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)

Participants will review performance task components and will utilize a task screener tool to evaluate a performance task.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn: 1. what a performance task is; 2. key components of a performance task; and 3. how to evaluate a performance task.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Torres (Arizona Science Teachers Association: Tucson, AZ), Sarah Sleasman (Arizona Dept. of Education: Phoenix, AZ), Meg Gebert (Arizona Science Teachers Association: Tucson, AZ), Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Science Teachers Association)

Explore classroom-tested benchmark assessments and scoring guides designed to assess students’ three-dimensional learning related to middle school performance expectations for life, physical, and Earth science.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. identify all three dimensions in an assessment item; 2. score for three dimensions in one assessment; and 3. adapt assessment items for classroom use based on their students/classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Maia Binding (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

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)

Explore the similarities and differences in age-appropriate engineering practices and design parameters for preK–2 children through discussion, hands-on activities, and classroom videos.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Engineering is a form of problem solving that is appropriate and engaging for young learners; 2. Engineering challenges for young learners should be goal-oriented, open-ended, and relevant; and 3. The process of engineering should include manipulating materials and making decisions based on their properties.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Glover (Museum of Science, Boston: Boston, MA)

Physical activity activates the brain, improves cognitive function, and is correlated with improved academic performance. Join us to engage in movement-based science activities that are elementary NGSS-focused designed to reach all learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will participate in several elementary NGSS-focused, low- to no-cost activities that engage students with movement; 2. Participants will be able to demonstrate effective research-based instructional strategies for learning science concepts and integrating other content areas; and 3. This session will demonstrate best practices for all learners, especially ESL learners.

SPEAKERS:
Judith McDonald (University of Hawaii at Hilo: Hilo, HI), Alisa Wickliff (The University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Charlotte, NC)

Experience Braincandy—a free, web-based platform designed to stimulate evidence-based argumentation. Braincandy supports a safe, anonymous space to argue positions, engage in consensus, and critique ideas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn how to implement Braincandy in their classrooms; 2. learn how the anonymity creates a low-risk environment to foster student argumentation; and 3. understand the effective use of digital tools to support learning.

SPEAKERS:
April Holton (Arizona State University: Tempe, AZ), Bryan Henderson (ASU Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College: Phoenix, AZ)

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)

Participants will review performance task components and will utilize a task screener tool to evaluate a performance task.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn: 1. what a performance task is; 2. key components of a performance task; and 3. how to evaluate a performance task.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Torres (Arizona Science Teachers Association: Tucson, AZ), Sarah Sleasman (Arizona Dept. of Education: Phoenix, AZ), Meg Gebert (Arizona Science Teachers Association: Tucson, AZ), Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Science Teachers Association)

We use fairy tales to pass societal values and norms to the next generation. Why not use (tweaked) fairy tales to support students in using NGSS science and engineering practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will get, and learn how to use: 1. versions of fairy tales that illustrate the SEP; 2. activities that support use of these fairy tales; and 3. protocols and strategies to support productive student reading and talking in your science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Rob Wallace (NSTA: Kenner, LA)

Come learn about the transformations that support three-dimensional learning. Participants will engage with a hands-on experience and have time to analyze in order to develop an understanding of what is needed to transform learning in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Authentic sense-making of phenomena or problems can be achieved through shifting heavy lifting of constructing understanding to students; 2. encouraging and listening for diverse student ideas that can be critiqued using evidence supports all students’ pathways toward understanding; and 3. using specific talk moves that change the pattern of conversation from IRE (Initiate, Respond, Evaluate) to Reasoning is needed for all to be engaged in sense-making.

SPEAKERS:
Kristen Moorhead (PLI, LLC: Mesa, AZ)

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)

Experience distance-learning strategies in the context of a middle school Daily Do lesson that create opportunities for equitable participation in science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain distance-learning strategies that provide opportunities for ALL students to participate in science learning and contribute to learning of their peers; 2. Learn how to leverage digital tools students may already be familiar with for distance learning; and 3. Identify key features of a phenomenon-driven, three-dimensional ("sensemaking") lesson.

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

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)

Participants will learn ideas and strategies for engaging MLs in science as they relate to the Principles of Equitable Engagement for Multilingual Learners in Three-Dimensional Science developed through the Making Science Multilingual initiative that is a collaboration between NSTA and the WIDA Consortium.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Examine a set of principles co-developed by NSTA and WIDA, and discuss how these apply in classrooms to benefit multilingual learners; 2. explore ways to help a linguistically diverse group of students engage together in sensemaking in 3-D science; and 3. explore ways to make science instruction more equitable and include more cultural and linguistic assets.

SPEAKERS:
David Crowther (University of Nevada, Reno: Reno, NV), Rita MacDonald (Wisconsin Center for Education Research: Madison, WI)

Experience distance-learning strategies in the context of a middle school Daily Do lesson that create opportunities for equitable participation in science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain distance-learning strategies that provide opportunities for ALL students to participate in science learning and contribute to learning of their peers; 2. Learn how to leverage digital tools students may already be familiar with for distance learning; and 3. Identify key features of a phenomenon-driven, three-dimensional ("sensemaking") lesson.

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