Attention will be paid to contemporary perspectives on how to integrate three-dimensional science learning, language learning, and computational thinking with all students, including English language learners. In addition, student artifacts illustrating such integration will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
1) Contemporary perspectives on how to integrate science, language and computational thinking 2) Curriculum materials and classroom instruction to promote such integration 3) Analysis of student artifacts illustrating such integration

SPEAKERS:
Okhee Lee (New York University: New York, NY)

Get the tools to plan and execute a successful STEM Family Night geared toward all ages.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to plan a STEM family night What types of activities do you choose How to get parents involved

SPEAKERS:
Jacqueline Mumford (St. Paul School: Salem, OH), Misty Dietrich (St. Paul School: Salem, OH), David Pancurak (St. Paul School: Salem, OH)

Attention will be paid to contemporary perspectives on how to integrate three-dimensional science learning, language learning, and computational thinking with all students, including English language learners. In addition, student artifacts illustrating such integration will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
1) Contemporary perspectives on how to integrate science, language and computational thinking 2) Curriculum materials and classroom instruction to promote such integration 3) Analysis of student artifacts illustrating such integration

SPEAKERS:
Okhee Lee (New York University: New York, NY)

Hear how the Samueli Foundation along with its partners designed and scaled the STEM Learning Ecosystem to now 89 communities around the world.

TAKEAWAYS:
What it takes to build a STEM Ecosystem How to build a STEM Ecosystem The evidence to support the value of a STEM Ecosystem

SPEAKERS:
Veronica Gonzales (Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES): Cleveland, OH)

Bring STEM lessons to the next level with Appy Hour. From augmented reality to literally holding the world in your hand, the possibilities are endless!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use augmented reality to bring your projects to life and how to share those projects with your students' families. Find exciting ways to let your students be immersed into new worlds. Learn how to combine subject areas while using these engaging free apps.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Pace (Cross Lanes Elementary School: Charleston, WV)

Learn computational modeling with the EcoMOD curriculum. See how to explore a 3-D virtual ecosystem, and program a beaver agent to build a dam.

TAKEAWAYS:
The EcoMOD research curriculum demonstrates an effective approach for integrating computational modeling and science content. Visual block-based programming interfaces make computational modeling for STEM learning accessible in upper elementary school. The NSF-funded EcoMOD software and curriculum are being made available for download through free license from Harvard University.

SPEAKERS:
Shari Metcalf (Harvard Graduate School of Education: Cambridge, MA)

Attention will be paid to ideas and lessons on programming robots in mathematics classes that allow students to apply their mathematical knowledge in new contexts.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Ideas for using programming robots in mathematics classes. 2. How to enhance students’ engagement in mathematics, programming, and robotics. 3. How programming robots provides feedback to student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Scharfenberger (The Ohio State University: Columbus, OH)

Review findings from a study of grade 6 students participating in a semester-long computing program focusing on STEM-based integrated coding activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Strategies to increase the interest of middle school students in STEM will be shared. 2. Strategies to increase the interest of underrepresented minorities in STEM will be shared. 3. Strategies to improve the attitudes of underrepresented minorities in STEM-related careers will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Michiko McClary (Claflin University: Orangeburg, SC), Deidra Morrison (Claflin University: Orangeburg, SC), Yolanda Bennett (Robert E. Howard Middle School: Orangeburg, SC)

Hear about a PBL project called Filling the Gap that connects educators with local STEM businesses to develop classroom units around real business issues/problems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with: 1. Understanding of a local STEM Ecosystem in western North Carolina 2. Understanding of the Filling the Gap Program 3. Examples of PBL units partnering classroom teachers with local STEM businesses

SPEAKERS:
Carol Moore (STEM West: CLAREMONT, NC), Regina Barrier (North Carolina School of Science and Math - Morganton: Morganton, NC)

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

We will bring science and coding together as participants learn to do some basic coding (no experience necessary) while developing a mood ring! The science of color mixing is explored while determining the right body temperature thresholds. Is fuchsia flirty? Should green be groovy? Lets find out!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Teachers will see how to get up to speed on STEM and coding with TI’s STEM projects. 2. Specifically, teachers will see how they can engage their students in designing a working digital mood ring by mixing primary colors to create any color they want. 3. If teachers or coordinators need help getting a STEM project going at their school and district, then the TI STEM Team can help.

SPEAKERS:
Fred Fotsch (Texas Instruments: Dallas, TX)

If you’re new to coding, come get up to speed! By combining coding and hands-on activities, you can learn how to program a robotic vehicle to perform different challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Bring coding and hands-on science learning together; Learn creative ways to use the engineering design process to teach science; Write simple code to use a Rover to explore the relationship between speed, distance, and time.

