Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Test Live Demo

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to integrate data-collection technology into remote learning 2. Ways to show students hands-on science from home 3. Experiment ideas that are aligned to the NGSS framework

SPEAKERS:
Linda Crossley

What if students habitually explored the key questions posed by scientists, engineers, and designers in anything they do? Innovators’ Compass is a 5-question tool, in all-free online and offline formats, to make that possible—developed by an MIT and IDEO alumna who’s now an Olin College educator. A quick introduction will include short videos of the Compass used in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about a visual tool, in all-free on-and-offline formats, with 5 questions distilled from many practices in science, engineering, design, and beyond. See students and educators applying these for STEM, interdisciplinary, and SEL problems and projects. Use these 5 questions with peers on a pressing problem: how to advance hands-on STEM in (semi) virtual times.

SPEAKERS:
Valeria Rodriguez, Ela Ben-Ur

Hear how the Samueli Foundation along with its partners designed and scaled the STEM Learning Ecosystem to now 89 communities around the world.

TAKEAWAYS:
What it takes to build a STEM Ecosystem How to build a STEM Ecosystem The evidence to support the value of a STEM Ecosystem

SPEAKERS:
Veronica Gonzales

Hear about a PBL project called Filling the Gap that connects educators with local STEM businesses to develop classroom units around real business issues/problems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with: 1. Understanding of a local STEM Ecosystem in western North Carolina 2. Understanding of the Filling the Gap Program 3. Examples of PBL units partnering classroom teachers with local STEM businesses

SPEAKERS:
Carol Moore, Regina Barrier

Architects with the Committee on Architecture for Education will explore strategies to learn how architecture and design can be combined with innovative pedagogy to transform spaces into student-centered, collaborative learning environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will explore methods to engage and connect your learning environment with nature and the outdoors. 2. Attendees will explore a variety of models for classroom flexibility and adaptability. 3. Attendees will explore examples of creative use of space and opportunities for meaningful display. 4. Attendees will explore suggestions for physical learning in regards to social distancing and capacity restrictions.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Maza

Discussion centers on pre-college educational preparation, acquisition of career information, and career options. Strategies for first-year college success will be described.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. High school course work preparation 2. Needed student strengths for success 3. Sources and uses of career information

SPEAKERS:
C Dale Elifrits

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

With BioBits® cell-free systems, students visualize biological concepts in ways never before possible. Watch DNA make RNA and protein in real time—then, in a separate activity, directly investigate the relationship between amino acid sequence and protein structure and function. All in a visual, engaging format that is quick and easy and requires minimal equipment—ideal for distance learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students can visualize the flow of genetic information from DNA to protein using BioBits cell-free technology 2. Fluorescence can illuminate how DNA makes RNA makes protein in what is known as the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology 3. Students can identify and manipulate the steps of transcription and translation in guided inquiry experimentds

SPEAKERS:
Ally Huang

Big data analytics and aerospace are two courses developed at Concordia International School Shanghai to empower students, develop STEM skills, and build community partnerships.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understand two STEM collaboration projects between schools, corporations, and outside organizations. Understand that STEM ecosystems vary from one school to another, there is no one recipe, but there are guiding principles. Gain hands-on experience in building and testing balsa wood planes.

SPEAKERS:
Peter Tong, Craig Gingerich

The need for STEM literacy—the ability to understand and apply concepts from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in order to solve our nation’s most complex problems—is growing exponentially. The requirement for STEM literacy goes beyond the traditional STEM occupations of scientist, engineer, and mathematician. In addition, the United States and the Army have a growing need for highly qualified, STEM-literate technicians and skilled workers in advanced manufacturing, logistics, management, and other technology-driven fields. For more than 50 years, the U.S. Army has supported educational opportunities in STEM for youth and undergraduate students, as well as teachers.

Join a diverse panel of students from the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) as they describe their experiences with the AEOP programs, the importance of STEM in their lives and schools, how STEM will help them in their futures, and why they think STEM is important.

Introductions and Moderator: Matt Hartman, eCYBERMISSION Educational Content Manager, U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program, NSTA, Arlington, Va. (www.usaeop.com)

Student Panelists: To be announced

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Hartman

Computer Science education is growing and CS teachers are often singletons in their districts. Join us for an edcamp/unconference–style session to discuss topics of your choice in small groups and build your network!

