How can you craft space to help emphasize student-centered environments for inquiry-based, interdisciplinary, and freedom-centric learning? Join an architect with the Committee on Architecture for Education to explore strategies and examples on how spaces can inspire community, creativity, curiosity, and caring.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will learn from a case study of a new K-8 STEAM school how various design qualities of openness, art, connectivity, and nature can create freedom-centric learning. 2. Attendees will learn what it means to craft space and how creating diverse and agile settings removes barriers and allows teachers and students to take ownership and adapt the environment to their needs. 3. Attendees will explore how theme-based design can be utilized to shape cultural interactions, indoo/outdoor connections, and the building as a canvas for art.

SPEAKERS:
Olivia Graf Doyle (Architecture for Education: Pasadena, CA)

Through an integrative STEM approach, build student understanding of Earth and our solar system while creating models, using ratios, and considering scale.

TAKEAWAYS:
Develop measurement, ratio, and modeling understanding in context. Build a better understanding of earth and our solar system. Develop connections between math and science teaching practices.

SPEAKERS:
David Barnes (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: Reston, VA), Sarah Bush (University of Central Florida: Orlando, FL)

From folklore and fiction to real life, animal mascots engage early learners in using science and engineering practices to explore how natural engineers solve problems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn creative ideas for integrated lessons Overview of “tinkering,” “making,” MEA’s (model eliciting activities) and STEM Make meaningful connections between STEM, literacy and the natural world

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Giunta (Pinellas County Schools: Largo, FL), Kali Guinn (Pinellas County Schools: Largo, FL)

Your STEM journey begins here. Incorporate STEM and PBL into the K–5 curriculum. Receive ideas for program development, grants and funding, as well as  inexpensive or free field trips.

TAKEAWAYS:
Incorporating STEM curriculum and PBLs into the K–5 grade–level curriculum requirements. Finding and scheduling in-house free and inexpensive field trips, guest speakers, and virtual experiences for all students at your school. Funding and grant writing information and sources to fund your STEM program.

SPEAKERS:
Johanna Disney (McKendree Elementary School: Lawrenceville, GA), Julie Wilkerson (McKendree Elementary School: Lawrenceville, GA)

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)

What if students habitually explored the key questions posed by scientists, engineers, and designers in anything they do? Innovators’ Compass is a 5-question tool, in all-free online and offline formats, to make that possible—developed by an MIT and IDEO alumna who’s now an Olin College educator. A quick introduction will include short videos of the Compass used in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about a visual tool, in all-free on-and-offline formats, with 5 questions distilled from many practices in science, engineering, design, and beyond. See students and educators applying these for STEM, interdisciplinary, and SEL problems and projects. Use these 5 questions with peers on a pressing problem: how to advance hands-on STEM in (semi) virtual times.

SPEAKERS:
Valeria Rodriguez (STEM Educator & Instructional Technologist: Miami, FL), Ela Ben-Ur (Innovators' Compass: Cambridge, MA)

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)

Daily Do sensemaking tasks are designed to engage students in authentic, relevant science learning whether at home or in the classroom. Join us to explore how these phenomenon-driven tasks motivate students to engage in science and engineering practices to make sense of science ideas (disciplinary core ideas) they need to explain how or why the phenomenon occurs. No matter the grade level or science subject you teach, we have Daily Do sensemaking tasks for you!

TAKEAWAYS:
Understand what sensemaking is and how to create opportunities for sensemaking (recognize sensemaking tasks) Strategies for ensuring students are part of a rich learning community (science is social) - remote or classroom - and how being part of that community supports sensemaking Opportunities for family engagement in sensemaking tasks to build a family-school connection/community that supports all students learning science.

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

Daily Do sensemaking tasks are designed to engage students in authentic, relevant science learning whether at home or in the classroom. Join us to explore how these phenomenon-driven tasks motivate students to engage in science and engineering practices to make sense of science ideas (disciplinary core ideas) they need to explain how or why the phenomenon occurs. No matter the grade level or science subject you teach, we have Daily Do sensemaking tasks for you!

TAKEAWAYS:
Understand what sensemaking is and how to create opportunities for sensemaking (recognize sensemaking tasks) Strategies for ensuring students are part of a rich learning community (science is social) - remote or classroom - and how being part of that community supports sensemaking Opportunities for family engagement in sensemaking tasks to build a family-school connection/community that supports all students learning science.

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

Build student understanding and ability to look for patterns, analyze data, and use their own mathematical rules in the context of a photo finish they orchestrate.

TAKEAWAYS:
Build positive mathematical identity by using math to describe their situation. Create a richer understanding of the mathematics they do when they create rules (functions) to describe the movement of their object. Collaborate and problem solve with others to create an collective experience connecting mathematics and science.

SPEAKERS:
Katelyn Barnes (Riverside High School: Leesburg, VA), David Barnes (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: Reston, VA)

Join a group of architects with the Committee on Architecture for Education to explore how alternate learning environments and a connection to nature and sustainability can encourage discovery, innovation, and problem solving.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore various opportunities for fostering innovation in nontraditional classroom settings. Attendees will investigate case studies of successful spaces that incorporate nature as part of both the learning environment and as a learning tool. Attendees will learn how to create their own alternative learning environments, utilizing sustainable strategies and designing for discovery.

