2021 National Harbor Area Conference

November 11-13, 2021

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FILTERS APPLIED:Presentation, Sharing Authentic Assessment Strategies, Biology

 

Rooms and times subject to change.
27 results
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Smashing Classrooms Walls Through Virtual Events

Thursday, November 11 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Baltimore 3


STRAND: Innovating the Future of Education: Technology and Science Education

Show Details

Take your students beyond your classroom walls through virtual speakers and field trips with those on the front lines of science, exploration, and conservation.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover the benefits of bringing exciting scientists, explorers, and conservationists live into your classroom through virtual guest speakers and field trips; 2. Explore how easy it is to do with exciting resources like Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, Explorer Classroom, Google, and more; and 3. What to do before, during, and afterwards so your students get the most from these experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Joe Grabowski (Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants: Elora, ON)

HOTS, Technology, and Alternative Assessments in the Science Classroom

Thursday, November 11 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Chesapeake I


STRAND: Sharing Authentic Assessment Strategies

Show Details

Learn how a science teacher incorporated HOTS (higher-order thinking skills), technology, and alternative assessments in her classroom and doesn't want to go back to traditional assessments.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Describe higher order thinking skills and how educators need to help students obtain these skills. 2. Show examples of how technology can be used as a tool to help students learn HOTS. 3. See examples of how alternative assessments were used in a science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Emilie Tekely (Dauphin County Technical School: Harrisburg, PA)

Teach like an Elder and Help Your Students Thrive!

Thursday, November 11 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - National Harbor 8



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Teach Like an Elder Power Point

Show Details

Did you realize that elders used inquiry, a multidisciplinary project-based approach, hands-on learning, and innovation? Incorporating these ideas will improve your classroom for ALL students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. All teachers can adapt their teaching methods to match those of our elders. 2. The sequence and methods that were used by our elders insured that students were active learners. 3. The elders not only had students build a foundation of knowledge, but also they accomplished this by using inquiry, exploring phenomena, implementing a hands-on approach, and concluding with an innovative extension.

SPEAKERS:
Joel Truesdell (Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus: Keaau, HI)

Increase Student Collaboration with Epidemiology

Thursday, November 11 • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Baltimore 3



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Increase Student Collaboration with Epidemiology_nsta 2021.pptx

Show Details

This presentation will review the PBL strategy and how it is being used to enhance students’ learning, in-class and virtually, in relation to epidemiology.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Current research supports that project-based learning increases scientific efficacy and an explanation of project-based learning will be included. 2. Science is a collaborative endeavor and educators must teach students how to collaborate; both face-to-face and virtually. 3. Epidemiology is a field of study where many types of scientists must collaborate to solve public health problems and this field is accessible to middle and high school students.

SPEAKERS:
Emilie Tekely (Dauphin County Technical School: Harrisburg, PA)

Be a Part of Our Exciting Evolution Educator Network!

Thursday, November 11 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Baltimore 3


STRAND: Successful Collaborations Between Informal and Formal Educators

Show Details

The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science is a network of 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. TIES 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. 3. TIES invites educators, biologists, and science authors to give monthly webinars to an international audience of teachers, students, and science enthusiasts.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Moran (Lake Braddock Secondary School: Burke, VA)

Partnering with NSTA to Reach Your Professional Learning Goals

Thursday, November 11 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - National Harbor 8


Show Details

Explore how to take advantage of NSTA’s vast resources and pathways—including both asynchronous and synchronous options—to create personalized professional learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover the value of being a School or District NSTA Partner; 2. Explore how to maximize online professional learning for all teachers; and 3. Discover how to utilize NSTA's online learning resources to support in-person professional learning.

SPEAKERS:
Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Pushing Technology Past the User Guide

Thursday, November 11 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Baltimore 3



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Pushing Technology Past the User Guide Presentation
Reference Sheet Pushing Technology Beyond the User Guide

Show Details

Learn how to utilize the technology you’ve come to love in innovative ways not discussed by their accompanying user guide for both instructional and noninstructional purposes.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Technological platforms can be used creatively to do more than what each platform is marketed for 2. Technology is beneficial for both instructional and non-instructional practices 3. Technology is a powerful tool for educators whether students are in person or virtual

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Allessio (Robbinsville High School: Robbinsville, NJ)

Modeling Stellar Evolution Using NASA Images, Data, and STEM Analysis Tools

Friday, November 12 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - National Harbor 8



