Educators will be introduced to PBELL and how it can make science accessible and engaging for all levels of special education and English language learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Similarities in ELL and Special Education Students; 2. Strategies to support ALL diverse learners; and 3. How to embed language acquisition throughout science content making it accessible to all.

SPEAKERS:
Brittney Oden (Educational Consultant: Tempe, AZ)

Join us to discuss how to enhance student learning by incorporating activities that relate to real-world environmental and agricultural challenges in science classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Incorporating real-world challenges relating to sustainable agriculture exposes students to meaningful applications of environmental, life, and physical sciences; 2. Communicating that science is not simply abstract concepts, but a way to solve important problems, may increase student engagement in the classroom; and 3. Sustainable agriculture activities lend themselves to adaptation to appropriate grade level or science class.

SPEAKERS:
Maud Walsh (Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, LA), Jennifer Irving (Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, LA)

Come learn about three-dimensional assessments that support Latinx and ELLs. We’ll share examples of three-dimensional assessments in a chemistry unit, and tools for designing the assessments!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. see key features of 3-D assessments by examining a few examples; 2. learn how to design 3-D assessments in the context of high school chemistry; and 3. learn how to use various forms of scaffolds to design 3-D assessments that support students from historically marginalized communities.

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Fortier (Tustin High School: Tustin, CA), Abbey Zinsser (Tustin High School: Tustin, CA), Hosun Kang (University of California, Irvine: Irvine, CA), Lindsay Fay (Tustin High School: Tustin, CA)

Find out how to use explore-before-explain learning to flip the traditional teaching script and promote long-lasting understanding in physical, life, and Earth and space science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Why sequence matters—a concise review of cognitive science and science education research explains why the order in which you structure your lessons is so critical; 2. What you need to do—an overview of important planning considerations covers becoming an “explore-before-explain” teacher and designing POE (Predict, Observe, Explain) and 5E (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) instructional models; and 3. How you do it—ready-to-teach lessons that use an explore-before-explain sequence to provide an experience that meets the Next Generation Science Standards and makes interdisciplinary connections to the Common Core State Standards.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Brown (Fort Zumwalt School District R-II: O'Fallon, MO)

How can we support ALL learners as they engage in STEM learning? This interactive session will focus on scaffolding engineering experiences to assist English language learners and other students in need of additional support while enriching the learning for everyone.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore EiE’s considerations for designing fully inclusive engineering experiences; 2. Identify strategies for facilitating accessible STEM activities virtually and in person.

SPEAKERS:
Lorri Coates (Museum of Science, Boston: Boston, MA)

Join us to learn how our district takes over one thousand elementary students into our local wilds and brings the science and technology standards to life. 

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to establish mutually beneficial local partnerships that support science instruction; 2. Discover how to encourage even the youngest students to problem solve local issues and take action in their communities; and 3. Walk away with lesson ideas and strategies for taking learning beyond the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Tarlton (Chillicothe Primary School: Chillicothe, OH), Dana Letts (Chillicothe City Schools: Chillicothe, OH)

Engage students in a hands-on cellular respiration activity using handouts and pop-beads that help explain the concept.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn the stages of cellular respiration; 2. Discover how to follow glucose through the oxidation steps and track the carbons that are converted to CO2; and 3. Calculate the energy production (ATP) through substrate-level phosphorylation and oxidative phosphorylation.

SPEAKERS:
Deborah Cardenas (Collin College, Wylie Campus: Wylie, TX)

We will share a PBL suitable for secondary and postsecondary meteorology students using an online severe weather events database.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will be given an opportunity to explore the Storm Prediction Center's (SPC) online severe weather events database, identifying the most impactful severe weather days (cases) for a sample region and year; 2. Participants will proceed through an example weekly worksheet analyzing the atmospheric parameters conducive for severe weather for a sample severe weather day; and 3. Presenters will share indirect assessment (via pre- vs. post-survey) data revealing the pedagogical impact of the PBL on student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Joby Hilliker (West Chester University: West Chester, PA), Shannon Hilliker (Binghamton University, SUNY: Binghamton, NY)

Concerned about the STEM achievement gap? Learn about the latest data, as well as experience a strategy for facilitating equity conversations and its use with students or colleagues to develop equity leaders.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. To obtain the latest national data on the STEM achievement gap; 2. To experience a strategy for facilitating discussion of difficult equity issues; and 3. To be invited to become an equity leader, given the need and resources available.

SPEAKERS:
Jerry Valadez (Fresno State and SAM Academy CSW), Gary Nakagiri (K=12 Science Consultant: El Cerrito, CA)

In this session, we will focus on how two science teachers (one hybrid and one virtual) still conduct labs with their students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Labs are still possible during this pandemic. 2. Labs provide high engagement while students are still learning at home. 3. Simple labs are better than no labs at all.

SPEAKERS:
Samantha Ramaswamy (Penn-Trafford High School: Harrison City, PA), Andrew Walton (Upper Moreland High School: Willow Grove, PA)

Environmental/instructional strategies will be addressed to help teachers reduce risk and provide for safer lab activities in on-site school science labs and virtual formats.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Five effective ways of reducing health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2. Facility environmental concerns and ways to make them safer; and 3. Instructional strategies to reduce risk for safer lab activities.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Roy (Glastonbury Public Schools: Glastonbury, CT)

This session will use a Storyline from the Illinois Science Teachers as an example for 3-D Learning in the middle and high school virtual classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Phenomena are important in helping engage students in a storyline to help to explain something in nature; 2. Developing and using models can be done by students in a virtual environment; and 3. There are many ways to use technology with virtual learners to analyze data and construct explanations and other science and engineering practices, incorporating crosscutting concepts to learn the disciplinary core ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Mesmer (Mesmer Science Education Consulting: Baraboo, WI), Brian Bartel (Appleton Area School District: Appleton, WI)

In examining student scientific explanations, one common finding is that understanding how to analyze data is often the missing piece in order for students to construct proficient explanations. However, we often tell students to analyze data, but we don't teach students how to do this. Participants will practice several strategies, acquire resources to share with students, and deepen their understanding of how to teach, not tell, students to analyze data.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Deeper understanding of data analysis as required by the NGSS; 2. Deeper understanding of common student misconceptions about data analysis; and 3. Practical strategies for scaffolding data analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Johnson (EKU Partnership Institute for Math and Science Education Reform: Morehead, KY)

New diverse teachers leave the profession at incredibly high rates. Join us for a discussion of research-based implications on how to better support these educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Identify reasons it is critical to support new minority teachers; 2. describe strategies for supporting these educators; and 3. discuss practical tips for retaining diverse teachers in the profession.

SPEAKERS:
Latanya Brandon (SUNY New Paltz: New Paltz, NY), Amanda Gunning (Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry Campus: Dobbs Ferry, NY), Meghan Marrero (Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry Campus: Dobbs Ferry, NY)

In this engaging and informative online session, Michael will offer a conceptual landscape on which you'll construct a valid understanding of COVID-19. Using a PowerPoint deck populated with richly illustrated and animated slides, Michael will facilitate this essential experience in a manner that's engaging and not intimidating. Through this understanding, you'll become empowered to teach the applicable concepts of COVID-19 literacy, resulting in a student population that is better informed to make critical decisions, especially those that impact their health.

TAKEAWAYS:
After attending this session, attendees will be empowered with an understanding of COVID-19 on which to: 1. increase classroom effectiveness in teaching appropriate disciplinary core ideas of life sciences; 2. apply 3-D learning to understanding the biology COVID-19 virus and the resultant pandemic; and 3. apply crosscutting concepts along with science and engineering practices to an understanding of COVID-19.