TAKEAWAYS:
Specific concrete takeaways for issues specific to Computer Science education Connect with like-minded educators for future collaboration Choose from topics such as: CS for All, Curricula/PD, Teaching Practices and Methodologies, Building your District's Program, CS Pathways, Licensure Requirements, Standards and more!

SPEAKERS:
Kerri Murphy

Explore how the STEM2 Hub has built a thriving STEM ecosystem that is now impacting students across multiple districts through systems thinking and leadership’s willingness to change course.

TAKEAWAYS:
An overview of the systems-thinking approach and theory of change applied in our ecosystem. Strategies to build trust to deepen collaborative partnerships across once disparate and competitive organizations with actionable tools to apply in your setting. Standards-based strategies to develop and infuse high-quality resources into the school day in a consistent manner, with resources to apply in your setting.

SPEAKERS:
Kathleen Schofield

Model stellar evolution processes using NASA images, plotting H-R diagram transitions, and determining the chemistry and physics of supernovas with NASA STEM image analysis tools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Knowledge of the process of how stars form and change over time ending in catastrophic events, providing conditions for the formation of planets. Students will understand that all knowledge of celestial events is determined by analyzing the light from these events. Image analysis software tools allow scientists to gain knowledge of the physical and chemical processes involved to create constantly evolving models of stellar evolution.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Young

Discussion centers on how Louisiana’s innovative STEM pathways give students access to high-demand, high-wage careers straight out of high school or with college or university degrees.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. High school STEM education can help meet vital workforce need. 2. High school STEM pathways can meet student needs whether they plan to attend a college/university or enter directly into the workforce. 3. High-value partnerships with public and private entities can expand capacity to offer high-quality STEM experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Nathan Corley

Concepts addressed include skeletal muscle anatomy and physiology, and the cellular physiology of the muscle cell, which are applied in formulating explanations that describe muscle cell function in healthy individuals and those with a disease. BackYard Brains electromyograms recordings as well as physical models will be used. These modules have been used in high school– and college-level classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. engineering design activities challenge teams to build 2-D and 3-D models 2. Skeletal muscle anatomy and physiology, and the cellular physiology of the muscle cell is learned as well as implications in a disease state. 3. • STEM content knowledge is applied in explaining a human health issue—muscular dystrophy

SPEAKERS:
Robin Cooper, Rebecca Krall, Tawny Aguayo-Williams

Add new learning that increases student engagement in analysis and evaluation of real data. Engage students of different ability levels in mathematical models with measurements not previously accessible in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
* Combine graphing calculators with handheld sensors to maximize class time; * Use real data to develop mathematical models; * Learn how to test your hypothesis by doing an experiment and analyze your results;

SPEAKERS:
Karlheinz Haas

An interactive module in experimentation, data gathering, and interruption was developed with a focus on the benefits of knowing life cycles and behavior of two animal models related to real-life implications in forensic science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1.How to set up an experimental design with flies of different species that feed and lay eggs on different food sources. 2.Understand behaviors of insects related to food choice to lay eggs: related to forensics. 3. Develop NetLogo simulations whereas middle level students are limited to the live investigations and graphing using paper-and-pencil methods.

SPEAKERS:
Robin Cooper, Rebecca Krall, Tawny Aguayo-Williams

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Vernier has collected free resources to help educators integrate remote learning into their teaching. In this virtual workshop, we will outline how to use Pivot Interactives, coding activities with Scratch, and the Vernier Experiment and Sample Data Library.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to integrate data-collection technology into remote learning 2. Ways to show students hands-on science from home 3. Experiment ideas that are aligned to the NGSS framework

SPEAKERS:
David Carter, Josh Ence

Experience the Question Formulation Technique: a simple, powerful strategy that can spark curiosity and deepen remote learning by teaching students to ask their own questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will learn the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) by experiencing it for themselves. They will walk away with a practical strategy they can immediately use in a remote setting to teach students how to ask better scientific questions and drive science inquiries. 2. Participants will explore student work from science classrooms across the country to see how the strategy can be used for a range of instructional purposes. 3. Participants will reflect on their learning, think on how they can implement it in their own setting, and get access to free tools and resources to do so.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bolduc, Katy Connolly

Join Mike Massimino, former NASA astronaut, as he relates his time in space with the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many of our teachers and students are experiencing in this distance/virtual learning environment. Mike’s message is a reminder to all of us, that in spite of the physical distancing, we can (and, should!) stay “connected” to one another.

