2021 Los Angeles Area Conference

December 9-11, 2021

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24 results
Save up to 50 sessions in your agenda.

Designing a COVID Currculum: Lessons in Science (and Science Denial) from a Pandemic

Thursday, December 9 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 513



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Covid-Curriculum-LA.pdf
Suggestions for a Covid-Based curriculum.
NSTA-LA-Covid-part-1.pptx
Part 1 of my Powerpoint slide file.
NSTA-LA-Covid-part-2.pptx
Part 2 of my Powerpoint slide file.

STRAND: Innovating the Future of Education: Technology and Science Education

Show Details

We will explore a COVID-19–based curriculum that provides a direct and compelling way to focus student attention on the most basic processes in biology.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will examine specific curriculum plans using the COVID-19 virus to illustrate basic principles of cell biology, including biological membrane structure, mRNA function, transcription, translation, replication, and immune response; 2. The emergence of COVID-19 variants will be explored as a case study in natural selection, evolution, and phylogenetic analysis; and 3. The public reaction to pandemic pubic health countermeasures and vaccination will be examined as a case study in scientific literacy and science denial. Participants will discuss ways to use their classrooms to promote student understand of the science behind these public health measures.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Miller (Brown University: Providence, RI)

Be a Part of Our Exciting Evolution Educator Network!

Thursday, December 9 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 408A


Show Details

The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science is a network of more than 150 science teachers. We have presented over 225 teacher workshops in all 50 U.S. states.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES): provides high school biology teachers with paid opportunities to present to middle and high school science teachers who need help teaching evolution in an engaging and effective manner; 2. has several FREE, complete evolution units for science teachers to use in their classrooms, including assessments, active learning lessons, online investigations, and bell-ringer activities, along with dozens of other free resources; and 3. invites educators, biologists, and science authors to give monthly webinars to an international audience of teachers, students, and science enthusiasts.

SPEAKERS:
Sephali Thakkar (National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA): No City, No State)

Video-Based Curriculum from the Switch Energy Alliance: Energy Decisions for a Sustainable Future

Thursday, December 9 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 507



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Energizing Your Energy curriculum.pptx
Switch Energizing Your Energy Curriculum Handout.pdf

Show Details

Discover Switch Classroom, a free, online, objective curriculum about energy use and nonrenewable and renewable resources centered on AP Environmental Science and NGSS Energy standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore Switch Energy Alliance resources, including Switch Classroom, energy videos, and full-length documentaries. The Switch Classroom curriculum covers six units of comprehensive lessons detailing renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, energy production fundamentals, and how energy decisions are made; 2. Learn how to set up your own class using Switch Classroom, creating a customized energy unit for your students that includes video and your choice of activities that include multiple-choice quizzes, critical-thinking writing and diagramming, and lab and math-based calculation activities; and 3. Increase your students' ability and skills to explain concepts, analyze visual representations, and propose solutions to complex energy decisions in a nonpartisan and objective manner.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Horne (New Market Junior/Senior High School: Newmarket, NH), James Corboy (Long Beach Unified School District: Signal Hill, CA)

NARST-Sponsored Session: Features of Engineering for K–12 Education

Thursday, December 9 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 401


Show Details

The present study identified important features of engineering by eliciting experts’ opinions. The features of engineering could help teachers develop disciplinary knowledge for engineering.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The important features of engineering for K–12 engineering education; 2. Learn about engineering design activities; and 3. Learn about what professional engineers think is important about learning engineering.

SPEAKERS:
Ezgi Yesilyurt (Weber State University: Ogden, UT), Hasan Deniz (University of Nevada, Las Vegas: Las Vegas, NV), Erdogan Kaya (George Mason University: Fairfax, VA)

NITARP: High School Teachers and Students Working with Astronomers on Current Research

Thursday, December 9 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 504



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NITARP NSTA F2021.pdf
Presentation about the NITARP program run by Caltech's IPAC and NASA to connect teachers with researchers in the field of astronomy.

Show Details

NITARP (NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program) gets teachers involved in authentic astronomical research. Small groups of mostly high school educators work with professional astronomers for an original research project.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. A clear understanding of the application process to apply for a NITARP opportunity; 2. An idea of the research experience of a participant involved in this astronomy experience; and 3. An awareness of the vast astronomy resources (images and astronomy programs) available for free to educators and their students.

