NSTA STEM21

July 26-30, 2021

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FILTERS APPLIED:Presentation, Middle Level, Computer Science

 

Rooms and times subject to change.
11 results
Save up to 50 sessions in your agenda.

Engineering, Code, and Design Through Classroom Activities

Monday, July 26 • 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

STRAND: Lower Elementary / Early Childhood

Show Details

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)

Robotics—It’s Elementary!

Monday, July 26 • 12:45 PM - 1:30 PM

STRAND: Upper Elementary

Show Details

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)

Strategies to Integrate Project-Based Learning in Diverse K–12 Learning Environments

Tuesday, July 27 • 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

STRAND: Middle Level

Show Details

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)

EQuIPD Grant: Building Core Content Models with Real-Time Feedback from Micro:bit Sensors

Tuesday, July 27 • 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

STRAND: Middle Level

Show Details

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)

Bringing the Real World into Urban Classrooms Through Global Science / Citizen Science

Tuesday, July 27 • 1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

STRAND: Middle Level

Show Details

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)

Decoding Computer Models to Integrate Disciplinary Content with CS/CT

Wednesday, July 28 • 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

STRAND: High School

Show Details

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)

Exploring Genetics with Popular Gaming

Wednesday, July 28 • 1:45 PM - 2:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Exploring Genetics with Popular Gaming Breeding Flowers in Animal Crossing New Horizons.pdf

STRAND: High School

Show Details

This session will explore the genetic basis behind hybrid flower production on the video game Animal Crossing New Horizons and how you can use this popular game to gain student interest in genetics.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Many traits are influenced by multiple genes; 2. The video game Animal Crossing New Horizons uses Mendelian genetics to determine the offspring of a flower; and 3. Student interest can be enhanced when you use popular video games as a frame of reference for activities, and their virtual experiences can be used in sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Moore (Tennessee Tech: Cookeville, TN), Leslie Suters (Tennessee Tech: Cookeville, TN)

To Be It, You MUST See It:: Providing STEM Role Models for Underserved and Underrepresented Students

Friday, July 30 • 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

STRAND: STEM Ecosystems: Supporting Diverse, Equitable Practices and Partnerships

Show Details

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), Amy Emmert (Belle Isle Conservancy: Detroit, MI)

The Intersection of Literature and Science

Friday, July 30 • 12:45 PM - 1:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Teach Literature and Science Together Website
This website includes novels and prompts for both middle and high school grades.
The Intersection of Literature and Science Audience Copy (1).pdf
Here is the slide deck that was used during the presentation.

STRAND: STEM Ecosystems: Supporting Diverse, Equitable Practices and Partnerships

Show Details

Students will see science concepts through the perspectives of characters in novels. Participants will leave with lists of book titles and ready-to-use reflective prompts.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. A list of literature that is categorized by grade level and science topics covered; 2. Examples of how to use literature in the science classroom to promote student engagement and meaning-making; and 3. Ways to connect social justice topics to a science curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Prince (St. John's Prep: Danvers, MA)

Leading Today to Create the Diverse Quantum Workforce of Tomorrow

Friday, July 30 • 1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

STRAND: STEM Ecosystems: Supporting Diverse, Equitable Practices and Partnerships

Show Details

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)

Creating Equity for Students Through Modeling-Based Pedagogical Practices

Friday, July 30 • 1:45 PM - 2:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Pandemic Field Hospital Activity
This is an example lesson we will work though in the workshop
Tedx UF talk Ruzycki
TedxUF talk Ruzycki
These are materials we will use in the training workshop today, along with a video about modeling pedagogy.

STRAND: STEM Ecosystems: Supporting Diverse, Equitable Practices and Partnerships

Show Details

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)

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