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

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

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

Please note, this is a repeat of the session from Wednesday afternoon.

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

A vision to support collaboration of district teachers, administrators, scientists and educators working to integrate Earth and environmental science phenomena into high school biology, chemistry, and physics courses in Baltimore City Schools. The 5+1 framework guides the integration of earth science by incorporating the following components: 1) 3-Dimensional instruction, 2) phenomenon driven units, 3) student-centered learning (specific to ML with language and content objectives) , 4) responsive instruction with “in the moment” resources, tools, and strategies;, and 5) Earth science content for all students (+1). The framework ensures the curriculum developed is aligned to NGSS, infuses Earth science content, and is accessible to all students. Participants will use the 5+1 model to examine specific unit/lesson examples, in biology, to develop instruction that is responsive, phenomena driven with considerations to use language objectives to build instruction for ML students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using the 5+1 model for Earth science integrated instruction, participants will analyze units and lessons in biology for the presence of key components designed to differentiate instruction for all students with a focus on diverse learners with a specific focus on multi-language learners (ML).

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Garner, Andrew Collins, Edmund Mitzel, Jr., Ph.D.

Take your students on the newest addition to the Crash Science in the Classroom website - an immersive 3D 360° virtual field trip inside the IIHS’s crash-testing facility—normally closed to the public. Designed with scaffolded content, the tour promotes equitable classroom practices by offering multimodal instructional strategies by blending 360° navigation with award-winning videos, guiding questions, exciting demos, English/Spanish captions, and hands-on activities to help include all students in self-paced learning. The tour brings experts on relevant and timely topics (i.e., car crashes, crash dummies, teen driving issues, crash avoidance technologies) into classrooms to integrate multi-disciplinary core ideas with science and engineering practices. This high-interest, place-based experience shows how science, engineering, and technology shape society (NGSS Crosscutting Concept) by driving real-world vehicle safety innovations while equipping students with life-saving knowledge.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants learn how to utilize a placed-based, interactive virtual tour paired with inquiry-based activities to foster students’ engagement and 3D learning by integrating STEM concepts and real-world data with vehicle crashworthiness, crash avoidance technologies, and teen driver safety.

SPEAKERS:
Pini Kalnite, Griff Jones

A key part of learning science is developing language to talk about your ideas. Traditional methods of introducing a science lesson or unit with a vocabulary list and definitions don’t help students develop understanding of science ideas or hold onto the language. In this session, participants will explore instructional strategies for introducing and earning science vocabulary that support understanding for all learners, and especially multilingual learners. Attendees will analyze classroom video to identify teacher moves that embed vocabulary instruction within investigations and discussions. Participants will leave with practical strategies for helping students actively develop and use new science terminology in their sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to embed science vocabulary development within investigations and discussions to strengthen student sensemaking and support all learners, especially multilingual students.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Pawlowski, Ji Sun Ham, Zoe Evans

How can we inspire young learners to see themselves as future innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders in STEM? This session explores how computer science and STEM can be meaningfully integrated into elementary classrooms in ways that are both engaging and accessible. In our district’s Imagineer Studio, teachers help students build problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and logical reasoning skills while fostering a classroom culture that emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Through hands-on STEM experiences and career-focused investigations, students begin to recognize clear connections between their classroom learning and real-world STEM careers. Participants will gain practical strategies and classroom-tested approaches that make STEM and computer science exciting, relevant, and aspirational, while equipping young learners to envision their own futures in STEM fields.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave this session with practical strategies to make STEM and computer science engaging, relevant, and tied to real-world careers, helping students develop skills and envision future opportunities in STEM fields.

SPEAKERS:
Sharon Wiggins, Christopher Bowen

Did you know that there are nearly 300,000 STEM professionals at the DoW? And did you know that those DoW STEM professionals, along with partner organizations, are leveraged to provide unique STEM learning experiences for students and educators? Participants will have the opportunity to explore STEM resources and opportunities offered by the Department of War. From hands-on learning activities to paid internships and college scholarships, learn how DoW STEM can help you power the next generation of innovators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how the Department of Defense’s extensive STEM workforce and programs, ranging from hands-on activities to internships and scholarships, can provide powerful learning opportunities that inspire and prepare the next generation of innovators.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Marquis Mason, Kristen McInerney

Come and explore the connections between the teaching and learning of science, CTE, and climate literacy, including intersections with workforce development.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees learn strategies for interweaving science, CTE, and climate learning into a variety of learning contexts and courses.

SPEAKERS:
Johanna Brown, Carol ODonnell, Deb Morrison

How can science departments expand offerings in ways that both engage students and strengthen enrollment? This session shares the step-by-step process of designing, launching, and refining a high school food science elective. Participants will learn how the course was structured to balance rigor with accessibility and connect chemistry, biology, and sustainability to real-world issues. The session will highlight strategies for curriculum design, lab experiences, assessments, and partnerships that made the course successful. Data on enrollment growth and student engagement will be shared, along with practical tools attendees can adapt to their own schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with a roadmap and practical tools for developing a food science elective that engages students, boosts enrollment, and connects science learning to careers, sustainability, and everyday life.

SPEAKERS:
Yana Zubarev, Christopher Taylor

Career Lab 360 reimagines traditional career exploration by immersing students in hands-on, real-world tasks that mirror the responsibilities and problem-solving skills used across a wide range of professions. This session highlights how the Career Lab model transforms passive career awareness into active, skill-driven engagement through a series of interactive stations. Each station is designed to showcase a different career pathway, allowing students to rotate through experiences that connect classroom learning to authentic workforce applications. Participants will learn how this approach strengthens student understanding of career possibilities, builds foundational skills, and fosters a future-ready mindset. By partnering with community organizations and industry professionals, Career Lab 360 creates meaningful bridges between schools and the world of work, inspiring students to envision their future careers with clarity and confidence.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to design and implement hands-on, experiential career stations in partnership with community and industry organizations that replicate real-world tasks and foster students’ problem-solving skills, career awareness, and future-ready mindsets.

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Patti, Beverly Stambaugh

Explore how place-based and environmental justice focused lessons transform science learning by connecting students’ lived experiences to local water systems. Participants will examine three NGSS aligned case studies: Salmon in the Klamath, San Gabriel Valley groundwater pollution, and Owens Valley water conflict, to see how Traditional Ecological Knowledge, local data collection, and storytelling deepen understanding of Living Earth systems. Attendees will engage in interdisciplinary strategies that integrate biology, earth science, and environmental policy while supporting multilingual and neurodiverse learners through visual data tools, community mapping, and reflective journaling. The workshop models assessments that invite students to think critically, act locally, and communicate scientifically. Teachers will leave with ready-to-use lesson frameworks demonstrating how equity-centered science increases engagement, equity, and agency in the STEM classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain ready-to-use, NGSS-aligned frameworks for teaching local water systems through place-based and environmental justice lenses. They will leave equipped to integrate storytelling, data analysis, and traditional ecological knowledge to engage all learners in equitable science.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Ann Ng

Join this session to explore how my former students with special education experiences are using GenAI to dismantle barriers and expand learning opportunities in their daily lives. Drawing on case studies from my research and Engeström’s concept of expansive learning, I will highlight how collaborative engagement with GenAI fosters agency, supports expansive learning, and opens new possibilities. Examining why youth use GenAI also helps identify changes and innovations needed in learning environments. I will share moments when a participant’s use of ChatGPT raised questions about potential misuse and prompted reflection on how I designed the study. Join to explore the power of co-design with GenAI for expansive learning and accessibility, and gain practical strategies for engaging students as active, ethical participants in shaping their learning environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore the power of discussing and collaborating with youth on GenAI use, using these conversations to inform improvements, foster ethical decision-making, and create more inclusive, responsive learning environments.

SPEAKERS:
Gina Tesoriero

Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering science classrooms, yet many educators are unsure how to begin using it in purposeful and responsible ways. In this introductory session, participants will explore what AI is, what it is not, and how it can support NGSS sensemaking without replacing student thinking. Through live demonstrations and simple classroom examples, educators will learn how AI can help students ask better questions, strengthen reasoning, and engage more deeply with phenomena. The session highlights ethical use of AI as a partner in science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand how to use AI as a tool for sensemaking that strengthens student questioning and reasoning while supporting phenomenon-based science learning routines.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Lazzaro, Velma Itamura

Current teaching and practice in preschool classrooms often includes limited exposure to informational science texts; which are essential to building all children’s sensemaking of disciplinary core ideas. In this 60-minute presentation, participants will learn strategies for embedding language-rich discussions into read-alouds of informational science texts focused on life, Earth and Space, and physical science topics. Participants will also learn about conducting hands-on science activities based on informational science texts and real-life phenomena. High-quality nonfiction science texts and hands-on activities will be presented. Videos and pictures captured in authentic preschool classrooms will be used to help participants gain firsthand accounts of evidence-based discussion strategies for building children’s language around science using information science texts and hands-on activities in preschool classrooms. Feedback from teacher implementation will also be included.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will take away practical, evidence-based discussion strategies and hands-on activities that foster understanding of disciplinary core science ideas for all children in preschool classrooms. Participants will also come away with a list of texts and materials for classroom use.

SPEAKERS:
Robin McGinnis

Join us to explore how science teaching and learning in elementary classrooms can be leveraged to improve student learning across subjects. Participants will start by sharing their experiences and perspectives around barriers to making time for science in elementary classrooms, and then start to look for solutions. We will engage in three dimensional, integrated literacy and science learning activities and reflect on the instructional strategies and how phenomena-based learning promotes growth in both disciplines. The session will culminate with an overview of current research in the field highlighting how increased time spent on science instruction is beneficial to growth across content areas. This session is designed to support K-5 educators and education leaders in advocating for increased science time in their schools or regions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will take away both the research and the instructional strategies learned in the session to advocate for increased science instructional time in K-5 classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Stenger, Vanessa Lujan

This presentation will share a full kinematics PBL unit based on speed walking and highlight the key activities. The presentation will begin with an overview of the project and rationale for leveraging PBLs to engage students in science and engineering practices. The PBL begins with the anchoring question “How do you win a race?”. The presentation includes an overview of the scaffolded activities to get students comfortable with the software and sensors used to collect their own speed walking data. The PBL unit includes activities to support students to analyze their collected speed walking data. Finally, the presentation details the two peer review cycles students engage in to improve their presentation skills and to get feedback on their work. Throughout the presentation, attendees will be encouraged to ask questions in addition to reflecting on how this PBL unit could fit into their context.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain access to a complete kinematics PBL unit that can be adapted to their context, including a unit outline, activities, and assignments. Attendees will learn about the unit structure, how to implement the key activities, and consider how to modify the resources to meet their needs.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Estes

Grab your coffee and pull up a seat. This is your chance to connect live with the Class CrunchLabs team and other educators who are building the future of science class. Ask questions, share wins, swap stories, and get real-time tips from the people designing the units and using them with students. Whether you are just getting started or deep into your first mission, this is a space for honest conversation, curiosity, and community. No slides. No pressure. Just real talk with your Class CrunchLabs crew.

TAKEAWAYS:
Bring your questions, feedback, and curiosity. This is your space to connect live with the Class CrunchLabs team, swap ideas with other educators, and get support from real humans.

SPEAKERS:
DeAnna Lee Rivers, Arash Jamshidi, Tommy Clayton, Rebecca Garelli, Jesse Semeyn, Megan Kuehl, Spencer Martin, Tara Graham

This session explores the crucial lessons learned during the first year of our OpenSciEd high school materials rollout and details the successful instructional shifts observed in the second year. We will share a multi-faceted model for systemic change, focusing on three core strategies: building effective school-based leadership, leveraging trailblazing teachers to support reluctant implementers, and proactively minimizing barriers to high-quality science instruction for all students. Join us to gain actionable insights into supporting science educators and accelerating the transition of high school instruction to align with A Framework for K-12 Science Education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how a phased rollout strategy provided scalable affordances, built a robust network of administrators, and leveraged science teacher leaders to address challenges and remove barriers to support all students with a high-quality science learning experience at scale.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Craddock, Kristin Lilley, Kristoffer Carroll, Mary Shane, Dawn Bien, Audri Rosen

This session focuses on the trilogy of NSTA Press books on the Three Dimensions and is led by NSTA’s former in-house expert on science standards who recruited the lead authors of all three books. Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices provides a play-by-play understanding of the practices. Disciplinary Core Ideas: Reshaping Teaching and Learning provides an in depth perspective on the disciplinary core ideas. Crosscutting Concepts: Strengthening Science and Engineering Learning is designed to help educators grasp the foundational issues that undergird crosscutting concepts. These books are written in clear, nontechnical language. Many of the authors contributed to the development of the Framework and NGSS. The authors also share a wealth of real-world examples drawn from their own classroom experiences to show what’s different about three-dimensional teaching and learning at all grade levels.