SPEAKERS:
John Taylor (Marvin Ridge High School: No City, No State)

Specialty Crops in the Classroom: Educating Youth Through Mobile Classroom Growing Systems

Thursday, December 9 • 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 504


Show Details

Join us as we explore how specialty crops can be a useful tool in the classroom by improving both instruction and student nutrition.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn: 1. about resources for teaching about botany, plant science, and soil science made available through the specialty crops block grant; 2. how to incorporate NGSS into Free Fruit and Vegetable education program requirements; and 3. how to incorporate NGSS into nutrition science across the curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Spencer Cody (Edmunds Central School District: Roscoe, SD)

Evolution—How Strong Is the Evidence?

Thursday, December 9 • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 504



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
PBS-Evolution-at-20.pdf
Article on 20th anniversary of the PBS Evolution Series.
Slide file for Evolution Workshop - LA NSTA
Slides used in this workshop

STRAND: Innovating the Future of Education: Technology and Science Education

Show Details

Despite its central role in the Biology curriculum, evolution remains a topic of contention. We will examine evolutionary science today and the evidence behind it.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will see examples of how the evolutionary narrative can be incorporated into topics as diverse as ecology, physiology, taxonomy, and cell biology; 2. The evidence usually marshaled in support of evolution is often confined to passive descriptions of the fossil record and well-worn examples of natural selection. We will examine ways that students can use the availability of genomic data to pinpoint the marks of evolutionary change in DNA sequences and patterns of gene organization; and 3. Finally, we will explore and discuss approaches to overcoming student and community resistance to the teaching of evolution by emphasizing the core biological events behind the process and the central role they play in the living world.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Miller (Brown University: Providence, RI)

Funding for Science Education Through the American Rescue Plan

Thursday, December 9 • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 401



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
10_2021 Erika_americanRescuePlan_ FINAL.ppt

Show Details

To address the impacts of the pandemic on K–12 education, Congress has made emergency funds available through the American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund. In this session for educators and science leaders at the district and school levels, we will discuss how these federal funds can be leveraged to support science education, students, and
teachers, and review the products and services NSTA has available to address learning loss.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Information on federal funding for pandemic relief for K–12 education; 2. How this federal funding can be used for science education; and 3. NSTA products and services that address learning loss.

SPEAKERS:
Erika Shugart (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

NSELA-Sponsored Session: How as Science Leaders Are We Supporting an Asset View of Science Learners?

Thursday, December 9 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 514


Show Details

Participants will learn about how some districts around the country are using an asset approach to post-COVID learning and will collaboratively share ideas with others.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Some districts around the country are focusing on an acceleration rather than a remediation post-COVID approach to learning; 2. An asset approach to learning and learners supports social and emotional well-being; and 3. The NSELA Learning Center provides resources for continued learning about asset versus deficit approaches to learning.

SPEAKERS:
Larry Plank (University of South Florida: Tampa, FL)

Crash Science—When Physics Meets Biology

Thursday, December 9 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 408A


Show Details

Use innovative video-assisted STEM activities, demonstrations, award-winning videos, and behind-the-crash-tests tours to teach the science of car crashes. Free lesson plans included. Visit  Classroom.IIHS.org  for more information.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participant will learn: 1. how to access inquiry-based activities and video-supported experiences integrating STEM concepts with vehicle crashworthiness and crash avoidance technologies; 2. how scientists and engineers use technology (crash dummies, crash tests, crash avoidance testing) at a vehicle research center to measure and evaluate vehicle safety systems; and 3. how to incorporate technology-enhanced STEM design challenges (Project Pedestrian Sensors and Egg-Carrying Paper Car Crash) into their curriculum to promote student awareness and understanding of how engineering and technology are used to build safer vehicles.

SPEAKERS:
Griff Jones (University of Florida)

Supporting Three-Dimensional Learning Through Model-Based Inquiry Units and Resources

Thursday, December 9 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 514



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
MBI presentation
This is a PDF of the presentation from this session.
MBI website
The website includes the template, examples, useful phenomena, and support pages.

