Address the NGSS chemistry disciplinary core ideas with STEAM! Several mini-units / activities presented, which are Monday doable, environmentally focused, and develop students’ STEM understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. This session is Engineering activity focused, giving teachers several mini-units and activities that focus on the Chemistry related DCI's. 2. Participants will get several strategies to incorporate Art and Technology–related activities into their Science classrooms. 3. Participants will come away with a new appreciation for the "nonmechanical" Engineering strands, such as Chemical, Construction, and Environmental Engineering strands, as well as Material Science.

SPEAKERS:
Julie A. Smith (Lennox Middle School: Lennox, CA)

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 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 about NSTA competitions Learn about how you can use competitions as a resource to implement NGSS and STEM into your curriculum Learn how you and your students can win prizes and recognition

SPEAKERS:
Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Matthew Hartman (BrainPOP: Pittsburgh, PA), Alexis Mundis (Army Educational Outreach Program: Arlington, 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)

Discover Orton-Gillingham strategies and activities for science vocabulary, concepts, and organizational skills that can be used immediately in all grade levels and inclusion classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Vocabulary-based strategies for all levels of students. Language-based differentiation that can be adjusted for STEM classrooms. Orton-Gillingham method can be adapted for all levels of science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Wink Gilligan (The Bridge Academy of New Jersey: Lawrence Township, NJ)

Scoop up new learning with an ice cream insulation project that serves as a unit anchoring phenomenon, providing students with three-dimensional learning experiences interwoven with the strands of STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
A guide for how to utilize an engineering project as the phenomenon for an NGSS unit . Tips on how to effectively manage students working on engineering group projects. A format for 3-D assessment of an engineering design project

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Davis (American School of Dubai: Dubai, 0)

Practical exercises convinced these science teachers to use art in their classrooms to improve learning. Leonardo was right: art and science belong together. See how!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how the physical act of drawing can enhance science learning and observation skills. 2. Take away practical exercises that help teach observation skills . 3. Discover how drawing practice can dovetail with the Next Generation Science Standards.

SPEAKERS:
Sally Bensusen (Visual Science Studio: Lovettsville, VA)

Hear how a model car design challenge used project-based learning to interweave the strands of STEM into a student-driven learning experience.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. A scaffolded process for designing, organizing, and assessing their own STEM-based PBL unit. 2. Tools to use to manage student learning and group work. 3. A collection of resources to help with designing a STEM-PBL unit.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Davis (American School of Dubai: Dubai, 0)

Learn how to use purposefully designed, engaging questions to elicit and address students’ commonly held ideas about core concepts and practices related to engineering and technology.

TAKEAWAYS:
1) Learn how formative assessment probes reveal students' ideas about engineering and technology, including common misconceptions and stereotypes about engineers. 2) Learn how to embed the engineering and technology probes into instruction. 3) Learn how the engineering and technology probes support disciplinary core ideas and practices.

SPEAKERS:
Page Keeley (NSTA Past President: No City, No State), Cary Sneider (Portland State University: Portland, OR), Mihir Ravel (Visiting Scholar: Portland, OR)