Discussion centers on tools to properly analyze black students’ scientific work to determine if the misconceptions and misunderstandings are a learning issue or language issue. Emphasis will be placed on the use of language to reduce the ethnic achievement gap in science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Analyzing students’ work from a linguistic lens; 2. Recognizing biases when it comes to student language; and 3. Pushing Black students academically forward without making them feel torn between two language worlds.

SPEAKERS:
Jonte' Lee (Whittier Elementary: Kansas City, KS)

Students bring amazing intellectual resources to make sense of natural phenomena. Come learn how to notice and leverage these resources in your teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. identify equity dimensions of sense-making through the science and engineering practices 2. learn to see different ways students contribute to making sense of phenomena - and connect to science. 3. better appreciate that navigating multiple ways of knowing is the basic human condition, not the exception.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Heinz (New Jersey Dept. of Education: Trenton, NJ), Lauren Thompson Allen (D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education: Washington, DC), Deb Morrison (Educator and Learning Scientist: Seattle, WA), Tana Luther (Louisiana Dept. of Education: Baton Rouge, LA)