STRAND: Integrating Multiple Learning Experiences and Connecting to Move Forward

Show Details

We will introduce a collection of units and resources to help teachers engage students in three-dimensional learning through model-based inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to utilize modeling across entire units of instruction; 2. Ways to anchor student learning in authentic phenomena; and 3. How to use public records to keep track of student ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Ron Gray (Northern Arizona University: Flagstaff, AZ)

A STEM Ice Core Investigation That Integrates the Three Dimensions of NGSS

Friday, December 10 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 502A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Additional resources for the Ice Core Records investigation
Ice Core Records NGSS.pdf

Show Details

Come discover a multidisciplinary, open-ended investigation that incorporates absolute and relative dating, anomalies, historical context, volcanoes, solar proton events, energy cycles, Earth systems, terrestrial events, and supernovas.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students will have a better understanding of the process of constructing knowledge; 2. Students will have to analyze and defend their results; and 3. Sometimes there is no answer key, only possible solutions from constructing and analyzing data from several sources that cross traditional disciplines.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Young (NASA/NSO/UoL Program Manager: Laughlin, NV)

Fueling Success with Students—Win Up to $10K for You and Up to $15K for Your Classroom

Friday, December 10 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 513



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Instructional Method and Teaching Philosophy questions
Shell Programs flyer
Shell Programs presentation
Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge

Show Details

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

Pole of Inaccessibility: Bringing Ocean Science to North America’s Great Interior

Friday, December 10 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 401


Show Details

Join us as we explore how NOAA Teacher at Sea can bring stimulating ocean science content to the classroom through a wide range of technology and media applications.

TAKEAWAYS:
NOAA Teacher at Sea provides numerous cutting-edge strategies to make ocean science accessible to students such as Google Cardboard and various VR applications to utilizing NOAA Teacher at Sea’s rich ocean science resources.

SPEAKERS:
Spencer Cody (Edmunds Central School District: Roscoe, SD)

NSELA-Sponsored Session: Highlighting Stories of Successful (Formal and Informal Science) Partnerships from National Science Leaders

Friday, December 10 • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 401


Show Details

Participants will learn about the successful and varied informal and formal science partnerships developed by members of the NSELA leadership community.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Successful partnerships between formal and informal science institutions increase student and community engagement in STEM education; 2. Success stories include STEM ecosystems; and 3. The NSELA Learning Center provides resources and support for ongoing learning about formal and informal science partnerships.

SPEAKERS:
Larry Plank (University of South Florida: Tampa, FL)

Modeling Stellar Evolution Using NASA Images, Data, and STEM Analysis Tools

Friday, December 10 • 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 507



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Cosmic Connections Webquest 2.pdf
Cosmic Connections Webquest 1.pdf
https://chandra.si.edu/edu/
Modeling Stellar Evolution.pdf

Show Details

Model stellar evolution processes using NASA images, plotting H-R diagram transitions, and determining the chemistry and physics of supernovas using NASA STEM image analysis tools.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Knowledge of the process of how stars form and change over time ending in catastrophic events, providing conditions for the formation of planets; 2. Students will understand that all knowledge of celestial events is determined by analyzing the light from these events and providing possibilities—not definitive answers, as the data can be interpreted differently; and 3. Image analysis software tools allow scientists to gain detailed information of stellar physical and chemical processes and constantly refine our evolving models of stellar evolution.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Young (NASA/NSO/UoL Program Manager: Laughlin, NV)

Plastic Waste and Mental Health: How Young People Build on Informal Learning to Make Change in Their School and Communities

Friday, December 10 • 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 505



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
OPEN MIND Studio - Icebreakers
OPEN MIND Studio - Sticky Note Activity, Final Projects

STRAND: Successful Collaborations Between Informal and Formal Educators

Show Details

We’ll unpack examples of young people learning across different settings, showing how formal and informal educators can collaborate to support science engagement and community involvement.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Young people bring their learning across settings, making connections between the practices and activities they do in informal and formal spaces; 2. When educators partner and coordinate experiences across settings, they can better support young peoples’ learning pathways, identity development, and promote community involvement; and 3. This session will offer examples of how young people have brought their learning and made connections across settings, which will highlight opportunities for educators to design better partnerships in the future to support young people in the future.

SPEAKERS:
Abby Rhinehart (University of Washington: Seattle, WA)

Building Argumentation Skills in Evolution

Friday, December 10 • 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 504


Show Details

Join me as I share an example of how to incrementally build skill in argumentation from evidence as part of a freely available curriculum unit on Evolution. For more information, please  visit https://teach.genetics.utah.edu/content/evolution/.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn about a successful classroom-tested approach to building skills in argumentation through a series of lessons interwoven in a high school evolution unit; 2. Consider ways to apply an incremental approach to argumentation in any unit; and 3. Learn where to access free multimedia and paper-based genetics, evolution, and argumentation materials.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Malone (The University of Utah: Salt Lake City, UT)

Broadening Participation in STEM Through Implementation of a Computer Science Curriculum in Rural and Underserved School Districts

Friday, December 10 • 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 512


Show Details

This presentation gives an overview of a professional development program for inservice teachers designed to provide content knowledge and pedagogical strategies for engaging high school students from traditionally underrepresented groups in computer science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Professional development for inservice teachers; Culturally relevant teaching strategies in the STEM classroom; and 3. Broadening participation in STEM for traditionally underrepresented populations.

