Learn how Next Time You See books can connect students with nature and inspire them to write their own books about natural objects and phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
• Explore research about the positive effects of time in nature on children and adults • Learn how literacy and science can be connected through writing activities • Receive classroom-ready resources (videos and graphic organizers) to guide your students through a Mentor Text Study

SPEAKERS:
Debra Sawyer-Moulton (NSTA Sales Rep for DC, DE, MD, PA, VVA, WV: Charlestown, MD)

Authors of this report from the Board on Science Education of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will give an overview of the report’s key issues, conclusions, and recommendations.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Challenges facing elementary science education; and 2. Solutions for increasing elementary science education.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Schweingruber (The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Washington, DC), Amy Stephens (The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Washington, DC)

This session will highlight the impact of the Japanese Lesson Study model on increasing self-efficacy and teacher collective efficacy through low-cost sustained professional learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Examine a case study that highlights how one school district addressed its immediate need to embed integrated STEM education by using the Japanese Lesson Study as its professional development framework. Learn about solutions to address barriers to effective professional development. Participants will examine their current school context to develop action steps to increase self-efficacy and collective teacher efficacy in relation to elementary, integrated STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Avitabile (Interboro School District: Prospect Park, PA)

The challenges presented to our students by the world in which they will live require committed problem solvers with the academic, life, and social skills promoted through an education utilizing design learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how each step of the design process can promote essential skills in their classroom. Attendees will learn where effective and appropriate technology use enhances the design process and problem solving. Attendees will learn how design learning fosters leadership skills in those facilitating the learning and in those participating in the challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Chad LeDune (Southwest School Corporation: Sullivan, IN)

Learn how to integrate STEM and literacy through the use of high-quality STEM-related picture books.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Strategies for integrating STEM and literacy in K–5 2. Suggested picture books that integrate STEM and literacy 3. A STEM lesson you can use right away.

SPEAKERS:
Debra Sawyer-Moulton (NSTA Sales Rep for DC, DE, MD, PA, VVA, WV: Charlestown, MD)

Does your district have limited support for science in elementary schools? Come explore development of a science teacher leader community to support instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
1 - Ideas for starting and maintaining a community of science teacher leaders that can increase student performance/interest in science; 2 - Benefits of having science teacher leaders to support science programs in elementary schools; and 3 - Strategies for developing these science teacher leaders: fostering a science community among educators, enhancing their capacity in science education best practice, and developing their leadership skills.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Reese (Howard County Public School System: Ellicott City, MD), Jenn Brown-Whale (Howard County Public School System: Ellicott City, MD), Linda Wilson (Manor Woods Elementary School: Ellicott City, MD), Kelley Hatcher (Hollifield Station Elementary School: Elkridge, MD)