SPEAKERS:
Mike Massimino, Karen Hays

Implementation of evidence supported instructional techniques has demonstrated the potential to increase student performance while increasing student engagement. Moderated by Brian Ogle, this panel will highlight strategies for implementing best practices in the math and science classroom to better serve students with a learning disability. Participants will examine the unique challenges to teaching STEM content and the challenges that students with a learning disability face.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ogle, Jodi Brubaker, Matthew Epp

Help your students explore two evolutionary processes: adaption and speciation. Participants will use computer models to examine these processes at various spatial and temporal scales and collect evidence to articulate the impacts of inheritance, mutation, selection, forage, competition, and reproduction on the processes. This session targets NGSS Biology Evolution core ideas at the high school level (HS-LS4).

TAKEAWAYS:
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SPEAKERS:
Lin Xiang

Sponsoring Company: MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling

We will focus on the defining feature of CRISPR technology, the ability of the Cas9 endonuclease to find and cut DNA at a unique site in the 3.2 billion base-pair human genome. We will also explore how a related CRISPR protein is being used to detect the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will see how models can be used to investigate how the mechanism of the CRISPR/Cas9 system is used to edit genomes. 2. Participants will learn how CRISPR technology is being used in current Coronavirus research. 3. Participants will discover the benefits of hands-on modeling and how it improves student understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Herman, Heather Ryan, Kris Herman

Join us as we discuss pandemic rethinking of an in-depth, in-person program led by university students engaging diverse upper-elementary girls in a STEM pathway, and opportunities for participating college mentors.

TAKEAWAYS:
1) Critical role the community advisory panel played in informing, guiding, and advocating for their audiences during the pandemic . 2) Student mentors have a powerful impact on the direction and depth of programming, including nurturing interests and role modeling with the next generation of scientists. 3) Key aspects of connecting young, diverse girls to the STEM pathway.

SPEAKERS:
Gianna Sullivan, Lina Perez Angel, Rachel Fox Freeman

Undergraduate students performed science outreach activities with grades 8–12 students at the YMCA afterschool program. Students designed and facilitated three consecutive sessions each week that were scaffolded to specific grade levels. They used this experience to fulfill the capstone requirement for their BA in Biological Sciences degree. The undergraduates served as role models to students underrepresented in STEM fields while stimulating their interest in science. This experience also stimulated interest of the undergraduates in future careers as science teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Halpin

Every day a small number of zoo nutritionists around the world apply any and every gram of knowledge they can find to ensure the nutritional welfare of the animals in our care. This isn’t just simply “STEM-ming the heck out of it,” but often taking it the next step to ensure all of those disciplines effectively collaborate to come up with practical solutions to help feed some of the rarest animals on the planet. We’ll share how we approach diet design for everything from ants to zebras, the true meaning of “comparative nutrition,” and how every component of STEM is engaged daily to help save species through appropriate nutrition. 

SPEAKERS:
Mike Maslanka

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed gaps in U.S. science education. Our curricula have not been prioritizing learning about the relationships between issues of social justice and scientific phenomena, like the inequitable impact of the pandemic or environmental degradation. Meanwhile, powerful protests against anti-blackness have made more and more science educators aware of the need to enact anti-racist science teaching. Discussion centers on principles and examples of teaching about Social Justice Science Issues (SJSI) in high school science courses, introductory college science courses, and in preservice science teacher education.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Morales-Doyle

Attention will be paid to implementation of a conceptual framework and activities for professional development to increase the quality and quantity of secondary STEM teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
- Attendees will discuss the research-based conceptual framework of a STEM professional development project. - Attendees will be asked to share on activities of the project as a method to increase the quality and quantity of STEM teachers. - Our two-year project results will be shared with attendees.

