Do you want to learn how to integrate children’s literature into your elementary science block? This workshop will walk you through some children’s books that not only engage students and help build literacy skills but also provide a foundation for NGSS-focused STEM-related projects.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. gain an understanding of developing science literacy in their young students through literature; 2. walk away with resources (ideas and activities) to strengthen literacy and science skills; and 3. use children's literature as a way to enhance STEM learning in their classrooms through hands-on activities.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Pearcy (Jefferson Elementary School: Spokane, WA), Jayna Ashlock (Logan Elementary School: Spokane, WA), Kendra Robinson-Harding (Jefferson Elementary School: Spokane, WA)

Reading should not be limited to English courses. Leave with strategies on how to motivate students to explore science through scientific novels. Review three years of qualitative data on how novels increased  literacy, scientific fluency, scientific connectivity, and college preparation in a marine biology course.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will: 1. learn how to use articles to make their content more applicable to the lives of students; 2. receive strategies on how to get students to read more scientific articles; and 3. receive resources on selecting grade-appropriate scientific articles.

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

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), Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Attendees will actively engage with innovative, technology-rich tools, learning strategies to teach data collection and analysis, engineering design processes, coding, and robotics, and engaging ways to apply coding to make devices “work,” adding rigor and complexity as learners gain skills and understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to: 1. design accessible, equitable, hands-on learning experiences, in which ALL students actively participate and engage with innovative technology tools, helping students learn essential science concepts, engineering processes, and learn how to collaborate with peers to increase understanding; 2. teach authentic data collection and analysis, so that students can learn how to explore and test variables and measure and analyze their effects; and 3. use programmable technology tools and devices as effective teaching tools, helping students learn how to input code to achieve a desirable outcome, and how to analyze, diagnose, and correct the code when the device doesn’t perform as intended.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell (Educational and Technology Consultant: Prairie Village, KS)

Participants will learn about the successful and varied informal and formal science partnerships developed by members of the NSELA leadership community.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Successful partnerships between formal and informal science institutions increase student and community engagement in STEM education; 2. Success stories include STEM ecosystems; and 3. The NSELA Learning Center provides resources and support for ongoing learning about formal and informal science partnerships.

SPEAKERS:
Linda Cook (The University of Texas at Dallas: Richardson, TX)

Come "tinker" with a classic fairy tale and then practice detecting STEM opportunities within any piece of children's literature.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. recognize that science is all around us and can be found in any storyline; 2. use tips to hone in on identifying science phenomena or concepts in literature; and 3. develop a draft of a three-dimensional STEM lesson of their own.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Owens (Southern Arkansas University: Magnolia, AR), Angela Stanford (Southern Arkansas University: Magnolia, AR), Allye Wright (Southern Arkansas University: Magnolia, AR), Lisa Oden (Southern Arkansas University: Magnolia, AR)

Learn how Washington teachers can use PGPs to meet Washington State‘s STEM professional learning requirement for certificate renewal. PGPs are no-cost, job-embedded, self-directed professional learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn about Washington State STEM certificate renewal requirements for CTE teachers and all teachers with STEM-related endorsements; 2. explore professional growth plans (PGPs), a form of competency-based, self-directed learning, and how these plans can be used to meet the STEM certificate renewal requirement in Washington State; and 3. have the opportunity to begin completion of a PGP by identifying one goal for their professional growth related to STEM integration, and developing a list of professional growth activities they can complete throughout the school year to support them in meeting this goal.

SPEAKERS:
Leiani Sherwin (Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board: Olympia, WA), Prajakta Deshmukh (Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board: Olympia, WA)

Argument-Driven Inquiry is an instructional model that gives students an opportunity to learn how to use the DCIs, CCs, and SEPs to explain natural phenomena. It creates a learning environment where students are able to talk, read, and write in the service of sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to use this instructional model, or way of teaching, to give students an opportunity to learn how to use the DCIs, CCs, and SEPs to make sense of natural phenomena; 2. How to give students an opportunity to use their own ideas and ways of communicating to talk, read, and write in the service of sensemaking; and 3. How to give students more opportunities to decide what counts as valid and acceptable and develop new criteria for what counts evidence in science.

