Sponsoring Company: Kids Making Sense

Provide educators with the resources to teach students how to measure and monitor air quality, to interpret the data they collect, and to take action to reduce their exposure to air pollution.

TAKEAWAYS:
How: 1. to meaningfully engage students in hands-on science activities; 2. using sensors can enhance the quality and comparability of data, while increasing student engagement; and 3. incorporating citizen science activities can enhance outcomes for communities.

SPEAKERS:
Olivia Ryder (Sonoma Technology: Petaluma, CA)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

In this workshop, we will utilize a simple yet effective talk process that encourages students to more fully own their thinking and effectively communicate their ideas to peers. Join us in this interactive session to learn various talk strategies that support the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices, Argument-Driven Inquiry (ADI), and best-practice instruction for all learners!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Describe several ways to encourage student voice in the classroom; 2. how do you create an inclusive environment?; and 3. what are some examples of shared experiences?

SPEAKERS:
Kristan Buckman (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX), Pam O'Brien (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

Join us to empower students' autonomous learning. We will explore a backward design strategy that helps you create a clear path of learning intentions through all your lessons, encouraging students to track their progress and decide how their time is spent preparing for the unit assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Model a variety of formative assessments; 2. discuss how the results guide instruction; and 3. use student reflection to enhance student ownership.

SPEAKERS:
Kristan Buckman (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

Engineering design challenges enable you to apply science and engineering practices in your classroom! Discover structures and strategies that will encourage critical thinking and problem solving through the Engineering Design Process. Learn how to implement, modify, and scaffold these strategies for distance learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What is the Engineering Design Process (EDP) and what does it look like?; 2. how can we model the EDP experience with students, Including roles, navigation, and reflection?; and 3. how can we relate the EDP experiences to real life, 3-D learning, and 21st-century skills?

SPEAKERS:
Pam O'Brien (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Co.

Science provides one of the best opportunities for teachers to offer equitable learning experiences for all students. By using science phenomena to anchor instruction, and by centering the anchoring phenomena around the students' locality and culture, all students have a voice and are represented. Join us to learn how to create a lesson plan centered around local phenomena that also engages students in STEM, modeling, inquiry, and much more!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Recognize the importance of using local phenomena to engage all learners; 2. use local phenomena to create phenomenal STEM lesson plans, including modeling and inquiry; and 3. provide exemplar resources to use in teachers' classrooms to promote phenomena and STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Monica Wadler (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ)

Sponsoring Company: DoD STEM

An introduction to STEM IT!, a pilot program aimed at increasing the number of underrepresented students with competitive applications to high school STEM internships.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn strategies for educating and coaching underrepresented students on how to find paid STEM internships, and to plan their application process and anticipation of interviews; 2. be introduced to a step-by-step approach to coaching and mentoring students through the actual application process, including helping them navigate complex technology, letters of reference requests, and responding to difficult interview questions; and 3. be provided with suggestions for guiding students through practice interviews and sharing basics of a workforce culture.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Stolzer (Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES): Cleveland, OH), Toby Bothel (TAB Education Partners: Canton, OH), Marc Siciliano (Consultant: Chicago, IL)

Sponsoring Company: Pivot Interactives

Pivot Interactives does more than just labs; with bell ringers and assessment tools built into the platform, it is designed to be a one-stop shop for science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Makes demos interactive by providing short activities great for introducing new concepts; 2. enables authentic assessment by bringing experimental problems directly to students, regardless of their location; and 3. allows instructors to craft their own activities, down to the videos included in the assessments. It’s perfect for synchronous in-person sessions as well.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Friberg (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN)

Sponsoring Company: Pivot Interactives

This 25-minute session provides an introduction to Pivot Interactives as a tool for teaching the physical sciences, including physics and chemistry.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. See a preview of student activities related to the physical sciences in a variety of forms, including interactive video, simulations, and sensors; 2. receive an initial view of the Pivot Interactives platform, including searching the libraries, setting up a class, and editing activities; and 3. consider some use cases in the classroom, including remote and in-person learning, lab supplements, and authentic assessments.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Friberg (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN)

Sponsoring Company: Pivot Interactives

This 25-minute session provides an introduction to Pivot Interactives as a tool for teaching the life sciences, including biology and environmental science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. See a preview of student activities related to the life sciences in a variety of forms, including interactive video, simulations, and sensors; 2. receive an initial view of the Pivot Interactives platform, including searching the libraries, setting up a class, and editing activities; and 3. consider some use cases in the classroom, including remote and in-person learning, lab supplements, and authentic assessments.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Friberg (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

How can we best support students in building evidence-based explanations of phenomena?

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees with learn how: 1. a multi-modal approach allows students to gather evidence from a variety of sources and grapple with phenomena and real-world problems like scientists do; 2. an evidence-based learning approach works to support the NGSS; and 3. evaluating evidence can help students work toward being college and career ready.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

Geologists found a mysterious fossil in a rocky outcrop. How did it get there?

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how: 1. phenomenon-based science supports three-dimensional teaching and learning; 2. instructional sequences designed around engaging, authentic phenomena can motivate students by providing a powerful context; and 3. putting students in the role of a scientist or engineer can help them develop skills for college and careers.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

Cultivate curiosity and value student voices while utilizing the structures and content from phenomena-based, NGSS-focused curricula.

TAKEAWAYS:
All attendees will learn: 1. strategies on how to cultivate curiosity and value student voices; 2. how an NGSS-focused curriculum can support deeper learning and understanding; and 3. how to elevate science implementation by establishing a culture of figuring out.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

As seen on the Today Show and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Dr. Kate Biberdorf is breaking stereotypes and blowing stuff up—all in a good pair of heels. Through her theatrical and hands-on approach to teaching, Dr. Biberdorf is breaking down the image of the stereotypical scientist, while reaching students that might otherwise be intimidated by science. Drawing forth emotional responses, rather than rote recitation of facts is key to Biberdorf ’s dynamic approach to her program, as well as to science in general. Her exciting and engaging program leaves audiences with a positive, memorable impression of science—all while diminishing the stigma around women in science.

Dr. Biberdorf is the author of Kate the Chemist: The Big Book of Experiments, a collection of 25 kid-friendly science experiments that come prepared with a messiness factor rating and a note from Kate about how each experiment works. Her newest book, Dragons vs. Unicorns, is a children's novel and was released in March 2020.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Biberdorf (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX)

Discover how to engage students in science using three-dimensional learning with engineering projects and computational thinking. Free access to grades 3–5 lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore real-world phenomena to motivate students and guide learning; 2. Learn practical tips for reaching all three dimensions of the science standards; and 3. Understand how to guide students in conducting online research and analyzing authentic data.

SPEAKERS:
Brittany Pike (CYBER.ORG: Bossier City, LA), Laurie Salvail (CYBER.ORG: Bossier City, LA)

Co-teaching or have lots of mainstreamed SPED students? Pick up some useful strategies and clever tools to help bridge the anxiety gap here!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Co-teaching best practices; 2. Mainstreaming with SPED students made more comprehensible and easier to do; and 3. Online teaching, grading for SPED students and more addressed.

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

Students and teachers can learn about STEM in an immersive and risk-friendly environment? A regional student competition was developed to accomplish this feat.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students will take risks in learning when they are set up for success; 2. Teachers and students can learn together; and 3. Professional Development does not have to be lecture in format.

SPEAKERS:
Patrice Semicek (Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23: Norristown, PA), Ben DeSantis (Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23: Norristown, PA)

Across the globe, dogs snoop on poop to save endangered species. By studying the stories in scat, students learn mapping, literacy and data interpretation skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The science of scat and the detection dog methodology offer engrossing strategies to engage students with STEM; 2. Scientific fields depend on scientists from diverse backgrounds with diverse skill sets; and 3. Strategies and visuals help students understand, collect, map, and interpret data responsibly.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Montgomery (Science Author: Ardmore, TN)

The Dallas Arboretum and Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD will share the process and results of their collaborative STEM hydroponics program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. explore the development process of the hydroponics collaborative; 2. view sample before-and-after lesson plans as a result of the curriculum redesign; and 3. learn about lessons learned and opportunities for growth, including adjustments due to distance learning.

SPEAKERS:
Dustin Miller (Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: Dallas, TX), Christy McClain (Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD: Carrollton, TX)

In this session, we will illustrate how educators created integrated STEM activities through real-world sustainability design challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Sustainability issues engage students with real-world local and global problems; 2. Adapting a "Shark Tank-like" format into a "Rethink Tank" provides key questions and criteria to help students use entrepreneurial thinking to create innovative solutions to problems; and 3. Sustainability topics allow for not only STEM integration, but connections to English Language Arts, Social Studies, Career Education, and the Arts.