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Modeling Stellar Evolution Using NASA Tools.pdf
NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory
NASA's Universe of Learning STEM Literacy Program

STRAND: Innovating the Future of Education: Technology and Science Education

Show Details

Model stellar evolution processes using NASA images, plotting H-R diagram transitions, and determining the chemistry and physics of supernovas using NASA STEM image analysis tools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Knowledge of the process of how stars form and change over time ending in catastrophic events, providing conditions for the formation of planets. Students will understand that all knowledge of celestial events is determined by analyzing the light from these events and provide possibilities – not definitive answers, as the data can be interpreted differently. Image analysis software tools allow scientists to gain detailed information of stellar physical and chemical processes and constantly refine our evolving models of stellar evolution.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Young (NASA/NSO/UoL Program Manager: Laughlin, NV)

Problem Solving by Design for Every Classroom

Friday, November 12 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Baltimore 3


STRAND: Sharing Authentic Assessment Strategies

Show Details

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)

Forging Successful Collaborations Through Facilitative Instructional Coaching

Friday, November 12 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - National Harbor 14


Show Details

We present the EQuIPD coaching model used in establishing collaborations between teachers and coaches in a professional development to improve teaching practices and student outcome.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The attendees will learn how coaching can foster collaborations among teachers and coaches to effect improvement in teaching practices. 2. The attendees will reflect on their practices by engaging with a facilitative coaching method by EQuIPD experts. 3. The attendees will learn the critical features of the EQuIPD facilitative coaching model.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy Ruzycki (University of Florida: Gainesville, FL)

Plants from Fish Poop: Exploring Classroom Aquaponics and Raising Trout

Friday, November 12 • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - National Harbor 8


STRAND: Integrating Multiple Learning Experiences and Connecting to Move Forward

Show Details

How does toxic ammonia from fish waste end up serving as a nitrogen source for plants? Attend this informative session to learn about aquaponics.

TAKEAWAYS:
How the nitrogen cycle influences both plant and fish health. How to use a modular design philosophy to allow students to innovate and create an aquaponics system in the classroom. How to incorporate Virginia's Trout in the Classroom program into your aquaponics system.

SPEAKERS:
Eric March (Browne Academy: Alexandria, VA), Kristen Oberhofer (Browne Academy: Alexandria, VA)

How to Incorporate Climate Education and Environmental Justice—In and Out of the Classroom

Friday, November 12 • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Chesapeake C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Incorporating EJ and CC in the classroom

Show Details

Gain important insight on how to easily and gently integrate lessons on Climate Education and Environmental Justice using project-based and class-tested activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to offer students ways to understand events, make changes and be a voice for changing the current climate dilemma and environmental injustices. Attendees will learn about activities that can be used to support students to drive social change or offer citizen science. Attendees will be inspired by the innovative ways shared on best practices to communicate effectively with students.

SPEAKERS:
Lolita Kiorpes (Thomas Stone High School: Waldorf, MD)

Discover NSTA’s New Professional Learning Units to Earn Continuing Education Credit

Friday, November 12 • 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Annapolis 1


Show Details

Explore NSTA’s NEWProfessional Learning Units. Discover these bite-sized asynchronous professional learning experiences that support student sensemaking to earn credit to submit to your school or district.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover how NSTA can provide asynchronous and bite-sized continuing education credit options (2 hours per PLU); 2. Explore how each PLU contains reflections or tasks connected to the classroom that are submitted to NSTA for review or feedback; and 3. Explore how we can support professional learning for individuals or schools/districts, including the flexible options available for Professional Learning Unit topics, and how these fit into our Professional Learning pathways.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Elizabeth Allan (University of Central Oklahoma: Edmond, OK), Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Making Transdisciplinary Connections in Chemistry Using the NGSS SEPs and CCCs

Friday, November 12 • 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Chesapeake C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Reaction of the Week.pdf
Reaction of the Week.pdf

Show Details

Participants explore using a "Chemical Reaction of the Week" to target SEPs and CCCs. Related activities require students to connect their thinking to multiple disciplines.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. identify SEPs and CCCs for students to practice and refine and will develop activities related to a chemical reaction that explore those practices; 2. experience the activities from the perspective of a student, responding to prompts, drawing models, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions based on evidence; and 3. make transdisciplinary connections for themselves and their students by exploring various applications of the components of the specified reaction.

