Sponsoring Company: Beyond Labz

Built on a platform developed over 20 years, Beyond Labz creates an open-ended environment providing students the opportunity to experiment, practice, fail, discover, and learn.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Beyond Labz simplifies and reduces the cost and expertise needed to provide crucial laboratory experiences and practice for Secondary and Higher Ed students; 2. Attendees will learn how the labs are used for pre- and post-lab experiences, credit recovery and lab make-up, student engagement in class, and meeting NGSS standards; and 3. Basic onboarding and startup instructions will be provided for drop-in solutions, and instructions for using some of the more sophisticated features will also be described.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Woodfield

Sponsoring Company: DoD STEM

Build STEM culture through community engagement! Develop interest and awareness, leading to increased demand for STEM programming and STEM career pathway courses.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn strategies for hosting community engagement events, including family STEM nights; 2. Explore the role of partnerships in supporting engagement events; and 3. Walk away with resources to support establishing and hosting community engagement events.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Blank, Tiara Davis, Heather Overkamp, Patty Brunet

Join this workshop to learn about the chemical properties of copper using appropriate technology in this hands-on activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn to research and design an inquiry experiment; 2. use technology to gather and analyze data from the inquiry; and 3. visualize what occurs on the submicroscopic level by employing particulate drawings.

SPEAKERS:
Gregory Dodd

Want to teach climate literacy but don’t know where to start? NOAA offers lesson plans, videos, data, webinars, and more to inform and inspire students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What is climate literacy and how to improve it; 2. How to discuss climate and climate controversies in the classroom; and 3. What climate education resources are available from NOAA.

SPEAKERS:
Bekkah Lampe, Kayla Smith, Frank Niepold

The 5E is effective for learning most concepts, but not for processes. Other models may need to be included within the 5E.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Clearly understand the various instructional models and the best practice for their uses; 2. The learning objective must be clearly identified as a concept of a process to correctly identify the best practice and instructional model; and 3. Use other best practices such as moving instruction from the known to the unknown or concrete to pictorial to abstract or limiting objectives within a 5E.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra West

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek Inc.

Forensic science combines science disciplines to determine “whodunnit.” In this workshop, learn how to merge hands-on biotechnology experiments with literacy exercises to create an immersive lesson.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. participate in hands-on biotechnology experimentation; 2. discuss the implications of genetic fingerprinting of forensic samples; and 3. learn strategies for connecting the lessons learned to the Common Core Literacy Standards.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell, Danielle Snowflack, Maria Dayton

Join NSELA members for a generative conversation about the recent "Taking Stock of NGSS Implementation Summit" and share ideas for supporting science learning and leadership.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Reflect on key takeaways from the "Taking Stock of NGSS Implementation"; 2. Discuss the implications for science leadership; and 3. Network with national science leaders.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Weatherhead, Linda Cook

Feeling overwhelmed by all there is to see and do at an NSTA conference on science education? Join us for an interactive exploration through the conference app and NSTA’s social media. By the end of the session, you will know just how to get the most from your conference experience in addition to building new networks with your science colleagues.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Allan

Come participate in activities showing how all students’ understanding of science becomes deeper and broader when given the chance to interact with a professional scientist mentor.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn how the PlantingScience mentoring program works, and how they can participate; 2. understand the impact that exposure to real scientists can have on students' interest in and perception of science as a practice and a profession; and 3. learn mentoring strategies and understand how PS mentors are coached to respond to students in ways that promote inclusive conversations and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Hartley

Computer-based simulations can make learning chemistry fun in classrooms that may not have funding for expensive labs, but which ones should you choose?

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn about computer-based simulations and characteristics that students enjoy most; 2. explore ways to adapt the research study presented to their own classrooms; and 3. explore virtual learning games as an opportunity for students to engage with chemistry information in order to demonstrate their ability to use, think about, interpret, and communicate their understanding of chemistry.

SPEAKERS:
Nastassia Jones, Sunitha Shyamala

This session will describe how I used key strategies based on the research of the science of learning to assess the science learning of elementary preservice teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. tThe role of retrieval practice, spacing, interleaving, and metacognition in planning and implementing assessment for learning; 2. kKey strategies for assessing learning virtually in elementary science methods courses and STEM classrooms in general; and 3. quick assessment ideas that engage ALL students in the learning of science.

SPEAKERS:
Demetrice Smith-Mutegi

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

This workshop explores the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of the CoV-2 virus. Participants use physical models—enhanced by Augmented Reality—to explore these topics.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The nucleotide sequence of the CoV-2 RNA genome was the first step in vaccine development; 2. Prior research focused on the spike protein of CoV-1 set the stage for rapid progress on vaccine development; and 3. Pseudouridine was the key to an effective mRNA vaccine.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Herman

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Get active and participate in hands-on experiments. Explore limb position and grip strength, balance, and EKG/EMG experiments designed to encourage students to think about the physiology of various human organ systems. Walk away with valuable information, including sample labs and teaching tips.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain experience with hands-on technology that encourages students to explore and test different solutions and make connections to the real world; 2. Get access to free resources to keep students engaged while learning key scientific concepts either remotely or in the lab; and 3. Gain hands-on experience with innovative products that increase student engagement, promote creativity and collaboration, and develop problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Colleen McDaniel, Nüsret Hisim

Sponsoring Company: DoD STEM

Engage the power of visible thinking to heighten learning through scientific inquiry and authentic questioning while fostering connections with and between students in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. understand and explain visible thinking; 2. describe multiple benefits of applying visible thinking in the classroom; and 3. learn strategies to apply visible thinking in inquiry-based science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Blank, Patty Brunet, Tiara Davis, Heather Overkamp

My NASA Data will present the wealth of NGSS-focused NASA resources that promote learning in flexible Earth science classroom spaces such as hybrid, in-person, and virtual environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Test out the newly updated Data Literacy Cubes to scaffold Earth science data exploration for a variety of learners; 2. Explore a wealth of three-dimensional resources that support teaching and learning with NASA Earth data; and 3. Navigate through the My NASA Data offerings to locate resources that support your teaching and learning goals.

SPEAKERS:
Desiray Wilson, Janet Struble, Jessica Taylor

Join us as we explore how NOAA Teacher at Sea can bring stimulating ocean science content to the classroom through a wide range of technology and media applications.

TAKEAWAYS:
NOAA Teacher at Sea provides numerous cutting-edge strategies to make ocean science accessible to students such as Google Cardboard and various VR applications to utilizing NOAA Teacher at Sea’s rich ocean science resources.

SPEAKERS:
Spencer Cody

The first technology revolution may have passed you by but rest assured, the second one is going to rock your world!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Relevance/difference of 1st and 2nd technology revolutions; 2. Understanding real-world examples for quantum information science; and 3. Importance of teaching QIS in the K–12 classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Matsler, Janie Head, Emma Smith

We will present the efforts of 11 secondary schools and partners at Stanford University to create authentic Drosophila-based research experiences, and how you can too!

TAKEAWAYS:
Through Stan-X, middle school and high school students learn science through authentic, open-ended, publishable research; 2. Coordination between schools, both public and private, across the world can enhance scientific learning and research opportunities for your students, while also building a supportive network for teachers interested in providing these opportunities to students; and 3. Instructing teachers in the "process" to develop student-based classroom research is the crucial step in providing meaningful experiences in research-based classes.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Lantz

What kinds of talk, tasks, and tools do students need in order to fully engage in meaningful forms of science learning? Join us as we share a statewide virtual book study that allowed AMBITIOUS Iowa science teachers to connect, collaborate, and refine their practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. focus on teaching practices relating to planning for engagement with big science ideas, eliciting students’ ideas, and supporting ongoing changes in student thinking; 2. learn how to set up opportunities for collaboration both online and with a local coach and peers; and 3. learn about the application of the learning related to a classroom action research option.