SPEAKERS:
Deborah Kozdras (University of South Florida: Tampa, FL), Christine Angel Danger (Hillsborough County Public Schools: Tampa, FL)

Learn how to use your existing science kit materials to support your students with NGSS, based on experiences from the Elementary Science Olympiad program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. how to modify "instructional kits" available to them to allow for authentic student inquiry; 2. how to structure instruction to allow for cycles of failure and feedback; and 3. how hands-on science supports implementation of the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
John Loehr (Science Olympiad: Oakbrook Terrace, IL), Shari Haug (Science Olympiad: Oakbrook Terrace, IL)

Design thinking enhances student engagement and performance across the curriculum. Come try the DT process and explore resources to help you get started!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The design thinking process (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test) is used by schools and corporations around the world to solve problems and create products; 2. The design thinking process can be applied in any content area to promote critical thinking and student engagement; and 3. Many free strategies and resources are available to teachers, and implementation can be as simple as routinely having students ask certain questions.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Townsend (Oak Grove Primary School: Prairieville, LA)

STEAM-integrated activities are for all learners, including those in an early childhood setting. Participate in a series of play-based STEAM activities that promote three-dimensional learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Early childhood students will engage in scientific investigation and inquiry through student-centered activities that promote curiosity, creativity, and innovation; 2. Kindergarten Readiness Math skills are developed through STEAM-integrated investigations highlighting number sense, measurement, and data; and 3. Activities will develop executive functioning skills through play and open exploration.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsey Herlehy (Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: Aurora, IL), Cassandra Armstrong (Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: Aurora, IL)

Learn how to engage preK–2 students in light and shadow concepts as they engineer light sources, materials, and screens to produce a desired effect.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Identify meaningful contexts for exploring light and shadow phenomena that already exist in the young child's world; 2. Engage in strategies that enable young learners to explore how properties of materials interact with light, and then use their understanding of light and properties of materials to engineer effects on a screen to communicate with peers; and 3. Recognize multiple paths to conceptual understanding contingent on each child's unique backgrounds and experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Beth Dykstra VanMeeteren (University of Northern Iowa: Cedar Falls, IA)

Using quality children's literature and the 5E, ideas for integrated STEM lessons will be shared with corresponding hands-on activities. Handouts and resources provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Using quality children's literature can access students' thoughts and prior knowledge; 2. Children's literature used with engaging hands-on activities can help move students toward understanding of science concepts ; and 3. The 5E model of instruction can be used to instruct students in a three-dimensional way of thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Jim McDonald (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI)

Join me as I model integrated STEM activities and explorations—where children explore and manipulate objects, materials, technology-rich manipulatives, and variables—to see the effects of their actions, and to help young children see the interconnectedness of the STEM disciplines. Handouts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. about the myriad examples of STEM that comprise the everyday world of the young child and how to identify, create, and explore many amazing opportunities for observation, exploration, and thinking that surround young children every day; 2. and actively engage in discourse with the presenter about ways of nurturing the young child’s natural curiosity and inquisitive nature regarding STEM in the natural world and technology in their surroundings, and ways to set up hands-on exploration opportunities and ways to nurture the curiosity of young children for STEM studies; and 3. best practices for working with young children in science and STEM studies.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell (Educational and Technology Consultant: Prairie Village, KS)

Kids' technology designer and author Vicky Fang introduces tools, activities, and philosophies to inspire STEM curiosity and confidence in young kids.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Recommendations based on research and experience to spark STEM curiosity in a wider and more diverse range of kids; 2. Introductions to current tools to promote creativity in tech; and 3. Hands-on activities for promoting design thinking, computational thinking, and computer literacy in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Vicky Fang (Product Designer & Author-Illustrator: Los Altos, CA)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

Come learn how to use effective literacy strategies so that students can better understand science content. Help students successfully analyze, discuss, and summarize science text. Student understanding and critical-thinking skills will improve with these techniques. Join our constructivist approach that promotes literacy in the science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will; 1. learn and practice vocabulary structures and strategies that are effective for all learners; 2. experience the effectiveness of student notebooking and graphic organizers to reinforce reading and writing skills and strengthen science understanding; and 3. gain an understanding of how to effectively integrate literacy, writing, and discourse into the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Amber Gunner (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

An Out Teach instructional coach gives teachers the information, inspiration, and practical everyday tips they need to head outdoors to lead hands-on real-world cross-curricular experiences proven to build science skills and get students deeply engaged in science practice. Presenters will provide specific strategies for elementary teachers to engage students in science and engineering practices anchored in outdoor phenomena—whether students are remote or in-person.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. To put equitable outcomes at the center of all we do, students need opportunities to make decisions about their own learning and space to bring their own experiences and background to the classroom in ways that connect meaningfully to content. This highly sought after, student-centered approach can be kick-started through outdoor experiential learning in Science; 2. Many teachers struggle with 3-D science instruction, which requires that we not only teach students content but give them ample opportunities to think and work like scientists. The outdoor classroom is a powerful instructional tool for authentic scientific practice, developing a scientific mindset and a love of learning; and 3. Outdoor experiences are a great equalizer, improving student-directed learning, SEL, and 21st-century skills during remote, hybrid, and in-person instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Wendy Kelly (Out Teach: Dallas, TX), Allie Graybeal (Out Teach: Fort Worth, TX)

Can you think like a bird? That is what these NGSS-focused activities ask of students in an engineering challenge to create shelter for local birds.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Fun, authentic, NGSS-focused activities that promote students' application of science concepts in the engineering design process; 2. Simple strategies to engage students in place-based outdoor learning experiences that are adaptable for in-person instruction, virtual learning, or at-home projects; and 3. Ideas for modifying your existing life science activities to fit the time of year.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Krall (University of Kentucky: Lexington, KY), Sagan Goodpaster (University of Kentucky: Lexington, KY)

Let’s make a foldable solar system scroll. Come learn how to apply ratios to create a scale model of the planets based on your height.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. With a properly scaled solar system scroll, participants will identify inner and outer planets and readily SEE why they are named as such; 2. Understanding the concept of rations and fractions, part-to-whole, participants will leave being able to create a proportional solar system in their classroom, on a football field, or across their state; and 3. This activity can be used at any grade level.

SPEAKERS:
Barbie Buckner (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: Greenbelt, MD)

If we treat content areas as silos, we will never find time for science! Discover how to create authentic, cross-curricular learning experiences that increase engagement and thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Determine characteristics of authentic learning experiences; 2. Explore two projects, lesson by lesson, making connections to your science content; and 3. Discover a process for creating your own project-based learning units.

SPEAKERS:
Terra Tarango (Van Andel Education Institute: Grand Rapids, MI)

Need a simple and creative way to engage students? Create a green screen area in your classroom. This workshop will demonstrate a simple way to make creative videos with a green screen.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to use a chroma key with different apps and programs; 2. Simple video editing techniques; and 3. Using different objects for green screen props.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Crane (Randolph Academy: No City, No State)

This interactive session will guide you through a process of identifying community “grand challenges” and using multicultural children’s literature to create empowering STEM learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn to guide students through the process of identifying and defining relevant, investigable issues in their communities; 2. recognize the power of children's literature for promoting equitable access to STEM learning opportunities for diverse students; and 3. leave with a framework for empowering students to use STEM skills and knowledge to enact meaningful change in their community.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Donaldson (Wheaton College: Norton, MA)

Explore the NASA Elementary GLOBE storybook the “Scoop on Soils.” Engage students with a dynamic experiment on soil permeability.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. NASA Elementary GLOBE has free storybooks with three or more STEM activities each integrating the Core Standards with the Science standards. The materials are translated into five languages; 2. All students will relate to the climate issues of the availability of fresh water and soil needed to grow food; and 3. Exploring the environment with backyard soils engages students in real-world problem solving.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Kohler (NASA Glenn Research Center: Cleveland, OH)

The Sensing Science project has developed and researched a curriculum to support learning about states of matter and its phase changes at the kindergarten level.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Free apps for use in your classroom; 2. Models that assist students in the understanding of why the three states of matter are different; and 3. Free interactive stories introducing phase changes to students.

