case of The Murdered Mayor – Solve a Forensic Case Using Multiple Lines of Evidence

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Assume the role of a crime scene investigator to solve a realistic crime scenario. Students use fingerprint, hair analysis, tire track impressions, blood typing, forensic entomology, and a police log review to identify a primary suspect from a pool of 6 alleged perpetrators.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Nixon

The Effectiveness of Implementing Computer Simulations During a Chemistry Unit in a Middle School Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B


Show Details

This presentation shares my research on using computer simulations to model concepts in a middle school chemistry unit. Models offer a framework for understanding chemical processes, tested and refined in virtual simulations, helping students engage in iterative learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
A key takeaway from this presentation is that computer simulations, combined with models, enhance middle school students' understanding of chemistry

SPEAKERS:
Jerry Coronado, Cecilia Duenas

A Force to Be Reckoned With: Using Hands-On and Literacy to Build Elementary Students’ Understanding of Forces (K-5)

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Join our interactive workshop where literacy meets exploration! Through investigations, such as testing magnets, students solve problems and grow their literacy skills. Leave with classroom resources. Smithsonian Science for the Classroom received an All-Green rating from EdReports.org. 

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Emily Harrison, Hoover Herrera

The Human Element: Ethics, Equity, and the Educator's Role in AI

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Science Friday AI in Education Resources
Educational resources, media, and materials for teaching about and discussing AI in the classroom or other learning space.
Science Friday AI Stories to Share
The Human Element Ethics, Equity, and the Educators Role in AI
Explore the intersection of AI, ethics, equity, and safety in education. Discover how educators can provide the crucial human element in AI-enhanced learning environments. Plus, learn strategies to guide students in responsible AI use, ensure equitable access, and protect student privacy.

Show Details

Explore the intersection of AI, ethics, equity, and safety in education. Discover how educators can provide the crucial human element in AI-enhanced learning environments. Plus, learn strategies to guide students in responsible AI use, ensure equitable access, and protect student privacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will gain practical strategies and resources based on interviews and advice from experts to ethically integrate AI in their classrooms, focusing on equity, responsible use, and data privacy, while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human guidance in AI-enhanced education.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Roberts

The Skull Comparison Investigation on a Budget!

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 12



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://tieseducation.org/resource/skull-comparison-activity-without-the-expensive-skulls/
Download this entire activity for free!! And we will be raffling off two sets of 3D-printed skulls, along with several copies of our book, On Teaching Evolution.

Show Details

This essential biology investigation requires students to compare hominid skulls, studying the morphological changes as humans evolved. Skull models cost thousands of dollars. Do this important investigation for free with our slide presentation, student instructions, 2D skulls, and online resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
With a free slide show, informational handout, blank data table, links to a 3D skull collection, and assessment questions, teachers will identify basic trends in hominid evolution from early ancestors six million years ago to modern humans, including brain/jaw size, language, locomotion, etc.

SPEAKERS:
Bertha Vazquez

Think Local! Three Ways to Maximize Relevance and Engagement for Students

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Think Local! Session Resources

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

Making connections between science and students’ personal experiences is essential for engaging students, and it can also motivate teachers! Learn three low-effort, high-impact ways to localize your science curriculum and continue to reach your grade level learning goals.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott, Hilda Aganga-Williams, Leslie Stenger

Turning the Tide: Water to Mechanical Energy

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Hydropower Impacts Lesson
Explores humanitarian, environmental, and economic impacts of hydropower. Includes the Hands-On lab for Make a Waterwheel.
Session Slide Deck

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Switch Classroom

Design, construct, and test a waterwheel to demonstrate the conversion of water power into mechanical power, capable of lifting several pennies. This lab will reinforce the concepts of renewable energy and energy transformation.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Kistler

Using NSTA Resources When Teaching Courses for Preservice Teachers: Instructors’ Stories

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 304/VIP



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA-Natl-Conf-PHILLY25-Speed-Share-Instructors.pdf

Show Details

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez

What’s in Your Water? Intro to Water Quality Testing with Vernier

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Biology and environmental science teachers! Learn to use hands-on sensors to explore dissolved O2, pH, and conductivity with students. From chemistry basics to watershed ecology, get ideas for real-world learning and how to simulate pond water in class. Plus, try our new wireless turbidity sensor!

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Who is Baby Whale’s Father? DNA Fingerprinting Solves the Mystery!

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Come learn and get hands-on experience on how to teach gel electrophoresis and DNA fingerprinting in a single classroom session. You will pour, load, and run a gel, capture gel image, analyze the results, and deduce a probable conclusion for a whale of a forensic mystery.

SPEAKERS:
Ariel Cohen, Holly Khong

Wonder, Creativity, and Curiosity: Increasing Student Engagement with BioInteractive Resources

Friday, March 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Participant Materials Folder

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Get students engaged with innovative approaches that elevate student discourse in science! We'll model techniques aimed at increasing student participation and enthusiasm utilizing free resources like HHMI’s Beautiful Biology along with other BioInteractive resources.

SPEAKERS:
Marisa Alvarado, Brian Mason

Block by Block: Building Brains in the Minecraft Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GKslOA05UkbvM5cqvUiHzwMel1-WZHZbtpi81b9Om9Q/edit?usp=sharing

Show Details

Educators can integrate Minecraft Education with academic standards. They can create challenges for students to gauge students' interests and provide creativity using Minecraft. Educators will also discover that there are built in lesson plans on Minecraft Education to assist with standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
After this session, participants will be able to create lesson plans, integrate standards from multiple academic content with Minecraft Education. Educators will be able to instill enthusiasm and positive learning outcomes using Minecraft Education to teach students their core academic content.

SPEAKERS:
Veena Black

Fishbowls and Reflections: Making Space for All Voices in Discussions

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slides with the rubric and ideas on how to use the discussions in class

Show Details

Using the fishbowl strategy, you can turn classroom discussions into an event where students all participate, actively listen and then reflect on the conversation. This strategy works really well for engaging students who are quiet as well as moderating students dominate the conversation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use a fishbowl discussion to create space for all student voices in a discussion and reflect on the discussion using a rubric. Take home an editable and Canvas-ready copy of the rubric.

SPEAKERS:
Ilana Saxe

Integrated Science Workshops: What the Science of Soccer Can Do for Students

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Speed Sharing Session_NSTA Speed Share.pptx

Show Details

Integrated Science Workshops bring science into activities kids already do and love. Science is Elemental has developed several of these involving the arts, music, and soccer. Come learn how we weave (Fabric Arts: Friction and Tension!) science concepts, like vector and power, into fun activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Integrated Science Workshops can be adapted for the students’ grade-levels and for the time available, all while teaching key science concepts made accessible through activities kids love.

SPEAKERS:
Ann Miller

Journey to the Poles: Empowering Climate Literacy in K-12 Classrooms

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2024_PI Module 1 - Introduction to Paleoclimatology (2).pdf
Lesson
Project Ice Speed Sharing.pdf

Show Details

This session will focus on engaging educators with quick, actionable insights and teaching strategies that bring the study of ancient climates into the classroom. Participants will explore classroom-ready activities such as ice core simulations and data analysis tools that align with NGSS standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Key takeaways: Understanding how Earth's climate has changed over time using proxy data. Hands-on classroom activities to engage students with real-world applications of paleoclimatology. Tools to connect paleoclimate studies with modern climate science, enhancing climate literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Ripollone

NMLSTA – Modeling and Mentoring: Empowering Student Leaders for Impact Within and Beyond the School Community

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A


Show Details

A teacher leader serves as a model not only for fellow educators but also for aspiring student leaders. When educators demonstrate leadership within the community, students witness authentic examples of leadership, inspiring them to become leaders themselves. Ideas promoting leadership to be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teacher leaders will be empowered to inspire both their colleagues and students to make a meaningful impact within their community. Participants will leave with practical, actionable ideas and resources to implement a program that fosters and enhances student leadership in their school community.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Slota

No Phones?! How a cell phone free classroom has changed the dynamics high school biology classroom.

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B


Show Details

This session will explore how a cell-phone free classroom has impacted student learning and how when done in conjunction with Apple Classroom or other tools can change how students learn and collaborate.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn some of the advantages of a cell phone free classroom and will learn some strategies for how to make students forget they even brought their phone.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Aguiar

Revolutionizing Middle School Lab Notebooks

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Lab notebook slides
Print lab a.pdf
Print lab b.pdf
Wonder of Science Materials
Print these materials to make flip books for students to use when figuring out which CCC or SEP is in an activity

Show Details

This session will explore an inquiry-based strategy for redesigning middle school lab notebooks to meet diverse learning needs. This strategy improves student engagement and performance while allowing them to demonstrate their knowledge and skills of all 3 dimensions of the NGSS framework.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn key parts of an effective lab notebook that helps students incorporate all 3 dimensions of the NGSS framework. Through enhanced structures, students will have authentic opportunities to show what they know and can do.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Marino

STEM Cultural Online Night: A Collaboration with American and Korean Teacher Candidates

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


Show Details

The STEM Cultural Online Night project explored how integrating culturally responsive instruction improves STEM affinity and cultural competence among American and Korean teacher candidates through six weeks of international online collaboration, enhancing cultural awareness into STEM education.

TAKEAWAYS:
The session will highlight the benefits of cross-cultural collaboration in developing effective, culturally-aware teaching strategies.

SPEAKERS:
Jiyoon Yoon

The Retake Debate - Equitable Grading in Written Assessments

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Reflection activity.pdf
Examples of student reflection on their grades before and after retakes from semester 1.
Retake Policy Examples.pdf
Examples of retake policy, blank version at end of document for your use.

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Retakes have been a hot topic in allowing students to demonstrate learning mastery. This has been supported by many including the work of Dr. Joe Feldman, author of Grading for Equity, but how does this work in practice in a science setting? Join to hear from someone who has tried this out.

TAKEAWAYS:
An honest reflection on the application of offering retakes to students in written assessments to help you make an informed decision on your own grading practices.

SPEAKERS:
Will Leech

Trenton Makes: Urban Ecosystem = Interdisciplinary Lessons

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Trenton Makes: Urban Ecosystem PBL
This session shares tools and resources to support sense making in an urban environment. Developed from a PD, the unit has evolved to form the basis for a HS phenomena-based learning experience. Participants will have opportunities to use a chatbot developed by the STEM team to support lesson planning for STrEAMLInED instruction.

Show Details

Using historical contexts, this unit considers industrialization as a catalyst for change over time. Learners analyze environmental data from newspapers and government reports.The unit ends with students contributing to the design of reclaimed 19th and 20th century buildings for 21st century uses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn how historical photos, newspapers and technical reports can inspire students to imagine solutions for current challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Joy Barnes-Johnson

Using Genius Hour to Inspire Independent Student Research in Science Courses

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C


Show Details

Adapted from companies like Google and 3-M, this 100% student-driving PBL allows students to pursue sense making and learning on a topic of their choosing as it relates to the content area.  Students work through the process from driving questions to public presentations in just 10 class periods.

TAKEAWAYS:
This process/project is accessible for students at any ability level, given the appropriate scaffolds, and EVERY student can find something they are passionate about to research. You can do this in your classroom and make it your own!

SPEAKERS:
Katie Mercadante

Using Public Data to Inform Sustainable Solutions

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123


Show Details

This session will engage participants in authentic data using dynamic, publically available interactive tools. The data tools presented empower learners to evaluate biodiversity distribution, protected areas, and human impacts on sustainable development.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to construct an explanation of humans' multiple impacts on biodiversity using interactive research tools that are dynamically updated to reveal global and local species distributions and changes in human land use.

SPEAKERS:
Missie Olson, Jocelyn Miller

Using Spreadsheets to Learn Chemistry/Science Inquisitively and via Differentiation

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
*BRING COMPUTER TO SESSION* Using Spreadsheets to Learn Chemistry Inquisitively
This resource is the how-to for making/editing spreadsheet lessons.
AACT Webinar Sign Up 4/10/25 at 7 PM EST
Follow this link to sign up for my webinar where I will go more in depth on how to create/edit spreadsheet lessons to your desires.
American Association of Chemistry Teacher's Featured Article (March 2025)
To get a great sense of what to expect in this session, read my article published by the American Association of Chemistry Teachers this month!

Show Details

A showcase of dynamic spreadsheet chemistry lessons that provide instantaneous, differentiated feedback to students as they learn or practice new content independently or in small groups. This method amplifies confidence for students of all abilities and frees teachers to assist those most in need.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn the power of using free digital spreadsheets in making presentations for new content. The use of this tool makes practicing content and skills helpful, engaging, and memorable. Educators will be able to envision how to use this tool in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Sean Regan

Wired with Words: Purposeful Vocabulary Instruction in STEM Classrooms

Friday, March 28 • 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A


Show Details

Explore the link between targeted vocabulary instruction and improved comprehension in STEM. Through practical examples, attendees will learn one strategy and examine a tool to enhance scientific literacy while maintaining content rigor and concept retention for all learners in their classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how explicit vocabulary instruction enhances comprehension and concept retention in science.

SPEAKERS:
Shana Pyatt-Buckner

SEPA/APAST luncheon

Friday, March 28 • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 408


Show Details

Presidential Awardees and invited guests annual luncheon.

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Case Studies in the Postsecondary General Education Classroom: Making Biology Relevant, Interesting, and Fun

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Presentation Pritchard 25.pptx

Show Details

Case studies are a great learning tool for postsecondary general education students who may struggle to engage with and understand complex scientific topics. In this presentation, the use of specific case studies in a general education Biology class and the benefits of their use will be discussed.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain a greater understanding of the benefits of case studies in the science classroom. Case study resources and teaching methods, as well as specific examples of case studies related to classroom topics, will also be discussed.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Pritchard

How Can I Make Smart Energy Choices When I Eat?

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A


Show Details

After learning the chemistry of sugar, starch, and fiber, students use information from food labels to measure out the correct weight of sugar, starch and fiber and create physical presentations to compare energy value in familiar foods.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will get everything they need to implement this activity in their classroom, whether during a nutrition unit or during a unit on types of energy. This activity weaves in themes such as human body energy needs, cultural food choices, food deserts, and student wellness.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Grumbach

How science really works: Enhancing instruction with the Science Flowchart interactive

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A


Show Details

Find out how to modify your current instruction to better communicate the dynamic process of science using an interactive tool from the Understanding Science website. Help students recognize science as a dynamic, exciting, creative, and intensely human endeavor!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use the Science Flowchart interactive journaling tool, which allows students to make visible the dynamic process of science and helps them recognize the NGSS SEPs in their own inquiry.

SPEAKERS:
Betsy Barent

NMLSTA - Leadership Opportunities in Middle School Science

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A


Show Details

Be a teacher-leader! The National Middle Level Science Teachers Association offers resources for enriching your practice, cash awards, and national networking, as well as opportunities to serve a national organization, publish and present, and build a stronger resume.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with the ability to participate in national educator outreach, to connect with science teachers in other districts and states, and to enrich their practice.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Schoeffler

Phenomena Based Bell Ringers

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Photo Bell Ringers
Where to find phenomena photos for student generatored observations and questioning.

Show Details

Use real-world phenomena as class starters to engage students and link science with other subjects. Discover ready-to-use images and prompts for all content areas that spark discussion, deepen inquiry, and foster cross-disciplinary learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use real-world phenomena to show students that science is everywhere. By linking science with other subjects, they’ll discover how to make classroom topics more engaging, relevant, and connected to the world around them.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Sharpe

Shifting Student Status Toward Science for All

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


Show Details

Elevating students’ academic and social status is directly related to student learning outcomes according to researchers. Shifting status also builds more inclusive learning spaces. This session provides practical teacher moves to shift the status of students in their science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will consider the role of status in their current classroom, how status impacts group work and learning, and how to elevate the status of students. Attendees will gain inclusive, high leverage practices to raise status that can be used immediately with students during group tasks.

SPEAKERS:
Takumi Sato, PhD

Stop Action What? How Stop Action Videos have increased student engagement and understanding in a high school biology clasroom.

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B


Show Details

This session will describe how stop action videos are one of the most powerful and most underused tools in life science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave understanding how stop action videos can be such a powerful tool and will be able to think about how they might incorporate them into their own teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Aguiar

Teach Engineering: Free hands-on, standards aligned K-12 STEM resources

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Teach Engineering Speed Talk
Teach Engineering Speed Talk

Show Details

Engineering design is not just a way to teach STEM—it is a gateway to thrilling problem-solving and innovation for K-12 students! This session dives into Teach Engineering, an incredible FREE resource brimming with over 1,850 dynamic and hands-on STEM activities, lessons, and maker challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teach Engineering is a free, online collection of K-12 STEM resources that integrate engineering into science, technology and math learning. This session will demonstrate key features and benefits of the Teach Engineering digital collection.

SPEAKERS:
Dua Chaker, Jennifer Kracha, Ellen Sukovich

Transdisciplinary Learning: Using "transfer skills and tools" for deeper learning to achieve higher-order thinking on cross-curricular content

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

This presentation will share the results of my research on whether transdisciplinary learning is the best student-centered method to foster deep learning, and how leveraging tools from multiple disciplines can build students’ capacity to address global challenges through critical "transfer skills."

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how transdisciplinary learning transcends conventional subject boundaries, enabling higher-order thinking for deep learning. This student-centered approach proves to be a highly effective method for developing cognitive skills in reasoning and solving real-world problems.

SPEAKERS:
Cecilia Duenas

Unveiling Student Motivation: The Influence of the Classbank Online Program on Reassessment and Engagement

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

This presentation will share results of my research with a middle school science class on how the online program Classbank boosts student motivation for reassessment in mastery-based learning. It examines how game-like rewards impact students' willingness to improve performance and perceive learning

TAKEAWAYS:
A key takeaway is how Classbank's gamification enhances middle school students' motivation to engage in reassessment, driving improvement in performance.

SPEAKERS:
Alma Fernandez, Cecilia Duenas

Using an AI Chatbot to Support Language Acquisition for Multilingual Students

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Resources and Slides

Show Details

Come learn about an AI tool that can create custom chatbots. Science teachers in rural Colorado are using these chatbots to support their newcomer multilingual students in Biology, Chemistry and more! This platform keeps student data more secure than ChatGPT or Gemini and can be used for free.

TAKEAWAYS:
Custom chatbots can be used to support language acquisition without just translating everything. Leave with the knowledge of how to create your own chatbot and an understanding of how this tool can be used and adapted in your own home setting.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Fretz

Using Student Choice to Share Ideas and Build Collaboration

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Using Student Choice to Share Ideas and Build Collaboration.pptx

Show Details

This presentation shows examples of how student choice can be incorporated into culminating group projects to help build collaboration and allow students to share their ideas and teach others what they’ve learned. Examples range across grades K-5 for a variety of topics.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will see how student choice can be incorporated into any unit in grades K-5 to allow students the opportunity to show what they learned, teach others the information they found most interesting, and collaborate with their peers.

SPEAKERS:
Marie Elaina Zuccaro

Utilizing Checklists to Aid in Mastery

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B


Show Details

Presenter will share how using customized checklists have aided in student success and clearer communication among all stakeholders. These checklists are used throughout each unit and detail requirements for mastery as well as necessary assignments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to better support student learning at all levels by creating their own checklists for student use. These checklists promote mastery of content while keeping all stakeholders updated on the student’s progression of learning.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Starks

Weather Journals for global understanding of atmospheric systems

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116


Show Details

How to set up a long term weather journal project and what to do with the data when you are done using weather apps and sites. With long-term data (6-8 weeks) students can set up a preliminary climatograph and make some assumptions about climate regions for that season of the year.

TAKEAWAYS:
By having students choose a variety of locations globally, each can learn more about the progression of seasons in different hemispheres, day/night cycles, weather and climate to share with others in the class for enrichment of all.

SPEAKERS:
Tina Harris

Work-Life Balance as Science Educators

Friday, March 28 • 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Getting the work-life balance
Survey Questions
UNICEF Self Care Tips for Teachers
This resource provides practical tips for teachers. -What is self-care? - What is burnout? - Recognizing signs of accumulated stress - Prioritizing self-care as a necessity not a luxury

Show Details

This session explores self -care needs, practices and work-life balance experiences of Science Educators in The Bahamas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Effective self-care practices promote effective work-life balance and enhances professional practice.

SPEAKERS:
Bridget Hogg

Ai in STEM Education

Friday, March 28 • 11:25 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MG2d6mSjR4snleVssYa-t2HEoOChWRiclfdK_k83ZL4/edit?usp=sharing

Show Details

Ai is the buzzword in education today! Discover how to incorporate Ai into your classroom—not just to support teaching, but to enhance student learning. Learn how Ai can prevent misuse and cheating while fostering academic integrity. Let us assist you in using Ai effectively in education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with strategies to incorporate AI tools into their classrooms. We’ll demonstrate how to integrate AI into STEM challenges, making lessons more engaging and interactive. Explore the best AI tools available to enhance both teaching and learning experiences in meaningful ways.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Woodard, Alicia Yewcic

Movie Sheets Can Be Great!

Friday, March 28 • 11:25 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Barbie Movie Sheet.pdf
Contagion Movie Sheet.pdf
Der Junge der den Wind Einfing Movie Sheet.pdf
Gattaca.pdf
Migration Movie Sheet Key.pdf
Rio 2 Movie Sheet.pdf
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Movie Sheet.pdf
The Day After Tomorrow Movie Sheet.pdf
The Island Movie Sheet.pdf
Waterworld Movie Sheet.pdf

Show Details

Bringing a popular film into the classroom can be a great way to increase enthusiasm or engage learners. Movie sheets provide a free treasure trove of guiding questions and concept checks to make sure the students are following along.

TAKEAWAYS:
Over the last decade, my pre-service students and I have been creating free movie sheets that are posted to the free site (moviesheets.com) for anyone to use. The sheets cover all types of genres, academic levels, and disciplines.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Bechtel

Science Vocabulary Adventures: Discover, Learn and Play!

Friday, March 28 • 11:25 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Science Vocabulary Adventures and padlet

Show Details

Come along on a fun-filled journey to incorporating Science vocabulary schoolwide and in the classroom.  Explore strategies and activities to help your students understand the world around them in engaging ways--one science word at a time.  There is something for every type of learner!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be given a Padlet link with resources for ways to incorporate science vocabulary in their school and classrooms. The Padlet includes a list of books by science topic to teach and reinforce science vocabulary by integrating literacy into science.

SPEAKERS:
Tara McClintick

Science, and Math, and Reading...Oh My!

Friday, March 28 • 11:25 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B


Show Details

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 a phenomenon-based, science-focused lesson series that was designed to help reinforce and practice the standards in math and ELA.

SPEAKERS:
Miranda Orellana

STEM Beyond Boundaries: Bridging Cultures and Languages through STEM Problem-based Learning

Friday, March 28 • 11:25 AM - 11:40 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
STEM beyond boundaries

Show Details

Enhance the experience of STEM by fostering hands on experimentation using project-based learning and real-world examples. Join our conversation where we will be generating themes and context to support bilingual instruction and culturally responsive practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to enhance the nuances of STEM PBL within the classroom and discover the challenges of this approach (i.e. ill-defined tasks, cultural integration, contexts and state standards) and design components.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Kipp, Nipah Onkananuwonk

Exclusive Exhibit Hall Hours

Friday, March 28 • 11:40 AM - 1:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Discover the latest and greatest science and STEM teaching and learning resources, tools, and products available during this break in concurrent sessions.

A Better Whey to Explore Chemical Changes, Rates, & Solubility: Cheesemaking

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Learn how cheesemaking can be used to explore scientific concepts like evidence of chemical changes, chem reaction rates, solubility, and pH. Participants will experience how to investigate these concepts in a fun, exploratory way that emphasizes building science practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will see a simple hands-on lab that can be easily scaled up or down and see how students can make sense of curd formation by drawing on what they already know, making meaningful observations, analyzing data, asking questions, and applying an understanding of how chemical reactions work.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Velasquez

A Better Whey to Introduce Reaction Rates: The 30 Minute Ricotta

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

See how we can use cheesemaking to explore concepts like chemical reaction rates, solubility & precipitation, and pH. Participants will see how students can investigate these concepts in a fun, exploratory way that emphasizes building science practices. An easy investigative hands-on lab is included

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will do a simple hands-on lab that can be easily scaled up or down and see how students can make sense of curd formation by drawing on what they already know, making meaningful observations, analyzing data, asking questions, and applying an understanding of how chemical reactions work.

SPEAKERS:
Shawn Boggs

A framework to guide teachers in supporting students epistemic agency:

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Research in science education shows students assert epistemic agency when teachers cede authority over knowledge, create space for alternate claims, and take up students’ ideas as classroom resources. Drawing on literature, we present a framework for supporting elementary students’ epistemic agency.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers can make space for students to assert their epistemic agency in the science classroom. Doing so can result in positive learning outcomes such as productive dialogue, active student participation, and meaningful learning experiences for students.

SPEAKERS:
Greta Etherton, Daniel Levin

Action Research: Enhancing Learning Through Doodle Notes and Sketch Notes in the Chemistry Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Research shows that students benefit from doodling and sketching in the classroom. Discover how doodle/sketch notes were implemented in regular, inclusion, and special education settings to teach students the importance and value of note-taking practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, we will share the results of an action research project focused on implementing doodle/sketch notes in the Chemistry classroom. Strategies will be shared for modifications and accommodations, as well as how to transition to more independent note taking practices.

SPEAKERS:
Adiba Mirza, Shefali Mehta

AEOP Virtual Reality “Lab”

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Experience the “real” feel of working in a lab from the physical layout to the various “tasks” performed. Take on the role of a scientist/engineer and conduct scientific studies with a prototype. Catch a glimpse of an Army lab in action and learn how equipment used by our troops is developed.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will have an opportunity to use virtual reality goggles and applications to explore a technological alternative to hands-on scientific inquiry and engineering design processes. Information about eCYBERMISSION and programs administered by NSTA and sponsored by AEOP will be available.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Kutsch

AI in Education: Virtual Professional Development for Teachers

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This poster presents an asynchronous virtual professional development series designed to help teachers integrate AI into their teaching practices. Through four targeted modules, educators explored AI tools to boost classroom efficiency and develop strategies for fostering students’ AI literacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about a flexible, self-paced professional development series that we implemented to equip teachers with the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate AI into the classroom, focusing on enhancing both teaching efficiency and students’ AI literacy. Results will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Suters, Kelly Moore

Apple Pi

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Delve into math and science! In this versatile mathematical modeling activity, students collect qualitative and quantitative observations on different-sized apples. Then they examine data on circumference and diameter to derive pi. This exercise can easily be part of a larger lesson plan as well!

TAKEAWAYS:
This activity is an example of how different math skills can be integrated into a larger Science lesson plan. Students derive pi by collecting quantitative data, creating a scatter plot to graph it, and calculating slope of the best fit line. It is also easy to differentiate for grade and ability.

SPEAKERS:
Rama Sreekantham

Aquaponics in the Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Aquaponics in the Classroom Poster

Show Details

Aquaponics (aquaculture + hydroponics) can be an amazing tool to use in the classroom with students. Using aquaponics in the classroom allows students to learn in a more hands-on way and physically see how the life cycle works along with how certain things are essential for life to exist.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how they can create their own aquaponics tank in their classroom for only a small amount of money and how much of an impact it can have on their student's learning. They will also learn how to take care of an aquaponics tank and how their students can assist with caring for it

SPEAKERS:
Emery Breitbarth, Kylie Buchholz

Back to the Drawing Board: Reenvisioning the Scientist

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This poster explores student scientist drawings, challenging stereotypes and fostering inclusivity.Students analyze characteristics in artwork and note themes that emerge.Reflective questions emphasize that scientists come from diverse backgrounds and reinforces that everyone is a scientist!

TAKEAWAYS:
When students draw a scientist without prompting, depictions often resemble Einstein. Discussing the themes that emerge highlights the misconception that scientists are primarily white, nerdy males. It is crucial to help students realize that scientists should be diverse and look like them.

SPEAKERS:
Angi Shelton

Becoming a Science Education Researcher

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

In this session, science educators share steps taken and lessons learned in becoming PhD students and educational researchers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn the steps they can take and some of the potential pathways ahead in starting a PhD journey.

SPEAKERS:
Olivia Bello, Jesse Mechanick

Beyond Burnout: How to Acknowledge and Address Burnout, Demoralization and Exploitation

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Cleeves_BeyondBurnout_Poster_NSTA_Mar2025.pdf

Show Details

This poster is for teachers who don't want to have to quit. We'll examine oversimplified views of teacher burnout by acknowledging that demoralization and exploitation also impact educator resilience. We'll also explore specific causes, symptoms, and most importantly, remedies for each.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators can reclaim their classrooms and lives from burnout, demoralization, and exploitation. This type of empowered healing begins at an individual level. As teachers enact no-cost strategies to make their essential work sustainable, student outcomes and school culture also improve.

SPEAKERS:
Jess Cleeves

Community Connections: How Can Building Purposeful Community Partnerships Enrich Learning Experiences to Create Lasting Student Impact?

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 25 Community Connections Poster
Copy of Community Connections Presentation Poster and Presenter Information
NSTA 25--Community Connections Poster Session
Contains all materials presented in the Community Connections Poster Session (Friday 12:00 - 1:00)

Show Details

This session shares strategies and drives inquiry around the topic of building and integrating community partnerships in schools beyond field trips and guest speakers to enhance learning, belonging, and access for students, particularly those traditionally marginalized.

TAKEAWAYS:
Broaden your understanding of what community connections look like and how purposeful partnerships generate meaningful student engagement. Use storyboarding techniques to link partnerships with student outcomes and take away practical strategies and resources for integrating them into your practice.

SPEAKERS:
Mari Thiersch, Jennifer Flonacher

Crafting Effective Professional Development for STEM Educators

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://theislandteachers.com/downloads/

Show Details

Discover the 4C's framework—Contextualization, Collaboration, Content Focus, and Continuous Improvement—to design impactful PD initiatives. Engage with strategies that enhance educator participation and learn techniques that aid in measuring the effectiveness of your PD session.

TAKEAWAYS:
This poster session will provide strategies for creating measurable outcomes, fostering collaboration, and ensuring professional development leads to meaningful improvements in STEM teaching practices.

SPEAKERS:
Stephen Bowen, Ashish Gilbert Bowen

Creating Real World Classroom Connections to Research Experiences for Teachers (RETs)

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Create real-world classroom connections to research done by YOU the educator. The poster will share how to find RETs (Research Experiences for Teachers), how to differentiate between RETs and COPs, how to participate and how to create lessons, lesson plans and unit plans based on current research.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to create engaging classroom connections based-upon RETs (Research Experiences for Teachers).

SPEAKERS:
Eika Johnson

Data Is Beautiful! Going Beyond the Bar, Line, or Pie Graph

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Based on work by Lupi & Posavec. Gather, tabulate, then create an artistic, visually appealing graph to engage the reader. An artistic presentation of data draws readers in and encourages curiosity and questioning. Central tendencies of mean never looked more beautiful!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will discover that data and graphing can be presented in many ways and can be personal as well as artistic and informative. Learn how to engage students and expand their thinking in data science through art. Use graphs and data to interpret trends and make predictions.

SPEAKERS:
Nina Hipps

Deceptive Data – When Data Leads Astray

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Deceptive Data - When Data Leads Astray

Show Details

Examine how both scientists and AI systems have been misled by deceptive data. This session highlights historical scientific errors and modern AI misinterpretations, showing the dangers of bias and flawed analysis. Learn strategies to teach critical data literacy and improve decision-making.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with real-world examples of scientists and AI models reaching false conclusions based on flawed data. These cases can be easily integrated into science curricula to teach data literacy and the complexity of scientific inquiry.

SPEAKERS:
Selene Verhofstad, Charles Wang

Developing an Authentic Classroom Community for New Science Teachers

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

For new science teachers, developing a classroom community can be challenging. In the chemistry classroom, students can feel isolated and uninterested due to the complexity of the content and the seemingly irrelevant material. By establishing classroom culture, all students can achieve success.

TAKEAWAYS:
New science teachers establishing themselves as a “warm demander” can help provide an authenticity that will allow students to not only create a learning community where all individuals work together to achieve success, but also help to bolster relevance with the material through student belonging.

SPEAKERS:
Liam Gallagher

Early Years Environmental Science Education (NARST)

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

In order to better understand how well existing environmental science education pedagogies and approaches prepare young children to handle the complexity of climate change, this session puts forward critical methods and approaches to teaching environmental science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Environmental education should be grounded in environmental literacy, using multiple perspectives beyond human-centric to understand the interconnections between natural systems and human activities, leading to children developing a sense of ecological citizenship.

SPEAKERS:
Peter Oyewole

Earth Science Access, Performance, and Equity (NARST)

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Studies have shown that students have not experienced equitable and uniform access to a high school Earth science course. This study explored ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and English language proficiency and their relationship to Earth science access and performance.

TAKEAWAYS:
Earth science performance was positively predicted by the prevalence of Earth science participation in the school. Earth science enrollment also acted as a partial mediator for ethnic minority student enrollment, school level poverty, and the percentage of English language learners.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Schlendorf

eCYBERMISSION STEM Competition - Authentic, Engaging, Accessible

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

eCYBERMISSION is a free virtual STEM competition for grades 6-9 that offers standards-aligned resources, grants for teachers and thousands of dollars in awards for students. eCYBERMISSION fosters critical thinking and creativity while preparing students for the future.

TAKEAWAYS:
eCYBERMISSION is a free virtual STEM competition for grades 6-9 that offers standards-aligned resources, grants for teachers and awards for students. eCYBERMISSION provides educators the resources to foster critical thinking and creativity while preparing students for the future.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Kutsch

Educational Pathways to Biomedical Research

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

There is a critical shortage of professionals in the healthcare industry. This has increased efforts to attract people to the field at many levels, the most significant of which is the middle school years. This presentation focuses on engaging middle-level students in biomedical research.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session provides attendees with in-depth content and engaging pedagogy related to inquiry-based biomedical science. This is conveyed through exemplar classroom-ready, hands-on lessons that align with actual biomedical research and the Next Generation Science standards.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Scribner, Gayle Buck

Empowering Middle School Teachers with a Ready-to-Use Climate Science Unit

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Developed by experts in environmental health and K-12 STEM education, this FREE and turn-key, research-based unit empowers middle school teachers to bring climate science into their classrooms through engaging, hands-on activities and real-world problem-solving challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to use a research-backed climate science unit in their classrooms. They’ll discover practical strategies for engaging students through experiments, case studies, and design challenges, making climate science accessible, interesting, and relevant to middle school learners.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Link, PhD

Engaging First-Generation Students in Chemistry: Resilient and Inclusive Approaches in Higher Education

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This poster presents strategies for creating equitable chemistry classrooms that engage first-generation students. It includes specific examples of inclusive practices and culturally relevant approaches, demonstrating how these methods can be integrated into lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to create lessons that connect with the cultural backgrounds of first-generation students while exploring effective classroom practices that utilize collaborative learning to boost engagement and academic achievement in chemistry.

SPEAKERS:
Wenting Hu

Enhancing Earth Science Education Through Geoscience Professional Engagement

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

AGI’s Teacher Field Experience (TFE) program connects geoscience professionals with K-12 educators through immersive field trips and workshops. This poster session highlights partner case studies and how professionals can enhance earth science education while inspiring future geoscientists.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how they will be able to join AGI's Teacher Field Experience (TFE) program, connecting with local geoscience professionals to participate in hands-on field experiences or workshops that will enhance their knowledge of specific geoscience areas.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsay Mossa, Lauren Brase, Ed Robeck, Sequoyah McGee, Maliya Malik

Exploring Desert Ecosystems: Building Food Webs Through Place-Based Learning

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This presentation offers strategies for engaging learners in place-based ecosystem studies. Students research a local plant or animal, design an infographic detailing their species, and model the flow of energy between classroom dwellers, fostering deeper understanding of ecological relationships.

TAKEAWAYS:
A flexible, adaptable lesson plan that can be customized for different ecosystems and grade levels. Strategies for promoting engagement through place-based learning and integrating science and engineering practices into ecosystem modeling.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Shepard

Exploring Global Biodiversity Stewardship From Nations to Neighborhoods

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

The student-centered activity engages students in considering global conservation challenges through mathematical thinking and data analysis. It uses up-to-date, authentic data used by scientists and policymakers alike, preparing them to meet performance expectation HS-LS2-1.

TAKEAWAYS:
Data science is integral to studying, conservating, and managing ecosystems worldwide.

SPEAKERS:
Missie Olson, Jocelyn Miller

Exploring Misconceptions of AI Trustworthiness (NARST)

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Attendees will explore common misconceptions of AI among non-CS learners, discuss how the misconceptions act as barriers to understanding AI's ethical implications and trustworthiness, and offer insights to help students overcome them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students' conceptions of A include overestimating its capabilities to autonomously solve complex problems, underestimating the rapid pace of AI advancement, and viewing AI as objective.

Exploring the Use of Model Eliciting Activities (NARST)

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This session will discuss mathematization as a framework to teach the concept of energy and the use of Model Eliciting Activities (MEAs) to design related learning environments. Attendees will learn about the affordances of the MEAs to provide opportunities to mathematize scientific phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
MEAs allow students to engage in science practices to mathematize scientific phenomena and learn the concept of energy.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Lima

FELIX: Detecting Bias in Scientific Communications (NARST)

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
FELIX A Critical STEM Reading Framework for K-12
FELIX-NGSS-Handout.pdf
Social Determinants of Health for Diabetes and Mental Health -a FELIX Activity
Teaching More than Facts Critical STEM Reading with FELIX (Full Slide Deck)
Teaching More than Facts POSTER ABSTRACT

Show Details

Misconceptions about the relationship between race and human health in our science and health institutions fuel, and are fueled by implicit bias. In this workshop, participants will learn to use our critical reading tool FELIX, a systematic approach to evaluating scientific communications for bias.

TAKEAWAYS:
In scientific training, scientific texts and communications are evaluated for technical correctness, novelty, and contribution. Training rarely includes materials on history and ethics of science, or train students to consider how science itself can be biased by the individuals who practice it.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Labadorf, Melisa Osborne Bioinformatics, TJ McKenna

Fun with Fruit Flies: OST Opportunities and the Critical Role they Play in Career Exploration

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Through the Women In Natural Sciences Program, students participant in summer opportunities like that provided by the eClose Institute. Solymar Harney learned value lab and research skills working with fruit flies to understand how diet impacts the development of certain forms of cancer.

TAKEAWAYS:
OST Programs like WINS, along with hands-on career experiences, are provide critical skills and knowledge along with a network of mentors that help students make informed decisions about college majors and career pathways.

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Godfrey

Going Back in Time: Researching Methods to Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Change by looking at Historical Dramatic Climate Shifts

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

The Women In Natural Sciences Program encourages participants to advocate for themselves in their exploration for other educational and career related opportunities. Sierra Destefanis shares her capstone project on how seaweed farming can help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participation in OST programs provides real word insight in STEM fields. As a student interested in pursuing animal sciences, understanding how historical dramatic climate shifts impacted animal populations provides insight to how these changes will impact existing wildlife populations.

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Godfrey

Improving Achieving Gap by Transitioning Classroom Curriculum to Field Application

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Improving Achieving Gap by Transitioning Classroom Curriculum to Field Applicati
welcome to our poster NSTA 2025.docx

Show Details

In this session, we will share the transitioning of biology curriculum to field application using project-based learning activity in Introductory and Upper-level classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how project-based learning activity helped to address inequities that prevent timely progress through college and to connect to workforce and transfer opportunities.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Noyes, Beena Patel

Improving Engineering Efficacy of Middle School Students Through 3D Printing and Design

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Can 3D printing improve engineering efficacy? This mixed-method study analyzed the changes in engineering attitudes of middle school students before and after an engineering-design-based intervention that included peer mentors and 3D printing. Applications of 3D design in the classroom included!

TAKEAWAYS:
3D printing and design can be an effective modeling tool for increasing engineering efficacy in middle school students. There are many practical applications for 3D design in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Janet McGrath

Inclusive Podcasts for STEM Learning

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This presentation shares findings from an NSF-supported project on the use of podcasts, particularly the Tumble Science Podcast for Kids, to promote access to STEM and introduce sighted, blind and low vision students in grades 3 through 5 to STEM careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Podcast listening can be a powerful tool for engaging blind and low vision students as well as sighted students in STEM learning in upper elementary grades.

SPEAKERS:
Marshall Escamilla

Innovate, Collaborate, Create: Designing STEAM Labs That Transform Education

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Learn how to create an Elementary STEAM Lab that fosters creativity, innovation, and critical thinking, aligned with NGSS and ISTE Standards. Discover strategies for hands-on, tech-integrated learning that boosts engagement, collaboration, and problem-solving across disciplines.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to design a STEAM Lab and environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and exploration. They’ll gain strategies for creating a space conducive to hands-on learning, integrating technology, and supporting inquiry-based activities aligned with NGSS and ISTE Standards.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Andrea Gomez

Inspiring Change: Understanding Student Views on Women Scientists

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Research findings from an NSF project that explored K - 8 students’ perceptions of women scientists using a Draw A Woman Scientist Test will be shared. Trends show that girls depict more progressive scientists than boys. Strategies to broaden conceptions of women scientists will be discussed.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will discover the trends of K-8 students’ perceptions of women scientists and take away strategies to broaden both boys and girls inclusive views of women in science.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Goldstein, Kelly Houle, Allison Yacko, Sara Sweetman

Integrating STEM, Computer Science, Social Studies, and Literacy in a Multidisciplinary Makerspace with Grades 2-5

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Handout
Poster

Show Details

To design for learning in a makerspace, teachers can weave together existing high-quality materials and approaches from multiple disciplines—including pairing science storylines with creative storytelling, coding with science modeling, and invention education with historical primary sources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Rather than designing projects from scratch or relying on a single curriculum for a makerspace, teachers can and should dig deep into disciplinary approaches to identify opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning that gets the most out of blending disciplines together.