SPEAKERS:
Michael DiSpezio (Master Educator, Presenter, and Author: North Falmouth, MA)

Use award-winning informational fiction books as the frame for developing hands-on explorations and activities for elementary students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will use selected award-winning book lists to determine high-quality texts suitable for elementary classrooms; 2. Presenter will share helpful hints for extracting science content from selected literature and develop that content into hands-on explorations; and 3. Participants will have access to activities suitable for in-person and virtual activities aligned with the selected books, including, but not limited to, using play to explore engineering and creating STEM activities from picture books.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Parks (Stetson University: Deland, FL)

Explore strategies and resources to shift your online courses into a more three-dimensional teaching and learning style.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will explore: 1. strategies for engaging students in phenomena in the online environment; 2. different course structural elements that can be used to promote three-dimensional learning; and 3. online resources that can be incorporated into an online course to promote inquiry learning.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Allred (Deer Valley Unified School Dstrict: Phoenix, AZ)

We will investigate the use of anchoring phenomena in lessons with an emphasis on the science and engineering practices. We will discuss the integration of questioning, models, and phenomena in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Phenomena are the basis of science, since science is all about understanding our natural world; 2. Questioning is a key component of science instruction. A teacher should "never say what a student can say" but instead elicit students' responses to drive the instruction; and 3. Modeling is a dynamic process in science. Science modeling is different from "a model" or using modeling as a pedagogical process (i.e., "I do, we do, you do").

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Moore (Tennessee Tech: Cookeville, TN)

Explore a variety of ways to use the Uncovering Student Ideas Formative Assessment Probes during distance learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Recognize the importance of eliciting students' prior conceptions; 2. Gain tips and strategies for using the probes during remote learning to engage all students in learning concepts and figuring out phenomena; and 3. Learn ways to modify probes for digital use and applications.

SPEAKERS:
Page Keeley (NSTA Past President: No City, No State)

Join us in sharing your concerns and resources for enhancing equity and access in STEM programs. Learn what NSTA, and others, are doing for STEM equity nationwide.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. To be able to share your issues and concerns related to equity and STEM; 2. To know, and be able to listen to, other like-minded educators who are concerned about equity and STEM; and 3. To be invited to join an ever-expanding national network of educators who are concerned about equity and STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Gary Nakagiri (K=12 Science Consultant: El Cerrito, CA), Jerry Valadez (Fresno State and SAM Academy CSW)

The National Science Education Leadership Association welcomes participants to an open roundtable discussion with experts who will share successful practices in science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Emerging leaders will leave with science education leadership skills.

SPEAKERS:
Linda Cook (The University of Texas at Dallas: Richardson, TX), James Blake (Lincoln Public Schools: Lincoln, NE), Shane Woods (Girlstart)

Teach science-skeptical students about climate change by exposing them to the powerful story and evidence of climate change found in your community.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students are not convinced by data models, but they are convinced by what they can experience in their own communities; 2. There is evidence of climate change that can be found in every part of the country; and 3. Knowing what to show students in the community, and how to tell the story of climate change on a local level, empowers students to make a difference.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Burkhart (Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania: Slippery Rock, PA), Jason Hilton (Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania: Slippery Rock, PA)

Discover how to incorporate forensic-themed projects into an introductory physical science class. Walk away with a Google Drive folder of resources and projects.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will: 1. be able to incorporate forensics content into a physical science course; 2. have a general understanding of project-based learning; and 3. be able to incorporate claim, evidence, and reasoning (CER) into a physical science course.

SPEAKERS:
Deonna Lynch (East Washington School Corporation: No City, No State)

A project-based STEM curricula has students applying their knowledge and skills to improve the world they live in by achieving quantifiable water savings.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Science in the classroom can lead to real-world results; 2. Water audits require the use of math and technology to solve real-world problems; and 3. Community involvement enhances student learning and experience.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Hurlbut (The University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension: Phoenix, AZ)

Hear innovative ideas for developing partnerships and programs with community, universities, and industry to equip students with STEM skills necessary for success in tomorrow’s world.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to go beyond one-off field trips to engage students in deeper, more meaningful, long-term, and real-world learning; 2. Learn how to take advantage of the coming "silver Tsunami" in most industries, to get unique learning experiences and measurable outcomes for your students; and 3. Understand that "STEM fields" are not limited to robotics or space exploration; most if not all fields soon will require at least a basic understanding of STEM concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Gordon Bourns (Bourns, Inc.: Riverside, CA), Sharon Gutierrez (Riverside Public Utilities: Riverside, CA), John Robertson (Riverside Unified School District: Riverside, CA), Damaris Velez (Riverside Public Utilities: Riverside, CA)