SPEAKERS:
Carolyn Staudt (The Concord Consortium: Concord, MA), Nathan Kimball (Curriculum Developer: Newton, MA), Jamie Broadhead (Videatives, Inc.: Amherst, MA)

This session presents interactive “Cricket Challenges” to engage students in nature-based activities designed to encourage curiosity and to make cross-curricular STEM connections to literature.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Innovative ways to engage readers to use fiction as a springboard to explore their natural world and make text-to-real-world connections; 2. Handouts including instructions for activities such as “An Outdoor Challenge for Every Season," ”Creating a Nature Wonder Hour,” “Nature Scavenger Hunts,” “Creating a Nature Journal from the Point of View of the Main Character in the Book You’re Studying,” and “Bloom Bingo”; and 3. Writing prompts educators can use to encourage students to analyze and explore their natural world.

SPEAKERS:
Jo Watson Hackl (Author: Asheville, NC)

Are you thinking about incorporating coding and robotics at the elementary level? Come try it yourself and learn about funding, resources, and preparing for success!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Coding and robotics can improve students’ algorithmic and critical thinking, which helps with math and reading as well as creativity, communication, and collaboration; 2. When seeking funding for robotics, start with what is manageable and connect your project with math, science, and ELA standards; and 3. Focus on how students are thinking to get the most out of their experiences with coding and robotics.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Townsend (Oak Grove Primary School: Prairieville, LA)

We discuss a number of considerations for virtual science instruction and highlight how the five practices take shape in an online STEM experience. We further suggest ways by which teachers can maximize an online learning platform for equitable participation.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The Five Practices remind us that discourse and equitable participation in the science classroom require more than discipline-based knowledge or simply providing experiences with phenomena and materials; 2. As teachers prepare to engage students in virtual science experiences, utilizing strategies that promote effective discourse is essential. It is not the teacher alone who creates effective discourse; however, the teacher’s careful construction of explicit guidance for students through discourse strategies while investigating science phenomena is crucial; and 3. Virtual classroom instruction can be designed in ways that enhance motivation, support productive participation, and deliver interactive learning experiences in science.

SPEAKERS:
Cathrine Maiorca (California State University, Long Beach: Long Beach, CA), L. Octavia Tripp (Auburn University: Auburn University, AL), Sahar Alameh (University of Kentucky: Lexington, KY), Margaret Mohr-Schroeder (University of Kentucky: Lexington, KY), Kristin Cook (Bellarmine University: Louisville, KY)

Learn to teach observation investigations with young learners that integrate geology, art, and math. Participants will receive hands-on materials and lessons to use with students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to; 1. do three-dimensional investigations with young learners; 2. integrate teaching of art and math concepts with geology; and 3. teach young students to observe and collect geological data.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Schneider (St. Mary's College of Maryland: Saint Mary's City, MD)

Experience an engineering design challenge that engages all students in the design process,  building critical mindsets around collaboration, perseverance, and critical thinking. Take away facilitation resources for implementing NGSS-connected, real-world challenges in one session or over several months.

TAKEAWAYS:
By the end of this session, participants will come away with: 1. a clear understanding of the Engineering Design Process and strategies for integrating this process into their instruction; 2. confidence to engage all learners as they implement design challenges in their learning settings; and 3. knowledge of the connections between design challenges and NGSS K–12 engineering progression.

SPEAKERS:
Erica Barrueto (The Bowers Institute at The Tech: San Jose, CA), Amy Bucher (The Tech Interactive: San Jose, CA)

Sponsoring Company: PAEMST

Come learn about the highest recognition for STEM educators in the U.S. We will discuss eligibility criteria as well as the nomination, application, and review process for the awards. Awardees receive a certificate; a $10,000 award; a trip to Washington, DC, for a recognition event; and access to over 5,100 award-winning teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How you can win $10,000; 2. how you can apply for this prestigious award from the U.S. Government; and 3. the benefits of applying for this award.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Mayes (National Science Foundation: Alexandria, VA)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Co.

Take on the role of a consultant for NASA to design a system to model a rocket launcher while highlighting tools you can use to support gender equity, economically disadvantaged youth, English Learners, students with disabilities, and advanced and gifted learners. This really is rocket science, but ensuring equity doesn't have to be!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn: 1. strategies to modify engineering challenges to meet the needs of diverse learners; 2. how to create lessons and assessment rubrics that provide equitable access to rigorous science standards; and 3. strategies to help create more time and opportunity to incorporate STEM and engineering challenges in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Horner (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ)

Join us on your STEM journey and learn how to incorporate STEM and PBL into your K–5 curriculum. Receive ideas for program development, grants and funding, and inexpensive or free field trips. Teaching STEM digitally with coding and computer programming apps.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Incorporating STEM curriculum and PBL's into the K–5 curriculum requirements and incorporating Digital Coding and computer programs to use with virtual teaching; 2. Finding and scheduling in-house free and inexpensive field trips, guest speakers, and virtual experiences for all students at your school; and 3. 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)

See how early childhood educators at an urban charter school are revolutionizing their classrooms as makerspaces to promote developmentally appropriate practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how: 1. a makerspace for young children can be intentionally designed to allow for children to experience Seymour Papert's 8 Big Ideas of Contstructionism; 2. the young children can gain experience with the 8 Science and Engineering Practices in a makerspace-inspired Early Childhood Classroom; and 3. to facilitate child-directed learning in a developmentally appropriate manner in an intentionally designed makerspace.

SPEAKERS:
Sabrina Burroughs (Eagle Academy Public Charter School: Washington, DC), Karen Brooks-Bauer (Eagle Academy Public Charter School: Washington, DC)

Get ready for STEM and the NGSS by sequencing instruction to promote your students’ long-lasting understanding with a simple yet powerful approach: Explore-Before-Explain.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. participate in two explore-before-explain STEM activities; 2. identify the benefits of guiding students to construct explanations based on personal observations and data analysis; and 3. collaboratively brainstorm ways they can tweak one of their existing STEM activities following the explore-before-explain instructional strategy to meet the vision of the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Fayen (Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: Dallas, TX), Patrick Brown (Fort Zumwalt School District R-II: O'Fallon, MO)

A team of Outstanding Science Trade/ Best STEM Books authors introduces the STEM Tuesday blog, a free resource that celebrates STEM books and connects classrooms via STEM and literacy activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Find out what STEM Tuesday is and how to use it in middle level classrooms; 2. Leave with activities, book lists, resources, and suggestions from STEM Tuesday's FREE website to use in the classroom; and 3. Interact and provide feedback among authors and science teachers on STEM literacy and needed books.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Swanson (Author/Teacher: Jacksonville, FL), Heather Montgomery (Science Author: Ardmore, TN), Patricia Newman (Children's Book Author & Speaker: Carmichael, CA), Nancy Castaldo (Author: Boston, MA)

This interactive session provides experiences that model how anchoring phenomena and engaging scenarios help students develop an understanding of three-dimensional learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. understand the importance of anchoring phenomena tied to scenarios to drive student learning; 2. leave with example STEM units aligned to industries and careers that can be implemented in the classroom; and 3. share a model template for creating their own STEM units.

SPEAKERS:
Jo Anne Vasquez (NSTA President 96-97: , AZ), Michael Comer (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ)

Historical issues create rich opportunities to utilize Science, Social Studies, and ELA disciplinary skills—through STEM—to increase student engagement and a deep understanding of complex problems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Session attendees will learn both pedagogical concepts and history as they work to understand and solve perplexing problems that faced Japanese-Americans interned at Topaz. Using the Topaz Japanese internment camp as the backdrop, session participants will: 1. learn how to pair both fiction and informational texts (including primary source documents); 2. discover ways to integrate NGSS standards, Social Studies, ELA, and STEM through lessons and problem-solving activities; and 3. focus on the 5Es and 3-D learning.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Siebach (Retired Teacher: Cedar Hills, UT), Deborah Draper (Cedar Ridge Elementary School: Cedar Hills, UT)

Come along as a kindergarten class explores the world of nature, experiences the seasons, and engages in STEM activities with Joe the Ginkgo Tree as its guide.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Promote inquiry-based learning through the lens of a schoolyard tree; 2. Learn how to design a yearlong, child-centered STEM project; and 3. Connect students with the natural world both inside the classroom and outdoors with hands-on STEM and art-based activities and experiments.