SPEAKERS:
Trey Smith

Making a Good First Impression with Science Fair Projects

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

A former national science fair judge provides insights on how good titles can improve the odds of winning at science fairs. The poster will describe what the parts of a "good" title are and how teachers can help your students create one.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn the components of a good project title (from a research project on science fairs) and how to help their students develop a good title for their own project.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Bowen

Moving Beyond Centering Science Content Toward Centering the Child: An Interdisciplinary approach to Elementary Science Teaching

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This poster illustrates how science teacher educators can prepare elementary teachers to adopt a more holistic, interdisciplinary approach to science instruction that emerges directly from student interests.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees who participate in this poster session will leave with two practical frameworks (W)holistic Science Pedagogy and Youth Participatory Science for planning their instruction. They will engage with examples of the frameworks in action to better understand how to implement them in their class.

SPEAKERS:
Terrance Burgess

My Journey of Building Partnerships and Capacity for Environmental Literacy through Field Experiences

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Learn from my journey of building partnerships to creating unique, capacity building field experience for educators. Attendees will learn how I leveraged these partnerships, and statewide networks to support out of the box learning experiences for K-12 educators and leaders.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will discuss how to create and leverage relationships with environmental educators to create unique field experiences for teachers. These place-based opportunities present informal and formal educators the chance to learn alongside each other and build capacity for environmental literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Diana Potts

Natural Bone Human Educational Skeletons: Investigating Restoration and Ancestry

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Using three damaged natural bone human educational skeletons, this research developed practices for restoring, identifying, and dignifying these valuable educational resources. New curriculum developments focusing on skeleton centered activities have emerged due to their increased functionality.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understanding the ethical considerations with using donated natural bone human skeletons should lead to their proper care and restoration.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Sathoff, Emelye Josko

Nematode Hunters: A Community Science Project Engaging 4th Graders in Authentic Biology Research

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Nematode Hunters is a community science project with a remote-delivery format that brings 4th grade classrooms and university researchers together as collaborators on a project to discover new viruses that infect nematodes.

TAKEAWAYS:
The goal of Nematode Hunters is to increase interest in biology and STEM careers. In conjunction with the classroom program, a survey study is being conducted to determine if participation affects science efficacy for 4th grade participants.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Sowa

New Member Mixer

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom Prefunction Space


Show Details

This invitation-only event is the perfect opportunity for new members (with less than one year of NSTA membership) attending the Spring Conference to connect with each other while enjoying various board games, delicious appetizers, and refreshing beverages. It’s a fun, relaxed space to unwind, share ideas, and make lasting connections! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to kickstart your conference experience. Mark your calendar and get ready for an unforgettable start to your NSTA journey. We can’t wait to meet you!

NMLSTA - Water Moves Our Earth; Plants Stabilize Our Earth

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Water is the major force in shaping our planet. Students use simple models to measure water outwash and soil erosion. Simple models show students how plants and plant residue play major roles in preventing water outwash and soil erosion.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students will be able to explain how slope, wind and precipitation affect the movement of water across soil surfaces and how soil is carried by water on a slope using terms from their geography vocabulary lists (sediments, weathering, erosion, etc.).

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Cunningham

PA STEM ENDORSEMENT Graduate Certificate Partnerships, Programs, and Successes!

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

For teachers in grades K-8, STEM/STEAM education can look different between grades & schools even within the same district. STEM/STEAM education is rebounding from COVID with a new momentum that includes an emphasis on computational thinking. Come hear how partnerships are reinvigorating STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers can learn how to enhance their own STEM education through university graduate certificate programs. Administrators can learn how to partner with institutes of higher education to create school steam dream teams.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Kearns-Sixsmith

Play as a Vital Strategy to STEM Literacy (NARST)

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Play is an essential start of learning STEM in the earliest years from birth and is a cultural transmission as an apprenticeship. This poster explains the play sequence as a cycle and how the stages and skills employed can be recognized and progress monitored.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to identify Holistic STEM (and phonics), monitor progress in the earliest play and know the role of adults and language.

SPEAKERS:
Sue Dale Tunnicliffe

Podcast to Learn: A Project-based Learning Approach to Promote Interest in STEM

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00406-9
NSTA 2025 Poster.pptx

Show Details

Findings highlight the role of hands-on projects, mentorship, and exposure to diverse role models, in enhancing girls' understanding of STEM and its gender equity implications.

TAKEAWAYS:
The research underscores the role of integrating PBL within informal learning to support UUREM girls' STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Marc Sager

Reach for the Stars: Creating Resources for Authentic Astronomical Research in Middle School

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

The alumni group of the NASA/IPAC Teacher Research Project have created standalone lessons to help teachers implement astronomical research. This poster will highlight the resources created for the middle school level and include tips to incorporate in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about incorporating standalone lessons into middle school classes and how to help facilitate astronomical research projects.

SPEAKERS:
Ace Schwarz

Relevant, Responsive, Sustaining, or…? Clarifying Culture-Informed Pedagogies

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Poster .pdf
This handout summarizes our work with teachers related to culturally-informed pedagogies.
Relevant, Responsive, Sustaining, or...?
Please share your thoughts on what different culture-informed pedagogies look like in practice.

Show Details

Confused about culture-informed pedagogies? Come look beyond the labels to hear how elementary teachers leverage knowledge of their students’ culture to support deep learning, help students feel seen, foster engagement, and create real-world relevance in their science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Poster visitors will get to examine classroom-based examples of culture-informed pedagogies in action and clarify the aims intended outcomes that characterize different approaches.

SPEAKERS:
Debi Hanuscin

Representations in an Initial Model of Phenomenon (NARST)

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Explore an interactive modeling tool that supports students in constructing an initial model to surface their thinking about real-world phenomena. We will then analyze student models to assess their early-stage model development practice to explain a specific phenomenon.

TAKEAWAYS:
Developing models to represent and explain phenomena is a complex skill for students to learn and teachers to facilitate. Over time, student models should become more sophisticated and better aligned with scientific explanations through a process of model revision.

SPEAKERS:
Alex St. Louis, Jaclyn Murray

School Science Night Success

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Poster

Show Details

Ignite curiosity and inspire young minds with a memorable Science Night! This poster will guide you through the essential steps of planning and executing a successful event.

TAKEAWAYS:
By following these guidelines, educators can successfully plan and execute a captivating Science Night that fosters a love of learning and scientific exploration.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Bean, Cara Davis

Science Leader as Coach

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Tenets of a Coaching MindSet
This poster shares 6 important perspectives to keep as we lead teachers through any change process.

Show Details

The work of a science education leader involves resilience in growing capacity in others. In short, adults learn differently than our students. So come learn how to develop a coaching mindset and utilize strategies to coach science educators through change to improve science teaching and learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Much of the work of a science education leader is coaching adults. It’s important to know that adult learning is different. When science leaders deeply understand what drives social behaviors, they can better engage in coaching conversations to promote the targeted change in practice.

SPEAKERS:
Derek McDowell

Science Matters Here: Connecting Science Class and Community Issues

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Science Matters here (Poster)
A digital copy of our 2025 Poster Presentation "Science Matters Here"

Show Details

We will share the strategies we have used to bring high school science curriculum into conversation with local issues. We have found community partners who help students put their science learning to work for their area—connecting, for instance, food access to a photosynthesis unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
While project-based learning in science provides opportunities for students to experience rigorous, purposeful instruction, it can be a lot of work. Engaging community partners can make the work of PBL sustainable and truly authentic.

SPEAKERS:
Nikki Wallace, Cole Entress

Single Sentence Labs for Physics

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Learn strategies for designing low-prep guided inquiry labs for all physics students. The poster will address strategies to help students with both experimental design and data analysis. Leave with a better understanding of FRQ #3, Experimental Design and Analysis, on the AP Physics exam.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to create guided inquiry lab experiences for physics students. Understand how FRQ #3, Experimental Design and Analysis, assesses student understanding on the AP Physics exams.

SPEAKERS:
Dee Dee Messer

Smithsonian Science for the Classroom: Improving Math, Reading, and Science

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Struggling to make the case in your community for why science time is important? A new research study shows that a phenomena-driven science curriculum paired with high-quality professional learning had positive effects on ALL students, not only in science but also in math and reading.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover the characteristics to look for in HQIM and HQPL that can lead to improved student achievement in science, math, and reading.

SPEAKERS:
Amy D'Amico

STEM Doodles with 3-D Printing Pens

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Wondering about ways to use 3-D printing pens with your students? Practice using this type of pen to create a small but STEM-tastic model or design to use in your classroom. Explore the possibilities of using the engineering design process to solve real-world problems with creativity and fun tech.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will have an opportunity to use a 3-D printing pen to make (and take) a small model or design for the classroom using a provided pattern or an original design. Information about eCYBERMISSION and programs administered by NSTA and sponsored by AEOP will be available.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Kutsch

Teacher Noticing in Elementary Science Professional Learning (NARST)

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Participants will explore evidence from a single case study to understand how noticing theory helps us understand why and how some teachers in high-quality PD align with and take up reform practices, while others struggle to align practice and beliefs with the demands of instructional reforms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will interact with video, artifacts, and strategies from a case study to help them learn why and how developing in-the-moment and reflective professional noticing skills can bring about nuanced instructional shifts.

SPEAKERS:
Linda Preminger

Teachers Unite: Advocating for Excellence in Education

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jkYKrl0qgcYbZlLtpJfEEwFVn-2bToY6jXLGYgoJ-90/edit?usp=sharing
For Teachers, but you can teach advocacy to students using the Tubric.
Tubric
https://my.pblworks.org/resource/document/driving_question_tubric (handout)

Show Details

Are you tired of complaining about what is happening in your classroom, school, district, state? Be a problem solver. Find out how you can make a difference as a teacher activist!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn about how to advocate for themselves, their colleagues, their students without compromising their positions as educators. They will learn to be confident and voices for legislators who need guidance on how to write legislation for our educators and students.

SPEAKERS:
Veena Black

Teaching Biology through the Lenses of Aviation and Aeronautics

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Looking to elevate student achievement through immersive learning? Discover how to harness the universal appeal of flight by captivating students with lessons and engaging activities rooted in biology standards while exploring exciting and fast-growing aviation career fields!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn strategies to construct activities resulting in greater interest and mastery of biology for students in grades K-12. Explore distinct professional practices that expand biology standards into unforgettable learning experiences associated with human life, animals, plantlife, and so much more!

SPEAKERS:
Christina Davis

Technology and Project Based Learning in the Middle School Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Discover how technology and PBL can transform middle school science. This session showcases how digital tools and creative projects, like rock comic strips and interactive simulations, enhance engagement, critical thinking, and understanding, fostering a dynamic and inclusive classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how integrating technology and project-based learning (PBL) in middle school science boosts student engagement and comprehension. Using digital tools and creative projects makes complex concepts more accessible and supports diverse learning styles effectively.

SPEAKERS:
Daniella Eson

The Effect of In-Person and Virtual Laboratory Experiences On Introductory Chemistry Students Grades: A Comparison

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

An introductory chemistry course was taught in virtual and hybrid formats, with the lab component being the only difference in course design. A weighted cohort was used to compare student exam and final grades between the two designs. No significant differences were seen.

TAKEAWAYS:
In a propensity score weighted cohort, balanced for sex and race, no statistical difference was observed in student outcomes in an introductory chemistry course between students who took virtual or hybrid courses.

SPEAKERS:
Alex Stephens

The Effectiveness of Implementing Computer Simulations During a Chemistry Unit in a Middle School Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

This presentation shares my research on using computer simulations to model concepts in a middle school chemistry unit. Models offer a framework for understanding chemical processes, tested and refined in virtual simulations, helping students engage in iterative learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
A key takeaway from this presentation is that computer simulations, combined with models, enhance middle school students' understanding of chemistry

SPEAKERS:
Jerry Coronado, Cecilia Duenas

The National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA); Support through Community

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Let’s Connect! For over 40 years, educators have united through NESTA to champion excellence in Earth and space science education. Discover how our community can support your professional growth, inspire your teaching, and open doors to leadership opportunities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how NESTA supports fellow science teachers through collaboration, mentorship, and resource sharing. By fostering professional growth and enhancing teaching practices, NESTA empowers educators to inspire students and deepen their commitment to their own professional journeys.

SPEAKERS:
Natalie Macke

The Power of Teacher Experiential Learning

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Students often say that they learn best through experience. The same can be true for educators. From exploring biodiversity in the Galapagos to traveling on a boat to see offshore wind farms in the UK, learn how exploring your own passions can enhance the sustainability of being a long-term educator.

TAKEAWAYS:
Nurturing oneself as a learner is a strategy for self-care as an educator. Attendees will become aware of fellowship opportunities that provide time and space for educators to feed the lifelong learner within themselves.

SPEAKERS:
Victoria Thomson, Sarah Compton

Three Easy Steps to Adding Inquiry to Labs

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Creating inquiry activities doesn't have to require re-inventing the wheel. There are simple adjustments you can make to build inquiry into any activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with three easy ways to build inquiry into traditional "cookbook" activities.

SPEAKERS:
Regina Borriello

Transdisciplinary Learning: Using "Transfer Skills and Tools" for Deeper Learning to Achieve Higher-order Thinking on Cross-curricular Content

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
James Borden NSTA Poster 3_17_25.pdf

Show Details

This presentation will share the results of my research on whether transdisciplinary learning is the best student-centered method to foster deep learning, and how leveraging tools from multiple disciplines can build students’ capacity to address global challenges through critical "transfer skills."

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how transdisciplinary learning transcends conventional subject boundaries, enabling higher-order thinking for deep learning. This student-centered approach proves to be a highly effective method for developing cognitive skills in reasoning and solving real-world problems.

SPEAKERS:
Cecilia Duenas, James Borden

University of Arizona Health Connectors: Training and Hands-On Experience in Improving Health Literacy in K-8 Students

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

The importance of health literacy in the general public was highlighted by the recent pandemic; undergraduate STEM students are well positioned to address this issue. Seniors are trained as Health Connectors to share their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for health sciences with K-8 students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Benefits emerge across all levels: from undergraduates to K-8 students and classroom teachers. Persistence of the learned content and increased awareness of health sciences and careers in K-8 students and expanded Health Connector confidence and skill in sharing complex scientific content with novices.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Kehl, Kanita Olson

Virtual Reality in STEM: Bridging Education and Community for Bioscience Career Pathways

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Students use virtual reality to investigate tarantula anatomy & behaviors, collaborating with neuroscientists to develop strategies that promote empathy and address phobias. During a community STEM night, they team up with professionals to test & enhance their empathy-building designs. Come try VR.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how students harness virtual reality as a dynamic STEM tool, bringing education and community partnerships together to explore bioscience career pathways. Join us to experience the future of learning and collaboration unfold in exciting new ways!

SPEAKERS:
Bernadette Barragan

Wired with Words: Purposeful Vocabulary Instruction in Science Classrooms

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Explore the link between targeted vocabulary instruction and improved comprehension in science. Through practical examples, attendees will learn effective strategies and tools to enhance scientific literacy while maintaining content rigor and concept retention for all learners in their classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how explicit vocabulary instruction enhances comprehension and concept retention in science; leave with effective strategies and tools to integrate vocabulary teaching into their lessons, ultimately improving student literacy while maintaining rigorous content instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Shana Pyatt-Buckner

Women in STEM: The Impact of Challenging Curriculum on Breaking Barriers

Friday, March 28 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

In the past century, women have made significant progress in various careers and academic fields in the U.S. However, barriers still exist, especially in STEM. Offering female students a challenging curriculum can help break down these obstacles and encourage greater participation in STEM fields.

TAKEAWAYS:
The main takeaway is that attending schools with challenging curricula increases the likelihood of female students pursuing and graduating with STEM degrees, potentially boosting women's participation in STEM careers. However, the strategies differ between elementary and high school students.

SPEAKERS:
Pessy Sloan

How Can We Support Equity in Educational Systems?

Friday, March 28 • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Curriculum implementation provides an opportunity to uncover and confront persistent inequities in educational systems. Engage with us in an equity simulation to consider how policies and practices related to science curriculum implementation can either support or hinder equity goals.

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:
Janna Mahfoud, Jenine Cotton-Proby

Supporting All Students in Making Sense of Phenomena By Building All of Their Intellectual Resources

Friday, March 28 • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B


Show Details

Students bring amazing intellectual resources to make sense of science phenomena based on their personal and community experiences—including language, perspectives, gestures, and knowledge, interests, and values. Come learn how to notice and leverage those intellectual gifts in your teaching!

TAKEAWAYS:
Culturally responsive education supports student sensemaking and learning in science. Inclusive science strategies help teachers learn to see and leverage students’ diverse sense-making resources. These methods help us create and adapt curriculum that is equitable and centered on justice.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell, Nancy Price

AI Literacy in the Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B


Show Details

In this session, science educators will explore how to integrate AI into their curriculum, fostering both student and teacher AI literacy. Through real-world examples and case studies, participants will learn strategies for using AI tools ethically to support scientific inquiry and problem-solving.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain strategies for integrating AI literacy into their science curriculum and learn concrete techniques for developing students' ability to responsibly leverage AI tools in science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Camden Hanzlick-Burton, Jennifer Stauffer

All Standards, All Teachers: Systemic Approaches to NGSS Implementation

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

How can we best support classroom teachers implementing NGSS instructional shifts? Join us for a discussion and Q&A with school system leaders as we delve into the successes and challenges of managing institutional barriers and supporting educators to ensure relevant instruction for all students.

SPEAKERS:
Javier Robalino, Annette Brown, Kia Glaze, KD Davenport

Assessment 3.0: The Learning Progression Model

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://reimaginedschools.com/nsta-conference-presentations/
Tons of resources: a copy of the presentation, blog posts, and more!

Show Details

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. For K-College, all courses.

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

Brain-Based Learning for Elementary Students

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Brain-Based Mindfulness for Young Learners 2025.pptx

Show Details

What do young learners know about how the brain works? Brain-based research and mindfulness can have a profound impact on young learners. Foster a growth mindset in your young students. Presenter will share research and curriculum guides to plan a similar unit in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students don't always know why they misbehave or feel out of control. Learning how their brain works can help.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Kurson

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 1:50 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Bridging the Gap: Using PEER Physics Across Diverse Classrooms

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 9


Show Details

We will present evidence from different classrooms, from regents level to ICT, highlighting how PEER Physics has been successfully integrated into the curricula. It will include student samples and analysis of student surveys to show the positive impact on student engagement and understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to adapt the PEER Physics approach to fit your specific teaching context and student population.Leave this session equipped with the knowledge and tools to create a more engaging, collaborative, and effective learning environment for your students.

SPEAKERS:
Campbell Fee

Bring molecular genetics to your biology classroom with PTC tasting

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

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

SPEAKERS:
Katy Martin

Building confidence using CRISPR with Biotechnical Lab Skills

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Join leading scientists from a one-of-a-kind research institute as they dive deep into a CRISPR gene editing experiment from their educational kit. CRISPR in a Box can be integrated into high school and college classes. Get ready to master skills used in a cancer research lab!

SPEAKERS:
Sarah LaTorre, Amanda Hewes, Alexandra Felts

Capture the Moment! Exploring Place-Based Physics with Video Analysis

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 4


Show Details

Physics is all around us—let’s analyze it! In this interactive session, we’ll explore how video analysis techniques may be used as a mechanism to investigate local physics phenomena, enhance student understanding, and connect physics concepts to the real world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a toolkit of ready-to-use physics activities supported by video analysis techniques that can be applied immediately in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Walters

Charting the Course: A 14-Organization Community Effort to Build Data Literacy and Data Science Learning Progressions

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 307


Show Details

We explore the need for cross-disciplinary learning progressions in data literacy and data science and the community-driven work underway to create such a framework. Attendees learn how these learning pathways equip learners with data-driven skills and collaborate on the science-specific vision.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understanding of the critical need for structured learning progressions in data literacy and data science. Practical tools and strategies for integrating learning progressions into educational and training programs. Networking opportunities with peers and field experts to collaborate on solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Wong, Aaron Reedy, Christel Bruno, Katherine Miller

Connecting Authentic Real-World Research to the Classroom with Research Experiences for STEM Educators & Teachers (RESET)

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 2


Show Details

Research Experiences for STEM Educators & Teachers (RESET) is dedicated to improving STEM education across the nation. This presentation is for middle/high school educators who want to experience real-world research & learn about how to translate their experience effectively into the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
First, the audience will leave with information about AEOP programs, specifically RESET. Second, the audience will receive information about how to become involved with the AEOP RESET program.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Suters, Jennifer Meadows, Kelly Moore

Conserving Panda Populations: Understanding their Reproductive Endocrinology

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Can your students save the Giant Pandas? See how your students can explore challenging topics such as homeostatic regulation and the effect of reproductive hormones, immunological responses and ecosystem balance all at once as they engineer a hormone detection system that can be utilized for Giant Panda population conservation efforts.

SPEAKERS:
Tamica Stubbs, Leigh Brown

Cracking the CER Code: How a Mi-STAR Lesson Can Help Your Students Construct Explanations and Argue from Evidence with Confidence

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Anchored Science Cracking the CER Code NSTA Phila Handout
Anchored Science Cracking the CER Code NSTA Phila Slides

Show Details

As long as there have been CER templates, there have been students who struggle. What’s the difference between evidence and reasoning, or an explanation and an argument, exactly? Our Mi-STAR CER lesson and templates help answer these questions and they are open to all - join us to learn more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with clear and concise definitions of reasoning, explanations, and argumentation, along with a lesson plan, activities, and templates to help students define and construct all three in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Tubman, Barbara McIntyre, Chris Geerer

Crash Course in Physics: Exploring Motion and Force Phenomena for Middle School

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

From friction to collisions, engage students in real-world motion phenomena! Investigate questions like “How do brakes stop a bicycle?” or “Why are seat belts crucial to car safety?” We’ll explore sensor carts in action, analyze velocity and acceleration data, and share hands-on investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Customizing Curriculum: Building a Strong Relationship with Your Instructional Materials - For the Kids!

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A


Show Details

Are you in a “complicated” relationship with the materials you or your district have chosen? How you interact with your HQIM matters. Let’s do some couples therapy - using practical planning tools - and work towards a strong and healthy teacher-curriculum relationship that supports student learning!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will consider their student needs and work with educative tools to support more effective and efficient planning with HQIM in service of student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Hillary Paul Metcalf, Renee Affolter

Decoding BRCA: Insights into Breast Cancer Genetics

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Delve into the world of breast cancer markers, explore the scientific and bioethical considerations associated with genetic testing, and analyze specific genetic markers linked to breast cancer susceptibility using pedigree analysis and gel electrophoresis.

SPEAKERS:
Priya Mangano, Lindsay Hamilton

Dynamic DNA: Visualizing the Blueprint of Life

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Discover innovative strategies for teaching the structure and function of DNA through inquiry-based, hands-on activities. This session explores tactile learning with Dynamic DNA models, fostering student engagement and critical thinking aligned with NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt

More of The Play's the Assessment

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://padlet.com/gesherclass/assessing-through-play-7osc6tdvx7ji4jh0

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

This session looks at the research behind play-based learning and ways of and criteria for assessing science play in the P-2 group. Participant will actively assess several play scenarios

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with experience assessing some science play scenarios, assessment guidelines, and research citations supporting play-based learning to use and share in their own contexts

SPEAKERS:
Anne Lowry

Educational Insights for Teaching Climate Change

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A


Show Details

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

TAKEAWAYS:
The Educating for Environmental Change project utilizes the following driving questions: how do we know the climate is changing; what are the impacts of these changes; how can we mitigate these changes; and how do we cultivate optimism in our students while teaching them about climate change?

SPEAKERS:
Adam Scribner

Effective Techniques to Evaluate Climate Change Information for Accuracy and Validity

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Fact or Phony for Philadelphia 2025.pdf
If you would like the original PowerPoint, please let me know and I'll send it to you. [email protected]

Show Details

Addressing climate change can be challenging. Students are given tools for evaluating information then provided a series of myths about climate change. Using reputable data, they dispel the myths with accurate information and use multiple explanations to understand common misconceptions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students are provided with a checklist to determine if information is accurate on a fictional web page. Through small group discussions, students share their perceptions of accurate data and what it means, then challenged to decide if this information is valid in helping to understand climate change

SPEAKERS:
Laura Tucker

Embracing Empathy: Applying Human Systems Dynamics and Human-Centered Design Principles to Support the Implementation of NGSS

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 8


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Discover how Human Systems Dynamics and Human-Centered Design can help educators tackle classroom challenges, create inclusive environments, and adapt to diverse student needs. This interactive session provides practical strategies to enhance teaching, curriculum design, and collaboration.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use Human Systems Dynamics and Human-Centered Design strategies to address complex challenges in NGSS implementation, fostering collaboration and empathy to create inclusive, student-centered environments that support both educators’ and students’ needs.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Beierle

Embracing the NGSS Mindset: Crafting Quality Lessons

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 6



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Philadelphia - Baffling Balloon Behavior Activity
Philadelphia - Lesson Plan Example
Philadelphia - Lesson Plan Template
Philadelphia - NGSS Mindset Presentation

Show Details

Unlock the power of the NGSS mindset! Learn to transform your science lessons into captivating, concept-driven experiences that foster scientific practice. Reframe your teaching approach to engage students in meaningful learning, resulting in deeper understanding and active classroom engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through an interactive model lesson, attendees will learn how to transform traditional science lessons into dynamic, concept-driven experiences that make scientific practices come alive. Attendees will leave with a versatile lesson plan template to elevate their own teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Todd Kellman, Dylan Fedell

Emily Calandrelli’s Space Experiments with Fast Plants for Your Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Join this hands-on workshop to explore three engaging experiments about how light, gravity & nutrients impact plant growth. Each participant receives Fast Plants seeds flown in space with Emily Calandrelli on a Blue Origin rocket, plus fun lesson plans for all experiments.

SPEAKERS:
Hedi Lauffer

Empowering Innovation: A Student Perspective

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117


Show Details

Lydia Denton was named one of the 16 Under 16 in STEM and has been recognized nationally for her inventions. Come hear her story of how a drawing in 2nd grade and access to STEM materials led her to this path of problem solving and innovation. She will inspire you to create student problem solvers!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how introducing problem solving in elementary classrooms can inspire a generation of inventors who feel empowered to tackle problems within their own communities.

SPEAKERS:
Lydia Denton, Covey Denton

Engineering for All: Powerful Ways to Make Engineering Accessible, Meaningful, and Fun!

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Engineering for All Handout with Slides

Show Details

Discover how to make engineering accessible for all students. Learn powerful strategies to integrate engineering into your curriculum without taking extra time, making it fun and relevant. Walk away with practical tools to ensure every student can participate in meaningful engineering experiences!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore the Van Andel Insitute's model of engineering design and learn strategies to make engineering more integrated and accessible to students. Teachers will walk away with lesson ideas and resources to bring engineering concepts (aligned with NGSS) into the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Cory Kavanagh, Dawn McCotter

Engineering Weather Instruments - Structure & Function in the Elementary STEAM Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Engineering Anemometers - Teacher Materials

Show Details

Interested in learning how to break down an engineering experience to support multidimensional, standards-based, relevant elementary science learning? Get ready to live the steps of the engineering design process as you imagine, plan, and begin to create anemometers to measure wind speed.

TAKEAWAYS:
With materials, methods, ideas, and reflections in hand, attendees will feel more confident planning and implementing a relevant, hands-on engineering experience that enriches elementary science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Adrien Kaye

Environmental Literacy Planning in Rural Pennsylvania

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Environmental Literacy Planning Slide Deck and Resources

Show Details

Learn how a team of K-12 educators and community partners developed a local environmental literacy plan. The NOAA BWET funded project, addresses the 3 pillars of green schools and highlights meaningful, place-based, outdoor learning opportunities for all students and teacher development.

TAKEAWAYS:
Environmental literacy plans prepare students to be environmentally literate citizens with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to understand locally relevant science concepts and make informed decisions that support local communities and environments.

SPEAKERS:
Justin Klingler, Christine Biggins, Ashly Wilkinson, Valerie Stone

Exploring OpenSciEd Middle School from Carolina (6-8)

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Come experience a hands-on model lesson from OpenSciEd for Middle School and discover how the Carolina Certified Version enhanced these high-quality instructional materials, making them more accessible, user-friendly, and safer for classroom use.

SPEAKERS:
Cory Ort

Flinn Favorites: High School Biology Activities & Games Guaranteed to Inspire Your Students

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Make biology come alive with hands-on activities and games that engage and inspire! Perfect for biology teachers, this session features inquiry-based labs and collaborative games covering evolution, genetics, and biochemistry. Attendees will leave with practical tools and resources.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Cambron, M.S., Jillian Saddler

From Implementation to Internalization: Using Educative Features to Support Teachers in Adapting HQIM

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 1


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Explore how educative features in HQIM can support teacher learning, leading to effective adaptation and teacher decision-making that maintains curricular integrity. Using a free, storyline-based HS ESS course as an example, learn how these features foster sustainable changes in practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through an immersive experience, attendees will have the opportunity to consider educative features of OER science materials, including targeted callout boxes, that are designed to support enactment of the curriculum and localized adaptations to the materials that maintain the vision of the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Chatham, Dora Kastel

Green Chemistry in Action: Conductometric Titration with Household Chemicals

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Try this green chemistry approach to titration using conductivity measurements instead of pH indicators! Explore how to titrate ammonia with vinegar—common household chemicals—and teach key acid-base concepts while promoting sustainable, eco-friendly lab practices with hands-on Vernier technology.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Having Students Explore without Labs (Or Have Them Explore Labs Better!) Using Structured Visuals

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 306



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Biology Presentation Slides

Show Details

Hands-on exploration of phenomena is key for effective science lessons, but in practice it’s often time-consuming to prep activities, and sometimes students only take away a superficial understanding. But structured visuals are easy to prepare and intuitively engage students in deep, 3D learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Structured visuals are easy to prepare and implement, and they can either replace labs or dramatically enhance them. Structured visuals get students talking and making inferences and connections. This session shows how to find, make, and use them.

SPEAKERS:
Stephen Fleenor

How Science is Done in the Real World - Why Not Teach It That Way?

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 3


Show Details

Participants will learn how to deliver instruction using professional scientific career settings creating friendly competition and engagement. This instruction promotes creativity and problem solving, and it builds communication, collaboration and investigative skills while meeting standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using physics as a primary example, participants will learn how to teach 3D science classes from the perspective of a professional in the career world. Audience participation will include brainstorming ways this can be applied to any science content area in middle or high school.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Strong

How to Encourage the use of DCIs and CCs in Sense-Making

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125


Show Details

A hallmark of collaborative sense-making is using DCIs and CCs to develop explanations. This session will explore an approach for helping students to learn DCIs and CCs “just-in-time” as part of figuring out phenomena. Participants will also receive samples of high quality instructional materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
Treating DCIs and CCs as a “piece of the puzzle” and introducing them “just-in-time” after there is a need to use them are productive ways to encourage the use of DCIs and CCs in sense-making.

SPEAKERS:
Victor Sampson

How To Find and Use NOAA Data: A Guide For Educators

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom III


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Build data literacy with NOAA! Learn how to access and use NOAA’s data-rich resources, lessons, and visualization tools. We will choose 3-5 data resources based on your interests and walk you through navigating the resources and offer suggestions on incorporating them into your teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Kayla Smith

Instructors: Use NSTA Resources When Teaching Courses for Preservice Teachers

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 304/VIP



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA-Natl-Conf-PHILLY25-NSTA-Class-Bundle.pdf

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Do you teach courses for preservice teachers? Learn how NSTA's resources, webinars, and online community can help students become the BEST teachers they can be. We will discuss what’s available on the NSTA website and how to easily access it from your own Class Landing Page. Membership is included.

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

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez

Integrating Physics, Statistics, and Data Science: Designing Hands-on Lessons with PhET Simulations and CODAP Tools

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 11


Show Details

Experience the synergy of physics, statistics, and data science using PhET simulations and CODAP. Dive into new interactive tools like Gas Properties, Diffusion, and Projectile Sampling Distributions, while exploring hands-on lesson design. Preview cutting-edge work with Circuit Construction Kit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to design classroom-ready lessons that merge physics, statistics, and data science, using the latest PhET simulations and CODAP tools and physics education research insights. Gain access to innovative strategies that drive analytical thinking and data fluency in students.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Blackman

Interpreting the science standards of STEELS (PA) through the lens of the K-12 Framework for Science Education

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA STEELS Mar 2025 Cohen.pptx

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

A thorough understanding of the CCCs & SEPs naturally leads to phenomena-based lessons and shifts the focus within the lesson from covering disciplinary topics to using the DCIs as the context for mastering important CCCs & SEPs necessarily infusing the three dimensions within each science lesson.

TAKEAWAYS:
A proper interpretation of science standards of STEELS can help teachers see them as the guide for what is really important rather than a rearrangement of the same old list of things to cover.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Cohen

Leading from the Classroom: Cheers and Challenges of a Six-year Science Teacher Leadership Development Program

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_Cheers_USF_Final_Upload.pdf
Slide deck from the presentation.

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

In two distinct phases, the Wipro Science Education Fellowship program anchored at the University of South Florida has served three large school districts the Tampa Bay region with over 400,000 combined students, encouraging teachers to grow sensemaking skill sets in a non-adoption state.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leadership development within the context of three-dimensional learning and sensemaking can take place anywhere, anytime with an appropriate framework for science teacher leadership.

SPEAKERS:
David Rosengrant, Larry Plank

Learn how BIOZONE’s superb interactive worktexts deliver flexible and engaging High School science programs: print & digital.

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BIOZONE Corporation

BIOZONE's innovative worktexts deliver student-centred resources: AP, NGSS & electives. Identical print and digital titles integrate to provide a rich teaching program. Use our teacher resources to plan, deliver, & assess. Attendees receive a FREE print title & 30 day preview of our digital platform

SPEAKERS:
Mark Temons

Managing Conflict Through Communication: 8 Steps to Strengthen Your Science Teams

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 305



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
8 Steps to Managing Conflict (Handout 2)
8 ways to strengthen your communication skills and find new methods to address interpersonal conflict.
Managing Conflict Through Communication PPT
Slides
What Does Conflict Mean To You (Handout 1)
Handouts related to the introduction to communication and conflict in science education. Includes a summary, reflection, and activity.

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Conflict management is a very delicate and difficult subject to address, and as scientists we aren't always provided with the tools or training to work through it. This workshop will help you navigate through these challenging moments by addressing open communication, timing, and respect.

TAKEAWAYS:
Build your confidence to handle challenging conversations with team members and coworkers at all levels. Walk out prepared with a step-by-step outline on how to have difficult conversations professionally.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Payne

NMLSTA - Building Science Efficacy with Digital Portfolios

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Building Science Efficacy WIth Digital Portfolios 25 (Presentation Slides)
Google slides of presentation with embedded links to resources.
Using Portfolios? Let's CONNECT!
If you are currently using portfolios, please complete this brief form to share your contact details. I would love to know what is working (and not working) as you move through your process!

Show Details

Help students build science efficacy using digital portfolios, a practice that asks students to collect/reflect on self-selected work and share learning with others. Learn how to create/manage a culture of reflective practice in your classroom using this invaluable tool with existing resources!

TAKEAWAYS:
Self-efficacy in science is promoted when students use metacognition and share advice about meaningful learning experiences with others. Creating digital portfolios is a seamless way to meet this need and provide a platform for giving and receiving feedback and celebrating learning.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Zilvetti

NMLSTA - Water, Water, Everywhere?

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
3rd Grade Protecting from the Weather Cards DC.pdf
3rd Grade Protecting from the Weather Student Pages DC.pdf
3rd Grade Protecting from the Weather Teacher Pages DC.pdf
4th Grade Floods Aerial River Views PowerPoint DC.pdf
4th Grade Floods PowerPoint DC.pptx
4th Grade Floods Student Pages Aerial Photos DC.pdf
4th Grade Floods Student Pages DC.pdf
4th Grade Floods Teacher Pages DC.pdf
5th Grade Oil Spills and Dust Bowl Breaking News DC.pdf
5th Grade Water, Water London Cholera Map DC.pptx
5th Grade Water, Water Student Pages DC.pdf
5th Grade Water, Water Teacher Pages DC-1.pdf
5th Oil Spills and Dust Bowl Timeline.pdf
5th Oil Spills and Dust Bowls Images.pdf
5th Oil Spills and Dust Bowls Teacher Pages.pdf
Avery Print from the Web, v5 Document - 5th Grade Water Drop Usage Page-1.pdf
Water.Water.Everywhere.pptx

Show Details

Too much? Too little? Just right? What are some of the potential impacts of the quantity of water in the environment? How can we mitigate negative impacts? Join us as we investigate some of the impacts and develop potential solutions. Leave with access to these and other lessons for your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will put on their student hats and engage in 3-D NGSS lessons as they learn about interactions among the hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere, human impacts on these spheres, and how science may be used to mitigate concerns. Pedagogy behind lesson development will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Liz Martinez

NSELA Sponsored Session - Leading the Charge: Monitoring and Sustaining Professional Learning Effectiveness

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
03a Enhancing Teacher Practice.pptx

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

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:
Gregory MacDougall, Justin Ingram, Kathy Renfrew, Joshua Smith

NSTA Journals Boot Camp

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Join NSTA and Taylor & Francis staff to learn the best ways to access NSTA's journal content online, and how to use journal articles in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Best ways to access NSTA's journal content online, and how to use journal articles in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Valynda Mayes, Dr. Patty McGinnis, Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn, Peter Lindeman

Nurtured by Nature: Supporting SEL through Participatory Science and Outdoor Exploration

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Outdoor exploration and participatory science can help shape the STEM leaders of our future! Discover the benefits of outdoor learning as we explore free lessons, activities, and participatory-science projects that support social and emotional learning (SEL) while meeting science standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover free resources and strategies to ensure outdoor exploration and participatory science experiences give all students authentic opportunities to build life-long skills that help them thrive in and out of the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Schaeffer

Phenomenon-driven Teaching and Learning

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA College of Resources for Phenomenon-Driven Teaching and Learning
Participant Copy of Phenomenon-Driven Teaching and Learning.pdf

Show Details

If you’re unsure of what phenomena are and/or why three-dimensional standards rely on phenomena to drive learning in the science classroom, then this session is for you! We’ll define phenomena, and the intentional use of phenomena to engage, connect and drive all students in their science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Be able to define and recognize phenomena and understand their importance in implementing three-dimensional standards.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Soriano, Brianna Reilly Oliveira

Play-Doh Circuits: Hands-On Electricity Lab

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Intro to Electricity Lesson Plan
This lesson explores electron flow in powering our world. With a video, math challenges, and a reading guide, students learn electricity concepts, distinguish conductors from insulators, and calculate current, voltage, power, and resistance.
Play-Doh Electric Circuits Lab
This lab guide lets students build and test parallel and series circuits, explore conductors and insulators, and apply Ohm's law. With hands-on activities and circuit diagrams, this interactive lesson fosters problem-solving and curiosity about electricity!
Session Slide Deck

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Switch Classroom

Create and test Play-Doh electrical circuits to explore conductivity, resistance, and circuit design. This fun, hands-on lab provides an engaging way to teach foundational electricity concepts and energy science, making complex ideas accessible for students of all ages.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Kistler

Playful Sensemaking: Nurturing Science and Engineering in Early Childhood

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
"This is SciEPlay!" Intro Video
SciEPlay - NSTA HANDOUT_SEP Toolbox Year 1 COPY Abbreviated.pdf
SciEPlay - NSTA SLIDES_Playful Sensemaking_Nurturing Science and Engineering in Early Childhood_2025.03.28.pdf

Show Details

Discover how children naturally engage in science and engineering practices through play! Video examples explore how they investigate, analyze data, develop models, and more. You'll leave with tools, strategies, and inspiration to create purposeful play environments and deepen children's learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
This interactive session will equip you with field-tested tools to support play-based science and engineering. Practice using the tools with video case studies, and gain valuable insights from early childhood educators who have incorporated these strategies in their classrooms and outdoor settings.

SPEAKERS:
Maranda Chung

Preparing for Labs is a Problem. Ward's OpenSciEd Kits Offer Solutions

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Ward's Science

Too much work to do in preparation for OpenSciEd? We will share some time-saving measures and enhancements to give you back time to enlighten your students' learning of magnetism, electricity, and spectroscopy using Ward’s Science Kits. Get better results with less hassle.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Linn, Norman Marshall

Promoting Student Voice and Choice in Middle Grade Science and Engineering Classrooms Using the Dimensions of Success (DoS) Framework

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

Do you want empower your students to feel heard & capable of making impactful decisions in your classroom? Learn how to use the NSF-funded DoS classroom observation framework to build students’ resilience by elevating their ideas & engaging them in meaningful decisionmaking in science & engineering.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn strategies to help students build on peers’ ideas and make decisions during lesson activities by applying the DoS framework to real classroom scenarios. You will exchange ideas via small group conversations with other teachers about promoting student voice and choice in classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Virginia Andrews

Reimagining Lessons to Better Align with the NGSS

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A


Show Details

This session will help participants explore how they can take tried and true lessons, make them more three-dimensional, and align them with the NGSS>

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with example lessons and strategies for aligning their lessons with the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli, Deanna Taylor, Rebecca Abbott, Jesse Wilcox, Erik Wade

Research to Practice: Using Equitable Science Teaching Practices with Multilingual Learners

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124


Show Details

The biggest challenge within science classrooms remains teaching and engaging all students. This presentation recommends tools and practices that facilitate and support the communicative resources diverse students draw on, to actively engage in science discourse and participate in STEM classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Some of our key takeaways include: Reflection in action, reflection on action, facilitation techniques for teachers that promote students discovering phenomena. Students use science practices to collect data, as well as incorporate everyday language to support evidence-based science discourse.

SPEAKERS:
Diana Cost, Akira Harper

Rethink Dissection Labs: Specimen-Free Science

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Animalearn

Teach anatomy labs using exciting hi-tech non-animal methods that you can integrate into your science labs and use in place of animal dissections. Demo hands-on realistic models and AR/VR teaching tools that will let you experience dissection labs of the future! Plus giveaways for your classroom!

