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)

Learn how ungrading works in a science classroom as feedback and reflection replace points to increase student autonomy and connection to learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Connect deep 3-D learning with the tenets of ungrading to see how they work together; 2. Explore concrete ways of tracking student progress and feedback while devaluing points and centering learning; and 3. Leave with access to resources that support ungrading in STEM classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Johanna Brown (Washington State OSPI)

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)

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)

We will share strategies developed over the past five years to address racial equity issues in our high school science sequence and instructional practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Strategies to leverage student voice to inform educator professional learning and decision-making; 2. Equity questions to evaluate current status of high science sequence and materials; and 3. Recommendations for teacher and administrator professional learning and resources focused on support for all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Holveck (Portland Metro STEM Partnership: No City, No State), Andrea Leech (TOSA: Portland, OR), Kristin Moon (MS Math & Science Program Administrator: Portland, OR)

We share inclusive approaches to science and engineering “flipped labs” that enabled hundreds of high school students to connect STEM with home and families.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Design guidelines for affordable and accessible STEM design activities that can expand from classroom to home and allow students to engage in inquiry and engineering exploration; 2. Example case studies, from high schools with diverse demographics, of integrated science and engineering “flipped lab” design projects that bridged the classroom to home; and 3. Suggestions for improving flipped labs into full 3-D learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Mihir Ravel (Visiting Scholar: Portland, OR), Stephen Scannell (Gresham High School: Gresham, OR), Dan Robinette (Clackamas High School: Clackamas, OR), Cary Sneider (Portland State University: Portland, OR)

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)

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:
1. Knowledge of the process of how stars form and change over time ending in catastrophic events, providing conditions for the formation of planets; 2. 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; and 3. 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)

NITARP (NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program) gets teachers involved in authentic astronomical research. Small groups of mostly high school educators work with professional astronomers for an original research project.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. A clear understanding of the application process to apply for a NITARP opportunity; 2. An idea of the research experience of a participant involved in this astronomy experience; and 3. An awareness of the vast astronomy resources (images and astronomy programs) available for free to educators and their students.

SPEAKERS:
John Taylor (Marvin Ridge High School: No City, No State)

The Graduate Extension Scholars program brings together graduate students, 4-H agents, and secondary CTE teachers to translate cutting-edge agriscience research into an engaging K–12 curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. how the Graduate Extension Scholars model works to support diverse stakeholders; 2. key findings from the evaluation of the pilot program, including outcomes for both students and educators; and 3. recommendations for implementing programs involving collaboration between community- and school-based educators.

SPEAKERS:
Ayla Wilk (Summit Atlas High School: Seattle, WA)

How can we collaborate to advocate for science education in Oregon? Come meet representatives from various ESDs, STEM Hubs, RENs, higher education, and others. Learn how they can provide resources for you and build your network to help provide support for you as a teacher. For teachers and administrators of all grade levels!

TAKEAWAYS:
Resource availability, networking, collaboration

SPEAKERS:
Connie Robbins (Crane Union High School: Crane, OR)

Come hear Science Assessment Specialists Noelle Gorbett and Jamie Rumage on science assessment updates.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science Assessment Updates

SPEAKERS:
Jamie Rumage (Oregon Dept. of Education: Salem, OR), Noelle Gorbett (Portland Public Schools), Connie Robbins (Crane Union High School: Crane, OR)

Come meet the OSTA board members and learn more about the organization! Did you buy a raffle ticket? Come find out if you are a winner of one of the regional baskets (there are seven opportunities)!

TAKEAWAYS:
Networking with those in your region, membership information, drawing results

SPEAKERS:
Connie Robbins (Crane Union High School: Crane, OR)