SPEAKERS:
Tammy Askeland-Nagle, Beverly Berns, Hope Garton Brown, Christopher Soldat

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek Inc.

Respiratory viruses like Influenza or COVID can lead to worldwide pandemics. We’ll discuss how diseases spread and perform experiments to explore how disease testing works.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. participate in hands-on biotechnology experimentation; 2. explore medical testing for common diseases, including how they work and what they mean; and 3. discuss the epidemiological triad, a framework for understanding the relationship between host, pathogen, and environment.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, Brian Ell, Maria Dayton

Please join us for this Exclusive Exhibit Hall time today (11:00 AM–1:00 PM). During this time there are no teacher sessions scheduled and it’s a perfect opportunity to visit the exhibits and discover all the products and services companies and organizations have to offer. Some exhibitors will offer materials for sale throughout the conference.

A multidisciplinary open-ended investigation that incorporates absolute and relative dating, anomalies, historical context, volcanoes, solar proton events, energy cycles, Earth systems, terrestrial events, and supernovas.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students will have a better understanding of the process of constructing knowledge; 2. Students will have to analyze and defend their results; and 3. Sometimes there is no answer key, only possible solutions from constructing and analyzing data from several sources that cross traditional disciplines.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Young

Members and advisors of NSTA Student Chapters, and those interested in starting a student chapter, are invited to network, collaborate, and learn from each other!

TAKEAWAYS:
Connect with other NSTA Student Chapters and Advisors Learn more about the new NSTA National Preservice Chapter and other initiatives Develop strategies for engaging and growing your student chapter at your institution

SPEAKERS:
Debi Hanuscin, Melanie Reap

This session focuses on the core messages of the book Crosscutting Concepts: Strengthening Science and Engineering Learning, published by NSTA Press in 2021.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The power of crosscutting concepts is most fully realized when they are used in conjunction with science and engineering practices and disciplinary core ideas; 2. Crosscutting concepts serve as lenses on phenomena, supporting all students in question-asking and sensemaking; and 3. Teacher leadership is critical to realizing the power of crosscutting concepts in practice.

SPEAKERS:
Jeff Nordine, Okhee Lee

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek Inc.

Explore the relationship between genotype and phenotype using your sense of taste and biotechnology! Examine variations in your bitter taste receptor with PCR and electrophoresis.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. explore the link between genotype and phenotype using PCR and a PTC tasting assay; 2. analyze Mendelian traits using data collected in class; and 3. participate in hands-on biotechnology experimentation.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell, Danielle Snowflack, Maria Dayton

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Explore the forces that determine protein shape by actively modeling protein structure! Then explore a particular class of proteins and enzymes by playing with models.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Protein shape is determined by interactions between amino acids that are specifically ordered in the primary structure of proteins; 2. Protein shape is critical for proper functioning of the protein; and 3. Enzymes are a type of protein that interact with their substrates in specific ways.

SPEAKERS:
Keri Shingleton

You made the learning three dimensional in your classroom; now it's time to do the same for your grading.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Ways to help students focus on learning more than gradesl 2, Systems of efficient grading that make meaningful feedback possible; and 3. Tips to have students participate in telling their learning story.

SPEAKERS:
Johanna Brown

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

CRISPR/Cas gene editing has revolutionized molecular biology. Now your students can use this method to knock out a gene.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how you can perform an authentic CRISPR/Cas gene knockout in your classroom; 2. Use optional PCR and gel electrophoresis to further verify phenotypic results; and 3. Try free CRISPR/Cas resources for your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Bryan

Participants will engage in a process where student work is analyzed for student understandings around NGSS Performance Expectations. Identifying student understandings, misconceptions, and holes in explanations enables teachers to assess student learning based on what students got versus what you thought you were giving.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. A process for analysis of student work; 2. Identifying gaps between what teachers taught and what students learned; and 3. Using formative assessments to identify next steps.

SPEAKERS:
Anna Meyerpeter-Newman, Nicodemus Ford

Sponsoring Company: DoD STEM

Hear about how DoD STEM partners with nonprofits, academia, industry, and government to work in schools and produce college- and career-ready graduates.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn: 1. about the mission and vision of DoD STEM; 2. how DoD STEM programs connect schools, students, and teachers with STEM professionals and opportunities; and 3. how they can engage with DoD STEM to support and/or enrich local programming.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Leikin, Rebecca Stanley, Jennifer Preston, Laura Larkin

When teaching about complex social justice science issues, how do teachers decide what to include while learning about new content and contexts?

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Strategies for deciding what content is “worthwhile” when teaching about complex phenomena; 2. Strategies for deciding how much context is appropriate to include when dealing with social justice issues in science class; and 3. Suggestions for leveraging professional learning communities as sites where we can learn about unfamiliar contexts and contents in order to connect our subject to our communities.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Morales-Doyle, Alejandra Frausto Aceves, Adilene Aguilera, Tiffany Childress Price, Tomasz Rajski, Mindy Chappell

The NSTA Exhibit Hall is a must-see! NSTA brings you the leading science education companies and organizations to showcase products, services, curricula, and much more. You’ll discover something new and exciting in the world of science teaching.

Explore innovative teaching collaboration where a biology and a religion professor linked two undergraduate courses to highlight nature of science and its relationship with religion.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. experience several of the in-class activities we have used to highlight various aspects of the nature of science and its relationship to religion and will leave with a list of resources they can use to delve more into the relationship between science and religion. We will provide each attendee with an annotated list of books, websites, and videos; 2. walk away with an understanding of the four models of the relationship between science and religion. We will facilitate an active discussion that arrives at the list of the four models, as we do with the college students enrolled in our courses; and 3. identify major issues or questions faced by students trying to rectify science and religion viewpoints and learn of some practical resources to help those students.

SPEAKERS:
Darla French

Come learn how college faculty, and graduate and undergraduate students can benefit from participating in and supporting local, regional, or state science and engineering fairs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. about science and engineering fairs; 2. how to get involved with science and engineering fairs; and 3. about the professional benefits of participating in science and engineering fairs.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Angle, Donald French

Connect your school with local colleges and STEM employers using relevant, standards-based, hands-on activities that spark interest in science and STEM careers. Sample activity included.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to identify and reach out to potential community and industry partners; 2. How to build a program or event that meets the needs of all stakeholders; and 3. How to develop authentic learning experiences to impact student perspectives of locally available STEM careers.

SPEAKERS:
Bethany Kenyon

Astrobiology Learning Progressions support the creation of units that are relevant and motivating through the lens of the search for life in the universe.

TAKEAWAYS:
K–12 teachers, curriculum directors, and other science communicators will take away from this session: 1. what is the scientific search for life in the universe—Astrobiology, how it is interdisciplinary, and how it can be combined within STEM, ELA, art, engineering, and more; 2. how they can use the excitement and motivating topics in Astrobiology to leverage learning in a variety of science concepts throughout the NGSS; and 3. the know-how to navigate and use the Astrobiology Learning Progressions ( https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/education/alp/ )to find information, context, and resources to create their units and lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Dani Leach

Sponsoring Company: Zahourek Systems, Inc.

Build replicas of human anatomy using clay and a specially designed skeletal model in a classroom setting. Learn how to implement a unique curriculum system that helps students create a kinesthetic map of the human anatomy. This workshop will emphasize directional terms, planes, cavities, and landmarks on the skeletal model and then build several skeletal muscles. Emphasis will be placed on building the rotator cuff showing origin and insertion, movement, as well as a discussion of exercises to strengthen these muscles.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn how to implement a unique curriculum system that helps students create a kinesthetic map of the human anatomy; 2. acquire the knowledge to engage science students with immediate hands-on learning using a proven method that is nationally recognized to increase student retention and test scores; and 3. have fun!

SPEAKERS:
Chuck Roney

The Call to Action for Science Education—issued this summer by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Mathematics and funded by the Carnegie Corporation—provides an argument for the importance of science education; identifies major challenges for implementing coherent science education K–16; discusses how science relates to the other STEM disciplines; highlights science education programs and instructional practices that have shown to be most effective; and provides clear recommendations on how teachers, communities, and local, state, and federal stakeholders can work together to improve science education and broaden opportunity in the discipline.

At this featured session science education leaders will discuss the report and outline ways you can join this nationwide effort to change the trajectory of science and STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Schweingruber, Erika Shugart, Jim Short

The NSTA Exhibit Hall is a must-see! NSTA brings you the leading science education companies and organizations to showcase products, services, curricula, and much more. You’ll discover something new and exciting in the world of science teaching.

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek Inc.

Explore the science of food coloring! In this hands-on workshop, we’ll use electrophoresis and chromatography to separate mixtures of molecules based on their physical properties.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. perform hands-on biotechnology experiments; 2. explore the physical properties of molecules using chromatography and electrophoresis; and 3. learn about the history of food science.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell, Danielle Snowflack, Maria Dayton

A classroom-simulation session highlighting an active-learning genetics module on the genetic inheritance and gene expression of rabbit coat colors.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Delve into the world of rabbit genetics and learn about the genetic inheritance behind their fantastic colors!; 2. Experience hands on how case study learning can be adapted to variety of classroom (and nonclassroom!) environments; and 3. Find out how to implement this case study in your own classroom, including notes on teaching methods and effective assessment strategies.

SPEAKERS:
Sydney Kornelsen, Michael E. Moore, Stefanie Leacock

Come find out how to involve your students in learning how AI and ML can be taught to your students, how it can be used to promote equity in the classroom, and how it can make YOUR teaching job easier! If you can, bring a data set and computer.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. AI and ML can help equitize the science classroom by allowing students to participate in learning; 2. AI and ML can be taught to students in the classroom and is an excellent 21st-century skill for all students; and 3. AI and ML hold the possibility to make the science teacher's job easier.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Amerman, Anna Herdliska, Whitney Thames

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Examine David Goodsell’s landscapes that illustrate the molecular world in a whole new way. One landscape, Tour of a Human Cell, contains numerous biological concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Cells are complicated and packed full of proteins; 2. A Tour of a Human Cell illustrates Your Flu Shot in Action; and 3. Come for the art and leave with the science.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Herman

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Stop counting bubbles. It has never been easier to visulize photosynthesis in the classroom. Use the latest technology to measure photosynthesis and the variables that affect it. Bring your own device with our free Graphical Analysis 4 app and Spectral Analysis 4 app installed or use our devices. All activities are available as a free download for attendees.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain experience with hands-on technology that encourages students to explore and test different solutions and make connections to the real world; 2. Get access to free resources to keep students engaged while learning key scientific concepts either remotely or in the lab; and 3. Gain hands-on experiences with innovative products that increase student engagement, promote creativity and collaboration, and develop problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Colleen McDaniel, Nüsret Hisim

Creative writing assignments can better reach students with differing learning styles. The incorporation of creative writing exercises into introductory chemistry courses and their effects on student performance will be described.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Creative writing is an effective way to cement understanding of chemistry concepts; 2. Engaging in creative writing leads to better exam performance; and 3. Creative writing exercises increase critical-thinking skills.

SPEAKERS:
Donald Carpenetti

Explore how science education can help promote a more just and thriving world through phenomena-based science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How NGSS/3-D science instruction relates to specific equity and justice projects; 2. Who else in the community is interested in similar equity work as you are; and 3. What professional learning resources exist—or should exist—to support equity- and justice-centered science instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Maya Garcia, Deb Morrison

Explore the NSTA website with us! NSTA provides high-quality digital resources and opportunities—all within a professional community—that supports professional learning and classroom instruction. NSTA gift cards will be raffled!

TAKEAWAYS:
1) Become versed about the plethora of digital resources available on NSTA’s website. 2) Learn about NSTA’s virtual learning opportunities for educators of science. 3) Grow your network of like-minded individuals.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez, Michelle Phillips

Bee-coming a data scientist—discover how honeybee researchers find pathogens that contribute to colony loss.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understand the essential role of honeybees in agriculture; 2. Discover example phenomena to engage students as a data scientist and exploration into the universal language of DNA sequences; and 3. A simple and free computer-based activity that can be performed anywhere with a computer and internet (classroom, home, or public library).

SPEAKERS:
Zack Bateson, Jane Hunt

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek Inc.

Creating colorful transformed bacteria is an unforgettable way to teach the central dogma of molecular biology. Learn how to use transformed bacteria to create bio-art!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will learn about bacterial transformation, a genetic engineering technique; 2. Through transformation, attendees will explore the relationship between genotype and phenotype; and 3. Attendees will participate in hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) experiments.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell, Danielle Snowflack, Maria Dayton

Learn how successful users integrate NSTA resources together to promote STEM and literacy through the use of high-quality STEM-related picture books.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Hear success stories and learn strategies for integrating STEM and literacy in K–5 with NSTA resources such as Picture-Perfect, Uncovering Student Ideas, NSTA Kids books, and more;l 2. Explore suggested picture books that integrate STEM and literacy; and 3. Walk away with a STEM lesson you can use right away.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Lewis, Ryan Bohannan, Aubrey Tsevis

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

In this hands-on lab, you'll use scientific reasoning and experimental design to determine the source of a real-life foodborne outbreak with gel electrophoresis.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn about a real-world Shigella outbreak and how food safety experts determine the source of outbreaks; 2. Become a foodborne illness investigator to solve which food made partygoers sick; and 3. See how fast, engaging electrophoresis labs can excite students about careers in food safety.

SPEAKERS:
Whitney Hagins

Help bridge representation gaps by giving students the opportunity to see themselves and their cultures reflected in STEM. We'll share standards-aligned stories from history to incorporate into your lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. gain a better sense of why inclusive representation matters; 2. consider how STEM is a human achievement that has been contributed to by people of all nationalities, orientations, and colors; and 3. learn about historic figures that are not taught in traditional settings to get them started in creating a more inclusive, diverse picture of STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Katie Busch

Active learning strategies can be difficult to use in large online classes. This presentation discusses active learning strategies for group work using TAG feedback.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will discover that: 1. active learning can be done in a large online geoscience course; 2. TAG feedback is a great way to encourage group discussion and collaboration; and 3. active learning activities contribute to enhanced learning and engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Christa Haney, Renee Clary

This session will focus on how to teach wave-particle duality (WPD) from a historical to present-day perspective. Engage students experimentally and relate the results to quantum information science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Recognition of the historical relevance and sequence of events that currently support WPD; 2. The double slit experiment can be done with electrons and photons; and 3. Experimental results show how a wave interference pattern can also be produced by a probability distribution of photons and electrons.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Matsler, Jan Mader

Geo-SPARCC’s online physical and historical geology courses initiate the Geosciences pathway for rural and underrepresented students. Courses require only Mississippi experiences as prerequisite content.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Online geosciences courses can reach rural students attending local community colleges; 2. Online geosciences courses effectively incorporate local landscapes and student-directed research; and 3. Students report satisfaction with place-based geoscience courses.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Clary, Athena Nagel, Eric Shows

Sponsoring Company: Shell Oil Company

Let’s first explore the global significance of a patent-free, low-cost “people’s vaccine.” How can this low-cost coronavirus vaccine be used as an effective weapon against COVID by reaching the unvaccinated in poorer countries? How can we address both vaccine equity and the rising antiscience movement that threatens global health security? Next we’ll explore how we can empower teachers to have a more active role in addressing emerging diseases, future pandemics, and similar emergent scenarios while inspiring generations and supporting the well-being of our students and future societies.

SPEAKERS:
Peter Hotez, Faiyaz Bhojani

This program aims to dramatically increase the exposure to and consumption of locally produced honey by developing a network of apiaries and supporting curriculum for preK–12.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn about: 1. how educational apiaries can be used in an education setting; 2. the benefits of implementing curriculum related to honey production; and 3. strategies to engage migrant students in STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Spencer Cody

Use STEM web-based analysis software and real data to determine the rate of a supernova remnant expansion and its uniformity.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Astronomical observations with the same parameters separated by time can be used to study the dynamics of a supernova remnant; 2. Expansion velocity of a supernova remnant can be used to determine its age and perhaps connect it to historical observations of such; and 3. Js9 web-based software provides students with real opportunities to do astronomical research.

SPEAKERS:
Pamela Perry

Hear about various NSTA competitions and how they can bring STEM and the NGSS into the classroom, as well as give students and teachers a chance to earn recognition and prizes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn: 1. about NSTA competitions; 2. how NSTA competitions help integrate STEM and NGSS in the classroom; and 3. how students and teachers can win recognition and prizes.

SPEAKERS:
Acacia McKenna, Matthew Hartman

Learn how to access and explore NOAA’s data-rich resources, lesson plans, and visualization tools to build data literacy and proficiency in scientific data analysis.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What types of data are available from NOAA; 2. How to find and use NOAA data in your classroom; and 3. How students can be involved in data collection.

SPEAKERS:
Bekkah Lampe, Kayla Smith

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Measure the acceleration of gravity with whichever sensor you have, or no sensor. We’ll discuss using a Picket Fence and a Photogate, tossing a ball over a Motion Detector, and using Vernier Video Analysis. Data collected in class can be shared to remote students. Share your favorite g labs with other teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain experience with hands-on technology that encourages students to explore and test different solutions and make connections to the real world; 2. Get access to free resources to keep students engaged while learning key scientific concepts either remotely or in the lab; and 3. Gain hands-on experiences with innovative products that increase student engagement, promote creativity and collaboration, and develop problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Frances Poodry, Tom Smith

Sponsoring Company: Anatomage

We will discuss the applications as well as the core scientific principals behind one of the most popular and fascinating tools in the medical field. What is light and how is it used inside of an MRI? What is precession and how do we use this to create an image? How are gradients used to localize a signal? We will discuss each of these questions and hopefully create a meaningful understanding for such a fascinating tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What a digital image is composed of; 2. How light works and is used to create images; and 3. What an MRI is actually showing you.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Perry

Learn how using NextGen TIME can help you get the best possible science instructional materials into the hands of teachers prepared to use them.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. NextGen TIME is a suite of tools and processes that support district leaders in: a. preparing to evaluate instructional materials; b. evaluating instructional materials for their quality and design for next generation science; and c. planning for next steps including customization to improve student outcomes and effective implementation in classrooms throughout the district; 2. NextGen TIME is a collaborative, evidence based suite of tools and processes for professional learning that helps teachers and others operationalize the characteristics of high-quality instructional materials designed for next generation science; and 3. Using NextGen TIME represents an investment in curriculum-based professional learning to increase the likelihood that all students and teachers have access to the best possible materials for the local context.

SPEAKERS:
Jody Bintz, Jenine Cotton-Proby

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Engage students with data-driven NGSS-focused interactive online lessons, visualizations, and role-playing activities to explain what sea level rise is, why it is so dangerous, and how we can address it.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will: 1. learn about climate change–driven sea level rise and its impacts to their coastal communities and nationally; 2. explore NOAA’s classroom-ready Data in the Classroom module: Investigating Sea Level Using Real Data; and NOAA’s Sea Level Rise Viewer, learn how students can use NOAA satellite and coastal station data to analyze how sea level is changing, its impacts on U.S. Coastal areas, and how they can integrate its inquiry-based resources into their classrooms immediately; and 3. play NOAA’s role-playing game Beat the Uncertainty: Planning Climate-Resilient Cities, and learn how to use it with their students.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Moravchik, Symone Barkley

Use radio astronomy to offer students a hands-on way to enhance their learning of the EM spectrum, Doppler Effect/Red Shift, Kepler’s 3rd law, circular motion, or astronomy. Lessons provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students can get to do real astronomy with a telescope they build; 2. Radio astronomy can be done during class time as radio wave detection is not affected by daylight and enhances student engagement in existing physics lessons; and 3. Students will learn about the unique nature of galactic rotational behavior as compared to circular motion and planetary motion under Kepler’s Laws.

SPEAKERS:
John Clark

Authors of this report from the Board on Science Education of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will give an overview of the report’s key issues, conclusions, and recommendations.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Science and Engineering education needs to be prioritized through fifth grade; 2. State policymakers should ensure these subjects are taught comprehensively, frequently, and consistently; and 3. Ways to support learning and engagement with science and engineering.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Schweingruber

The presenters will report success from implementing weekly graded coloring assignments in Anatomy and Physiology I.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Coloring positively influenced student performance on the laboratory mid-term and final; and 2. Students reported increased relaxation and motivation by regularly coloring.

SPEAKERS:
Cheston Saunders

All instructors of secondary science methods courses are invited to bring a favorite activity or assignment to share with colleagues.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Network with other science teacher educators who teach secondary science methods courses; 2. Share your own practice and get feedback from others; and 3. Gather new ideas for use in your own courses.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Haines

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Construct a model of cell communication and experience how modeling to explore abstract concepts deepens student understanding and provides opportunities for formative assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain a deeper understanding of cell-cell communication using synapses as an example; 2. Experience the advantages of using models to deepen student engagement and understanding; and 3. View examples of student work on performance assessments related to workshop activities.

SPEAKERS:
Keri Shingleton

This session will provide practical assistance to those who wish to produce research studies for peer-reviewed journals. Robert Tai, co-editor and science educator, will lead this session.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to structure a research study; 2. How to develop research questions; and 3. How to write up a research study for review by research journals.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Tai, Linda Cook, Andy Weatherhead

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Outbreak! A new viral disease is spreading rapidly, but how? Analyze patient DNA samples to determine who was infected and figure out how it spreads.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Walk through a customizable scenario for the classroom in which students use epidemiological techniques to figure out how a novel disease might be spreading; 2. Analyze DNA agarose gel electrophoresis to determine the infection status of a large set of patients; and 3. See how this adaptable public health and epidemiological puzzle is an excellent context to teach viral disease biology.

SPEAKERS:
Damon Tighe

Discover several strategies for developing well-written multiple-choice questions that can assess higher levels of Bloom’s taxonomy.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Multiple-choice exams can assess higher-order cognitive skills and increase student learning gains; 2. Developing these types of multiple-choice questions is easier than you might think; and 3. Our higher-order multiple-choice questions are practically "Google proof,” making them ideal for online exams.