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Green

SCAMPER into Invention Education

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116


Show Details

Invention education is the next logical step to the integration of the STEAM movement and project-based learning. SCAMPER is an easy activity that can be applied to any grade level (K-12) to engage students in the power of improving on or creating an entirely new invention.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will walk away with an engaging lesson you can use the next day. This lesson is easily adaptable to any age group and can be used again and again.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Lawlor-King, Denise Henggeler

Schoolyard Engineering in OpenSciEd Unit K.1

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A


Show Details

Explore the storyline of OpenSciEd Unit K.1 Why Are Some Surfaces Hot and How Can We Make Them Less Hot? and 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:
Gail Housman

Science and Special Education; Creating Meaningful Lessons That Align with Grade-level Standards for Students with Alternative Learning Styles

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Power Point from Presentation
Reaching Diverse learners In Science.pdf
Student Profile .pdf
Example of a Student Profile template
The Ultimate Athlete Project
Example of the project that was described during presentation

Show Details

Attendees of this 60-minute program will acquire knowledge regarding the traits of students with various impairments, explore effective support mechanisms, and identify techniques to cultivate an inclusive classroom atmosphere, thereby promoting the achievement of all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use the NGSS's phenomenon-based, three-dimensional learning framework, which gives students a full, real-world context that makes even the most abstract scientific ideas easy to understand.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Dormann Healey, Alicia Lavelle

Simplify Photosynthesis with Sensors!

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

Learn how to facilitate simple hands-on photosynthesis experiments with wireless sensors. Help students collect and analyze carbon exchange data from plant leaves in real-time! Dispel student doubts in their understanding of photosynthesis and respiration.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Riley

Stan-X: Turn Your Students into Fruit Fly Research Phenoms Doing Real, Impactful Genetics Research

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides
Presentation Slides Showing Information about adopting the StanX Program in your school.

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

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

TAKEAWAYS:
Through coordination with the Stan-X Network of schools, students and teachers can learn science through authentic, open-ended, publishable genetics research.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Lantz

STEELS Modeling 101

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C


Show Details

Modeling in STEELS allows students to make sense of their learning in a variety of ways. Modeling incorporates all three dimensions of learning and are tools for sense-making of phenomena that helps students improve their understanding over time and identify misconceptions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will experience various types of modeling: using models to introduce phenomena, initial models, sharing models, refining models. Types of models: physical models, drawings, diagrams, 3D models, simulations, mathematical models, data representations and conceptual models.

SPEAKERS:
Natalie Hafer, Karen O'Neill

Strategies to Ignite Curiosity and Foster Engagement

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2025 NSTA - Strategies to Ignite Curiosity and Foster Engagement
Thank you for attending my session. I post many of the resources that are included in my session on my website at https://ctlgconsulting.com/instructional-materials/#science-materials. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or want to work together to solve a problem. Eric ([email protected])

Show Details

Unlock the power of student sensemaking in science. Learn research-based strategies to ignite curiosity, foster discourse, and writing to create an inclusive classroom. Elevate science teaching to ensure you have a student-centered classroom.

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

SPEAKERS:
Eric Rhoades

Supporting Schools and Districts: Furthering NGSS Implementation through Curriculum Based Professional Learning

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303B


Show Details

Join us to consider how engaging in curriculum based professional learning (CBPL) can strengthen the shared vision of the instructional shifts called for by the NGSS. Hear how one district’s CBPL experience deepened teacher’s knowledge of three dimensional phenomena driven teaching and learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Curriculum based professional learning experiences can support teachers and leaders to deepen their understanding of the NGSS as they analyze instructional materials.

SPEAKERS:
Jenine Cotton-Proby, Guy Ollison, Nancy Hopkins-Evans

Tales from the Classroom: Making Time for K-5 Science

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

Shifting to three-dimensional teaching and learning is difficult when teachers are already struggling to find time for science in the classroom. Learn practical, creative strategies for delivering dynamic learning experiences that inspire students and encourage cross-disciplinary skills.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Bala, Eric Cross

Tango with the Trilobites

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Tango with the Trilobites Slides

Show Details

“Them bones, Them 3D Printed bones” are utilized in a lab setting where students learn about homologous structures and age of fossils which provides a tactile exploration and visual aids that foster a deeper understanding of this topic. My students "dig' the unique, immersive learning experience.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in learning solid, classroom strategies with unique 3D printed fossils & bones. They will be able to challenge their students to think outside the box as they use reliable, classroom-friendly strategies to promote collaboration, hypothesizing, and solid discussion.

SPEAKERS:
Tammy Will

Teach Current Climate Literacy with PBS LearningMedia

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 12


Show Details

Explore how episodes of the PBS program Weathered pair with free, standards-mapped support materials to reinforce your Earth science curriculum, grow and flex students' crosscutting skills, and keep your classroom's climate content current.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to integrate dynamic media from the PBS program Weathered into your science classroom through PBS LearningMedia's free resource collection.

SPEAKERS:
Merek Chang, Tania Burchell

Teaching about forces and motion in Kindergarten

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Ricky the rock that couldnt roll

Show Details

In this session, participants will work on hands-on activities and use a storybook to teach about motion and forces using the engineering design model and translanguaging for K-2 levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to teach about motion and forces for K-2 using a storybook, the engineering design process, and translanguaging (English/Spanish).

SPEAKERS:
Hattie Wommack, Romola Bernard

Teaching Biology in a Time of Conflict. Challenge, Opportunity, and Optimism

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Science-in-Conflict-NSTA-part1.pptx
Presentation slides
Science-in-Conflict-NSTA-part2.pptx
Presentation slides

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Turn challenges into opportunities! Explore how to engage students in critical topics like vaccines, climate science, and evolution through meaningful, real-world connections. Discover strategies to harness today’s golden age of scientific innovation to inspire curiosity and make science exciting.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Miller

The Engineering Design Process & Invention Education

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Engineering_Presentation_NSTA DSEC Fellows Philly 2025.pptx
Poster Board EDC Variant of the EDP Slide Show

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Join us to explore how the engineering design process (EDP) enhances collaborative learning, community connections, student resilience, and skill-building in STEM education and preparing students for STEM careers. Gain insights into authentic design, research, and PL opportunities with practical examples.

TAKEAWAYS:
The engineering design process nurtures critical skills like problem-solving and creativity in K-12 education. We'll showcase adaptable resources, opportunities, and activities for all educators, focusing on free curricular resources, teacher development, and grants.

SPEAKERS:
Josephine Mesina, Tom Jenkins

The Role of an Instructional Coach in a Modern Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
The Role of an Instructional Coach in a Modern Science Classroom

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

In today's rapidly evolving science classroom, the role of an instructional coach is crucial. Beyond traditional teaching methods, coaches serve as mentors, facilitators, and motivators, guiding students and teachers toward deeper understanding and fostering a love for scientific inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation aims to explore the many responsibilities of an instructional coach in the Science classroom and highlights strategies for establishing effective coaching relationships with teachers, as well as exploring best practices in science instructional coaching.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Delgado-D'Amore, Cynthia Ruszczyk

Thinking in 3D

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B


Show Details

In this session, we will explore the intersection between Information Processing as outlined in Culturally Responsive Teaching, Cognitive Routines, and Three-Dimensional Science to enhance science learning experiences for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with an experience that enables them to utilize cognitive routines and develop as independent learners while also building their capacity as culturally responsive educators.

SPEAKERS:
Allison Porzillo

Trade the CER for the GRC and For Greater Learning Success

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
GRC Presentation Materials
Here is access to the materials for my presentation today.

Show Details

Science teachers have been implementing the CER in their instruction with varied results, but what if there were a better alternative? This session will model how the Gather Reason and Communicate model can lead to greater and more authentic learning outcomes for students in the NGSS classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators should leave this session with ideas that are ready to implement, and a tool kit to allow them to convert existing CER lessons to GRC; an approach that is more student-friendly, rigorous, and can help strengthen sens-making in the NGSS classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Jones

Using Children’s Literature to Foster Sensemaking in Elementary Science

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
5E Lesson Plan_The Boy Who Grew a Forest.pdf
Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Lesson Plan.docx
Lesson Plan for Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
NSTA Lesson Plan - One Plastic Bag.docx
Session Handout.docx
Using Childrens Literature to Foster Sensemaking in Elementary Science PowerPoi
Vincent- Lesson Plan for Conference.docx
We Are Water Protectors Lesson Plan.docx

Show Details

Participants will learn how using children's literature in science instruction can help students get interested in science topics, gain needed context about phenomenon, and share prior knowledge. We will share how interactive read aloud can generate student collaboration and facilitate discussions.

TAKEAWAYS:
We want participants to take away a list of recent children's literature about science topics and how to use these books in their science teaching and learning. Techniques will be shared and lesson plans tied to NGSS will be handed out.

SPEAKERS:
Eli Vincent, Alexandra Chester, Lauren Rupe, Jim McDonald

Using Community Agreements to Build an Inclusive Classroom Culture

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slides for session

Show Details

Do you want all students to contribute more of ideas in science class? In this workshop, we’ll present Community Agreements routines that build a culture where students feel safe sharing ideas and caring for one another. Creating a supportive classroom cuture is critical to all NGSS learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with a ready to use plan to implement community agreements in your classroom. It will include eliciting students’ ideas for how to be respectful, equitable, committed to community, and move science thinking forward. It will also have strategies for student reflection on these agreements and ho

SPEAKERS:
Greg Benedis-Grab, William Penuel

Using Energy Inside Out: Connecting Social Emotional Learning and STEAM with the Self-Controller Coaster Challenge

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A


Show Details

Engage in a hands-on Self-Controlled Coaster Challenge that connects physics concepts like potential and kinetic energy with self-control. Learn how integrating SEL into STEAM fosters student understanding and emotional regulation, creating immersive, accessible science learning for all.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain strategies for integrating SEL into NGSS-aligned STEAM lessons. This hands-on activity serves as an example, offering ideas to adapt similar student-centered approaches to make abstract concepts like energy and self-control accessible, engaging, and relevant for all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Le-Marie Thompson, Nuria Gabitova

Using Mini-Lessons to Teach All Three Dimensions

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Michael A Nutter Theater


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: The Wonder of Science

Discover how mini-lessons can teach the NGSS DCIs, SEPs, and CCCs effectively. Paul Andersen shares strategies for using focused mini-lessons, supported by resources from The Wonder of Science, to help students think critically and engage in meaningful scientific practices.

SPEAKERS:
Paul Andersen

Visualizing science: Modeling as a Pedagogical Tool

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 7


Show Details

Modeling is an essential SEP and a pedagogical tool that can elevate science teaching. In this workshop, learn and practice modeling as a pedagogical tool for having students illustrate their sense-making process for scientific concepts while also increasing and assessing learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will experience a variety of methods of modeling to utilize in their classroom that allow student learning of science concepts to be visualized. Leave this workshop with activities and pedological moves related to modeling that you can implement in your class immediately.

SPEAKERS:
Jocelyn Miller, Missie Olson

VSEPR Yoga: Molecular Geometry of Our Bodies

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 10



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Anchoring Activities for VSEPR
VSEPR YOGA Presentation SlideDeck
VSEPR Yoga SlideDeck
Animated PowerPoint Slides for VSEPR YOGA

Show Details

Join this session to relax and unwind while learning how to provide students with movements of their body to model the molecular geometries that transform 2D Lewis structures into their 3D shapes while deepening their understanding of molecular polarity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will experience an alternate way for students to understand VSEPR beyond modeling kits and virtual technologies that many students will not have access to on assessments. This also helps students understand the difference between polar bonds and molecular polarity.

SPEAKERS:
Krystle Moos

Water Can Do Work! Hands-on Marine Energy & CTE Lessons

Friday, March 28 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: The NEED Project

Inquiry-based, hands-on STEM and critical thinking activities that help secondary students develop a comprehensive understanding of energy, electricity, hydropower, and emerging ocean technologies. Applicable to a CTE classroom as well and can be easily modified according to students' skill levels.

SPEAKERS:
Paula Miller, Kimberly Swan

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Friday, March 28 • 1:50 PM - 2:20 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Catching the Wrong Species

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

In this activity, students use a simple classroom model to design and test solutions to bycatch in the tuna fishery. They collect and use data to optimize their design and consider how their model might look in real life.

TAKEAWAYS:
Applying the engineering design practice to a real-life environmental issue.

SPEAKERS:
Meghan Marrero

Connecting Classrooms and Conservation

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Discover how the Detroit Zoos’ Adopt-a-School program brings wildlife conservation into the classroom! Explore virtual opportunities that connect students with zoo experts, offer engaging activities, and inspire environmental stewardship. Learn how to integrate these resources into your curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to integrate the Detroit Zoos' virtual connections to engage students in wildlife conservation and integrate real-world environmental topics into their curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Sandy Ling, Thomas Benson

Designing Climate Change Outreach with the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN)

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

The CLEAN collection is the only website needed for vetted instructional resources about climate, climate change, and energy. This session will introduce participants to the collection and the resources it has to support climate change education in informal settings.

TAKEAWAYS:
When quality teaching materials to teach about climate and energy are needed for a variety of teaching scenarios, having one place to search is a game-changer, especially knowing that the resources have been reviewed by scientists and educators, and they are connected to the NGSS standards.

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Holzer

Engineering with Paper: Exploring Balance with Paper

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Balance is something we can feel but can not always see. The center of mass is not always the at the visual center of an object. Explore balance with your students using just paper, tape and scissors. Create a Engineering with Paper balance bar and objects to test just very simple supplies.

TAKEAWAYS:
That paper is an extremely adaptable and inexpensive material that can be used to create engaging science activities.

SPEAKERS:
Godwyn Morris

Explore classroom ready, NGSS aligned, ocean, coastal, Earth, and climate science education resources from NOAA Ocean Service Education.

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

NOAA Ocean Service Education offers classroom ready, standards aligned ocean, coastal, Earth and climate science resources to immediately plug into existing curriculum, as well as opportunities to receive up to $5000 in funding to develop and carry out stewardship projects in their community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will receive classroom ready, standards-aligned resources so they and their students can learn about ocean, coastal, Earth, and climate science phenomena and issues, how they apply to them, and how they can receive funding to address environmental impacts to their community.

SPEAKERS:
Alexandria Gillen, Bruce Moravchik

Exploring Air Camp: Engaging STEM Learning and Resources for K-12 Teachers

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Air Camp is a hands-on educational adventure in aviation and aeronautics for students in grades 4-12 and K-12 STEM educators. Aiming to connect, inspire, and provide STEM learning opportunities while offering teachers professional development, valuable resources, classroom materials, and much more.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will have access to teacher resources and professional development opportunities designed to integrate aviation-focused STEM lessons and real-world applications into the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Stormer, Christina Davis

Hands-on Activities from the Exploratorium

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Join us at NSTA Philadelphia and explore a sampling of the Exploratorium’s free and content-rich online hands-on science activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
The Exploratorium, located in San Francisco, CA, is a hands-on science museum. We have hundreds of activities online known as Science Snacks, as well as thousands of other educator and professional development resources. Visit our table and find out what resources we have online for you.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Muller

Informal Science Education Share-a-Thon

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Come and connect! Engage with informal science educators from museums, zoos, afterschool, media, non-profits and more. Discover resources, programs, organizations, and opportunities for science educators - formal and informal alike!

TAKEAWAYS:
You'll network with informal educational organizations from across the country, discuss best practices, and discover free, hands-on activities for your organization or classroom.

It’s always Science Friday! Hands-on activities based on science news.

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Science Friday, your trusted source for news and entertaining stories about science, is more than a radio show. SciFri also creates exciting, free STEM activities developed by educators like you that make cutting-edge science accessible to everyone. Discover why every day is Science Friday!

TAKEAWAYS:
Stop by the Science Friday table to explore demo activities and grab free resources. While you’re here, sign up to receive free materials for our “Hack Your Brain” escape room and register for our Down to Earth program with the ISS. Plus, learn to make engaging audiograms to share with learners.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Roberts

Making sense of deep sea phenomena

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

PART OF NMEA SHARE-A-THON-- Hydrothermal vents may be several thousand meters deep, so finding new areas of vent activity can be challenging. Dive into a hands-on investigation on how to locate these unique habitats plus explore what tools ocean explorers use to find them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through hands-on investigations/activities, educators will construct explanations with evidence for how/why scientists use physical/chemical data to determine patterns that help find hydrothermal vents. Then they will analyze mission scenarios to determine the best robot technology to locate vents.

SPEAKERS:
Tami Lunsford

MAMEA Share-a-thon Table

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

PART OF NMEA SHARE-A-THON

TAKEAWAYS:
Members have fabulous ideas! Come join us in NMEA at NSTA...at the Mid-Atlantic Marine Education Association

SPEAKERS:
Dawn Sherwood

NASA Sun-Earth Connection Education Resources

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Are you looking for resources to engage learners about solar storms and auroras? NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team (NASA HEAT) has built a framework with three big ideas and 9 topics, mapping existing and future resources to the framework. See demonstrations and share your favorite ones.

TAKEAWAYS:
Heliophysics is a study of the Sun and its impact on Earth, the solar system, and humanity. Find sample activities to share Sun-Earth Connection with youths and the public.

SPEAKERS:
Carolyn Ng

National Marine Educators Association

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

National Marine Educators Association is a dedicated, influential member-based organization of teachers, informal educators, university professors, scientists, and more from around the world working together to advance the understanding and protection of our freshwater and marine ecosystems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about resources, professional development and publishing opportunities available for all educators as it pertains to aquatic and marine ecosystems and Ocean, Great Lakes and Gulf literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Jackie Lewis

NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

The NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) is a partnership between academic and non-profit organizations that explores, maps, and develops technology for the ocean. OECI institutions place a high priority on engaging with the public, K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students.

TAKEAWAYS:
The OECI table will highlight opportunities for both students and educators, lesson plans and activities to increase awareness of exploring our ocean.

SPEAKERS:
Tara Hicks Johnson

NSTA's journal Connected Science Learning: Bridging the Gap Between In- and Out-of-School STEM Learning

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Connected Science Learning (CSL) is one of five journals produced by NSTA and is the perfect place for informal science educators to publish their work or serve as a peer reviewer. Attendees will learn about the journal's author guidelines and peer review process from the journal's editors.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about NSTA's journal Connected Science Learning and how it is a great resource for the informal science educators – especially those that collaborate with schools and teachers. Information about writing and peer reviewing for CSL will be provided.

SPEAKERS:
Beth Murphy

PA DCNR - How Pennsylvania State Parks Can Help You Engage in Hands-on Learning

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

From interpretive programs to teacher workshops, state park educators can assist classrooms, private groups, and you in science education. Stop by our table to try some hands-on activities from our state park specific curricula and learn about the opportunities available to you!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the different programs and curricula that PA DCNR offers and how park educators can assist teachers to integrate MWEEs, PA STEELS and NGSS standards into their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Sato

Pennsylvania Project Learning Tree (PA PLT)

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Project Learning Tree (PLT) is committed to advancing environmental education, forest literacy, and green career pathways, using trees and forests as windows on the world. PLT is sponsored in Pennsylvania by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

TAKEAWAYS:
Sample PLT guides will be available as well as information on finding PLT educator workshops and professional development in PA. Sample Activity: Examine tree cookies (cross-sections of trees) to determine the age of trees and to infer the environmental conditions the trees might have experienced.

SPEAKERS:
Colleen Campion

SAT: Lincoln Park Zoo at Informal Science Share-a-Thon

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo offers both in-person and online resources for K-12 teachers that support the learning of NGSS content and skills through connections to real-world science and conservation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Lincoln Park Zoo offers both in-person and online resources for K-12 teachers that support the learning of NGSS content and skills.

SPEAKERS:
Rosie Arnold

STEM in Action: Free Resources Through The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) immerses students and educators at all levels for free in STEM programming. Through competitions, summer camps, and comprehensive professional development, AEOP stands at the forefront of educational innovation, preparing participants to excel in life.

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:
Brian Kutsch

Urban Skies: Using OpenSpace Technology to Empower Youth to Explore the Cosmos

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

The American Museum of Natural History presents Urban Skies, an immersive program where students can explore the cosmos using our digital atlas, OpenSpace. Through hands-on navigation, students engage with space science, develop public speaking skills, and are inspired by careers in astronomy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how immersive technology like OpenSpace can transform education, ignite curiosity, and foster collaboration in classrooms and learning spaces as you virtually orbit Saturn, explore the volcanoes of Mars, or land on the surface of our moon.

SPEAKERS:
Guiomar Camano, Abigail Dean

VIMS Marine Education Resources

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


Show Details

PART OF NMEA SHARE-A-THON. Stop by and chat with a marine education specialist from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to learn more about their K-12 lesson plans, digital resources, career materials, and more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about our FREE marine science resources for K-12 educators!

SPEAKERS:
Celia Cackowski

We Grow Minds, Too: Education at the Dallas Arboretum

Friday, March 28 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2023-24 JPSE Evaluation Report.pdf
2024-25 Educator's Guide.pdf
Have Seeds, Will Travel NSTA 2025.pdf
Have Seeds, Will Travel Table Signs SPANISH.pdf
Have Seeds, Will Travel Table Signs.pdf

Show Details

The Dallas Arboretum has been engaging students of all ages with educational programming for nearly two decades, making standards-based, hands-on learning fun for everyone. Stop by to try out a garden-themed STEM activity and learn about all of the programs we have to offer!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about educational programs at the Dallas Arboretum.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Liken

“But I’m Not a Science Teacher, I'm an ELA Teacher!”

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A


Show Details

Experience learning opportunities designed for elementary students and reflect on the use of literacy practices in sensemaking. We will engage in and identify strategies that foster productive talk in science and explore free, NGSS-aligned, research-based resources for elementary classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Pedagogical moves you are already using in ELA can be used in your science instruction to support students in sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Lazarowicz, Cory Miller

15-Questions To Ask Before You Adopt Any Program

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

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 success for implementation. This process will share information about alignment, usability and budget, as well as exposing “blindspot” costs. 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 navigational guide to support their adoption and implementation process.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Harlan

3 Ways STEM Competitions Help Achieve NGSS Goals

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B


Show Details

No matter when they are used STEM competitions offer great opportunities to achieve all three Dimensions of Learning outlined in the NGSS. Come explore the possibilities that various competitions offer to your classroom and your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session attendees will learn about various STEM competitions, how they align with and support NGSS learning, and lastly how they can be implemented in the classroom even if they don't formally join.

SPEAKERS:
John Loehr

3D Printing Success- Learn How to Increase Student Engagement, Student Support and Incorporate the Science and Engineering Practices With 3D Printers

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A


Show Details

3D printing technology has reached a point that it is accessible to an every-day user with limited knowledge or experience. The applications of this technology to the learning environment are limitless. This session will explore the possibilities while the presenter shares resources to get started.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave the session with several ideas of how to use 3D printers in instruction (projects, manipulatives), connections with other colleagues to help grow a Professional Learning Network, and ideas of funding sources to get started with printing to support their students’ learning.

SPEAKERS:
Justin Ingram

A 300-year old Painting, A Pioneering Woman Scientist, and Three-Dimensional Learning: Analyzing Primary Sources from the Library of Congress

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
3 Dimensional Primary Source Blog Posts
Presentation Slides

Show Details

Can primary sources lead K-12 students to Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Cross-Cutting Concepts? Spoiler alert: they can. Examine, analyze, and discuss free online resources from the Library of Congress featuring the work of women in science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will discover how to access millions of free digitized primary sources from the Library of Congress, practice strategies for guiding students in critical analysis using a three-dimensional lens, and learn about the contributions of women to entomology, plate tectonics, and chemistry.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Apfeldorf, Jessica Fries-Gaither

Adapting Traditional Science Labs to Modern Interactive Simulations With The Science Table by Anatomage

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Anatomage, Inc

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

SPEAKERS:
Zach Bryant

Addressing Local Sustainability Problems through the Engineering Design Process

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTAStudent Handout2.pdf
NSTASustainability.pptx

Show Details

Teachers will use the engineering design process to identify sustainability issues, propose concrete actions and explore tools to collect data and analyze the impact of their solutions. The principles in this lesson are scalable from classrooms to communities and across grade levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to guide students to use the engineering design process to identify and solve local sustainability problems and to identify data collection methods to evaluate the scale of the problem and the effectiveness of the solution.

SPEAKERS:
Gail Dickinson

Aligning to the STEELS Standards: Taking Prior Curriculum and Making it Three-Dimensional

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Designing a Phenomenon-Based Unit
Making Curriculum Three-Dimensional: Ambitious Science Teaching Workshop
Slide Deck with links.

Show Details

The purpose of this session to help participants use meaningful strategies to adapt their curriculum to the STEELS standards. The new standards are a shift in both content and pedagogy which can feel overwhelming to teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will receive strategies to take already written curriculum and make it three-dimensional.

SPEAKERS:
Karianne Chessario

APES Exam Toolkit: Strategies That Work

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
APES Task Verbs
Help students master APES FRQs! This resource teaches them to identify task verbs, understand their power levels, and structure clear, detailed responses—ensuring they showcase their knowledge effectively and maximize their exam scores.
Point - No Point Activity
This Point/No Point activity helps students gain insight into the perspective of an AP reader grading exam responses. By analyzing AP College Board prompts, scoring guidelines and sample responses, students can hone their FRQ writing skills, allowing them to quickly identify key elements needed for a high-scoring response.
Session Slide Deck

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Switch Classroom

Shortened Description (300 characters): Prepare your students for success on the AP Enviro exam with expert tips for tackling multiple-choice and free-response questions. Learn strategies to enhance critical thinking and test-taking skills, helping your students achieve their best scores.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Kistler

Asking Questions and Defining Problems

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B


Show Details

Help your students develop a growth mindset where they can independently develop and refine questions that led them to an understanding of how the natural and designed world works, questions which can be empirically tested and used to help to clarify problems; leading to better solutions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using the Cross Cutting Concepts as a basis for delineating quality questions allows students to look deeper into phenomena and come up with better ideas of what is happening, which allows them to design better developed experiments to cement their understandings.

SPEAKERS:
Linda Smith

AUTHOR: The NSTA Atlas of the Three Dimensions

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B


Show Details

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

Bee-Bots and Beyond - Pollinating Science with STEM, Robotics, & AI

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Bee-Bots and Beyond- Pollinating Science with STEM, Robotics, & AI Slide Deck
Google Teachable Machine website
Journal Link (View only file)
Pollination Journal

Show Details

Discover an interdisciplinary approach to modeling pollination. Engage in an interactive science and engineering session to explore how pre-service teachers integrated science, engineering, robotics, and AI to address real-world phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage directly with machine learning tools and explore its applications in science education. They will learn strategies for integrating this technology into the classroom while working with models that align with NGSS standards.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Umeda, Stacy George

Boost Students' Conceptual Understanding of Energy Transfers (and AP® Physics scores) with Gay Stewart

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BFW Publishers

Collisions and work-energy concepts are key topics in AP® Physics 1, and often challenging due to gaps in understanding. This session explores a clearer way to describe interactions, helping enhance students' comprehension so they tackle these problems more effectively. (Examples from recent exams).

SPEAKERS:
Gay Stewart, Rachel Friedman

Bridging Literacy and STEM Learning

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B


Show Details

The ability to communicate complex STEM content and develop STEM literacy can be hindered by a lack of resources. Through strategic programming and resources, DSEC and its partners are working together to ensure all students and teachers can thrive in STEM classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
During the sessions, participants will explore five essential practices, with related strategies and resources, that educators, camp counselors, and others who support students in STEM can embed within their existing practices in classrooms, outdoor spaces, or wherever learning takes place.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Stanley, Dr. Marquis Mason

Bridging Literacy and Science: Integrating SoR and NGSS

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Bridging Literacy and Science: Integrating NGSS and SoR - Session Slides
PreK Classroom Example - Excerpt from Artfully Teaching the Science of Reading

Show Details

NGSS and Science of Reading (SoR) frameworks have common principles that can be linked to support deeper learning. We’ll explore how to connect foundational literacy skills with NGSS practices and provide practical strategies for effectively integrating reading and science in K-5 classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with an understanding of how literacy skills support science learning, key connections between SoR and NGSS, and practical strategies for integrating SoR and NGSS in K-5 classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Beth Pesnell

Bring CRISPR/Cas to your class

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Explore real CRISPR technology with a hands-on DNA experiment. Program Cas9 to cut DNA, make predictions using sequence analysis, and verify results with gel electrophoresis. This activity is an engaging way to show how CRISPR works and why it’s such a groundbreaking tool for genome editing!

SPEAKERS:
Ally Huang

Build, Revise, Learn: Using Models to Develop Understanding with BioInteractive

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

How can the practice of modeling help build conceptual understandings and foster dialogue among students? Join us as we explore how modeling can help students access prior knowledge, build on the ideas of others, and refine their ideas while utilizing BioInteractive’s ecology resources.

SPEAKERS:
Marisa Alvarado, Brian Mason

Building Partnerships to Support Environmental and Sustainability Education: A Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy Network Case Study

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Building Partnerships to Support Environmental and Sustainability Education_ A Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy Network Case Study 2025.pdf

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

PA’s globally recognized new Environmental Literacy & Sustainability standards and network have led to formal and nonformal education partnerships. Leave with strategies to apply at your school.

TAKEAWAYS:
An authentic environmental literacy network structure for practitioners is essential to creating an ecosystem that supports environmental and sustainability education. Partnerships that reflect the diversity of your community best support holistic inquiry of local environmental issues and phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Niedermeier, Shannon Fredebaugh-Siller, Diana Potts, Maryann Molishus, Tamara Peffer, Ellen Schultz

Carbon Capture and Storage: Geo-engineering for Middle School Science Classes

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C


Show Details

This workshop on carbon capture and storage integrates the engineering design process and socio-scientific modeling to take social factors into consideration while explaining complex socio-scientific issues like geoengineering.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session provides teachers with the tools to implement a hands-on climate engineering activity and utilize socio-scientific models in the engineering design process that engage students in real-world, ethical, and culturally relevant climate discussions.

SPEAKERS:
Gayle Buck, Arya Karumanthra

Circuits Made Easy: Untangle Your Circuit Labs!

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

Experience the best way to teach basic circuits! Learn how to build circuits with modular components that look identical to schematic drawings. We'll show you how to skip the tangled wires that confuse students so you can focus on the physics.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Riley

Correlating Crosscutting Concepts (CCC) across the Middle School Science and Technology & Engineering STEELS Curriculum

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A


Show Details

The session will demonstrate the impact of co-teaching between the two disciplines through the use of a common phenomenon (aircraft in flight and race car). Participants will discuss how to introduce and correlate the core concepts of air pressure and temperature and their impact on aerodynamics.

TAKEAWAYS:
The main takeaway will be how science and tech ed teachers can co-teach a given concept (Bernoulli’s Principle), allowing students to see the correlation between the phenomena of pressure and airflow and how it affects the design of aircraft and race cars.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Dumas, John Atkins

Customizing Curriculum: Is OpenSciEd PBL? Not Quite, But Here's How It Can Be!

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slides and Resources

Show Details

Discover how to enhance OpenSciEd units with Project-Based Learning (PBL). Learn the overlap and distinctions between the two, select units that naturally fit PBL, and explore tools that boost engagement, real-world skills, and authenticity. Leave with actionable strategies for immediate use.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how to enhance OpenSciEd units with Project-Based Learning (PBL). Learn the overlap and distinctions between the two, select units that naturally fit PBL, and explore tools that boost engagement, real-world skills, and authenticity. Leave with actionable strategies for immediate use.

SPEAKERS:
Kristy Lathrop

Data and Graphs and Tables, OH MY!

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 3



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LUDUotGoBoKGYFRf-Uw_aG1gdPz-oqpT?usp=sharing

Show Details

Using data from labs of various science topics from speed to kinetics, attendees will perform simple labs then chart, graph, and analyze their data with the other participants. Attendees will perform a type of vertical whiteboarding carousel walk to analyze other groups' information.

TAKEAWAYS:
Ideas on how to incorporate labs that attendees may already use for specific curriculum, but use for graphing and data analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Coker

Department of Navy's Seaworthy STEM: From PreK-12 to STEM Careers

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

Seaworthy STEM in a Box revolutionizes PreK-12 STEM education with Dept. of Navy and NGSS activities, fostering science sensemaking and engineering skills. Designed for versatility, these kits and curriculum accommodate various grades and settings. Session lead by DON staff & STEM educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will discover how to integrate Navy-aligned STEM activities into diverse educational environments. With expert-led workshops and comprehensive resources, educators can cultivate problem-solving skills in students, empowering them for future success in science and engineering.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Klixbull, Debbie Reynolds, Tom Jenkins, Nathan Diehl

Do real hands-on CRISPR gene editing!

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

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

SPEAKERS:
Tamica Stubbs, Leigh Brown

Elevate Sensemaking: Let's Give Them Something to Talk About!

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 305


Show Details

Talking about science is an integral part of sensemaking. Together teachers will experience a phenomenon to explore talk formats, talk moves, and monitoring tools. Teachers will consider how these tools will help students clarify, build, and share their ideas with others

TAKEAWAYS:
Supporting student talk that meets the targeted learning goals for your instruction requires a plan for classroom talk and practice facilitating learning conversations. Teachers will engage in the science practices and employ talk moves, to support students in 3D learning.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Shafer, PhD

Elevating STEM Education: Drones as a STEM Learning Tool

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides
These are the slides from our presentation.
Xenia Drone Delivery Competition Guidebook
This is the first draft of the drone delivery simulation competition I created for our elementary schools. I would welcome ideas and feedback if you are willing to share.

Show Details

Unlock the power of drones in your classroom! Learn how to integrate drone technology from upper elementary through high school. Get hands-on experience with drone coding and flight simulation, and discover practical strategies for engaging students in STEM through drone-based learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how and why to use drones as educational tools, explore coding for autonomous drone missions as well as free-flying drones, and leave with resources about how to integrate drone technology into your classes, after-school clubs, or competition teams.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Carey, Melvin Stallings

Empowering Educators by Harnessing the Power of AI

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Empowering Educators by Harnessing the Power of AI with Magic School

Show Details

Learn how to use interactive AI platforms to enhance student lessons, differentiate, create assessments, as well as launch the student component to create content, ideas, and support students in multiple content areas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use various interactive AI tools to enhance student lessons, differentiate instruction, and support students in multiple content areas.

SPEAKERS:
Tammy Felton, Summaya Knight, Natalie Rachel

Empowering Youth to Become 21st Century Energy Leaders

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 4



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Empowering Youth to Become 21st Century Energy Leaders (Climate Curriculum)
Find slides from the presentation and a complete curriculum available, developed by University of Minnesota and collaborator/ science educator Cassie Lydon. Find all materials at: z.umn.edu/NSTA This curriculum was developed for a National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Grant titled “Empowering Youth to Become 21st Century Energy Leaders.” This Integrated STEM curriculum has been used in chemistry, earth science, environmental
Link to presentation slides and all materials.
Climate and energy curriculum, including Climate Action Simulation with EN-ROADS and energy workforce aligned Climate Careers activity. Developed for an NSF ITEST grant led by University of Minnesota and collaborator/ education science educator Cassie Lydon.

Show Details

This workshop shares a curriculum that empowers students to become 21st century energy leaders. Participants will engage in a climate action simulation as different stakeholder groups and explore how their decision impact global temperature change, as well as the social impacts of these actions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use the climate action simulation to engage their students in understanding climate action from an individual and global perspective.

SPEAKERS:
Beth Mercer-Taylor, Cassandra Lydon, Gillian Roehrig

Engaging in Climate Science Education Through Connections to Everyday Life, Equity, and Justice

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B


Show Details

Climate change is here. Come explore ways to teach about this that intersect with issues of justice and provide action for the future. This workshop will support educators in all grades and contexts, including those who can’t even say “climate change”!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with strategies for engaging in climate change and climate justice learning appropriate to grade band NGSS standards, climate and energy literacy standards, and for both school and community based learning contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell, Deb Morrison, Kelsie Fowler

Equitable Grading in a 3D Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 1



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gSKZD5bY8OdXzXEOTG9b2gOShs2uZfjvlxwlgCDoLEA/edit#slide=id.p

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

The field of science education has made great strides in implementing the Next Generation Science Standards in order to fulfill the vision for science education established in A Framework for K-12 Science Education. Progress has been made developing high quality instructional materials with embedded

TAKEAWAYS:
Deepen your understanding of 3D feedback and grading while also developing practical strategies for making impactful changes in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
William Penuel, Melissa Campanella

Strengthening Science Education: Leveraging K-12 Science Instruction and Tackling Challenges in Today’s Science Classrooms

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Explore strategies to strengthen science education in K-12 classrooms and tackle teacher retention. Gain insights, innovative ideas, and practical solutions for success.

SPEAKERS:
Lynne Price-Jones, Karen Walkinshaw

Evaluating Lessons for Sensemaking Using the NSTA Sensemaking Tool: Elementary

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Slide Deck

Show Details

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:
Use the NSTA Sensemaking Tool for classroom observations and providing feedback.

SPEAKERS:
Patrice Scinta, Emily Mathews

Exploring Visible & Invisible Light and Energy In A 3-Dimensional Learning Setting

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 11



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
PH Workshop PPT
Visible and Invisible Light in 3D setting

Show Details

Practice activities as a student with simple materials exploring the EM Spectrum and explanatory models that illustrate real world space science applications. Learn about the Virtual Astronomy Academy program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Practice Claim Evidence and Reasoning, and a gallery walk of student work to review models; and practice collaborative learning to investigate filters and wavelengths. Attendees will also be learn how to join NASA Virtual Astronomy Academy professional development program.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Ripollone, Coral Clark, Ann Marie Dubick, P Harman

Flowing through the central dogma with 3D Molecular Designs

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Experience hands-on modeling of replication, transcription and translation to empower your student's learning and understanding of these processes.

SPEAKERS:
Alice Scheele

Fungus Among Us - Valley Fever

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Valley Fever is a respiratory infection caused by a fungus that thrives in the soil of the southwestern United States. Learn about genetic predisposition through various case studies and use gel electrophoresis to assess the prevalence of the fungus in various regions to find the hot spots!

SPEAKERS:
Glenda Goh Denison

Give Your Students the Liberty to Ring the Data Collection Bell

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 306


Show Details

Come learn how easy, important, and fun it is to collect and analyze data as a part of good, solid, responsible science education. Integrating science and mathematics isn't just be a good idea, it is essential for today's STEM learner. Today's technology makes it quick, easy, fun and meaningful!

TAKEAWAYS:
ALL attendees will be active participants in the data collection activities in this session. But collecting data will not be the greatest takeaway. Rather, instilling confidence in ALL attendees to perform mathematical analysis of the data will be the main goal of the session.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Lukens

Grow Your Scientists Organically: Inviting Multilingual Learners to Improve Teaching and Learning

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Grow Your Scientists Organically_ Inviting Multilingual Learners to Improve Teaching and Learning.pptx
Self-Assessment.pptx

Show Details

Learn how educator-researchers relied upon multilingual learners’ assets to deepen all students’ science knowledge and metacognitive skills via formative and self-assessments. You’ll have the opportunity to create a multimodal self-assessment for the students in your classroom to inform instructional changes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Researchers and educators will share the results of a research study, including takeaways and strategies for using multilingual students’ assets to promote learning and shape instructional changes that benefit all students in science learning before creating their own multimodal self-assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Hays, Brooke Bentley, Brittany York

Homes for the Hurricane Homeless: The Integration of STEM, Place-Based Learning, and Designing Thinking in the Elementary Classroom Conference Strand

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

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

Hot & Cheap – Great Classroom STEM Activities!

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 6


Show Details

Test some heat-treated metal samples; practice your math skills and artistry with a STEAM activity; work in groups for an engineering challenge! There’s a little something for everyone and we won’t judge you for wanting to be hot and cheap in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with at least 3 useful lab activities giving opportunities for measurement, math, engineering, collaborative work, and an understanding of the materials around us. All of the activities use easy to find and household materials that are available at low cost.

SPEAKERS:
Briana Richardson

How Several Impactful Instructional Changes Led to Enhanced Student Learning

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
RVCC Science Education Institute Resource Page
Links to resources for all our presentations at NSTA Philadelphia 2025

Show Details

Implementing recommendations from the NRC Framework and How People Learn can lead to impactful changes in teacher practice and student learning. Experience what 3D sensemaking of a climate change phenomenon looks and feels like and how this led to enhanced learning in a middle school classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a student self-assessment sheet and a rubric that can be used with 3D investigations of any phenomenon and an understanding of how to use it effectively in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Wil Van der Veen, Denise Magrini

Increase Student Engagement with a Low-Cost but Breathtaking Hands-On/Mind-On Astrophotography Activity

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 12


Show Details

With simple gel filters, their own phones and computers, students can make images at different optical wavelengths and combine them as astronomers. Then, they’ll download real space telescope images in invisible wavelengths to make astrophotos. This activity supports STEM fun – and serious science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn to create multi-wavelength datasets with their phones and process them as astronomers do and access and process real astronomical images from free professional resources. Shared with students, this rich, non-language dependent activity deepens understanding and engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Kaiser, Vincent Urbanowski

Inquiry Learning Made Easy! Transforming Science Education with Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning: A Hands-On Mini POGIL Workshop

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Revolutionize your teaching with this hands-on introduction to POGIL (Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning)! Designed for science teachers, curriculum developers, and administrators, this session will explore team roles, the POGIL Learning Cycle, and strategies to develop problem-solving critical skills.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Mancini

Keep Calm and Chemistry On: Successful Lab Activities for the New Chemistry Teacher

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Explore easy, engaging, and safe chemistry activities that guarantee a reaction in your students. These lab activities support 3-dimensional learning and work every time, not just periodically.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Nixon

Leveling Up! Get the Most Out of Your Lab Equipment - Arbor Scientific

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Arbor Scientific

Creatively explore physics and physical science equipment, discovering versatile ways to use materials across different courses. Participants will develop strategies for making cost-effective purchasing decisions while aligning equipment use with standards-based instructional goals and inquiry level

SPEAKERS:
Bree Barnett Dreyfuss, Alex Gonzalez

Leverage Your Local Zoo for Literacy and Learning as Part of Your Science Curriculum

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C


Show Details

Who doesn't love a baby tiger cub? Learn how the Philadelphia Zoo and the author of the nonfiction picture book “A Family for Zoya” inspire children through field trips, engaging educational materials, contests, and more to enhance your science curriculum and spark students’ interest in nature.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using the upcoming release "A Family for Zoya: The True Story of an Endangered Cub" as an example, participants will learn how zoos can provide teachers with practical tools for their science teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Debra Goldstein

Making Time for Elementary Science: Strategies and Examples

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A


Show Details

Elementary classrooms are incredibly busy, often leaving little room for science. This session will provide engaging activities and practical strategies for integrating science seamlessly into the schedule, using long-term investigations, science as a foundation for math/literacy, station work, and

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

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli, Deanna Taylor, Leah Litz, Jesse Wilcox, Rebecca Abbott, Erik Wade

Mapping STEM Lessons into your Curriculum

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025 Mapping STEM Lessons into your Curriculum.pptx
Shade Structure Design WHERE Model_(rev_03.25.2025).pdf
WHERE Model Template-Revised_03.24.2025.pdf

Show Details

This session will introduce the W.H.E.R.E. Model template and demonstrate how to use this tool to help you plan, build and implement your own STEM lessons into your curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand how specific strategic guiding questions can help them identify the key components of learning as they build their lesson instruction .