SPEAKERS:
John Dale (HED (Harley Ellis Devereaux): Los Angeles, CA), Claire Gallagher (Georgian Court University: Lakewood, NJ)

Architects with the Committee on Architecture for Education will explore strategies to learn how architecture and design can be combined with innovative pedagogy to transform spaces into student-centered, collaborative learning environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will explore methods to engage and connect your learning environment with nature and the outdoors. 2. Attendees will explore a variety of models for classroom flexibility and adaptability. 3. Attendees will explore examples of creative use of space and opportunities for meaningful display. 4. Attendees will explore suggestions for physical learning in regards to social distancing and capacity restrictions.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Maza (Kliment Halsband Architects: New York, NY)

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)

Hear how to use NASEF’s state-approved esports high school curriculum to engage and motivate students in STEM learning and careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to use esports to attract students to deeper STEM learning . Learn how to implement a state-approved esports curriculum . Learn about the STEM careers in the world's fastest growing industry—Esports.

SPEAKERS:
Laylah Bulman (Samueli Foundation: Corona Del Mar, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Carolina Kits 3D® FLEX is a full-year, phenomena-based lab program to actively engage students with investigations that are safe, rigorous, and designed for both remote and socially distanced instruction. Learn how this solution offers extensive teacher support, lesson plans, and authentic science investigations for students. Visit www.carolina.com/FLEX to learn more.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover a flexible learning solution for a Biology and Chemistry lab program. 2. Investigate a hands-on lab program that transitions seamlessly from social distanced to remote instruction. 3. Determine funding sources that could be available for your school, district, or state for the Carolina 3D® FLEX program.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Hodges (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Burlington, NC), Jen Black (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Burlington, NC)

Discussion centers on how Louisiana’s innovative STEM pathways give students access to high-demand, high-wage careers straight out of high school or with college or university degrees.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. High school STEM education can help meet vital workforce need. 2. High school STEM pathways can meet student needs whether they plan to attend a college/university or enter directly into the workforce. 3. High-value partnerships with public and private entities can expand capacity to offer high-quality STEM experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Nathan Corley (Louisiana Dept. of Education: Baton Rouge, LA)

Explore how the STEM2 Hub has built a thriving STEM ecosystem that is now impacting students across multiple districts through systems thinking and leadership’s willingness to change course.

TAKEAWAYS:
An overview of the systems-thinking approach and theory of change applied in our ecosystem. Strategies to build trust to deepen collaborative partnerships across once disparate and competitive organizations with actionable tools to apply in your setting. Standards-based strategies to develop and infuse high-quality resources into the school day in a consistent manner, with resources to apply in your setting.

SPEAKERS:
Kathleen Schofield (Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub: Ponte Vedre Beach, FL)

Daily Do sensemaking tasks are designed to engage students in authentic, relevant science learning whether at home or in the classroom. Join us to explore how these phenomenon-driven tasks motivate students to engage in science and engineering practices to make sense of science ideas (disciplinary core ideas) they need to explain how or why the phenomenon occurs. No matter the grade level or science subject you teach, we have Daily Do sensemaking tasks for you!

TAKEAWAYS:
Understand what sensemaking is and how to create opportunities for sensemaking (recognize sensemaking tasks) Strategies for ensuring students are part of a rich learning community (science is social) - remote or classroom - and how being part of that community supports sensemaking Opportunities for family engagement in sensemaking tasks to build a family-school connection/community that supports all students learning science.

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

The Tennessee STEM Innovation Network has developed a strong, statewide STEM ecosystem for K–12 educators. We will focus on ways to connect and highlight communities of STEM teachers, encourage innovative teaching practices through targeted STEM professional development, and establish a STEM culture through statewide programming efforts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Identify the niches of your ecosystem—what are the roles necessary to promote diversity and unity? Identify the resources needed to sustain an ecosystem Identify potential challenges to the viability of the ecosystem and possible mitigation strategies

SPEAKERS:
Brandi Stroecker (Tennessee STEM Innovation Network-Battelle: Nashville, TN), Becky Ashe (Tennessee STEM Innovation Network-Battelle: Nashville, TN)

Daily Do sensemaking tasks are designed to engage students in authentic, relevant science learning whether at home or in the classroom. Join us to explore how these phenomenon-driven tasks motivate students to engage in science and engineering practices to make sense of science ideas (disciplinary core ideas) they need to explain how or why the phenomenon occurs. No matter the grade level or science subject you teach, we have Daily Do sensemaking tasks for you!

TAKEAWAYS:
Understand what sensemaking is and how to create opportunities for sensemaking (recognize sensemaking tasks) Strategies for ensuring students are part of a rich learning community (science is social) - remote or classroom - and how being part of that community supports sensemaking Opportunities for family engagement in sensemaking tasks to build a family-school connection/community that supports all students learning science.

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

A purposeful sample of 196 Texas administrators provided responses to the STEM Awareness Community Survey (SACS). We will share research and discuss school administrators’ awareness of parental STEM knowledge and the critical role parents play in their children’s STEM education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Inform K-12 administrators that parents are not aware of: (1) available school-related STEM opportunities for their children; (2) the importance of engaging in STEM with their children; (3) and the scope of preparation needed to prepare their children for STEM-related careers.

SPEAKERS:
Omah Williams-Duncan (University of Houston-Clear Lake: Houston, TX), Sandy White Watson (University of Houston-Clear Lake: Houston, TX)

NSTA School, District, and University partnerships provide personalized professional learning experiences for K–12 educators and science preservice teachers. Find out more about these NSTA opportunities that combine membership with access to resources, online tools, and the national network.

TAKEAWAYS:
(1) Discover the new NSTA School and District Partner Programs that combine member benefits with access to fee-based resources, professional learning tools, and conference opportunities. (2) Learn how professors use the NSTA website, resources, and online community with teacher candidates. (3) Network with other, link-minded, individuals.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA)