Explore misconceptions surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) while participating in one of the hottest trends in innovative science teaching and entertainment. Free teaching materials available.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. define terms such as transgenic, GMO, and recombinant DNA; 2. sort GMO from non-GMO products; and 3. separate GMO misconceptions from facts.

SPEAKERS:
Pamela Petzel Snyder (Teacher-Trainer: Kingston, OH)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)