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)

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)

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 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)

Learn how to leverage community resources and infuse criticality into your science curriculum. Presenters will engage attendees in standards-focused activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to: 1. embed justice-oriented practices into their classroom teaching; and 2. create transformative curricula and innovative professional learning experiences to develop highly effective science teachers and teacher leaders.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Pena (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Natalie King (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Christine Thomas (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Desmond Lee (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Vanessa Grady (Rex Mill Middle School: Rex, GA), Nicholas Collins (Langston Hughes High School: Fairburn, GA)

Sponsoring Company: NSTA, Shell Teacher Awards and Competitions

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 through this teacher competition.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to apply for a Shell-sponsored award or competition; 2. begin your application or nomination of a Shell-sponsored program and receive a prize; and 3. collaborate with past winners and judges to learn how to strengthen your application.

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

Learn to dissect a leaf pack and identify macroinvertebrates to infer water quality. Engaging hands-on activity for all grade levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover how to use this student- or teacher-driven investigation to learn about your local watershed; 2. Learn to identify macroinvertebrates and discover what they can tell you about water quality; and 3. Learn how data can be entered in a global database as part of a citizen science project.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Brown (Northland Preparatory Academy: Flagstaff, AZ), Carrie Jenkins (Sinagua Middle School: Flagstaff, AZ)

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)

The Mississippi River drains two-thirds of the conterminous United States at a rate of 16,000 cubic meters of water per second per day, generates a half trillion dollars of economic revenue annually, and accounts for more than one million US jobs. In addition to the forces from the river, there are forces from the Gulf of Mexico itself that bring to the Gulf Coast unwelcome coastal surge, sea level rise, harmful algal blooms, and the costliest storms in the country. All the while, the region boasts some of the fastest growing cities in the country. These forces and stressors set up a challenge—how do we maintain the economy of the region, the safety of the people, and the rich, diverse cultures of the Gulf Coast communities over the long term? There is a role for science to improve prediction capabilities, a role for engineering to improve our built environment, and a role for social science to help interpret these inputs for better decision making. This talk will discuss efforts on going in these spaces to position the Gulf Coast for a sustainable and resilient future.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Alexander Augustine (The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Washington, DC)

During this lighning chat, we will discuss:

• How can education support our students to be ready for the jobs that come with climate action?
• Do your Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs focus on climate-related careers?
• What are some of the jobs that are being created to address climate change in your community? (Hint: Check out renewable energy and energy efficiency jobs to start.)
• What is your community or state doing to address climate change? Do you see a role for education to support these plans?

SPEAKERS:
Frank Niepold (NOAA Climate Program Office: Silver Spring, MD)

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)

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)

Sponsoring Company: HHMI

Tell the story of Island Biogeography through authentic data sets. Use free HHMI BioInteractive resources to discover how island area and isolation affect immigration, extinction, and species richness. Graph relationships to identify patterns that lead to a broader understanding of conservation biology.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Building graphs from real data sets; 2. How a model can be applied to specific biodiversity conservation efforts; and 3. Integrating Disciplinary Core Ideas related to “Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems” with the science practices of developing and using models, analyzing and interpreting data, and engaging in argument from evidence.

SPEAKERS:
Ryan Reardon (Shades Valley High School: Irondale, AL), Amy Fassler (Marshfield High School: Marshfield, WI)

Sponsoring Company: MatterHackers, Inc.

Learn how to lead students through engaging learning experiences such as the make:able challenge in order to improve learner outcomes and deepen student agency. They will be able to use empathy, STEM skills, and their own interests to improve the lives of others through assistive technology and 3D printing.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn about the make:able challenge and how you can implement it at your school; 2. use resources from the Build a Better Book project to facilitate design challenges for people with visual impairments based on student interest; and 3. gain strategies to help promote student independence, growth, and reflection.

SPEAKERS:
Mara Hitner (MatterHackers, Inc.: Lake Forest, CA), Steven Jones (Swanson Middle School: Arlington, VA)

Sponsoring Company: FOSS–Delta Education, School Specialty

Make the most of your instructional time by increasing student engagement and agency with an emphasis on sensemaking and science-centered language development. Using a FOSS lesson, we will demonstrate strategies developed to activate prior knowledge, collect and analyze collected data, construct explanations, and engage in argumentation during remote learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn three instructional strategies to increase engagement; 2. experience a physical science investigation as a learner; 3. determine learning expectation to build student success; and 4. learn about new FOSS resources.

SPEAKERS:
Diana Velez (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Erica Beck Spencer (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Joanna Totino (California Science Project: Berkeley, CA), Brian Campbell (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

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)

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)

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 real data to visualize the human impacts of pollution on our waterways. Find out ways to use this information to make graphing meaningful and fun!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Use real data to make mathematical models to visualize relationships; 2. identify the human-caused problems and identify potential solutions based off evidence; and 3. help students to build and interpret graphs effectively to be better scientifically informed citizens.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Kohout (Independent Contractor: Ellicott City, MD), Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Youngsville, LA)

We will explore opportunities to understand climate change and meet Next Generation Science Standards in today’s classrooms. Some questions to consider:

• How do we provide a framework for students to understand and solve climate change while providing them with hope for their futures?
• What impacts of climate change concern students most?
• How do we know if information is factual or fiction?

SPEAKERS:
Laura Tucker (Consultant: Port Townsend, WA), Lois Sherwood (Professional Development Coordinator: Port Townsend, WA)

During this chat, we will discuss:

• What types of weather science and safety resources are you looking for to use with your students?
• What are your biggest challenges when teaching about weather science and safety?
• What types of resources are you looking for to use with your students?
• Are they related to extreme weather hazards in your area?

SPEAKERS:
Mary Fairbanks (NOAA National Weather Service: Silver Spring, MD)

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: No City, No State)

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)

Explore how human activities have affected marine ecosystems, including the Gulf Coast, since the Industrial Revolution. Engage in hands-on simulations, interactive stories, and demonstrations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn ways to incorporate hands-on activities related to marine ecosystems around the NGSS Middle School topic of Human Impacts; 2. acquire ideas and techniques for helping students deepen their understanding of the connections between population trends, land use, natural resource use, and environmental impacts through simulations, interactive stories, and labs; and 3. be able to identify how the presented hands-on activities meet the NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices; and how the activities can be used to reach all kinds of learners.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Torres (INFINITY Science Center: Pearlington, MS)

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: No City, No State)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Explore an authentic problem-based learning lesson that covers land pollution, water pollution or air pollution. This lesson promotes engineering design, problem-solving, scientific inquiry, and literacy. This lesson highlights a 3-D learning experience.

TAKEAWAYS:
The attendees will learn: 1. What is Project and Problem-Based Learning? 2. How human actions around the world are influencing our natural resources? 3. How to use everyday, low budget supplies to model solutions for various forms of pollution?

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Lyle (Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School: Baton Rouge, LA), Alison Baker (Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School: Baton Rouge, LA), Brittany Hinyard (Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School: Baton Rouge, LA)

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)