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Hartman (BrainPOP: Pittsburgh, PA), Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Learn about activities and resources that help high school students explore environmental challenges in coastal areas and develop resilience plans to improve their communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teacher will: 1. understand how the Project Resilience curriculum supports teaching about environmental challenges impacting the Gulf Coast region; 2. learn about tools for teaching students about resilience and ways they can make plans to positively impact their school and community; and 3. consider ideas for how to adapt these resources to issues specific to their local environment and teaching situation, including virtual learning.

SPEAKERS:
Becca Hatheway (UCAR Center for Science Education: Boulder, CO), Melissa Rummel (UCAR Center for Science Education: Boulder, CO), Samantha Hicks (South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center: Houma, LA)

Do you impact your school and community with STEM? If you teach K–12, come learn how to apply to win one of eight Shell-supported awards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Share your passion and practice by applying for one of eight awards. Learn from past Shell awardees, finalists, and judging panel members’ important tips to apply for this award, and how to win a trip to next year’s national conference in Chicago.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Richard Embrick (Wright Junior High: No City, No State)

Use argumentation tools to facilitate elementary student conversations around the intersection of science and social justice because as the  NGSS state, “Science is a Human Endeavor.”

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn to connect the NGSS to a science phenomenon focused on social justice and culturally responsive to our student populations; 2. Use the science and engineering practice of arguing from evidence to facilitate student conversations on socially just science topics; and 3. Practice tools to facilitate difficult conversations around race, culture, identity, and social justice in the elementary classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Brandon Davis (PS 142, The Amalia Castro School: New York, NY), Leena Bakshi (STEM4Real: No City, No State)

A chief news meteorologist will share her story on disrupting stereotypes and celebrating gender equity from kindergarten to postsecondary. Emphasis will be placed on equipping educators with keys to attract young girls to STEM professions.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Embracing differences: challenging the status quo and debunking gender myths; 2. Learning to create education cultures that celebrate our uniqueness; and 3. Why girls need community and role models: developing stronger mentor/mentee programs for girls within our schools.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Gann (CBS 42 News: Birmingham, AL)

Climate science can be a difficult topic, however, focusing on hope and action allows students to see they can make a difference. Come see how!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain strategies to support all students, but especially English Learners using OCDE (Orange County Department of Education) Project GLAD® strategies; 2. Learn the content and the relevant issues that are impacting climate change; and 3. How to focus on the importance of maintaining hope. We do this by showing students how their actions will make a difference.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Lindholm (North Central Educational Service District: Wenatchee, WA)

Located in the U.S. near a Shell asset? Attend this session for the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge to learn how to apply for this amazing opportunity. Pick up tips for completing a winning application and begin your journey in applying to win an updated science classroom. This program will award 33 prize packages valued up to $15,000 for high school and $10,000 for elementary and middle school!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how you can apply to win the Shell Science Lab Challenge; 2. Learn the tips to completing a winning application; and 3. Have an opportunity to actually begin to complete the application and have your questions answered.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Ruth Ruud (Cleveland State University: Cleveland, OH)

We'll discuss challenges in terms of teacher wellness during distance teaching and share strategies in a roundtable.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Acknowledge the challenges and demands on teachers in distance learning; 2. Share strategies for teacher wellness; and 3. Create a community of like-minded educators.

SPEAKERS:
Kavita Gupta (Monta Vista High School: Cupertino, CA)

Let's bring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into the forefront of science education! Join us as we share the details of our joint AMSE and NSTA Multicultural/Equity upcoming virtual miniseries. #DEIinACTION

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Addressing the Elephant in the Room: A Focus on Diversity and Equity Among Minority and Underserved Students in Geographic Locations; 2. Designing for Equitable Sense-making with Multilingual Learners; and 3. All in the (Science) Family: Considerations and Strategies for Inclusive Science Teaching for All Students.