SPEAKERS:
Michael Comer

NASA PATHS Storytelling Program

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Videos where BIPOC students share STEM stories offer deep and moving insights in relation to their STEM education, careers, and family or community contexts. This model of STEM storytelling is culturally sustaining and empowering for the students and enlightening for teachers viewing them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will view some of these compelling storytelling videos and learn how to access them. Discussions during the session will reveal how to best use them as resources to build trust in our school communities. Guidance will be provided on how your students can tell their unique stories.

SPEAKERS:
Kris Grymonpre, Arthur Eisenkraft

Nature Journals are Impactful 3-dimensional Learning Tools

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Nature Journal Slides

Show Details

Nature journals are a multipurpose tool that teachers can use to stimulate curiosity and explore science content through a local lens while engaging students with science and engineering practices. Participants will learn nature journaling strategies that can be replicated with students of all ages

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn basic strategies for leading nature journaling lessons with their students, including aligning lessons with science content, using effective journaling prompts, and assessing the student journals.

SPEAKERS:
Valerie Stone

NGSS and Chemistry: Making it Happen

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B


Show Details

Let's discuss and share resources and best practices for aligning our Chemistry instruction to the NGSS standards. What does it look like? What does it NOT look like? What are you favorite resources?

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with a better understanding of what the NGSS and NGSS "like" chemistry course can look like. The main takeaway is that it is not necessary to "teach the book".

SPEAKERS:
Patti Duncan

NSELA Sponsored Session - Leading the Charge: Collaborative Solutions for Science Education Challenges Using A Flipped Panel

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

This session features a Flipped Panel, where the audience drives the discussion by asking their most pressing questions. Panelists will respond directly to audience-generated questions, ensuring the conversation addresses relevant topics rather than relying on a pre-planned list.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will identify key challenges in the implementation of three-dimensional science teaching and learning. They will engage in collaborative table discussions and receive tailored advice from expert panelists to address district-level challenges and professional development needs.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Weatherhead, Matthew Christiansen

NSTA Preservice Teacher Chapter Program: Engaging the Next Generation of Educators of Science

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 304/VIP



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2025 NSTA Preservice Teacher Chapter Program_ Engaging the Next Generation of Educators of Science.pptx

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Inviting all Preservice Teachers and Instructors to learn about NSTA’s Preservice Teacher Chapters. Preservice Teacher Chapters support individuals entering the profession with leadership experiences, networking opportunities, and professional learning resources available at NSTA.

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

SPEAKERS:
Jim McDonald, Eli Vincent, Alexandra Chester, Flavio Mendez, Jordan Kobielus

Nurturing the Roots: Strategies for Supporting and Retaining New Science Teachers

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Strategies for Supporting and Retaining New Science Teachers
This session describes strategies implemented in a school district and will engage others in problem-solving discussions around their school or district's circumstances. Contact me at [email protected] for more information.

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

This interactive session exploring key strategies for supporting and retaining new science teachers. Learn how mentorship, professional learning communities, and practical support systems can help new teachers thrive. Leave with useful tools and resources to implement in your school.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn practical strategies for building effective support systems, including mentorship and professional learning communities, to help new science teachers navigate challenges, foster professional growth, and improve retention.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Rhoades

OpenSciEd High School: Asset-Based Assessment in OpenSciEd High School Physics

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 2


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Figuring out what to grade for 3-dimensional teaching and learning is a challenge. Come see how we use OpenSciEd's assessment guidance to create unit-long learning progression rubrics that support assessing students in mastering intentionally developed SEPs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Our method of deriving Newton's 2nd Law in OpenSciEd Physics Unit 3: Collisions and Momentum is motivated by student ideas. Students are wondering how much time it takes to stop a car. They design an experiment with a unique "force cart" apparatus, then construct an algebraic model from their data.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Kremer, Dr. Patty McGinnis

Quench Your Thirst: Exploring Atomic Structures & Periodic Trends through Electrolytes & Sports Drinks [Teaching Science through Food]

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 10


Show Details

Atomic structure, ions, & ionic compounds can be hard to make relatable and interesting to students. We’ll walk through labs and activities that help students explore these concepts and apply them to make sense of things like sports drinks, bottled water, and claims around electrolytes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in easy labs and activities that center around the phenomenon of sports drinks and electrolytes. They will hear how teachers used these activities in different classrooms and how they helped elicit student curiosity in unexpected ways and how students connected them to other

SPEAKERS:
April Thompson, Jocelyn Puett, Alyssa Wachsman, Megan McCall, Kate Strangfeld, Makala Woods

Real-World Motion: Analyzing Physics and Physiology with Video Analysis

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Explore how our Video Analysis app helps students investigate physics (+ physiology!) concepts with real-world videos! Learn to record and analyze topics from projectile motion to elastic collisions. We’ll cover key features, best practices, and 3D learning ideas for engaging student investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

Recharge Yourself! From Striving to Thriving: Part 2 Stress Management

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Philadelphia Striving to Thriving Parts 1 and 2.pdf
Walking meditation - Recording
Please open with Adobe to access the recording

Show Details

While it may seem like there’s nothing you can do about stress at work and home, there are steps you can take to relieve the pressure and regain control. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium, as well as your physical health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with tips on how to relieve pressure and regain control.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips, Vivienne Allgood

Reducing Gender Disproportionality: Observations, Initial Findings and Action Steps To Increase Female Student Enrollment in Advanced STEM Courses

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 307



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Program Slidedeck

Show Details

Whether it is in high school course enrollment, college, or careers, males outnumber females in terms of enrollment and the study of advanced STEM fields, particularly physics, and engineering. This program will review the current research, interventions, and action steps to reverse this trend.

TAKEAWAYS:
Impact of socio-cultural and psycho-social factors leading to gender disproportionality in STEM course enrollment. Also, the sharing of action steps to take designed to increase female student enrollment, particularly for those students with individual Advanced Placement Potential.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara Fortunato, Daniel Sierzega, Richard Stec

Science in Silence: Promoting Accessibility and Inclusivity in STEM with Multi-day Nature Experiences for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Detroit

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117


Show Details

Outdoor experiential learning creates meaningful connections between students and nature, and this innovative program emphasizes accessibility, inclusion, and hands-on learning to deepen environmental awareness and STEM skills for students with special needs.

TAKEAWAYS:
This program highlights the importance of outdoor education for students with special needs, demonstrating how accessible, hands-on experiences in urban parks deepen ecological understanding and empower students to connect with nature

SPEAKERS:
June Teisan

Sea to Sky: Get to know NOAA’s online educational resources — and let us know what you think!

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom III


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Join us for a tour of our education website and discuss how NOAA can meet your needs. We’ll show you how to navigate our educational resources on the ocean, coast, Great Lakes, weather, and climate. Bring your questions and comments on what you’d like from us. This session is for K-16 educators.

SPEAKERS:
Kayla Smith, Bekkah Lampe

Skulls & Scatterplots: A High School Life Science Lesson

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 8


Show Details

In this lesson, students will analyze sloth body size variation in the Bocas del Toro Island Region of Panama. (NGSS disciplinary core idea LS3.B Variation of Traits addressed)

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be provided with links and physical materials to teach and assess the lesson

SPEAKERS:
Kristen Conklin- Kearney, Tyler St. Clair

Statistics for Student Authentic Science Research Projects

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 9



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ks20VRXtCXjQUo9gq3wCANznrrKwNO7_mDI3pLILKgc/edit?usp=sharing

Show Details

This session will focus on the main methods of statistical analysis used most commonly in Student Research Projects. Participants will be guided through statistical tests using free resources on DataClassroom and see examples of data analysis from student research projects.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to guide students through statistics analyzing their data from Authentic Science Research Projects.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Girtain

STEM+ Reasoning Routines for All

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A


Show Details

Experience relevant STEM+ reasoning routines as a way to center student voice, engage learners, and ensure that STEM is a routine experience where concepts and practices are fostered. Then take the opportunity to adapt or plan your own STEM+ reasoning routine that fits your instructional context.

TAKEAWAYS:
Walk away with different types of authentic and relevant STEM+ reasoning routines, grounded in the NGSS crosscutting concepts, that consider all students sensemaking specific to your instructional context.

SPEAKERS:
Kendra Heffelbower

STEM-Project-Based Learning for EVERYONE!!!

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B


Show Details

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

Step Up and Lead: Powerful Tips for the Emerging STEM Leader

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Step Up and Lead Handout and Slides

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Ready to take your STEM leadership skills to the next level? In this session, learn how to leverage your passion for teaching STEM to become a leader in your school. Explore effective strategies and leave with practical tools to expand your impact and lead with confidence.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies for influencing colleagues, driving school-wide initiatives, and elevating their role. They will leave with actionable tools to enhance their leadership skills and inspire others, all while staying rooted in their STEM expertise.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn McCotter

Students Enjoy the Hypothesis-Experiment Class about Finding Free Electrons

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
InvitationToHEC
Please also check out our other sessions.

Show Details

Join us for a presentation on the Hypothesis-Experiment Class (HEC)! Explore the implementation and outcomes of HEC, focusing on a plan about free electrons in metals like coins and cutlery. Engage in hands-on activities that reveal how HEC fosters a love for science and deepens understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how the Hypothesis-Experiment Class fosters students’ joy in learning science and grasping concepts. Our material about free electrons will be distributed to attendees. The material is practical and fun for students in various educational environments.

SPEAKERS:
Mariko Kobayashi, Koji Tsukamoto, Tomoko HASEGAWA, Haruhiko Funahashi, Taro YAMAMOTO

Supporting Teachers to Teach Climate Change to All Students

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Join members of CLEAN and state education representatives from Washington and New Jersey as they share lessons learned, resources, and support for leaders in climate change education for all students in all subjects.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave this session with resources and tools to support themselves as leaders in their local context to create collaborative climate change learning environments across disciplines.

SPEAKERS:
Lori Henrickson, Ross Gary, Sarah Sterling

Teachers Asking Scientists Questions (TASQ)

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Teachers Asking Scientists Questions_NSTA presentation.pptx

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Science is Elemental’s (501C3) Teachers Asking Scientists Questions provides, free, rapid assistance with science content to elementary school teachers, and the opportunity for additional assistance incorporating science into lessons, to include having a scientist/engineer speak to classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Elementary school teachers (and others) can get free, quick help, using a text or email, without having to go to a website or set up an account. Career scientists are ready to answer your science content questions and/or help you incorporate science into your lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Ann Miller

The Adventures of Teaching Climate Change Using NCSE Story Shorts and Sidequests

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 7



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
PDF of the presentation shared in this session with active links
Please email me if any of the links are not functioning or permissions are not set.

Show Details

Prepare to embark on a teaching adventure! Equip yourself with engaging storylines, complete with enriching sidequests that will enhance your current climate change curriculum. Whether you have a couple of days or a couple of months to teach students about climate change, Story Shorts are for you!

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, you will experience an overview of 5 Story Shorts that can be used in the way that best fits your scope and sequence. This resource includes everything you need to “plug and play” quality, vetted climate instruction from activities to assessments.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Lau

The Incorporation of Culturally Responsive Instructional Strategies through the Implementation of NGSS Science and Engineering Practices

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Science CRI Observational Tool
Handout to Accompany the Session
The Incorporation of CRI Strategies through the Implementation of NGSS SEPs

Show Details

Overlap exists between language describing elements of culturally relevant instruction and the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices. Through observation and research, it has been determined that when the SEPs are implemented with fidelity, this intersection is also evident in a science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn the major elements of culturally responsive teaching and how these strategies can be applied in the science classroom through the implementation of the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Weiss-Dembek

Translating Science Curricula into Careers: The Critical Role of OST STEM Programs in Solidifying the STEM Pipeline

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A


Show Details

Participants in the Women In Natural Sciences Program develop attributes like confidence, leadership, and self-advocacy. Hear from a WINS participant and her goal to implement a new afterschool program in Philadelphia to expose youth to careers related to climate change and environmental science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Due to her experience in WINS and other opportunities through her studies at Brandeis University, Mazzii Ingram presents a submitted proposal to implement additional and much-needed afterschool programs exposing Philadelphia youth to environmental careers by 2026.

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Godfrey

Unlocking Science Success: Navigating Middle School Learning Progressions (6-8)

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Take a deeper dive into understanding the importance of learning progressions in 3-dimensional learning using STC Middle School. Experience the importance of a coherent storyline in student understanding. In this session we will explore a learning progression using density.

SPEAKERS:
Cory Ort

Using Authentic Data to Evaluate and Mitigate Human Impacts on Biodiversity

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 5


Show Details

Participants will engage in authentic conservation decision-making practices using the Half-Earth Project Map and Map of Life data. The activities empower learners to evaluate the human impacts on natural systems while considering responsible natural resource management strategies.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to access and use publically available data to evaluate human impacts on Earth's systems and develop solutions to maintain biodiversity through responsible management practices.

SPEAKERS:
Missie Olson, Jocelyn Miller

Using Food and Cooking to Make Sense of Science: Explore Through Tea - It's accessible, easily investigative, and connects to many cultures.

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C


Show Details

Food is a powerful tool for teaching science: it’s approachable, accessible, and relevant. But classrooms aren’t kitchens—how can we harness the power of food in simple, safe, and easy ways, and why should we do it? This session is open to all grade levels but will cater to grades 5-8.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in an easy lab to see how we use food in a safe, low-cost, and accessible way to explore concepts like temperature, atoms, and states of matter. Activities heavily emphasize NGSS standards and science practices.

SPEAKERS:
Shawn Boggs, Peggy James, Ashley Vandgrift, Mary Velasquez

Using Models to Teach Climate and Climate Change

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Help your students understand complex concepts like climate and climate change through modeling. Participants will do hands on activities that can be used in the classroom to explain climate mechanisms and explore how we know climate is changing.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Risko

Ward's Engage: What's Killing Crystal Creek?

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Ward's Science

Ward's Engage Kits transform standard cookbook-style labs into inquiry-based learning, allowing you to guide students through their questions, research methods, and data interpretation. Engage Kits cover a variety of subjects and grade levels and include professional development opportunities.

SPEAKERS:
Amelia Mindich, Michelle Linn, Norman Marshall

What Goes Around Comes Around: Exploring Photosynthesis and the Carbon Cycle

Friday, March 28 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

What happens to CO2 when plants eat, breathe, and…die? In this workshop, we’ll use real-time data to explore photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and decomposition and share strategies for connecting these biological processes more broadly to the carbon cycle and energy transfer in ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Martin

A better way to take notes! Visually Processing Science Content with Sketchnotes

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Link

Show Details

Students love sketchnoting in science! Come learn how visual notetaking leads to deep processing and retention of content. Editable templates will be provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to greatly increase student processing using templates and a new strategy of sense making called sketchnotes.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Weibert

Adopting and Implementing High-Quality Instructional Materials: Philadelphia's Story

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Kendall Hunt

Adopting and implementing high-quality instructional materials can be daunting for leaders! Learn how the School District of Philadelphia adopted and planned for successful implementation of EdReports all-green BSCS Biology: Understanding for Life to promote effective science teaching and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Gay, Nancy Hopkins-Evans, Angela Kearney

AI-Powered Inquiry: Enhancing the Science Classroom with Tools for Investigation, Problem-Solving, and Critical Thinking

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B


Show Details

Discover how cutting-edge AI tools can elevate the scientific inquiry process by fostering student-centered learning grounded in the Science and Engineering Practices, while advancing equitable, inclusive, and authentic science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
AI tools can improve the teaching of inquiry-based science by enhancing student engagement, providing real-time feedback, supporting personalized learning, and streamlining the research and experimentation process, ultimately leading to more effective and inclusive science instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Moore

AI-Proof Assessments: How Socratic Seminars Can Save the Day

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Stile Education

Tired of students relying on AI to do their thinking for them? AI has its place, but it’s not the only path to meaningful assessment. This session is your ultimate guide to harnessing the power of Socratic Seminars—where technology meets authentic, student-driven conversation. Imagine your classroom alive with deep discussions—students grappling with ideas, challenging perspectives, and demonstrating true understanding. Say goodbye to cookie-cutter responses and hello to an environment where critical thinking thrives and assessments truly reflect student growth. Don’t miss out on this game-changing strategy to revolutionize student engagement and transform your approach to assessment! Presenter: Mel Horton

SPEAKERS:
Mel Horton

An Alternative to the Driving Question Board for Generating Student Questions that will Shape Sense-Making during an Investigation of a Phenomenon

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B


Show Details

A hallmark of collaborative sense-making is student questions. This session will introduce an alternative approach to the driving question board for generating and centering student questions. Participants will also receive samples of high-quality instructional materials to use with the approach.

TAKEAWAYS:
Identification of gaps or uncertainties in models and the beginning of a learning experience is a useful approach for generating and centering student questions.

SPEAKERS:
Victor Sampson

Author Session: Activating Students' Ideas! Linking Formative Assessment to Instructional Sequence, Grades 6-8

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


Show Details

Learn how to use the Uncovering Student Ideas probes in an explore-before-explain instructional sequence to support a classroom where all students' ideas matter!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about a resource for formative assessment and explore-before-explain teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Brown

AUTHOR: Unpacking the Crosscutting Concepts with a new NSTA Quick-Reference Guide to the Three Dimensions

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B


Show Details

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

Biodiversity, Bats, and Bioacoustics

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 9


Show Details

The US and Canada are home to 45 bat species, but because they are most active at night, they can be challenging to monitor. This session explores the phenomenon of bioacoustics as a tool to assess human impacts on biodiversity using bats as a proxy species.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will engage with the phenomenon of bioacoustics and apply physics concepts to identify and measure human impact on biodiversity using bats as an indicator species.

SPEAKERS:
Missie Olson, Jocelyn Miller

Building a Strong Foundation: The Benefits of Adopting a Consistent K-8 Science Program

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Explore the critical role of.vertical alignment in creating a cohesive and consistent K-8 science program that supports student success across grade levels. Key topics include strategies for differentiating, cross-grade collaborations, aligning assessments, and developing professional opportunities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how districts can ensure curriculum continuity, unify instructional approaches, and build knowledge progressively to reduce learning gaps and overlaps.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Baldwin, Heather Toothaker

Cardboard Arcades: Engaging Cross-Curricular Learning Through Hands-On Play

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA - Cardboard Aracdes
Slides for the session

Show Details

Want to integrate hands-on STEM projects with any academic content? Join us to explore how students can show off their learning, creativity, and problem-solving skills as they design cardboard arcade games with integrated tech (such as Micro:bits & LittleBits) for self-scoring.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with practical steps to help them integrate STEM learning into any classroom. They’ll receive a ready-to-use project-based learning module, tools for effective cardboard design, guidance on Micro:bits and Little Bits, and examples to scale projects to fit their needs.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsay Head, Veronica Serna-Pulido, Dru Humphrey

CASCIA Project: Designing Reporting Mechanisms that Build Educator and Families’ Capacity to Better Understand Their Students’ Science Learning

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Designing and Using Reporting Mechanisms that Build Educators' and Families' Capacity to Better Understand Their Students' Science Learning.pdf

Show Details

Learn how CASCIA has leveraged research-based practices and partnerships to design grade 5 and middle school score reports and reporting mechanisms that help educators track, interpret, and communicate students' science learning and that provide strategies for families to support their students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through shared testimony of state and local educators, learn how to use open-source assessments and CASCIA reporting mechanisms that include QR codes and hyperlinks for educators and families with assessment-aligned, student-centered, actionable strategies and resources to improve science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Gall, Bill Herrera, Rhonda True, Charlene Turner

Check for Understanding and Save Time with Electronic Exit Tickets in OpenSciEd

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 1


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Electronic Exit Tickets check for understanding of lesson-level PEs, make connections between content and students’ lives, elicit information about their experiences, and help students reflect on their own use of SEPs and CCCs. They can help reduce grading time and provide actionable information abo

TAKEAWAYS:
Reduce grading time and get the data you need when you need it with 3D Electronic Exit Tickets.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Henson

Climate, COVID, Conspiracy, and Classrooms: Responding to Science Denial

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 305


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Opposition to teaching certain topics in biology is fueled by both organized and ad-hoc social media campaigns. Awareness of the goals and methods of science denial, and leadership strategies to combat them, can empower teachers to truly make a difference in student understanding of science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leadership by teachers, departments, school boards, and state & national organizations must emphasize teaching the nature and process of science & critical thinking. Leadership failure enables scientific illiteracy that threatens personal and public health, sustainability, and prosperity.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Levine

Cultivating Compassion for Educator Well-Being

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C


Show Details

Cultivating compassion within the context of teaching and learning can be an important resource for sustaining caring for self and others. We invite you to join us to pause and practice compassion. Come learn about tools for resourcing yourself to apply in school and personal contexts.

TAKEAWAYS:
This workshop will support educators’ wellness by cultivating compassion for themselves, students, and colleagues, and fostering more inclusive, just schools. Participants will learn about the science of compassion, hear key educator insights, and engage in practices that strengthen our resilience.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Henson

Deepening Student Engagement with Science through Solutionary Inquiry to Action Projects

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Deepening Student Engagement with Science through Solutionary Inquiry-to-Action
Profiling Maine Solutionaries Project

Show Details

Maine is improving student engagement with science through the statewide Maine Solutionaries Project. Explore the Solutionary Framework, get access to free resources, and hear examples of inquiry to action science projects where students address issues they care about in their communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using the Solutionary Framework in science classes to integrate real-world problem solving is shifting student engagement and teacher enthusiasm across Maine. Explore the Framework and how you can use it to support your students to become changemakers.

SPEAKERS:
Erik Wade, Kathy Bertini, Angela Whittaker

Determining Credible Sources: A Renewable Energy Scenario

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 3



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Presentation Unit 6 Activity 2 - Mar 28 2025.pdf
NSTA STK Sessions Overview.pdf
STK Field Test Info 2024-25.jpg
Unit6_StudentBook.Activity_02.pdf
Unit6_TeacherEdition.Activity_02.pdf

Show Details

Participants engage in an activity to determine the credibility of factual information sources. A lateral reading strategy is applied to fictional online posts about a renewable energy project. This lesson is part of a free high school curriculum developed at the University of California, Berkeley.

TAKEAWAYS:
Guidelines for lateral reading, an approach for evaluating credible sources, is presented so that teachers may use this approach in their own classrooms. The activity, a part of a 10-lesson unit on group decision-making and energy use, is free for download.

SPEAKERS:
Kristina Duncan, David House, Sarah Metz

NSTA’s Early Childhood - Elementary Science Teaching Committee Meet and Greet

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Come and find out what the Early Childhood-Elementary Science Teaching Committee does to promote science teaching, including activities resources, and collaboration with other parts of NSTA

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn more about the committee as well as more about NSTA

SPEAKERS:
Jenn Brown-Whale, Jennifer Williams, Melissa Parks, Simone Nance, Mary Lynn Hess, Anne Lowry, Anna Grant

Effectively Engaging All Ages With Deep-Sea Habitats and Restoration

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom III


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Connecting students with deep-sea habitats and how humans can impact them is challenging. Creative hands-on and gamified activities, stunning videos, & talking to scientists at sea brings an important ecosystem they may never see to them instead! Explore corals, restoration, careers, & tech. preK-12

SPEAKERS:
Roy Arezzo, Sasha Francis

Engaging in Participatory Science through Inquiry, Sensemaking, and Data Visualization with FieldScope

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 12


Show Details

Learn about FieldScope, a community science platform for visualizing environmental data and supporting an understanding of science and inquiry. Join this session if you are an educator excited to use data in your programs, or want to engage communities in participatory science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with the next steps for planning data explorations in existing or future projects, examples of how to learn with data generated by participatory science projects, particularly in middle and high school settings, and also how to host their own project data.

SPEAKERS:
Jamie Noll

Engineering Energy Solutions: Lithium-Ion Trade-Offs

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: UL Research Institutes

From the mindset of solutions, participants will preview the Xplorlabs online pathway Extraction to E-waste and consider the role of trade-offs in the lithium-ion battery supply chain and how this problem could be part of classroom curriculum for both formal and informal settings.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Gilbert, Jessica Sparacino

Enhancing Earth Science Education with Digital Simulations and Custom Assessments

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Educators learn to create digital formative assessments utilizing Earth science simulations from Concord Consortium and Infiniscope’s Simple Authoring tool. Educators will learn how to embed these simulations, hear from peers, and gain strategies to enhance digital learning outcomes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will discover how to leverage Earth science simulations from Concord Consortium to create interactive, formative assessments using Infiniscope’s Simple Author. By integrating these tools, they can enhance student engagement and improve learning outcomes in digital learning environments.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Kreter, Christine Girtain, Melanie Narish, Stephanie Harmon

Evaluating Lessons for Sensemaking Using the NSTA Sensemaking Tool: Secondary

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Slide Deck

Show Details

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:
Use the NSTA Sensemaking Tool for classroom observations and providing feedback.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Mathews, Patrice Scinta, Holly Hereau

Facing Phenomenon Fatigue: Tools and strategies to keep the phenomena fresh.

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A


Show Details

Do you or your students sometimes get bored of the anchoring phenomenon or feel like you’ve figured it all out early in the unit? In this session, we will explore potential causes for “phenomenon fatigue” and strategies to avoid it as you help students engage deeply with complex natural phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
There are many reasons why students and teachers may experience “phenomenon fatigue” when teaching with units driven by an anchoring phenomenon. However, this can be avoided by being clear on the unit trajectory, leveraging the related phenomena, problemetizing, and strong navigation.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Affolter, Benjamin Lowell, Matt Krehbiel

Flying High, Doing Science with the Wade Institute of Science Education

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Flying High :Doing Science With the Wade Institute for Science Education

Show Details

Using the story, The Great Paper Caper and Let's Fly Planes, participants will experience an inquiry-based lesson through the lens of a student. Come and join us as we design and fly airplanes using the science and engineering practices and the crosscutting concepts to solve a problem.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants take away one lesson in an elementary force and motion unit that uses literacy to identify a problem, unpacks all NGSS dimensions by defining that problem, developing a solution, observing and measuring while testing to show evidence that patterns can be used to predict future motion.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Ryack-Bell, Kathy Renfrew

Forensic Science and Physics: How Bloodstains and Glass Analysis Teach Real World Application of Physics Concepts

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 6



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Forensic Science Physics Presentation 2025
Presentation PDF

Show Details

This workshop will demonstrate how stringing a bloodstain using trigonometry can be used to determine the flight of a projectile, in this case, blood. In forensic glass analysis, the concept of refractive index is used to determine type of glass. Activities will be demonstrated and discussed.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to "string" a bloodstain pattern and how their students can do the same, using trigonometry, similar to traditional projectile motion physics. The session has activities and demonstrations of refractive index that can be used with both physics and forensic science students.

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Mirakovits

From Seed to STEM: Integrating Hydroponics into Science Classrooms with Gardyn

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Gardyn

Hydroponics is the future of food production! Come learn the basics of hydroponics and how Gardyn can enhance your classroom experience, while being on the cutting edge of technological trends. Most importantly, learn how to integrate hydroponic gardening into your curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Kuntz, Renee Egan, Tawnie Horner

From Then to Now: How the SSEC Diversity Summit Made an Impact on my DEI Teacher Workforce Purpose

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 2


Show Details

Join me! Witness inspiring stories, leadership triumphs, mentorship success, confidence boosts, opportunities seized, vibrant community ties, and impactful collaborations shared by myself & other Diversity Summit participants at our NSTA session.

Having Students Explore without Labs (Or Have Them Explore Labs Better!) Using Structured Visuals

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Physics Presentation Slides

Show Details

Hands-on exploration of phenomena is key for effective science lessons, but in practice it’s often time-consuming to prep activities, and sometimes students only take away a superficial understanding. But structured visuals are easy to prepare and intuitively engage students in deep, 3D learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Structured visuals are easy to prepare and implement, and they can either replace labs or dramatically enhance them. Structured visuals get students talking and making inferences and connections. This session shows how to find, make, and use them.

SPEAKERS:
Stephen Fleenor

How science really works: Enhancing instruction and science literacy through phenomena with the Science Flowchart interactive

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 8


Show Details

Figuring out phenomena engages students in the nature of science through the integration of all three dimensions. Come explore strategies that make explicit the nature of science through figuring out “How did the blue whales get so big?” from an AMNH Curriculum Collection.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use the Science Flowchart interactive journaling tool to illuminate the dynamic nature and process of science, and how to apply the tool to any phenomenon or lesson in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Miranda Orellana, Kirsten Smith, Betsy Barent

Instructional Strategies for Implementing the Science and Engineering Practices and the Crosscutting Concepts in K-12 Classrooms

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides
Slides contain links to all CCC and SEP cards.

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Join us to learn more about how to implement the Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts into your K-12 science classroom. Attendees will receive copies of the SEP and CCC grade-band cards for K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12, as well as guidance on how to use them to support your plan.

TAKEAWAYS:
The cards have a title side which can be used as a classroom poster and a teacher information side that can be used during planning and instruction. Both cards contain bullet points from grade-band progression matrix documents as well as instructional strategies and sample questions for teacher use.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Chambless, Minna Turrell

Interpreting the Natural World Using Physical Science Concepts

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Explore a unique approach to building student comprehension of natural phenomena through direct relationships with physical science concepts. These methods help students connect and apply chemistry and energy basics to meteorology and ecology experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with the tools to teach the physical science foundations of natural phenomena, making clear connections between different areas of science for full understanding of weather, climate, biomes, and ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Schoeffler

Leaders' Guide to STEELS & Multidimensional Learning

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Leader’s Guide to STEELS & Multidimensional Learning.pdf

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Multidimensional learning extends beyond the integration of core ideas, science & engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts. Explore how to deepen learning through problem solving in multiple dimensions in many curricular areas and use experiences and practices to empower teachers and students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Identify opportunities for integration and application of multidimensional learning in science, technology, & engineering. 2. Create multidimensional lessons & activities that connect content areas and professional fields. 3. Develop strategies to foster and support multidimensional learning.

SPEAKERS:
Brittany Yabor, Dina Dormer

Leading District-Level Science Initiatives

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

This session will share tools and strategies that district-level staff can use to support rolling out science initiatives in schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will become aware of tools and strategies for district-level staff to use to support rolling out science initiatives in schools.

SPEAKERS:
Jesse Mechanick

Let’s Come Together For Nature with The Americas

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Michael A Nutter Theater


Show Details

The Americas is a 10- part epic nature documentary series celebrating the wildlife and landscapes of North and South America. Narrated by Tom Hanks, the show airs every Sunday through April on NBC and streams on Peacock. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is the official conservation partner for The Americas. Our goal is to bring the wonders of wildlife and wild places into every home and to make environmental education more accessible in every classroom with The Americas. Learn about the benefits of NWF’s Green Hour™️,  how to access the series, lesson plans, service projects and our nature-inspired grant opportunity! In this special premiere screening, you will talk with Michael Gunton, executive producer and renowned Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning wildlife producer for BBC Studios, Natural History Unit.

SPEAKERS:
Carey Stanton, Michael Gunton

Let's Give Some Brotherly Love to Maggots!

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 10


Show Details

An empty field. A human corpse. Maggots and flies. Who is the victim? What happened? Can you solve the mystery? (Spoiler alert: the maggots may hold the key......) This middle and high school activity will challenge you to apply science and deductive reasoning to determine what happened!

TAKEAWAYS:
LOTS of factors and LOTS of specialists play roles in solving mysterious crimes. Teamwork and open minds are essential to expedite the process of Forensic Science. This hands-on activity will show participants how experts must work together to piece together a "case closed".

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Lukens

Leveraging Stakeholders in PLCs for NGSS-Aligned Curriculum Development

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA NSELA PLC.pptx

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Explore how stakeholders and instructional coaches in PLCs—across buildings, districts, and regions—collaborate to design and implement NGSS-aligned curricula. Learn best practices for elevating teacher leaders in the process.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to collaborate with stakeholders and coaches in PLCs to design and implement NGSS-aligned curricula. They will gain insights on building partnerships across different levels and strategies for elevating teacher leadership to drive effective curriculum development.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Christiansen, Dr. Kristen Cummings, Lynn DiAndrea

Making Climate Teaching and Learning Work for You

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides

Show Details

How do I help my students be climate literate without changing my whole curriculum? Join WA State’s ClimeTime team as they share K-12 resources, tools, & best practices for designing instruction & assessment while centering local phenomena. Come away with a plan for your climate teaching journey!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will take away resources and best practices for anchoring their instruction and assessments around local climate phenomena, including resources from their local community, such as nonprofits and state and local governments.

SPEAKERS:
Caroline Kiehle, Brad Street, Lori Henrickson

NMLSTA DEEP DIVE: STEM Books & Activities to Spark Curiosity and Inquiry

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025 resource folder for teachers.png
QR Code link to resources for our NSTA sessions. Come join us! Door prizes! - NMLSTA DEEP DIVE: STEM Book Activities to Spark Curiosity and Inquiry (3/28 at 4 pm, room 113B - PASSIVE TO ACTIVE: Games to Make Science Literature Accessible (3/29 at 1 pm, room 115B)
NSTA 2025- 1st-3rd text set+activities.pdf
NSTA 2025- 3rd to 6th grade text set+activities.pdf
NSTA 2025- 5th-8th text set+activities.pdf

Show Details

Welcome to our idea factory where we will demonstrate clever cross-curricula ways to grow STEM literacy in your classrooms. We will provide a diverse collection of nonfiction books and impactful resources to scaffold lessons for your students. Books & curriculum for grades 3-8. Door prizes!

TAKEAWAYS:
Identify STEM titles from diverse creators that target science & ELA standards; access cross-curricula activities for nonfiction that connect between disciplinary core ideas; obtain access to a nonfiction bibliography. Create flexible, student-oriented curriculum that addresses NGSS standards.

SPEAKERS:
Sierra Satterstrom, Elizabeth Shreeve

NSELA Sponsored Session - Leading the Charge: Building Connections for Science Education Leadership

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Connect with fellow science education leaders to reflect on your conference experiences, exchange ideas, and discuss trends in science leadership. This informal workshop provides time to collaborate with colleagues nationwide, build lasting relationships, and become a part of the NSELA community.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, participants connect with peers, exchange valuable ideas, and reflect on key insights from the conference and/or NSELA sessions. You’ll walk away with new professional relationships and fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in science education today.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Weatherhead

Outdoor Learning Spaces to Improve Schoolyards for Field-Based Experiences and Environmental Stewardship

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Gateway to Green Outdoor Learning Spaces Resources
Moffet Elementary Outdoor Learning Spaces Presentation
Stroud Center Outdoor Learning Space Presentation

Show Details

Every schoolyard is an outdoor learning space that can enhance learning outcomes and engagement, and provide field-based experiences while supporting our health. Walk away with design and lesson ideas, identify opportunities and hazards on your campus, and get started teaching outdoors!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the basics of how to get started creating an outdoor learning space including best practices teaching, lessons, funding sources, conservation practices to benefit water and wildlife, and the essential tools to move a project forward.

SPEAKERS:
Tara Muenz

Pathways to STEM Careers: Bridging Education and Innovation

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Join Savvas PathMaker for a workshop exploring how dual enrollment and career technical education can ignite student interest in STEM fields, and put them on a career path. Discover innovative college and career readiness strategies and solutions that empower students to thrive in STEM careers.

SPEAKERS:
Collin Dennis

Phone Physics: 3D Rotational Motion

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 4



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Rotational Motion
Rotational_Motion_NSTA_Philly2025_Workshop.pdf

Show Details

This workshop will introduce teachers to classroom investigations using the built-in gyroscope in their smartphones which connect foundational physics to real-world applications such as virtual reality and fitness tracking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will conduct multiple hands-on investigations using the gyroscope sensor in smartphones to explore rotational motion. They will directly experience the amazing capabilities of the sensors and will go away prepared to implement the investigations in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
David Rakestraw, Helene McLaughlin, Michael Tobler

Physics and Chemistry Demonstrations to enhance Instruction and Learning

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 307



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Boiling water Freezes in cold air.
Toss boiling water in frigid air and see what happens!
Carbon Dioxide Dry Ice Demonstration
Uses of Dry Ice via video demonstration
Feather and Hammer
Neil Armstrong drops a Feather and Hammer simultaneously on the Moon.
Physics and Chemistry Demonstrations that are Simple 2024.docx
Demonstrations in Physics and Chemistry that will verify lessons taught and improve learning. These demonstrations will make teaching and learning enjoyable!
Vector
Vector clip

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Demonstrations in Physics to support curriculum, and also in Chemistry to support curriculum. They will reinforce instruction of various topics in physics and chemistry.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will gain practical knowledge in Physics and Chemistry to further enhance learning of subject matter in several areas you teach.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Hain

Professional Learning in Informal Science: Making Connections to the NGSS

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Professional Learning in Informal Science_ Making Connections to the NGSS.pdf
Resources for NSTA Professional Learning Committee Sessions
Session 1 - Reimagining Lessons to Better Align with the NGSS (Friday @ 1:20 pm) Session 2 - Making Time for Elementary Science: Strategies and Examples (Friday @ 2:40 pm) Session 3 - Professional Learning in Informal Science: Making Connections to the NGSS (Friday @ 4 pm)

Show Details

This session is for informal educators and K-12 educators interested in connecting with the informal community. We will explore how informal educators can "talk the talk" with K-12 teachers and align their work with the NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn strategies for aligning PL activities with the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli, Karen Hays, Leah Litz, Jesse Wilcox, Rebecca Abbott, Carissa Longo

Redesigning 9th Grade Science: Cultivating the 4 Cs through Engineering Design Challenges

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 11


Show Details

Engineering To Learn is a project-based course using the engineering design process to enhance students’ future-ready skills (4Cs). This workshop immerses participants in intentional practice of brainstorming, ideation, and blueprinting. Project ideas and 4Cs student evaluations will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave this workshop with an understanding of course development and goals, project ideas, and advice on implementation including successes and failures of ETL. Project and activity ideas will range from one day skill building activities to weeks long engineering-design projects.

SPEAKERS:
Timothy Foster, John Scholtz Jr, Jeremy Tomaszewski

Scaffolding Elementary Students' Scientific Evaluations of Model-Evidence Relationships About Fossils (NARST)

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B


Show Details

Elementary teachers will learn about the role of plausibility in science and a new scaffold for their students' evaluation of the relationship between scientific evidence and explanatory models. This lesson about fossils includes a narrative nonfiction story and an interactive worksheet.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will takeaway that plausibility is a key cognitive construct in science and that elementary students are capable of evaluating these complex relationships.

SPEAKERS:
Carla Zembal-Saul

Science for ALL Cultures and Languages Incorporating Culturally, Linguistically Relevant STEAM Activities for English Learners and Diverse Students with Disabilities

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A


Show Details

Session embraces diversity, equity, and inclusive practices in STEAM instruction. Teachers experience culturally diverse STEAM lessons empowering English Learners and diverse students with disabilities. Projects integrate STEAM in contexts of Indigenous, Latino, and other cultural ways of knowing.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers experience STEAM strategies and curriculum materials designed for instruction of Culturally Linguistically Diverse English Learners (Els) and diverse students with disabilities and can replicate materials and teaching strategies for ELs and learners with disabilities in their own community.

SPEAKERS:
Gerry Madrazo, Ph.D, Karime Prevot, Patricia Peterson

Studying Environmental Education in Brazil through Literature as a Form of Advocacy : A Career Path Inspired by Participation in OST STEM Programs

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C


Show Details

The Women In Natural Sciences Program inspires students to pursue STEM careers and pay it forward. One WINS participant researches the ways that the changing food systems have influenced climate change how this understanding can inform climate literacy in Brazil.

TAKEAWAYS:
OST Programs like the WINS program are critical in providing opportunities not only for career exploration, but also to develop confidence and self advocacy throughout their journey. For WINS participant Asstan Cisse, she aims to improve the quality of science literacy for others!

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Godfrey

Supporting Leaders in Supporting their Teachers with Implementing Phenomena-based Science Units

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1L0BAp-zET7vbNUrXQ6OcEXUD-862MbOhwew3Twia7b8/edit?usp=sharing

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Does your leadership team need a refresh on science education best practices? Are they asking for ways to support high school science teachers? Learn strategies to make your leaders science champions so that your teachers feel supported to empower students to figure out the science around them!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how one large district provided science professional development for their school leaders. They will reflect on the current state of science education in their own high school classroom and begin to plan for supporting their leaders in championing the sensemaking shifts calle

SPEAKERS:
Caitlin Matyas, KD Davenport

Supporting Youths’ Climate Emotions as Authentic Dimensions of Sensemaking

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B


Show Details

Understanding how to constructively respond to the diverse emotions youth express and experience as they engage in climate learning is essential work for educators. We will explore approaches for responding to youths’ eco-emotions, and how these can help students make better sense of the world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Climate anxiety is a sign of the times. This session gives attendees conceptual ideas as well as practical instructional activities to engage and channel student’s emotions. We will model teaching strategies and how to use students’ eco-emotions for furthering their scientific thinking and action.