SPEAKERS:
Victor Sampson (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX)

Learn how to create engaging lessons, connecting to student interests and to the science and natural phenomena that surround us. Pick up strategies to engage K–6 students in explorations, helping them recognize and understand real-world science, while creating a lifelong love of science. Handouts!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. innovative strategies to help children identify, explore, and understand a variety of interesting, real-life science that surrounds them in their everyday world; 2. how to design lessons that emphasize exploration, and give students the opportunity to test variables and analyze their effects; and 3. effective questioning strategies to engage students and increase the depth of student thinking, also helping to make student thinking visible; and to help teachers use effective questioning strategies to help students clarify and articulate their understanding of essential science phenomena and concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell (Educational and Technology Consultant: Prairie Village, KS)

Come get a window bird feeder and discover how to attract birds and student interest! Take home activities and ideas to teach science through birds.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will; 1. discover how to encourage student curiosity and learning through feeder birds and free Cornell Lab resources; 2. learn where and when to hang feeders in order to attract a variety of birds; and 3. explore apps and resources to help identify birds and participate in our citizen science projects.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Fee (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Ithaca, NY)

To address the impacts of the pandemic on K–12 education, Congress has made emergency funds available through the American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund. In this session for educators and science leaders at the district and school levels, we will discuss how these federal funds can be leveraged to support science education, students, and
teachers…and review the products and services NSTA has available to address learning loss.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Information on the American Rescue Plan federal funding for pandemic relief; 2. How American Rescue Plan funds can be used to support science education; and 3. NSTA products and services that address learning loss.

SPEAKERS:
Erika Shugart (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Emphasis will be placed on five-minute daily strategies that will get students to become fluent in scientific vocabulary.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Develop students’ critical-thinking skills through the use of scientific vocabulary words; 2. Provide teachers with five-minute daily strategies to strengthen students’ scientific vocabulary usage; and 3. Provide teachers with exercises that will help students recognize the difference between Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary words.

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

In this presentation, ShakeAlert® educators will share approaches and resources for educating the public about socially relevant science, including earthquake early warning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. understand the basic science of ShakeAlert, the Earthquake Early Warning system for the U.S. West Coast; 2. rReflect on reciprocal science learning, where educators and the public each learn from each other; and 3. take home three short, interactive earthquake demonstrations suitable for formal or informal environments.

SPEAKERS:
Jenny Crayne (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI): Portland, OR)

How can we elevate equity and justice in our work in science education, personally and in community? Learn about Oregon’s efforts in this critical process.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn about the Oregon Equity in Science Teaching and Learning Symposium; 2. experience (briefly) several components of the symposium; and 3. contribute to our collective understanding of this critical work.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Mayo (Portland Public Schools: Portland, OR), Jamie Rumage (Oregon Dept. of Education: Salem, OR), Noelle Gorbett (Oregon Dept. of Education: Salem, OR)

Explore ways to integrate science and ELA with picture books to help students master science concepts, while at the same time enforcing literacy standards!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Using picture books will help bring the science to life while enforcing ELA National and State Standards; 2. Inquiry can be embedded and implemented with the use of interactive picture books; and 3. You can use any picture book to engage and help students practice crosscutting concepts and engineering skills.

SPEAKERS:
Douglas Hunnings (Elkhart Community Schools: Elkhart, IN), John Taylor (Marvin Ridge High School: No City, No State)

I will showcase and demonstrate hands-on, low-cost activities using amateur radio, including speaking with astronauts on the ISS, and tracking transmitters that orbit Earth.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What amateur radio truly is (and isn’t); 2. Ways to use amateur radio in the classroom; and 3. Hands-on activities using radio, regardless of if you have a radio license .

SPEAKERS:
Joanne Michael (Wiseburn Unified School District: El Segundo, CA)

Throw away your worksheets and turn your classroom into a collaborative, engaging escape room.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. You will discover how to turn existing lessons into engaging escape rooms; 2. Receive dozens of hands-on puzzles to use in any escape room; and 3. Hear how your students can start to create standard-based escape rooms for you.

SPEAKERS:
Carissa Brazeal (Without Walls EDU: No City, No State)

Attending to eco-anxiety means collectively reimagining new ways to live in harmony with Earth and one another, which requires the expertise of BIPOC communities. Centering communities impacted by climate change is key to helping students imagine and build healthy futures.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Teachers will engage in critical reflection about romantic, capitalistic, and fatalistic approaches to climate change instruction that can often induce eco-anxiety; 2. Tools and methods for eco-anxiety that are grounded in decolonization and the expertise of BIPOC communities will be provided; and 3. Participants will learn exciting and innovative ways to engage students in thinking and discussing climate change that promote socio-ecological thriving and productive hope.