SPEAKERS:
Amie Petronis Plumley (Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School: Memphis, TN)

The goal of this presentation is to share resources and best practices that will aid instructors in developing an innovative cross-curricular STEM instructional setting.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with the following: 1. a list of resources that can be used to implement STEM objectives across all subject areas; 2. specific examples of how to develop a cross-curricular STEM unit based on a literary text; 3. a template to guide them in developing cross-curricular STEM activities; and 4. a cross-curricular unit they will design during the session.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Dunn (NTID Regional STEM Center: Talladega, AL)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

Come engage in strategies that can help your English Learners (ELs) make sense of science concepts and apply their science knowledge to real-world applications. In this session, we will explore a variety of strategies for differentiating instruction so that ELs within the classroom can build their ability to communicate science concepts effectively.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Navigate the 5-E Model of Instruction through the lens of a ESL teacher; 2. show strategies that support English Learners as they learn content and acquire English; and 3. identify supports for ELs embedded in STEMscopes.

SPEAKERS:
Veronica Burnett (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

How can we create a learning environment that taps into students’ natural curiosity about engineering design and supports them in doing the authentic design work of an engineer?

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. how design thinking and technological solutions will continue to increase in importance as we work to address the challenges that confront our modern world in areas such as agriculture, human health, and the environment; 2. why providing students a foundation in engineering design allows them to better engage in and aspire to solve the major societal and environmental challenges they will face in the decades ahead; and 3. how to create a learning environment that taps into students’ natural curiosity about engineering design and supports them in doing the authentic design work of an engineer.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Tim and Rob are back for tea and lively conversation as we look toward next year, once again reflecting on our use of technology in the classroom. We'll look at one of the big questions on all our minds: Now that we know what we know, how can we use that to support students in both their learning and their emotional well-being as we move back into the "new normal" classroom?

SPEAKERS:
Tim Blesse (Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Denver, CO), Robert Payo (Denver Urban Gardens: Denver, CO)

Join us for the Elementary STEM Showcase and leave with a headful of ideas for the best practices in STEM education. The Elementary STEM Showcase is an exciting and quick-fire format event that uses the popular Pecha Kucha presentation method. This "social show-and-tell event" brings together leaders in STEM education as presenters who offer 15 slides for 20 seconds each. Each five-minute presentation will offer teaching strategies and resources in the best practices in STEM education for our youngest learners. Featured presenters are celebrated classroom educators, informal education centers, NSTA leaders, and strategies from the NSTA preK–5 journal, Science & Children.
 
NGSS connections to student experiences will be highlighted during each Pecha Kucha presentation. Participants will interact with presenters about STEM investigations and resources through this live Q&A session. Presentations will be passionate, funny, informative, and inspirational. Join us for this new format and learn from this fast-paced, energy-filled experience and leave with ideas to use with your students and colleagues.

Don't forget to watch the three Elementary STEM Showcase Prerecorded Videos before attending this Q&A session.

SPEAKERS:
Sylvia Vardell (Texas Woman's University: Denton, TX), Janet Wong (Pomelo Books: Princeton, NJ), Ashley E. Lewis Presser (EDC Center for Children and Technology: New York, NY), Belle Akers (Convent & Stuart Hall's Schools of the Sacred Heart: San Francisco, CA), Jolynn Asato (San Jose State University: San Jose, CA), Jenn Brown-Whale (Howard County Public School System: Ellicott City, MD), Lauren Burrow (Stephen F. Austin State University: Nacogdoches, TX), Kristin Cook (Bellarmine University: Louisville, KY), Richard Cox, Jr. (Atrium Health), Chrissy Cross (Stephen F. Austin State University: Nacogdoches, TX), Elizabeth Dethloff (Robert R. Shaw Center for STEAM: Katy, TX), Jen Dobson (Wyoming City Schools: Cincinnati, OH), Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Science Teachers Association), Ron Grady (NOLA Nature School: New Orleans, LA), Melanie Harper (The NEED Project: Manassas, VA), Dr. Dieuwertje Kast (USC Joint Educational Project: Los Angeles, CA), Tom Lauwers (Birdbrain Technologies, LLC: Pittsburgh, PA), Anne Lowry (Aleph Academy: Reno, NV), Janet Mannheimer Zydney (University of Cincinnati: Cincinnati, OH), Godwyn Morris (Dazzling Discoveries / Skill Mill NYC: New York, NY), Katie Morrison (University Child Development School: Seattle, WA), Sara Nelson (Iowa State University: Ames, IA), Patricia Newman (Children's Book Author & Speaker: Carmichael, CA), Christine Preston (The University of Sydney: Sydney, 0), Richard Schaen (Wyoming City Schools: Cincinnati, OH), Laura Schneider (St. Mary's College of Maryland: Saint Mary's City, MD), Nancy Smith (Heatherstone Elementary School: Olathe, KS), Kathleen Tate (American Public University System: Charles Town, WV), Ashley Townsend (Oak Grove Primary School: Prairieville, LA), Julie Travaglini (Allegheny Land Trust: Sewickley, PA), Annette Venegas (Kent School District: Kent, WA), Rob Wallace (NSTA: Kenner, LA), Jennifer Williams (Isidore Newman School: New Orleans, LA), Manisha Hariani (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Ben Koo (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Sumer Seiki (University of California Riverside Extension: Riverside, CA)

In this talk Jami will discuss strategies that can be used to build resilience, with a particular emphasis on increasing the percentage of women and underrepresented minorities that choose to pursue STEM studies. She will use examples from her experiences as one of the few African American women with a PhD in physics and discuss strategies to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Jami Valentine Miller (African American Women in Physics, Inc.: Orlando, FL)

Explore strategies to get your students involved in designing and implementing an investigation of surface temperature and the urban heat island effect.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to: 1. analyze how urban heat islands develop both around and within cities, with certain neighborhoods heating up more than others on sunny days, through an exploration of the role of infrared radiation and albedo; 2. evaluate strategies through which students create and carry out investigations that contribute in a meaningful way to the scientific understanding of the urban heat island effect; and 3. apply an enhanced understanding of the urban heat island effect in their neighborhood in order to support students in the design and implementation of useful mitigation strategies that can have a long-term benefit to the health and resilience of their community.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Slack (I.S. 223 Montauk Intermediate School: Brooklyn, NY), Debra Amoroso (Myra S. Barnes Intermediate School 24: Staten Island, NY)

This past year has demonstrated the need for diverse tools, resources, and support to teach students in dynamic K–12 learning environments. This session will focus on strategies to integrate project-based learning in diverse learning environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn strategies to engage students in science and engineering concepts; 2. Obtain tools to foster a learning environment and classroom culture grounded in the habit of reflection and reasoning; and 3. Gain practical resources and tools to apply project-based learning in a diverse K–12 learning environment that you can begin implementing in your classroom this fall.

SPEAKERS:
Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Participants will experience an overview of research in digital fabrication and explore three aspects of 3D modeling and printing activities enhancing core content STEM classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
The outcomes of this presentation are to: 1. explore the role of 3D printing integration in STEM teaching and learning; 2. facilitate a dialogue on the classification of 3D printing STEM activities; and 3. discuss participants’ use of 3D printers in their classrooms and how teachers can leverage other task types to enhance STEM teaching and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Ivy (Bellarmine University: Louisville, KY), Anna Wan (The University of Southern Mississippi: Hattiesburg, MS), Teresa Sappington Lampe (University of Southern Mississippi: No City, No State)

Space science content introduced through innovative technologies engages student learning. AR/VR allows student explorers to learn about our quest to send humans to Mars.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. to use an online challenge to teach space science concepts; 2. about many of the NASA resources available for use in the classroom; and 3. to use augmented reality to learn about space science.

SPEAKERS:
Rhonda Christensen (University of North Texas: Denton, TX), Gerald Knezek (University of North Texas: Denton, TX)

Roadkill is a phenomena to engage every student. Teachers integrate STEM and English, challenging students to design, build, and sell a wildlife crossing to City Council.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Innovative instructional sequences rooted in an everyday phenomena students care about; 2. Lessons that integrate science skills, critical reading, and meaningful design practices; and 3. Grade-appropriate resources (data, images, texts) for engaging students, regardless of culture or background, with authentic citizens science.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Montgomery (Science Author: Ardmore, TN), Lauren Avant (Richmond Hill Middle School: Richmond Hill, GA), Ann Vitello (Richmond Hill Middle School: Richmond Hill, GA)

We will use Micro:bits, programming, and sensors to empower student learning and accelerate conceptual model development. Participants will simulate this online.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Sensors can accelerate the learning process and empower students when used correctly; 2. Computational thinking is catalyzed by block-based programming languages; and 3. Conceptual model development and inquiry are intricately linked.

