Explore how excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere makes water more acidic through hands-on activities from the free 5Es lesson plans in middleschoolchemistry.com.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Awareness of a free resource of NGSS-focused lesson plans in chemistry for middle school teachers and students; 2. Simple, safe, and inexpensive hands-on experiments showing that carbon dioxide gas makes water more acidic; and 3. Use of grade-appropriate explanations of the interactions of atoms and molecules to help students better understand the causes of the phenomena they observe and its connection to the problem of ocean acidification.

SPEAKERS:
James Kessler (American Chemical Society: Washington, DC)

Public/private and postsecondary/K–12 partnerships create three-dimensional STEM opportunities for ALL students. We will share a Louisiana model and how to bring it to your school or district.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Louisiana High School STEM Pathway; 2. Louisiana pathway descriptions, implementation outlines, virtual PD and virtual learning modifications, and contact information for follow-up; and 3. small groups brainstorm individual implementation outlines.

SPEAKERS:
Nathan Corley (Louisiana Dept. of Education: Baton Rouge, LA)

Science current events journals bring real science into the classroom. Use the news to teach science content, media literacy, and analytical thinking, and to reinforce language arts.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to integrate media literacy in the science classroom; 2. Tools for differentiated instruction in science literacy; and 3. Integration of NGSS in a science literacy project.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Weissman (The Ramaz School: New York, NY)

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Bekkah Lampe (NOAA Office of Education: Silver Spring, MD), Kayla Smith (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Silver Spring, MD)

Take part in activities making personal/local connections that encourage learners to reflect on the role of STEM in their lives, communities, and possible futures.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Through engaging students in investigations centered on STEM careers we can inspire the next generation of STEM pioneers and innovators to build a better world; 2. Geoscience is for everyone; and 3. Personal and local connections like those explored in this workshop demonstrate the role of STEM for all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Aida Awad (Education Consultant/ Adjunct: Ormond Beach, FL), Ed Robeck (American Geosciences Institute: Alexandria, VA)

Cultural exchange, identity, and agency are developed as students learn the importance of locally growing food and the benefit it has on the environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Design Process that solves the lack of access to fresh food in urban communities; 2. Place-based education that builds student identity and agency in preserving the environment; and 3. Partnerships with local businesses and government agencies .

SPEAKERS:
Lakisha Kincherlow (Paterson Public Schools: Paterson, NJ), Daudi Angatia (School 24 / Fine and Performing Arts Program: Paterson, NJ), Carlos Miranda (Charles J. Riley School #9: Paterson, NJ), Alicia Acerra (Eastside High School: Paterson, NJ), Maribel Cardona (Paterson Public School Two: Paterson, NJ)

Find out how to use anonymous surveys to collect students’ honest questions concerning content, then using SELF (Suitable, Extend, Line, Functionality) to determine which responses to use.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will: 1. analyze which anonymous survey method works best in their classroom; 2. dissect the SELF (Suitable, Extend, Line, Functionality) method and learn how to apply it to their instructional methods; and 3. explore content topics in which SELF would increase learning and discussion.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Jimmerson (Cabot High School: Cabot, AR), Brandon Daughety (Cabot High School: Cabot, AR)

Discussion centers on how to start an Environmental Education Club, incorporate green STEM-focused curriculum, and become part of the Eco-School global initiative.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. how to start an Environmental Education club at their school and will see examples from other schools and colleges; 2. about Green STEM lessons and interdisciplinary units that they can easily incorporate in their standards-based curriculum; and 3. about the Eco-School global initiative and will explore how they can inspire their students to collaborate with others and involve their local communities so together they can create creative and meaningful solutions to protect the planet.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Ristuccia (Fountain Hills Charter School: Fountain Hills, AZ)

We will introduce a collection of units and resources to help teachers engage students in three-dimensional learning through model-driven inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Anchoring instruction around authentic phenomena is the first step to 3-D learning; 2. The practice of modeling should be at the center of your instructional units; and 3. Models help groups of students build explanations of phenomena together over time.

SPEAKERS:
Todd Campbell (University of Connecticut: Storrs Mansfield, CT), Ron Gray (Northern Arizona University: Flagstaff, AZ), Victor Sampson (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX)

Project Hero is a free program that challenges students to accept standards-focused and project-based Quests aimed at helping locally relevant species and ecosystems under pressure.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to: 1. create an account and explore Quests as they become available ; 2. facilitate the QUEST process with their students ; and 3. demonstrate understanding of the process for applying for a grant to support their Quest.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Arndt (Global GreenSTEM: Franktown, CO)

The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) shares free resources and innovative ways to introduce engineering into K–12 classrooms. Join us to learn more and engage in a hands-on activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Leading, free, engineering resource sites; 2. ASEE's commitment to engineering education; and 3. ways to engage with engineers.

SPEAKERS:
Martha Cyr (The STEM Education Center at WPI: Worcester, MA)