SPEAKERS:
Sumreen Asim, Alan Zollman

Reduce costs for learning materials by using Open Education Resources (OER) in STEM and CTE courses. Resources, tools, and processes will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be given: • A list of discipline specific OER resources • Criteria for evaluating OER resources =

SPEAKERS:
Esperanza Zenon

A purposeful sample of 196 Texas administrators provided responses to the STEM Awareness Community Survey (SACS). We will share research and discuss school administrators’ awareness of parental STEM knowledge and the critical role parents play in their children’s STEM education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Inform K-12 administrators that parents are not aware of: (1) available school-related STEM opportunities for their children; (2) the importance of engaging in STEM with their children; (3) and the scope of preparation needed to prepare their children for STEM-related careers.

SPEAKERS:
Omah Williams-Duncan, Sandy White Watson

Faculty and current students will discuss Pitt-Johnstown’s unique approach to their STEM Endorsement Certification, including students’ personal experiences and future teaching goals, and the program’s benefits and implications for  research.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in discussion to learn about: • Current focuses on teacher preparation in STEM education • Pennsylvania’s approach to endorsing students via their STEM Endorsement Certificate model and its program design and evaluation competencies • Pitt-Johnstown’s unique approach to the model, through a Q&A with faculty and current students.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Chesney

Join us to explore a holistic view of the challenges, as well as learn tips and strategies to successfully implement distance learning in your postsecondary classrooms. Moderated by Kavita Gupta, panelists will share experiences and wisdom gained toward driving equity across learning styles, changing assessments, and addressing interventions. Participants will walk away equipped with best practices in distance learning, including a new educational context.

SPEAKERS:
Kavita Gupta, Leslie Ligier, Teodora Rutar Shuman, Katey Shirey

Review a model for science methods courses that encompasses formal/informal learning environments built upon the six strands set forth by NRC Learning Science in Informal Environments. The framework focuses on the science culture of tools, language, and norms. Discussion includes how the model can be modified for elementary, secondary, and special education programs.

TAKEAWAYS:
- attendees will learn about a model that fuses together both formal and informal learning environments. The scope and sequence of the course syllabi will be shared - attendees will be learning about specific activities to better integrate various learning environments - attendees will given a list of resources to help implement in their respective courses

SPEAKERS:
Sumreen Asim

It takes a village to build a STEM culture. We will share how two international schools built a culture of making through makerspaces and maker fairs.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to develop partnerships with outside organizations, corporations, and makers. 2. Understand that STEM ecosystems vary from one school to another, there is no one recipe, but there are guiding principles. 3. Gain understanding in how a maker space and a school maker faire can build a STEM culture.

SPEAKERS:
Craig Gingerich, Brian Wright

NSTA School, District, and University partnerships provide personalized professional learning experiences for K–12 educators and science preservice teachers. Find out more about these NSTA opportunities that combine membership with access to resources, online tools, and the national network.

TAKEAWAYS:
(1) Discover the new NSTA School and District Partner Programs that combine member benefits with access to fee-based resources, professional learning tools, and conference opportunities. (2) Learn how professors use the NSTA website, resources, and online community with teacher candidates. (3) Network with other, link-minded, individuals.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez, Tricia Shelton

Explore a partnership with an informal education organization to inspire the next generation of STEM students to pursue a career in STEM teaching. Discussion centers on the changes in interns’ perceptions of teaching STEM through data collected, including videos, observations, and student focus group data.

TAKEAWAYS:
• Participants will learn about a community partnership with an informal education organization to inspire the next generation of STEM students to pursue a career in STEM teaching. • Participants will explore the changes in interns’ perceptions of teaching STEM through data collected, including videos, observations and student focus group data. • Participants will discuss opportunities to teach and educate others for students interested in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Akhtar Mahmood, Kristin Cook, Cody Nygard

Highly acclaimed author Rebecca Skloot spent more than 10 years doggedly uncovering the truth about the life, death, and ultimate “immortality” of a poor black tobacco farmer named Henrietta Lacks. Part detective story, part scientific odyssey, and part family saga, her phenomenal book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is inspired by the life of Henrietta Lacks, whose cancer cells—code named HeLa—were taken without her knowledge in 1951. Rebecca is currently writing a new book on the often controversial topic of animal research and ethics through a deeply personal story about our complex relationships with animals—their roles in our lives, and in science—and the humans who battle over their fates, and as a result, our own.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Skloot, Brian Ogle

Join us for this demo show by the Kentucky Science Center. You won't want to miss this display of favorite science demonstrations that are brought to students and families everywhere!