SPEAKERS:
Anastasia Sanchez (University of Washington: Seattle, WA), Christina Guevara (University of Washington: Seattle, WA), Kaleb Germinaro (University of Washington: Seattle, WA)

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:
Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Kim Stilwell (STAFF - Director, Business Development: Arlington, VA)

Join museum educators and classroom teachers to learn how data collection and analysis can help students make meaningful connections with content and with each other.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn: 1. how to create a unit of study around authentic data collection and analysis; 2. data collection and analysis can connect teachers (or students) who can't connect in person; and 3. about tools for data collection and analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Baldioli (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: Washington, DC), Kate Kogge (AFOSR: No City, No State), Michelle Rahn (Will Rogers Junior High School: Claremore, OK)

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. Push Black students academically forward without making them feel torn between two language worlds.

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

Multiple lessons were learned with remote instruction that can be transitioned into the face-to-face classroom and support blended science instruction. Examples, tools, and strategies provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discuss the lessons learned during remote instruction that have the staying power and should be part of blended instruction; 2. Identify positive instructional strategies that maximize technology and digital tools and determine the best way to transition those tools into the blended classroom; and 3. Engage in example activities where connections between digital tools and strategies for use in student engagement are made.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Anne Royce (Shippensburg University: Shippensburg, PA)

Take the engineering design process to the next level with invention education. Encourage diverse perspectives, teamwork, and empathy…while engaging in NGSS practices!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What is invention education and how does it relate to science and engineering?; 2. Where can I find resources for teaching invention education?; and 3. Why is invention education more welcoming to girls and other historically excluded populations than typical engineering lessons?

SPEAKERS:
Roxanne Moore (Georgia Institute of Technology: Atlanta, GA)

PERFECT FOOD will instruct teachers how to bundle their diverse science standards and present them in an authentic, empowering, and engaging unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will: 1. be shown how the complex food system gives their individual students the power to positively impact the world; 2. participate in unit activities and actively brainstorm how they can integrate their required standards into an authentic Perfect Food unit; and 3. take home templates and activities to initiate the process of developing their own Perfect Food unit.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Jamsa (Silverton Middle School: Silverton, OR)

Learn how to break down standards, incorporate book clubs, and implement workshops to intentionally teach literacy skills that transfer to all aspects of life.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learners will: 1. learn how to intentionally break down the science standards to focus on the literacy skill to teach the science content; 2. practice breaking down their own science standards into literacy activities that can be run in a workshop classroom; and 3. learn how to use book clubs to support literacy through the workshop method within the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Katerina Flanders (Lambert High School: Suwanee, GA), Kelli Schuyler (Lambert High School: Suwanee, GA), Desmond Jackson (Lambert High School: Suwanee, GA)

It is easy to get students interested in science, but how do you extend interest to engagement and learning? This workshop will show you how.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Changing interest to engagement; 2. Using process to teach content; and 3. Using a unique approach to discrepant events.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Jean Lynch (North Central College: Naperville, IL), John Zenchak (North Central College: Naperville, IL)

Formative assessment through scientific discourse and argumentation regarding evidence for scientific phenomena or theory gives authentic insight into student understanding of difficult science concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. understand the importance of formative assessment in the learning process; 2. value argumentation as a form of formative assessment; and 3. identify that scientific discourse with peers is a valuable learning tool within a classroom that gives insight into student thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Mansell (Washington Fields Intermediate School: Washington, UT), Jessica Jones (Washington Fields Intermediate School: Washington, UT)

Sponsoring Company: National Geographic Learning | Cengage

We all live within the land, the ocean, the rains, the winds. Changes in these due to our climate crisis are everywhere and impact us all. These changes are often slow and subtle, punctuated by intense activity: storms, landslides, fires. If we only notice these catastrophes, then we are missing a critical part of the story. Erin will share two passions of hers. One is the value of spending more time observing and being curious about the slow and subtle changes happening in our own communities, because slow and subtle changes matter. The other is to expand who is doing the observing, because who does the science defines how the science gets done, who benefits from the science, and, ultimately, what science matters.