SPEAKERS:
Melody Russell (Auburn University: Auburn University, AL), Mohammed Qazi (Tuskegee University: Tuskegee Institute, AL), David Shannon (Auburn University: Auburn University, AL), Jared Russell (Auburn University: Auburn University, AL), Jeff Gray (The University of Alabama: Tuscaloosa, AL), Misty Thomas (Auburn University: Auburn University, AL)

Increasing Engagement in the High School Science Classroom Using Sensemaking

Friday, December 10 • 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 506


Show Details

The NSTA High School Committee will share strategies used in their classrooms to help students wonder about science, ask questions, be engaged, and develop ideas.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learning and sharing engagement strategies for the high school classroom; 2. Learning about sensemaking at the high school level; and 3. Using NSTA's Daily Do's in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Brenda Walsh (Eden Prairie High School: Eden Prairie, MN)

Are These Materials Designed for NGSS? EdReports Expansion to High School Reviews

Saturday, December 11 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 512



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
EdReports NSTA Fall 2021 Regional HS CA.pdf

Show Details

EdReports is expanding into high school instructional materials reviews. Learn about the High School Learning and Listening Tour, provide feedback on our current thinking, and hear about opportunities to become a reviewer.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Build an understanding of the challenges educators face in finding quality materials and how EdReports aims to address those challenges; 2. Learn about the expansion into High School science and develop an understanding of the findings from our High School Learning and Listening tour, characteristics of alignment to the NGSS and usability, and discuss smart adoption processes; and 3. Hear about opportunities to engage as an EdReports reviewer in upcoming reviews, which includes NGSS training, an extended learning community, and a paid stipend.

SPEAKERS:
Lacey Wieser (EdReports.org: Phoenix, AZ)

Mission: INCLUDE EVERYONE!

Saturday, December 11 • 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 512


Show Details

It is time to adjust STEM lessons to students of any background and ability. Instead of asking students to adapt to their teacher, it is time for teachers to use their lesson as a way to adapt to their students. Walk away with tips on how to adapt your classroom to your students and their needs, including how to vary lessons on the spot.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Help creating more inclusive and diverse classrooms; 2. Tips on how to engage all students while meeting individual needs; and 3. Controlling the transitional times within your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Cody Stoll (Academy for Urban Scholars High School: Youngstown, OH)

Students as Project Managers—From Concept to Conference

Saturday, December 11 • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 504



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Students as Project Managers

STRAND: Integrating Multiple Learning Experiences and Connecting to Move Forward

Show Details

Discover how students build 21st-century skills by serving as project managers and conference planners for student-led virtual STEM conferences.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore unique learning and leadership opportunities for students in STEM; 2. Review and discuss unique student-designed and student-led projects, including the STEMxYouth Summit and the Youth Climate Conference; and 3. Hear from the student coordinators as they share their experiences as project managers.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Walters (Marymount School of New York: New York, NY)

Uncover the Dual Nature of Light Using Modeling and Scientific Argumentation!

Saturday, December 11 • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center - 514



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Nature of Light Lesson Sequence
A Google Drive folder of all materials (activities, pre-activities, supplemental materials, summary, and pacing guide) for the "Nature of Light" lesson sequence discussed and reviewed in this session.
NSTA 12.11.21.pptx

Show Details

Take home an NGSS unit where students test the wave and particle model against phenomena and engage in scientific argumentation, uncovering the nature of light!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Teachers will walk away with a multi-lesson unit that has students testing the particle and wave model of light against phenomena and engaging in argumentation (including lesson plans, student handouts, and a summative assessment with rubric); 2. The material allows students to investigate multiple wave-like phenomena (e.g. diffraction, interference, polarization) and particle-like phenomena (e.g. Plank’s Blackbody Radiation solution, the photoelectric effect, the Compton Effect, and the Bohr Model) of light; and 3. Teachers will be provided with research-based student argumentation strategies and support materials that encourage students to go beyond “Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning.”

SPEAKERS:
Justin Fournier (Cypress High School: Cypress, CA)

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