SPEAKERS:
Kelsie Fowler, Deb Morrison

Teacher Collaboration in Placed-Based Curriculum Design with Billion Oyster Project in NYC

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Caref_Fraioli_Schreiber_ClassroomTeacherCollaboration_NSTA-2025

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Billion Oyster Project provides place-based, inquiry-driven curricula, which involves collaboration with teachers as part of a “pilot program” that pays them to use our resources and provide feedback. We will describe the pilot process and how it significantly improves our classroom resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Billion Oyster Project utilizes a unique pilot program in their curriculum development where teachers are paid to test resources in the classroom and provide feedback for improvement. Their suggestions are incorporated into the published curriculum which is publicly available and free.

SPEAKERS:
Elisa Caref, Ann Fraioli, Kristin Schreiber

Teaching Biomimicry in the Elementary Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B


Show Details

Biomimicry can captivate students' imaginations and deepen their connection to the natural world. In biomimicry lessons, studying animals, plants, or ecosystems is combined with learning patterns, structures, and functions and the engineering design process to inspire new inventions.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will help teachers define biomimicry, explore elements of the natural world that can be used in biomimicry lessons, practice an engineering design challenge that showcases biomimicry in an elementary classroom, and brainstorm connections to their own classroom lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Kola, Nicole Glen

The Forces of Atmospheric High- and Low-Pressure Systems

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 7



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
AirPressure.pdf
High and Low Pressure Systems Lesson.pdf
https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/education-careers/education-program/k-12-teachers/

Show Details

The American Meteorological Society’s Education Team will help teachers connect the forces acting on high- and low-pressure systems to the weather patterns they create.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will walk away with the ability to guide high school students through an inquiry-based weather lesson about the forces acting on high- and low-pressure systems and the weather patterns they create.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Ripollone, Erin Smoak

The STEM/STEAM Of PBL

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117


Show Details

Discover how to use Project Based Learning to foster a learning environment where students produce original ideas, objects, and structures through STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to effectively implement STEM PBL’s (Project Based Learning) by integrating the components of STEM and PBL in order to grow students' capacity for creativity, fun, and back-loaded learning in a STEM context.

SPEAKERS:
Adero Carter

Transforming Assessment to Maximize Learning in AP courses

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://reimaginedschools.com/nsta-conference-presentations/
Tons of resources: copy of the presentation, blog posts, and more!

Show Details

Embrace a competency-based approach to any Advanced Placement science course by focusing on the practices without sacrificing content or pace. The strengths-based, feedback-oriented assessment approach supports student success on the AP exam, transitioning from a traditional grading to the LPM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Create learning progressions based on the SEPs and adjust the target levels to provide enough time for students to grow to AP expectations. Attendees will leave knowing how they can implement this consistent, reliable method immediately in their classrooms even in a traditional grades school.

SPEAKERS:
Elise Naramore

Uncooking Cookbook Labs 2.0

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 306



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Uncooking Cookbook Labs Slide Deck

Show Details

Collaborate with your fellow science teachers to begin moving away from cookbook labs and towards inquiry-driven, discovery-based laboratory investigations. Learn how to pivot your lab activities to create opportunities for students to use evidence-based reasoning to develop understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave this session having transformed one of their preexisting laboratory activities into a student-driven inquiry based investigation.

SPEAKERS:
Samantha Gordon

Uncovering Students’ Ideas in Biology/Life Science (Grades 3-12)

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Explore how NSTA's popular Uncovering Student Ideas series, including the newly published Volume 2 life science formative assessment probes, are used in an instructional sequence to understand the key ideas about life science concepts your grades 3-12 students bring to their learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to use the life science formative assessment probes to uncover and understand the prior knowledge that grades 3-12 students bring to their learning in order to tailor next steps where student thinking is valued, misconceptions are addressed, and deeper conceptual understanding is supported.

SPEAKERS:
Page Keeley

Unlocking Protein Dynamics: Understanding Folding and Active Sites

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Explore protein structure and function through folding principles and enzyme active sites. Use hands-on molecular models, including our Amino Acid Starter Kit and the redesigned Acetylcholinesterase Active Site Model. Aligned with NGSS, this offers an innovative approach to teaching proteins!

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt

Using a Self-paced, Mastery-based, Blended Model in the High School Science Classroom

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Modern Classrooms NSTA Presentation 2025 Notes.pptx

Show Details

The Modern Classroom Project Model provides an instructional framework for today's classroom that combines blended instruction, mastery-based and self-paced learning. MCP is transforming classrooms across the country, making teaching more sustainable and meeting the needs of diverse learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how I have utilized the Modern Classrooms Model to improve student outcomes across multiple topics and with a variety of learners. I will also share how to connect with MCP and take the free only course.

SPEAKERS:
Kelley Peloquin, Alison Stone

Using Routines to Support All Learners in Building Disciplinary-Specific Language

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Franklin 5


Show Details

Learn strategies to support all students, including MultiLingual Learners (MLLs), in developing disciplinary-specific language through embedded peer-to-peer discussion routines, informed by research, that promote collaborative sensemaking and language acquisition.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will experience instructional routines, through an immersive activity, designed to support the development of disciplinary-specific language and collaborative sensemaking in science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Chatham, Dora Kastel

What’s the Best Way to Fix It?  Engineering Practices Students Can Use to Evaluate Solutions for Real-world Environmental Problems

Friday, March 28 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Blank - Decision Matrix Handouts
Criteria - Why people care
Fact Sheets - Bigheaded carp management strategies
Rating Sheet - Bigheaded carp solution comparison
Slides
Download Session Slides

Show Details

Empower your students to solve real problems with the decision matrix. We’ll start by using a decision matrix to select the best snack for the classroom. Next, we’ll use the strategy to evaluate how to manage an invasive fish species in a river. Flexible, classroom-ready handouts provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to support their students to use a decision matrix to address a real-world phenomenon or problem.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara McIntyre, Stephanie Tubman

Meet Me in the Middle Meet and Greet

Friday, March 28 • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - 408


Show Details

Join middle level educators and enthusiasts for a social hour. Meet old friends and make new ones! NMLSTA board members and officers will be available.

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Saturday, March 29 • 12:10 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

ESPRESS-O Yourself @ NSTA’s Morning Coffee Chats

Saturday, March 29 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Saxby's (200 Level)


Show Details

Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and join us for an informal get-together with your peers. Each day of the conference will feature a morning coffee chat with opportunities to share ideas and experiences, expand your network, and connect with colleagues and friends from around the country.

TAKEAWAYS:
NA

3D Learning and Hands-on Science Activities for Elementary Teachers That Will Be Sure to Engage Your Students!

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

Integrating 3D learning through hands-on activities will allow elementary teachers to create enriching science experiences that not only excite students but also build a strong foundation in critical thinking and core scientific concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with inexpensive, hands-on science activities that can be done with readily available materials. They will also receive links for AV (audio-visual) resources, trade books, and worksheet examples to guide the learning experience.

SPEAKERS:
John Bell

3-D Water Quality Assessments Where Students Use Their Understanding: Formative and Summative, Small to Large, Simple to Complex

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Assessments where students use understanding of disciplinary core ideas, science & engineering practices & crosscutting concepts rather than only assessing scientific ideas, is challenging. I share 5-min to 1-hour tasks, & explanations & models that develop over time or as culminating assessments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with several shorter and longer 3-D water quality assessment tasks that require students to use their understandings. These assessments inform students & teachers of where students are in their learning so teachers can adjust instruction to best serve all students.

SPEAKERS:
Ann Novak

AI: Your New Science Teaching Sidekick (No Cape Required)

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Canva Presentation
The4 link will take you to our Canva Presentation used in our session. Thank you!

Show Details

Discover how AI can revolutionize your science teaching! Learn to use AI tools for lesson planning, differentiation, strengthening content knowledge, assessment tools, and more. No tech experience needed. Join us for a fun and informative session that will help you become an AI-powered educator.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with practical knowledge on how to implement AI tools in their classrooms to enhance student learning, save time, and improve their overall teaching experience. In this session, we will demonstrate how to create an elementary science lesson aligned to the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Perihan Fidan, Stephanie Wendt, Genny Patterson

Biogeochemistry Bringing Research into the Classroom with STEM

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Biogeochemistry My Research in Greenland and How I Used it in My Classroom
Want to learn how to excite your students about learning and do research at the same time, come to this workshop.

Show Details

Understanding how scientists study the effects of the Greenland Ice Sheet's flow to understand how climate change is affecting our world today and will in the future. Participants will have tested lessons and activities that were used in mini-research projects in the classroom using STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to complete a study incorporating Biology with Geology and Chemistry activities while exploring how Climate Science is affecting people around the world.

SPEAKERS:
Judith Lucas-Odom

Bridging Classroom Learning with Real-World STEM: The STEM Flights Story

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation STEM Flights
Presentation

Show Details

This session will explore integrated STEM opportunities using real-world contexts within aerospace. Attendees will learn practical strategies and discover how programs like STEM Flights can connect students with authentic STEM experiences and career pathways in their local communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to effectively implement integrated STEM education in secondary classrooms by using real-world contexts, enhancing student engagement, and exploring practical strategies, including partnerships like STEM Flights, to connect students with authentic STEM experiences and careers.

SPEAKERS:
Carley Walker, Britt Miller

Bridging STEM Between Charlotte and Philly: A Teacher Talk on Collaborative Innovation

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

This roundtable highlights the innovative STEM classroom experiences that emerged when teachers partnered with two innovation district STEM programs: The Pearl’s STEM Lab (Charlotte) and University City Science Center’s FirstHand (Philadelphia), both focused on equitable, skills-based learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will discuss how collaborating with a STEM program in Charlotte or Philadelphia fosters real-world, equitable STEM education and career exposure that boosts students engagement and career readiness.

SPEAKERS:
Shauna Taylor, Paris Harrell, Jalavender Clowney, Jessica Enlow, Maya Heiland, Kaitlyn Igo, Damien Kingsberry, Maggie Pollard, Kayla Caldwell, Richard Cox, Jr.

Bringing Fire Science to the High School Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Cole et al 2025.pdf

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

We will share our experiences coordinating undergraduate pre-service teachers visiting high school classrooms to share and teach lessons related to fire-science. The lessons use local phenomena in order to connect them to the local students' experiences, but they can be adapted for any classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about how modeling fire succession can fit into their classroom lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Sameul Hoque Fahad, Debika Jana, Rachel Dice, Merryn Cole

Building Networks For Environmental Literacy

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Builidng Networks for Environmental Literacy
Network Leadership for Environmental Literacy

Show Details

Create systemic and sustained networks for Environmental Literacy that connect the classroom and the community. Come and learn from our recent work adapting the concepts of collective impact, which helps develop thought partnerships between nonprofits, community members and school systems.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will share and discuss tools and templates that have been helpful in building community partnerships such as network mapping, the environmental literacy model, and opportunity budgeting. In addition, we will share the source documents and structure of our Network Leadership Course.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Mullin

Capturing the Zest & Zeal of Joyful Science Teaching & Learning: Empowering Early Childhood Preservice Teachers as Champions of Science Education

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Join a shared venture of learning in early childhood preservice teacher preparation underscoring the importance of cultivating a positive science learning community environment and championing science education through joyful science teaching and learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will discover how curiosity, exploration, and reflective practice shape effective teaching methods, fostering joyful science teaching and learning. Stay curious!

SPEAKERS:
Laurel Byrne

Charades for Elementary Science Thinking toward CERs

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Charades Group Prep
This page is used by groups as they design the Charades they will act out for the class.
Charades Guess Page
This page is used by students or student groups to record their observations, knowledge, and inference.
Charades Instructions/ Rules
How do you play Charades Like a Scientist?

Show Details

Elementary students can learn to develop claims, support with evidence, and link the two with reasoning. For ten years my 3rd and 4th graders have been learning how to play Charades like a Scientist. Answers are inferences (claim) with supporting observations and linked knowledge.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teaching students to write CERs can be challenging. By using the game of Charades, I've had success! Students ages 8-12 yrs can understand that science requires evidence to support claims, and the nature of science evidence. All that is required is pencils, index cards, and space to move.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Buffington

Class Debates: Students vs. ChatGPT

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Bierema In-class Worksheet Debate with ChatGPT.docx
Bierema Online Worksheet Debate with ChatGPT.docx
Bierema Regular no-ChatGPT Debate Instructions.docx
Students use this worksheet during class time if there are at least four people in a team. They debate against each other rather than ChatGPT.
NSTA 2025 Debate with ChatGPT.pptx

Show Details

Harness the power of generative AI by engaging students in debates with ChatGPT. Learn how to implement structured debates with AI in large-enrollment courses, both synchronously and asynchronously. Attendees will receive lesson plans and worksheets for classroom use.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will discover how students can develop debate statements and effectively engage in debates with ChatGPT. Attendees will have access to lesson plans, worksheets, and strategies to implement structured debates.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Bierema

Community-Informed Science Education Research

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307 B


Show Details

What are the emerging challenges in science teaching and learning that research should be addressing? In this session, attendees will support the development of a community-informed science education research framework. Attendees will help identify science education research priorities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave the session with an appreciation of community-engaged research and the importance of science teacher voice in defining research priorities.

SPEAKERS:
Cathleen Cerosaletti, Michael Daley

Cultivating Student Leadship in Climate Action

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Cultivating Student Leadership in Climate Actionpdf.pdf

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Our world faces extreme challenges as we feel the impacts of our climate crisis. Learn how to build and facilitate student leadership for climate action programs and campaigns within your school and school community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to develop student leadership practices and how to teach about our climate crisis and translate their ideas into real-world impacts. How to develop skills like public speaking, outreach to community leaders, and inspiring action from your audience.

SPEAKERS:
JoEllen Schuleman

Discovering NSTA’s Instructional Materials for K-5

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Philly 25_Discovering NSTA’s Instructional Materials for K-5.pdf

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

This session will introduce NSTA's phenomenon-driven, three-dimensional instructional materials designed for K-5 classrooms. These lessons and units provide opportunities for all students to engage in science learning that is meaningful to them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Phenomenon-driven, three-dimensional lessons and units provide students with opportunities to actively try to figure out how the world works or design solutions to problems (sensemaking).

SPEAKERS:
Emily Mathews, Patrice Scinta

Drones Flight and the Critical Attributes of Sensemaking

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B


Show Details

The presentation investigates compelling real-world phenomena of drones as an instructional tool to have students apply science and engineering practices to disciplinary core ideas and gain a better awareness of crosscutting concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Instructional activities that integrate real-world phenomena are a basis for explanations that support claim, evidence and reasoning where students apply science and engineering practices to disciplinary core ideas and gain a better awareness of crosscutting concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Salvatore Garofalo, Stephen Farenga

Engaging Minds: Learn How to Develop Units Using a Puzzling Phenomenon

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Journal of Chemical Education Article
This is in the process of being published and goes through the entire process of creating units using puzzling phenomenon.
Presentation

Show Details

Unlock the power of inquiry by integrating puzzling phenomena into every unit you teach. Teaching this way has a dynamic impact on your students and truly makes them curious about the world around them. By incorporating puzzles and mysteries into the learning process, all students will love science!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with the template of how to develop units using a puzzling phenomenon to drive their lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Bean

How I Implement Equitable Grading (Mastery Grading) in Middle School Science Class with Lab-Aids

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Feedback link
Feedback QRC picture
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1V74ZP1vuwqt49V38xwJUQDo9Q8mE8U7z1toGBIrsU7M/edit?usp=sharing

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

How I implemented a new curriculum, Lab-Aids, and how I implemented Equitable Grading (Mastery Grading) in Middle School Science. I leaned heavily on CERs and the rubrics from Lab-Aids. My district also has a work habit grade which I utilized for a grade based on the student's spiral notebook.

TAKEAWAYS:
Equitable grading and mastery grading works well for all middle school students.

SPEAKERS:
Donald Selway

Humanizing Science: Strategies for Equity and Empathy in STEM Classrooms

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A


Show Details

In science education, emphasis on mass data collection and quantitative studies can limit focus on the importance of humanity and individuality. This session offers strategies for teachers to weave empathy and equity into their lessons, making science more inclusive and impactful.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, attendees will explore strategies for “humanizing science” by addressing color-blindness in education and embracing cultural diversity in STEM. We'll discuss how different engineering projects can be used to foster empathy and create innovative solutions that benefit humanity.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Lynch

Incorporating a Flood Control Engineering project into a High School Earth Science Class

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Learn how students in a high school earth science class build Lego dams, with working floodgates, on a stream table with a small reservoir to model flood control structures. Students incorporate aspects of the Science and Engineering Practices to complete this engineering challenge.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators who attend this session will learn how to implement this project based engineering challenge, create all the necessary pieces needed to implement the project, and see student examples.

SPEAKERS:
Justin Glen

Incorporating the UN Sustainable Development Goals into the High School Science Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B


Show Details

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.

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

Infusing Environmental Justice into High School Science

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

During this session participants will be introduced to a teaching tool developed by teachers for teachers that can supplement your curriculum by ‘infusing’ hyper-local phenomenon centered on issues of environmental justice into your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Many of our students come from disenfranchised populations that have, or are currently are experiencing the impacts of environmental racism. Science teaching should include controversial issues connected to environmental justice (something called for in the Next Generation Science Standards).

SPEAKERS:
Christina Casto, Linda Fuselier

Investigating Science Teachers' Perceptions of Teaching  Scientific Literacy Skills within Their Curricula

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025 Conference.pdf

Show Details

This presentation aims to discuss scientific literacy in secondary education and to communicate results of a qualitative pilot study using teacher interviews and classroom observations. It is vital to foster critical thinking, curiosity, and the ability to determine validity of information.

TAKEAWAYS:
Further investigation of secondary science curricula is needed to ensure that ample time can be devoted to the engagement of learning activities designed to promote scientific literacy skill development. This conclusion stems from thematically analyzing teacher perceptions and practices.

SPEAKERS:
James LaRocca

Leadership in Science Education with PAEMST

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching has helped teachers bring high-quality science education to all students. Receiving the award has led to professional development opportunities both in and out of the classroom. Information about the application process will be provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about the many benefits of applying for and receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching and how it can magnify your impact as a leader in science education. Learn how to apply for this prestigious award.

SPEAKERS:
Linda Smith

Leveraging Partnerships to Create Authentic Environmental Science Learning

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Leveraging Partnerships to Create Authentic Environmental Science Learning (NSTA

Show Details

This session explores strategies for creating and sustaining partnerships with industry professionals, local organizations, and higher education institutions to enhance authentic learning opportunities for K-12 students, fostering deeper engagement and relevance in environmental science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain actionable tips and tricks for identifying local partners and developing mutually beneficial relationships that yield authentic and engaging learning experiences for your students. This session will also address best practices for bridging the gap between formal and informal science educators.

SPEAKERS:
Carrie Lankford, Abbey Hathaway

Leveraging Real-World Data to Enrich STEM Lessons

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://theislandteachers.com/downloads/

Show Details

Discover how to integrate authentic data into your STEM lessons. Explore practical strategies, share experiences, and brainstorm innovative projects, leaving with actionable ideas to enhance student engagement and critical thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
The integration of real-world data into STEM lessons not only enhances student engagement and critical thinking but also empowers learners to connect theoretical concepts with practical applications, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

SPEAKERS:
Stephen Bowen, Ashish Gilbert Bowen

Local Issues With Global Significance: Developing Data Literacy Through Place-Based Learning

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A


Show Details

Place-based issues ignite student interest and provide powerful phenomena in which to anchor both disciplinary content and the SEPs. In this adaptable biodiversity project, students collected and used data to understand the causes and implications of limited water resources in their desert region.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore ways to immerse students in place-based ecological issues. Participants will learn protocols they can adapt and use for student-designed investigations outside while improving students’ data literacy. Inspire students to engage in the SEPs as they dig deep into local threats to biodiversity.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Carpenter

Lunar Dreams: A Multidisciplinary Look at the Moon

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Lunar Dreams Conference Presentation (PDF)
Lunar Dreams Conference Presentation (PowerPoint)
Lunar Dreams Syllabus Fall 2024.pdf
This is the syllabus for the Lunar Dreams Class, for the Fall 2024 semester.

Show Details

In this session, I’ll share "Lunar Dreams," a Wofford College seminar supported by NASA's South Carolina Space Grant. The course explores the Moon through humanistic and scientific inquiry, fostering scientific literacy, mindful observation, and AI-assisted writing.

TAKEAWAYS:
Session participants will leave with practical insights and strategies for integrating AI and cross-disciplinary approaches, creating an authentic learning environment that connects science with the humanities.

SPEAKERS:
Steven Zides

Making Movies Across Content Classrooms

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B


Show Details

Be inspired to make movies in your classroom. Watch and discuss a short, student-produced documentary film inspired by environmental justice. Learn best practices for fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across content area classrooms and in partnership with external organizations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn best practices for supporting students as documentary filmmakers in partnership with non-science content teachers and external partners in pursuit of community-based, equity-centered films.

SPEAKERS:
Jared Fox

Maximizing the Use of Planetariums in Teaching NGSS Astronomy-Related Performance Expectations

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1paaF3A3eK7sW1KSzJ5aTkDgCDeVCy0uOEJVfACnJRiE/edit?usp=sharing
Google Slides, can make a copy if you wish to change anything!

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Some of the phenomena of the NGSS include astronomy topics that are either unfamiliar to classroom teachers, difficult to teach in the classroom, or both. This is where local planetariums can be of great help! Learn how partnering with planetariums can help provide your students with success!

TAKEAWAYS:
Planetariums offer immersive experiences to enhance student understanding of NGSS concepts (e.g., 5-ESS1-2). This session highlights topics for teachers to explore with planetariums, shares examples of successful programs, and provides guidance on finding and collaborating with local planetariums.

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Seaton

Mental Health is Heath! Learning Games, Apps, Videos & Stories from The Partnership in Education - Duquesne University, School of Science & Engineering

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
All About Vaccines Kahoot Course
This Kahoot course features the 5 animated explainer videos: What is a Pathogen? What's in a Vaccine? Why do we need Laboratory Animals? What is a Clinical Trial? How are Vaccines Stored and Delivered? Along with a Kahoot quiz for each video.
Glossary of terms used in N.O.V.E.L.
Mindfulness & meditation for the classroom - plus
Grounding exercises can help to calm anxious thoughts and keep one focused and mindful in the environment. These grounding exercises can be done almost anywhere and don't require any equipment or materials - just your brain! Take a few minutes to learn how to complete the exercise and then try it for yourself and your class.
N.O.V.E.L. -- a table top board game
N.O.V.E.L. is a cooperative board game where players must save humanity from a novel disease that is spreading across the globe. Players work together to research the pathogen, create a vaccine prototype, test their prototypes, and distribute their successful vaccine to the public, all before the deadly disease takes over. N.O.V.E.L. is designed for 2-4 players, ages 10+
N.O.V.E.L. Classroom Implementation Guide
The N.O.V.E.L. Classroom Implementation Guide is a PDF guide that contains suggestions and handy tips for using N.O.V.E.L. in a classroom setting. Customized gameplay suggestions for both advanced learners and those who need more help are provided. Combine with the glossary document for additional support.
N.O.V.E.L. Companion Videos
Included is the N.O.V.E.L. board game trailer, How to Play video, and collection of explainer videos that includes, 'What is a Pathogen? ,' 'What's in a Vaccine?,' 'Why do we need Laboratory Animals?', 'What is a Clinical Trial?' and 'How are Vaccines Stored and Delivered?'
NOVEL Reflection Activity Worksheet.pdf
This worksheet allows a scaffolded way for students to reflect on their experiences while playing N.O.V.E.L. Combine with the glossary document for additional support.

Show Details

As passionate educators creating science learning products for STEM focused on mental health with apps, Emmy Award winning TV, YouTube videos, games and teacher resources, we share our research and development of the right tools for accessing everyday science for the student's worldview.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understanding the students' world view and what's important to them is fundamental, because what kids say are their stressors aren't always what adults think they are. It is critical to follow-through with pre- post assessment and evaluation.

SPEAKERS:
John Pollock

Micro Moves with AI: Practical Tips for Science Teachers

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124


Show Details

Like it or not, generative AI is here to stay. This session will set aside debate to focus on how it can be a useful tool for teachers. We are not AI experts; we are teachers starting to recognize that micro-incorporations of AI into our classrooms just might enrich the student experience.

TAKEAWAYS:
Easy to replicate and adaptable to your own needs, we’ll share specific ways we've successfully and unabashedly used AI in our middle school science classrooms this school year. You'll leave with practical ideas to implement right away and perhaps a bit more confidence to take the next step with AI.

SPEAKERS:
Bekah Hassell, Rebecca Smith

Moving STEM Identity Research into Practice: Finding Ways to Build a Culture of Belonging in STEM Classrooms

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Identity research into practice: Finding ways to build a culture of belonging

Show Details

In this session, we will introduce the Building a Belonging Culture in STEM Classrooms Framework developed by the Philadelphia Regional Institute for STEM Educators (PRISE). Come and explore ways to develop strong science-related identities within your science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will analyze instructional vignettes designed for high school educators working towards more socially just STEM education that facilitates the full participation of marginalized students across the STEM disciplines. They will apply the ideas to their instructional practices.

SPEAKERS:
Greer Richardson, Stacy Olitsky

NSTA Research Division: Meet the Committee

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A


Show Details

We invite both teachers and researchers to come and engage with the NSTA Research Committee. Learn how the committee can support you, and connect with other researchers and educators interested in strengthening science education!

TAKEAWAYS:
Meet the NSTA Research Committee, and find out how to connect with them in their work to support researchers & educators, expand access to the latest research, and strengthen the connections between research and practice.

SPEAKERS:
Debi Hanuscin

Obtain, Evaluate, Communicate - How the ELA Standards Can Support SEPs

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Obtain, Evaluate, Communicate: Integrating ELA & Science: Strategies to Foster

Show Details

This session explores how English Language Arts Standards can enhance science education by integrating literacy with scientific inquiry. Participants will learn strategies for blending ELA and science, using formative assessments to foster critical thinking and cross-disciplinary skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
One main takeaway from this session is how integrating English Language Arts Standards with science education can enhance students' ability to analyze, communicate, and think critically about scientific concepts, using formative assessments to support both literacy and scientific practices.

SPEAKERS:
Stacie Jassen, Brittney Denier Cantrell

One School's Journey to Voice and Choice in Chemistry

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Are you ready to transform your chemistry curriculum? Discover how we are empowering students with voice and choice not just in lessons or projects, but for an entire semester! Join us as we share our innovative approach to chemistry electives, where students select their own lenses for learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Chemistry education can effectively integrate real-world applications while ensuring mastery of foundational concepts and skills.

SPEAKERS:
Tracy Wazenegger, Lauren Coil-Sherck

Planning Investigations in Elementary Classrooms

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Planning Investigations 30 min session.pptx
Session slides

Show Details

We share a tool developed by a team of researchers and teachers to engage children in planning and carrying out investigations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with ideas about how to involve their students in planning investigations in ways that are exciting, manageable, and productive.

SPEAKERS:
Diana Garity, Eve Manz, Annabel Stoler

Precipitating Change with Alaskan Schools: Bridging Indigenous and Western Science While Modeling Mitigation of Coastal Erosion

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Precipitating Change Coastal Erosion

Show Details

Precipitating Change with Alaskan Schools is a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project with Alaskan Native communities, multiple universities, and the Concord Consortium. Together, we are exploring approaches to designing, testing, and refining multi-perspective for middle school students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers and students investigate coasts and coastal change involving both Indigenous and Western science approaches, as well as diving into related areas, including history, culture, and community decision-making.

SPEAKERS:
Texas Raymond, Carolyn Staudt

Reach for the Stars: Authentic Astronomical Research in Middle School

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

This session will discuss how middle school students explored astronomical phenomenon via telescopes and databases to create a research project based on student-driven questions and hypotheses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Authentic, astronomical research can be done in an effective and rigorous way in middle school classes. Attendees will learn how to build an inquiry-based research project using authentic data.

SPEAKERS:
Ace Schwarz

Roundtable Discussion: Recruiting and Retaining Teachers in Economically Disadvantaged Regions

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Over 40 states are currently experiencing STEM teacher shortages, and many teachers leave in the first 3 years. This roundtable will be a time of sharing best practices and looking at what is working in specific school districts to recruit and retain teachers over time in hard to staff areas.

TAKEAWAYS:
The purpose of this discussion is to share what is working in districts around the country to recruit and retain qualified teachers and to support early career teachers. Experts at every level are invited to share their best practices in a roundtable discussion.

SPEAKERS:
Lacey Fitts

Shifting Momentum: Growth Through Real-World and Socioscientific Issues-Focused PD

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Philadelphia - Shifting Momentum Presentation

Show Details

Join us in exploring how socioscientific issues and social justice can reshape STEM classrooms. We will discuss self-study classroom research from a nationally recognized STEM teacher, exploring his experiences in a two-year PD program, along with insights from the project’s researchers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain insight into best practices for implementing SSI in STEM classrooms and effective practices in social justice PD. To guide classroom implementation, they will leave with an NGSS-aligned SSI Framework (STEM modeling, claim-evidence-reasoning) and Unit Outline.

SPEAKERS:
Augusto Macalalag, Jr., Joseph Johnson, Dylan Fedell

Skills Progression in Middle School

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Join us to explore how to scaffold student skills in a logical progression until students of varying abilities can apply skills independently. The session will include samples and activities to use in classrooms, methods for documenting progress, and tools for guiding students’ self-evaluation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with clear ideas about explicitly teaching skills and sequencing them in investigations in such a way that their students will practice and apply science process skills. Participants will also walk away with tools to build students’ metacognitive skills.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Schoeffler

Specific Heat and Heat: What's the Difference Anyway?

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Thermal Conductivity Activity - Sarah English.pdf
Classroom activity using the ice blocks

Show Details

Are your students confused about the difference between specific heat and heat? If they are, come join this session that explores the difference between temperature, heat, and specific heat centered around a phenomena from our favorite Christmas movie.

TAKEAWAYS:
The session focuses on utilizing a phenomena to drive modeling and discussion of temperature and specific heat with two difference substances. Moving through a process that utilizes participant discussions and revising models will reveal the differences between temperature, heat, and specific heat.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah English, Krystle Moos

Taking Charge: Cultivating Collaborative Learning Networks to Reshape STEM Education

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Join a dynamic panel of distinguished teachers who are revolutionizing STEM education and challenging conventional models of instructional leadership. Engage in a discussion about the untapped power of science educators as the demand for STEM talent continues to shape the global economy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to leverage their classroom experience to take on more influential roles as leaders in science education. Discover how science educators are partnering with government, businesses, and community leaders to raise funds for STEM youth programs and teacher training initiatives.

SPEAKERS:
Lawrence Perretto

The Civil Rights Sit-ins - A Diversity Lesson within the Elementary STEM curriculum

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C


Show Details

How can we use STEM to create a welcoming space that values diversity and promotes social justice? The significance of civil rights sit-ins is highlighted in this presentation with a featured engineering design challenge.

TAKEAWAYS:
Elementary STEM classes can connect students to the importance of peaceful protests in advocating for equality and justice. Social studies themes can be incorporated in STEM activities.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Pressley

Think Beyond the Sink: Water Rights and Conservation

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A


Show Details

This grade 3-5 unit explores U.S. water quality and rights through experiments and case studies of Flint, MI and the Navajo Nation. Integrating multiple subjects and field trips, students apply their learning to local water issues, fostering environmental awareness and civic engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students learn about water quality and rights through real-world case studies and hands-on experiences, empowering them to understand and address water issues in their communities.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Cody, May Lee

Unlocking Science Literacy: A Practical Guide to Measurement and Improvement

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Access Science Literacy Materials

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Discover strategies to boost your students' skills in explaining and evaluating scientific knowledge in real-world contexts. This presentation offers insights from using science discovery narratives and a science literacy tool to enhancing literacy in urban high schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to systematically assess students' application of scientific knowledge to solve socio-scientific issues via written communication skills.

SPEAKERS:
Eual Phillips

Using AI to Confront the Challenges of Selecting Context for Content

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Using AI_Philadelphia S25

Show Details

Explore how AI helps STEM educators address the challenges of selecting meaningful and relevant context for instructional content. Learn how to leverage technology to make the work of selecting “real world” and “local” examples seem simple for the planning task of developing a phenomenon.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will develop contexts for content for unit topics they plan to teach using AI. Additionally, we'll explore and discuss the development of essential questions for these contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Matt Wigglesworth

Using Physical Movement Brain Breaks to Increase Engagement

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
List of Brain Breaks
Slideshow

Show Details

In today's fast-paced educational landscape, maintaining student engagement is a critical challenge, especially for middle schoolers whose attention spans are often fleeting. This session will explore the transformative power of brain breaks as a way to increase engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees at this session will be able to learn a variety of brain break strategies that they can easily implement into their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Alyna Raynovich

Weathering the Storm: A Cross-Content Approach to Informational Writing and Research on Natural Disasters

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA _Fox.pdf

Show Details

In this engaging presentation, participants will learn an integrated approach to researching and writing about severe weather and natural disasters. Key strategies include selecting nonfiction texts, creative notetaking, building vocabulary, flash drafting, and developing a student choice product.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will walk away with a tool kit for integrating science and writing, that can be adapted for any grade and topic. Specifically educators will learn how to encourage students to collect vocabulary terms and incorporate them into their writing, through visual note taking.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Fox

Why Be Normal?

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Why Be Normal Teachers(Communication)-2.pdf

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

"Why Be Normal" provides educators with strategies to maintain their well-being and foster a positive school environment. Through SEL principles, teachers will learn how to connect more effectively with students, manage their own stress, and improve communication with colleagues.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn to integrate SEL, manage burnout, and prioritize self-care. Using DiSC assessment, they'll improve communication and conflict resolution skills. This fosters supportive environments, better teamwork, and stronger student relationships.

SPEAKERS:
Logan Taylor

Why You Should Host a Science Pub

Saturday, March 29 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation
This presentation is an outline of what we discussed during the session. If you have any questions about creating a science pub feel free to contact me or watch for our facebook page. Email: [email protected] Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/SiouxFallsSciencePub/

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

What is a science pub? How did you start one? Why should you start one? Think that you are too rural or to urban to start a grassroots activity like a science pub?  Please listen to my pitch about how anyone can do it and how it will increase your networking and your stem community.

TAKEAWAYS:
In addition to learning from my experiences, attendees will have conversations with people from different backgrounds and learn about the challenges that they for see around creating a science pub in their area.

SPEAKERS:
Benjamin Benson

How Can We Achieve the Promise of High Quality Instructional Materials to Promote Equity?

Saturday, March 29 • 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

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:
Janna Mahfoud

Making Science Instruction Compelling for All Students: How to Integrate the Cultural Lives of Your Students into Your Teaching

Saturday, March 29 • 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B


Show Details

This session highlights cultural dimensions of meaningful science learning. It showcases a powerful instructional technique for formative assessment called “self-documentation”—where students collect information related to a particular theme or topic in their everyday lives.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers learn how to promote equity by focusing on learning and teaching as an inherently cultural process. They develop a shared understanding of how cultural formative assessment can reveal the interests, experiences, and identities of students.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell, Tiffany Neill

Challenges and Strategies for Inclusive STEM Classrooms for Students with Specific Learning Disability

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A


Show Details

This presentation focuses on supporting secondary STEM teachers in inclusive courses. Drawing on original research about teachers’ understandings of and practices with students with learning disabilities, we will share approaches to including students with disabilities in general science courses.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will present some strategies including Universal Design for Learning to address the primary concerns raised by secondary STEM teachers to effectively create an inclusive and equitable learning environment in spite of limited resources, training, and support.

SPEAKERS:
Samantha Daley, Michelle Heckman

Connecting Classrooms to STEM Careers: Insights from a K-12 University Collaboration

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Slide Deck

Show Details

A team from URI & UCONN developed a model to enhance student engagement by connecting classroom science learning to STEM research and career pathways. Learn about the project directly from participants, take the opportunity to ask questions, and consider similar partnerships in your own community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about a model for connecting engineering research to classroom learning. Hear how the collaborative efforts of a diverse team developed practical and impactful resources and discuss the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to K-12 outreach.

SPEAKERS:
Zachary Orefice, Charlene Tuttle, John Koziatek, Caroline Stabile, Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi

Connecting the Dots: Examining Student Engagement and Understanding of Socio-Environmental Factors Through StoryMaps on the Parallels of Air Quality, Transportation, and Engineering

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides

Show Details

This study investigates the impact of integrating curricula on socio-environmental factors into a Creative Engineering Design course. The goal is to analyze student comprehension and applications of these concepts while fostering broader participation in engineering.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engaging students with real-life examples of socio-environmental challenges is not only an innovative approach to teaching Engineering Design but also essential for preparing future engineers to consider broader social and environmental impacts in their work.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Ramos-Chavez

Creating a Regional Network of K-12 Community Scientists for Sustainable Futures

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

Agrivoltaics community science provides opportunities for students to contribute to regional knowledge while growing food and generating renewable energy. Students on each campus build, care for, investigate, and share results from two garden beds, one with and one without solar panels.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how teachers and students in the Sonoran Desert Region are fostering sustainable and just futures by sharing research results comparing garden environmental and plant growth with and without solar panels. Imagine how your students might contribute to regional knowledge on sustainability.

SPEAKERS:
Emmanuel Adeloju, Jamie Rapkiewcz, Michelle Jordan

Creating Chemistry Curriculum using NGSS

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025.pptx

Show Details

This session is one chemistry PLC's story about creating chemistry curriculum using NGSS. We will share our mistakes, learnings, and successes in our many attempts creating chemistry curriculum while incorporating NGSS. Bring a unit with you that you would like to edit using NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to create chemistry curriculum using NGSS and a sample unit created by the presenters.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Sande

Creating Thriving Learning Environments through SEL-Infused STEAM: Empowering Leaders for Sustainable School Transformation

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Discover how to transform your school into a thriving, resilient learning community by integrating Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into STEAM. Learn actionable strategies to reduce teacher burnout, enhance student success, and foster wellbeing—all while navigating leadership challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain practical, research-backed strategies to integrate SEL into STEAM programs, transforming their schools into positive learning environments, supporting teacher wellbeing, and fostering student success—even in the face of limited resources or resistance.

SPEAKERS:
Nuria Gabitova

Discovering NSTA’s Instructional Materials for Middle School

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Slide Deck

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

This session will introduce NSTA's phenomenon-driven, three-dimensional instructional materials designed for middle school classrooms. These lessons and units provide opportunities for all students to engage in science learning that is meaningful to them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Phenomenon-driven, three-dimensional lessons and units provide students with opportunities to actively try to figure out how the world works or design solutions to problems (sensemaking).

SPEAKERS:
Patrice Scinta

Drones in Action: Elevating STEM Education!

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A


Show Details

Discover the benefits of using UAS in your classroom and how to implement hands-on projects that elevate STEM education! Enhance hands-on learning and improve your student’s communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills while integrating UAS real-world applications.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn to implement hands-on drone projects that enhance student-centered STEM education. Explore collaborative lessons that integrate science standards into engaging experiences in computer science, agriculture, environmental science, engineering, and more, equipping students with essential skills.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Stormer, Christina Davis

Embedding Computational Thinking (CT) Skills Across the Curriculum: Our Work with High School Teachers

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Computation Thinking Resource Guide
CSCT Planning Template - Final.docx
Computational Thinking Planning Template
NSTA Presentation.pptx
NSTA 2025 Conference Presentation - Slides

Show Details

Attendees will hear from the PIs of an NSF-funded project about their experiences working with several HS teachers to embed CT skills in their courses. The PI team will provide attendees with specific examples. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss their vision for how they could more intentionally incorporate CT skills within their own courses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with a better understanding of what computational thinking skills are and the various ways these can be integrated into course content to reinforce and enrich a student's learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Frye, George Sirrakos

Enhancing Assessment in Math and Science through Success Criteria

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
30_Minute_Presentation_NSTA_Hayes-Johnson_(2)[1].pdf
CLEAR Framework for Success Criteria Guided Worksheet
CLEAR Steps To Making Success Criteria (1).png
Guided Teacher Worksheet Connecting Education Research to Student Achievement
Math Success Criteria Example
Science Success Criteria Example
Success Criteria Frequently Asked Questions

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

This session will explore using Success Criteria as steps toward mastery in math and science assessments to enhance student understanding and engagement. Participants will learn to create quality open educational resources (OER) that align with standards for effective assessment practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will leave with practical strategies for integrating Success Criteria into assessments, promoting student ownership of learning and improving instructional practices in math and science.

SPEAKERS:
Laura - Ashley Hayes

Enhancing High School Education through Green Chemistry

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGg5NZM16s/rhDX7FUzCKvY7eVkjNlYHw/edit?utm_content=DAGg5NZM16s&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Show Details

This paper presents three innovative high school chemistry project designed around green chemistry principles to enhance student engagement and environmental awareness. Lessons include creating biodegradable hydrogels for sustainable farming, exploring molecular gastronomy, and fermentation process.