NSTA wishes to thank National Geographic Learning | Cengage for sponsoring this speaker.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Pettit (Oregon State University: Corvallis, OR)

Writing your own NGSS units? Learn about our articulated writing process that achieves NGSS and English Language Proficiency standards. Applicable to all levels!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn: 1. how we unpack PEs and approach writing a unit; 2. how to consider NGSS from a language perspective; and 3. why the investment in time upfront leads to a more effective writing experience and a more coherent experience for students and teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Mayo (Portland Public Schools: Portland, OR), Jennifer Scherzinger (Portland Public Schools: Portland, OR), Geoff Stonecipher (Portland Public Schools: Portland, OR)

Introducing Dream2B, an innovative, integrated curriculum designed to bolster math performance and interest in STEM /information communication technology (ICT) careers.

Note: Laptop/mobile device and head phones/ear pods are necessary to fully engage in this workshop.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Accessible and supportive learning environments are needed to bolster STEM performance and address unique learning abilities; 2. Collaborative challenges embedded in universally designed virtual worlds have the potential to bolster both conceptual knowledge and engagement in relevant STEM workforce skills (aligns with NGSS https://www.nextgenscience.org/pe/3-5-ets1-2-engineering-design); and 3. A proactive curriculum designed with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework addresses diversity in the student population and act as tools teachers can use to ground instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Patterson (University of Central Florida: Orlando, FL), Rohana Swihart (University of Central Florida: Orlando, FL)

Take your students beyond your classroom walls through virtual speakers and field trips with those on the frontlines 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)

Elementary teachers can become comfortable teaching science without "adding to their plate." Our training sessions have led to a natural approach to cross-curricular instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn: 1. an approach to decrease the load or stress for elementary teachers to help them feel more comfortable implementing inquiry; 2. how literacy is foundational to a robust cross-curricular science inquiry approach; and 3. an approach to help students "think like a scientist."

SPEAKERS:
Douglas Hunnings (Elkhart Community Schools: Elkhart, IN), John Taylor (Marvin Ridge High School: No City, No State)

Maximize instructional minutes through integration strategies that deeply engage students in science, engineering, and ELA learning.  I'll share links to free resources for all your NGSS standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. how to use science phenomena and driving questions to engage students deeply with English Language Arts strategies and standards (reading, writing, speaking, and listening); 2. where and how English Language Arts fit and function in the arc of science learning; and 3. about free resources that can help them integrate science and ELA in their elementary classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kimberley Astle (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Olympia, WA)

Connect to nature, explore biodiversity data, and build science practices with eBird citizen science. Use free apps to discover birds and beyond, wherever you are.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to: 1. use the Merlin Bird ID app to identify birds and create a list of the most 10 common birds in their area, and to use the eBird citizen science app to submit a checklist of birds; 2. define citizen science and describe how it can help students develop data literacy, deepen understanding of biodiversity, uncover real-world patterns and trends, and support conservation efforts; and 3. name and access at least three freely available resources (such as apps, online interactives, videos, lesson plans, data visualizations, and projects) that are suitable to use in their classroom to diverse learners in citizen science.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Fee (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Ithaca, NY)

Join us to strengthen STEM in your classroom by STEMifying a Daily Do lesson plan.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Sensemaking in your classroom using NSTA Daily Do's; 2. How Daily Do's and other lessons can be modified to include more STEM; and 3. How to design for equity in STEM/Science classrooms.

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

Participants will learn about how some districts around the country are using an asset approach to post-COVID learning and will collaboratively share ideas with others.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Some districts around the country are focusing on an acceleration rather than a remediation post-COVID approach to learning; 2. An asset approach to learning and learners supports social and emotional well-being; and 3. The NSELA Learning Center provides resources for continued learning about asset versus deficit approaches to learning.

SPEAKERS:
Linda Cook (The University of Texas at Dallas: Richardson, TX)

Learn how to integrate the cultural resources your students bring to class with your science teaching and learning. Come explore equity-based cultural formative assessments.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Resources for instructional leaders and educators to support and create meaningful connections between classroom science concepts and the application of those ideas in everyday situations; 2. -Discuss the implementation of these tools and resources in dynamic school environments; and 3. The strategies presented in this workshop can be used with any curricula, at any grade level, and in all subjects of science and engineering.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Thompson Allen (D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education: Washington, DC), Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA)

Use the Engineering Design Process to build and test a Mars Rover that will carry equipment and astronauts while learning about current NASA missions.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn about the Engineering Design Process; 2. Gain in-depth knowledge of NASA's BEST Curriculum; and 3. Attendees will design, build, and test a Mars rover.