SPEAKERS:
Jared Carter (University of Florida: Gainesville, FL)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

What if coding were integrated into core science instruction instead of being an isolated after-school activity for a select few?

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to: 1. provide students with the opportunity to learn basic computer science concepts and practices in service of solving real-world problems; 2. increase access to positive experiences in computer science learning; and 3. infuse coding science curriculum with constant opportunities for collaboration and student discourse.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Participants experience how to offer students opportunities for choosing virtual design challenges in various science domains by utilizing provided videos and data sets.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in a design challenge to test: 1. efficiency of wind turbine blades; 2. the strength of electromagnets; and 3. the greenhouse effect in an area of a specific land surface (e.g.,ocean, lake, arctic, desert).

SPEAKERS:
Kathleen Brooks (CREC: No City, No State), Rebecca Tonkinson (eesmarts: Hartford, CT), Sharyon Holness (eesmarts: No City, No State)

Explore how to build studies that put phenomena first and engage students in discovery through initial investigations designed to spark questions and curiosity. Discover how to be responsive to student interests as you decide "where to go from here."

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Transform your approach to planning by putting phenomena first; 2. Find out how to embed content and practices into hands-on learning activities that allow students to discover science ideas; and 3. Learn a simple process to identify "where to go from here" based on students' interests, questions, needs, and your curricular demands.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole VanTassel (iExploreScience LLC: Erie, PA)

Learn how to use the Secret Coders graphic novel series by Yang and Holmes to integrate the elements of computational thinking (abstraction, algorithmic thinking, decomposition, generalization, and debugging). Weave in both computer science and ELA practices for an interdisciplinary adventure!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Graphic novels provide an unplugged way for students to learn about computational thinking; 2. Computational thinking can be integrated into language arts classes; and 3. Interdisciplinary lessons can enhance both language literacy and computational thinking literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Rachelle Haroldson (University of Wisconsin-River Falls: River Falls, WI)

Learn the basics about Invention Convention. Introduce students to the seven-step invention process and allow them to apply their learning to solve authentic, real-world challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the: 1. value of Invention Education and how it is positioned to be uniquely accessible to students from a variety of backgrounds; 2. seven-step Invention Process and creative ways to implement that process in the classroom; and 3. pathway for recognition available to students who participate in Invention Convention.

SPEAKERS:
Mitchell Hufnagel (The Henry Ford: Dearborn, MI), Janice Warju (The Henry Ford: Dearborn, MI)

Use each stage of the Engineering Design Process to complete a challenge of building and drop testing a satellite while making connections to NASA missions.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. We can use the engineering design process in our everyday life to solve problems and make improvements; 2. NASA engineers must ask a question, imagine a solution, plan a design, create that model, experiment and test that model, then take time to improve the original—all steps that are crucial to mission success from Moon to Mars and beyond!; and 3. While this activity will focus on teaching the engineering design process using the process skills of measuring, calculating, designing, and evaluating, the "boring part" of ask, imagine, plan will be focused on to emphasize deeper learning as a thought process prior to simply "building stuff."

SPEAKERS:
Barbie Buckner (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: Greenbelt, MD)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

Claim-Evidence-Reasoning is a way for students to scientifically describe what they have observed and learned through an investigation, experience, or research. By making claims based on evidence, students are able to connect their science knowledge to the events and observations of the real world. Come learn how CER is an effective assessment tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will: 1. understand the meaning and application of claim, evidence, and reasoning; 2. experience a variety of hands-on examples and how to adapt among grade levels; 3. discuss rebuttal and when/where it would be appropriate to implement; and 4. gain examples and ideas that can be taken back to the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Spaeny (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Company: DoD STEM

CYBER.ORG works to ensure that every K–12 student gains foundational cybersecurity knowledge by empowering teachers with free resources and training.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. gain free access to CYBER.ORG’s library of K–12 curricula and resources as well as implementation strategies for the classroom; 2. see examples of lessons as well as plugged and unplugged activities at the elementary, middle, and high school levels; and 3. gain a better understanding of CYBER.ORG resources by talking directly with content developers.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Nolten (CYBER.ORG: Bossier City, LA)

The objective truths found in science and mathematics can serve to bridge the subjective realities of diverse communities represented among students and teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The diverse cultural, religious, ethnic, and racial realities among students and teachers create stovepipes and inequity of learning that require consistent checks on biases brought to the classroom; 2. The impact of teacher and student bias in the classroom can be alleviated through common bonds that transcend cultural, religious, ethnic, and racial realities; and 3. The objective truths discovered among science and math serve as a bridge connecting the subjective experiences of a diverse student and teacher community.

SPEAKERS:
Justin Ivy (W.E.B. DuBois Academy: Louisville, KY), Jessica Ivy (Bellarmine University: Louisville, KY)

In this session you'll practice using a storytelling model and creating your own short film so you can use similar techniques in your teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. develop experience using the story spine framework within a science classroom; 2. learn basic filmmaking techniques, including shot-blocking and the 180 rule; and 3. develop additional confidence and understanding of how they can use storytelling and filmmaking within their own science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Eugene Cordero (San Jose State University: San Jose, CA), Noah Canton (Hillcrest School: Oakland, CA)

Investigate ways to incorporate STEM topics into the hunt for disease. Case studies to MICROBITs help engage students in tracking the transmission of disease.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to: 1. integrate discipline-specific literacy case studies and technology as strategies for engaging students in problem solving around a current topic; 2. construct opportunities to engage in the SEPs around content as they determine who is patient zero; and 3. demonstrate how integrative STEM uses exploration and sensemaking to come together to help solve a world pandemic.

SPEAKERS:
G. Michael Bowen (Mount Saint Vincent University: Halifax, NS), Christine Anne Royce (Shippensburg University: Shippensburg, PA), Susan German (Hallsville Middle School: Hallsville, MO), Beverly DeVore-Wedding (Nebraska Indian Community College: Meeker, CO)

Bring the world to your urban classroom with Global Science / Citizen Science. Experts will share their work and provide details on how to actively involve students in real-world science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Engage with educators who have led their school systems to meet various challenges; 2. Learn from successful programs; and 3. Discuss relevant issues related to urban science educators.

SPEAKERS:
Pat Shane (UNC-Chapel Hill Emerita: , NC), Mary Beth Berrien (Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School: Greenfield, MA), Michelle Ellis (Hunter Huss High School: Gastonia, NC), LeeAnne Jimenez (Wilson Teaching and Learning Academy: Tulsa, OK), Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Susan Meabh Kelly (University of Connecticut: Storrs Mansfield, CT), Brad Rhew (Guilford County Schools: No City, No State)

Explore NASA STEM Engineering Design resources to engage students in building a rocket race car to demonstrate Newton’s Third Law.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. NASA astronauts on board the International Space Station provide STEMonstrations with activities in simple video format; 2. NASA’s free STEM educator guides provide detailed information to implement STEM in the classroom; and 3. Investigate Newton’s Third Law of Motion by designing and constructing rocket-powered racing cars.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Kohler (NASA Glenn Research Center: Cleveland, OH)

This workshop explores the connection between the NGSS, STEM identity, and project-based learning (PBL) through a series of culturally responsive activities for virtual learning environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. critically consider their own STEM identity and the STEM identities of their students to inform PBL in online and in-class learning environments; 2. respond to students’ needs and interests to plan PBL that develops their STEM identities; and 3. learn instructional strategies that engage students in PBL and the Scientific and Engineering Practices within the Next Generation Science Standards.

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Lane (University of the District of Columbia: Washington, DC)

No space suit, helmet, or rocket required for this trip into our solar system! Take a virtual journey to Saturn's largest moon, Titan, and take your first steps to becoming a scientific illustrator. Science and art both play important roles in how we understand our complex world. Art can also provide a valuable access point to STEM content for students who do not identify as "scientists."

In this fun, interactive session, get a taste of a Virtual Science Academy program from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and create your own scientific illustration. Join us to explore why methane rains from Titan’s sky and why the atmosphere is bright orange, and discover new resources for STEAM learning.

Note: Participants will need one piece of orange paper, one black-colored pencil, and one white-colored pencil, or similar materials to actively engage in this session.

SPEAKERS:
DMNS Virtual Experiences (Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Denver, CO), Jose Zuniga (Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Denver, CO)

If a student in your class is amazing at math or a wiz in the science lab, what job do you tell them they'd be good at? I think the answer we need to tell them is, “You would be a great teacher!” Students should leave our classes loving STEM and wanting to TEACH STEM! In this conversation, we will explore ways teachers can pass on both our love for STEM and our passion for our profession to our students.

