Sponsoring Company: Twig Science Next Gen

Learn how Twig Science Next Gen leverages the strengths of multicultural backgrounds to help students feel valued and empowered with STEM. Twig Science raises expectations for all students (No deficit mindset here!) and helps build an equitable community of science and engineering in classrooms where all students see themselves as valuable contributors.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Distance Learning does not have to be difficult! 2. Underrepresented populations in STEM can be strategically empowered 3. Inspire all students to pursue STEM Careers

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Larsgaard (Imagine Learning | Twig Education: Santa Cruz, CA)

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)

Sponsoring Company: Immersed Games

Video games can help improve your students’ three-dimensional, NGSS learning by having students use science and engineering practices as they directly engage with phenomena as part of storylines. We will examine model activities and discuss how games can fit into your classroom instruction even in a remote or hybrid setting.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsey Tropf (Immersed Games: Buffalo, NY)

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

With BioBits® cell-free systems, students visualize biological concepts in ways never before possible. Watch DNA make RNA and protein in real time—then, in a separate activity, directly investigate the relationship between amino acid sequence and protein structure and function. All in a visual, engaging format that is quick and easy and requires minimal equipment—ideal for distance learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students can visualize the flow of genetic information from DNA to protein using BioBits cell-free technology 2. Fluorescence can illuminate how DNA makes RNA makes protein in what is known as the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology 3. Students can identify and manipulate the steps of transcription and translation in guided inquiry experimentds

SPEAKERS:
Ally Huang (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

Be part of a zombie apocalypse! Learn about disease-spread modeling using simulations and fun storylines about a zombie outbreak. Applicable for middle school and high school, this workshop is sure to scare you and your little zombies with its exciting Hollywood themes used to engage students in learning science!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. This session will explore disease-spread modeling using fictional zombies. 2. Attendees will also see how using Hollywood themes combined with actual STEM careers can be a fun way to engage students in learning science and STEM. 3. Attendees will find out about free science and STEM lessons from Texas Instruments.

SPEAKERS:
Erick Archer (Texas Instruments: Dallas, TX)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

We have all faced the terrifying “blank stare wall” when teaching biotechnology concepts such as PCR, Sanger sequencing, and restriction enzymes. Explore how you can cover all of these topics and more using a single modeling kit. Through NGSS-focused lessons, your students can experience the process, not memorize results.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will learn about the benefits of hands-on modeling. 2. Participants will practice one application of PCR modeling. 3. Participants will see how modeling with the Biotechnology kit already fits into their curriculum and can increase student mastery.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Sigalas (Livingston High School: Livingston, NJ), Heather Ryan (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI), Kris Herman (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Sponsoring Company: Nutrien/ National Agriculture in the Classroom Org

Journey 2050 is a free, online STEM program designed for grades 7–12. Students virtually explore the complexities of sustainably feeding the world’s population of 10 billion by the year 2050. Lesson plans and resources provided, including a new lesson on technology and innovations.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. A growing population requires making sustainable choices 2. For every choice made there is a ripple effect on our environment, economy and society 3.New technology and innovations are essential to feeding the world

SPEAKERS:
Tessa Matuszak (National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization: Palm Coast, FL)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Vernier has collected free resources to help educators integrate remote learning into their teaching. In this virtual workshop, we will outline how to use Pivot Interactives, coding activities with Scratch, and the Vernier Experiment and Sample Data Library.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to integrate data-collection technology into remote learning 2. Ways to show students hands-on science from home 3. Experiment ideas that are aligned to the NGSS framework

SPEAKERS:
David Carter (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Josh Ence (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Sponsoring Company: MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling

We will focus on the defining feature of CRISPR technology, the ability of the Cas9 endonuclease to find and cut DNA at a unique site in the 3.2 billion base-pair human genome. We will also explore how a related CRISPR protein is being used to detect the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will see how models can be used to investigate how the mechanism of the CRISPR/Cas9 system is used to edit genomes. 2. Participants will learn how CRISPR technology is being used in current Coronavirus research. 3. Participants will discover the benefits of hands-on modeling and how it improves student understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Herman (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI), Heather Ryan (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI), Kris Herman (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)