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

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard

How can a greenhouse become more than a structure, serving as a space for equity, sustainability, and student voice in science education? The Greenhouse Initiative at New Brunswick Public Schools showcases how place-based, three-dimensional learning can transform science education through sustainability, equity, and community engagement. Created as a living lab, the greenhouse provides equitable spaces for Multilingual Learners and Ability Diverse Learners to engage in authentic, NGSS-aligned learning experiences that honor student voice and foster inclusion. This initiative led to the development of an elective course that naturally integrates science, health, and environmental problem-solving, positioning students as leaders in addressing local and global challenges tied to UNSDG #11: Sustainable Cities & Communities. District leadership, science specialists, teachers, and community members collaborated to design and sustain this work, ensuring alignment with system-wide priorities.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will explore how a Greenhouse Initiative promotes a place-based approach to environmental challenges, while advancing equity for all and cultivating strong community partnerships. This initiative deepens three-dimensional learning and drives system-level advocacy for sustainable practices.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Nunez

Selecting and implementing instructional materials is a key part of implementing the vision of the NRC Framework. This session will explore the current state of culturally responsive STEM curriculum in the country as well as lessons learned from the field to increase the use of materials that empower all students. Breakout discussions will allow participants to explore opportunities to overcome common challenges to implementing culturally-response curriculum in an effort to community source and solve these challenges. Session discussion will focus on integrating instructional practices that promote equity and support culturally responsive instruction across materials that embody the vision of the Framework. By strategizing about how to implement curriculum and instruction that realize culturally responsive practices, instructional leaders will be equipped to support teachers in fostering deeper connections with diverse learners, empowering their STEM thinking and identity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn the importance of culturally responsive teaching and the role it plays in STEM education through identifying key components that make curriculum culturally responsive and considering lessons learned for making sustainable, scaled changes in curricula and teaching practices.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Childress Self, Joi Merritt, Shannon Wachowski

Engaging place-based Pacific-Coast-centered storylines are presented that allow students to develop sensemaking skills for investigating up-to-date, research-driven climate science and how it relates to their home communities. For example, the Pacific Ocean El Niño / La Niña cycles greatly influence the climates of the U.S. West Coast, including regional temperature and precipitation variations and therefore the timing and locations of floods, droughts, and wildfires. Increased global warming due to increased greenhouse gases is amplifying some of these impact. A recent example is the Southern California wildfires of 2025, where global warming has now extended the lengths of La Niña droughts into January, so they are now overlapping with the start of the winter Santa Ana winds. Another example is how increased Pacific Ocean surface temperatures increase the likelihood of future atmospheric rivers that can cause severe flooding along parts of the West Coast.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students effectively develop sensemaking of NGSS performance expectations concerning weather and climate using place-based storylines anchored by Pacific Coast regional phenomena. Instructors will leave with multiple ideas for incorporating the latest climate science into their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Wysession

Discover incredible opportunities in STEM education with a range of NSTA-administered K-12 opportunities that engage through innovative programming and recognize achievement with amazing awards. We’ll explore programs and awards that are sure to ignite a passion for discovery and innovation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Empower your teaching with dynamic STEM programs and awards administered by NSTA as you learn about innovative opportunities to boost engagement and enthusiasm for K-12 students and teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Lasky, Sue Whitsett, Brian Kutsch

Curious about what it takes to become a Shell Science Teaching Award or Shell Urban Award winner? Join this dynamic panel of past and current recipients of the Shell Science Teaching Award and the Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award, along with award panelists, as they share their journeys, classroom innovations, and tips for crafting a strong application. Learn how these prestigious awards recognize and support outstanding science educators—especially those making an impact in under-resourced schools and urban communities. Attendees will hear candid stories, ask questions directly to winners and reviewers, and walk away with resources, encouragement, and inspiration. Bonus: Attend for a chance to win exciting door prizes that support your classroom and professional journey!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain insider knowledge and confidence to apply for the Shell Awards and grow as leaders in science education.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton

Implementing high quality instructional materials (HQIM) in science at the district scale is one of the most important pathways to reaching students with NGSS aligned reforms. However, taking on a district curriculum adoption process can be daunting. Hear from a panel of district science leaders who have met this challenge head on in three very different contexts. You will learn about the components of various district contexts and the challenges and successes these leaders have met along the way. You will leave with insights you can apply to your own context, whatever stage of the process your district is in!

TAKEAWAYS:
You will leave with insights applicable to their own district curriculum implementation processes.

SPEAKERS:
Liz Beans, Elizabeth Johnston, Kate Henson

This session showcases a forward-thinking place-based curriculum model aligned with NGSS, integrating the expertise of local water authority professionals. Designed for middle-schools, the curriculum seamlessly connects scientific concepts with real-world applications, linking classroom learning directly to career opportunities in water management. This collaboration not only provides students with a practical understanding of environmental science but also inspires future career paths in the sector. The curriculum model equips students with essential skills, preparing them for success in the evolving job market. Attendees will discover how to adopt this model to advance science education and career readiness, laying the groundwork for further workforce development initiatives in schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to implement a place-based NGSS-aligned curriculum that connects classroom learning to real-world careers through collaboration with industry professionals, enhancing student engagement and workforce readiness.

SPEAKERS:
Trevor Harder

What should science education look like in 2025? Whether you're a district leader, instructional coach, or classroom teacher, you'll leave with tools to build capacity for high quality science instruction This session introduces Dig Into Science—a free, go-at-your-own-pace professional learning series co-developed by WA, OR, ID, and NM to support educators new to science teaching. Participants will explore the modules firsthand, engage in collaborative reflection, and consider how to use this resource to support onboarding, mentoring, and professional development. Come ready to dig in!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore a powerful new one-stop resource designed to support educators in best instructional practices and leave with actionable strategies to deploy it in their own contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Johanna Brown, Andrea Baerwald, McKenzie Sonderegger

How can we make room for art in our science classrooms? Join us as we share our experiences infusing art into science lessons. Learn how art can turn science into engaging, creative experiences that support sense-making, foster critical thinking, encourage personal expression, spark curiosity, and more!

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, attendees will explore practical strategies for infusing art and design into science instruction, helping students master scientific concepts while staying engaged. Together, we’ll reimagine science classrooms as spaces where creativity and curiosity go hand in hand.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Kim, Yishan Lee

This session focuses on a research-based Career Connected Learning (CCL) Framework and durable skills to assist leaders in decision making around learning pathways. Driven by DoW priorities, the CCL Framework supports students, educators and industry partners to align learning and workforce opportunities. We will share the CCL Framework iterative process and explore potential use cases for maximum impact. Come prepared to engage, learn and share your expertise to take CCL to the next level.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore a research-based Career Connected Learning (CCL)Framework and durable skills to design effective career pathways, align learning with workforce needs, and apply practical strategies to strengthen CCL opportunities.

SPEAKERS:
Marc Siciliano

The relatively new emphasis on engineering across educational settings and standards, has early childhood educators working to understand how to best engage young children in engineering experiences that develop children’s interest and skills and prepares children for future engineering learning. To do this, early childhood educators need to be aware of the foundational knowledge and skills needed for our young learners to engage in age-appropriate engineering experiences and to learn systematic ways for developing children’s engineering knowledge and skills throughout their preK and early elementary years. This session will present a continuum for Early Childhood Engineering, describing appropriate engineering experiences for preschool through the primary grades and explaining how each set of experiences prepares children for the next. And, of course, we will do some engineering!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand what engineering is and appreciate the need for and benefits of engineering experiences in early childhood education, while learning meaningful classroom strategies for implementing engineering with young children.

SPEAKERS:
William Straits

Transform your classroom and make a lasting impact on education with one philosophical shift that puts learning back into the hands of students. Join one teacher’s journey to revolutionize assessments with renewed focus on critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. Research suggests that a standards-based electronic portfolio promotes a positive learning environment that emphasizes student mastery, develops self-regulated learning, and strengthens the classroom community. This real-world application in Physics confirms it! Explore how the systems approach has promoted equity and accessibility through universal design for learning (UDL) strategies and purposeful implementation of peer reviews, self-assessments, and revisions. See examples of how an “Ask 3” protocol and “Actionable Norms” positive behavior intervention shift student thinking from compliance to continuous growth. Let’s turn theory into practice and leave energized to effect change together.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how implementing a comprehensive learner-centered electronic portfolio system with NGSS (& AP) standards-based grading plus a clear revision process can positively impact student learning to address the 4 Cs while it also transforms teaching into a more sustainable practice.

SPEAKERS:
Albert David Valderrama

It is essential for middle school science students to learn to generate new ideas, interpretations, and solutions collaboratively. In this presentation, we first convey a stance that values and leverages multilingualism and multilingual learners' (MLs) lived experiences. We then share work done with science teachers and teacher educators through the federally funded Biliteracy and Content Area Integrated Preparation (BCAIP) Project to translate this stance into moves that mobilize MLs' full linguistic repertoire (i.e., translanguaging). Specifically, we use a middle school science unit, Ecosystem Interactions and Resources, to model how bilingual texts, collaboration norms, and multilingual assessment performances serve as translanguaging moves to scaffold data and text analysis along with collaborative language development. Attendees come away with resources and tips to designing a trajectory of collaborative inquiry for their own classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Multilingual learners benefit when are supported in mobilizing their full linguistic repertoire (i.e., translanguaging) for the purpose of generating new ideas, interpretations, or solutions collaboratively.

SPEAKERS:
Edward Lyon

The 6th-8th grade students at AuTrain-Onota Public School, are in their fourth year building and wiring underwater remote operated vehicles (ROVs). The students have worked with local conservation districts on a fish habitat project, as well as won trophies at ROV competitions. This past school year, the teacher, Amy Pihlainen-Gabler, contacted the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, (WHOI), regarding their use of ROVs. WHOI scientists, including a senior scientist on the Titanic wreckage expedition, have spoken to the students several times about the real-world applications of these ROVs. Mrs. Pihlainen-Gabler traveled to Woods Hole in Massachusetts this past March and will discuss her trip to WHOI and how the scientists welcomed her on tours and provided materials and information to further inspire her students. She will also discuss future plans for the program with Kall Morris Inc. and the Lake Superior SCUBA harbor clean up effort.

TAKEAWAYS:
The most important thing as a teacher is to show students the real-world applications of what they are learning. The "why do I care/need to learn this?"

SPEAKERS:
Amy Pihlainen-Gabler

How can teachers design assessments that capture what students know, can do, and can explain across diverse high school science courses? This interactive session explores three-dimensional (3D) assessment strategies for Chemistry, IB Sports Science, and Forensic Science. Participants will examine freely available OER tasks, rubrics, and student work examples aligned to the NRC Framework, NGSS, and state standards. Through collaboration, teachers will adapt tasks for their own classrooms, taking into account issues of equity, accessibility, and disciplinary relevance.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with ready-to-use, open-access 3D assessment tools and strategies to evaluate student sensemaking in Chemistry, IB Sports Science, and Forensic Science while addressing equity and instructional alignment.

SPEAKERS:
Ramon Reeves, Shannon Harris, Tracy Joyner, Dana Peeples

This session explores how the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) can serve as a powerful foundation for helping students connect phenomena-driven learning to high-skill, high-wage, in-demand careers. This session will offer practical insights into the current postsecondary and workforce landscape and demonstrate how career-connected learning can increase student engagement by making science more relevant and purposeful.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using state science standards as a foundation for career connected learning helps students see science as purposeful and relevant by directly linking science content and application to in-demand career pathways boosting both engagement and motivation.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rademaker

Educators are trying to find the time to engage students in authentic science learning experiences, but they are restricted by schedule and curricular demands. INTEGRATING science and literacy ALLEVIATES challenges such as time constraints, disconnected learning, and low engagement. Utilizing science trade books stimulates knowledge building, which engages, equips, and empowers our students by contextualizing their comprehension. This session includes evidence-based research, practical insights, and hands-on application. Participants will: EXPLORE an integrated lesson using the 5E model and literacy strategies for reading, writing, speaking, and listening that deepen students’ understanding of science content connected to NGSS standards. CREATE an integrated lesson using a template and collection of science trade books. REFLECT on their experience, challenges encountered, and key takeaways. They will leave the session empowered with practical tools to elevate their teaching practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
INTEGRATING science and literacy ALLEVIATES challenges (time constraints, disconnected learning, low engagement). This presentation includes evidence-based research, practical insights, and hands-on application, to empower educators with knowledge and practical tools to contextualize comprehension.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Westhafer

Learn how OpenSciEd’s new middle school units are intentionally designed to expand access to computer science by integrating it directly into science instruction. This session will introduce an instructional model that addresses longstanding equity gaps in computer science education by embedding programming, computational thinking, and engineering design into phenomenon-based science investigations. Explore how this approach not only deepens science understanding but also inspires students, especially those historically underrepresented in STEM, to pursue advanced computer science courses and careers. We will also explore how computer science serves as the foundation for understanding emerging technologies like generative AI, helping students make sense of the innovations shaping their world. Participants will additionally learn about the career exploration opportunities woven into the units that help students make meaningful connections to their futures in STEM fields.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will see how integrating computer science into middle school science builds equitable access to computer science while preparing students with the foundational skills to understand and engage with AI and other emerging technologies.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Neill

Contact forces might be all around us, but the juicy nuggets in this unit help them make sense. This session helps you uncover key features in Carnival of Collisions that make it easier to plan, teach, and guide students through puzzling ideas like balanced and unbalanced forces, motion, and collisions. We will walk through the built-in teacher tools, prompts, and routines that support deep thinking and epic classroom moments. Whether students are knocking down bowing pins or smashing watermelons, you will leave with ready-to-use moves that help the learning stick.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover classroom-ready tools in Carnival of Collisions that help students explore contact forces and investigate what really happens when objects crash, bounce, or come to a sudden stop.

SPEAKERS:
Tommy Clayton, Arash Jamshidi, Spencer Martin

During this session, we will discuss how expanding your leadership capacity in science education begins with understanding where your school or district currently stands—and where it aspires to be. This session engages participants in a reflective process to identify leadership opportunities that strengthen systems of support for science, technology, and engineering teaching and learning. Through structured protocols for analyzing school and district data, participants will learn how to highlight areas of growth, communicate findings effectively with building and district leaders, and leverage this information to drive meaningful change. The session will also provide strategies for facilitating professional learning, fostering collaboration, and building networks that enhance science instruction and strengthen departmental coherence.

TAKEAWAYS:
Identifying how data can provide insight into instructional needs and successes to build collaborative professional learning opportunities that create lasting systems of support to strengthen your science department.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Warren

Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering science classrooms, and education leaders play a key role in shaping how it strengthens student sensemaking. This session explores how AI can help students ask stronger questions, reason with evidence, and engage more deeply with phenomena. Leaders will learn how to communicate a clear, purposeful vision for AI use, one that promotes thoughtful integration and supports high-quality science investigations. The session also highlights ways to partner with parents to build understanding and shared confidence in AI’s role in learning. Participants will leave with tools to assess readiness, articulate guiding principles, and position AI as a productive thinking partner in phenomenon-based science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to guide AI use to deepen science sensemaking, promote purposeful rather than restrictive practices, and engage parents as partners in supporting students’ phenomenon-based investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Lazzaro, Velma Itamura

"When developing skills in-game and an understanding of science concepts are one and the same - digital games can make learning dynamic, fun and accessible." Join Smithsonian Science Education Center’s Digital Team as we dive deeper into bringing scientific phenomena to life using game-based learning. In this discussion, we will be covering topics such as how our team uses storytelling and narratives to help contextualize complex scientific concepts, how games make certain scientific phenomena accessible, how games can be designed for all users, and how they can help support students with different learning styles. We are excited to share our skills, free learning resources, and enthusiasm with you all, so please join us in expanding learning through games.

TAKEAWAYS:
Digital Games are suited for and should be designed for play-based learning Storytelling and narratives help contextualize complex science concepts Games and sims can give access to scientific phenomena that can be too far away, too big, too small, or too inaccessible for any other reason

SPEAKERS:
Brian Mandell

Science sparks students’ excitement and curiosity about the world! Explore research and discuss how to build your toolbox for engaging others in prioritizing phenomenon-based instruction in elementary students’ curricular experiences; go beyond special activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with strategies to advocate for integrating science into students’ elementary classroom experiences, on par with ELA and Math.

SPEAKERS:
Yanira Vazquez

Teaching is hard! Educators work long hours, do not get paid the most lucrative salaries, and can easily get bogged down by all the difficulties that come with the career. This session will discuss professional development opportunities for both formal and informal educators to reignite their passion for education and bring real-world experience back to their students. In addition, experiences discussed provide educators with opportunities to collaborate with scientists, educators, artists, and cultural leaders from around the world to develop engaging content for the classroom and broader community. Specific professional development discussed includes Fund for Teachers, National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship, Ecology Project International Teacher Fellowship, Earthwatch Project Kindle, Bimini Biological Field Station Educator Fellowship, Ocean Exploration Trust Science Communication Fellowship, and Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Fellowship.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will take away insights and application suggestions on professional development opportunities from past fellowship participants. Participants will also gain knowledge on how to utilize those experiences to increase student engagement and global competencies within their community.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Maynard, Matthew Holden

In a world where algorithms compete for our students’ attention, teachers can reclaim the brain’s oldest—and most potent—learning technology: story. Neuroscience shows that when we hear a story, not a list of facts, our brains fire in synchrony—engaging emotion, motion, and imagination. In this session, teachers become narrative architects, designing lessons around the “And–But–Therefore” (ABT) framework to build curiosity, tension, and resolution. Through pop-culture examples, short demos, and brain-based insights, participants will see how storytelling transforms abstract STEM ideas into memorable, emotionally resonant learning. Attendees will leave ready to analyze any lesson for its narrative flow, reframe it with ABT, and harness the same storytelling circuitry that makes students binge their favorite shows—to make them binge your class instead.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers can become narrative architects—using story structure, neuroscience, and the ABT framework to design lessons that capture attention, spark curiosity, and make STEM ideas stick in an age of constant distraction.

SPEAKERS:
Matt Brady

This session demonstrates sensemaking in action by integrating all four pillars: phenomena (observable oxygen changes during breath holding), science practices (authentic data collection and analysis with pulse oximeters and Python), student ideas (predictions about body system responses), and core disciplinary ideas (cellular respiration and homeostasis). Participants will experience a complete research-validated lesson where students collect their own physiological data, use Google Colab for visualization, and connect personal observations to ATP production and cellular processes. The lesson includes real-world biomedical applications through a hydrocephalus case study featuring VP shunts with Doppler sensors. Successfully implemented with 36 diverse high school students, this approach makes abstract molecular concepts tangible and personally relevant. Participants will leave with ready-to-use materials, including a 5E lesson plan, pre-written Python code, and samples of student work

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain practical, research-backed strategies to make cellular respiration tangible and relevant through authentic data collection, technology integration, and real-world biomedical connections.

SPEAKERS:
Demvia Maslian

Multilingual learners bring diverse strengths, experiences, and language resources to the science classroom. Using a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) lens, this session explores how teachers can make intentional instructional choices to support meaningful participation for multilingual learners and benefit all students. Participants will analyze classroom video to identify how teachers proactively make choices that provide multiple ways for students to access ideas, engage in sensemaking, and communicate their thinking. Participants will leave with classroom-ready strategies for supporting multilingual learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use a UDL-informed approach to design science instruction that leverages multilingual learners’ strengths and provides multiple pathways for all students to engage in sensemaking and communicate their thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Pawlowski, Ji Sun Ham, Zoe Evans

Learn how to write assessments to then identify, document, and address student learning deficiencies and implementing RTI in the Science Classroom. Participants will also learn how to add a built in intervention time during the day and how we provide extensions and also include our elective teachers into providing interventions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn concrete ways to identify students who need RTI, creating spreadsheets to track student data, and developing a intervention plan to address student needs.

SPEAKERS:
Kyla Glasser

Elevate your science teaching with “Tools for Teachers: Effective Science Lesson Resource,” an interactive workshop designed to empower educators. In this session, you’ll explore the development and purpose behind the Tools for Teachers Science resources and receive clear, step-by-step guidance on how to access and navigate these valuable materials. Experience a sample modeled lesson that demonstrates practical ways to integrate these resources into your daily instruction, making science lessons more engaging and effective for all students. You’ll gain real-world strategies for implementing standards-aligned activities that foster student understanding and curiosity. By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave equipped with the confidence, insights, and tools needed to enrich your science teaching and maximize the impact of the Tools for Teachers resources in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave equipped with the confidence, insights, and tools needed to enrich your science teaching and maximize the impact of the Tools for Teachers resources in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Anthony Quan

Tired of dragging yourself home from school with nothing left? This session includes laughter, honesty, and the magical 2-word argument stopper that works on students, teens, & family. We’ll use bubbles in this session. Bubbles? Yep, bubbles! Learn how to set boundaries, keep your spark alive, and still be awesome at teaching. This will be the best hour of the conference.. You don’t want to miss it!

TAKEAWAYS:
By the end of the workshop, you will be able to spot burnout before it reaches critical mass, & set boundaries without guilt. You'll leave with strategies to protect your energy, spark curiosity, & still have brainpower left for your own life.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy Foote

CASTL-K12 (Collaborative for Advancing Science Teaching and Learning in K-12) is an Action Collaborative of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that brings together 28 diverse cross-sector organizations to support equitable implementation of state science standards inspired by NASEM’s 2012 landmark report A Framework for K-12 Science Education. But we know this work can't succeed without the voices of those closest to students. Join us for an interactive town hall where we invite science teachers and educators to help us co-design what meaningful teacher engagement looks like within CASTL-K12. How should teachers shape our priorities? What roles make sense? What would make participation genuinely valuable — not just another ask on your time? Come ready to share your ideas, push our thinking, and help build something worth being part of.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will directly shape how CASTL-K12 engages science teachers as partners in advancing equitable, Framework-aligned science education — ensuring the collaborative is built with teachers, not just for them.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Ryan

PBL has been proven to be an effective teaching strategy in the science classroom. This session will provide an overview of Project Based Learning including the difference between project and problem based learning, how to manage a PBL, and how to maintain a legacy PBL.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with strategies to implement PBL in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Nadene Klein

Look up at the ceiling when you’re at the grocery store, your school, or offices. What will you often see? Fire sprinklers! What role do fire sprinklers have in engineering and designing fire-safe spaces? In this workshop we evaluate the structure and function of a fire sprinkler to understand how thermodynamics lead to the bulb breaking and how a system of fire sprinklers work to limit the impact of fire. Xplorlabs: The Science of Fire Safety was developed in partnership with UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute and the National Fire Sprinkler Association. Participants will preview the no-cost Science of Fire Safety pathway and consider its potential as part of their classroom curriculum. During which they will observe the effectiveness of a home sprinkler system using actual lab footage from ULRI, explore the phenomenon of thermal expansion to activate a sprinkler, and ideate how students can use this to design fire safe spaces.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants leave inspired to consider ways for students to design safer spaces and make informed fire safety decisions based on safety science. Participants also consider the opportunity to integrate any of the no-cost Xplorlabs pathways as part of their classroom curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Sternberg, Jessica Sparacino, Abi NeSmith, Justin Guida

Pandemics are complex phenomena that can be understood only by combining data, analyses, and insights from multiple scientific fields in truly interdisciplinary fashion. To set the stage, evidence-based storytelling about past pandemics can convey the magnitude of threats posed by pandemics and their long-lasting societal effects. Enhancing student awareness of the power of pandemics to change the course of human history can galvanize challenging exploration of data and insights from several fields. Host-pathogen interactions involve both pathogen physiology and host immune responses. The spread of disease depends on population dynamics of both pathogens and hosts, individual host behavior, and societal responses to outbreaks that include public health practices, vaccine availability, medical treatments, and communication about all of these dynamic processes. Only by combining all these perspectives and insights can society effectively address current and future global health crises.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understanding pandemics requires interdisciplinary knowledge and skills from multiple scientific fields and humanities. Storytelling about past pandemics enhances science understanding about disease emergence, spread, and consequences, and the importance of science policy, and societal action.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Levine

Join our session to learn about resources developed to support instruction in inclusive classrooms. These resources, designed within the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Assessment System at the University of Kansas, are based on “learning maps”—cognitive models that specify multiple pathways for student learning, accounting for diverse learning needs. Learning maps show progressions of knowledge and skills in all three science dimensions, allowing for flexible integration of dimensions to help educators meet students where they are and work toward common learning goals for all students. This session will use the SEP Planning and Carrying Out Investigations to illustrate how learning maps can support planning targeted and individualized inquiry-based instruction in middle school. Teachers of science in general education classrooms, special educators who teach science, and science educators interested in supporting all students’ learning are encouraged to attend.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about 3-D science learning maps and how to use related resources from the Dynamic Learning Maps system that are publicly-available, aimed at planning targeted and individualized inquiry-based instruction in inclusive classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Richardson, Dante Cisterna

How do we balance innovation, private rights, and civic responsibility? This session connects America’s founding principles to modern challenges in science and engineering. Using primary sources and considering modern challenges, you will explore activities and civil discourse practices that help students analyze whether discoveries should be shared for the public good or protected as private property. Gain strategies to guide students in designing inventions that address civic needs and in proposing how innovations should be shared. With alignment to engineering and civics standards, and integration of literacy and technology, the session offers an engaging way to connect the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, or U.S. history more broadly, to science and engineering classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies to guide students in examining the balance between scientific innovation, private rights, and the public good in U.S. history and today. This integrates engineering, civics, and civil discourse as students design solutions to civic needs.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Lane

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Madden, Brooke Whitworth, Michael Marino, Peter Lindeman

As AI tools become more accessible to students, science educators face the challenge of guiding responsible and meaningful use. This session will explore how to create classroom AI guidelines that protect academic integrity while enhancing inquiry, lab investigations, and scientific writing. Participants will engage in collaborative activities to evaluate case studies, identify risks and opportunities, and design guidelines tailored to their own teaching contexts. Educators will leave prepared to introduce AI responsibly, ensuring it supports—not replaces—student learning in science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to design classroom-ready AI guidelines that ensure responsible, ethical, and effective use of AI in science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Stefany Palomba

Modeling is everywhere in NGSS, but too often it’s treated as a final product instead of a thinking process. This session reframes modeling as an iterative cycle of develop → revise → predict that makes student sensemaking visible at every stage. Participants will walk through the cycle themselves, starting with initial sketches, updating as evidence is introduced, and ending with predictive models. Alongside their own work, they will examine authentic student examples from lessons on seasons, energy systems, and engineering. To lower barriers, attendees will explore ready-to-use templates and a universal flowchart that help teachers choose the right modeling pathway for a given standard. Grounded in equity and accessibility, this approach ensures that modeling is not reserved for advanced learners, but a core practice that empowers all students to build, test, and refine ideas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain tools—including modeling templates, prompts, and a decision flowchart—to support equitable student engagement in the complete NGSS modeling cycle.

SPEAKERS:
Reyna Rivera

Empower your teaching with “Supporting Multilingual Learners with a Science Scaffold Toolkit.” This session is designed for educators seeking effective strategies to help multilingual learners thrive in science classrooms. Explore a step-by-step science lesson sequence that integrates the Science Scaffold Toolkit—an innovative resource focused on supporting language development, facilitating science inquiry, and enhancing student engagement with scientific content. You'll learn how to leverage practical scaffolds such as vocabulary supports, sentence frames, and visual aids to make science accessible and meaningful for all students. Join us to gain hands-on experience, discover adaptable tools, and leave equipped to foster both language acquisition and scientific thinking in your multilingual learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with the Science Scaffold Toolkit in hand, along with practical strategies for seamlessly integrating it into daily instruction—all aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

SPEAKERS:
Anthony Quan

This workshop will provide participants with strategies, practice, and feedback in writing skill-rich questions and assignments. Skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving are important outcomes for STEM courses, but these skills are not always explicitly developed during class time. Research has shown that it is not enough to provide assignments that cause students to USE particular skills; questions and tasks must reveal use of these skills in student written work or group interactions. The ELIPSS project feedback-focused rubrics will be used to support efforts in constructing tasks that support student development of skills. Enhancing Learning by Improving Process Skills in STEM (ELIPSS) is an award winning, NSF-funded project that focuses on the development and assessment of durable skills and the NGSS science and engineering practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
-Evaluate questions for their ability to produce evidence of skills and support their development -Practice strategies for constructing questions in assignments that develop skills such as teamwork and critical thinking -Identify ELIPSS rubrics that support the assessment of these skills

SPEAKERS:
Renee Cole, Juliette Lantz

Come explore how immersive project-based learning can be paired with AI to deepen science learning and engagement! Put on your student hat as we guide you through the first steps of creating a virtual field trip to showcase your science sense-making. Then, practice using our new AI Feedback Tool - designed to align to the project’s content requirements and used to provide students formative or summative feedback. Experience first-hand how design-thinking helps students develop their ability to obtain, evaluate, and effectively communicate information. We’ll share lesson plans, examples of student work related to ecosystems and biodiversity (LS4.D and LS2.A), and access to our AI Feedback Tool. No fancy tech or tech expertise needed—just bring your curiosity and a laptop. You’ll leave with a virtual field trip of your own creation, experience using AI for the classroom, and free resources to help students connect science content with the world around them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to guide students in creating virtual field trips and use AI-powered feedback to support rapid iteration, helping students refine their work, deepen science understanding, and connect learning to real-world phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Wolf, Kyla Cook

No set of materials are perfect. Teachers require a systematic approach to customize HQIM for use in their local context. This session will outline work that Saint Paul Public Schools and BSCS Science Learning have done to customize the OpenSciEd middle school science materials to support standards implementation and district goals. The session will describe key considerations and modifications needed to align materials with domain-specific standards, while maintaining curricular coherence from the students’ perspective, and students’ interests. The team will explain their approach to customizing select units and the professional learning approach used to support teachers in customizing summative assessments to better engage their students’ interests and science-linked identities. Leaders will analyze example customized units and teacher-designed assessments and identify important components to include in their own HQIM customization plans.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will identify what considerations are important for developing a well-crafted plan for implementing and customizing high quality instructional materials for use in local contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Leifeld

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

TAKEAWAYS:
Education leaders will learn about professional learning opportunities that NSTA offers, delivered in-person, online, and blended that give their teachers the power to personalize their learning as well as the ability to learn with their peers. Some programs include membership for all participants.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez, Tricia Shelton

Learn about a sustainable school district model that supports teachers and students in weaving geosciences into every science discipline—from CTE to AP courses. Through professional learning (intensive summer institute and ongoing coaching) and collaborations with community science partners, teachers gain tools to co-design data-rich locally relevant mini-units. Students engage in field trips and work with real, contextualized data to build data skills and see the relevance of geosciences in their own lives. Evaluation shows teachers grow in confidence using authentic data and linking science to local contexts, while students strengthen their science identity, value geosciences more, and build confidence with data literacy. This session will feature program leaders, student reflections, and teachers sharing co-designed units, classroom outcomes, and strategies for effective partnerships.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about a model that helps teachers integrate geosciences across disciplines using authentic data, community science partners, and co-designed curriculum. Teachers gain confidence supporting data skills, while students build science identity and connect geosciences to local and global issues.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Pedemonte

Students often wonder how the science they learn in class connects to life beyond school. This session tackles that question by showcasing practical strategies for bridging core science instruction with Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways and career applications. Participants will explore how phenomena-driven, three-dimensional science learning naturally aligns with the skills and knowledge used in engineering, health sciences, technology fields, agriculture, and more.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through examples, discussion, and ready-to-use ideas, attendees will discover how to help students see the relevance of scientific thinking in authentic career contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rademaker

Down to Earth is a free program with six design challenge missions using International Space Station (ISS) research to inspire middle schoolers to address real-world environmental challenges. Each mission includes hands-on investigations, engineering design challenges, background information, worksheets, and implementation materials. This session showcases two new missions focused on food science in space. Cosmic Crops explores how NASA's hydroponic systems grow fresh food in microgravity and how these technologies combat food insecurity on Earth. Orbital Eats explores how scientists develop safe, nutritious meals for extreme environments, with applications for food access challenges on Earth. Attendees experience sample activities and design challenges while learning implementation strategies for diverse settings. Activities align with NGSS standards, UN Sustainable Development Goals, and Career and Technical Education pathways. Walk away with ready-to-use resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will gain hands-on experience with activities that use ISS food science to engage students in solving local food security challenges, plus free lesson plans, assessment tools, and implementation strategies for connecting space agriculture technology to community-based action.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Roberts

How can we prepare students for a world where STEM careers are being reshaped daily by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies? This interactive session explores practical strategies to build “future-ready” STEM classrooms that integrate AI literacy, project-based learning, and 21st-century skills. Drawing on classroom-tested examples from middle and high school programs, participants will see how AI tools can deepen learning, how project-based experiences connect students to authentic challenges, and how career-focused skills such as collaboration and problem-solving can be intentionally embedded in STEM lessons. Attendees will engage in a guided design activity where they map out a future-ready unit that balances standards, innovation, and student agency. By the end of the session, educators will walk away with concrete strategies and a planning template that can be applied immediately in their own classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to create future-ready STEM lessons that blend AI literacy, project-based learning, and career skills so students build the knowledge and habits needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

SPEAKERS:
Ashish Vadalia

Many educators, families, and communities understand that STEM learning can lead to rewarding careers that support strong, stable futures. The question then becomes: how do we let our students know that everyone has a place in STEM? And, if everyone has a place in STEM, how do we expose all students to meaningful STEM opportunities? Together, schools and communities can create intentional pathways to make STEM opportunities available to all students. In this session, we will explore some of these strategies with a particular focus on how schools can partner with families and communities to infuse STEM into in- and out-of-school learning experiences and tap into the local STEM assets that can be found in every community if we look for them! We will also explore how to build multiple pathways into STEM that allow for students to engage from kindergarten into postsecondary pursuits into STEM careers, as well as how schools, families, and communities can embed career connections int

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how schools, families, and communities can work together to create meaningful STEM pathways, helping every student see themselves in STEM and access engaging, real-world opportunities from early childhood through postsecondary careers.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Stanley, Kristen McInerney

While HQIM are an important lever that can impact students’ science experiences, access to HQIM is not consistent across schools and impacts marginalized students most. And, claims around NGSS in materials is common. How might educators sift through all this information to identify materials that best meet their students' needs? Participants will learn about the characteristics of high-quality phenomena, problems, and sensemaking and how to identify those characteristics when selecting and using materials. They will utilize sample lesson materials, identifying the presence and use of phenomena/problems and sensemaking and considering how these factors contribute to student experiences. Through guided practice and discussion, participants will learn how to begin to narrow materials selection through a critical lens. Participants will also orient to EdReports' free reviews of instructional materials and other resources for making materials selections for their school or classroom.

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

SPEAKERS:
Sam Shaw

Harness the power of the Infinity Stones to teach the rock cycle! Each stone represents a rock type (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic), and students journey through Earth processes in Marvel-themed stations and comic-style CER writing. This geology unit blends superheroes, hands-on modeling, and NGSS-based Earth science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Walk away with an NGSS-aligned, Marvel-themed rock cycle unit that makes geology unforgettable and fun.

SPEAKERS:
Ricardo Padilla

This session focuses on a NSTA and Johns Hopkins University lesson, connecting the ocean exploration and marine technology expertise of Dr. James Bellingham, author of How Are Marine Robotics Shaping Our Future?, to the classroom. Participants will explore how the lesson fosters student sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
The Johns Hopkins Wavelengths lesson explored in the session provides opportunities for secondary students to use physical science ideas to explain how marine technologies aid in seafloor mapping.

SPEAKERS:
Jim Bellingham, Patrice Scinta

Helping students make sense of the natural world is at the heart of science teaching. This session explores how thinking strategies make student reasoning visible and serve as powerful assessment tools. Participants will see examples from 7th- and 8th-grade classrooms where students use prompts and data to explain Earth and chemical processes, including a local water quality study that connects chemistry, geography, and human impact on ecosystems. These strategies help students explain ideas clearly, test them with evidence, and revise their understanding as they connect scientific concepts to real-world systems. They also support diverse learners, including multilingual, neurodivergent, and differently engaged students, by offering multiple ways to represent and share their thinking. Teachers can use this evidence to assess both understanding and process as all students engage in authentic scientific sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to use thinking strategies as assessment tools to make student reasoning visible, support diverse learners, and deepen understanding through authentic, evidence-based scientific sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Lara Kossiakoff

Ever wish Mark Rober could co-teach your class? This session shows how Class CrunchLabs uses video, voice, and story to spark curiosity and launch rigorous learning. We will break down how to introduce a storyline, use Mark’s videos as authentic investigation starters, and weave hands-on challenges through episodes of science and engineering. You will also get a peek behind the scenes at how the team builds each unit to help students explain ‘the how’ after experiencing ‘the wow.’ Optional bonus: watermelon smashing included.

TAKEAWAYS:
See how NGSS storylines, teacher supports, and Mark Rober’s videos work together to launch engaging science units that get students asking questions and thinking like scientists from day one.

SPEAKERS:
DeAnna Lee Rivers, Spencer Martin

As AI becomes a routine part of science learning, educators across roles are looking for ways to lead its purposeful and productive use. This leadership session provides practical guidance for communicating about AI in ways that inspire curiosity, strengthen science sensemaking, and support phenomenon-based investigations. Participants will explore clear, consistent language and implementation strategies that empower teachers, engage families, and encourage thoughtful experimentation with AI as a reasoning partner. The session highlights supportive structures and approaches that help diverse learners and build educator confidence. Attendees will leave with insights and strategies they can adapt to guide AI-enabled science learning in their own classrooms, departments, schools, or districts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to communicate and implement AI in ways that inspire curiosity, strengthen sensemaking, and reshape classroom culture through purposeful routines, while partnering with parents and the community.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Lazzaro, Velma Itamura

How can assessments support three dimensional sensemaking? Explore how the OpenSciEd Elementary assessment system illuminates the brilliance and strengths of students, teachers, and classroom communities as they figure out science ideas.

TAKEAWAYS:
OpenSciEd Elementary curriculum units have three-dimensional assessment opportunities woven throughout the unit. Five different assessment types work together as a system to support teachers, students, and the classroom community in responding to ideas, reflecting, and checking progress.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Belcastro, Gen Zoufal, Gail Housman

Overwhelmed by OpenSciEd? We were too! Come hear real (sometimes reluctant) teachers share what we’ve learned so far about the transition to a fully OpenSciEd curriculum. We will share practical tips to make Open SciEd easier for newbies, our experiences for a district planning the transition, and how we approached modifications for ELL, Special Ed and substitutes in our classrooms. We will also discuss best practices for scientist circles, notebooks, assessments and progress trackers. Come find that you are not alone in the transition.

TAKEAWAYS:
Practical ideas for implementation of OpenSciEd across middle school grades from real teachers who had to do it.

SPEAKERS:
Jayne Coughlin, Melissa Thomas, Samantha Genier

Come discover how free, NSF-funded tools for data exploration and AI from The Concord Consortium can enhance your NGSS teaching, with a special emphasis on the Science and Engineering Practices. Take away free tips and resources that you can use immediately to bring NGSS to life in your classroom! This hands-on session will demonstrate how teachers can enhance existing lessons using free, open source software for data exploration and science investigation developed by The Concord Consortium over a decade of NSF funding. With a particular emphasis on use of the Science and Engineering Practices, examples and hands-on interaction will engage participants in exploring data, integrating AI tools, and using models and simulations for powerful NGSS-aligned teaching and learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will demonstrate a wide variety of materials using free software and platforms developed by The Concord Consortium over a decade of NSF funding. Participants will explore research-based models and simulations, data exploration tools, and AI-powered learning environments.

SPEAKERS:
Chad Dorsey

Coaching conversations shape not just instructional moves, but how educators grow, thrive, and make meaning of their work. Too often, however, coaching focuses narrowly on evaluating instruction, overlooking the human dimensions of identity, power, and emotion—and thereby risks reinforcing existing inequities. This session invites participants to explore the full coaching cycle through the Knowles Teacher Initiative’s Coaching Planning Maps. Attendees will learn to adapt these tools to support transformational coaching, build collaborative partnerships, and foster sustained teacher growth. Practical strategies and reflective activities will provide participants with actionable approaches to enhance coaching effectiveness in their own contexts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn actionable coaching approaches to meet diverse teacher needs, promote sustained growth, and foster positive, collaborative learning environments.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Shafer, PhD

Students are witnessing the effects of climate change and want both knowledge and hope. This workshop introduces Seeds to Solutions: a free, solutions-focused set of supplemental K–12 units designed to help educators integrate climate change and environmental justice into their practice. Using an inquiry-based, storyline instructional approach, this interdisciplinary curriculum supports data literacy, place-based learning, and the development of models to explain the effects of climate change while allowing students a chance to plan local solutions. Lessons are aligned to California Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and participants will learn how to adapt the units to their own state/local context. Participants will experience a sample lesson that fosters student inquiry and addresses different learning styles. The sample lesson is from a middle school unit, but the program offers resources for all K–12 educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience a sample middle school lesson to see how the Seeds to Solutions storyline instructional model engages a wide range of learners in grades K–12. Participants learn how to create a sense of agency in the face of climate change and adapt units to their state/local context.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Steele

The session will focus on the shift from traditional instruction to three-dimensional, phenomenon-based teaching. Participants will explore how students learn better with phenomena that stimulate student questions and a storyline where each lesson builds on what students have learned in earlier lessons and sets the stage for learning in later lessons. Participants will review examples of anchor phenomena and review a storyline to see how investigative phenomena can be used to support student collection of evidence to answer their questions about the anchor phenomena. We will emphasize having students construct explanations and develop models of phenomena to gather insights into student thinking. Finally, participants will learn a process of developing a phenomenon-based storyline. Through this process, they can see how a coherent storyline can be developed to address all three dimensions, leading to greater student engagement, and fostering a more equitable learning environment.

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

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard

In this session, participants will be introduced to practices used in visualizing data. Presenters Sara Moren and Rachel Langley collaboratively teach middle school math and science. This year, they worked together to enhance their students' understanding of why and how data is used in making decisions. Using puzzle cubes to teach students about data collection, data organization, and using proportional reasoning to make predictions, the presenters will share what they did, what worked, and what ideas they have for further development of these lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using puzzle cubes, participants will engage in a hands-on activity that can be used in both middle school math and science classrooms to help students learn how to visualize data.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Langley, Sara Moren

What happens when organizations with different strengths, audiences, and expertise come together around a shared goal? The Elementary Science Topical Working Group (TWG) of the Collaborative for Advancing Science Teaching and Learning in K-12—an Action Collaborative of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine—is finding out. In this showcase, members of the Elementary Science TWG will highlight complementary and collaborative work underway to strengthen science teaching aligned to A Framework for K-12 Science Education in the elementary grades. Learn how cross-sector organizations are leveraging their unique positions to tackle shared challenges—from instructional materials to teacher learning to assessment — and discover what becomes possible when collaboration moves beyond coordination into collective action.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will see how diverse organizations within CASTL-K12's Elementary Science Topical Working Group are aligning complementary strengths to advance equitable, high-quality science teaching in the elementary grades.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Ryan

Children are natural wonderers—always noticing, questioning, and imagining. This session explores how natural phenomena can spark curiosity and serve as a powerful provocation for learning. Through crosscutting concepts such as patterns, cause and effect, and structure and function, we will discover how nature inspires inquiry, reimagines how we live and learn, and opens engaging opportunities for children to explore science with joy and wonder.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how nature transforms science from abstract ideas into real, hands-on experiences making rich, interdisciplinary connections while sparking curiosity and deep, authentic learning.

SPEAKERS:
Christie Wylie

Teaching about global change is challenging. The interdisciplinary science is complex, because it involves far more than “just” climate change —infernally complicated on its own. As important as climate change is, its effects on ecosystems and the biosphere act alongside other anthropogenic alterations to the biosphere including land-use change, industrial and agricultural practices, and more. To make things even more difficult, today’s students need the cognitive and analytical tools necessary to handle a tidal wave of misconceptions, misinformation, and disinformation. Misconceptions arise from gaps in knowledge. Misinformation and disinformation arise from intentional distortion for political, economic, or ideological reasons. So we must help students achieve functional scientific literacy: the ability to evaluate sources, interpret data, recognize logical fallacies or manipulative rhetoric, and make scientifically-informed decisions aimed at sustainable societal goals.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teaching about global change requires a full-court press to create an interdisciplinary effort involving ecology, geology, climatology, earth science, population biology, oceanography, atmospheric science, as well as socially-informed efforts to counter rampant misinformation and disinformation.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Levine

Grading that supports student sensemaking doesn’t have to keep you at school all night. Learn practical approaches to grading that prioritize three-dimensional sensemaking while using technology, collaboration, and existing resources—so you can support students and still have your evenings back.

TAKEAWAYS:
Giving meaningful feedback and assigning grades becomes easier with strong instructional materials and assessments in place—and technology can streamline the process without sacrificing effectiveness for students.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Delaney

Interested in building a successful science fair for your classroom or school? Want to host a science fair that inspires students, engages families, and strengthens your schools science program with hands on learning and discovery? This session offers a practical roadmap for organizing a science fair at your school- whether you are starting from scratch or revitalizing an existing program. You'll walk away with judging rubics, timelines, templates and communication strategies that have been tested and proven. We'll explore ways to promote equity and access, foster student ownership of projects and align with NGSS and Ohio state standards, and science and engineering practices. Ideal for teachers, STEM coordinators and administrators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn the essential components and timeline of planning a science fair, gain access to ready to use templates, rubrics, parent/student communications, explore strategies to ensure inclusivity and student engagement and understand how to align science fairs with standards.

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Pittman, Christina Jandrokovic

AI is here to stay. Students and educators are increasingly interacting with AI tools, yet too many lack a clear sense of what those tools can, and shouldn’t do. Districts and schools need systemic sense-making, not one-off fixes. Curriculum, teacher professional learning, leadership planning, and community engagement must be aligned so that AI supports learning without introducing bias. Equity and ethics aren’t optional add-ons, they’re central. Students must learn to interrogate fairness, data use, and real-world impact. To act at scale, districts need regionally relevant guidance, strategic roadmaps, and trusted partners who translate research into practical policy, procurement, and classroom-ready practices that help leaders, teachers, and students decide when to use AI and when restraint is wiser. Join us in this interactive session to learn more about an emerging network of K-12 systems taking this on! You will hear real examples and learn about a framework for thinking more dee

TAKEAWAYS:
Session participants will learn about what colleagues in other districts and schools are doing as they utilize a systems-level approach, in addition to learning about a framework for planning for AI literacy for all students.

SPEAKERS:
Vanessa Lujan

Are you trying to move beyond computer science and AI as add-ons? How can emerging technologies meaningfully advance science and STEM education without compromising quality instruction? This session explores OpenSciEd’s new middle school science and computer science integrated units, designed to align with state and district STEM priorities while enhancing students’ scientific sensemaking. Participants will examine how computer science is embedded seamlessly within phenomena-based science instruction to strengthen coherence, rigor, and real-world relevance. The session will also showcase implementation supports and planning guidance for schools and districts considering adoption. In addition, attendees will receive updates on a new effort to integrate AI literacy and use into OpenSciEd Biology units in ways that amplify, rather than replace, student thinking. Participants will have opportunities to provide feedback to inform ongoing development and implementation efforts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand how computer science and AI can be integrated into high-quality science instructional materials in ways that strengthen scientific sensemaking, align with STEM priorities, and support thoughtful implementation at the school, district, and state levels.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Neill, Andy Weatherhead

How can we break down barriers between classrooms and empower students as agents of change in their communities? This session showcases a replicable partnership between UCI, AUHSD, and IUSD that is #trendinginscienceeducation. Eleven teachers across 7 disciplines and 6 schools participated in professional learning to co-design and enact climate justice units. Using a co-developed, transdisciplinary framework, teachers collaborated across content areas and moved beyond sensemaking to help students develop critical agency, care for human and more-than-human communities, and take informed action. Units investigating local food waste and the community impacts of genetically modified foods demonstrate our core finding: when students tackle authentic problems, they develop profound civic agency. Attendees will learn best practice to build similar partnerships and foster compassion and community action in their own classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore a university-district partnership where educators from multiple content areas craft transdisciplinary climate justice units. This model merges diverse knowledge systems, empowering students as change agents to foster civic agency through local issue engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Yett, Hosun Kang, Becky Friedland

One of the hardest things to accomplish in the classroom environment is engaging students in the true nature of science. Not the cookbook labs that many of us grew up with (the ones where we knew the answer before we even set foot in the lab) but the adventure of experimental design, data analysis, failure, and success. Real science is messy and there is no substitute in science education. It is something that we all strive for, engaging students in real science, but is much harder in practice. In this presentation, teachers will be provided with real examples of application within the classroom, across various levels of biology. Activities such as strawberry DNA extraction, project based science learning, citizen science opportunities, and student lead scientific research projects will be featured. By analyzing activities, scaffolding, rubrics, and student examples, teachers will leave with the knowledge of how (and when) to implement participatory science in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with a clear understanding of participatory science, examples and provided activities (Google Drive Folder), and an increased comfort/confidence about integration in their own classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Hamilton

This interactive session presents a research-based Career Connected Learning (CCL) Framework and design elements to assist leaders in decision making around career-connected learning experiences and pathways. The session bridges national research, in- and out-of-school learning, and workforce demands driven by DoW priorities. We will detail the CCL Framework design process, share practical vignettes of successful CCL programs in action, and provide a roadmap for how to leverage the CCL Framework in your community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore a research-based Career Connected Learning Framework that helps leaders design effective career pathways, align learning with workforce needs, and apply practical strategies to strengthen CCL opportunities in their communities.

SPEAKERS:
John Lee, Marc Siciliano

Videos are fun to watch, but they can be even more powerful when they help students think, talk, and show what they know. In this session, we will explore how to use Class CrunchLabs video supports to turn viewing into an interactive experience. Learn how to embed checkpoints, create choice-based reflections, and invite students to investigate instead of just observe. You will leave with ready-to-use strategies for building in meaningful assessment moments that are way more choose-your-own-adventure than sit-and-get.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to transform Class CrunchLabs videos into interactive learning and assessment tools that spark engagement, surface thinking, and let students drive the experience.

SPEAKERS:
Jesse Semeyn, Spencer Martin

This session explores discussion prompts that invite youth to co-design more ethical and equitable GenAI policies and practices with their teachers or school leaders. I share research with former students from my special education classroom, whose discussions highlight how they use GenAI, set boundaries, and engage in reflective practices. Their engagement with these prompts reveals and strengthens their capacity as ethical decision-makers, challenging the notion that young adults with disabilities are passive users of potentially harmful technologies. Join to explore strategies for initiating conversations that support developing policies and practices in partnership with your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will see examples of how neurodiverse youth navigate GenAI use, set boundaries, and make ethical choices, demonstrating the value of engaging students in shaping equitable and responsible AI practices.

SPEAKERS:
Gina Tesoriero

Curriculum adoptions provide a unique opportunity to support deep professional learning and ensure equitable student outcomes. Using EdReports’ review tools and experience supporting districts and states, this session will focus on how to use the curriculum adoption process to engage all stakeholders by supporting them to learn more about the Framework/NGSS for evaluating materials and improving instruction. Participants will model using an instructional vision for science to improve teachers' understanding of the broader implications of the Framework/NGSS on rigorous science instruction. Participants will also examine how training teachers to use evaluation criteria can improve their knowledge of the three dimensions, in particular SEPs and CCCs, and what high-quality phenomenon and problem-based science instruction can look like. Participants will leave with strategies for implementing broader professional learning using curriculum adoptions.

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:
Sam Shaw

Build meaningful connections to hard-to-reach ocean ecosystems through real-world science! Learn about colorful corals, fascinating creatures, human impacts, seafloor mapping, underwater robots, and more through work happening right now to restore deep-sea coral communities injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Ready-to-use, NGSS-aligned activities include mock coral collections with remotely-operated vehicles, species ID video games, deep-sea mission board games, scavenger hunts, coloring pages, animated shorts, live connections with scientists at sea, and engaging videos. These resources serve diverse audiences including classroom teachers, informal educators, families, communities, and adults looking for careers in marine science. After hands-on demonstrations of interactive educational materials and a viewing of highlights from livestream broadcasts, participants will leave the session with a full understanding of how to use these free activities and resources for all ages.