SPEAKERS:
Tarren Shaw, Donald French

In this self-directed poster and video session, meet educators from around the world and discover new perspectives on best practices, novel content delivery, scientific literacy, and more!

Here are a list of the offerings:

Science Learning: Vito's Approach by Vito Dipinto

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discovering international perspectives; 2. Connecting with international educators; and 3. Finding new ideas to teach science.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Brennan, Melissa Sleeper, Darla French, Vito Dipinto, Alison Seymour, Maria Garrett, Deborah Armstrong, Louise Puslednik, Bob Worley, Teresa Kennedy, Gabe Kraljevic, Barbara Gajda, Ian Fogarty, James Browning, Riley Sault

The NSTA Exhibit Hall is a must-see! NSTA brings you the leading science education companies and organizations to showcase products, services, curricula, and much more. You’ll discover something new and exciting in the world of science teaching.

Through engaging case studies, attendees will gain an understanding of what is in our indoor air, including emissions from emerging sources and their health impacts, as well as mitigation strategies.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Identify the potential unintended consequences of emerging technologies on indoor air quality; 2. Understand what is in our air, including emissions from emerging sources and their health impacts; and 3. Provide engaging case study examples and strategies for how to successfully deploy safer solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Holley Henderson, Melanie Share

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

You will learn how to build and code a four-chambered heart (no coding experience required) while learning about how the heart works. This is a great project for middle and high school science and STEM students!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. You can do STEM with your science students and science with your STEM students!; 2. Apply knowledge of science to inform an engineering design (artificial heart); and 3. Combining science, coding, and engineering design helps students get to higher-order thinking skills.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Lukens

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Dig into CRISPR, a revolutionary technology in gene therapy. Learn about a classroom CRISPR lab activity with robust controls and a free paper model.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn about a lab activity in which students do real CRISPR gene editing and confirm the chromosomal edit with PCR; 2. Receive and practice using a free paper model to teach the function of Cas9, a key protein in CRISPR technology; and 3. Hear the latest in CRISPR technology, including current efforts in gene therapy.

SPEAKERS:
Leigh Brown

By using math, building models, analyzing earthquake data, and participating in scientific discourse, your students can discover and measure Earth's outer core!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Demonstrate that Earth cannot be a homogeneous mass and must have a layered interior; 2. Explain how seismic waves provide evidence for Earth’s internal structure and composition; and 3. Explain the usefulness of models in the process of science, as tools to generate predictions that can be compared to observations of the Earth system.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Hubenthal, John Taber

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Find out how to become a NOAA Planet Steward Educator and access professional development opportunities, education resources, and funding. Increase your students’ science literacy and have them respond to real-world environmental threats.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn about the goals, methods, and outcomes of NOAA’s Planet Stewards program; 2. learn about the range of NOAA Planet Stewards professional development opportunities and how to participate in them, including live and archived webinars, a monthly book club, as well as face-to-face and distance learning workshops; and 3. engage in a dialogue with educators who have received funding through the program and successfully carried out Planet Stewards projects.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Moravchik, Symone Barkley

NSTA Awards recognize exceptional individuals for their accomplishments and outstanding work in the science education field. Thanks to our generous sponsors, more than $80,000 in cash and prizes is available yearly.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how you can win up to $10,000 for your outstanding work as a science educator; 2. Find out which awards also directly benefit your school; and 3. Teachers work hard and deserve recognition, why not you?

SPEAKERS:
Paul Nordhaus, Michelle Butler

Deriving research opportunities for students directly from coursework-based questions allows more students to be involved in this high-impact practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. see examples of student-generated research; 2. learn how to engage faculty in the process of authentic research; and 3. see what students have said about the role of research in their STEM careers.

SPEAKERS:
Kerry Cheesman

Introduce the extremophiles of Yellowstone National Park into your classroom to strengthen students’ understanding of the importance of resource availability, even in the harshest ecosystems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. increase their content knowledge of how Yellowstone's extremophiles are dependent on their environmental interactions, both with living things and nonliving factors; 2. increase their pedagogical content knowledge about the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in Yellowstone's hot springs; and 3. learn how to bring Yellowstone's "sense of place" into their classroom curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Angle

This presentation will highlight the implementation of an online STEM peer mentoring program at two historically Black institutions and possibilities for extension. Bring a tablet or laptop!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn about and explore a novel approach to online peer mentoring for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM; 2. gain an understanding of the benefits of the online peer mentoring program to broadening participation among groups historically underrepresented in STEM; and 3. have the opportunity to discuss future directions for exploration, including potential applications to K–12 contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Vivian Jones

Come explore tools to support counter-racism activity within science classroom settings, an activity we are all responsible to engage in to build equitable learning environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Awareness on how science education has and does perpetuate racism; 2. Participants will build a repertoire of inclusive science strategies that address race productively; and 3. Methods for creating and adapting curriculum that are equitable and justice centered.

SPEAKERS:
Deb Morrison, Maya Garcia

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

See transcription and translation as it happens! With BioBits™, the Central Dogma can now be visualized and manipulated in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Visualize transcription and translation in real time with no need for living cells; 2. Use cutting-edge cell-free technology; and 3. Open new area of the molecular biology curriculum to labs using fluorescence visualization.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Bryan

The Texas A&M Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) organization invites you to join a mock Zoom a WISE Woman session with scientists and engineers!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Connecting real-world female scientists and engineers with K–12 classrooms; 2. Understanding the importance of connecting diverse role models in order to broaden participation in STEM; and 3. Experiencing the ease and benefits of collaborating with a virtual outreach program.

SPEAKERS:
Iliana De La Cruz, Sarah Poor

Undergraduate research is fundamental for learning and applying the scientific method. This presentation will highlight ways to promote undergraduate research within an academic unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The importance of undergraduate research in education; 2. Undergraduate research is a benefit to faculty and student career development; and 3. Ways to promote undergraduate research in an academic unit.

SPEAKERS:
Thayne Sweeten

All instructors of elementary science methods courses are invited to bring a favorite activity or assignment to share with colleagues.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. network with other science teacher educators who teach elementary science methods courses; 2. share their own practice and get feedback from others; and 3. gather new ideas for use in their own courses.

SPEAKERS:
Debi Hanuscin

In a stunning engineering feat, Perseverance, the largest and most complex Mars rover yet, landed successfully on Mars on the floor of Jezero crater on February 18, 2021. Its mission is ambitious: seek signs of ancient life and collect samples for future return to Earth. Perseverance and its predecessor Curiosity have and continue to revolutionize our view of the Red Planet, and returned samples just might revolutionize our view of life itself. As a geologist on both mission teams, Kirsten will share the motivation and context for these missions, our new and evolving understanding of our neighboring planet, and how it teaches us about our own world, along with resources to share the excitement with students.

SPEAKERS:
Kirsten Siebach

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Cultivate a sense of belonging in your classroom with conservation, stewardship, and climate science using educational resources from NOAA and other socially conscious organizations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. identify at least three affinity groups focused on marine/environmental science; 2. identify at least three marine/environmental science resources by affinity groups to use in instruction; and 3. draft one lesson or activity that includes a NOAA resource and a resource by an affinity group.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Moravchik, Symone Barkley

The NSTA Exhibit Hall is a must-see! NSTA brings you the leading science education companies and organizations to showcase products, services, curricula, and much more. You’ll discover something new and exciting in the world of science teaching.