SPEAKERS:
John Arthur (Meadowlark Elementary School: Salt Lake City, UT)

Use web-based image and analysis software to examine and compare the Cartwheel Galaxy in optical and X-ray bands, which can help determine the sources of the ultra- and hyperluminous X-rays (U/HLXs) in this galaxy.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Astrophysicists use light in all bands of the electromagnetic spectrum to determine the nature of an object; 2. Web-based software will be used (the same tools used by scientists); and 3. This software can be used by students to do their own investigations in astronomy with real data sets.

SPEAKERS:
Pamela Perry (Lewiston High School: Lewiston, ME)

Deepen inquiry and student engagement in the social context of STEM, through the lens of history! Participants will receive free resources from IEEE REACH, a crosscutting, interdisciplinary program.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will learn about a free resource program that provides tools to implement learning opportunities that improve both cultural and technological literacy skills by engaging students in the history of technology and the examination of how technology and engineering, throughout time, impact society, culture, politics, and economics, and are in turn impacted by them; 2. The IEEE REACH program provides a new lens from which students may view engineering and technology as relevant to their lives and their future, and enhances skills in problem solving, critical thinking, research, communication and collaboration, and it prepares students to become better-informed citizens of our high-tech society; and 3. Attendees will walk away with standards-aligned, inquiry-designed lesson plans that include formative performance tasks, suggested civic actions, excerpted documents, background information for the teacher, primary sources, hands-on activities, and short classroom videos, which may be implement immediately either in the classroom or remotely.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly McKenna (IEEE History Center: Piscataway, NJ), Michael Geselowitz (IEEE History Center: Piscataway, NJ)

Decoding computer models is demonstrated as a productive and time-saving method to integrate CS and CT within high school science courses without explicitly teaching programming.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Decoding is a powerful way to integrate CS across the curriculum that both reinforces disciplinary concepts and increases CS understanding; 2. Decoding consists of a set of practices and pedagogies that are easy to implement and do not require explicitly teaching computer programming; and 3. Resources and materials are available to integrate CS in Science through decoding.

SPEAKERS:
Paige Prescott (The University of New Mexico: Albuquerque, NM), Thara Rangaraj (Leominster High School: Leominster, MA), Lynn Sa (Retired Physics Teacher: Worcester, MA), Natalie Stassen (Leominster High School: Ashburnham, MA)

Increase student engagement in analysis and evaluation of real data. Engage students of different ability levels in mathematical models with measurements not previously accessible in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Combine graphing calculators with handheld sensors to maximize class time; 2. Use real data to develop mathematical models; and 3. Learn how to test your hypothesis by doing an experiment and analyze your results.

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

Learn about a virtual journal club that encourages interaction between students, teachers, and scientists through reading and interpreting research papers.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The St. Jude Virtual Journal Club integrates into the AP Biology curriculum and teaches NGSS Science and Engineering Practices and Nature of Science Practices; 2. Teaching primary literature can develop inquiry, critical thinking, and other 21st-century skills in students; and 3. High school students learn about the realities of scientific research and careers from practicing scientists.

SPEAKERS:
Shelby Montague (St. George's Independent School: Collierville, TN)

Discover how to make the STEM learning-to-application process more fun by replicating Michigan Tech’s story-based Unboxed challenges approach.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn about a nontraditional educational outreach program model in which teams of students apply STEM knowledge through hands-on challenges; 2. learn best practices for creating their own nontraditional challenges for students to supplement curriculum concepts; and 3. discover free resources and puzzles they can incorporate into their own challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Jannah Tumey (Michigan Technological University: Houghton, MI)

There is a need to introduce engineering to high school students but there are not a lot of resources available. Through this session, educators will learn how to engage their students in building instrumentation to observe their environment, including a weather station and water quality sensor following student-created design manuals.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Assembly manuals for weather station and water sensor; 2. Opportunities for students to build one of the models; and 3. Communicate with engineering professors and students and provide engineering students feedback on their manuals.

SPEAKERS:
Janet Struble (The University of Toledo: Toledo, OH), Kevin Czajkowski (The University of Toledo: Toledo, OH), Caleb Farny (Boston University: Boston, MA), Glenn Lipscomb (The University of Toledo: Toledo, OH)

Sponsoring Company: Pivot Interactives

People learn better when they are actively engaged rather than watching or listening. Learn how Pivot Interactives makes active learning for science easy and accessible.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, learners will experience the active learning capabilities of Pivot Interactives as we showcase; 1. the accessibility of quantitative and qualitative measurement skills in a digital environment; 2. the power of blended instruction, where students experience science in the classroom and build on it online; and 3. the ease and speed of automatic and personalized feedback, designed to help your learners where they are in every step of their learning journey.

SPEAKERS:
Matt Vonk (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN), Linda Detwiler (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN), Peter Bohacek (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN)

Keep your pets safe from being left in hot cars by using automatic sensors to design an alarm that could save their lives.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Solve a real-work problem with coding and engineering design, no prior experience needed; 2. Learn about inputs from sensors (temperature) and if-then-else decision logic to control an output (sound or color LED) based on the sensor readings; and 3. Gain exposure to possible STEM careers in automobile design features.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Kohout (Howard County Conservancy: Woodstock, MD), Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Youngsville, LA)

This workshop introduces strategies and digital tools to help students develop high-quality STEM presentations and posters in online and in-class learning environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. embody the role of a student conducting a scientific/engineering investigation leading to a STEM presentation; 2. be able to create a digital STEM visual using presentation applications; and 3. learn instructional strategies that engage students in developing high-quality presentations and Scientific and Engineering Practices within the Next Generation Science Standards.

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Lane (University of the District of Columbia: Washington, DC)

Have you wanted to get involved with NSTA contests, but were unsure how to start? This project incorporates STEM in a virtual or traditional classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Use NSTA contests as a springboard to STEM-based practices; 2. Learn how grants can enrich STEM experiences; and 3. Discover tools to facilitate team-based learning.

SPEAKERS:
Carrie Jones (Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School)

Learn not only about esports and its function, but also how to facilitate your classroom with innovative STEM concepts where all students can thrive!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What is Esports?; 2. How Esports contributes to STEM education and career development ; and 3. How to implement Esports virtually and in hybrid settings.

SPEAKERS:
Jorrel Batac (North America Scholastic Esports Federation: Corona del Mar, CA), Angelique Gianas (Helix Charter High School: La Mesa, CA)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

We have all hit the formidable “blank stare wall” when teaching concepts like PCR, Sanger Sequencing, and Restriction Enzymes. Explore how one modeling kit can reach all these topics…and more.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn about the benefits of hands-on modeling; 2. practice one application of PCR modeling; and 3. 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)

Have you been asking whether you should trust loud claims of advertising? How could false positives in medical testing affect you? Or do you simply want to know what a penny is made of?

TAKEAWAYS:
1/ Explore cross-disciplinary aspects by linking the science content to the mathematical models; 2. Understand the importance of simple sampling for product quality control; and 3.Explore the use of technology for simulations to evaluate statistical claims.

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

This session focuses on the role CubeSats are playing as a disruptive technology in our space program and how to introduce precollege students to these future opportunities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Design a relatively inexpensive CubeSat; 2. Build a CubeSat data collection device; and 3. Learn how NASA is using CubeSats.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Jabot (SUNY Fredonia: Fredonia, NY), Kevin Czajkowski (The University of Toledo: Toledo, OH), John Moore (Executive Director: Laurel Springs, NJ), Maxwell Friedman (Burlington County Institute of Technology: Palmyra, NJ)

Sponsoring Company: Pivot Interactives

We know the importance of labs in the AP courses. During this session, we will showcase how to use Pivot Interactives with your AP course.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, AP teachers will: 1. see how we use Pivot Interactives to make experiment design cost effective and time efficient; 2. see how students can design, capture, and analyze data in the Pivot Interactives platform; and 3. leave with options for active learning options for each of the units in each of the AP science courses.

