2021 Los Angeles Area Conference

December 9-11, 2021

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Grade Level


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Pathway/Course

FILTERS APPLIED:9 - 12, Presentation, Successful Collaborations Between Informal and Formal Educators, Biology

 

Rooms and times subject to change.
11 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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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