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Use simple tools to explore SARS-CoV-2 testing and get hands-on experience with the principles of qPCR diagnostics.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students act as healthcare providers at an airport screening facility and test fictional patients for infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus; 2. Explore COVID qPCR testing using low-cost tools; and 3. Investigate the principles of qPCR in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Bryan

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Save native bees! First step, catalog native bee biodiversity. Try out a classroom activity where students use genetic analysis to identify native bee species.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn about a classroom activity in which students learn to identify bee species using entomological tools and genetic methods; 2. Hear the story of the discovery of Bombus incognitus, a recently discovered “look alike” bee native to Colorado; and 3. Learn how DNA barcoding can be used to identify species that cannot be identified by visual or geographical information.

SPEAKERS:
Damon Tighe

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

PCR and gel electrophoresis are the heart of any molecular biology lab. Bring both to your classroom and have students discover their own PTC genotype.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Use affordable hands-on tools to bring PCR and gel electrophoresis to any biology classroom; 2. Students test their own DNA to see their PTC tasting genotype; and 3. Correlate genotype to phenotype in your classroom using your students' DNA.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Bryan

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Dig into CRISPR, a revolutionary technology in gene therapy. Learn about a classroom CRISPR lab activity with robust controls and a free paper model.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn about a lab activity in which students do real CRISPR gene editing and confirm the chromosomal edit with PCR; 2. Receive and practice using a free paper model to teach the function of Cas9, a key protein in CRISPR technology; and 3. Hear the latest in CRISPR technology, including current efforts in gene therapy.

SPEAKERS:
Damon Tighe

Storytelling highlights student cultural wealth. Students create story videos that connect their pandemic experiences with evidence from their analysis of racial inequities in COVID-19 cases.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. see how to scaffold assignments from data analysis to digital story creation; 2. create their own mini digital story about their pandemic experience; and 3. learn how to demonstrate that arguing from statistical evidence can provide an "academic grounding" for discussion of systemic racism.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Benjamin

Explore NSTA’s new Professional Learning Units. Discover these bite-sized asynchronous professional learning experiences that support student sensemaking to earn credit to submit to your school or district.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover how NSTA can provide asynchronous and bite-sized continuing education credit options (2 hours per PLU); 2. Explore how each PLU contains reflections or tasks connected to the classroom that are submitted to NSTA for review or feedback; and 3. Explore how we can support professional learning for individuals or schools/districts, including the flexible options available for Professional Learning Unit topics, and how these fit into our Professional Learning pathways.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Soriano

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Transition between an assortment of physical DNA models and discover student-centered activities that explore the structure and function of this amazing biomolecule.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Review your understanding of the structure of DNA while transferring knowledge across different models of DNA; 2. Consider how a model-based approach to investigating DNA deepens student understanding and inquiry; and 3. Investigate the differences between RNA and DNA while examining models.

SPEAKERS:
Keri Shingleton

The free app E-Bin identifies trash and recyclables as they’re tossed out and indicates which waste bin to use. Rewards are earned for doing so.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. set up a school recycling system based on rewards; 2. use a free educational app promoting a “green” environment; and 3. earn money for school clubs.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Supal

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Exploring sound is easier when you can visualize the sound waves. Identify tuning fork frequencies by sight as well as sound, and SEE the waves combine to form beats. The same sensor can also measure decibel level. Take home sensor data, experiment instructions, and receive free access to Graphical Analysis™ Pro.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain experience with hands-on technology that encourages students to explore and test different solutions and make connections to the real world; 2. Get access to free resources to keep students engaged while learning key scientific concepts either remotely or in the lab; and 3. Gain hands-on experiences with innovative products that increase student engagement, promote creativity and collaboration, and develop problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Frances Poodry, Tom Smith

The NSTA Exhibit Hall is a must-see! NSTA brings you the leading science education companies and organizations to showcase products, services, curricula, and much more. You’ll discover something new and exciting in the world of science teaching.

Sponsoring Company: AeroTech/Quest

Explore the differences between aerospace-grade solid composite propellant model rocket motors and traditional black powder model rocket motors in science education, and assemble a Quest Astra III model rocket kit during the workshop to take home.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The differences between solid composite propellant model rocket motors and traditional black powder model rocket motors; 2. Why solid composite propellant model rocket motors represent the future of model and hobby rocket flight; and 3. How composite propellant model and hobby rocketry can lead to aerospace careers in engineering, propulsion, aerodynamics, telemetry, payload design, mission planning, and much more.

SPEAKERS:
Dane Boles

See the resulting activities and Universal Design pedagogies when STEM educators and doctoral students in Occupational Therapy combine forces.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Universal design can also be applied to inquiry-based learning; 2. Many STEM careers are task-based and anyone can learn the task given the proper learning environment; and 3. The STEM pipeline currently “leaks” those with disadvantages, especially the learning impaired.

SPEAKERS:
Courtney Behrle

Sponsoring Company: ePlanetarium

In 2023 and 2024, two solar eclipses will cross the country. This workshop presents ways to safely observe the eclipses and citizen science activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Viewing a partial or annular eclipse can be dangerous to your eyes without proper protection; 2. Only during totality is it safe to view the sun with naked eyes and unshielded binoculars; and 3. Students can participate in citizen science activities to measure the solar output, the temperature, and animal behavior changes, even if the sky is cloudy.

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Reiff, Carolyn Sumners

Engaging in thought-provoking conversations about female perceptions of STEM, participants will understand how an inclusive “To STEM” learning environment can influence their professional practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. understand the value of using female STEM role models to break the mold of stereotypes and help students form new, meaningful connections to STEM careers; 2. understand the value of inclusive learning environments and how knowing female perspectives are important in building an inclusive STEM community; and 3. learn the role female perceptions can play in building inclusive learning environments that support engagement and learning among all students.

SPEAKERS:
Carol Waters, Mary Curtis

Are you an instructor of preservice teachers of science? Learn about NSTA's digital resources, virtual experiences, and website tools to help your students become the BEST teachers they can be. More than membership, learn about what’s on the NSTA website that you can use to teach your course.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Preservice teachers create a library of resources, grow their network of professional colleagues, and enhance their content and pedagogical knowledge of science by actively engaging with NSTA digital resources and online tools within the NSTA website; 2. Instructors receive a class landing page to manage their course and a private forum for asynchronous discussions, and gain access to an administrator's dashboard to monitor and assess their students' engagement within the NSTA website; and 3. All instructors using NSTA as their textbook get a free NSTA membership and their students become members of the Association through their graduation date at a cost that is competitive and gives the students access in perpetuity to the entire suite of NSTA’s Interactive E-Books+ Professional.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez, Michelle Phillips

Sponsoring Company: XR Guru

Join us for this hands-on presentation to experience Virtual Reality science content.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understand and experience virtual reality science content; 2. learn the research on integrating virtual reality in the classroom; and 3. learn how to create your own virtual reality content to share with students.

SPEAKERS:
Doug Smith

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

See how you can teach both photosynthesis and cellular respiration with algae beads in one hands-on lab in the real-world context of algae blooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to work with algae beads, a fast and easy-to-use model organism; 2. Walk through how students can measure and learn about both photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the same hands-on lab; and 3. See how students can develop scientific explanations of algae blooms and the dead zone in the gulf of Mexico using their learned knowledge about photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

SPEAKERS:
Damon Tighe

How can science learning experiences be designed to support reciprocal and caring understandings of the natural world and human-nature relationships? Come find out with us!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Human-nature relationships are culturally rooted and embedded in approaches to science learning; 2. Shifting away from a view of humans as separate from nature and toward an understanding of humans as part of nature can support learners’ development of caring ecological relationships and practices; 3. Supporting reciprocal and caring human-nature relationships aligns with NGSS science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Maya Garcia, Deb Morrison

Let's stop the guessing game as to what we expect from our students. The Depth and Complexity Icons do just that. Come find out!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. By using the Depth and Complexity Icons, the teacher immediately knows what type of feedback to give students (formative assessment); 2. Once this becomes part of the teacher's instructional practice, the students will begin to know exactly what is expected of them from the teacher; and 3. Teachers must first become familiar and comfortable with this before we can expect the students to become comfortable and successful.