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Conerly (Marion County Schools: Columbia, MS), Sharon Delesbore (Stephen F. Austin High School: No City, No State)

The NSTA Atlas of the Three Dimensions maps out learning progressions based on the Framework for K–12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) using the same techniques that were used to develop the Atlas of Science Literacy from AAAS Project 2061. The 62 maps in the Atlas organize all of the elements from standards on a particular topic (e.g., modeling, patterns, or definitions of energy) on a single page. The elements from grades K–2 are at the bottom of the page and those from grades 9–12 are at the top. Arrows connect elements to indicate how ideas in a particular topic build on each other and how elements in different topics connect to one another. Studying the maps in the Atlas and the additional resources in the appendixes can provide educators new insights about the standards.
 
This session will provide an overview of how to read a map, the other features of the Atlas, and how educators can use this powerful navigational tool to develop and implement curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to read a map in the Atlas; 2. the relationship between the Framework and the Atlas; and 3. how to use the Atlas to unpack or clarify standards.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

We will present a unit designed to help students understand friction by using connected learning, engineering design principles, and real-world problem-solving.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to create real-world problems based on engineering design principles; 2. Explore how connected learning can engage all learners by tapping into their interests; and 3. Examine the framework of engineering design principles through an example of friction.

SPEAKERS:
Tevis Jacobs (University of Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh, PA), Cassie Quigley (University of Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh, PA), Autumn Dillaman (Falk Laboratory School: Pittsburgh, PA)

Attention will be paid to research-based strategies and resources to differentiate instruction, making science accessible and engaging for ALL students. Discussion centers on ways to increase participation, engagement, and advance learning. Handouts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. strategies, to engage all learners actively with hands-on experiences, to advance learning and deepen conceptual understanding for all K–6 students; 2. ways to differentiate instruction, offering tiered or leveled experiences, where explorations vary as to the complexity of the task, while offering essential concepts to all students; and 3. effective questioning strategies to enhance and deepen student understanding, increase academic language, and help make students’ thinking visible.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell (Educational and Technology Consultant: Prairie Village, KS)

Join us to learn how we move science from an “extra” subject in the primary grades to a focus that improves literacy achievement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn: 1. practical ways to use science to increase student mastery of the writing standards in the early grades; 2. how to “make the case” for using science to increase literacy; and 3. literacy assessments that are supported by classroom science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Dana Letts (Chillicothe City Schools: Chillicothe, OH), Heather Tarlton (Chillicothe Primary School: Chillicothe, OH)

The 7Cs of creativity (Creators, Creating, Collaborations, Contexts, Creations, Consumption, and Curricula) allow students additional avenues to demonstrate content mastery content. Join in to explore ways of connecting science practices and design thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn strategies to incorporate wonder and curiosity in science lessons to engage reluctant learners; be able to implement lessons that incorporate creativity, design thinking, and science practices; and 3. learn ways to implement design thinking and use science practices with a wide range of learners.

SPEAKERS:
Deepa Iyer (Knox Gifted Academy: Chandler, AZ)

Participants will engage with phenomenon-based lesson using synchronous and asynchronous teaching in the 5E Lesson Framework. The lesson overview will guide teachers through using digital resources that promote 3-D learning with phenomena integrated throughout the 5E, both synchronously and asynchronously.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. identify points in a 3-D phenomenon-based lesson that are best suited for synchronous and asynchronous learning; 2. use digital platforms to obtain and evaluate information in video, image, and informational text form; and 3. integrate the 5E model for lesson delivery that includes a phenonomenon.

SPEAKERS:
Rabieh Hafza (Henry County Schools: McDonough, GA)

This session will engage teachers in experiencing and exploring free NGSS-focused resources for classrooms from STEM@GTRI.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Free NGSS-focused resources; 2. virtual field experiences; and 3. educational technology.

SPEAKERS:
Tyler Kinner (Georgia Tech Research Institute: Atlanta, GA)