SPEAKERS:
Vemitra White (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center: Huntsville, AL), Jamel Alexander (Missile and Space Intelligence Center: Huntsville, AL)

Come take a dive into STEM/STEAM with a fun selection of children’s literature that inspires young learners to engage as architects, engineers, and makers while they plan, construct, and iterate with a variety craft materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will dive into hands-on learning experiences that illustrate the interactive nature of the Engineering Design Process (EDP) with NGSS Science and Engineering Practices; 2. Teachers will leave with STEM/STEAM prompts (open-ended questions, verbal encouragement) to use with students while they are working on design challenges; and 3. Teachers will deepen their content with cross-curricular connections in a communities theme that pairs children’s literature with real-life communities (Hey, Wall Story of Art & Community, Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood (San Diego, CA), Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood, The Curious Garden (NYC), Kamala and Maya's Big Idea (Oakland, CA) through art, gardens, and playgrounds.

SPEAKERS:
Belle Akers (Convent & Stuart Hall's Schools of the Sacred Heart: San Francisco, CA)

The focus of this presentation is to equip teachers with the pedagogical and technological skills needed to drive three- dimensional NGSS-focused instruction using phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Help teachers develop and use thought-provoking phenomena to enable students to make connections between the science concept and real-life situations; 2. This session provides participating teachers opportunities to experience lessons in the same manner as students; and 3. Help teachers to use digital platforms for academic dialogue that would spike discontent in the students' understanding of the phenomena, driving them to use science practices to explore their curiosities further.

SPEAKERS:
Chidi Duru (Prince George's County Public Schools: Upper Marlboro, MD)

Learn more about FREE curriculum modules from the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention that promote the engagement of all students in science and engineering! Modules were co-developed in partnership with Western Washington University and the Bellingham School District.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn more about: 1. the world-class collection of electrical engineering artifacts, such as Edison's first light bulb and early prototype electrical devices, available to educators (including virtual collections) at the SPARK Museum; 2. abut FREE curriculum modules aligned to the NGSS that engage students in the engineering design process while learning about energy; and 3. ways that engineering can be made relevant to students from diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities.

SPEAKERS:
Abby Russell (SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention: Bellingham, WA), Paola Sanchez (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Bridget Dahlman-Oeth (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Dan Savage (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Ben Dixon (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) is a way for students to explain observed phenomena in a scientific way. This structured approach allows students to use observations and data from an investigation. Students use critical reasoning to connect the claim, evidence, and reasoning together. CER is an acclaimed and highly successful instructional strategy that is changing how students understand concepts and write explanations for phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understand the benefits of using the CER Framework; 2. Construct and critique a scientific explanation; and 3. Develop appropriate scaffolds for scientific explanation skills.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Shield (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX), Dr. Kenneth Heydrick (: Houston, TX)

How can we empower ALL students to create a better world? Learn actionable and evidence-based methods for assessment and design of engineering and science activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Key findings from two decades of engineering education research; 2. Using formative assessment probes to uncover students’ ideas about technology and engineering prior to instruction; and 3. Evidence-based methods for developing effective and inclusive engineering and science design activities.

SPEAKERS:
Cary Sneider (Portland State University: Portland, OR), Mihir Ravel (Visiting Scholar: Portland, OR)

Get ready for the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses. See how learning activities about Earth, the Moon, and Sun provide three-dimensional learning experiences to connect to these events that will be more spectacular than the 2017 eclipse.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. have a better understanding of what is meant by three-dimensional learning; 2. see how 3-D learning can lead to knowing what causes lunar phases and eclipses; and 3. be prepared to enjoy the solar eclipses in 2023 and 2024.

SPEAKERS:
Dennis Schatz (Institute for Learning Innovation: Beaverton, OR)

This session introduces a way to create learning experiences that will give students opportunities to talk, read, and write in the service of sensemaking as they use the DCIs, CCs, and SEPs to explain natural phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to ensure students have access to science by designing investigations that promote and support the use of literacy skills; 2. How literacy can be used to be used in the service of sensemaking; and 3. How to embed formative assessment of science practices and literacy skills into an investigation in a meaningful and informative way.