TAKEAWAYS:
These hands-on activities connect real-world sustainability challenges with chemistry concepts, fostering critical thinking and promoting eco-friendly practices in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
ANA CAMPOS

Enhancing Literacy In The Science Classroom Using The Playlist Model

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Extra literacy strategies for articles.pdf
Playlist example
Playlist slides

Show Details

This session will explore literacy practices in the science classroom using the Playlist Model, in which all learners are empowered to take ownership of learning while enhancing scientific literacy related to the NGSS framework.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn strategies for embedding literacy skills into science lessons, including reading comprehension, note-taking, and vocabulary development.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Marino

Equipping Educators: Preparing Pre-Service Teachers for Math & Science Classrooms

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Conference Presentation_ 2025 [Version 1].pdf

Show Details

Explore the structure, goals, and resources of our academy designed to equip future math and science educators. We'll cover curriculum, mentorship opportunities, hands-on teaching experiences, and strategies for keeping STEM teachers in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation will provide an overview of how our academy prepares preservice math and science teachers. Attendees will learn about the program's curriculum, mentorship opportunities, hands-on teaching experiences, and strategies to help prepare STEM teachers and keep them in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Dominic Ramos, Katherine Meraz

Exploring Science Teachers Sensemaking of Generic Equity-focused Professional Development (NARST)

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Equity and Science PD Presentation
Research and classroom implications of Science Teachers’ sensemaking of generic equity-focused Professional Development.

Show Details

Let's explore some unique ways equity and social justice show up in our science classrooms. School-wide professional development can help us to have a shared understanding of equity, but we need learning opportunities to develop science-specific equity-focused content and instructional approaches.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn how equity and social justice are achieved through science content and instructional approaches.

SPEAKERS:
Matt Stewart, Carla Zembal-Saul

Exploring the Impact of AI-driven Virtual-Human Training on STEM Students’ Self-regulated Learning: Insights from a Singapore Polytechnic

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B


Show Details

Students pursuing STEM majors often struggle with insufficient skills critical to their academic success and future careers. The study aims to determine whether completion of an AI-powered virtual-human training leads to increased use of SRL strategies among STEM majors, compared to a control group.

TAKEAWAYS:
This study provides compelling evidence that AI-powered virtual-human interventions can support SRL in STEM education, offering a scalable, cost-effective solution that maintains educational quality while reducing the resource burden on both students and instructors.

SPEAKERS:
Danny Glick

Exploring the Potential (and Abuse) of Artificial Intelligence

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A


Show Details

Join us if you’re interested in learning more about Artificial Intelligence. Attendees will explore various AI programs, learning more about what AI can do for both teachers and students. Attendees will also learn more about how students can abuse AI and how to prevent it in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about Artificial Intelligence and how it can innovate their classrooms. AI can help teachers plan lessons and prepare slideshows, and students can use it in various classroom activities. We will also discuss how students may abuse AI and how teachers can prevent misuse.

SPEAKERS:
Stephen Krajeski

Fostering Diversity in STEM: An Inclusive Research Program at Pelham Lab High School

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Pelham Lab High School's three-year research program, in partnership with Syracuse University Project Advance, empowers diverse students. By offering mentorship, college credits, and hands-on research, it fosters STEM skills, confidence, and academic growth.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how an inclusive research program can empower diverse students in STEM through mentorship, hands-on research, and college-level courses.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Kola, Intiaz Mahamad, Lea Buena

Grounding Outdoor Learning in Curriculum with Billion Oyster Project in NYC

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides

Show Details

Billion Oyster Project seeks to expand outdoor education in an effort to promote climate action. Learn how we collaboratively design field trip experiences between teachers and partner organizations, to encourage all educators to teach outdoors, and deepen long-lasting student impacts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Billion Oyster Project believes all educators can teach outdoors. Co-designing and co-leading field trip experiences with partner organizations can support educators in growing in their practice, build greater classroom connections, and empower students to make a lasting impact in their communities.

SPEAKERS:
Shinara Sunderlal, Mallory Easton, Alicia Halpin Ortiz

Hosting a Middle School Summer Camp to Promote Interest and Literacy in Robotics

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123


Show Details

The STEM Education and Research Center will present on the experience of hosting a robotics summer camp for 6th through 8th grade students utilizing FIRST LEGO League Challenge season resources and the impact of this camp on the students, as well as how other entities can host their own camps.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will receive information on reusing FLL Challenge supplies to host their own robotics summer camps, along with best practices and NGSS alignment.

SPEAKERS:
Corina Rivera

How is Fertilizer Use Impacting the Environment? An Adaptable Inquiry into the Socio-Scientific Issue of Man's Impact on Earth

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Nitrogen Loss in Agriculture Lesson Plan Presentation
PBS Lesson Plan Link

Show Details

This student investigation explores the fate of agrochemicals in the environment. We’ll characterize soil, review the nitrogen cycle, and begin a project to track fertilizer ammonia volatilization, all tied to the socio-scientific question, “What is Man’s Impact on Earth?”

TAKEAWAYS:
Nitrogen fertilizers are ubiquitous, and their use is increasing; they’re meant to be plant food but may end up in the air instead. How does it volatilize? Where does it go? Why is this a problem? Placed-based environmentally conscious relevant science adaptable for all ages and skill levels.

SPEAKERS:
Lacey Fitts

How the Arts Improve Teaching & Learning of Data Literacy: Findings from New Research

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A


Show Details

Data literacy is a vital science skill. Can art help us build it? We share a research-based approach that combines Earth science content, NOAA data, and techniques from art education that center the skills needed to interpret complex visual information, alongside results of actual classroom impact.

TAKEAWAYS:
Specific results of how and why teaching practices that combine scientific data, science concepts, and arts-based facilitation techniques enable teachers to create an environment of productive struggle, equitable engagement, and improvement in data literacy skills in science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Semmens, Jessica Sickler

Humanizing Pedagogy for Critical Science Education: An Equity-Minded and Contextualized Approach to Science Teacher Professional Development

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Humanizing Pedagogy for Critical Science Education (HPCSE) is a framework science teachers can apply to develop students' critical engagement in the scientific inquiry of their environments. This talk shares the model and findings from an HPCSE PD series with middle school science teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Developed alongside NGSS-aligned teaching strategies, this study provides a robust example of contextualized science PD. Findings include participant reflections and examples of how developing HPCSE practices influences their infusion of humanizing science teaching practices in student interactions.

SPEAKERS:
Debbie Andres

Implementing Three-Dimensional Learning in a High School Science Sequence

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Attendees will be provided with an overview of a professional development framework for implementing three-dimensional learning at Gloucester City School District in Gloucester City, NJ.

TAKEAWAYS:
Successful implementation of three-dimensional learning in a high school setting requires a culture of rich and ongoing professional development.

SPEAKERS:
Nicholas Wright

In Our Chemistry Era

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Are you ready for it? Come learn how to integrate Taylor Swift’s global influence into chemistry lessons, fostering student engagement and deepening their understanding of scientific concepts, making your course an "era" they will never forget!

TAKEAWAYS:
Chemistry can be intimidating, but linking it to familiar stories or characters breaks down complex ideas into simpler, more digestible parts.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Allessio

Inclusivity and Rabbitry

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Presenting a constructivist activity-based 9th grade Biology lesson that offers students the opportunity to apply their core idea understandings of genetics with an emphasis on real life applications centered around rabbit reproduction using innovative inclusive based education strategies

TAKEAWAYS:
Presenters will share results of the use of integrated inclusive strategies in their Biology classroom as well as logistics, use of effective of protocols that demonstrated positive impact on student performance and content understanding

SPEAKERS:
Emily Setaro, Issam Abi-El-Mona

Integrate to Alleviate: Contextualizing Comprehension Through Science in Elementary Classrooms

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Integrate to Alleviate- NSTA .pptx

Show Details

Elevate science and literacy in your elementary classroom through practical integration strategies, utilizing a lesson template and science trade books to design a plan stimulate knowledge building. You can engage, equip, and empower your students by contextualizing their comprehension.

TAKEAWAYS:
INTEGRATING science and literacy ALLEVIATES challenges (time constraints, disconnected learning, low engagement). This presentation includes evidence-based research, practical insights, and hands-on application, to empower educators with knowledge and practical tools to contextualize comprehension.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Westhafer

Introducing Artificial Intelligence to the Secondary Life Science Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A


Show Details

Artificial Intelligence is a concept making big waves within the science community. This presentation describes the creation and implementation of AI curricula that can coincide with the secondary life science classroom. Resources to help introduce AI in your classroom will also be presented.

TAKEAWAYS:
Implementing AI concepts in life science can be challenging for many educators. The goal of this presentation is to introduce secondary life science teachers to resources and curricula that can help improve their efficacy and allow them to bring artificial intelligence concepts to their students.

SPEAKERS:
Amber Simpson

Lessons Learned from Mobile Labs for the Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A


Show Details

Mobile instructional spaces bring STEM to schools' doorsteps and provide unique learning experiences for students and teachers alike. In this presentation, learn about NYC-based mobile lab BioBus, its impact, and how its unique learning environment can inform (and transform) classroom practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be presented with findings from a published research paper about the best practices of operating a successful mobile lab program and how its learning methodologies can be tailored for the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Luz Angelica Velasco Vela, Jared Fox

Leveraging AI to Enhance Science Literacy in STEM Education

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Curated GenAI Resources
Paper 1 Generative AI Can Harm Learning
Paper 2 Teacher Reactions to GenAI
Paper 3 AI Assessment Scale
Sample AI Parent Consent Letter

Show Details

With the advent of accessible Large Language Models, today’s students are now able to generate multiple hypotheses, simulate experiments, and visualize outcomes. This session showcases how emerging tech, like AI, can be leveraged to foster critical thinking and digital literacy in classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
See and learn how easily accessible generative AI tools can and should be used in classrooms to drive inquiry, promote agency and ensure cutting edge technological literacy for learners in Upper Elementary and Middle School.

SPEAKERS:
Sasha Manu

Leveraging the ASET Toolkit to Support NGSS-Alignment in Mentoring Preservice and Early Career Science Teachers

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 304/VIP


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

This presentation will provide instructional leaders, mentors, coaches and supervisors with a research-based NGSS-aligned toolkit to support novice teachers to enact 3D teaching for all students. Attendees will have an opportunity to practice using one SEP tool to develop targeted feedback.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to use the ASET toolkit to develop targeted feedback regarding NGSS-alignment for novice science teachers with a focus on supporting equitable engagement of students. Attendees will practice applying the Analyzing and Interpreting Data SEP tool to a short classroom video.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Ross, Meredith Vaughn, HUI-JU HUANG, Corinne Lardy

Lights, Camera, Safety: Empowering Educators with Engaging STEAM Safety Training Videos

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B


Show Details

This session explores how video-based training can empower educators to create safer STEAM classrooms. Learn how concise, engaging videos provide practical guidance, reduce accidents, and ensure compliance, making safety education accessible, impactful, and tailored to various grade levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
The main takeaway from this session is that video-based training is a powerful and accessible tool for educators to enhance safety in STEAM classrooms, providing practical, grade-specific guidance that can significantly reduce accidents and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

SPEAKERS:
James Palcik, Edward Cohen

Modeling Instruction: Doing Science in the Science Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A


Show Details

An overview of how Modeling Instruction can build understanding in science so that students can solve problems reasoning from models instead of relying on having seen similar problems in the past. The connection between Modeling Instruction and the NGSS Science Practices will be included.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students build a stronger foundation when they learn science by doing it the way practicing scientists do. Through Modeling Instruction they develop a small set of core models that allow them to address a wide range of challenges and problems without the need to memorize large amounts of material.

SPEAKERS:
AMTA Executive Officer, Geoff Nunes

NSTA Research Division: Research Round Roundtables

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
R2P Bibliometrics Handout.pdf
The attached document includes a practitioner summary and a graphic abstract for a recent JRST publication (Taylor et al.). The authors reviewed NSTA publications over a 5-year period for citations and author profiles. The findings highlight missed opportunities for research to be referenced in practitioner publications and the importance of two-way dialogues between practitioners and researchers.

Show Details

We invite NSTA members to engage in this roundtable discussion with researchers with recent publications and funded projects related to AI, assessment, teacher leadership, and more. Learn how research can inform your own practice, and connect with others interested in researcher+teacher collaborat

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees can learn more about crafting Teacher Growth Plans, integrating AI through an equity and culturally responsive lens, supporting students in developing social and emotional skills through engaging in authentic science and engineering, and teacher-researcher partnerships.

SPEAKERS:
Virginia Andrews, Leena McLean, Brooke Whitworth, Debi Hanuscin, Michael Bowen, Ryan Summers, Joseph Taylor

PA STEM ENDORSEMENT Graduate Certificate Program Success!

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117


Show Details

For K-8, teaching STEM/STEAM often looks different between schools even in the same district. STEM ed is rebounding from COVID with a new momentum that includes computational thinking. Come hear how one institute of higher ed customized their program to meet the needs of seasoned urban teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will hear about, and contribute to, a discussion about the PA STEM Endorsement Graduate Certificate model that serves teachers where they are. What was needed and how can a program successfully impact both early career as well as seasoned educators, especially in the K-8th grade realm.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Kearns-Sixsmith

Perceptions of Secondary School Students on the Role of AI in Learning and Real-Life Problem Solving

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B


Show Details

This study explores adolescent perceptions of AI and its integration in STEM education to address global challenges like climate change and health. Participants suggest early AI education, teacher training, and engaging curricula. Robotics, seen as key, requires investment for problem-solving skills

TAKEAWAYS:
Adolescents see AI as crucial for addressing global challenges, advocating for early AI education, teacher training, and engaging curricula. They view robotics as essential for practical applications like environmental cleanup, though budgetary support is needed for its broader implementation.

SPEAKERS:
Huseyin Colak

Relationships, Responsibility, and Passion: Three Keys to STEM Classroom Management

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025 Presentation - STEM Classroom Management.pdf

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

This presentation will focus on managing student behaviors in the STEM classroom. Participants will learn key strategies for creating a successful learning environment for their students, including relationship building, passion for STEM, and putting trust into each student.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through this presentation, teachers will leave with valuable strategies for delivering STEM curriculum in a safe, engaging, and rewarding way by harnessing the individual strengths and interests of the students in their classroom and giving them the power to explore the world around them.

SPEAKERS:
Jamie Backstrom

Scientific Literacy and Engagement Through Place-Based Education: A Creative Approach to Science Teaching

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


Show Details

This presentation will explore case studies, best practices, and practical strategies for implementing PBE in diverse educational settings. It will demonstrate how place-based education fosters interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and citizen science.

TAKEAWAYS:
The PBE teaching strategy provides an opportunity for teachers to bring real-world situations into the science classroom, thereby creating a stronger link between science learning, the student, and their place. Eventually, this will increase students' engagement and scientific literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Peter Oyewole

Scientific Thinking for All: A Toolkit

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Presentation - Infosession on the STK Curriculum.pdf
NSTA STK Sessions Overview.pdf
STK Field Test Info 2024-25.jpg

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Learn about a free high school science curriculum that introduces scientific thinking approaches for everyday life. Interactive lessons engage learners in real-world issues and are based on a University of California, Berkeley course co-authored by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Saul Perlmutter.

TAKEAWAYS:
The field of science contains techniques for using and evaluating information, which can be learned and applied to everyday life. The free curriculum of Scientific Thinking for All: A Toolkit provides classroom lessons that link these approaches to high school science content.

SPEAKERS:
Kristina Duncan, David House, Sarah Metz, Eric Greenwald

STEM Educator Shortage

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Join a discussion to address the current teacher shortage and how it is specifically problematic in the STEM fields. Participants will review current teacher preparation statistics and certification policies and discuss ways current educators can address shortages.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with statistics and ideas they can use to support local school Districts getting more involved with University teacher preparation programs and a guide to mentoring student teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Alvarez

Take That For Data

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Take That For Data walks participants through data trackers that allow teachers and scholars to be able to easily track their data and success rate on different standards and assignments. Teachers can quickly check progress as students will be able to be accountable for their own data.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be able to implement student data trackers to help students be accountable for their growth. Teachers will have an easy to use tracker to measure student progress at a glance.

SPEAKERS:
Kari Walters

Teaching Data Science in High School: Experience From an Interdisciplinary Course at Dana Hall

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B


Show Details

High schoolers can learn data science, and effectively so. We will share experience from a new course at the Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA. Learn about the principles of the course, its interdisciplinary origin, and see examples of student work. We will share both our mistakes and our triumphs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students can learn data science effectively and it will improve their learning across other disciplines. Students do not need a special background to enter the field, and it appeals to a wide variety of learners, not just ones that identify themselves as math or science fans.

SPEAKERS:
Alla Baranovsky

Using PBL to Develop Students' Affinity for, Identity with, and Agency with Science and STREAM

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
PBL in MS Science at Dawson NSTA 2025.pptx

Show Details

Project-based learning allows students to see and appreciate the connection between science and engineering practices and the real world. As they carry out open-ended and authentic investigations, they can be self-directed even as the teacher maintains cohesion in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through project examples and student-created projects, attendees will hear about how PBL integration has led to deeper engagement, creativity, higher-quality products, resilience, and fun in our middle and lower school science programs over the past 5 years.

SPEAKERS:
Hilary Kahn, Kelly Gooden

When Will I Ever Use This in Real Life?!?!

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Google Drive - Real World Scenarios/Applications of all TN Chemistry Standards
When Will I Ever Use This in Real Life?!?! - Presentation

Show Details

We have all been there... we're teaching our chemistry content & a student says, "When will I ever use this?!" In this session, we will explore the high school chemistry units/concepts & I'll provide an organized document with several examples of how each concept can be seen in the "real world".

TAKEAWAYS:
Receive an organized Google Drive document with supplemental materials, links, etc. of real world examples of all chemistry standards. There will also be time for attendees to share and add to the document with real world phenomena/examples that they know of, too!

SPEAKERS:
Taylor Edens

Write From the Start: How to Get Published in NSTA Journals

Saturday, March 29 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

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:
Valynda Mayes, Dr. Patty McGinnis, Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn, David Wojnowski, Brooke Whitworth, Peter Lindeman, Beth Murphy

Evaluating Health Risks: Opportunities for Student Learning and Action

Saturday, March 29 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 303B


Show Details

Experience how leveraging genetic and environmental risk for complex disease as authentic phenomena supports student understanding through 3D teaching and learning. Learn how the BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model develops student agency that leads to individual and community action.

TAKEAWAYS:
The research-based BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model succeeds the 5Es and leverages complex societal issues as anchoring phenomena/problems, culminating tasks, and performance assessments in 3D units of instruction to motivate students and develop agency in addressing these issues.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy Hopkins-Evans, Cynthia Gay

Growing up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children

Saturday, March 29 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
GUW slide show

Show Details

This workshop will provide a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while building lifelong social and cognitive skills using an interdisciplinary approach correlated to the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards and Head Start Domains.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn about various topics, activities, and experiences inside and outside the classroom that will engage children's sense of wonder about the natural world and invite them to explore and investigate the world around them.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Russell, Kathleen Mahoney

Improving science instruction with basic mapping tools

Saturday, March 29 • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Esri

Geographic maps (GIS) are powerful tools for visualizing and analyzing scientific data from the schoolyard to the planet. Learn how to use no-cost, no login tools from Esri to explore and understand data using our new tools, including the National Geographic MapMaker.

SPEAKERS:
Thomas Baker

Maximizing Learning for All Students: Using Core Ideas in 3D Science Investigations

Saturday, March 29 • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 307 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
RVCC Science Education Institute Resource Page
Links to resources for all our presentations at NSTA Philadelphia 2025

Show Details

NGSS Core Ideas support students as they investigate phenomena. Learn how providing students with Core Ideas throughout 3D investigations results in enhanced learning for all students, and how to support students in using and applying Core Ideas in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a better understanding of the utility of NGSS Core Ideas in science investigations, and with tools and strategies for supporting all students in using and applying Core Ideas, rather than simply confirming them.

SPEAKERS:
Stacey Van der Veen, Wil Van der Veen

NMEA Board Meeting

Saturday, March 29 • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 100 B


Show Details

National Marine Educator Association will be hosting its board and committee chairs meeting.

RAYN's latest Horticultural Learning System

Saturday, March 29 • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: RAYN Growing Systems

EdRack is the latest in horticultural ed systems designed to bridge all STEM categories through interactive labs. This hydroponic growing system brings industry standard cultivation methods to the classroom. We built in NGSS alignment to ensure compatibility with your educational requirements.

SPEAKERS:
Bryce Corning

SCST Presents Speed Sharing 1: Sensemaking in the College Science Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA SCST number sense cohen 2025.pptx

Show Details

Learn how to optimize student sensemaking in YOUR college science classroom by providing students with opportunities to encounter and apply the content, then reflect and modify their worldviews. Free templates and resources!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn sensemaking techniques for college science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Clary, Robert Cohen, Ian Moncrief

Seeing Sound and Hearing Light: Engaging Physics with Laser Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Laser Classroom

Bring physics to life! Join Jeff Dudukovich, Seminole County’s Optics Bus teacher, for hands-on demos featuring Laser Classroom’s Light Blox and Laser Blox. Explore light, sound, and waves while discovering practical tools to captivate your students and transform learning into pure inspiration!

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Dudukovich, Derek Miller

Teaching Brain Health: It’s SPECtacular

Saturday, March 29 • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Society for Neuroscience

Brain Health: It’s SPECtacular is a science-based program for pre-K to 5th grade students. Through story videos, activities, and assessments, it teaches how the brain supports Social, Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive (SPEC) health, helping kids learn about brain health in a fun and engaging way.

SPEAKERS:
Carolann Berns

"Breaking Language Barriers with AI: A New Approach to Teaching Abiotic and Biotic Factors"

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Breaking Language Barriers With AI
Interactive Notebook

Show Details

This hands on workshop explores how AI tools can transform the learning experience for ELL students in understanding abiotic and biotic factors. Through engaging activities, we will demonstrate how AI can help bridge language gaps, foster deeper comprehension, and enhance student engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will leave with practical strategies and resources (graphic organizers) to make science more accessible and interactive for their ELL students.

SPEAKERS:
Maureen Collazo-Rodriguez

Are You Aware?: Understanding How Unconscious Bias Impacts Students' Science and Math Outcomes (NARST)

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Learn how to support pre-service teachers interrogate, unpack, and understanding the impact of racial bias in STEM education. Leave with instructional resources and strategies intended to support the needs of all learners, particularly those with diverse backgrounds.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to distinguish between explicit and implicit racial bias; consider implications for STEM education; and review strategies to mitigate the impact of implicit bias.

SPEAKERS:
Uchenna Emenaha

Assessing Understanding: Strategies for Secondary Science

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Explore effective assessment strategies for measuring student understanding in science. We will cover formative and summative assessments, rubrics, and methods for providing meaningful feedback to students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will walk away ideas to enhance student learning through the strategic use of both formative and summative assessments, supported by clear rubrics and constructive feedback.

SPEAKERS:
Richard Warren Jr

Assessment as a Transformative Practice: How and What is Being Assessed in the Science Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Assessment as a transformative practice focused on how to elicit evidence to support student learning.  Science educators must plan the instructional activities with assessments to improve in-class learning outcomes. What is learned from multiple choice, essays, and diagrams is examined.

TAKEAWAYS:
Conceptual understanding, rather than memorization, is a more useful measurement of student learning and how three assessment strategies: objective-based questions, drawing of a model, and learner-generated constructed response can be used to gauged achievement.

SPEAKERS:
Stephen Farenga, Salvatore Garofalo

Bringing Place-Based Education and the National Parks to Urban Schools.

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Bringing Place-Based Education and the National Parks to Urban Schools

Show Details

This session will share ways to bring the National Parks to the urban classroom anywhere and anytime. Resources and teacher development opportunities will be shared including lesson plans and ways to collaborate with (or become) a Teacher-Ranger-Teacher.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with knowledge of how to easily utilize all that our National Parks offer to improve science education for students in urban areas far away from physical park sites.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Snyder

Clearing the Vertical Transfer Path to STEM Education at Central Michigan University

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

As a result of The Michigan Guarantee, 4-year institutions in Michigan will likely see an increase in transfer students. Hence, support for vertical transfer students should be enhanced. After studying the vertical transfer pathway at Central Michigan University, we will present our findings.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about enhancing support for vertical transfer students at the 4-year institution. Based on findings from student surveys and faculty interviews at Central Michigan University, we will discuss the perception of vertical transfer students and recommendations for enhancing support post-transfer.

SPEAKERS:
Logan Mueller, Jordan Kobielus

Deepen Student Engagement with Place Based Science Lessons and Activities

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Deepen Student Engagement with Place Based Science Lessons and Activities

Show Details

Place based science enriches curriculum, builds cultural competency and equitable outcomes. In this customizable lesson, students explore their local ecosystem: research an animal, create an infographic, build a community food web, and construct an ecosystem in a bottle with local materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn to leverage natural surroundings to make science relevant and engaging. Teachers will receive an adaptable lesson plan with student examples that is customizable for any ecosystem. Learn how to use free tools to improve knowledge of local ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Shepard

Design Talks: Classroom Conversations to Support Young Engineering Learners

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Design Talks NSTA 2025 handout.pdf
Design Talks NSTA 2025 Transcripts.pdf
https://www.engineeringdesigntalks.org/

Show Details

Design Talks are whole-class discussions that teachers facilitate to help students share thinking about engineering design problems. We will describe 5 types of Design Talks that support science and engineering practices and show video examples from research in first to sixth grade classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Whole-class Design Talks can supplement hands-on engineering learning by helping students clarify their thinking by sharing with others, make connections between their own and others’ thinking, consider certain aspects of their designs, and reflect on the impact of their design in the world.

SPEAKERS:
Chelsea Andrews, William Church

Designing Supports and Meaningful Engagement for Emergent Multilingual Students in STEM: Lessons Learned from After-School Spaces

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A


Show Details

This presentation draws on outreach experiences with pre-service teachers working with emergent multilingual students in multiple settings. We will document our journey adapting research recommendations on equity and culturally sustaining approaches to plan and improve an integrated STEM unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore culturally sustaining approaches and scaffolds for emergent multilingual students in STEM. Practical advice and tips will be provided with specific examples from practice.

SPEAKERS:
Maria Rebecca Duiker, Carmen Vanderhoof

Discovering NSTA’s Instructional Materials for High School

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Slide Deck

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

This session will introduce NSTA's phenomenon-driven, three-dimensional instructional materials designed for high school classrooms. These lessons and units provide opportunities for all students to engage in science learning that is meaningful to them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Phenomenon-driven, three-dimensional lessons and units provide students with opportunities to actively try to figure out how the world works or design solutions to problems (sensemaking).

SPEAKERS:
Patrice Scinta

Dissection: You CAN Do It!

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Folder
This folder has all of the documents from the session including slides and student activities.

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Join us to explore how we’ve made dissection purposeful, NGSS aligned, assessment based and FUN! We’ll look closely at an 8th grade Evolution and Adaptation Unit that focuses on sharks as the phenomena to drive this unforgettable learning experience.

TAKEAWAYS:
A hands-on dissection is a worthwhile and rigorous way to motivate middle school students to learn about adaptations. Participants will learn how to contextualize a dissection within a unit focused on evolution and how to prepare students to achieve maximum impact and then demonstrate learning.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Janke

Exploring the Future: Harnessing AI for Science Education Tools

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTAJMCP.pptx

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Harness the potential of generative AI in science education. The session showcases the benefits and some limitations of using AI to create classroom resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants in this session will leave with a solid understanding of how to effectively integrate generative AI into their classrooms to enhance student engagement and learning. They will learn how to create innovative activities and design rubrics using AI, as well as how it can assist in grading

SPEAKERS:
Christine Patrum, Jewels Morgan

Fail-Safe Thinking Routines: Using 'Observe & Wonder' to Inspire Inquiry & Sense-Making

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

Learn how the 'Observe & Wonder' thinking routine lays the foundation for deeper learning in science. This presentation explores strategies to enhance students’ observational skills and foster curiosity, which are key to mastering other scientific practices and thinking routines.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with practical strategies to help students sharpen their observation skills and spark curiosity, establishing a foundation for inquiry, sense-making, and developing other key thinking routines, such as prediction, categorization, and analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Lionel Sandner, Sandra Mirabelli

From Flora to Flyways: Stories of Change and Phenology in Local Communities

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Flora to Flyaways_Data Collection Sheet
Flora to Flyaways_Presentation
Flora to Flyaways_Unit Overview

Show Details

We will share a learning progression that harnesses a local naturalist’s journal as a historical dataset, integrates it with modern climate and bird migration data, and engages students in a wildflower monitoring program from which they model and predict changing climate’s impact on local phenology.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore how historical nature journals, modern climate and bird migration data sources, and phenological wildflower walks help students understand complex data and develop deep connections to changing patterns in life cycles, seasons, and climate changes in their local communities.

SPEAKERS:
Jenny Edwards, Clare Gunshenan

Hands-On STEM for a Cleaner Ocean & Environment

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

New to the U.S., this hands-on activity allows K-12 students to address plastic pollution through small-scale recycling. Students collect, shred, and repurpose plastics from cleanups, using injection molding technology to create functional items, promoting sustainability and STEM education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to implement a small-scale plastic injection molding program, including sourcing equipment, receiving training, and accessing curriculum. They'll engage students in hands-on STEM projects that turn reclaimed plastics into functional items, promoting sustainability and technology.

SPEAKERS:
Rick Cochrane

Igniting Curiosity and Interdisciplinary Learning through the Path of the Panther

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123


Show Details

The Path of the Panther is an award-winning film that tells the story of the endangered Florida panther and efforts to protect its habitat. Learn about free Educator Guides and a podcast that use the Florida panther story to teach life science concepts, geography, and systems thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
New education guides and multimedia materials tell the story of the endangered Florida panther and efforts to protect its habitat. Learn about these free materials that teach life science concepts and geography through a real-world conservation issue and compelling media.

SPEAKERS:
Gabby Salazar

Improving Engineering Efficacy of Middle School Students Through 3D Printing and Design

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C


Show Details

Can 3D printing improve engineering efficacy? This mixed-method study analyzed the changes in engineering attitudes of middle school students before and after an engineering-design-based intervention that included peer mentors and 3D printing. Applications of 3D design in the classroom included!

TAKEAWAYS:
3D printing and design can be an effective modeling tool for increasing engineering efficacy in middle school students. There are many practical applications for 3D design in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Janet McGrath

Inquiry-Based Instruction in Chemistry Throughout the U.S.

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Inquiry Based Instruction in the U.S._NSTA Philadelphia 2025.pptx

Show Details

Diving into what inquiry-based instruction looks like in the high school chemistry classroom. Built on the foundation of a statewide survey, the results from this national survey on chemistry education are analyzed and disseminated through the context of place-based education and equity of place.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with an understanding of what true inquiry-based instruction looks like in the high school chemistry classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Bice

Integrating Cancer Education into High School STEM: A Model for Engaging Students

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom IV


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Cancer education is a crucial underrepresented topic in high school STEM curricula. This round table presents an innovative approach to incorporating cancer biology, prevention, and research into classrooms, based on two years of collaboration with Rutgers (RUYES).

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers introduced cutting-edge research to engage students through real-world applications of biology concepts. The program enhances student engagement by connecting foundational knowledge with contemporary biomedical research, fostering scientific literacy, and inspiring STEM careers.

SPEAKERS:
Phoebe Gruetter, Casandra Gabriele, Natalia Coleman, Arun Srivastava, Yekaterina Cilluffo

Interactive CSI Activity for Lab Safety: Engage Students in Critical Thinking and Real-World Problem Solving

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124


Show Details

Bring excitement to your classroom with an Interactive CSI Activity focused on Lab Safety! Engage students with hands-on tasks that combine critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world lab safety protocols.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to implement an engaging CSI-themed lab safety activity that promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of real-world science protocols.

SPEAKERS:
Erwin Sanchez, Anthony Mapalo

Interdisciplinary STEAM for PreK - 2nd Grade Students

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Elementary STEAM slideshow
Here are the slides that I shared during the workshop on Saturday. Thanks for attending!

Show Details

This workshop will highlight integrated approaches to teaching PreK-Grade 2 STEAM curricula. Examples of curricular projects at different grade levels, as well as collaborative efforts and partnerships between subjects and divisions, will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will take away how to create interdisciplinary units with STEAM connecting science, art, library, and computer science. The educators should be able to take away one activity from each grade level. We will complete one activity, and I will share others that can be implemented.

SPEAKERS:
Debra Simpson

Math in Motion: Jumping and Motion Mechanics in Video Games

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B


Show Details

Through an Educational Video Game (EVG), we connect aspects of kinematic motion to video games. The EVG creates the mathematical representations of this phenomena and helps develop sensemaking for students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will integrate EVGs into their classrooms to enhance equitable math integration in the science classroom and promote access to high quality.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Rivera Rodríguez

Moving Teachers to Use Short Real World Simulations, Authentic Data, and Data Analysis Techniques to Increase Student Engagement and Learning

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nZgkpFBS9txewJ_nNm3jHaw1wToUn9K2?usp=sharing
NSTA Presentation_updated 3.27.24.pptx

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Discover how to transition teachers from traditional content coverage to engaging science learning through short real-world simulations and authentic data analysis. We'll share a model for fostering sensemaking, empowering educators to enhance student engagement and deepen science understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to implement short, structured professional learning sessions over one semester to transform STEM teaching practices. This approach empowers middle school teachers to engage students in authentic, data-rich, integrated science challenges using professional data analysis tools.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Wieczorek, Laura Pinto, Timothy Johnson, Maureen McMahon

NSTA Research Division: NARST Research Roundtables

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A


Show Details

We invite NSTA members to engage in this roundtable discussion with researchers from NARST whose work focuses on student knowledge of viruses & vaccines, science coaching, early engineering, and students building data collection tools. Learn how research can inform your own practice, and connect wi

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees can learn more about the latest research in science education from our affiliate organization NARST and what it means in terms of providing high quality science teaching and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Carsten Conner, Madeline Stallard, Debi Hanuscin

Place Based Learning Is Right Outside Your Classroom Door: Let’s Explore Biodiversity on Campus!

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Resource Folder
Presentation Accompanying Resources

Show Details

Bring science to life through place-based learning! In this adaptable lesson, students explore their school campuses to reveal the biodiversity of the schoolyard and discover hidden food webs, from the micro to the macro!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn to leverage natural surroundings to make science relevant and engaging. Participants receive customizable lesson plan with inspiring student examples. Learn how to use free apps to improve knowledge of local ecosystems and support student artistry through nature journaling and game creation.

SPEAKERS:
Jaime Camero

Planning an Interdisciplinary Unit for Multilingual Learners

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B


Show Details

University students partner with a 5th-grade teacher to create a water quality and rights unit for multilingual learners. The interdisciplinary unit combines hands-on learning with local case studies, enhancing language skills and environmental awareness, providing practical teaching experience.

TAKEAWAYS:
This partnership empowers university students and multilingual fifth-graders, fostering environmental literacy and language skills through collaborative, real-world learning about water rights and quality.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Cody, May Lee

Practical Application of Engineering Problem Solving to Address Social Challenges

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

This presentation explores the process by which a community-based organization engaged 17 youth of color in an integrated engineering problem solving participatory action research program to address challenges within the City of Pittsburgh.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn practical strategies to engage youth in project-based, hands-on research that is meaningful for both youth and community stakeholders.

SPEAKERS:
Deanna Sinex

Revise and resubmit: authentic engagement with scientific reasoning in the high school physics classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B


Show Details

This talk reports on findings from a three-year empirical study of the impact of revising lab reports on high school physics student scientific reasoning development in an Investigative Science Learning Environment (ISLE) approach classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn strategies for incorporating resubmissions into the high school science classroom as well as the effects of this authentic engagement with the scientific process on high school physics student mindsets toward learning science.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Bugge

Revolutionizing Science Education by Eliminating Grades - And Simple Strategies to Adapt in any Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A


Show Details

Learn how eliminating grading can empower students and minimize gratuitous stress, all while deepening learning. This session provides practical strategies to implement a no-grades, (or minimal-grading) model that fosters more critical thinking and incentivizes more frequent meaningful instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how eliminating traditional grading practices in science can foster deeper critical thinking and minimize toxicity surrounding grading. Explore strategies to implement a no-grades model that enhances long-term learning outcomes and can even give a deeper meaning to what we do as educators.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Imaizumi

SEL and Education: Which Comes First The Educator or the Student?

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
SEL and Education
SEL and Education Talk: I added a few more resources! Please reach out at [email protected] for assistance or connection!

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Resilience in Teaching and Learning: An examination of SEL pedagogy for a range of educators and their approach to socioemotional (SEL) as well as their own self-care. A qualitative study into the focus of SEL in the general education classroom and principles that help kids learn

TAKEAWAYS:
What types of approaches do educators use in promoting socioemotional learning with their students? Do teachers' perspectives on self-care influence their pedagogy? Are there any general SEL principles that promote student learning?

SPEAKERS:
Krishni Patrick

Shaping the Direction of School-Based Professional Learning

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Shaping the Direction of School Based Professional Learning - Google Slides.pdf

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

How can you leverage teacher vulnerability to empower and improve science teaching and learning? We will share a real-time real-life experience trying to do just that.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will take away some strategies or ideas for finding out where your teachers stand on their professional learning needs as elementary science teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Bartol

Sparking Wonder Through the Science of Illusion

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Sparking Wonder Through the Illusion of Science.pdf

Show Details

It seems so simple! All you have to do is observe! What do you see? What do you hear? Come experience and test your powers of observation as participants engage in science through illusion. Learn how to build wonder with your students and leave with activities you can put into action immediately.

TAKEAWAYS:
Take home the experience of illusion! Being part of this session, participants will leave with strategies they can implement any day of the school year to spark wonder and curiosity in their students or staff.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Santoro

STEM Career Pathways in Advanced Manufacturing

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

This roundtable will discuss career pathways and resources for educators to combine student’s interest in STEM fields like biology, chemistry, and engineering to high-paying, innovative, and #trending careers in advanced manufacturing.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about career pathways in the advanced manufacturing for STEM students in biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics. Attendees will receive a poster for their classrooms with example career pathways of real people working in advanced manufacturing with a STEM career.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Keesler, Brad Conrad, Christy Johnson, John Zappa

Students are Plant Scientist through Authentic Research Experiences and Educational Technology

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Education Research & Outreach Lab at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center aims to connect learners at all levels with the vital role of plant science in improving the human condition through innovative STEAM+Ag® education, inclusive community partnerships, and cutting-edge research.

TAKEAWAYS:
Authentic Research Experiences and Education Technology programs provided by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center facilitate student experiences to enhance learning, foster interest, and prepare a diverse STEAM+Ag® next-generation workforce equipped to meet the challenges of the future.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Kass

Switched at Science? Elementary Grade Level Reassignment

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


Show Details

Switching grades can mean new curriculum, new standards, and new science content. Come hear teachers’ experiences of grade level reassignment and share your own story!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about a study of elementary teachers’ experiences of grade level reassignment that illustrates the additional workload of grade level reassignment for science teaching; and the impacts of grade level reassignment on new science teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Debi Hanuscin, Brenna Kremer

Teaching Science Education at the Undergraduate and Graduate Level

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

This roundtable aims to bring together those teaching and interested in teaching science education courses at the graduate and undergraduate level.

TAKEAWAYS:
This roundtable aims to share ideas and best practices between those who teach and want to teach science education courses at the graduate and undergraduate level.

SPEAKERS:
Olivia Bello, Jesse Mechanick

The Anato-Bee: More Than a Competition in Anatomical Sciences - Programming to Improve the Leaky STEMM Pipeline

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A


Show Details

Anato-Bee co-founders will describe programming that is improving the matriculation rates of high school students into STEMM-related degree programs. Plans to expand programming to the first two-years of undergraduate coursework minimizing attrition from gate-keeper courses will also be discussed.

TAKEAWAYS:
A description of the benefits of participation in Anato-Bee programming, a scholastic competition for high school students, especially those underrepresented in STEMM. Open access resources for the anatomical sciences developed and curated by Anato-Bee cofounders will be shared with attendees.

SPEAKERS:
Danal Peterson

The Impact of Unpacking Science Standards on Elementary Teacher Science Self-Efficacy

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
THE IMPACT OF THE UNPACKING OF SCIENCE STANDARDS ON ELEMENTARY TEACHER SCIENCE
Unpacking Document

Show Details

What does it mean to "unpack" standards? Does it help your science practice to unpack standards before you teach? This session discusses both topics - the process by which standards are unpacked and the impact of that process on the confidence you have in your ability to to teach science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the process of unpacking standards by participating in the process. In addition, they will learn how the process of unpacking, or at least knowing how the process is completed, impacts their confidence in their ability to design and teach impactful science lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Robertson

Unleash Creativity and Understanding: Transform Assessments with One Pagers

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA - One Pagers
Slides - One Pagers

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Foster sense-making and creativity among your students with the integration of One Pagers into your assessment repertoire. In this session, participants will learn how this open-ended assessment prompt can help your learners take ownership of the knowledge they have gained in science and beyond.

TAKEAWAYS:
One Pagers offer a flexible assessment tool for any classroom and learning level. Teachers will gain insights for implementing One Pagers, explore real examples, and discuss qualitative data collection. This method empowers students to creatively visualize and summarize their learning

SPEAKERS:
Lori Anderson, Lindsay Head, Dru Humphrey

Unlocking Curiosity Through Words: Engaging Literacy Strategies For All Students In The Science Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Extra literacy strategies for articles.pdf
https://quizizz.com/join
NSTA Do Now - Playlist .pdf
NSTA Think, Pair, Share - Playlist.pdf
NSTA Vocabulary Routine - Playlist .pdf
Self-paced Quizizz - Literacy strategies

Show Details

This session will explore effective literacy strategies designed to enhance student engagement and comprehension in classrooms with diverse learning styles. Participants will learn about 4 strategies to easily implement to promote a deeper understanding of concepts found in the NGSS framework.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with specific literacy strategies that can be implemented immediately in any science classroom. These strategies have been proven to be high impact strategies that can increase student comprehension and understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Marino

Unlocking the Power of STEM Identity in K-12 Education

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A


Show Details

Learn how to create a Positive STEM Identity for your students! Give students the power to be confident, curious, and capable in STEM using the lens of flight to generate passionate pursuits. Discover practical strategies to promote a growth mindset, creativity, and increase student agency.