SPEAKERS:
Dina Dormer (West Chester Area School District: Exton, PA)

NSTA Press Session: Ignite Your Professional Teaching Practice with NSTA’s Trilogy of Three-Dimensional Resources

Friday, November 12 • 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Annapolis 1


Show Details

Join us as we explore how NSTA’s three-dimensional resources can be utilized to enhance your teaching. Walk away with effective strategies for science teaching and learning and hear from educators as they provide tips for using these resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Hear from classroom teachers about how they are using NSTA Press publications; and 2. Leave with top-notch teaching tips and innovative lesson plan ideas that promote imaginative learning and student engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Wendy Binder (Program Director, STEM Professional Learning: Arlington, VA)

The Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience as a Framework for Successful Environmental Literacy Partnerships

Saturday, November 13 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Annapolis 1


STRAND: Successful Collaborations Between Informal and Formal Educators

Show Details

It takes a village to build and sustain formal and informal environmental educational partnerships. Join the nonprofit ShoreRivers, Maryland's Wicomico County Public Schools, and funder The Chesapeake Bay Trust, as they share how the "Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience Academy" created 15 unique partnerships and curricula that support Next Generation Science Standards and Maryland's Environmental Literacy Standards, and connected students with their communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience provides a curriculum framework that embraces and enhances formal and informal partnerships that support Next Generation Science Standards. 2. Formal and informal educators can collaborate to support Environmental Literacy through local issue investigations that culminate in students doing science while engaging directly with field professionals and community networks while advocating for community solutions. 3. Best practices for informal and formal collaborations and funding opportunities to support systemic and sustainable partnerships.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Sullivan (ShoreRivers: Easton, MD), Mairin Corasaniti (Education & Outreach Coordinator: Easton, MD), Hemalatha Bhaskaran (Wicomico County Public Schools: Salisbury, MD)

Encouraging Independent Scientific Research

Saturday, November 13 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Chesapeake H


Show Details

Let's discuss ways to get students excited about independent scientific research.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will learn ways to incorporate independent research in their classroom. 2. Attendees will learn about the opportunities that are available to students who are involved in independent scientific research. 3. Attendees will review what paperwork and student developed materials are necessary for a middle/high school science fair and where to obtain needed resources.

SPEAKERS:
Emilie Tekely (Dauphin County Technical School: Harrisburg, PA)

Using Knowledge from a Unit of Study on Hudson River Ecology to Publish a Collaboratively Authored Book

Saturday, November 13 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - National Harbor 8



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://padlet.com/scienceforjustice/hudsonriverecologypresentation
Here is the padlet for the Hudson River Ecology presentation!
Hudson River Ecology Presentation
Here is the Hudson River Ecology presentation!

Show Details

Students conduct research throughout multiple parts of a unit of study on Hudson River Ecology. The authentic NGSS-focused assessments they produce throughout the unit are in service of a collaboratively authored book that the class creates about the Hudson River.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Develop authentic NGSS-focused assessments throughout a unit of study on Hudson River Ecology; 2. Teach students agency and independence as they create chapters for a collaboratively authored book; and 3. Structure a logically sequenced unit of study on Hudson River Ecology that facilitates student growth as scientific thinkers and learners.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Gordon (NYU Steinhardt School of Education: New York, NY)

Are These Materials Designed for NGSS? EdReports Expansion to High School Reviews

Saturday, November 13 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Baltimore 3


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:
Teresa Eliopoulos (EdReports.org: Alexandria, VA)

Literacy in the Science Classroom

Saturday, November 13 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Chesapeake G


STRAND: Literacy/Science Connections in the Classroom

Show Details

Explore innovative approaches to incorporating vocabulary and text in the science classroom using strategies encouraging reflection, critical thinking, communication, and consistent connection to content.

TAKEAWAYS:
1) Immediately applicable, engaging activities that can be used at any grade level 2)How to help students connect what they are doing in science to themselves, their world or the world around them 3) How to create a space in your classroom for weekly vocabulary in order to ensure all students have the same base of information for classroom discussions, activities and content instruction

SPEAKERS:
Kate Price (Moore Square Magnet Middle School: Raleigh, NC), Kim Patterson (West Pine Middle School: West End, NC)

Collaborating with Science Leaders to Advance 3-D Science Teaching and Learning

Saturday, November 13 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Annapolis 1



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Handout Copy of NSTA - Collaborating with Science Leaders Session Presentation (Nov 2021).pdf