TAKEAWAYS:
Connect all ages with deep-sea habitats, human impacts, tech, and careers using real-world science, play-based activities, and storytelling. Bring out-of-reach ecosystems to a range of learners through livestreams with scientists at sea, real footage of unseen places, skill-building games, and more.

SPEAKERS:
Sasha Francis

In this interactive session, we will explore the transformative power of science notebooks as a versatile tool for engaging and empowering ELs and high-needs students in science education. Unlike traditional one-size-fits-all approaches, science notebooks can be tailored to meet the unique needs and learning styles of diverse students. Participants will learn how to effectively implement science notebooks, allowing students to take ownership of their learning, build their own science resources, and foster creativity. We will delve into strategies for differentiation, language support, and fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment. Key Topics Covered: - Customizing Science Notebooks: Moving beyond rigid templates to empower student creativity. - Hands-Off Teaching: Allowing students to work through problems and build their own science resources. - Differentiation: Providing translated notes, vocabulary support, and drawing aids for ELs and high-needs students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Empower ELs and high-needs students by embracing flexible science notebooks, fostering creativity, and promoting inclusivity in science education.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Warren

As AI becomes more accessible, many traditional science assignments no longer reveal what students truly understand. This session helps educators move from policing AI use to designing tasks that encourage reasoning, reflection, and deeper engagement with phenomena. Participants will analyze why certain activities are vulnerable to AI shortcutting and learn practical strategies for redesigning them into AI-resilient tasks that surface student thinking. Through live demonstrations and sample routines, attendees will explore approaches that require students to critique, revise, justify, and apply ideas during phenomenon based investigations. The session include a framework to identify non-AI resilient tasks and reivse them into tasks that promote purposeful, sensemaking focused AI use.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn strategies for transforming traditional assignments into AI-resilient tasks that reveal student reasoning and strengthen sensemaking during phenomenon based investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Lazzaro, Velma Itamura

Have your students take ownership of their learning while strengthening their scientific reasoning by using interactive notebooks. They are a powerful tool for sensemaking, modeling, and tracking growth throughout the year. In this session, you’ll discover how to design and assess notebooks that go beyond simple note-taking. Learn strategies for incorporating activities such as CER writing, card sorts, graphic organizers, and models that help students organize their thinking and make connections. You’ll walk away with practical resources, classroom-ready ideas, and assessment tools to support engagement, accountability, and long-term learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to design and assess interactive notebooks using practical strategies and resources that support student sensemaking, engagement, and growth tracking.

SPEAKERS:
Kyla Glasser

Multilingual learners often need targeted language support in the moment—without interrupting sensemaking or lowering cognitive demand. In this session, participants will explore just-in-time instructional strategies that support multilingual learners during science discussions, investigations, and explanation-building. Attendees will analyze classroom video to identify teacher moves that provide timely language scaffolds while keeping students engaged in authentic science and engineering practices. Participants will leave with concrete strategies they can immediately apply to support student talk, writing, and reasoning in science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use just-in-time language scaffolds to support multilingual learners’ talk, writing, and reasoning while maintaining high cognitive demand and authentic science sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Pawlowski, Ji Sun Ham, Zoe Evans

Participants will explore our project designed to engage elementary and high school students in STEM by fostering curiosity and a lasting love of science. Under the guidance of high school science staff, older students mentor elementary peers through hands-on, inquiry-based activities. Our initiatives include large-scale DISCOVER Day (~1500 participants), school-based mentoring, All Abilities STEM afternoon, and week-long Summer Camps. Elementary students plan and conduct experiments, use computational thinking with MicroBits to explore physical computing, and investigate natural phenomena in biology, chemistry, and physics. High school students, in turn, share their passion while serving as exemplars and leaders. The presentation will showcase activities, make-and-takes, and demonstrations from STEM and DISCOVER days while outlining the steps needed for implementation and discussing results demonstrating how this model challenges students to think about STEM beyond their classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a practical model for connecting older and younger students through engaging community-based STEM activities that build confidence, spark curiosity, and inspire lasting interest in science beyond the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Becky Mortland, Jeremy Tomaszewski

Engage. Inspire. Innovate! Join us for an interactive session filled with teaching ideas, make-and-take science tools, and creative strategies to make learning exciting and accessible for all students. We are the National STEM Scholar Program (NSS), a group of middle school science teachers from around the U.S who have created and implemented Challenge Projects in our schools to advance science education, strengthen scientific literacy, connect learning to real-world problems, and inspire the next generation. Funded by the National Stem Cell Foundation, the NSS Program selects ten middle school teachers each year from across the US to participate in innovative professional development while networking with each other. At this Share-a-thon, Scholars will showcase their projects, complete with curriculum, classroom resources, and results. Come discover fresh ideas, gather hands-on tools, and connect with fellow science educators from across the country!

TAKEAWAYS:
Come discover new ideas, lessons and effective real-world projects that you can use in your middle school classroom while networking with other middle school science teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Tracy Vassiliev, Rico Tyler, Aprille' Morris-Butler, Kerrie McDaniel, Lalita Khemka, Jo Slavitz, Renae Lewis, Alexandria Wicker, Melanie Hardy

Model organisms may be small, but they’ve unlocked some of science’s biggest discoveries—from genetics to epigenetics and beyond. In this engaging session, explore five model organisms and discover how they can bring authentic science into your classroom. Participants will examine real-life research examples, engage in hands-on demonstrations, and walk away with free resources to adapt for their own teaching. Learn how model organisms connect directly to NGSS practices, inspire curiosity, and show students how scientists investigate questions that impact human health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with resources and strategies to use model organisms as powerful tools for teaching genetics, epigenetics, and the nature of science in engaging, NGSS-aligned ways.

SPEAKERS:
Cory Kavanagh

The Molecule Maker Lab Institute (MMLI) is combining revolutionizing chemistry education by replacing the “structure-first” approach with a dynamic, AI-driven "function-first" model. Today, most students struggle to master chemistry and few pursue it beyond high school. MMLI changes that. Using block-based chemistry and AI-powered molecular synthesis, students learn to solve real-world problems with molecules rather than memorize disconnected facts. With hands-on activities—like exploring the color spectrum, AI-chemical interactions, and organic photovoltaic cells—students experience chemistry as creativity, not rote learning. MMLI democratizes access to molecular literacy, giving every student the tools to imagine, design, and create molecules for drug discovery, energy capture, and more. This session will share curriculum examples, pilot data from high schools, and strategies for empowering the next generation of molecular innovators.

TAKEAWAYS:
To equip high school students with “molecular literacy" by combining block-based chemistry, AI, and "function-first" thinking, transforming chemistry from structural memorization into creative problem-solving for real-world challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Wolf

In this era of science denial K-12 teachers have an opportunity to provide appropriate responses in their programs. This session introduces understandable and achievable responses with clear connections to NGSS and associated state science standards that use the 5E instructional model. This session will include both a short presentation and a brief activity. The activities in this session are contained in a new co-publication by Corwin and NSTA presses.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this era many science teachers have concerns about science denial but express doubts about what they can do. This session's main takeaway is a response to the stated concern--teach students about the nature of science as included in NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Rodger Bybee

Playing STEM: Through free choice hands-on play in earliest years learners acquire basic Holistic STEM (STEM-E) skills and explore object and loose parts in a sequence, the cross cutting basic skills and foundational experiences are encountered laying a foundation for Parental and practitioner interactions within their culture and the everyday in their community n developing the instinctive learning of these youngest of learners before preschool and formal curricula. Observations were made particularly in England, Nigeria , Bangladesh and the Caribbean that contributed to recognition of STEM E and Holistic STEM , a basic for formal learning and teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
Identify the intuitive basic STEM in action in the youngest (non verbal) children's free choice hands-on play through interactions with toys, everyday objects Be able to recognises the the PLAY STEM CYCLE and developmental progression as the child gradually masters the complete sequence.

SPEAKERS:
Sue Dale Tunnicliffe

Come discover how free, NSF-funded simulations and curricula from The Concord Consortium can add all three dimensions of the NGSS to your earth and environmental science teaching, with a special emphasis on earthquakes, wildfires, and natural hazards. Take away free tips and resources and get access to free curriculum materials you can use immediately to bring NGSS to life in your classroom! This session will demonstrate a wide variety of materials using free simulations and resources developed by The Concord Consortium over decades of NSF funding. Participants will explore free, open source interactive earth and environmental models and learn how they can be used to enhance use of three-dimensional learning in the classroom, with a particular emphasis on use of the Science Practices. Examples and hands-on interaction will engage participants in using models and simulations for powerful NGSS-aligned teaching and learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will demonstrate a wide variety of materials using free software developed by The Concord Consortium over a decade of NSF funding. Participants will explore authentic Earth science models and simulations including wildfires, earthquakes, and natural hazards and receive free curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Chad Dorsey

Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers bring powerful real-world expertise, but too often, their work sits apart from core science instruction. This session focuses on putting PLCs together so teachers from science and CTE can strategically align units with their disciplines, creating opportunities for authentic, applied learning that benefits both students and teachers. Participants will explore a framework for identifying natural connections between NGSS science domains and CTE pathways, such as welding with physical science, health careers with life science, agriculture with earth and environmental science, and engineering with physical and mathematical modeling. Attendees will learn how collaborative planning between science and CTE educators can result in lessons and projects that meaningfully incorporate scientific ideas and technical applications.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through examples, planning tools, and shared experiences, participants will leave with strategies for matching CTE expertise to the science content where it naturally fits and designing instruction that blends scientific sensemaking with hands-on technical skills.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rademaker

Keeping students engaged in 3D, phenomenon-based science learning is challenging—and when students are absent, it can feel impossible. This session offers practical, teacher-tested strategies to help all students stay connected to the storyline, even when they miss class. Participants will explore simple systems, digital tools, and collaborative routines that make catching up manageable for students and sustainable for teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn strategies and tools to help absent students stay engaged in 3D learning and rejoin classroom sensemaking without adding hours of extra work for teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Delaney

This one-hour workshop is designed for secondary science educators in middle and high schools. Participants will learn about the significance of probing questions—open-ended inquiries that encourage deeper thinking and discussion among students. The session will begin with an introduction to the foundational concepts of probing questions and their role in transforming traditional instructional methods into more engaging, student-centered experiences. Through the lens of current educational research, including studies on active recall and cognitive load theory, attendees will explore the neurological impact of inquiry-based learning. Participants will gain insights into how probing questions enhance memory retention and strengthen neural connections, aligning with the NSTA's commitment to science literacy and evidence-based practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to use probing questions in secondary science education to boost student engagement and critical thinking. The workshop will share strategies for a question-rich classroom and highlight the benefits of inquiry-based learning for fostering curiosity and lifelong learning.

SPEAKERS:
Katherine Meraz, Dominic Ramos

Following the California 3-Course Integrated Model AND the NGSS Modified Science Domains High School Curricular Model, this storyline for the formation and history of the La Brea tar pits provides an excellent opportunity for place-based sensemaking of a local phenomenon that integrates Earth Science with Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The storylines involves the development of Los Angeles as a sedimentary basin starting 28 million years ago, when the birth of the San Andreas fault tore off and rotated the Transverse Mountains; the development of petroleum in the rock beneath LA; the percolation of petroleum to the surface starting at least 55,000 years ago after the 6th-street fault cut across the sub-LA Puente rock formation; and the evolution and extinction of large mammals like the ground sloths, mastodons, and smilodons with changing climates and the arrival of humans in Southern California. Students can visit the site and see the ongoing excavations as a capstone experience.

TAKEAWAYS:
The La Brea tar pits provides teachers with a way to engage students with a local place-based storyline that helps in their sensemaking for integrating LA’s history in geophysics (earthquakes), geochemistry (petroleum production), geobiology (large mammal evolution), and climate change.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Wysession

Action-Oriented Pedagogies (AOP; Weinberg et al., 2024) is a framework that couples student learning with real-world community impact, prioritizing outcomes that go beyond scientific knowledge acquisition. Join us as we share insights into the implementation of action learning cycles and how STEM leaders and teachers can support sustainable, naturally cascading student action. During this session, we will introduce AOP through the work of practicing educators who use meaningful, locally-relevant sustainability issues to extend students’ content learning and develop their science, engineering, and interpersonal skills – with a particular focus on how this work can ripple into positive cognitive, behavioral, and socioemotional outcomes. We will then explore how to intentionally foster student agency and tap into valuable community resources to support action, providing useful takeaways for participants to bring back to their own contexts!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be introduced to Action-Oriented Pedagogies and will gain insights into how it has been used to support community action as well as students’ cognitive, behavioral, and socioemotional growth, leaving with key takeaways for supporting such work on their own campuses.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Jordan, Janet Ankrum, Tamara Van Sickle, Sarah Suloff

As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become embedded in educational practice, science teacher preparation must move beyond surface-level awareness toward intentional and critical engagement. This session introduces strategies for teaching preservice science teachers how to use prompt engineering to generate effective, discipline-specific outputs; how to examine the ethical implications of AI in teaching and learning; and how to apply advanced AI techniques that extend beyond simple text generation. Emphasis will be placed on designing assignments that purposefully incorporate AI to deepen content knowledge, foster reflective practice, and develop critical AI literacy. Participants will explore examples of assignments, discuss best practices, and consider how to prepare future science teachers to navigate both the opportunities and challenges of AI in education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Purposefully engaging preservice teachers with AI as a critical thought partner, while embedding advanced strategies into assignments, cultivates the skills and critical literacy necessary for them to integrate AI responsibly and effectively in their future science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Cook, Wesam Salem, Logan Caldwell

This session will encourage teachers to take stock of their current practices and context. We will then consider strategies for building and cultivating your resilience toolbox so you can work toward being healthier and more effective for yourself, your family, and your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will consider how to cultivate competence, confidence, and connection, stay grounded, and set boundaries in your context.

SPEAKERS:
Brooke Whitworth

As borderlands educators, we support Mexican American students by differentiating processes, assessments, and classroom culture to navigate language/ cultural dynamics in NGSS-based, inquiry-driven lessons. In break-out groups, we: 1. explore strategies for communication, such as vocabulary charts, sentence starters, data visualization, to support science and engineering practices; 2. illustrate formative (storytelling, drawings, surveys) and summative assessments (one-page infographics, interviews) that provide multiple ways to elicit student thinking; 3. link investigations into students’ cultural and community knowledge through daily experiences with food, weather, biodiversity, and environmental issues; and 4. foster equitable participation in groups shaped by gender/ cultural dynamics, such as machismo. Finally, we showcase a 5th-grade ice cream inquiry lesson tied to NGSS outcomes with these strategies and invite you to brainstorm ways to apply them in your classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will apply differentiated strategies across processes, assessments, and classroom culture to support Mexican American students in NGSS-aligned lessons, such as an ice cream activity with 5-PS1-3 and its related 3D learning outcomes to observe and compare material properties.

SPEAKERS:
Leanne Trevino, Jahdaly Rios, Karla Quintanilla Garza, Gustavo Perez, Andrew Kipp, Cecilia Marin, Samuel Rivera, Gabriela Ristaino

What do recipes, kitchens, and food science have to do with STEM? Everything! This session will explore how culinary arts provide a powerful and engaging way to teach science, technology, engineering, and math. Participants will discover hands-on strategies and classroom activities that connect cooking to STEM concepts such as chemistry, heat transfer, measurement, ratios, data analysis, and the engineering design process. From scaling recipes to experimenting with food science, educators will walk away with practical ideas they can bring back to their classrooms. The session will also highlight career connections—from nutritionist and dietitian to food scientist and agricultural engineer—showing students the many STEM pathways that begin in the kitchen. Join us to learn how food can spark curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving while making STEM meaningful and memorable.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use food and culinary arts as engaging, hands-on tools to teach core STEM concepts—linking science, technology, engineering, and math to real-world experiences and career pathways.

SPEAKERS:
Daniell Cossey

Science teachers are increasingly asked to help students write scientifically—using evidence, reasoning, and clear explanations—yet many struggle to meet these demands. The DEFEND strategy, adapted from the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model, gives students a structured, accessible process for constructing scientific arguments and sensemaking through writing. DEFEND guides students to Declare their claim, Elaborate on science ideas, Form evidence-based points, Explain reasoning, Note counterclaims, and Drive home their conclusion. Teachers implementing DEFEND saw students improve in organization, use of evidence, and reasoning, especially those with exceptionalities. This interactive session models how to teach DEFEND through SRSD’s six stages, share student examples, and provide ready-to-use tools—lessons, quick-write prompts, and scaffolds—to strengthen science writing aligned with NGSS and ELA standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn the DEFEND strategy, a structured, classroom-tested approach to help students write, reason, and defend scientific ideas. Participants will see examples, practice steps, and receive tools to support diverse learners and align with NGSS and ELA standards.

SPEAKERS:
Angelique Aitken, Jeff Thomas

In this session, we share how authentic STEM projects, curriculum design, and classroom climate work together to help students embrace uncertainty, analyze their own thinking, and build resilience. Participants will explore three cornerstone projects from an 8th-grade curriculum (Rocketry, Soldering, and Amusement Park Design) and consider how each one creates different opportunities for students to test ideas, confront misconceptions, and experience the scientific and engineering process in action. The presenters will connect these experiences to the research-based concept of error climate, the classroom culture around how mistakes are handled, showing how error tolerance, curiosity, and precision can coexist in rigorous STEM learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
STEM learning is about building the conditions where intellectual risk feels safe, and accuracy becomes a shared pursuit rather than a source of shame. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use assessments, prompts, and design strategies to create classrooms that cultivate both rigor and resilience.

SPEAKERS:
Abbie Cornelius, Hannah Bundrick

Students must develop effective disciplinary literacy practices. They must learn the difference between reading with understanding and reading complex texts like a scientist – reading charts and graphs to make inferences about data; reading and using specialized language and text structures; and reading controversial text, to critique and refine knowledge. Students must learn how to formulate questions to be answered; design investigations to help answer those questions; observe phenomena objectively and analyze and annotate observations; apply critical thinking skills to determine effective ways to communicate findings. Disciplinary literacy, the application of knowledge, combined with analytical and critical thinking skills, should enable students to think, act and communicate as scientists. Attendees will learn how to guide and enable students to engage in this process successfully. Handouts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to help students formulate effective questions to guide their investigations, and then apply their critical thinking skills and disciplinary skills (objective observations and analysis of phenomena), to determine cause and effect and analyze results of the investigation.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell

Do you have an innovative idea for improving Science, Technology, Engineering or Math learning in your classroom? Is your idea project-based learning with measurable outcomes? What do you need to make learning math and science fun for your students? Engage with teachers who received funding for their ideas and learn tips on how to apply.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn about a grant funding opportunity to implement an innovative idea in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Sue Whitsett

This presentation examines the crucial role of emotional intelligence (EI) in science education, highlighting effective strategies to foster resilience and engagement among students. Participants will gain a deep understanding of EI's five key components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. The session will introduce practical approaches for creating an emotionally supportive classroom, such as establishing safe spaces, conducting emotional check-ins, and integrating social-emotional learning activities into math lessons. Engaging interactive discussions will allow participants to share experiences and insights, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Attendees will leave with actionable resources to enhance EI in their teaching practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to effectively integrate emotional intelligence strategies into their teaching practices to foster resilience and engagement in science education, ultimately creating a more supportive and collaborative classroom environment.

SPEAKERS:
Katherine Meraz, Dominic Ramos

This session immerses educators in the process of designing an interdisciplinary, project-based unit that uses the phenomenon of climate change to drive sense making and real-world application. Teachers will experience strategies that connect science, social studies, and engineering as students explore the causes and impacts of global warming, examine the historical roots of industrialization, and confront issues of environmental equity affecting marginalized communities. Participants will learn how to scaffold inquiry, integrate NGSS-aligned practices, and use student-driven projects, from 3D-printed sustainable city models to DIY hydroponic kits and climate PSAs, to deepen learning. The session models real classroom examples of step-by-step strategies, rubrics, and classroom-ready tools that empower teachers to transform complex global challenges into authentic, local learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn to design interdisciplinary, NGSS-aligned projects where students investigate climate change, explore environmental justice, and engineer sustainable community solutions through hands-on design and activism.

SPEAKERS:
Glenroy Foster, Nicole Marcellin

Our best science learning labs are within easy walking distance and are free and equally accessible to every teacher and student! We start with the sky to illustrate how simple daily observations of changing weather patterns can be combined with easily-accessible images and data from the National Weather Service to demonstrate basic scientific concepts in motion. We will find countless examples of how weather and climate are impacting our water resources, plants and animals, and shaping our landscapes and lives. We will use California’s outdoor laboratories as premier examples of how nature reminds us to use the scientific method to understand the complex natural systems and cycles that are shaping our world and providing us with essential resources for survival. Join earth science professor, author, and naturalist William Selby as he shares discoveries from his California Sky Watcher book and four decades of teaching field classes. Our website: www.rediscoveringthegoldenstate.com .

TAKEAWAYS:
How to more effectively learn from the free outdoor laboratories that are easily accessible to all. Starting with our sky shows, we will share specific scientific concepts and natural science lessons on display every day right outside our windows and doors for grades 6-postsecondary levels.

SPEAKERS:
William Selby

The goal of this session will be to highlight the advantages of using single column rubrics in the classroom and spark thinking around feedback and assessment. Single column rubrics can be used to emphasize feedback, give students more choice, and provide more opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning. The session will involve an in-depth introduction into single column rubrics, valuable group discussion on feedback and assessment in the classroom, and sample before/after rubrics and their uses (labs, science fair, pbls). Teachers will leave the session with a new strategy to try out in the classroom and access to a myriad of resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave the session with a new strategy to try out in the classroom: single column rubrics. There will be a QR code resource folder to guide them in the future as they develop single column rubrics of their own.

SPEAKERS:
Zoe Vandervort

Are you overwhelmed by lesson planning, grading, and trying to meet every student’s needs? You're not alone—and AI may be the support system you didn’t know you needed. In this hands-on workshop, discover how artificial intelligence tools can lighten your workload, enhance student engagement, and help you reclaim your time and energy. Learn how educators are using AI to automate routine tasks, personalize instruction, and reduce burnout—all without sacrificing rigor or creativity. Explore real classroom examples, test-drive AI tools like ChatGPT, Eduaide, Curipod, and Brisk Teaching to walk away with a ready-to-use toolkit and an actionable plan tailored to your classroom or school. Whether you're AI-curious or already experimenting, this session will equip you with practical strategies to teach smarter—not harder. Let AI take care of the busywork so you can focus on what matters most: inspiring the next generation of scientists.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with a clear, personalized plan for using AI tools to reduce their daily workload—freeing up time and energy to focus on impactful teaching rather than administrative tasks.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Mulligan

How can we know which teaching strategies will truly engage students and move their learning forward? The answer lies in listening. In this interactive presentation, participants will explore how teachers can use student talk and questioning to make instructional decisions that directly support sensemaking in science. I will share how I purposefully had students engage as active contributors to figure out phenomena, utilizing science and engineering practices to uncover the necessary disciplinary core ideas. This session will highlight ways to gain real-time insight into what students know, think, and wonder. These insights help educators decide whether to probe deeper, clarify students' initial thinking, or shift instructional strategies altogether.

TAKEAWAYS:
When teachers intentionally listen to students, they gain the clarity needed to choose the most effective instructional strategies to ensure student success through engagement while meeting the needs of all students.

SPEAKERS:
Tonya Woolfolk

Today’s most urgent challenges—from climate change to food insecurity—are wicked problems that demand new approaches to teaching and learning. This session shares insights from co-design work between Boston University’s Center for STEM Professional Learning at Scale and Relevant Classroom, a Division of Vivayic, focused on developing professional learning experiences that move beyond disciplinary boundaries. Through examples from pathway design and facilitation, participants will explore strategies for creating transdisciplinary, phenomenon-based learning that is adaptable to local contexts while connecting to students’ interests and identities and maintaining coherence. The session highlights design moves that foster systems thinking, teacher and student agency, and equitable participation, as well as lessons learned about scaling professional learning through collaboration and shared ownership.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience how convergence-based professional learning equips educators to navigate complex, real-world phenomena and problems and design instruction that connects local relevance with global socio-scientific challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Beierle

Have you ever wondered how you can be a part of the research work that informs the knowledge and practices related to effective science education? Our session will focus on stories of science education researchers that have transitioned from K-12 classrooms to engaging in K-12 research. We will discuss ways to become involved in research while remaining in the classroom or by transitioning to a new career. We will also discuss the various avenues you can pursue to be more involved in research, such as participating in research-practice partnerships that help inform quality educational research work.

TAKEAWAYS:
Meet the NSTA Research Committee and guest speakers to find out how you can leverage your teaching experiences to make a career change from K-12 to different research positions, or remain in the classroom while contributing to research work.

SPEAKERS:
Demetrice Smith-Mutegi, Jaclyn Murray, Lisa Marco-Bujosa, Carla Zembal-Saul, Debi Hanuscin, Jesse Wilcox, Gayle Buck

This presentation will address critical laboratory safety issues, helping participants with practical knowledge and advocacy skills to create and maintain safer high school laboratory environments. The session combines essential protocols for effective safety communication and decision-making. Participants will leave with safer demonstration and laboratory ideas, an easy-to-follow personal safety plan, and how to access the information from the NSTA safety advisory board.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session supports new teachers in developing confidence and competence in laboratory safety while helping experienced educators stay current with best practices. Our goal is to prevent accidents before they occur by empowering teachers with the knowledge, resources, and practical skills necessar

SPEAKERS:
Milene De Farias, Karen Newman

This session will highlight an innovative approach to middle school science education that combines experiential learning with effective teaching strategies and classroom practices. The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology SPARK initiative, an after-school program for middle school students supported by funding from the National Science Foundation, will provide a framework for participants to explore how authentic science experiences support rigorous, standards-centered learning while improving students’ STEM identity. HudsonAlpha SPARK provides a replicable model for supporting middle school students in developing 21st‑century scientific practices while fostering curiosity, persistence, and confidence in their identities as scientists. Designed in alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards for middle school, SPARK engages learners as student scientists, encouraging them to conduct experiments, collect data, and connect findings to real-world applications.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with strategies to include similar programs in their teaching, adaptable for both formal & informal learning environments. The session will provide practical resources, illustrative examples of student work, & reflections on challenges & successes from program implementation.

