Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

Attendees will explore disease modeling through the use of ZOMBIES!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. This session will explore disease-spread modeling using fictional zombies; 2. Attendees will also see how using Hollywood themes combined with actual STEM careers can be a fun way to engage students in learning science and STEM; and 3. Attendees will find out about free science and STEM lessons from Texas Instruments.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Lukens (Retired Science Teacher: Sioux Falls, SD), Jessica Kohout (Howard County Conservancy: Woodstock, MD)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Join us as we use a variety of physical models of DNA student-centered activities to explore the structure and function of this amazing biomolecule.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. practice their understanding of the structure of DNA while transferring their knowledge across different models of DNA; 2. consider how a model-based approach to investigating DNA deepens student understanding and inquiry; and 3. investigate the differences between RNA and DNA while examining models.

SPEAKERS:
Keri Shingleton (Holland Hall: Tulsa, OK)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Participants will interact with hands-on modeling activities to investigate how proteins fold and easy ways to connect back to the central dogma. DNA might be the king, but proteins are the star of the show!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn about the benefits of hands-on modeling; 2. practice using the model to illustrate protein folding; and 3. see how modeling with the Amino Acid Starter kit already fits into their curriculum and can increase student mastery.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Sigalas (Livingston High School: Livingston, NJ)

Sponsoring Company: Beyond Labz

Built on a platform developed over 20 years, Beyond Labz creates an open-ended environment providing students the opportunity to experiment, practice, fail, discover, and learn.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Beyond Labz simplifies and reduces the cost and expertise needed to provide crucial laboratory experiences and practice for secondary and higher ed students; 2. Attendees will learn how the labs are used for pre- and post-lab experiences, credit recovery and lab make-up, student engagement in class, and meeting NGSS standards; and 3. Basic onboarding and startup instructions will be provided for drop-in solutions, and instructions for using some of the more sophisticated features will also be described.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Woodfield (Brigham Young University: Provo, UT)

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Learn about a simple way to test for DNA, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, without large volumes of reagents, cleaning test tubes, or boiling reagents.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how you can teach about macromolecules without large volumes of reagents, cleaning test tubes, or boiling reagent; 2. See how the Winston Fluorescence Reader has made it easy to test for the presence of DNA and other macromolecules; and 3. Learn how to perform starch, glucose, and protein assays on an assay plate instead of in a test tube.

SPEAKERS:
Callen Hyland (Embi Tec: San Diego, CA)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Discover how modeling engages students when teaching PCR, Sanger Sequencing, and Restriction Enzymes. Through these lessons, students experience the process, not just memorize results.

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)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Mitosis, meiosis, chromosome structure, and crossing over will be explored in this hands-on modeling event. Bring your student hat and be ready to engage.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Model chromosome structure and anatomy; 2. Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis; and 3. Model mechanisms that contribute to genetic variation.

SPEAKERS:
Keri Shingleton (Holland Hall: Tulsa, OK)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Modeling CRISPR technology engages students in understanding the foundational concepts of molecular biology and biotechnology through two-dimensional and three-dimensional representations of the CRISPR/Cas9 protein.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Receive professional development in the endogenous CRISPR/Cas9 system and how it can be incorporated into their current biology curriculum; 2. Use models to investigate how the mechanism of the CRISPR/Cas9 system is used to edit genomes; and 3. Discuss the ethical issues related to using gene editing technology.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Sigalas (Livingston High School: Livingston, NJ)