SPEAKERS:
Allen Wilson, Lisa Soll

Hear how to support the development of students' critical consciousness in STEM using COVID-19 to explore social and health disparities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Examine beliefs, practices, and policies that uphold and enforce the oppression of marginalized people; 2. Unpack the history of power, prejudice, privilege, and oppression that marginalized people have faced in healthcare; and 3. Explore how to help students evaluate the recent history of diversity and inclusion efforts and offer solutions to create inclusive classrooms, schools, and communities.

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Morgan, Kadir Demir

Hear how a university prepares preservice STEM teachers for project-based learning (PBL) while they simultaneously experience a PBL curriculum for teacher preparation. Leave with resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. be able to identify the importance of rigor, relevance, and relationships in the design of a STEM teacher preparation program that threads PBL throughout teacher candidates’ preparation; 2. be able to identify opportunities and challenges of threading PBL throughout such a program; and 3. reflect on how provided resources can be utilized and integrated into their own STEM teacher preparation programs.

SPEAKERS:
Deborah Sachs, Katherine Stickney, Kimberly Baker, Jean Lee, Laura Gardner

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Use the Vernier Video Analysis app for ChromeOS, macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android to investigate the motion of a physical pendulum colliding with a cart. Access to Vernier Video Analysis and the experiment from our lab manual will be shared with you. Bring your own device or use one of ours!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain experience with hands-on technology that encourages students to explore and test different solutions and make connections to the real world; 2. Get access to free resources to keep students engaged while learning key scientific concepts either remotely or in the lab; and 3. Gain hands-on experiences with innovative products that increase student engagement, promote creativity and collaboration, and develop problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Tom Smith, Frances Poodry

Practice activities with simple materials exploring the EM Spectrum and explanatory models that illustrate real-world space science applications. Learn about the AAA program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to: 1. employ Claim Evidence and Reasoning and a gallery walk of student work to review discuss models; 2. use collaborative learning to investigate filters and wavelengths; and 3. apply for the NASA teacher professional development program, Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors.

SPEAKERS:
P Harman, Coral Clark, Spencer Cody

Tired of disconnected, one-day field trips? Join this interactive presentation on collaborating with community experts to embed outdoor science learning within an interdisciplinary PBL.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with specific strategies for: 1. building strong relationships with community science partners; 2. linking outdoor learning experiences to standards-based science and interdisciplinary learning through Project-Based Learning; and 3. helping students explore real-world environmental issues and become advocates for change.

SPEAKERS:
Victoria Martinez, Jared Holmes, Ellen Barnett, Melissa Rodriguez, Lyric Johnson

Participants will learn about how some districts around the country are using an asset approach to post-COVID learning and will collaboratively share ideas with others.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Some districts around the country are focusing on an acceleration rather than a remediation post-COVID approach to learning; 2. An asset approach to learning and learners supports social and emotional well-being; and 3. The NSELA Learning Center provides resources for continued learning about asset versus deficit approaches to learning.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Weatherhead, Linda Cook

The NSTA Exhibit Hall is a must-see! NSTA brings you the leading science education companies and organizations to showcase products, services, curricula, and much more. You’ll discover something new and exciting in the world of science teaching.

Sponsoring Company: Animalearn

Let Animalearn take your dissection lab to the next level with AR/VR AND tactile non-animal teaching tools! Free demos and giveaways for your science class!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Teachers will learn about a wide variety of non-animal anatomy resources that can be utilized in the classroom to replace dissection specimens; 2. The latest research will be presented informing educators of the benefits of using non-animal methods compared to specimen dissection; and 3. Teachers will have hands-on exposure to non-animal methods, including the ANATOMY IN CLAY® Learning System and Merge AR/VR STEM technology.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Green

Museum staff and education professors will present a multi-state service-learning project. Attendees will brainstorm experiential learning partnerships for preservice teacher in their own communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn about a multi-state service-learning project completed by elementary education preservice teachers enrolled in Creative Writing and Science Methods courses (at a rural university in Texas) for a Musuem of Natural Sciences (in North Carolina), completed entirely online during the global pandemic; 2. learn about the benefits of service-learning projects for future science educators, local organizations, and local communities…including how the PSTs’ lesson plans met Next Generation Science Standards; and 3. be prompted to consider possible experiential learning partnerships for preservice teachers based on the known needs of their local community organizations. Presenters (including museum staff and university professors) will offer tips for those ideas shared.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Burrow, Tonya Jeffery

Use everyday materials to construct models demonstrating the size and scale of atoms, planets, the solar system, number of stars in our universe, and more.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The universe at various scales can only be truly appreciated with an understanding and utilization of scientific notation; 2. “Scale” is important to grasping the bigness and smallness of various objects, events, and concepts in the universe; and 3. “Modeling” allows humans to literally “grasp” the various scales inherent of and in the universe.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Strong, Robert Strong

Sponsoring Company: NOAA Office of Education

Join us for a demo and discussion about the NEW searchable database of 1,200+ educational resources from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

TAKEAWAYS:
1. NOAA has 1,200+ resources for educators, including lessons, videos, activities, posters, and more; 2. You can now search by grade, resource type, subject, and topic to find what you’re looking for; and 3. We have NGSS resources too! Search by DCI.

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Jones, Bekkah Lampe

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Analyze authentic field data, run electrophoresis gels, build phylogenetic trees, and explore ecological data to decide whether an extinct species of lemur has been rediscovered.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Bring molecular approaches to ecology and evolution units; 2. Explore authentic data from researchers at the Duke Lemur Center; and 3. Use genetic tests to examine species differences.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Bryan

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Mitosis, meiosis, chromosome structure, and crossing over will be explored in this hands-on modeling event. Bring your student hat and be ready to engage.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Model chromosome structure and anatomy; 2. Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis; and 3. Model mechanisms that contribute to genetic variation.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Parfitt

Let's explore student and teacher outcomes from inquiry-based laboratory instruction of scientific literacy and writing in a private high school setting.

TAKEAWAYS:
Effectiveness of: 1. professional development on teacher efficacy for writing instruction in science; 2. inquiry-based laboratory instruction on student writing performance in science; and 3. inquiry-based laboratory instruction on student perceptions of writing ability and scientific literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Ross Lyons

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

An empty field. A human corpse. Maggots and flies. Who is the victim? What happened? Can you solve the mystery? This middle and high school activity will challenge you to apply science and deductive reasoning to determine what happened!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Forensic science is a STEM career field that combines science, math, and criminal justice concepts; 2. Understanding the natural process of decomposition can help investigators narrow in on identifying victims and causes of death; and 3. Using stories is a great way to engage students and provide context to the science/STEM they are learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Lukens

Focusing on wetlands and the connection to flooding puts STEM in a real-world context that is relatable to students, and virtual reality makes it fun.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. gain experience in developing virtual field trips using free software and a 360-degree camera; 2. experience a virtual field trip focused on ecosystems, participate in activities covering standards related to ecosystems components, and identify ways to incorporate their local context to the virtual environments; and 3. learn about relevant local connections and partnerships that they can leverage to design a more varied student experience unique for their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Nastassia Jones, Nikita LaCour

Join us and learn how to prepare your manuscript for submission to NSTA’s practitioner journals—we'll share author guidelines, tips, and tricks.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Practical, classroom-tested ideas and strategies; 2. How the peer review process works; and 3. How the publishing process works.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Patty McGinnis, Ann MacKenzie, Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn, David Wojnowski

Please join us for this Exclusive Exhibit Hall time today (3:00–4:30 PM). During this time there are no teacher sessions scheduled and it’s a perfect opportunity to visit the exhibits and discover all the products and services companies and organizations have to offer. Some exhibitors will offer materials for sale throughout the conference.