STRAND: Successful Collaborations Between Informal and Formal Educators

Show Details

Join us as we share our journey of collaborating with science leaders to recognize and design quality professional learning to advance 3-D science teaching and learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. An understanding of the science leader’s role in putting the pieces of the NRC Framework together for a coherent science program. 2. Ways to strategically plan and prioritize professional learning based on system and individual teacher needs. 3. Ways to approach addressing what teachers need to know and be able to do if students are to achieve our vision for science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Tonya Woolfolk (Houston County Schools: Perry, GA), Patricia Morgan (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA)

Inquiry-Based Mindfulness: Connecting Mindful Breathing to Human Physiology

Saturday, November 13 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Chesapeake I



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Inquiry-Based Mindfulness

STRAND: Supporting the Social and Emotional Needs of Students Post-COVID-19

Show Details

High school biology students use an inquiry-based approach to investigate the impact of five-minute mindful meditation in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. about the statistically significant impact short amounts of mindful meditation have in a classroom setting, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2. about connecting mindfulness to physiological factors, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate; and 3. to recreate this experiment with their own classes and integrate this activity into a biology or life sciences curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Dana Bunnell-Young (Severn School: Severna Park, MD)

Integrating Problem-Based Learning and Student Choice

Saturday, November 13 • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Annapolis 1



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Problem Based Learning and Student Choice PDF

STRAND: Sharing Authentic Assessment Strategies

Show Details

Participate in a discussion of how to purposefully integrate problem-based learning into life science instruction while leveraging student choice as part of the assessment process.

TAKEAWAYS:
What problem-based learning looks like in a biology/life science classroom. How to make assessment authentic and as real-world as possible for high school students. The role of student choice in assessment and what that looks like.

SPEAKERS:
Dennis Dagounis (Berkeley Heights Public Schools: Berkeley Heights, NJ)

Making Decisions with Data

Saturday, November 13 • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - National Harbor 14



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Files.pdf

Show Details

Learn the rationale behind hypothesis testing methods like the Student’s t-Test. A classroom activity comparing surface areas of sun and shade leaves will be presented.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand… • the logical reasoning underlying hypothesis testing. •how to compare the means of two samples, for example, an experimental and a control group, to see if there is a significant difference between them. Participants will be able to apply… •a simple and elegant procedure for determining the surface area of leaves which is useful in the sun leaf vs shade leaf activity, as well as in activities determining the rate of transpiration of leaves.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Cooper (Pennsbury High School, West Campus: Fairless Hills, PA)

Lower the Barriers in Science Education, Not the Bar

Saturday, November 13 • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Chesapeake G


Show Details

Discover safe ways to lower the barriers to a fair and equitable science education for student groups who have been excluded or marginalized.

TAKEAWAYS:
- Activities that build a positive student/teacher relationship as well as a positive classroom community - Activity to nurture challenging but achievable student created goal building -Activity to differentiate your current science lessons

SPEAKERS:
Donna Kaiser (Stamford High School: Stamford, CT)

A Creative Journey Toward Reducing Student Anxiety While Reviewing

Saturday, November 13 • 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Baltimore 3



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slideshow
This slideshow is what was presented during this session. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email Mrs. Calkins at: [email protected] or contact her via twitter @MrsCalkinsBio

Show Details

Research has demonstrated the connection between color and recall of information as well as the reduction of stress and anxiety. During COVID, a biology teacher and IB Biology student combined the two to create a resource for students. This is their story.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The health benefits associated with coloring; 2. The connection between color and the recall of information; and 3. The creative journey taken by a teacher and student to bring these benefits together for future Biology students.

SPEAKERS:
Breanna Calkins (North Hagerstown High School: Hagerstown, MD), Kaleea Korunka (William & Mary: Williamsburg, VA)

Stan-X: Unleashing a Passion for Research-Based Learning in Students and Teachers

Saturday, November 13 • 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - Chesapeake G


Show Details

We will present the efforts of six secondary schools and lab-based partners at Stanford University to create relevant, impactful research-based learning curricula in the field of genetics. Learn how you can too!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Through Stan-X, middle school and high school students learn science through authentic, open-ended, publishable research; 2. Coordination between schools, both public and private, across the world can enhance scientific learning and research opportunities for your students, while also building a supportive network for teachers interested in providing these opportunities to students; and 3. Instructing teachers in the "process" to develop student-based classroom research is the crucial step in providing meaningful experiences in research-based classes.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Lantz (The Lawrenceville School: Lawrenceville, NJ)

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