SPEAKERS:
Victor Sampson (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX)

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:
1. Explore research about the positive effects of time in nature on children and adults; 2. Learn how literacy and science can be connected through writing activities; and 3. Receive classroom-ready resources (videos and graphic organizers) to guide your students through a Mentor Text Study.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Stilwell (STAFF - Director, Business Development: Arlington, VA)

The Portland K–5 Common Assessments assess student learning in a relevant and compelling 3-D  task, centered in local phenomena. The assessments and rubrics provide access for emerging bilinguals.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. There are key features of three-dimensional assessment design that include both a local phenomenon or problem and access for English learners; 2. Evidence statements serve as tools for rubric design to inform assessment goals and enable feedback about student learning; and 3. Strategies for using the Common Assessments provide opportunities for teacher self-reflection and collaboration.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Holveck (Portland Metro STEM Partnership: No City, No State), Noelle Gorbett (Oregon Dept. of Education: Salem, OR)

Students learn about behavioural adaptations of animals and work in teams to form evidence-based claims about improvements to the enclosures at our local zoo. Note:  We suggest participants bring either a smartphone or internet-enabled computer/tablet, although it is not required.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Encourage students to continue working on forming their own evidence-based arguments; 2. Empower students to become involved in community activism and use their voices to advocate for others; and 3. Integrate engineering, career exploration, collaboration, and effective communication into life science.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Woodward (Holy Trinity Catholic School: Beaverton, OR)

“To learn” is a complicated and varied verb, especially in science. Learning takes place in multiple modes along multiple dimensions and with lots of different results; and many of us have experienced some of our best learning experiences outside of traditional classrooms or labs. How do we take experiences that might occur on a performance stage or in a city park, a small kitchen, or a vast desert and incorporate them into science learning for all? Especially as we emerge from the pandemic and its trauma, how do we take stock of where we’ve been and what we envision for the future of science learning? Adam will bring examples and experiences for us to reconsider the meanings of science teaching and learning in our classes and beyond.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Johnston (Weber State University: Ogden, UT)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

Let’s explore several intervention strategies to help struggling students in STEM. Let's move beyond differentiation and scaffolding. Come learn other proven intervention techniques to help students. Let’s modify our traditional outreach to connect with students so that they gain greater understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore several intervention strategies to help struggling students in STEM; 2. Compare differentiation and scaffolding strategies, and learn successful adaptations of each strategy; and 3. Explore effective intervention strategies that are built into the STEMscopes curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Kenneth Heydrick (: Houston, TX), Stephanie Shield (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

Bring your creativity and learn how to implement game-based learning in your science classroom. We will explore using hands-on techniques to make science fun.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. create a science-based game to use in their classroom; 2. develop an understanding of game-based learning; and 3. embed game-based learning in their current content/curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Tammie Schrader (NorthEast Washington ESD 101: Spokane, WA)

Looking for ways to connect what students learn at school with their home learning environment? This session will provide participants with many overarching hands-on science lessons that integrate the science and engineering practices and can easily be completed at home or school. Materials are cheap and easily accessible for parents/teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Overarching science concepts at each grade band; 2. Connecting hands-on science activities to at-home learning; and 3. Creating an at-home lessons template.

SPEAKERS:
Curtis Varnell (Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative: Branch, AR)

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; and 3. A STEM lesson you can use right away.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Stilwell (STAFF - Director, Business Development: Arlington, VA)

We’ll explore key stances, strategies, and resources for supporting elementary students to learn about and take collective action in response to authentic socio-ecological challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Young learners are capable of consequential and justice-centered learning about social, political, environmental, and climate issues. Concerns about “developmental appropriateness” can perpetuate dominant forms of science and invisibilize marginalized students’ lived experiences; 2. Science learning should support students in understanding and engaging with local and global challenges through centering the world views, perspectives, and leadership of BIPOC communities; and 3. The use of project-based approaches can allow young learners to develop their voice and leadership capacity as they solve problems that are real and urgent in their communities.

SPEAKERS:
Rae Han (EarthGen: No City, No State), Pranjali Upadhyay (Educational Service District 112: Vancouver, WA)

The National WWII Museum has developed a set of activities that connect stories from WWII to investigations that K–3 students can conduct to learn 3-D science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Get access to the free Little Engineers lessons; 2. Practice one or more of the activities; and 3. Find out about teacher workshops, student webinars, and other resources from The National WWII Museum.

