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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)