TAKEAWAYS:
Unlock students' STEM IDENTITY with hands-on strategies that inspire confidence, curiosity, and STEM skills. Learn how aviation and aeronautics can promote a growth mindset and create real-life engineering scenarios and career connections. Get free resources and actionable steps at this session.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Stormer, Christina Davis

Using Cereal Boxes to Engage Young Children in Exploring STEM Concepts

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Written text and images on a cereal box reflect many STEM concepts (e.g., shapes, numbers). By teaching with cereal boxes that children bring to school, teachers can build on children’s funds of knowledge and make informal science learning accessible to ALL children while addressing NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will explore STEM concepts in cereal boxes and learn from classroom examples of engaging children in exploring STEM concepts. You will brainstorm ideas for using cereal boxes in your own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Shelley Xu

Using Exploration-Based Activities and 3D-Modeled Fossils as Tools to Introduce Geoscience Concepts in the Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Downloadable (FREE!) 3D Modeled Fossils
Downloadable (FREE!) Activities + Educator Supports
Horne_NSTA_AccessibleGeoscience.pptx

Show Details

Students experience “real science” through hands-on interaction with 3D-printed fossils in an activity that brings fieldwork and lab research into the classroom via an exploration of crucial geoscience concepts (deep time, paleoclimate, functional morphology, and extinction).

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain confidence in guiding their students through tackling big-picture and open-ended questions about the societal and scientific relevance of paleontology and geology using a hands-on and inquiry-based activity that incorporates 3D-printed fossils and aligns with the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Mattea Horne

Using Meteorology Education to Empower Future Citizens

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C


Show Details

Discuss the vital role of introducing children to the world of weather with an on-air meteorologist. Show students how they can analyze and anticipate weather patterns, giving them the tools to better weather our shared world. A perfect way to foster informed citizens on a changing planet!

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators learn how to embed meteorology concepts into their curriculum. Using hands-on strategies, teachers can demonstrate the significance of real-world weather phenomena that shape students’ lives. Meteorology education empowers students while enhancing scientific literacy and critical thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Guy Brown

Using Nature Journaling to Promote Science Practices in the Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slideshow
Complete copy of presentation slides in PDF format. Enjoy!

Show Details

Begin your outdoor education journey and cultivate student curiosity in your classroom! Nature journaling is an accessible outdoor activity that allows students to apply classroom knowledge and skills to authentic phenomena in their local environments - showing that learning can take place anywhere!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to implement outdoor education pedagogies through nature journaling, a low-cost and adaptable activity that allows learners to apply scientific knowledge and skills (e.g., framing problems, analyzing data, and obtaining evidence) to their local environments.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Weinberg, Sarah Suloff

You Can’t Be Science Literate if You Are Not Ocean Literate: Celebrating 20 Years of Understanding the Ocean’s Influence on Us and Our Influence on the Ocean.

Saturday, March 29 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Join us for a dynamic panel session that celebrates two decades of Ocean Literacy , highlighting its profound impact on education, conservation, and its use around the globe. Learn about opportunities for enhancing Ocean Literacy in your school and community.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will convene educators, scientists, and advocates to highlight achievements, share innovative practices, and chart the future course of Ocean Literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Meghan Marrero, Diana Payne, Tara Hicks Johnson

A bite of the past: An elementary shark tooth fossil investigation with a 5E approach

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Resources including Google Files
Use the Padlet to download the lesson plan and all handouts you would need to teach this lesson with students!

Show Details

Identify a variety of shark tooth fossils of the Miocene in a hands-on investigation. Work with fossils to make inferences about the past environments and learn how to teach this with upper elementary students. Curriculum handouts and fossil kits will be provided to the first 35 participants.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use shark tooth fossils to analyze and interpret data during a NGSS-aligned 5E investigation. Identify shark tooth fossils from Chesapeake Group and make inferences about the past environment in the Miocene Epoch. Teachers will receive materials to use with elementary students.

SPEAKERS:
Kayce Wills, Laura Schneider

A New Frontier: AI's Impact on Multidimensional Learning in Science

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGjHLXgDjE/u3vhJcSOfXBgdwA7uIEmKw/view?utm_content=DAGjHLXgDjE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h9bc32b4535
Slides for the presentation.

Show Details

Discover how AI is revolutionizing multidimensional science learning. Explore innovative tools enhancing data analysis, visualization, and personalized learning in STEM education. Learn to integrate AI technologies into your science classroom, creating dynamic and effective learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Practical strategies for integrating AI tools into science curricula to enhance multidimensional learning and student engagement, and how to actually use AI to improve science education in a multidimensional context.

SPEAKERS:
Patrice Semicek, Andrew Kuhn

Activating Through Place: Developing Voice, Agency, and Action through Place-based STEM and Environmental Justice

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117


Show Details

Learn about how strong partnerships, between the National Parks, School-based instructional leaders and educational organizations, resulted in a place-based STEM and environmental justice learning experience for teachers that promoted student voice, agency and action.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with knowledge of the impact of strong partnerships on place-based STEM learning experiences, National Park collaborative resources, and techniques for promoting authentic STEM problem identification and solving through student action as related to environmental justice.

SPEAKERS:
Kendra Heffelbower

AG-SEEDLINGS: Integrating STEELS Standards with Cross-Disciplinary Curriculum for K-5 Agriculture Education

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C


Show Details

Join us to learn how to support and inspire your educators through our presentation on AG-SEEDLINGS (Agricultural Sciences in Elementary Education, Learning in Gardens at Schools), a program and curriculum designed to support K-5 educators in Pennsylvania to integrate agriculture into the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will receive free resources to help implement K-5 elementary STEELS lessons that are aligned to other core subjects such as ELA, Math, & Social Studies.

SPEAKERS:
Kathleen Hill, Stephanie Klixbull

Author Session: Activating Students' Ideas! Linking Formative Assessment to Instructional Sequence, Grades K-5

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 B


Show Details

Learn how to use the Uncovering Student Ideas probes in an explore-before-explain instructional sequence to support a classroom where all students' ideas matter!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about a resource for formative assessment and explore-before-explain teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Brown

AUTHOR: NSTA's Trilogy of Guides to the Three Dimensions

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A


Show Details

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

Beyond the Books: Implementing Design Thinking through Hands-On STEAM 2.0

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Beyond the Books 2.0

Show Details

A team of Primary and Lower School educators will share strategies for effective implementation of STEAM through the Design Thinking Process with students in grades Pre-K - 6. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience hands-on activities and gain experience with various technologies.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to effectively implement various STEAM strategies with elementary students through hands-on activities, technologies, and literature.

SPEAKERS:
Summaya Knight, Tammy Felton, Natalie Rachel

Birds, cows, the flu, and you: An example of viral evolution in a complex infectious ecosystem

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A


Show Details

A new flu strain spread around the world in birds, began infecting mammals including cattle, and seems poised to infect humans. Exciting interdisciplinary research helps explain how new flu strains arise, and offers insights into the origins and spread of COVID, Monkeypox, and other "new" diseases.

TAKEAWAYS:
Many diseases grow and evolve in an infectious ecosystem that includes 2 or more hosts. Influenza infects birds and mammals including humans. COVID/SARS thrives in bats. HIV originated in African primates. Our interactions with these animals, in nature and in captivity, facilitate human infections.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Levine

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 10:50 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Bringing Genetics Instruction into the 21st Century

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123


Show Details

Designed for district science coordinators, we share professional learning resources for science teachers to modernize the genetics curriculum. Resources were developed and tested with secondary science teachers in a museum. We include time to strategize how to use resources with others.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will receive a professional development guide, which includes freely available activities and sample investigative phenomena to support science teachers’ learning and modification of their genetics curriculum to align with modern genetics.

SPEAKERS:
Hilleary Osheroff, Sara Porter

Bringing Research on the ISS Down to Earth to Combat Climate Change

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Bringing Research on the ISS Down to Earth to Combat Climate Change
Explore the impact of the Down to Earth program, which connects ISS research to local environmental challenges. We'll present evaluation data and outcomes from implementing this innovative STEM initiative that bridges space science with community-based problem-solving for middle school students.
Live! From The International Space Station Educators Guide
Educator's Guide from SCiFri's In-Flight Downlight live connection to the ISS. Features space themed activities and more.
Science Friday Space Activities
Science Friday educational activities by Science Friday from Down to Earth, Sun Camp, and other resources.
Science Friday Space Station Stories to Share
Educational activities, audio and digital stories, and other media from Science Friday featuring the ISS.

Show Details

Explore the impact of the Down to Earth program, which connects ISS research to local environmental challenges. We'll present evaluation data and outcomes from implementing this innovative STEM initiative that bridges space science with community-based problem-solving for middle school students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain insights into the effectiveness of a project-based learning program that leverages space science to engage students in local environmental issues, including key strategies for implementation, assessment methods, and free STEM activities for formal and informal settings.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Roberts

Building Capacity for Pennsylvania’s Framework-Aligned Standards: Local & Regional Success Stories

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Explore Pennsylvania’s strategic approach to rolling out new three-dimensional science standards. Learn how collaborative efforts with WestEd and the PDE empowered local and regional teams to implement these changes, driving innovation and success in science education across the state.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how PA leveraged partnerships to support framework-aligned standards implementation. Discover successful local and regional models for embedding three-dimensional learning. Gain insights into resources and strategies developed in collaboration with WestEd and PDE.

SPEAKERS:
Kammas Kersch, Andy Weatherhead

Building Language and Literacy in 5E

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A


Show Details

This session will focus on getting students to speak, listen, read and write using academic language in science. Participants will engage in a Talk Read Talk Write using structured visuals, the QSSSA strategy, and get ideas of how to differentiate reading passages for Emergent Bilinguals.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to incorporate vocabulary-focused structured conversations, reading and writing to improve Scientific Literacy

SPEAKERS:
Julie Gibson

Celebrating Earth Science All Year Round

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B


Show Details

Teachers will conduct activities from the annual Earth Science Week calendar, explore special dates (e.g., Mountains Day), and make ties to UN Sustainable Development Goals, all of which connect earth science concepts to real-world events and the work of geoscientists.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage with free resources developed for Earth Science Week that connect with a variety of grade levels and earth science concepts. Making connections to real-world applications of earth science concepts will help relate many topics to sustainability and the work of geoscientists.

SPEAKERS:
Sequoyah McGee, Lauren Brase, Ed Robeck, Lindsay Mossa, Maliya Malik

Centering Student Discourse: Spark Conversation With HHMI BioInteractive Data Points

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

How can we structure classroom discourse so all students can participate meaningfully? Join us as we discuss how to address student struggles with discourse using concrete strategies that utilize a free, authentic data resource from HHMI BioInteractive.

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Holzer, Joseph Evans

Civil Discourse in the Science Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Civil Discourse in Science and Technology
A tips & tricks doc, Environmental Science connected lesson, and some helpful webinars. More coming soon!
Civil Discourse Toolkit for Middle School Teachers
Many free slideshows, resources, forms, lessons, and more that are adaptable to a wide range to set a foundation for ongoing civil discourse in the classroom.
STEM Educator Survey
Sphere wants to hear from you! Our nonprofit is dedicated to helping educators foster civil discourse, and we strive to create resources that meet your needs. Share your thoughts to help shape our support for you.

Show Details

Leverage the framework of civil discourse to bring healthy habits of conversation to your science classroom. Equip yourself with tools and strategies to engage students in civil discourse as they make sense of the world around them in a respectful manner.

TAKEAWAYS:
Empower yourself with tools and resources to support bringing civil discourse to your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Lane, Elyse Alter

Core Practices that Center Justice in Ambitious Teaching

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Core Practices that Center Justice in Ambitious Teaching

Show Details

Teachers developed the Justice-Centered Ambitious Science Teaching framework and practices as part of professional learning communities to be responsive to students' cultures and communities, build upon expansive forms of student meaning-making, and committed to disrupting injustice in society.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about teaching practices aimed at building a welcoming, joyful, and critical community that is meaningful for youth and centers justice, elicits local stories, nurtures revisions of scientific thinking with diverse and local expertise, and uses science to advocate for justice.

SPEAKERS:
April Luehmann, Molly Wilson, Gavin Jenkins, Samantha Stickley, Hannah Cooke, Genna Wilson

Creating a Science Classroom Podcast 101

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B


Show Details

Making a podcast with your students may seem daunting at first--but it's a lot easier to do than you'd think! In this session we'll share what we've learned from an NSF-supported project as well as share a resource we've developed to help make podcast creation super easy for everyone!

TAKEAWAYS:
Session participants will learn strategies and effective ways to engage students in creating podcasts, including a resource that reduces barriers to podcast production with students.

SPEAKERS:
Marshall Escamilla

CRISPR and Cancer

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Instructor Guide_ CRISPR and Cancer .docx
Instructor guide contains student instructions, teacher guide, slides, and printouts.

Show Details

CRISPR and other gene therapies have inherent risks that can lead to the creation of cancerous cells. Participants will be introduced to various experiments and procedures related to the question, “Can we cure genetic diseases?” through modeling.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to explain the mechanisms used in many different gene therapies, specifically how they can increase a patient’s cancer risk with the difference between a treatment and a cure.

SPEAKERS:
Phoebe Gruetter, Casandra Gabriele

CSSS: Rise and Thrive with Science, An Elementary Professional Learning Book Study

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
CSSS Rise and Thrive with Science, An Elementary Professional Learning Book Stu

Show Details

For school, district, and state leaders, as well as professional learning providers, this session highlights the NASEM Board on Science Education practitioner's guide Rise and Thrive with Science: Teaching PK-5 Science and Engineering by providing a fully developed professional learning book study.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be prepared to implement a comprehensive professional learning course that utilizes the NASEM Board on Science Education practitioner's guide Rise and Thrive with Science

SPEAKERS:
Jenn Brown-Whale

Customizing Curriculum: Collaborating to Align OpenSciEd with State Standards

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A


Show Details

Come learn about Tennessee's collaborative effort to use OpenSciEd's high-quality, open-source materials to simultaneously build capacity in educators and build a state-specific version for all TN teachers to use.

TAKEAWAYS:
Customizing high-quality, open-source instructional materials is a great opportunity to build capacity in educators.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Naegele, Vicki Kirk

EC-Students as Science Storytellers

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://padlet.com/gesherclass/students-as-science-storytellers-ad2bmmegpdz8ga4k

Show Details

Communicating your findings is a huge piece of any science investigation or project. Come and see some of the different forms student science storytelling can take in P-2 classes, as well as create some of your own!

TAKEAWAYS:
Ideas and formats for student science storytelling

SPEAKERS:
Annette Venegas, Anne Lowry

Effective Mentoring for New Science Teachers (NARST)

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A


Show Details

Research shows that effective mentoring impacts new teachers’ learning and retention. Attendees will participate in a card-sorting activity. Educators will discuss and generate nuanced approaches to classroom interventions, such as when to step in and when to step back.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the research and best practices for mentoring new teachers. They will have the opportunity to set goals for becoming better mentors for new science teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Maria Rivera Maulucci

Engaging All Learners in K-5 Science with mySci

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: mySci

Discover the mySci program in this hands-on workshop! Explore NGSS-aligned activities, an equity framework, and model lessons to make science accessible and engaging for all K-5 students. Leave with free units and tools to inspire equitable STEM learning in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kaitlyn Cayer, Rachel Ruggirello

Enhance field studies with location, analysis, and story-telling

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Esri

Ready to set up a new outdoor data collection project for your students? This workshop will show you how to use three GIS tools in the ArcGIS school bundle to collect, map, analyze, and report on data collected. The workshop will feature StoryMaps and Survey123 to help support your project-based.

SPEAKERS:
Thomas Baker

Evaluating Classrooms for Sensemaking Using the NSTA Sensemaking Tool

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Evaluating Classrooms for Sensemaking Using the NSTA Sensemaking Tool
Collection of resources
Evaluating Classrooms for Sensemaking Using the NSTA Sensemaking Tool_Philly25.pdf
Presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

The NSTA Sensemaking Tool can support teachers shifting their instruction to create opportunities for student sensemaking. Gain experience using the tool to identify “look and listen fors” in classroom observations and to facilitate productive discussions about successes and overcoming challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Use the NSTA Sensemaking Tool for classroom observations and providing feedback.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Soriano

Fail-Safe Thinking Routines for Science: Strategies for 3D Learning and Sense-Making

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B


Show Details

Join us in hands-on activities where students Observe & Wonder, Predict & Infer, Sort & Categorize, Analyze & Interpret and Conclude & Apply to explore, think critically and make sense of the world. Engage all learners in science through thinking routines that foster sense-making and 3D learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain a toolkit of engaging, classroom-tested science activities, literacy strategies, anchor charts, and assessment tools to support students’ skill development and sense-making, aligned with 3D learning and the NGSS Science & Engineering Practices.

SPEAKERS:
Lionel Sandner, Sandra Mirabelli

From Concrete to Creativity: STEM PBL in Today’s Schools

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://padlet.com/capri9612/nsta-philadelphia-free-pbl-resources-6ecvxzwf9orll38w
STEM PBL_Presentation_NSTA DSEC Fellows Philly 2025.pptx

Show Details

Discover how STEM Project-Based Learning (PBL) transforms urban classrooms into hubs of creativity and innovation. Learn strategies to engage all learners, overcome challenges, and spark curiosity through hands-on, real-world projects tailored for today’s school environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with practical strategies to implement STEM PBL in today’s classrooms, ideas for overcoming resource challenges, examples of engaging projects tied to real-world contexts, and tools to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among all learners.

SPEAKERS:
MICHELLE MING, Mayra Ramos-Molina, Carla Neely

Honey Bees: A Pollination Simulation

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slideshow Link

Show Details

Discover engaging activities that help students identify the importance of honey bees and their role in pollination. Attendees will examine the internal and external structures of a honey bee, simulate its role in pollination, and create a honey bee life cycle model with beeswax modeling clay.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to explain that bees are important to humans because they pollinate crops that produce our food, that a colony of bees is very organized with specific workers for individual jobs, and that honey bees use the nectar they gather from flowers to make honey and beeswax.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Wallin

How K12 Educators Can Leverage DoD STEM Assets to Promote STEM Learning

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_DoDSTEM_Assets.pdf

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

This session showcases how K12 educators can access Department of Defense (DoD) STEM assets and opportunities that foster authentic learning opportunities and connections to STEM career pathways.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about a suite of STEM resources and opportunities - as well as efficient ways to incorporate these in the classroom - that support students toward future careers in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Erika Levrault, Tiffany Jones, Stacey Reed, Eric Moore

How to Launch a Democratic Classroom in Science?

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Philly 2025, Democratic Classroom
How to Launch a Democratic Classroom in Science

Show Details

Learn how to empower students as active participants by involving them in classroom decision-making, shaping expectations, and fostering a collaborative environment aligned with their personal values.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to establish a democratic classroom by engaging students in creating norms through activities like "Chalk Talks." Additional strategies will be shared to get your students to reflect on values, co-create behavior expectations, and build community in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Rose Ventimiglia, Grace Andrews, Christopher Hernandez

How to Leverage AI in Science Teacher Education

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B


Show Details

As teacher educators, we must equip preservice teachers to honor diverse student experiences in science education. To address challenges from differing cultural backgrounds, we've integrated AI tools into our courses to develop culturally responsive NGSS lesson plans. We’ll share these strategies

TAKEAWAYS:
Equip science teacher educators with AI tools, strategies, and insights to help science teacher candidates enhance their lesson planning and assessment development to include a focus on equity, social justice and culturally responsive teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Olayinka Mohorn-Mintah, Logan Caldwell

Illuminating the Invisible: Using SEPs & 3-Dimmensional Instruction to Unravel the Mysteries of Dark Matter & Neutrinos

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Illuminating the Invisible - Using SEPs and 3-Dimmensional Instruction to Unravel the Mysteries of Dark Matter and Neutrinos.pptx

Show Details

How do scientists study phenomena like dark matter and neutrinos, which can’t be directly observed? Learn how to bring this cutting-edge research into your classroom using sensemaking and SEPs, with strategies to help students explore the unseen through observable evidence and inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with practical strategies to help students leverage observable phenomena to make sense of complex, abstract scientific concepts, fostering deeper engagement and understanding through SEPs.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Armstrong

Integrating Science and Engineering through Biomimicry

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

In this hands-on session participants will engage in a biomimicry design challenge. We will examine four different organisms that have evolved strategies for floating and twirling seeds through the air, and use that analysis to complete the ‘Airborn Transport’ design challenge. Design with nature!

TAKEAWAYS:
Biomimicry, or using inspiration from nature to solve problems, is an engaging way to integrate science and engineering. Participants will leave the session with a lesson that integrates biology (structure/function analysis) and engineering design, and ideas about how to integrate robotics and CAD

SPEAKERS:
Debra Bernstein, Geling Xu, William Church, Tyrine Jamella Pangan

Just Our Two ‘Sense’:  Strategies for Engaging All Students in Sensemaking in Diverse Classrooms

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125


Show Details

When students engage in sensemaking using the key elements of NGSS, it helps to push their learning and understanding of the world around them. Experience examples of how to strategically transform your lessons and units to better support student learning in an equitable learning environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience and review student work from strategies that help create equitable learning environments conducive to sensemaking in science. Examples are connected to the four attributes of sensemaking: phenomena, science and engineering practices, student ideas, and science ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Emilie Cross

Kids in Nutrition: Fostering Long-Term Engagement in Food Sustainability

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA KIN Food Sustainability Curriculum

Show Details

Explore the Kids in Nutrition (KIN) program, an NGSS-aligned curriculum that engages middle school students in project-based learning focused on food sustainability and nutrition. Discover how to implement its flexible modules in various educational settings to foster student-led advocacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to implement phenomena-based learning experiences that engage students in exploring nutrition and sustainability issues. This approach positions students as decision-makers, problem-solvers, and advocates within their communities.

SPEAKERS:
Akanksha Pabari, Victor Pereira

Land Acknowledgements as Rigorous Science Learning

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A


Show Details

Land Acknowledgements are an opportunity for students and teachers to undergo a common learning experience to uncover and expand their understanding of their shared place at school. This is an introductory session on Land Acknowledgements and their role in transformative science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be guided in an overview of the research and crafting components of Land Acknowledgements that support equitable science teaching and create rigorous learning experiences for students.

SPEAKERS:
Kirstin Milks, Whitney Aragaki

Learning in Places: Wondering Walks, Wondering Talks, and Should We Questions Support Ethical Decisions through Field-based Science Learning - Part of the COESEE strand

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B


Show Details

Educators will learn about Learning in Places and explore how Learning in Places supports the generation of different types of questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learning in Places envisions science learning as a vehicle to ethical decision making. All children are able to engage in high-quality explorations that center field-based learning and collaborative sensemaking for the purpose of ethical decision making.

SPEAKERS:
Tamara Heck, Mary Starr

Let’s Connect with Phenomena: Using Phenomena to Link Science, Social Studies, and Literacy Instruction

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_2025_Forsythe_ConnectlPhenomena.pdf
I apologize for having to cancel this session at the last minute due to illness. This is the session PPT I would have used. Please feel free to email if you'd like more support in this area.

Show Details

Looking to help your elementary students connect and apply what they learn across content areas? Come learn how to use phenomena to launch interdisciplinary learning journeys. We’ll explore practical ways to integrate science, social studies, and literacy using anchoring and everyday phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be equipped to improve how they engage students with phenomena and will be able to amplify interdisciplinary connections in their own curricula through improved lesson activities and assessments that support science, social studies, and literacy learning for all students.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Forsythe

Make Practice Fun with Positive Physics, Chemistry, Biology & More!

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Positive Physics, Chemistry, Biology and more!

Positive Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physical Science, Environmental Science & Engineering (positivephysics.org) is the award-winning online question and lesson bank that students actually like! Learn how to implement it in your classroom, get strategies for making learning accessible and fun for all students, and receive FREE subscriptions for your school/district for the rest of the year! Key features include: Immediate feedback, randomization, a student-friendly environment, integration with Google Classroom, Canvas, and Schoology, AI Tutor availability, and NGSS & AP alignment.

SPEAKERS:
Jack Replinger

Making Real-World Connections to Engineering and Safety Science Via Future City and UL Xplorlabs

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B


Show Details

This interactive workshop will focus on how to use the DiscoverE Future City Program and Xplorlabs resources by UL Research Institutes to engage students in safety science principles through data, case studies and the Engineering Design Process so they can design cities of the future.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will come away with an introduction to the Future City program and Xplorlabs’ free resources; as well as strategies for how to use these programs to lead engaging, real-world phenomena around safety science and engineering.

SPEAKERS:
TRAVIS KOUPAL

Making Student Sensemaking Visible through Notebooking

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12oeey0oqt8iKQg14ZG9W3ly89KhZF34ihhUWD5c6fI8/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DrgI84XfKjjcFxwj-H6q1VjC4ErEWkp2hgbC_BLCNbQ/edit?usp=sharing

Show Details

Notebooks are the perfect way for students and teachers to track their learning and to making thinking visible. We will share some of the ways we have successfully utilized notebooks at the elementary level.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in notebooking strategies which make student thinking and sensemaking visible.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Quelle, Kim Lewis, Nicole Bay

Meet the Committee - NSTA's Informal Science Education Division

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Meet the ISE Committee_NSTA Philly 2025.pdf

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

We invite educators from both formal and informal science learning environments to come and engage with the Informal Science committee. Learn how the committee can support you, and connect with professionals from museums, zoos, aquaria, out-of-school-time programs, and more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Meet the Informal Science Committee and find out how to connect with them in their work to support informal educators, expand the role of informal learning institutions, and strengthen the bonds between formal and informal science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Eisla, Rosie Arnold, Lindsay Milner, Karen Hays

Middle School Share-a-thon hosted by National STEM Scholar Program

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A


Show Details

Explore how to implement real-world projects in the middle school classroom from a group of middle school teachers from around the US. We will share ideas, lesson plans, hand-outs and more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover new ideas and ways to use real-life projects in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Amelia Slowik, Eliza Vela, Bridget McDonald, Kerrie McDaniel, Heather Febres, Sarah Nelson Wiese, Angela Kopp, Samantha Poll, Katie Duff

Nature As a Universal Language: Building Environmental Literacy Across Disciplines

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116


Show Details

Nature can be a powerful tool to build core competencies and encourage students to embrace diversity. Learn how to integrate environmental stewardship across disciplines using free WWF Wild Classroom resources, developing kids' appreciation of nature and understanding their role in protecting it.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through practical strategies and examples, participants will gain insights on how to integrate environmental concepts such as climate change and biodiversity into their curriculum using an SEL and action-focused approach, building a deeper understanding and sense of responsibility for our planet.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Ampuero, Katy Fenn

NGSS-Aligned Summative Classroom Assessments of Three-Dimensional Learning

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NGSS Summative Assessments_NSTA_Philadelphia_2025.pdf

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

What’s in a good assessment? Learn what to look for (or include) in an effective assessment that tracks students’ 3D learning related to middle school PEs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn about key features for summative, benchmark 3D assessments designed to be used in any NGSS-aligned middle school classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Maia Binding

Picture Perfect Student Atomic Mental Models

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


Show Details

Want to help students navigate to clearer understanding of atomic nature? Learn how to help students picture the invisible through the union of animation and student drawing, progressively build students' understanding of key chemistry concepts chemical change, physical change, atoms and molecules.

TAKEAWAYS:
Based on chemical education research and the union of open access animations, teachers can use student drawings to guide students to deeper understanding of atomic matter and chemistry.

SPEAKERS:
Cara Hale-Hanes

Planting a Garden in an Indoor Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Indoor Gardening.pptx

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Create a successful indoor garden using basic materials, and on a budget

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will give teachers dozens of ideas of how and what to plant indoors when you lack outdoor space

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Kurson

RAYN's latest Horticultural Learning System

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: RAYN Growing Systems

EdRack is the latest in horticultural ed systems designed to bridge all STEM categories through interactive labs. This hydroponic growing system brings industry standard cultivation methods to the classroom. We built in NGSS alignment to ensure compatibility with your educational requirements.

SPEAKERS:
Bryce Corning

SCST Presents Speed Sharing 2: Optimizing College Science Instruction in all Modalities.

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

This SCST speed sharing session features college science teaching techniques for face-to-face, hybrid, online, and informal classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will encounter best practices for optimizing instruction in all modalities of college science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Clary, Roy Kaelin, Heide Hlawaty, Ian Moncrief

STEM Teacher Leadership: Innovative Peer Professional Development Experiences

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Educators share lessons that they designed and implemented through a peer-to-peer leadership model where they developed skills to enhance sensemaking with data-rich STEM lessons and found a renewed sense of enthusiasm for teaching through a teacher driven community and leadership.

TAKEAWAYS:
The primary takeaway from this session is the value of peer profession learning opportunities where educators support one another and make each other better for their students. Attendees of this session will gain lesson plans to be adapted for their classroom and recognize leadership opportunities.

SPEAKERS:
Patty Mannion, Kelly Perry, Olivia Bello, Catherine Bennett, Stephen Bowen

Supporting Students and Sensemaking in Watershed Education with Free Online STEM and Geospatial Tools

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A


Show Details

Explore the WikiWatershed Toolkit, a free suite of online tools that enhance 3-D learning and sensemaking through place-based watershed investigations, geospatial analysis and modeling, and interactive resources. Learn how these tools improve science practices and support student research projects.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand how to use the free resources and online applications from the WikiWatershed Toolkit to support learning and sensemaking in their middle and high school classrooms, including a stream study simulation, an animated site storm model, and a GIS watershed-modeling app.

SPEAKERS:
David Kline

Synergizing Science and Literacy: Innovative Strategies for Elementary Educators

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Link to resources and presentation
NSTA Synergizing Science - March 2025.pdf

Show Details

With your plate so full, when do you have time to do science? Join us for an engaging workshop designed to provide elementary educators with innovative strategies for integrating science and ELA in the classroom, that can also be incorporated into other content areas and support English learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with engaging and practical strategies and activities that can be used within classrooms to bridge science with literacy, ideas on how to bring literacy into science, and science into ELA.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Corso, Kelli Conner

Toward a Sustainable STEM Teacher Workforce: Examining Pre-service Teachers’ Perspectives on K12 Science Experiences.

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


Show Details

What do students take away from science classes? This interactive session unpacks how classroom experiences influence the choice of education majors. Participants will examine data, discuss innovative instructional approaches, and leave with practical tips and techniques to enhance science students.

TAKEAWAYS:
The immersive and interactive process would allow participants to examine their current instructional practices, actively engage in data analysis, explore ambitious science protocols, and gain practical tools to support utilizing the approach in classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Dana Morris, Krystle Moos, Justina Ogodo

Transform vocabulary instruction in 4 easy steps

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Student-generated interactive word walls resemble graphic organizers or data tables. They highlight connections between concepts and artifacts from inquiry-based science activities and connect scientific concepts with academic vocabulary.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will discover how to transform traditional static word walls into powerful teaching tools that support academic language development.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Jackson

Transforming the Classroom with Transdisciplinary Education

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

This session will provide a conceptual framework for transdisciplinary education and share a template for designing project-based learning tasks to achieve convergence education. It will discuss how universal transformative social and emotional learning routines can be inherently embedded in this.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how students can assume a role to create a product for an authentic audience, in response to a real-life question or problem and how transdisciplinary, project-based learning like this can also address students' social and emotional development, universally.

SPEAKERS:
Stefanie Holloway

Ways to Structure Student Discussions to Increase Participation and Collaborative Sense-Making

Saturday, March 29 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124


Show Details

A hallmark of collaborative sense-making is productive discussion. This session will explore strategies for fostering productive small group and whole class discussions inside the classroom. Participants will also receive samples of high-quality instructional materials to use with the strategies.

TAKEAWAYS:
The establishment of routines and norms and the use of meaningful tasks are critical for increasing productive participation in small group and whole class discussions.

SPEAKERS:
Victor Sampson

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Saturday, March 29 • 10:50 AM - 11:20 AM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

“Why do we have to know this?” Sustainability as a Context for Earth Science Concepts

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 116


Show Details

Teachers will use lessons connecting earth science content, like soil properties and map interpretation, to sustainability issues. The session will also use geoheritage (i.e. recognizing the historic and cultural value of geologic features), to enable meaningful cross-curricular connections.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain experience with and access to free resources that use the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and geoheritage as contexts for teaching. Concrete examples of how teachers have incorporated the SDGs into their classrooms and community-based student projects will be given.

SPEAKERS:
Sequoyah McGee, Lauren Brase, Ed Robeck, Lindsay Mossa, Maliya Malik

3D Science Education for a Sustainable World

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B


Show Details

Empower students to address ecological issues with experiential activities focused on three-dimensional learning. Engage in simulations, modeling and interpreting data on natural resource use, population ecology, food and agriculture, and more. Receive lessons aligned to NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn ways to guide students’ inquiry around key environmental challenges, using hands-on simulations and modeling activities that employ 3D learning in an inclusive classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Sharonda Eggleton-McNeil

A Hands-on Approach to Effectively Teaching Health Science

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II


Show Details

In this workshop, attendees will build replicas of human anatomy using clay and a specially designed skeletal model in a classroom setting. Educators will learn how to implement a unique curriculum system which helps students create a kinesthetic map of the human anatomy. Come build with us!

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore a hands-on method to studying and teaching anatomy while collaborating with fellow teachers, benefiting from a supportive community of educators passionate about Health Sciences.

SPEAKERS:
Chuck Roney

A Research-Based Interactive Curriculum to STEP UP Women's participation in Physics

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


Show Details

This interactive workshop allows teachers of physics to put on “student hats” to learn about the STEP UP Careers in Physics and Women in Physics lessons. These data driven lessons tackle issues of gender disparity, connect students to profiles of physicists working in the field, and provide concrete

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers of physics will leave this workshop with concrete implementation tips for STEP UP’s two evidence based lessons, access to the digital lessons and instructional materials via the website, and information about the robust STEP UP teacher network.

SPEAKERS:
Sabrina Whitaker, Ghada Nehmeh

Adapting for All: Strategies to Modify Science Curriculum for Diverse Learners

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Presentation
Tiers of Support Analyzing and Interpreting Data.pdf
Tiers of Support- Planning and Carrying Out Investigations.pdf
Tiers of Support-Constructing Explanations.pdf

Show Details

Explore how teachers are leveraging AI to adapt science curriculum for diverse learners. Showcase examples of how AI-driven tools are being used to tailor curriculum materials, ensuring that all students can engage meaningfully with science content, regardless of learning styles or background.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn strategies to modify lessons, assessments, and activities to better support students with varying needs, including ELL, students with disabilities, and those who require enrichment.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Baldwin, Heather Toothaker

Beams & Bridges - From Load-Deflection to Stress-Strain Curves

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 A


Show Details

A hands-on beam lab produces graphs critical to understanding properties for engineering. With focus on making, interpreting, and teaching the graphs. Real-world uses and applications of stress-strain curves in engineering will be shared and help to illustrate the importance of this type of graph.

TAKEAWAYS:
Real-world uses and applications of stress-strain curves in engineering will be shared and help to illustrate the importance of these graphs.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Spohler

Bioengineering

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Bioengineering NSTA 25.pptx

Show Details

Be a bioengineer! Preview a free middle school curriculum module that merges engineering design with life science standards.  Students learn about sensory and motor systems through multimedia and kinesthetic activities, and complete a scaffolded challenge to design, test, and improve prosthetic hands.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to access and use a free 3-5 day curriculum module that integrates NGSS middle school standards in life science and engineering design, enabling students to describe how the nervous system responds to stimuli through motor and sensory neurons, and design a solution to a bioengineering problem.

SPEAKERS:
Jen Taylor

Bivalves, gastropods, and more: A 5E elementary investigation of Miocene fossils

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Resources including Google files
Use the Padlet to download the lesson plan and all handouts you would need to teach this lesson with students!

Show Details

An NGSS-aligned 5E investigation that will teach intermediate elementary educators how to identify and use fossils of the Chesapeake Group to look for patterns and analyze and interpret data to understand a paleoenvironment. The first 30 participants will receive free classroom fossil kits.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore marine fossil samples from the Chesapeake Group in a hands-on investigation to understand past life and past environment in this region. Teachers will receive materials to use with intermediate elementary students.

SPEAKERS:
Kayce Wills, Laura Schneider

Boosting Gender Equity in Science Education with Science Lunch & Learns

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 A


Show Details

Gender disparities in STEM persist despite progress. This session explores Science Lunch & Learns—30-minute sessions where professionals share their career journeys with students. Dive into research around gender equity in science education while gaining insights on how to launch your own program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students are more likely to pursue science courses and careers when they hear from guest speakers who reflect their own backgrounds and experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Wack

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Bringing Research Methods to Your Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B


Show Details

Teachers often refer to THE scientific method, but actual scientists use several different methods in their practice. Why not represent science this way at a younger age? Teaching science thinking using a multi-dimensional approach gives students a more holistic view of the discipline of science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using different science methods in class will expand students’ view of science as a discipline, and the variety maintains student interest. Hear ideas to incorporate additional methods into lessons. Other possible science methods include mathematical modeling, observational studies, and statistics.

SPEAKERS:
Rama Sreekantham

Building Capacity (Not Planes) for change through Collaborative Partnerships

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Join NJ leaders in a lively panel discussion of our systematic journey of finding power in partnerships, PD planning, and patience. During the session panelist will share innovative yet scalable programs that can help districts build systemic thinking and leadership capacity for 3D change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in meaningful conversations with panelists that support high-level collaborative implementation of equitable and effective 3D science instruction. Leaders will examine scalable models as exemplars for professional learning plans.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Monaghan, Stacey Van der Veen, Wil Van der Veen, Richard Stec, Lisa Kiel

Building the Nation’s STEM Workforce: Resources to Incorporate Student Research and Biotechnology into the Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Biotechnology, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Student Research programs are increasingly implemented into high school and postsecondary education. Let’s explore resources for funding and programming, share challenges and success stories, and discuss opportunities for collaboration.

TAKEAWAYS:
You are not alone! Join a community of dedicated educators and administrators to uplift the STEM workforce through hands-on, inquiry-based research opportunities and skills-based classroom experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Girtain, Sarah Bordenstein

Collaborating with Engineering and Multilingual Learners in Mind

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B


Show Details

We will share how an educator with a background in engineering collaborated with an expert in supporting Multilingual Learners to adapt and develop engineering activities that amplify opportunities for sensemaking in engineering learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants engage in a hands-on engineering activity that optimizes opportunities for language learning and sensemaking through its inherent multimodal nature. They experience how engineering is a powerful tool that surfaces students' assets and connects to their community and lived experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Nico Janik, Tanya Warren

Creating a Culture of Community in the Classroom: Celebrating Individuality and Cultivating Equity

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123


Show Details

In this dynamic workshop, participants will explore elements of “community” that can support all learners. Come learn effective strategies that help create a safe and trusting environment in the classroom for students to take creative and intellectual risks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore social structures that build community and belonging in the classroom. By fostering student agency, this approach centers student ideas and creates an empowering environment where all students feel confident sharing their thoughts and engaging actively.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Leana Peltier

Cross Curricular Project Based Learning for Sensemaking and Computational Thinking

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A


Show Details

All students deserve the opportunity to explore science concepts and engage in inquiry at a high level regardless of their background or prior experiences. This workshop will explore how educators can make science inquiry accessible and engaging through project based learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will use a modular approach to start building a lesson plan for their community of learners. Participants will leave with a road map to plan their project using student choice, community relevance and different ways that students can demonstrate their learning.

SPEAKERS:
Leilani O'Dell

Energizing Education: Teaching Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Through Sense-Making Activities

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Energizing Education: Sensemaking

Show Details

This interactive workshop will walk teachers through a student sense-making activity and learning opportunity related to renewable and nonrenewable resources and human impact on natural environments in relation to these energy and fuel sources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with a complete 3-dimensional lesson plan in which all students will engage with a sense-making opportunity and collaborate to obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about energy sources, and begin to design solutions to limit negative human impacts on the environment.

SPEAKERS:
Libbie Haller

Engage, Discuss, Discover: Elevating Science Vocabulary Learning Through Structured Conversations

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B


Show Details

This session empowers middle school teachers to elevate student understanding of science vocabulary through structured conversations. Using structured visuals, students will practice academic language in context. Experience a simulation and leave with actionable strategies for your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to effectively implement structured conversations and visuals to enhance student engagement with science vocabulary, enabling students to use academic language in context and deepen their understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Gibson

Engineering for Environmental Literacy in K-5

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C


Show Details

Participants will explore elementary engineering activities that also support students’ engagement in environmental literacy. In this hands-on workshop, educators will explore STEELS-aligned engineering design challenges that connect with environmental literacy such as designing a hand pollinator.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to use engineering to support STEM instruction that synthesizes the three dimensions of the STEELS curriculum framework in developmentally appropriate, scaffolded ways.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Bateman, Stephanie Klixbull

Espresso Yourself: Integrating STEM-PBL in Your Classroom Café

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117


Show Details

Interested in innovative ways to bring STEM to life in your classroom? Explore our STEM project-based learning framework by designing recipes for making coffee, marketing, and financial planning. NGSS crosscutting concepts, such as patterns and cause and effect, are incorporated throughout.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will brainstorm ways to integrate the three main topics of marketing, financial planning, and recipe development into their classroom within a café-themed experience. Our participants will explore engaging and hands-on STEM activities that can be adapted across other school programs.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Kipp, Nipah Onkananuwonk

From Rural Preservice Science Teachers to Global Citizen Scientists: Envisioning Sustainable Science Education Practices

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A


Show Details

The dissemination of study results in this session addresses the critical need to provide rural preservice teachers with opportunities to engage in Global Citizen Science (GCS) projects that permeate beyond geographic isolation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain a better understanding of incorporating Global Citizen Science projects into their teaching practices along with an overview of strategies for overcoming the challenges of geographic isolation in rural settings.

SPEAKERS:
Ricardo Lumbreras, Gwinn North

Get Your Students Outside to Learn Science!

