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: Stile Education

Redefine your science classroom with Stile technology. Experience how Stile empowers teachers to facilitate student-centered learning environments, all grounded in relevant, real-world science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Technology in science classrooms should redefine how we teach, not substitute it; 2. Current classrooms require multiple entry points for students to learn; and 3. Teachers can redefine how they plan for, facilitate, and analyze student thinking connected to the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Shawna Jensen (Stile Education: Portland, OR), Julianna Jimenez (Stile Education: Los Angeles, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

A COVID-19 outbreak among restaurant customers has researchers puzzled. It's time for your students to analyze DNA samples by electrophoresis and propose evidence-based explanations.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Walk through a hands-on classroom lab activity to teach about SARS-CoV-2 detection methods; 2. Learn about a case study, based on a publication in 2020, in which researchers analyzed diagnostic data from patrons of a restaurant to learn about how SARS-CoV-2 spreads; and 3. See how students can use classroom lab results to propose evidence-based explanations for how SARS-CoV-2 may have spread in the case study scenario.

SPEAKERS:
Damon Tighe (Bio-Rad Laboratories: Hercules, CA)

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Using the MiniOne System, develop an understanding of forensic science and gel electrophoresis while investigating the mystery of who killed Dr. Ward.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how you can use electrophoresis to teach real-world forensic science to students in grades 9–12; 2. See how the MiniOne System has significantly reduced prep work for teachers by allowing students to get hands on with every step of the lab process; and 3. Understand how electrophoresis can be engaging and lead students toward careers in STEM fields.

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

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: AEOP

Come learn about using community-based phenomena as the basis for long-term STEM projects.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to intergrade local phenomena into STEM projects; 2. Using eCYBERMISSION in your middle school science classroom; and 3. How to better engage middle school students with local problems.

SPEAKERS:
Sue Whitsett (Retired: Arlington, VA)

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Develop an understanding of gel electrophoresis and environmental science principles while helping a whale calf identify which whale is her father.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how the MiniOne Electrophoresis System has made teaching DNA separation labs more teacher and student friendly; 2. See how you can affordably teach genetics labs that allow students to take ownership of every step from prep to analysis; and 3. Learn how hands-on labs can inspire students with real-world inquiry-based science.

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

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: Texas Instruments

Attendees will explore a virtual decomposing corpse along with other clues to solve a mystery.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Data-assisted problem solving; 2. The science behind decomposition and variables that affect it; and 3. Storytelling is a powerful way to engage students into learning science concepts.

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

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Become the epidemiologist, harness the power of real antibodies, and trace the community spread of viruses like SARS-CoV-2 in this no-equipment hands-on wet-lab activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to perform an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); 2. Learn about a hands-on classroom activity in which students use ELISA to mimic the detection of disease; and 3. Discuss ways to use ELISA to teach about the immune system and the specificity of antibodies.

SPEAKERS:
Damon Tighe (Bio-Rad Laboratories: Hercules, CA)

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Reduce your prep and integrate technology to take the mess and stress out of transformation with the Let it Glow™ Bacterial Transformation MiniLab.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. reduce the mess and stress of bacterial transformation; 2. use a PCR System to perform transformation; and 3. use The Winston, The MiniOne PCR System, and gloTrays to replace ice buckets, heat baths, and petri dishes.

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

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Model the cellular processes of transcription and translation using manipulatives that support the NGSS three dimensions, most notably the science and engineering practice of developing and using models.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. work together to practice modeling transcription and translation, while learning how this approach deepens student inquiry and understanding; 2. investigate how a mutation in DNA can result in a change in the protein produced. In addition, attendees will explore how to make connections between the Amino Acid Starter Kit and the Flow of Genetics Kit to illustrate the impact a mutation may have on the structure of a protein; and 3. consider how this modeling approach to DNA function works well with phenomenon-driven lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Eberhard (St. Clair High School: Saint Clair, MI)

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: Bio-Rad Laboratories

In this hands-on walk-through, learn about a CRISPR gene editing classroom activity and discuss strategies to reveal student misconceptions with a free paper model set.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Free paper models for teaching CRISPR gene editing and revealing student misconceptions; 2. A deeper understanding of CRISPR gene editing at the molecular level; and 3. Information about a CRISPR gene editing classroom activity.

SPEAKERS:
Damon Tighe (Bio-Rad Laboratories: Hercules, CA)

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)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Explore the properties of water and discover the structure and function of cell membranes with engaging models that allow students to drive their learning!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn how modeling the properties of water allows students to predict the structure of cell membranes; 2. use models to explain the structure and function of cell membranes, including the transport of molecules across the membrane; and 3. experience how the use of these models allows student thinking to become visible.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Eberhard (St. Clair High School: Saint Clair, MI)