SPEAKERS:
John Burk (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN), Eric Friberg (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN), Peter Bohacek (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN), Matt Vonk (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN), Linda Detwiler (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN)

The objective of this study was to assess informal science engagement using social media and examine changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Social media engagement in regards to science-related topics was robust pre-COVID-9 pandemic; 2. During the pandemic, the total number of posts remained at a similar level while post reactions increased over time; and 3. Social media remains an effective platform for informal science engagement even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Pyatt (Kean University: Union, NJ), Maya Briskin (Kean University: Union, NJ), Esther Choi (Kean University: Union, NJ)

The use of socio-scientific issues as contexts for learning science, as well invoking cross-disciplinary connections, is supported in the literature as being both effective and educationally significant. STEM mandates and programs often lack this “Science-in-Context” vision. This talk aims to situate the teaching and learning of science from a sociocultural perspective of STEM, such that the need for learning it is apparent and the content being learned relevant, meaningful,  and useful.

SPEAKERS:
Dana Zeidler (University of South Florida: Tampa, FL)

Through research conducted by the Growing Future STEM Teachers in Maine grant, this presentation explores the upsides, downsides, and enticements of secondary STEM teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. explore perceptions of careers in STEM secondary education; 2. understand factors that influence interest in STEM fields; and 3. identify evidence-based practices for preparation and retention of high-quality secondary STEM teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Waters (Saint Joseph's College of Maine: Standish, ME)

NSTA’s Committee on Postsecondary Science Teaching will examine best practices and the challenges in designing authentic assessments that not only measure learning outcomes, but remain inclusive to all students. A special emphasis will be placed on underserved populations and underprepared students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to: 1. explain the principles of Inclusive Authentic Assessment; 2. describe how underprepared and underserved students benefit from Inclusive Authentic Assessment; and 3. identify the challenges of using Inclusive Authentic Assessment in higher education.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ogle (Brevard Zoo: No City, No State), David Wojnowski (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Esperanza Zenon (River Parishes Community College: Gonzales, LA)

This presentation explores the impact engaging with diverse communities through service learning has on elementary student learning, preservice teacher development, and community-campus partnerships.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. explore how service learning can be used as a vehicle for building a K–16 STEM pipeline; 2. understand the impact of service learning on preservice teacher development; and 3. identify best practices for community partnerships in STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Waters (Saint Joseph's College of Maine: Standish, ME)

The purpose of our research is to investigate how teacher candidates’ experiences in STEM field studies with community partners can inform our work with an integrated practicum semester based on a curriculum of place. Place-based education is an approach to teaching that is grounded in the context of community and environment and seeks to help participants in solving community problems. Many Indigenous scholars are replacing the term place with land and argue that land-based pedagogies promote the decolonization of education by recognizing the intimate relationship that Indigenous peoples have with the land. One challenge with land-based pedagogies is the role non-Indigenous peoples have in this approach to the decolonization of education. Our research, in a western Canadian context, explores this tension as we come to a deeper and shared understanding of our co-responsibility within Treaty 7 relationships. Our project considers varying perspectives of place as it informs STEM teacher education pedagogy.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Land-based pedagogies;2. Indigenous ways of knowing; and 3. Integration of STEM curriculum and pedagogies.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin O'Connor (Mount Royal University: Calgary, AB)

The general absence of disability from the educational equity lens makes it hard to determine and address the degree of underrepresentation of people with disabilities in the STEM fields. How do we close a gap that’s largely invisible? Three Noyce Scholars from Metropolitan State University of Denver offer their perspectives on this issue, and invite feedback from session participants.

SPEAKERS:
Janelle Johnson (Metropolitan State University of Denver: Denver, CO), Kimberlee Bourelle (Douglas County School District: Castle Rock, CO), Adrian Clifton (Metropolitan State University of Denver: Denver, CO), Joseph Schneiderwind (Daniel C Oakes high school: Castle Rock, CO)

Are you interested in creating a comprehensive, equity-focused, schoolwide STEM environment? If so, join this session to gain insight into Indiana’s road map for implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The “why” behind each element based on Hattie’s Visible Learning research; 2. Creating a comprehensive and equitable STEM environment is a two- to thre-year process, and the process is ongoing; and 3. Community partners are a critical component of providing a comprehensive STEM environment.

SPEAKERS:
Christina Hilton (Central Indiana Educational Service Center: Indianapolis, IN)

This session will explore the ways educators can expand STEM affinity among diverse populations by using placed-based lessons through the cultural lens of lessons on weather and climate.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Theme one is that community-based learning has been shown to positively impact indigenous science and STEM learners. Central to this theme is the belief that to promote science and STEM affinity, pedagogies and curricula should leverage diversity, languages, culture, practices, and epistemologies. (Gutierrez, Baquedano‐López, & Tejeda, 1999); 2. Theme two is a predicate of community orientation. This presentation will posit that STEM fluency is dependent on cultural relevant initiatives and will show significant promise in closing achievement gaps and improving science academic performance (Brayboy & Castagno 2008); and 3. Theme three is that culturally relevant curricula and pedagogies help to embody and mobilize community leaders and STEM advocates with in-school and after-school programs.

SPEAKERS:
Corydon Strawser (Lake Nona Middle School: Orlando, FL)

Explore a holistic snow curriculum built through collaboration between an Iñupiaq community and university educators. Learn development processes and access free STEM lessons and videos.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore the free and NGSS-focused Qanniksuq: It is Snowing resources targeting middle school; 2. Learn about an emerging research-based process for indigenous community-engaged STEM curriculum development applicable to K–12; and 3. Discover how curricula developed using this process impacted students, teachers, and community members in participating indigenous communities.

SPEAKERS:
Lori Schoening (Geophysical Institute: Fairbanks, AK), Lynda McGilvary (Geophysical Institute: Fairbanks, AK), Sean Asikluk Topkok (University of Alaska Fairbanks: Fairbanks, AK)

We will share justice-oriented pedagogical strategies and tools empirically co-developed through a partnership project involving educators and youth for teaching science and engineering practices in STEM programs at informal settings.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. This session provides participants with strategies and tools for justice-oriented instructional approaches for teaching SEPs, with attention on informal science programs. These justice-oriented practices, developed by educators, youth, and researchers, focus on supporting youth in having equitable opportunities to develop expertise in SEPs, and empowering youth to agentically enact practices toward investigating issues and questions that matter to them personally and socially; 2. We will engage participants in two activities: a) exploring justice-oriented pedagogical practices and b) designing instructional plans for STEM learning using the pedagogical practices; and 3. We will share tools and resources empirically produced from collaborations in multiple informal STEM programs, including a) practice briefs, b) design approaches for implementing pedagogical practices, and c) teaching and learning cases. These pedagogical practices and tools will be useful to informal STEM educators and school teachers who seek to use justice-oriented STEM projects with their students.

SPEAKERS:
Micaela Balzer (Impression 5 Science Center: Lansing, MI), Sinead Brien (Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI)

Hear about a STEM consortium that partners schools with nonprofits, academia, industry, and government to produce college- and career-ready graduates. Come problem solve how to increase participation of underrepresented populations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn how they can engage with consortium programs; 2. generate solutions for engaging students from historically underrepresented populations in STEM; and 3. learn about how the consortium is partnering students with the DoD STEM workforce.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Stanley (DoD STEM/RTI International: Durham, NC), Christina Romero (Nina Otero Community School: Santa Fe, NM), Tameka Woodruff (Oxon Hill High School: Oxon Hill, MD)

Join the education staff from Detroit’s historic Belle Isle Aquarium to discover exciting ways to identify, recruit, and host diverse career role models to inspire your students, whether you’re teaching face-to-face, virtual, or in hybrid mode.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Greater understanding of how STEM role models can have a significant positive impact on young learners; 2. Practical steps for teachers to design STEM career connections from their own communities that richly connect to students' lives; and 3. Access to novel STEM career role model resources—videos, books, blogs, etc.—created specifically for underrepresented and underserved populations.

SPEAKERS:
June Teisan (InnovatED 313: No City, No State), Amy Emmert (Belle Isle Conservancy: Detroit, MI)

Learn how an innovative partnership with a museum and a school system brought real, local, diverse science to students learning virtually.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The old field trip model at museums is not accessible to all kids and needs to be improved; 2. Collaborating with local science centers and museums can lead to unexpected innovations that build students’ knowledge of science across the three dimensions of the NRC Framework; and 3. The community of STEM practitioners around you wants to become involved in the school system!

