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)

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 (West Contra Costa Unified School District: Richmond, CA)

In this session, we will focus on how two science teachers (one hybrid and one virtual) still conduct labs with their students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Labs are still possible during this pandemic. 2. Labs provide high engagement while students are still learning at home. 3. Simple labs are better than no labs at all.

SPEAKERS:
Samantha Ramaswamy (Penn-Trafford High School: Harrison City, PA), Andrew Walton (Upper Moreland High School: Willow Grove, PA)

Environmental/instructional strategies will be addressed to help teachers reduce risk and provide for safer lab activities in on-site school science labs and virtual formats.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Five effective ways of reducing health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2. Facility environmental concerns and ways to make them safer; and 3. Instructional strategies to reduce risk for safer lab activities.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Roy (Glastonbury Public Schools: Glastonbury, CT)

We will investigate the use of anchoring phenomena in lessons with an emphasis on the science and engineering practices. We will discuss the integration of questioning, models, and phenomena in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Phenomena are the basis of science, since science is all about understanding our natural world; 2. Questioning is a key component of science instruction. A teacher should "never say what a student can say" but instead elicit students' responses to drive the instruction; and 3. Modeling is a dynamic process in science. Science modeling is different from "a model" or using modeling as a pedagogical process (i.e., "I do, we do, you do").

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Moore (Tennessee Tech: Cookeville, TN)

Explore a variety of ways to use the Uncovering Student Ideas Formative Assessment Probes during distance learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Recognize the importance of eliciting students' prior conceptions; 2. Gain tips and strategies for using the probes during remote learning to engage all students in learning concepts and figuring out phenomena; and 3. Learn ways to modify probes for digital use and applications.

SPEAKERS:
Page Keeley (NSTA Past President: No City, No State)

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 (West Contra Costa Unified School District: Richmond, CA), Jerry Valadez (Fresno State and SAM Academy CSW)

A project-based STEM curricula has students applying their knowledge and skills to improve the world they live in by achieving quantifiable water savings.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Science in the classroom can lead to real-world results; 2. Water audits require the use of math and technology to solve real-world problems; and 3. Community involvement enhances student learning and experience.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Hurlbut (The University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension: Phoenix, AZ)

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)

Hear about various NSTA competitions and how they can bring STEM and the NGSS into the classroom, as well as give students and teachers a chance to earn recognition and prizes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn: 1. about NSTA competitions; 2. how NSTA competitions help integrate STEM and NGSS in the classroom; and 3. how students and teachers can win recognition and prizes.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Hartman (BrainPOP: Pittsburgh, PA), Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

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)

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)

Located in the U.S. near a Shell asset? Attend this session for the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge to learn how to apply for this amazing opportunity. Pick up tips for completing a winning application and begin your journey in applying to win an updated science classroom. This program will award 33 prize packages valued up to $15,000 for high school and $10,000 for elementary and middle school!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how you can apply to win the Shell Science Lab Challenge; 2. Learn the tips to completing a winning application; and 3. Have an opportunity to actually begin to complete the application and have your questions answered.

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

We will present a unit designed to help students understand friction by using connected learning, engineering design principles, and real-world problem-solving.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to create real-world problems based on engineering design principles; 2. Explore how connected learning can engage all learners by tapping into their interests; and 3. Examine the framework of engineering design principles through an example of friction.

SPEAKERS:
Tevis Jacobs (University of Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh, PA), Cassie Quigley (University of Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh, PA), Autumn Dillaman (Falk Laboratory School: Pittsburgh, PA)

Attention will be paid to research-based strategies and resources to differentiate instruction, making science accessible and engaging for ALL students. Discussion centers on ways to increase participation, engagement, and advance learning. Handouts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. strategies, to engage all learners actively with hands-on experiences, to advance learning and deepen conceptual understanding for all K–6 students; 2. ways to differentiate instruction, offering tiered or leveled experiences, where explorations vary as to the complexity of the task, while offering essential concepts to all students; and 3. effective questioning strategies to enhance and deepen student understanding, increase academic language, and help make students’ thinking visible.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell (self: Shawnee Mission, KS)

Join us to learn how we move science from an “extra” subject in the primary grades to a focus that improves literacy achievement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn: 1. practical ways to use science to increase student mastery of the writing standards in the early grades; 2. how to “make the case” for using science to increase literacy; and 3. literacy assessments that are supported by classroom science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Dana Letts (Chillicothe City Schools: Chillicothe, OH), Heather Tarlton (Chillicothe Primary School: Chillicothe, OH)

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)