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 1:10 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 B


Show Details

How can science learning experiences help students develop ecological caring approaches to the living world? Come explore educational approaches to multispecies justice with us! Expanding how students connect to and care for the living world around them is vital at this time of climate crisis.

TAKEAWAYS:
People’s relationships to nature are culturally and historically rooted and are embedded in approaches to science teaching and learning. Science can be used to guide ecological caring responses and support the thriving of people and ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell, Nancy Price, Kelsie Fowler

Hands-on Solar System Modeling you will Remember using Fractions, Proportions, & Decimals

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A


Show Details

This workshop highlights 10 unique and unusual science-based examples of solar system modeling for students that use simple materials and all activities stress use of decimals, fractions, and proportions in a scalable, adaptable, and fun exploration of the planets, distance, time, density, and scale

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will participate. in memorable and effective hands-on solar system scale activities that personalize both the experience and the information while encouraging confidence and understanding through fun, sometimes funny models.

SPEAKERS:
Martin Horejsi

Heliophysics as a Pathway to Robust STEM Knowledge Building

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B


Show Details

Do you teach about the Sun and its effect on Earth? NASA created a heliophysics division 20 years ago to study the Sun-Earth relationship . Now NASA science educators have created a Framework for Heliophysics Education connected to NGSS so you can bring this exciting content to your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
We exist because of our Sun, but it’s not in the dictionary and gets only limited attention in the NGSS. You can change this by bringing the powerful knowledge NASA has developed through its missions to your students bringing physics and Earth science alive!

SPEAKERS:
Hilarie Davis

Here We Grow: Gardening with K-5 Students

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slideshow

Show Details

Get your hands dirty as you explore engaging activities that integrate gardening themes into the science curriculum. Participants will germinate seeds in a glove, make egghead plant starters, create a pumpkin life cycle model, texture soil, and observe a classroom vermicomposting system.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to explain that plants are important resources in our lives, every plant has a life cycle, seeds need warmth, air, and moisture to germinate, plants need water, light, nutrients, and air to grow, and the mineral component of soil is composed of sand, silt, or clay particles.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Wallin

How High-Quality Science Programs Can Improve Reading, Math, and Science Scores

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
HQIM + HQPL.pdf
Smithsonian Science for North and South Carolina Classrooms

Show Details

Struggling to make the case for spending time on science in elementary school? A new study shows that high-quality science instructional materials and high-quality professional learning can improve reading, math, and science scores. Experience the strategies to implement in your school or district!

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover the characteristics to look for in HQIM and HQPL that can lead to improved student achievement in science, math, and reading.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Short, Katherine Fancher, Katie Gainsback

How to Scale Phenomena-Based Instruction Without Inciting a Teacher Revolt

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

There is no shortage of phenomena-based curricular materials. The difficulty districts face is implementation at scale with dwindling PD dollars. We will discuss the research on scaling high-impact teaching and learn how to put low-cost systems into practice without undue burden on teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the 4 categories of instructional change, which are and are not effective, and how to set up low-cost systems for diffusing evidence-based instructional practices across a teaching network, such as a school district.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Moore

Ideas for Anchoring Phenomena in the Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 304/VIP



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Ideas for anchoring phenomena in the classroom.pptx
Slide Deck for presentation, including links and QR codes that connect to online resources

Show Details

Designing effective anchoring phenomena is challenging. This interactive session will engage participants in a variety of anchoring phenomena examples appropriate for multiple content areas and grade levels. If you are wanting new ideas and something to take home to use immediately, this is the place for you!

TAKEAWAYS:
Examples of anchoring phenomena in a format that is engaging to participants and relevant to any STEM classroom to maintain student interest.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Bindis, Flavio Mendez

Identifying Priority Standards to Drive Common Assessments

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Identifying Priority Standards NSTA NEW.pptx

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Participants will learn how to identify priority and supporting standards. This session will illustrate the utilization of priority standards in assessment writing; intentionally aligning standards, instruction and assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants at this conference will explore the importance of identifying priority standards and how to align them intentionally with instruction to enhance student achievement. The workshop will focus on building a foundation for common assessments to improve learning outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn DiAndrea, Dr. Kristen Cummings

Innovating STEAM Literacy with Smithsonian Readers

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Secondary STEAM Readers
Secondary Smithsonian STEAM Readers session from Teacher Created Materials

Show Details

Explore how the engineering design process helps students solve real-world problems across life, physical, and earth/space disciplines. Gain strategies to foster creativity, build content-area literacy, and enhance 21st-century skills through hands-on STEAM challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Implement hands-on STEAM challenges that guide students through the engineering design process. Strengthen literacy and STEAM skills while developing communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Support diverse learners with digital and print resources

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Kara Ball

Iterative Design to Engage All (IDEA) Learners: A model for integrating emerging science into instruction

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


Show Details

Receive three teacher-designed and teacher-tested, standards-aligned lessons featuring research on the health effects of “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS). Explore how the lessons incorporate data literacy, inclusive strategies, and career connections.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about lessons featuring “forever chemicals” (PFAS) developed in a research-practice project. Preliminary data suggest that the lessons positively impacted students' data skills, awareness of biomedical research careers, and knowledge of an emerging environmental issue.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Chesnut

Lead with Phenomena and Content Integration will Follow

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Lawrence Hall of Science IPT (Improving Practice Together) Argumentation Resourc
The How People Learn Session has the ice cubes lesson write up and slides.
Session Materials

Show Details

How can K-5 teachers directly address and utilize ELA and Math while students are deeply immersed in science learning? Join us to explore how phenomena-based teaching and learning authentically lends itself to content integration and take away tools to integrate subject areas in your own context.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain ideas about how ELA, math and science play a mutually supportive role in figuring out scientific phenomena, and will take away a three-step process to be able to apply these ideas to their own context.

SPEAKERS:
Diana Velez, Claudio Vargas

Learning K-12 Science with AI

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Common Myths and Truths About AI
Learning (K-12 Science) With AI

Show Details

Discover AI's potential as a teaching partner in this hands-on workshop for K-12 science educators. In one hour, learn to leverage AI tools to enhance science education, boost student engagement, and streamline your teaching. Gain practical skills to transform your classroom with AI.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will recognize ways in which partnering with AI in their science classes will enhance student engagement and streamline teacher workflow. They'll leave with practical strategies to use AI as a powerful assistant in lesson planning, personalized learning, and data analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Joan Monahan Watson

Learning with and Deepening Discussion of Representations in Children’s Read-Alouds

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B


Show Details

Children in K-5 classrooms deserve opportunities to scientifically make sense of their world. They come to learning with rich ideas about how the world works and each of these ideas provides an entry point for children’s sensemaking through literacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Children’s meaning making in elementary science can be enhanced by engagement with high-quality literacy. We have identified dozens of high quality read aloud books that align to the science standards. We will share these resources and learn with some of them.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Starr

Let’s Get STEM-ulated! Crafting Learning Experiences with 5E and Generative AI tools.

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B


Show Details

Designing STEM learning experiences can be challenging. Discover how the 5E model and Generative AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT help create engaging STEM learning experiences. Gain firsthand practice with prompt engineering to develop impactful and interactive STEM activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand how the 5E model, combined with prompt engineering and Generative AI, can be used to design STEM learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Carlos Perez

Modeling in Chemistry: Atoms and Small Molecules, Understanding Molecular Structure and Function

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125


Show Details

Chemical formulas, 2-D pictures, and 3-D models illustrate various characteristics of atoms and small molecules, but they cannot depict actual structures. Some models are good, others poor; it is important for students to know an atom’s and a molecule’s structure to understand its properties.

TAKEAWAYS:
Electrons in the outer shell of an atom relate to the binding of atoms thus forming molecules of specific structure, and ultimately, function. Bonds between atoms are not fixed, molecules are not rigid structures. Models assist students’ understanding of molecular bonds.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Cunningham

Nonfiction Stories As A Tool for Teaching Impactful Climate Education

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 B


Show Details

This presentation session will explore the pathways to increase climate literacy and support educators with integrating climate education topics into their classroom. Digging deeper, we will look at how nonfiction books are a bridge to strengthen literacy skills and teach climate change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Nonfiction books are useful tools that can teach literacy skills through climate topics that allow students to develop agency, a sense of hope, and mitigate climate change through finding climate solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Rochelle Strauss, Dennis Nolasco

Observing High-Quality Science Instruction: A Framework for Effective Walkthroughs

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides for Observing High-Quality Science Instruction

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Explore how science leaders can collaborate with school administrators to identify and evaluate high-quality science instruction through a structured walkthrough process using a modified “Science Practices Continuum” walkthrough tool from Instructional Leadership for Science Practices (ILSP).

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with resources to support science classroom walkthroughs and provide specific feedback to teachers to help move future instruction further along the Science Practices Continuum.

SPEAKERS:
Jaclyn Austin, Jessica Mulhern

Reaching Further – Outstanding Science Trade Books (OSTB) that Represent More of Us

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
FINAL_NSTA_Seeing ourselves_presentation 3-27-25 (1).pptx
OSTB Task Cards.pdf
Unplugged activities for some OSTBs

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Come explore selected science trade books from the past 3 years of OSTB winners that went beyond excellence - those that explicitly represent a diversity of stories, characters, authors, and illustrators. You will consider connections and application of these books for your own classroom context.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about selected OSTB winning books that represent a diversity of stories, characters, authors, and illustrators. They will consider cross-curricular connections and application of these trade books for their own classroom contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Brady, Julie Geary, Ana Houseal

Revitalize Your Rubrics: Streamline Grading and Elevate Feedback

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://reimaginedschools.com/nsta-conference-presentations/
Tons of resources: a copy of the presentation, blog posts, and more!

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

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

RTI in Science and Tracking Student Data

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 104 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
RTI in Science

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Learn how to identify, document, and address student learning deficiencies and implementing RTI in the Science Classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn concrete ways to identify students who need RTI, creating spreadsheets to track student data, and developing a intervention plan to address student needs.

SPEAKERS:
Kyla Glasser

Schoology Hacks

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Simplify and streamline your workday with Schoology! Strategies used by a regular classroom teacher will be shared to aid in PLC collaboration, assignment and assessment differentiation, and transparent communication with parents.

TAKEAWAYS:
Strategies will promote streamlining assignments, ensuring inclusion of all students, simplifying PLC practices, and sharing course information with parents. Necessary set-ups will be shared so that attendees can immediately incorporate them into their own in-person or digital classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Starks

Science Meets Code: Empower Investigations with Micro:bit Projects

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
CS_Presentation_NSTA DSEC Fellows Philly 2025.pdf

Show Details

Ignite curiosity and energize your classroom in this hands-on workshop. Explore real-world projects that combine coding and scientific data collection using the Micro:bit’s powerful sensors. Dive into activities like sound pollution mapping, earthquake detection, and environmental monitoring!

TAKEAWAYS:
Bring science to life with the affordable Micro:bit, a seamless data collection tool that boosts student confidence and understanding. Perfect for all ages and skill levels, this session equips you with ideas to transform your classroom into a hub of exploration and discovery.

SPEAKERS:
Allison Bogart, Theresa Goltermann

SCST Presents Speed Sharing 3: Optimizing Instruction and Assessment in College Science

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

This SCST speed sharing session will focus on practices and assessments trending in college science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn practical applications of trending science topics.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Clary, Takunda Maisva, Ian Moncrief

STEM in Real-Life

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124


Show Details

This presentation will explore effective strategies for weaving STEM concepts into lesson plans that align with curriculum requirements. We will also highlight case studies showcasing successful STEM initiatives that meet state benchmarks.

TAKEAWAYS:
By the end of the session, educators will leave equipped with practical tools and resources to foster a dynamic learning environment that empowers students to tackle real-world issues through the lens of STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Kari Walters

STEP UP’s Everyday Actions Guide as a Tool for Teacher Reflection

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B


Show Details

The Everyday Actions Guide is a pedagogy handbook and the foundation of a new professional learning series around inclusive practice in physics. We invite teachers with all levels of experience to come and learn more about the active steps to take to improve the field of physics for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Building on teacher reflection and including student voices, the Everyday Actions Guide is a free tool for science teachers and of all levels of experience to make positive change in their classrooms. Learn about some of these steps and how to use this tool.

SPEAKERS:
Pooneh Sabouri

Supporting Instructional Coaching Cycles with NSTA Coaching Tools

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Supporting Instructional Coaching Cycles with NSTA Coaching Tools
Collection of resources
Supporting Instructional Coaching Cycles with NSTA Coaching Tools_Philly25.pdf
Presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

NSTA’s suite of instructional coaching tools support teachers, coaches and leaders in making the best use of instructional coaching cycles to support students’ sensemaking in the classroom. Become familiar with all of our OER coaching tools and try a few out a few in this session!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use NSTA’s suite of instructional coaching tools to support instructional coaching cycles in your school/district.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Soriano

Supporting Sensemaking by Building Insights Through Observation (BIO) – An Interdisciplinary Model for Teaching with Data Visualizations in Middle School Science

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A


Show Details

Explore an innovative model to help middle school students make sense of Earth and Environmental Science phenomena through data visualization! Attendees will participate in a program that uses arts-based approaches to support sensemaking and data skills and get access to classroom-ready resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will experience a new model for exploring and making sense of geospatial data using arts-based instructional approaches for learning Earth and Environmental Science, learn how this approach supports teachers and students in improving data literacy, and leave with classroom-ready resources.

SPEAKERS:
David Curry, Mark Goldner, Jessica Sickler, Amy Busey, Kathryn Semmens

Teaching Astronomy Through Storytelling (NARST)

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025 astronomy stories for sharing.pdf
Recommendations for Children's Astronomy Storybooks.xlsx
Storybook writing guideline and rubric.docx

Show Details

Stories provide a window into preservice elementary teachers’ anti-deficit perspectives on astronomy and how it is practiced. Attendees will critique published astronomy storybooks. Then small groups will write and share an outline of a story using criteria from the resource that will be provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Children’s storybooks contain implicit biases about who does astronomy, what counts as astronomy, and how place shapes astronomy. Attendees will learn to critique representation (e.g., racial and gender diversity), identify astronomy practices, and teach astronomy using stories.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Ragonese, Julia Plummer

The future of the NSTA/ASTE partnership, current research, and the state of the world.

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 203 A


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

ASTE and NSTA have had a multi-year partnership. In the current climate of radical change, we want to solicit ideas, propose actions, and craft policy guidelines on what this partnership will look like tomorrow and into the future.

TAKEAWAYS:
What ASTE and NSTA, combined can do to support science teachers and science teacher educators.

SPEAKERS:
Jonah Firestone

Trade the CER for GRC and see Greater Learning Success

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
GRC Presentation
Here is access to all the materials and the slides for my presentation.

Show Details

Science teachers have been implementing the CER in their instruction with varied results, but what if there were a better alternative? This session will model how the Gather Reason and Communicate model can lead to greater and more authentic learning outcomes for students in the NGSS classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators should leave this session with lesson plans that are ready to implement, and a tool kit to allow them to convert their existing CER practices into an approach that is more student-friendly, rigorous, and can help strengthen sense-making in the NGSS classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Jones

Unlocking Teacher Agency: Customizing OpenSciEd Strategies for Your Unique Classroom

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slides and Resources

Show Details

Experience a live simulation of key OpenSciEd strategies— the Driving Question Board, collaborative experiment design, and Scientist Circles—through a lens of increasing teacher agency. Walk away with practical strategies to adapt science instruction for your unique students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Empowering teachers to customize curriculum leads to better student engagement in sensemaking. Participants will experience hands-on examples of how to adapt the Driving Question Board, experiment design, and discussions to make science accessible to their students.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Fitzgerald, Kristy Lathrop

Using Breathwork and Yoga Techniques for Teacher Self-care and Resiliency

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Using breathwork and yoga techniques for teacher self-care and resiliency

Show Details

Managing stress is a key to resiliency. This session will present breathwork and yoga techniques that can be done in any amount of time available to the teacher. Techniques learned can also be used with a classroom of students of any age to assist students in managing their own stress.

TAKEAWAYS:
Take away new breathwork and yoga techniques suitable for the classroom environment to reduce the teacher stress (and student stress if you wish to do along with class).

SPEAKERS:
Robert Snyder

Using Productive Uncertainty to Support Meaningful Science Practice

Saturday, March 29 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_2025_Productive Uncertainty.pptx
Session slides

Show Details

Uncertainty is central to science activity but often minimized in children's experience with investigations. In this workshop, we will present a framework for eliciting, recognizing, and working with uncertainty in science investigations and share tools that can support this work.

TAKEAWAYS:
Uncertainty can be incorporated in science investigations in ways that are productive for children - that produce joy, engagement with each other's ideas, and conceptual progress - while still being manageable for teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Annabel Stoler, Griselda George, Diana Garity, Eve Manz

"Leaf Your Worries Behind: Nature Journaling for Teacher and Student Wellness!"

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/file/d/1H0FVgxHxOsz8D49Zo2QvTj5knxipZeaJ/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=mspresentation

Show Details

Learn the benefits of nature journaling and outdoor experiences for teachers and students. Discover how reconnecting with nature can reduce burnout, enhance creativity, and boost engagement. Create your own nature journal while practicing drawing and observational skills to enrich your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
The key takeaway is that nature journaling can help reduce teacher burnout while enhancing creativity and student engagement through outdoor experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Bridget Burke

AI-Enhanced Learning: Cultivating Future-Ready Problem Solvers

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
AI-Enhanced Microlearning_ _jSchneider _PASTfoundation _Philly'25.pdf
Full slide presentation with links & email address.

Show Details

AI-powered personalization & microlearning can transform your classroom & problem-solving skills. Leveraging AI for adaptive, bite-sized learning experiences cultivates lifelong learners for an evolving workforce. Discover strategies to enhance student agency, critical thinking, & learning agility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to: apply Design Thinking for inclusive, culturally relevant content; utilize AI for personalized learning; create AI-enhanced microlearning for mastery; engage in Problem-Based Learning; and foster student agency and self-paced learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jeff Schneider

Assessing 3D Learning using the NSTA Student Work Analysis Protocol

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 201 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Assessing 3D Learning Using the NSTA Student Work Analysis Protocol
Collection of resources
Assessing 3D Learning Using the NSTA Student Work Analysis Protocol_Philly25.pdf
Presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Learn how to use the NSTA Student Work Analysis tool and protocol to evaluate students’ three-dimensional learning. We’ll focus our discussions on what counts as evidence of students’ ownership of targeted elements of the three dimensions and how to use collected student data to inform instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to evaluate students’ three-dimensional learning using the NSTA Student Work Analysis tool and protocol.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Soriano

Bacteriophage Hunt: a proven program where high school students sample, predict & isolate viruses that infect bacteria.

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 109 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Folder with all files

Show Details

High School level bacteriophage hunting! Inspiring the next generation of scientists by having students work with phages by predicting, sampling & testing environments. They will analyze their scientific findings quantitatively and qualitatively while discussing results with peers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Best practices to conduct a bacteriophage lab in class from sampling, growth & analysis. Program will provide a supply list, techniques & implementation, lesson plans and an assessment transfer task. Learn from our 5 years of running the program, described in Bittle et al Amer Biol Teacher 2024.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Parent, Charley Bittle

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Case Studies To Promote Student Action

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103C


Show Details

This interactive workshop will demonstrate how educators can support critical thinking RE: trade-offs of the lithium-ion battery supply chain as well as demonstrate how educators can support student sensemaking about issues related to lithium-ion batteries, and challenge students to take action.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will come away with knowledge of the Extraction to E-Waste Pathway as well as examples of how they can promote critical thinking and sensemaking with place-based case studies l where students gather information from multiple perspectives.

SPEAKERS:
TRAVIS KOUPAL

Co-Mentoring Science Educators of Color: A Two-Way Street

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 106 B


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Mentorship is a two-way street—mentors learn from mentees too! Join us to build a supportive community of educators committed to growing representation in STEM. We’ll share stories, give feedback, address burnout, and walk away with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to science education.

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 diverse community of educators in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Leena McLean

Computational Thinking for Science Education

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 C


Show Details

Computational thinking to enhance science education. By teaching students to break down complex problems, analyze data, and develop a step by step approach , we can equip them with the skills they need to explore science phenomenon and solve real-world challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Sanvictores, Michelle Velho

Developing a richer Engineering Design Process through Scientific Storytelling

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 125


Show Details

Scientific innovation takes creativity and in this workshop, you will learn how to ignite creativity in the engineering design process. Working through a student-chosen design challenge, you will see how students can use the storytelling in Science News Explores to design richer solutions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to enhance the first step in the engineering process by using Science News Explores which makes contemporary research accessible to students through scaffolds and lower reading lexiles.

SPEAKERS:
Cara Hale-Hanes

Don't Do It: A Guide to the Most Hazardous Dangers in Our Science Lab!

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 117



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
pdf of presentation

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

A Science Lab should be a fun and engaging instructional space for students to explore their curiosities and learn about the wonders of our world. However, potentially serious hazards can lurk behind the scenes. Even the most diligent teachers can miss them and expose their students to danger.

TAKEAWAYS:
A science lab has so many potential hazards that it takes over 7000 pages of regulations to cover all of them. This workshop will discuss some of the most critical hazard/risks Participants will be exposed to better professional safety practices to keep themselves and their clientele safer.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Doyle

Eco Classroom: A Hands-On Dive into Macroinvertebrates and Water Quality with Open Educational Resources (OER)

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 B


Show Details

Dive into the world of macroinvertebrates and water quality in this hands-on workshop. Conduct water quality assessments and engage in interactive stations with adaptable materials, and laboratory worksheets. Gain strategies to empower the next generation of environmental stewards in your classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will acquire the skills to conduct dual water quality assessments (testing kits & Macroinvertebrates), using adaptable resources to enhance educational engagement. They will obtain practical strategies to promote research, critical thinking and foster environmental stewardship in students.

SPEAKERS:
Wilmari Torres-Ortiz, Yajaira Torres - De Jesus

Ecosystem Investigation: You Are What You Eat

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 103 B


Show Details

Attendees will work in groups to build a trophic pyramid supported by the resources found in their habitat. Starting with abiotic materials, attendees must compete for resources to earn producer tokens that will allow them to complete their model. Follow the flow of matter through an ecosystem!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain perspective on how the availability and flow of abiotic and biotic materials is affected by the different trophic roles of organisms within a given habitat and how these roles contribute to the complexity of ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
David Walker

Effectively Using “Science Kits” to Achieve the NGSS

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 C


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Through some hands-on activities learn how you can use existing science kit materials to support your student to achieve the goals of the NGSS, based on experiences from the Elementary Science Olympiad program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to modify "instructional kits" available to them to allow for authentic student inquiry where cycles of failure and feedback can occur to achieve the learning outcomes established by the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
John Loehr

Elevating Sensemaking through High-quality 3D assessment - Part of the COESEE Strand

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 B


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

We are re-imagining assessment for elementary students that elevates three-dimensions. Join us to learn more about how we develop more aligned and holistic assessment opportunities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn to evaluate the assessments they are currently using and elevate them to support student sense making.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Starr

Embedding Literacy Supports in 3D Units for Equitable Sensemaking and Learning

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 B


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Experience how embedding literacy supports for reading, writing, and academic discourse in 3D teaching and learning promotes sensemaking and science understanding for ALL learners! Learn how the BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model embeds literacy supports throughout cycles of inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
The research-based BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model succeeds the 5Es and embeds literacy supports for reading, writing, and academic discourse in conjunction with science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to promote students in figuring out key science ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy Hopkins-Evans, Cynthia Gay

Empowering Student and Teacher Identity with micro:bit

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom I


Show Details

Starting from the ground up, we will share strategies to empower educators and students to find a place in computer science with a tool called the micro:bit. In this hands-on workshop, we will write custom code, learn how to incorporate this tool, and set ourselves and our students up for success.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will leave this workshop with resources, tools, and inspiration to bring the micro:bit into the classroom. You will learn how to use the micro:bit, see student projects, and understand how to set students and educators up for success with the goal of forming an identity as a coder and maker.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Sieke

Engaging EB Students in Force, Motion, and Energy for the purpose of learning and evaluation.

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 107 A


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Participants will learn engaging, hands-on science activities to help Emergent Bilingual students at nationally recognized language levels. You'll explore ways to teach and reinforce key science ideas like force, motion, and energy while checking how well students learn new vocabulary and concepts!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to engage and assess Emergent Bilingual students using hands-on science strategies for force, motion, and energy aligned with national language and content standards while building formative tools to support language growth and more profound understanding in your science classroom!

SPEAKERS:
Gwinn North, Ricardo Lumbreras

Exploring Scientific Practices, the Nature of Science, and STEM in Society: Analyzing Historical Primary Sources from the Library of Congress

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Connecting List
List of primary sources related to STEM
LOC Primary Sources NSTA 2025
PPT presentation we used in our workshop.
Primary Source Analysis Tool
Visual organizer to facilitate the analysis of primary sources
Primary Source for Analysis
This is the primary source we analyzed in the workshop.
Primary Sources in the K-12 Classroom
One pager illustrating some ways that historical primary sources can relate to K-12 science instruction

Show Details

Practice hands-on strategies for engaging students with scientific notebooks, photographs, drawings and more! These free online resources elevate the stories behind scientific endeavor, highlighting science and engineering practices, the nature of science, and connections between STEM and society.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to access millions of free digitized primary sources and related teacher resources. Activities will focus on developing students’ critical thinking skills, as they gain insights into how science and engineering concepts have been developed and applied through history.

SPEAKERS:
Ralph Pantozzi, Michael Apfeldorf

Flattening the Curve of the Zombie Apocalpse

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 122 B


Show Details

We can raise the level of excitement in our STEM-Based classrooms by using pop culture trends. In this session, we will use ZOMBIES to model brain anatomy, physiology and the spread of a "Zombie Virus" through a population of humans.

TAKEAWAYS:
Although Zombies are not necessarily "real-world", using them to model real-world settings and systems is incredibly engaging and of high interest. We will use Zombies to put a contextual spin on brain anatomy, mathematical modeling and the "realities" of the spread of a disease through a population

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Lukens

Genetic Tech Investigations

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 123



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
GenTech NSTA 25.pptx

Show Details

Reinforce genetics concepts by exploring the molecular processes technologies employ to understand genetic disorders. Experience an interactive curriculum module that is a window into biochemical processes at different levels from DNA to protein, and the technologies that illuminate them.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to access and use a free, NGSS-friendly curriculum module that helps students gain a deeper understanding of molecular genetics and the ways genetic disorders affect the pathway from DNA to a functioning protein by exploring the biochemical processes that technologies employ to detect a disorder

SPEAKERS:
Jen Taylor

Insects, Art, and Citizen Science

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Integrating Insects and Art.pptx

Show Details

How to use STEAM to teach advocacy for monarch butterflies

TAKEAWAYS:
This quick session will introduce insects to a class designed for both Science and Art, and how to use a Citizen Science project with students and parents

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Kurson

Invitation to a New Approach for Introducing Dynamics

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 105 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
InvitationToHEC
Please also check out our other sessions.

Show Details

Attendees will experience a new approach to introducing dynamics, using sequenced experiments with toy-like blowdarts. Attendees will learn examples of implementation in various educational settings. Teachers can try this approach with their students tomorrow using everyday materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn a new approach to introducing dynamics, using simple teaching materials available anywhere. Our plans are downloadable worldwide and will be practical and fun for students everywhere, regardless of the teacher's experience or expertise.

SPEAKERS:
Mariko Kobayashi, Haruhiko Funahashi, Tomoko HASEGAWA, Koji Tsukamoto, Taro YAMAMOTO

It's Elementary! Using High-Quality Trade Books to Support Vocabulary Acquisition

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2025 It's Elementary! Vocabulary strategies.pdf
These are the slides from the presentation!

Show Details

Engage with high-quality science trade books to apply strategies for supporting disciplinary literacy development.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore and analyze features of science trade books with the goals of making science content more accessible to students and positively impacting students’ science achievement and literacy skills.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Broemmel, Kristin Rearden

Learning to care in STEM: Socio-emotionally Informed Science and Engineering Practices

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 204 C


Show Details

Explore how STEM can boost students' resilience and emotional intelligence! Learn to integrate science and engineering practices with socio-emotional learning using proven, open-source curricula for PK-8 science and STEM classrooms with strategies to strengthen STEM identities and emotional growth.

TAKEAWAYS:
Time for development of students’ socio-emotional development and STEM learning are both limited in classrooms. This session provides key strategies for developing resilience and science and engineering practices simultaneously, using free, open-source science and engineering curricula.

SPEAKERS:
Cory Miller, Kathryn Bateman

Lessons to Celebrate Scientists and their Scientific Discoveries Which Make Our Lives Better

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 120 C


Show Details

ScienceSaves (www.sciencesaves.org) promotes the fact that science makes life healthier and easier. Our FREE lessons are NGSS aligned and include teacher notes, worksheets, and lesson plans highlighting a diverse group of scientists. Check out our $15,000 scholarship for high school seniors.

TAKEAWAYS:
Often, our students don’t see themselves as scientists. Teachers will hear about free lessons showing how a diverse array of scientists have given humanity amazing innovations that make our lives better, like heart surgery, CRISPR, and seatbelts. The lessons are editable, engaging and NGSS aligned.

SPEAKERS:
Alison Seymour

Making More Sense Out of Chemistry Through Engaging Labs

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 124



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Chemical Rxns in a Bag PRELAB.docx
Chemical Rxns in a Bag.docx
Conservation of Mass.docx
More Engaging Labs - NSTA 2025.pdf

STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

Are you a new or tenured chemistry teacher looking for some short, fun hands-on laboratory activities that reinforce the NGSS and increase students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills? Then, this is a session you will not want to miss.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will perform a handful of laboratory experiment procedures to learn first hand what their students will experience in class as summative assessments that are not memorize and forget. This will help these teachers to better understand where common mistakes and misconceptions may be made.

SPEAKERS:
Paula Irwin

Making Sense of Phenomenal Forces

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 118 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Forces and Interactions Storyline
This includes a summary of investigations with links to videos and notebooks.
KLEWS to Explanation Building
Since this article was written we have been. using a CER chart rather than a KLEWS chart. However, the suggestions in the article for posting a science chart sharing explanation building as a part of your science unit are still valid.
Making Sense of Phenomenal Forces Slides
These are slides of our presentation includes videos of investigations and science talks.
Science 101: Static Electricity
What is force? Introductory lesson
Some games using a large game board and balls. These give students the opportunity to observe force in action. The investigation introduces words that explain the results of using force.

STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

Engage with lessons that make invisible forces “visible”. As students collect data they see the evidence of forces at work. Videos and student notebooks show connected investigations illustrating elementary students’ science thinking about gravity, friction, static electricity, and magnetism.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn ways to design lessons that engage all students with making sense of physical science phenomena related to forces. The lessons are sequential and use a content storyline structure to leverage student ideas for building explanations about science concepts not easily seen.

SPEAKERS:
Kimber Hershberger, Kate Hallinger, Jennifer Jones

Making Sense of Sensemaking: Designing Authentic K-12 STEM Learning Experiences

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 202 A


Show Details

Join our exciting workshop based on the new book from TCP! Experience hands-on NGSS-aligned activities that transform K-12 STEM teaching. Learn to integrate core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science practices. Engage in sensemaking with us and learn how to do the same with your students!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to design and facilitate powerful sensemaking experiences in science classrooms. They'll master techniques for posing driving questions, guiding students to construct evidence-based explanations, and fostering productive discourse.

SPEAKERS:
TJ McKenna

Mocrofossils!  A Lab to Excite Your Students about Science and Conducting Scientific Investigations

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 B


Show Details

You will be given a sample of material from the Miocene epoch. Your mission will be to analyze the microfossils found in this material and how it could be used in a lab and in introducing lab reports with students. Student handouts and more sample material will be available.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how microfossils can be used in a fun and exciting way to introduce what is, and how to conduct, a scientific investigation. It can also be used as part of a more comprehensive unit in earth or life science.

SPEAKERS:
Rick Glatz

Modeling a System for Teaching Conservation of Matter

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 B


Show Details

The 3D unit aligns with a fifth-grade NGSS Performance Expectation to provide a practical opportunity to investigate the conservation of matter of an open system contained within a closed system. Participants investigate and model the phenomenon. The unit emphasizes modeling and C-E-R.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will (1) investigate and explain why an object grows, yet the amount of matter remains the same within a closed system, (2) make observations and measurements and engage in collective sensemaking, and (3) explain a phenomenon by developing a model and writing a C-E-R statement.

SPEAKERS:
Alex St. Louis, Jaclyn Murray

Observing Science Teacher Practice with a Language Pedagogy & Racial Equity Lens

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 108 A


STRAND: Assessment
Show Details

The session shares the development of an observation instrument structured to capture science teacher's linguistic adaptations and racial equity practices. The instrument is qualitative (ethnographic notes) and quantitative (rubric scores) with opportunities to inform science teaching practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understand language practices that support multilingual learners in the science classroom and types of racial equity practices that support sense of belonging in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Cocas, Won Jung Kim, Linda Soto, Marco Bravo, Ruby Gutierrez

Passive to Active: Games to Make Science Literature Accessible

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 115 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
1 NSTA Resource List-Passive to Active.pdf
Bibliography and resources (with clickable links) for book-based game activities, prepared for PASSIVE TO ACTIVE: Games to Make Science Literature Accessible (NSTA 2025, Sat March 29 at 1 pm, Rm 115B)
Adaptation Game Instructions-The Oddball Book of Armadillos.pdf
Teacher Instructions for playing "The Adaptation Game" with students (bingo-style!)
ODDBALL BOOK OF ARMADILLOS-Teacher Guide.pdf
Full Teacher Guide for THE ODDBALL BOOK OF ARMADILLOS including print-out pages for cards (or contact [email protected] for printed card decks).
On an Ocean Journey Activity Kit-sm.pdf

Show Details

Connect kids to science with games! Building on nonfiction books and websites, this session explores strategies to activate curriculum through fun, classroom-ready activities. Attendees will play “The Adaptation Game” and draw for prizes including books by Elizabeth Shreeve & other science writers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees learn how games engage diverse learners. Some students learn via focused reading; others benefit from interactive modes. Focusing on high-interest topics, including “oddball animals,” this session provides a bibliography of books and games supporting NGSS and other curriculum frameworks.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Shreeve, Sierra Satterstrom

Phone Physics: Acceleration and Friction

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Acceleration and Friction
Friction_NSTA_Philly2025_Workshop.pdf

Show Details

The accelerometer sensor in smartphones provide students with the ability to precisely measure changes in 3D motion. Workshop participants will conduct investigations to experimentally determine the change in motion of an object, including the often tricky static and kinetic friction experiment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will conduct multiple hands-on investigations using the accelerometer sensor in smartphones to explore changes in motion. They will directly experience the capabilities of the three-axis accelerometer sensor and will leave prepared to implement investigations in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
David Rakestraw, Helene McLaughlin, Michael Tobler

Physical Science Fun and Inquiry Across the Grade Bands

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 112 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Palm Pipes
Directions for constructing Palm Pipes, associated physical science concepts, and songs
Physical Science Fun and Inquiry Across the Grade Bands
Power Point Presentation

Show Details

Join the fun and conduct inquiry to experience how core concepts build across the grade bands from elementary to middle school to high school.

TAKEAWAYS:
One of the goals of NGSS is that topics should not be taught in a striated series of unrelated levels, but rather learning should be articulated vertically through the grade levels.

SPEAKERS:
Wayne Snyder, Karen Ostlund

Preparing the Next Generation of STEM Teachers

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
METHODS (01) Portfolio Overview.pdf
METHODS (02) Chapter Review.pdf
METHODS (03) A-STEAM Learning Letter.pdf
METHODS (04) B-Unit Planning.pdf
METHODS (05) C-Activity Plan.pdf
METHODS (06) D-Assessment Activity.pdf
METHODS (07) E-Substitute.pdf
METHODS (08) F-Bulletin Boards.pdf
METHODS (09) G-Field Reflection.pdf
METHODS (10) H-Technology Activity.pdf
METHODS (11) I-Resume.pdf
METHODS (12) J-Movie Sheet.pdf
METHODS (13) K-Effective Teaching Rubric.pdf
METHODS (14) L-Course Reflection.pdf
Preparing STEM Teachers - NSTA 2025 - low resolution.pptx
Science Methods Syllabus
This document was my 2024 Science Methods syllabus.

STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

A customizable outline for increasing educator success entering the profession is shared. A portfolio consists of twelve components that demonstrates foundational understanding and creates career supports. The packet consists of leading overview and evaluation project bookends.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be given a Google drive link to the portfolio components that can be downloaded and modified, or used as is. Ideas for possible course modifications will be shared. Examples can be provided of complete portfolios and exemplar ancillaries.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Bechtel

Principles of Science Practice for Principals and Administrators

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 110 A


STRAND: Leadership
Show Details

Principals & Administrators directly influence classroom instruction. Few have had learning experiences engaging in the science practices. Join the Institute for Systems Biology education team as they share resources and tools to explore how best to support 3D science learning in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
School Leaders increase their knowledge of 3D science learning and develop strategies to effectively lead the implementation of changes in science instruction across their building. Principals will learn how to conduct science learning walks using recording tools linked in STEM Teaching Tool 85.

SPEAKERS:
Caroline Kiehle, Don Pruett, Jr.

Safety Science and Sustainability: Online resources to inspire student action

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 126 B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Action-Oriented Pedagogies: A Framework for K-12 Sustainability Education
Introductory article on action-oriented pedagogy (AOP), the primary framework discussed throughout the presentation. Written by Drs. Andrea Weinberg and Michelle Jordan.
Introducing Roles for Action Oriented Pedagogies
Article on the use of student roles within the action-oriented pedagogy (AOP) framework. Written by Michelle Jordan, Andrea Weinberg, and Nicole Oster.
Slideshow
Complete copy of slides in PDF format. Enjoy!

Show Details

Explore science & sustainability resources to inspire students' real-world problem solving! Action-Oriented Pedagogies inspire them to imagine and build a safer, more resilient, and sustainable world. Discover AOP possibilities with Xplorlabs, a free tool with labs, simulations & design challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will discover new ways to support scientific practices to develop and use models, analyze and interpret data, and leverage Action-Oriented Pedagogies to construct explanations and design solutions to safety and sustainability challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Suloff, Andrea Weinberg, Emmanuel Adeloju, Michelle Jordan, Jasmine Coleman

Science of Sound and Music

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Listening to Waves Website
The curriculum and web applications are accessible at listeningtowaves.com

Show Details

We will go through a set of hands-on, physical and digital experiences to learn how objects vibrate and make sound, and how that sound can be turned into music. Participants will get access to free curriculum resources and digital tools created by music neuroscientist and sound artist, Victor Minces

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn how to use everyday objects and free digital tools to explore the science of sound and music. You will create beats and sound compositions, and tune an orchestra made with beakers and water as an anchoring phenomenon to bring to your students.

SPEAKERS:
Alec Barron

SCST Speed Sharing 4: Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teaching Awardee (OUSTA) - Marjorie Gardner Lecture

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

This SCST session features the SCST OUSTA Marjorie Gardner Lecture

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn innovative science teaching approaches from the SCST OUSTA winner.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Clary, Christy Visaggi, Ian Moncrief

Solar Diorama Workshop

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 121 A


Show Details

Create a solar powered diorama using solar panels and capacitors as power storage in this hands-on beginner workshop. Keep what you make. This workshop is perfect for 9th-12th grade and high school educators in Art and STEM, as well as informal and home school educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use solar panels in a classroom setting

SPEAKERS:
Asia Ward

STEM Baseball

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 111 A


Show Details

STEM exists in every sport, including baseball! Participants will learn how our double play combination of cognition and physical activity is applied to the "Art of Pitching" through Balanced and Unbalanced Forces.

TAKEAWAYS:
Build a stronger foundation and understanding of how academics and athletics work together to change how students learn and apply STEM concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Jeff Golner

The Forgotten Science Practice; Observation! 2.0

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 113 C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slide deck

Show Details

The Science and Engineering Practices start with asking questions but how can we ask questions without observing first? My favorite practice is the much forgotten one: Observation. It's one that is all inclusive and has no age range but for success we have to teach it intentionally with MLL & DL!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies to get their students to more easily make observations in their learning which will support the rest of the Science and Engineering Practices. Teaching moves that can be employed right away to reach all skill levels; in fact, show your DL & MLL excelling!

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Morton

The Science of Scuba

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Terrace Ballroom II


Show Details

Come learn the science of scuba diving! This session will present some of the physics and human physiological processes associated with scuba diving, and will include hands-on modeling activities that can be built into your science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the real world connections between science and recreational scuba diving, and will be provided with ideas on how to model some of these phenomena in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Merryn Cole, Jake Johnson

Urban Evolution and Mouse and Plant Adaptations, Why Scientist are Studying this Stress

Saturday, March 29 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 119 A


Show Details

Participants will engage in authentic research on plants and animals and how they react to urban stress factors caused by Climate change and human influences. They will be able to use these research-based activities immediately.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to incorporate real-world research into their classroom by using techniques that analyze the effects on urban plants and animals under human-induced conditions.

SPEAKERS:
Judith Lucas-Odom

Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge

Saturday, March 29 • 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D


STRAND: No Strand
Show Details

The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge takes participants on a 20-minute immersive adventure where they apply critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and manufacturing skills to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to understand the manufacturing process, the importance of teamwork and its relevance in the real world.

Closing Reception

Saturday, March 29 • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - Grand Hall


Show Details

Celebrate NSTA Philly25 at the Closing Reception, from 2:00–3:00 PM! Enjoy drinks, snacks, and chance to score some incredible prizes. Grab your drink tickets at the last concurrent session and stick around for your chance to win big. It’s the perfect way to close out an unforgettable event—see you there!

TAKEAWAYS:
NA

SCST Business Meeting

Saturday, March 29 • 2:15 PM - 4:15 PM

Pennsylvania Convention Center - 102 A/B


Show Details

The SCST business meeting will discuss current SCST happenings and future events.

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