SPEAKERS:
Carly Apple (Museum of Life and Science: Durham, NC), Willow Alston-Socha (Durham Public Schools: Durham, NC), Steven Scholle (Museum of Life and Science: Durham, NC)

Sponsoring Company: Shell

A panel of current Shell Urban Educators Development Award winners will discuss their successes and challenges with implementing a STEM curriculum to an underserved and underrepresented student population. They provide strategies, methods, and programs that address inequities while ensuring STEM is for all students.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Scott (Luling Elementary School: Luling, LA), Erica Stephens (John P. Freeman Optional School: Memphis, TN), John Carlo Tulinao (Amberlea Elementary School: Phoenix, AZ), Leslie White (Duval County Public Schools: Jacksonville, FL), Nakia Williams (Lukeville Upper Elementary School: Brusly, LA), Melissa Collins (John P. Freeman Optional School: Memphis, TN), Alexander Eden (Florida International University: Miami, FL), Michelle Ellis (Hunter Huss High School: Gastonia, NC), Carla Neely (Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program: No City, No State), LaShan Rose (Lindley Academy Charter School: Philadelphia, PA), Cenia Santana (Sleepy Hollow High School: Sleepy Hollow, NY)

Sponsoring Company: Pivot Interactives

Come see how Pivot Interactives can fill accessibility voids in our classrooms. Cost, time, scale, and safety limits are removed while still maximizing student engagement with the science practices through engaging content.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. explore the large Pivot Interactives library and identify activities that can fill lab gaps in classroom caused by cost, time, scale or, safety; 2. discuss the implementation of the tools within Pivot Interactives to scaffold, differentiate, and personalize content around common phenomena; and 3. dDiscuss pedagogical uses of Pivot Interactives in a changing educational landscape that allows to easy with in person, hybrid, or distance classes, as well as individual or collaborative work.

SPEAKERS:
Matt Vonk (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN), Eric Friberg (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN), Linda Detwiler (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN), Peter Bohacek (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN)

Sponsoring Company: DoD STEM

Hear how a cohort model to professional learning can not only build individual teacher capacity, but also impact STEM learning throughout an ecosystem.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn about the benefits of a cohort-based approach to STEM professional learning; 2. understand the impacts of this approach within the context of an ecosystem and on individual professional development; and 3. learn how collaboration can elevate common goals to impact student learning along the pipeline.

SPEAKERS:
Jason Porter (Tiger Woods Foundation: Washington, DC), Jessica Kesler (TGR Foundation: Irvine, CA), Patty Brunet (Cypress High School: Cypress, CA)

The STEP UP series of lessons were developed to empower teachers to inspire young women to pursue physics as a field of study. Come find out how to implement these lessons in your classes and how to get involved in the STEP UP program.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. STEP UP helps teachers find ways to support girls in physics; 2. STEP UP lessons help change how all students perceive physics.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Muise (St. Thomas More Collegiate: Burnaby, BC)

Do you impact your school and community with STEM? If you teach K–12, then come learn how to apply to win one of eight Shell-supported awards, and a teacher competition.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Share your passion and practice by applying for one of eight awards, and a teacher competition; 2. Learn from past Shell awardees, finalists, and judging panel members’ important tips to apply for this award; and 3. Learn how to win a trip to the 2022 NSTA Houston National Conference, March 31–April 3, 2022.

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

Come experience how one California district is leveraging an opportunity to bring equitable STEM experiences to all preK–12 students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How one district approaches integrated STEM; 2. What an integrated STEM unit feels like; and 3. -How one district enacts and supports integrated STEM systemwide.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Reynolds (Community Training and Assistance Center (CTAC): Boston, MA), Vanessa Garcia (South West Park Elementary School: Tracy, CA), Debra Schneider (Tracy Unified School District: Tracy, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Kids Making Sense

Through a combination of virtual presentation, storytelling, and demonstrations we will help teachers find value in taking students into their community for lab work. With air quality at the forefront of national discussion, there has never been a better time to teach students about the air that we breathe. Discover how we work with teachers to create young “citizen scientists” that act upon the knowledge that they gain and guide them through how to present their data and advocate for positive environmental change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn: 1. how to meaningfully engage students in citizen science activities; 2. how using sensors can enhance the quality and comparability of data, while increasing student engagement; and 3. how incorporating citizen science activities can enhance outcomes for communities.

SPEAKERS:
Olivia Ryder (Sonoma Technology: Petaluma, CA)

Explore family engagement events that provide fun, hands-on experiences and an opportunity to teach parents strategies to support their children's academic vocabulary at home.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Engage in both virtual and in-person family engagement events that expand classroom learning that families with members of all ages can participate in; 2. Learn strategies to support linguistically diverse students in the STEMSS (STEM + Social Studies with an emphasis on real-world, cross-curricular learning) classroom; and 3. Develop a plan to integrate these strategies into your family engagement events to help parents learn how to support academic vocabulary at home and to bridge the home-school connections to increase opportunities for language learners.

SPEAKERS:
Margarita Jimenez-Silva (University of California, Davis: Davis, CA), Karen Guerrero (Arizona State University: Tempe, AZ)

The “quantum revolution” is on the horizon. What can we do today—through policies and programming—to ensure quantum computing education is accessible to all students?

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to: 1. explain why quantum computing is an important emerging technology and STEM discipline; 2. identify the barriers to accessible, widespread quantum education and describe actionable strategies to combat them; and 3. discuss ideas to increase diversity in quantum computing, starting at the K–12 level.

SPEAKERS:
Kiera Peltz (The Coding School: Studio City, CA)

Session participants will learn how scientists were trained to lead a virtual presentation of a research paper to AP Biology students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Training scientists improves their science communication skills and their experiences with K–12 outreach; 2. Successful training sessions were brief, focused, and offered virtually, which fit easily within scientists’ schedules; and 3. High school classes that otherwise would not be able to host a scientist visit were able to participate because the program was completely virtual.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Ayers (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Memphis, TN), Katherine Wade-Jaimes (The University of Memphis: Memphis, TN), Shelby Montague (St. George's Independent School: Collierville, TN)

The global pandemic forced many educators to pivot to virtual or hybrid learning. In this session, you will learn tips and tricks to keep quality STEM education alive in any setting.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will: 1. see an example of how an in-person, integrated STEM learning experience can be changed to work in a virtual or hybrid setting; 2. be provided with resources to promote inclusive and equitable practices that increase student collaboration and engagement in a virtual, hybrid or face-to-face setting; and 3. leave with an existing STEM unit that can be completed in their own classroom, whether it be virtual, in-person, or hybrid.

SPEAKERS:
Theresa Goltermann (Tabb Middle School: Yorktown, VA), Vonceil Anderson (Baltimore City Public Schools: Baltimore, MD), Laura Drager (Montgomery County Educational Service Center: Dayton, OH), Rebecca Stanley (DoD STEM/RTI International: Durham, NC)

As COVID-19 changed learning environments, the rift between curricula and instructional practices widened with detrimental results for students and teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Issues with curriculum leading instructional practices; 2. Need for support and professional development of teachers for conceptual model development in students; and 3. Teachers who were trained in conceptual modeling pedagogical practices were better able to serve students in their classes in new learning environments.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy Ruzycki (University of Florida: Gainesville, FL)

Sponsoring Company: Jhumki Basu Foundation

Democratic STEM teaching—involving student voice, shared and transformational authority, and critical STEM literacy—can make the classroom more inclusive so that historically marginalized students have access to a high-quality STEM education.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understanding the Democratic STEM Teaching Framework (DSTF); 2. How to develop an empathy-based classroom; and 3. Evaluation results of application of DSTF in classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Houston (STEM Ed Innovators: Saratoga, CA), Gina Tesoriero (Student / Educator / Researcher / Healer: Saratoga, CA), Dipak Basu (STEM Ed Innovators: Saratoga, CA)

Sponsoring Company: DoD STEM

Connect with the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) to learn about engaging a diverse range of students through programs spanning the STEM Ecosystem.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. strategies to recruit a diverse group of students to their STEM classrooms; 2. where to find research-backed resources that are free to use and download; and 3. how to engage and celebrate their students with programs from NCWIT, including Aspirations in Computing and TECHNOLOchicas.

SPEAKERS:
Angela DeHart (STEM Impressionists Program: Ashburn, VA), Edie Cheng (National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT): Boulder, CO), Shannon Gibbs (Graceland Park-O’Donnell Heights Elementary/Middle School #240: Baltimore, MD)

In this session, we will discuss the myth of Learning Loss and what was actually found out as the pandemic unveiled underlying issues within our STEM education systems. We will have an open discussion on how we as educators can create an inclusive STEM classroom that prioritizes equity in in-person, at a distance, and beyond. We will culminate lessons learned from distance learning and next steps we can take to create equitable STEM spaces in our own context.

SPEAKERS:
Leena Bakshi (STEM4Real: No City, No State)