SPEAKERS:
Rob Wallace (NSTA: Kenner, LA)

Link computer science and SEL through computational thinking! Make a classroom procedure integrating CS and SEL through coding and leave with resources for classroom routines.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. A classroom-ready procedure integrating CS and SEL to immediately use with students; 2. An expanded knowledge of coding in Scratch and for those new to the tool, a baseline for its and other similar tools' uses and instructional integration; and 3. A model for coaching students through interpersonal communication using computational thinking concepts in social-emotional situations.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Lark (Kognity: Stockholm, 0), Katherine Livick (Educational Service District 112: Vancouver, WA)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

Come learn several strategies to help students organize their learning. Transform the old composition notebooks into a useful and engaging tool that incorporates technology and multimedia. Interactive student notebooks use various modalities and left/right–side format, and offer students an electronic portfolio of learning. Join us!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn: 1. several strategies to help students organize their learning; 2. how to adapt old student notebooks into digital interactive portfolios with Slides, Jamboard, Flipgrid, Padlet, and Screencasify; and 3. how to structure notebooks for left side "Output" and right side "Input."

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Kenneth Heydrick (: Houston, TX), Stephanie Shield (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

Explore climate science and justice intersections in teaching and learning through practical examples and resources for classroom engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore learning activities and resources to build capacity to teach justice-oriented climate science; 2. Learn how to foster inquiry and civic practices for both educators and students; and 3. Share resources to help educational leaders navigate the implementation of climate justice learning.

SPEAKERS:
Ellen Ebert (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Olympia, WA), Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA), Meredith Lohr (EarthGen: Seattle, WA)

Climate Science can be a difficult topic, however focusing on hope and action allows students to see they can make a difference. Come see how!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain strategies to support all students, but especially English Learners (using OCDE, Orange County Department of Education, Project GLAD® strategies); 2. Learn the content and the relevant issues that are impacting climate change; and 3. How to focus on the importance of maintaining hope. We do this by showing students how their actions will make a difference.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Lindholm (North Central Educational Service District: Wenatchee, WA)

Literacy has used “Text to…”connections  to help students make authentic connections. Strategies/examples of expanded “text to…” connections for science and math are modeled.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. explore how to expand a common literacy strategy of “text to” connections when using picture books in the elementary science classroom; 2. engage in investigations that model the use of “text to” connections that help students connect their own authentic experiences and help them understand and make sense; and 3. consider how the criteria for the selection of books, identification of phenomena, and selection of investigations can be a powerful experience for students.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Anne Royce (Shippensburg University: Shippensburg, PA)

Explore NSTA’s new Professional 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:
Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Elizabeth Allan (University of Central Oklahoma: Edmond, OK)

This session focuses on helping college faculty support preservice elementary teachers to incorporate the crosscutting concepts (CCCs) as part of three-dimensional science teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
Ways to conceptualize the CCCs as “tools” and “lenses” to support sensemaking Strategies for introducing the CCCs to preservice elementary teachers Classroom examples of how the CCCs can be utilized in elementary science teaching and learning

SPEAKERS:
Anne Gatling (Merrimack College: North Andover, MA), Sarah Fick (Washington State University: Pullman, WA), Melissa Pearcy (Jefferson Elementary School: Spokane, WA), Debi Hanuscin (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA)

Sponsoring Company: Museum of Science, Boston – EiE

Learn how EiE can help grades 1–5 students develop 21st-century skills through high-quality scaffolded engineering and computer science experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Identify the connections and recognize the benefits of integrating engineering and computer science learning in the classroom; 2. Understand the habits of mind that learners develop when participating in high-quality engineering and computer science activities; and 3. Learn the structure and rationale behind EiE's Integrated Engineering and Computer Science Essentials units.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Glover (Museum of Science, Boston: Boston, MA), Jesus Garcia (Museum of Science, Boston: Boston, MA)

Join me as I share eight short stories about the most significant fossil discoveries in Washington and Oregon combined with a hands-on experience that connects to each story.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Use storytelling to engage students in the NGSS Earth Science Standards that include fossil evidence; 2. Utilize prehistoric animals as motivation to read and research about the place that you live; and 3. Make connections to the John Day Fossil Beds in Oregon and the Burke Museum and Stonerose fossils in Washington.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Watrin (WSTA: Olympia, WA)