Discussion centers on how to successfully implement current events in science into lessons and curriculum, increasing student engagement in science content and overall science literacy. Participants will read and analyze a blog post on a recent breakthrough on CRISPR, a genetic editing technique.

TAKEAWAYS:
-How to use blogs, videos, and podcasts on current events in science to engage classroom discussions -How to put use current events in science to put the curriculum into context -How to connect local science researchers to your students and classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Anderson (Hamilton County ESC: Cincinnati, OH)

Educators who specialize in the teaching of students with dyslexia describe vocabulary modifications, schema development, kinesthetic activities, and methods to modify science content for students with language-based learning differences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to: 1. craft well written vocabulary definitions; 2. use kinesthetic activities to help students gain understanding of vocabulary and complex science concepts; and 3. create a structured word wall that supports students.

SPEAKERS:
Clinton Kittrell (The Summit School: Edgewater, MD), Christine Zito (Miller School of Albemarle: Charlottesville, VA)

Teachers can engage in a three-dimensional lab-driven approach to answer the driving question, Why does hail fall some times, but not at other times?

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to kick off a weather unit with an engaging phenomena; and 2. Hands-on activities for students investigating weather phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Campbell (UTeachTech at Louisiana Tech University: Ruston, LA)

Engage in argument-driven scaffolds for Earth and environmental science topics to critically evaluate connections between evidence and alternative scientific explanations using model-evidence link (MEL) diagrams.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn what a MEL diagram is; 2. Practice using a MEL diagram to promote evaluation; and 3. Learn how to access the suite of MEL materials.

SPEAKERS:
Timothy Klavon (Black Hills State University: Spearfish, SD), Janelle Bailey (Temple University: Philadelphia, PA), Doug Lombardi (University of Maryland: College Park, MD)

Engage in a secondary Daily Do lesson based on astronomer Dr. Jane Luu’s research on Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Figure out why Pluto is no longer considered a planet; 2. Identify key features of a phenomenon-driven, three-dimensional ("sensemaking") lesson; and 3. Learn strategies for sensemaking at-a-distance that provide access to science learning for ALL students.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Are you asked to incorporate reading and writing into your science classroom? We have literacy-based lesson plans that will engage students and improve their learning!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Lesson plans that incorporate literacy as well as hands-on activities; 2. Awareness of resources for incorporating literacy; and 3. A better understanding of how literacy improves student comprehension.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Suh (American Chemical Society: Washington, DC), Enrique Romero (Sweetwater Union High School District: Chula Vista, CA)

Use each stage of the Engineering Design Process to complete a challenge of building and drop testing a satellite while making connections to NASA missions.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. We can use the engineering design process in our everyday life to solve problems and make improvements; 2. NASA Engineers must ask a question, imagine a solution, plan a design, create that model, experiment and test that model, then take time to improve the original—all steps that are crucial to mission success from Moon to Mars and beyond!; and 3. While this activity will focus on teaching the engineering design process using the process skills of measuring, calculating, designing, and evaluating, the "boring part" of ask, imagine, plan will be focused on to emphasize deeper learning as a thought process prior to simply "building stuff."

SPEAKERS:
Barbie Buckner (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: Greenbelt, MD)

Engage in a secondary Daily Do lesson based on astronomer Dr. Jane Luu’s research on Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Figure out why Pluto is no longer considered a planet; 2. Identify key features of a phenomenon-driven, three-dimensional ("sensemaking") lesson; and 3. Learn strategies for sensemaking at-a-distance that provide access to science learning for ALL students.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Exploration of mineral properties using scientific tools. Session covers how to teach minerals in a 5Es (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) investigation. Learn strategies for making your own classroom kits. Visit https://padlet.com/lbschneider/NSTAminerals to access all files related to this session.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn: 1. strategies for how to teach 5E hands-on science investigations that are NGSS focused; 2. about mineral properties and how to use them to identify common rock-forming minerals; and 3. how to select materials to create mineral kits to use with students.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Schneider (St. Mary's College of Maryland: Saint Mary's City, MD)

Leverage how people learn from data to teach data skills alongside content with these beginning strategies to build students literacy in science, math, and technology.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. A framework for thinking about how people learn from data and what are the steps along the progression from being a novice to expert user of data to do science, math, and use technology; 2. Strategies and resources to use in our teaching in any unit to better set students up for success as they build their mastery of data skills to become more data and science literate; and 3. a suite of tips and tricks to integrate into our current curricula across different disciplines that enhance how students work with data to learn their science and math content as well as critical evaluate claims in the world.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hunter-Thomson (Dataspire Education & Evaluation, LLC)

We will share unique and interactive assessments that go beyond multiple choice tests. These options offer learners a variety of ways to demonstrate their mastery of content. Varied assessment options will be explored, including alternative testing questions, interactive assessments, concept maps, and projects.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will learn about alternate ways of assessing student learning that allows all learners the ability to demonstrate mastery of content; 2. Alternate mid-term and final exam options will be shared; and 3. Attendees will learn how to create valid assessments for English Learners.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Matson (Thomas Worthington High School: Columbus, OH), Kimberly Thesing (Thomas Worthington High School: Columbus, OH)

Explore the critical role that creativity plays in addressing essential skills required for ALL students and their future success.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Why creativity must be a critical component of effective planning; 2. How creativity impacts student success; and 3. How to provide continuous and effective creative opportunities for students.

SPEAKERS:
Cathi Cox-Boniol (Louisiana Tech University: No City, No State), Missy Wooley (Louisiana Tech University)

Keeping the Earth big and blue requires getting students out into the schoolyard. Discover how to put in gardens or an outdoor classroom and how to support the learning through crosscutting concepts with journals and children’s literature.

TAKEAWAYS:
1.Teachers will experience through photographs, stories, and activities how to engage all students in connecting sustaining Earth to the local schoolyard and their backyards; 2. Teachers gather resources for lessons, units, and a wide selction of chidlren's literature, going home equipped to address crosscutting concepts effectively; and 3. Hands-on activities and anecdotes of the presenter's expereinces will give teachers inspiration to help children find connections to nature at home and at school.

SPEAKERS:
Steve Rich (Science Author/Consultant: Atlanta, GA)