Undergraduate citizen science research from Peru’s Sucasari Region is brought to Iowa. Examples and connections for reference and future connections will be provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Cultures have more similarities than differences; 2. Understanding phenomena is trans-continental; and 3. Science involves questioning and researching.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Bechtel, Chloe Zierke, Michaela Dehli

Oceanography is an appealing application to engage all students in the high school physical science, physics, and chemistry classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to leverage students' interest in oceans to engage all students in physical science inquiry; 2. Resources for training teachers to promote oceanography instruction at all levels; and 3. Example activities that incorporate oceans into the physical sciences.

SPEAKERS:
Steve Schulz

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Delve into the CRISPR discovery as you manipulate the Adaptive Immunity Kit to explore its functions. Learn how to connect CRISPR to what you teach.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The discovery of CRISPR was a collaborative effort of many people over a 30-year period; 2. How CRISPR functions as an adaptive immunity system in bacteria; and 3. The role of the Cas9 endonuclease in this system.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Herman

Democratic STEM Teaching (DST) centers student voice, creating inclusive classrooms where all students can thrive. Explore how human-centered design thinking turns DST principles into practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will: 1. understand the DST principles and describe practical examples of student voice, shared authority, and STEM criticality; 2. develop ideas of how to use DST principles in their own classrooms in order to create a more inclusive classroom; and 3. use the design thinking approach and protocols to identify a focus area in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Houston

Presentation of graduate research on depth of questions used by elementary teacher candidates. Participants will use results to evaluate their questions to enhance student learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. get an overview of a research study and learn about resulting tools used to evaluate depth of questions in elementary science lessons; 2. learn and contribute to recommendations for preservice and inservice teachers in developing questioning techniques to promote student discourse and understand student thinking; and 3. practice developing and refining questions in science.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Lima, Liz McMillan

Participants investigate three concepts of an anchoring phenomenon to explain why a dog can see himself and the bottom of a frozen pond simultaneously.

TAKEAWAYS:
Workshop participants will engage in and learn about; 1. a phenomenon-driven storyline focused on multiple concepts; 2. model-based reasoning and collective sensemaking; and 3. constructing explanations via developing models and forming CER statements.

SPEAKERS:
Jaclyn Murray

Join us as we explore how NSTA’s three-dimensional resources can be utilized to enhance your teaching. Walk away with effective strategies for science teaching and learning and hear from educators as they provide tips for using these resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to use NSTA resources to shift your practice; 2. Leave with strategies to use in your classroom to promote student engagement in science learning; and 3. Hear from classroom teachers about how they are using NSTA Press publications.

SPEAKERS:
Wendy Binder, Christine Anne Royce

Infographics are an excellent way to engage students in communicating science to the public. Ideas can change quickly when misinformation appears in a community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn how infographics can be incorporated into science classes to teach communication skills; 2. see examples of student-generated graphics; and 3. see feedback from students and learn why they think this exercise is an important part of their training.

SPEAKERS:
Kerry Cheesman

Did you realize that elders used inquiry, a multidisciplinary project-based approach, hands-on learning, and innovation? Incorporating these ideas will improve your classroom for ALL students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. All teachers can adapt their teaching methods to match those of our elders and, in fact, NSTA's Sensemaking program provides a strong foundation for this method of instruction; 2. The sequence and methods that were used by our elders ensured that all students were active learners; and 3. The elders not only had students build a foundation of knowledge, but also accomplished this by using inquiry, exploring phenomena, implementing a hands-on approach, and concluding with an innovative extension.

SPEAKERS:
Joel Truesdell

The NSTA Exhibit Hall is a must-see! NSTA brings you the leading science education companies and organizations to showcase products, services, curricula, and much more. You’ll discover something new and exciting in the world of science teaching.

Use STEM web-based analysis software and basic physics gravitation and centripetal acceleration equations to determine if a stellar core is a white dwarf or neutron star.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Light curves generated from image analysis software can be used to determine the period of rotation of some white dwarfs and pulsars; 2. Newton’s Universal Law of gravitation and centripetal acceleration calculations can be used as evidence for determining the type of star; and 3. Js9 web-based software provides students with real opportunities to do astronomical research.

SPEAKERS:
Pamela Perry

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Let's explore the molecular mechanism of CRISPR Cas9, including the use of a guide RNA to program the nuclease to target a specific nucleotide sequence. Discover a hands-on model—Cas9 Making the Cut— that can be used to introduce this topic to students. This Making the Cut Kit is designed to be used after the students are first introduced to the CRISPR system using the CRISPR Adaptive Immunity Kit.  We will also explore how Cas9 is being engineered to become an even more powerful genome editing tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. CRISPR Cas9 can cut the 3.2 billion base-pair human genome at a single specific site; 2. Cas9 can be programmed with guide RNA to recognize any specific sequence of DNA; and 3. Cas9 is being engineered to make it an even more powerful genome editing tool.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Herman

Explore a variety of careers in the energy sector and discover what soft skills and personality traits will help your students in the workforce.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn activities to help students identify the soft skills and personality traits that will make them stand out in workplace environments; 2. Help students in understanding just how many different career opportunities and paths exist in the world around them. The list is much broader than doctor, lawyer, teacher, or firefighter and the energy industry includes much more diversity in job types than just engineer, technician, and electrician; and 3. Be able to describe the traits and skills that are essential to being a good worker and team player, no matter what industry or job the student may enter.

SPEAKERS:
Sue Parrent

Toshiba America Foundation wants to work together with teachers who are looking for a better way of doing the right thing.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Toshiba America Foundation objectives; 2. How to request a Toshiba America Foundation grant; and 3. Learn from fellow Toshiba America Foundation grant teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Acacia McKenna, John Anderson

This presentation showcases a federally funded educator preparation and professional development model that gives teachers experiences in high-impact micro-clinical rounds in multiple diverse school settings and is designed to specifically address the  cultural competency needs of current and future science educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn strategies for designing high-impact clinical rounds that are grounded in culturally responsive pedagogical principles; 2. learn and apply a set of specific strategies for designing and sustaining micro-clinical rounds for current and future science educators; and 3. hear video excerpts of principals, teachers, and teacher candidates about the positive effect the micro-clinical rounds make on new and experienced teacher effectiveness.

SPEAKERS:
Dewayne Morgan

We present quantitative and qualitative aspects of student affective factors, values, and skills gained from a CURE utilizing a masked, in-person poster presentation

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will learn how a return to post-COVID science communication experiences impact students’ science attitudes; 2. Attendees will learn how students who present in a masked, in-person poster session perceive its value and their skills gained from the process; and 3. Attendees who are interested in implementing, or currently using, CUREs, will learn general practitioner recommendations based on our findings.

SPEAKERS:
Austin Leone, Donald French