NSTA Engage: Spring21

May 12-8, 2021

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9 results

Examining Nature of Science and Standards in a Post-COVID World

Wednesday, April 21 • 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Additional resource for teaching Nature of Science with superhero movies
Bergman, D.J. (2019). The “Marvel”-ous nature of science: Using superhero movies to teach methods and values in science. The Science Teacher, 86(9), 20-25.
NGSS Appendix H - Nature of Science (NOS)
Includes the "NOS Matrix" from NGSS
PowerPoint Slideshow - NOS, NGSS, COVID
Slideshow featured with links to articles, websites, NGSS, and additional resources for examining Nature of Science (NOS) themes and standards in context of COVID-19 news and resources.

STRAND: Community and Global Impacts on Classroom Learning

Show Details

Using COVID data and multimedia sources, teachers can elevate students’ understandings of science as a human endeavor, and explore diverse contributions and other nature of science themes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. acquire multiple classroom resources for COVID data, updates, and multimedia; 2. examine connections among pandemic examples and grade level nature of science (NOS) themes in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); and 3. explore opportunities to enhance science lessons with key NGSS NOS themes such as science as a human endeavor, diverse contributions and cultures, using a variety of methods, and knowledge open to revision in light of new evidence.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Bergman (Wichita State University: Wichita, KS)

Beyond a Test: Alternative Assessments in Science

Wednesday, April 28 • 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Beyond a Test: Alternative Assessments in Science Presentation

STRAND: Reimagining Assessment

Show Details

Attendees will learn about unique and interactive assessments that go beyond multiple choice tests. These options offer learners a variety of ways to demonstrate their mastery of content. Varied assessment options will be explored, including alternative testing questions, interactive assessments, concept maps, and projects.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will learn about alternate ways of assessing student learning that allows all learners to demonstrate mastery of content; 2. Alternate midterm and final exams options will be shared; and 3. Attendees will learn how to create valid assessments for English Learners.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Matson (Thomas Worthington High School: Columbus, OH), Kimberly Thesing (Thomas Worthington High School: Columbus, OH)

Combating Ableism in the Biology Classroom by Teaching Disability as a Natural Form of Human Variation to Promote an Inclusive Classroom and School Environment

Wednesday, April 28 • 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Combating Ableism In Biology Slides
There are lots of slides here. Some will be directly used in the presentation, others (especially those at the end) will serve as a resource as teachers navigate presenting these concepts to students.

STRAND: Supporting Equity in the Science Classroom

Show Details

Unsure how to address disability in biology? Learn models of disability, identify ableism, and learn how to accept disability as a natural form of variation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. be able to identify and remedy common examples of ableism, while learning about the beliefs and practices of the ability-inclusive mindset to promote an inclusive classroom and school environment; 2. be provided a set of slides that teach how disability is a natural form of human variation, the other above concepts in the context of a biology lesson on the natural sources of variation (meiosis, mutation, sexual reproduction); and 3. learn about the positives and negatives of the social, medical, inspirational, and social justice models of disability.

SPEAKERS:
John Gensic (Penn High School: Mishawaka, IN), Katy Fattaleh (The Nora Project: Highland Park, IL), Lainey Bristow (Penn High School: Mishawaka, IN)

The Journey Back: Leveraging Data Tools and EdTech in the Post-COVID Classroom

Saturday, May 1 • 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
DITC Coastal and Ocean Acidification Teacher Guide
Background content and lesson descriptions
DITC Coastal and Ocean Acidification Worksheets (Levels 1-5)
These worksheets (fillable PDFs) accompany the online lessons.
DITC Coastal and Ocean Acidification Worksheets ANSWERS
The answer key to the worksheets that accompany the online lessons.

STRAND: Continuing Effective Distance Learning Strategies Post-COVID

Show Details

Engage in a lesson from NOAA’s Data in the Classroom to explore some effective engagement and assessment tools and technologies for the post-COVID classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Keep experimenting with EdTech inside and outside of your classrooms; 2. Utilize EdTech for assessment and engagement of all learners in the classroom; and 3. Access scientific data from NOAA to help students evaluate claims, construct arguments, and better understand the world around them.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Dean (Jewish Community High School of the Bay: San Francisco, CA)

So You Want to Teach? Examining Perceptions of Careers in STEM Education

Wednesday, May 5 • 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

STRAND: Social Emotional Learning and the Science Classroom

Show Details

Through research conducted by the Growing Future STEM Teachers in Maine grant, this presentation explores the upsides, downsides, and enticements of secondary STEM teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. explore perceptions of careers in STEM secondary education; 2. understand factors that influence interest in STEM fields; and 3. identify evidence-based practices for preparation and retention of high-quality secondary STEM teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Waters (Saint Joseph's College of Maine: Standish, ME)

Gender-Inclusive Biology Curriculum: Small Tweaks and Big Shifts

Thursday, May 6 • 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM

STRAND: Supporting Equity in the Science Classroom

Show Details

Integrate gender diversity into your teaching for accurate, inclusive, NGSS-focused, and future-ready biology lessons! Participants will explore our free framework, example lessons, and resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Biology teaching presents many opportunities to teach about gender, sex, and sexuality; 2. We can support our LGBTQ+ students and all students by discussing gender-diversity in an evidence-based, ongoing, and positive way; and 3. Gender-inclusive teaching creates opportunities to engage in the NGSS science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
Sam Long (St. Vrain Valley Schools: Longmont, CO), Lewis Steller (Academy for Precision Learning: Seattle, WA), River Suh (Leadership High School: San Francisco, CA)

SCST-Sponsored Session: Teaching Genetics and Evolution in the Midst of a Pandemic: How a Real-World Example Helps Students Learn Better

Saturday, May 8 • 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Cheesman NSTA 2021 Teaching Genetics.pdf
Slides for session

Show Details

The 2020 pandemic has given us a wealth of new applications for teaching that are personal and relevant to students.

TAKEAWAYS:
For this session, attendees will: 1. learn how the novel coronavirus was woven into a freshman biology course at multiple levels (as a thematic element); 2. see examples of student activities based on this virus and subsequent vaccine development; and 3. see examples of student evaluation of this altered course design.

SPEAKERS:
Kerry Cheesman (Capital University: Columbus, OH)

NARST-Sponsored Session: Case Study Pedagogy and Learning Outcomes: A Framework for Teaching Biology with Narratives

Saturday, May 8 • 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_2021_Presentation_Final.pdf
Session Resource Handout.pdf

STRAND: Integrating Science and Literacy

Show Details

Explore inclusive ways of using case studies with structured small group work/discussion, as well as aligning case studies with content goals.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Using case studies; 2. Addressing inclusion; and 3. Achieving content goals.

SPEAKERS:
Ally Hunter (University of Massachusetts Amherst: Amherst, MA), Melissa Zwick (Stockton University: Absecon, NJ)

Continuing Collaborative Experimentation When Students Must Be Remote: Solutions and Perceptions

Saturday, May 8 • 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM

STRAND: Continuing Effective Distance Learning Strategies Post-COVID

Show Details

Struggling to deliver lab experiences simultaneously to in-person and remote students in large numbers? Come learn how we did it and share your solutions too.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The approach one takes to delivering online/hybrid laboratory experience depends on learning objectives; 2. Course-based research experiences can be conducted through remote collaborations; and 3. Students acknowledge benefits of online/hybrid research experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Donald French (Oklahoma State University: Stillwater, OK)