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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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