SPEAKERS:
April Reis, Dasi Price

From Tatooine’s twin suns to Endor’s forest moon, this Star Wars-themed lesson guides students through Earth-Moon-Sun relationships using familiar planets from a galaxy far, far away. Students compare fantasy and real planetary systems, model eclipses and tides, and build literacy through science-fiction CERs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will receive a creative unit comparing real space science with Star Wars worlds to build understanding of Earth-Moon-Sun interactions.

SPEAKERS:
Ricardo Padilla

Effective science communication is an often overlooked student skill. Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City presents an annual Cosmic Creator Challenge for all Utah sixth-grade students to learn how to communicate science concepts through creating their own digital media. Students have three dimensions of choice: choice of topic from the Utah space science standards, choice of medium or software type, and choice of approach. They are required to have their project evaluated by at least three peers using a Google Form with the criteria of scientific accuracy, creativity, quality, software proficiency, and communication skills. Students then make revisions before submitting the final project to Clark Planetarium for judging. Participating teachers report high levels of engagement as we see enhanced creativity and deeper science learning in the students' projects while they also learn marketable digital media skills. This session discusses how you can implement your own Creator Challenge.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to implement student choice in the form of a media design challenge, where students can choose a subject area topic, a media form to use, and their approach and be evaluated by three peers.

SPEAKERS:
David Black

Discover how to use Project Based Learning to foster a learning environment where students produce original ideas, objects, and structures through STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to effectively implement STEM PBL’s (Project Based Learning) by integrating the components of STEM and PBL in order to grow students' capacity for creativity, fun, and back-loaded learning in a STEM context.

SPEAKERS:
Adero Carter

Too many learners see science as something done by others in distant labs. Community science flips this: YOU are the scientist. This session shows how educators transform learners from passive consumers into active contributors who see themselves as part of the scientific community. Discover how to build scientific identity by connecting learners to real research where their observations matter and data creates change. When students contribute to authentic science—documenting biodiversity, analyzing data, tracking patterns—they develop agency and understand science is something they DO. Learn frameworks for facilitating community science that centers learner voice and demonstrates science happens everywhere by everyone. Explore Science Friday's curated resources connecting learners to diverse research topics and settings. Walk away with strategies for building belonging, tools for any learning environment, and an action plan for empowering all learners as scientists.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators learn to use community science to build scientific identity and agency, transforming learners from passive observers into active scientists who contribute to real research and create change through accessible projects in any setting.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Roberts

Wondering where familiar chemistry topics like naming compounds, stoichiometry, and gas laws fit into OpenSciEd High School Chemistry? In this interactive session, we will unpack how, where, and why these “traditional” topics are thoughtfully woven into the five OpenSciEd chemistry units. Participants will explore examples of how topics such as atomic structure, the Periodic Table, acids and bases, and the mole are incorporated into storylines in ways that build coherence and preserve students’ “aha” moments.    For example, atomic structure is introduced in C.2 as students use the movement of electrons to develop models for ions and polar molecules. They use these models to explain a variety of phenomena including lightning. These ideas are then expanded in C.3 as students construct atomic models and use them to explain bonding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how "traditional" chemistry topics are incorporated into OpenSciEd High School Chemistry storylines without giving away students' aha moments and still maintaining rigor.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Novak, Nicole Vick, Dan Voss

Words are the currency of science instruction, tools teachers use to teach and students use to demonstrate understanding. This session empowers educators to make vocabulary a purposeful part of three-dimensional science learning. Participants will explore a research-based vocabulary selection framework to identify and prioritize key academic terms that anchor lessons in meaningful context. Through hands-on activities, attendees will design age-appropriate, vocabulary-rich experiences that strengthen students’ ability to read, interpret, and produce domain-specific science texts. This vocabulary-driven approach promotes equity, supports standards alignment, and ensures coherent, conceptually focused instruction that deepens students’ sensemaking in science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use a research-based framework to review science standards and select academic vocabulary, ensuring that word choice, instruction, and assessment align to promote deeper student understanding and three-dimensional sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Jackson

Corporate AI companies invest billions in education, yet most districts miss partnership opportunities by approaching them as customers rather than research collaborators. This hands-on workshop teaches leaders to build mutually beneficial AI partnerships providing sustainable funding, professional development, and cutting-edge tools for equitable STEM programming. Participants engage in live partnership mapping exercises, practice equity-centered pitches with honest company profiles, and develop 90-day action plans. Discover insider strategies that have secured over $ 450 K in partnerships by positioning districts as valuable testing environments for AI innovation. Address current AI implementation challenges while building sustainable funding models that serve all learners, especially multilingual students and those in under-resourced communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leaders will master the Partnership Accelerator Process™ for securing sustainable corporate AI partnerships that fund equitable STEM programming by positioning districts as research collaborators, not customers.

SPEAKERS:
Natoshia Anderson

This presentation empowers science educators to integrate Artificial Intelligence for authentic inquiry in their classrooms. It demonstrates how various AI tools—including template-driven (e.g., MagicSchool.ai, Curipod), open-ended (e.g., ChatGPT, Google Gemini), and hybrid options (e.g., Notebook LM, Brisk Teaching)—can be utilized to align with and enhance Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs). Attendees will explore tailored prompts for both teachers and students, designed to maximize AI's potential in areas like generating testable questions, developing models, planning investigations, analyzing data, and constructing explanations. Practical strategies will be shared to help teachers apply AI tools to their lesson planning, and make complex science concepts more accessible and engaging for all learners

TAKEAWAYS:
This session is fundamentally a "how-to" guide for science educators, offering practical, actionable strategies and demonstrations for integrating diverse AI tools into their classrooms. It moves beyond theoretical concepts to provide concrete examples and tools that attendees can immediately apply.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Suters, Jennifer Meadows, Kelly Moore, Andrea Henrie

Recent graduates felt unprepared to teach science because they had not engaged with publisher-created curriculum before entering the classroom. To address this gap, our university partnered with a curriculum publisher to provide preservice teachers with authentic experiences using high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). The partnership began with a dynamic model lesson that showcased inquiry-based instruction and set the stage for deeper collaboration. Building on that experience, we launched the “Curriculum ReMix Project”, where preservice teachers analyzed and adapted HQIM. The publisher supported the effort by granting access to the TE, allowing them to plan, teach, and reflect with the same resources used in classrooms. Their feedback informed improvements that were later shared with the publisher. This session shares our process, outcomes, and strategies for sustaining a university-publisher partnership that empowers preservice teachers to teach science with confidence

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how this partnership guided preservice teachers to critically examine and adapt HQIM, created a feedback loop between university coursework and a HQIM organization, and increased preservice teachers’ confidence and instructional competence in science.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Lausten, Beth Pesnell

Across the country, rural school districts are typically underfunded and underrepresented. This reality can make it difficult to bring many STEM programs into schools. This session will provide attendees with information and resources on how to incorporate a variety of STEM experiences into your science curriculum, with little or no cost to the school. The presenter will discuss programs that have been successful at a rural school district in Pennsylvania, including both in-school and extra-curricular activities. All the programs and resources discussed in this presentation can be utilized at low- or no-cost in any school across the country!

TAKEAWAYS:
The main takeaway of this session that it is possible to bring quality STEM programming to underfunded schools. A list of resources will be provided to help attendees reach this goal.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Hackney

AI can deepen science sensemaking when it is woven into a classroom culture that values curiosity, reflection, and evidence-based reasoning. This session introduces practical, tool-agnostic thinking structures that help students clarify ideas, test explanations, and reflect on their reasoning during phenomenon-based investigations. Participants will explore routines that position AI as a questioning partner, one that surfaces gaps in logic, offers alternative explanations, and supports revision of emerging ideas. Through live demonstrations, educators will see how these structures transform classroom norms by encouraging students to engage more purposefully with evidence, compare ideas, and make their thinking visible.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn AI-supported routines that strengthen student reasoning and help learners make their thinking visible during phenomenon based science investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Lazzaro, Velma Itamura

In this session we will share our experience building a professional learning network focused on robust STEM instruction. STEM collaborations are inherently social and align with playful learning frameworks characterized by joyful, meaningful, and empowering learning. As teachers learn to teach this way, they themselves engage in joyful, meaningful, and empowering learning—experiencing firsthand the approaches they're developing for students. When STEM educators learn together, we develop networks that deepen pedagogical understanding while fulfilling needs for connection and community. Collaborative environments enable educators to examine strategies with peer support, addressing isolation and burnout through authentic connection. These relationships become self-sustaining communities where teachers continue sharing and problem-solving, increasing efficacy and empowering teachers to return to classrooms reinvigorated with insights that directly benefit students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers learning together through playful STEM partnerships experience the same joyful, meaningful learning they're preparing for students. This builds sustainable professional networks that deepen pedagogy, combat isolation, and empower educators to return to classrooms reinvigorated and confident

SPEAKERS:
Sheena Hyder, Jacqueline Cormier, Dearing Blankmann

Avoiding hard conversations often feels kind in the moment, but it can undermine trust and accountability over time. This session reframes accountability as an act of care, grounded in clear, honest, and respectful communication. Participants will explore how instructional leaders can support teachers in strengthening their practice, setting clear expectations, and addressing challenges in ways that advance student sensemaking. Through reflection and practical examples, attendees will leave with tools to navigate feedback and accountability conversations that are transparent, supportive, and grounded in shared values.

TAKEAWAYS:
Reframe accountability as an act of care and leadership by using clear, practical, and empathetic communication to address challenges, reduce avoidance, and engage in growth-focused conversations that build shared responsibility.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Pawlowski, Kristin Rademaker, Zoe Evans

Although genetic engineering and molecular biology have been part of the biology curriculum for decades, the past several years have seen the introduction of new techniques that dramatically alter the landscape of human biology. These now include the possibility of directly modifying the human genome using CRISPR to treat diseases that previously were beyond the reach of medical science. This possibility has now become reality with the cure of an infant suffering from a fatal genetic disorder by CRISPR-mediated genetic editing. We will examine how these powerful techniques work, suggest ways to incorporate them into the curriculum, and explore the promise and peril that awaits the brave new world of human genetic modification. Participants will be engaged in an interactive discussion about current events in biology and share ideas about how to incorporate phenomena in their classrooms. Participants will receive case studies to bring back to share with their students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be introduced to high interest case studies/phenomena that will engage their students in biology, demonstrating that biology is both dynamic and relevant to their lives.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Miller

How can we design science learning that allows multilingual learners to shine? This session explores instructional approaches, and teacher moves that create rich opportunities for students to use their full range of meaning-making resources. Through classroom examples—such as building consensus ideas or sharing noticings and wonderings about puzzling phenomena—we’ll examine moments when students make their thinking public, collaborate, and grow as sensemakers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Multilingual learners are brilliant and capable of engaging in rich and rigorous scientific sensemaking when classrooms make space for their ideas. Walk away with practical tools and routines that elevate student thinking and strengthen whole-class science sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Gomez Zwiep

Phenomena are the starting point for NGSS and Louisiana’s science standards, yet many educators wonder how to guide students from curiosity to deep sensemaking. The MOSAIC Framework: Modeling, Observation, Scaffolding, Assessment, Inquiry, and Collaboration offers a practical, equitable framework for designing lessons that engage all learners. In this 60-minute interactive workshop, participants will experience MOSAIC as learners by investigating a Louisiana swamp fire phenomenon, where fires smolder in wetlands and release harmful smoke for weeks. Teachers will model combustion, analyze data on methane and oxygen, and collaborate to explain how fire persists in a wet environment. Each step will be paired with ready-to-use scaffolds such as diagrams, talk stems, and formative checks.

TAKEAWAYS:
By the end, participants will see how MOSAIC supports 3D learning and equitable sensemaking in chemistry and environmental science, leaving with practical strategies and a planning template for teaching local, real-world phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Neotha Williams

Multilingual learners often need extra support to fully engage with science content, but the goal is independence. In this session, elementary teachers will explore strategies for creating scaffolds that provide just the right amount of support, then systematically fade them as students gain knowledge, language skills, and confidence. Through examples, hands-on activities, and discussion, participants will learn how to scaffold science investigations, discussions, and writing so students can move from guided participation to independent problem-solving. Teachers will leave with practical, classroom-ready approaches to support multilingual learners’ language and content growth while fostering independence, curiosity, and a love of science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Develop strategies to fade scaffolds effectively for multilingual learners in science, supporting a transition from guided participation to independent thinking while fostering curiosity and mastery.

SPEAKERS:
Maria Cieslak