SPEAKERS:
Karlheinz Haas (Science/Math Instructor, Retired: Tequesta, FL)

How are you prepping your kids? If you are letting them make and teaching them coding, then you know they will be OK. Why not attend a session where you can learn both? We will dive into building your own hardware to work with any subject.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students select and use digital tools to plan and manage a design process that considers design constraints and calculated risks. Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts, or solving authentic problems. Students develop, test, and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process

SPEAKERS:
David Lockett (Meharry School of Applied Computational Sciences: Nashville, TN), Denise Wright (Ocean Bay Middle School: Myrtle Beach, SC)

Discussion centers on the concept of artificial intelligence and how it is taught in the middle school classroom. Emphasis will be placed on real-life examples and how they interact with AI. Resources/technology that support teaching AI will be shared, especially the AI4All movement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Create experiences for learners to make positive, socially responsible contributions and exhibit empathetic behavior online that build relationships and community. Attendees will be exposed to a variety of resources that assist educators, so they, may introduce middle school students to AI. Design authentic learning activities that align with content area standards and use digital tools and resources to maximize active, deep learning.

SPEAKERS:
Denise Wright (Ocean Bay Middle School: Myrtle Beach, SC), David Lockett (Meharry School of Applied Computational Sciences: Nashville, TN)

Have a great activity to share? Join in for an overview of how to write for The Science Teacher. Learn tips and tricks for being a published author.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will learn about the inner workings of the journal. 2. Participants will gain skills in how to write for the journal. 3. Participants will be introduced to what kinds of articles are sought for the journal.

SPEAKERS:
Ann MacKenzie (Miami University: Oxford, OH)

Big data analytics and aerospace are two courses developed at Concordia International School Shanghai to empower students, develop STEM skills, and build community partnerships.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understand two STEM collaboration projects between schools, corporations, and outside organizations. Understand that STEM ecosystems vary from one school to another, there is no one recipe, but there are guiding principles. Gain hands-on experience in building and testing balsa wood planes.

SPEAKERS:
Peter Tong (Concordia International School Shanghai: Shanghai, China), Craig Gingerich (American School of Doha: Doha, 0)

Computer Science education is growing and CS teachers are often singletons in their districts. Join us for an edcamp/unconference–style session to discuss topics of your choice in small groups and build your network!

TAKEAWAYS:
Specific concrete takeaways for issues specific to Computer Science education Connect with like-minded educators for future collaboration Choose from topics such as: CS for All, Curricula/PD, Teaching Practices and Methodologies, Building your District's Program, CS Pathways, Licensure Requirements, Standards and more!

SPEAKERS:
Kerri Murphy (Norton High School: Norton, MA)

Experience the Question Formulation Technique: a simple, powerful strategy that can spark curiosity and deepen remote learning by teaching students to ask their own questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will learn the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) by experiencing it for themselves. They will walk away with a practical strategy they can immediately use in a remote setting to teach students how to ask better scientific questions and drive science inquiries. 2. Participants will explore student work from science classrooms across the country to see how the strategy can be used for a range of instructional purposes. 3. Participants will reflect on their learning, think on how they can implement it in their own setting, and get access to free tools and resources to do so.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bolduc (Ellington Middle School: Ellington, CT), Katy Connolly (Right Question Institute: Cambridge, MA)

Explore how your students can integrate computer science and biology to address real-world problems through data collection, visualization, analysis, biological modeling, and hypothesis testing. No programming background required!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn applications of building and using computer simulations of biological systems to introduce students to biological modeling. Collect ecological data using our web app to support a real-world project on pollinator decline and loss of biodiversity Use computational tools to visualize and analyze ecological data to test hypotheses about the effects of environmental stressors on ecosystems

SPEAKERS:
Shari Weaver (The STEM Education Center at WPI: Worcester, MA), Maria Berrios (Auburn High School: Auburn, MA), Maureen Chase (Quabbin Regional High School: Barre, MA), Jennifer Field (WestonHigh School), Carolina Ruiz (Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Worcester, MA)

Faculty and current students will discuss Pitt-Johnstown’s unique approach to their STEM Endorsement Certification, including students’ personal experiences and future teaching goals, and the program’s benefits and implications for  research.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in discussion to learn about: • Current focuses on teacher preparation in STEM education • Pennsylvania’s approach to endorsing students via their STEM Endorsement Certificate model and its program design and evaluation competencies • Pitt-Johnstown’s unique approach to the model, through a Q&A with faculty and current students.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Chesney (University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown: Johnstown, PA)