NSTA Engage: Spring21

May 12-8, 2021

All sessions added to My Agenda prior to this notice have been exported to the mobile app and will be visible in your account when the app launches. Any sessions added now, will also have to be added in the app.
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Rooms and times subject to change.
110 results
Save up to 50 sessions in your agenda.

Keynote Presentation: Equity-ology

Monday, April 12 • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

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Growing up in a single parent home on the south side of Chicago, IL, Justin J. Shaifer had little awareness of the potential of a STEM career. His worldview drastically transformed after experiences at Hampton University. Justin graduated with a bachelor's degree in marine and environmental science with the highest departmental GPA, and was also president of Hampton University's student body while receiving scholarships from NASA and NOAA that covered 100% of his tuition and room and board. Now 24 years old, Justin travels the country empowering young students to "embrace their inner nerd" despite their surroundings, and developing culturally responsive STEM curricula for New York City institutions.

Justin is executive director of Fascinate, Inc., an organization created to excite underrepresented students about STEM. He is known for his work on the Magic Cool Bus Project. Past partners of his organization include Microsoft, MIT Media Lab, and the Children’s Aid Society. Justin is studying these programs’ effects as a PhD student at Columbia University.

SPEAKERS:
Justin Shaifer (Fascinate, Inc.: New York, NY)

NSTA’s “State of Education” Message

Tuesday, April 13 • 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA State of Education Message.pptx

Show Details

Hear about the new administration’s priorities and plans for supporting science and STEM educators and learn more about education and funding priorities in Congress. Bring your questions, and join us in this discussion about what’s going on in Washington, D.C.

SPEAKERS:
Jodi Peterson (: Arlington, VA)

Keynote Presentation: Education Through Minecraft

Thursday, April 15 • 7:20 PM - 8:05 PM

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Bestselling author Max Brooks believes in the power of educating through entertainment, whether it’s learning survival skills through zombie fiction or better understanding our own history through graphic novels. What better way to reach students than through mediums they have fun using, such as video games? Join Max as he explains why he thinks the massively popular game Minecraft has the potential to be the greatest teaching tool since Gutenberg’s printing press.

SPEAKERS:
Max Brooks (Author: Venice, CA)

Marketplace Partner Keynote: Integrating Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) in the STEM Classroom

Friday, April 16 • 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
gender_equity_stem_ed_white_paper.pdf
https://landing.carolina.com/stc-resources/hands-on-science-raises-scores-in-science-reading-math
laser-infographic2.pdf
NSTA_DEAI_April2021_FINAL_SENT.pptx
Smithsonian_Teaching_Everyone_Curriculum_White_Paper.pdf

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

STEM is not just about integrating science, technology, engineering, and math. Dr. Carol O’Donnell discusses how schools can support STEM students and teachers of diverse backgrounds through curricula, professional development, and leadership development that take an integrated approach to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in K–12 STEM. Participants will learn about several free Smithsonian resources to integrate inclusive design into K–12 STEM curricula, apply PD strategies for teaching English learners and girls in STEM, and diversify the STEM teaching workforce.

SPEAKERS:
Carol O'Donnell (Smithsonian Science Education Center: Washington, DC)

Marketplace Partner Keynote: Planning for a Responsive Relaunch

Friday, April 16 • 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Capitalizing on Science for a Responsive Relaunch
Handout (use this one)
Planning for a Responsive Relaunch - NSTA April 2021.pdf
Slides: Planning for a Responsive Relaunch

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Sponsoring Company: Amplify

What have we learned during the past year about what we most value about teaching and learning? Where does science fit in a responsive relaunch? Join leaders from UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science as we reflect on these questions and begin to explore how to capitalize on a phenomenon-based approach to create a culture that values student voice and fosters curiosity and engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Keynote Presentation: Engaging Students by Integrating Culturally Relevant Instruction

Saturday, April 17 • 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM


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

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Alejandro understands that students arrive each day with an abundance of cultural wealth. He will share how establishing authentic relationships with his students and strategically integrating culturally relevant instruction has increased student motivation, morale, and engagement in his class. He will also provide insight to some of the challenges that our students from underrepresented populations face, and how providing his students access to a variety of people, programs, resources, and experiential learning opportunities has been critical to his students’ success.

SPEAKERS:
Alejandro Diasgranados (Aiton Elementary School: Washington, DC)

Keynote Presentation: Environmental and Climate Justice Education—From Grass Roots to the Classroom

Monday, April 19 • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Environmental and Climate Justice Education slides

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In this session participants will get an overview of how environmental and climate justice have been introduced to classrooms through partnerships, expos, and educational programming. Participants will also get an overview of key terms, focus areas, and resources for learning more about environmental and climate justice through a local lens.

SPEAKERS:
Taylor Morton (WE ACT for Environmental Justice: New York, NY)

NSTA’s “State of Education” Message

Tuesday, April 20 • 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA State of Education Message.pptx

Show Details

Hear about the new administration’s priorities and plans for supporting science and STEM educators and learn more about education and funding priorities in Congress. Bring your questions, and join us in this discussion about what’s going on in Washington, D.C.

SPEAKERS:
Jodi Peterson (: Arlington, VA)

Save a Nickel and Learn to Trickle!

Wednesday, April 21 • 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Smart Irrigation System for TI-Nspire CX
Students are challenged to use science and technology to design and build a system that utilizes a limited amount of water in a “smart” way to grow crops.

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Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

Learn how to create a project-based camp or classroom lesson that enable students to apply concepts, such as photosynthesis and the water cycle, to design a smart irrigation system. Inspired by real-world events, students are motivated to apply problem-solving skills and learn some basic programming to come up with innovative solutions to using water more efficiently.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Developing models to better understand a process; 2. Constructing explanations and designing solutions; and 3. Introducing students to coding to solve a science problem with an engineering solution.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Kohout (Howard County Conservancy: Woodstock, MD)

Virtual Amazon Fulfillment Center Tour

Wednesday, April 21 • 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

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Sponsoring Company: Amazon Future Engineer

Give your students real-world computer science and career exposure through Amazon Future Engineer's new live, virtual, and interactive Fulfilment Center Tours! From our online store to doorstep, students will discover how computer science, state-of-the-art engineering, and incredible people deliver customer orders at Amazon.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: how Amazon uses computer science, engineering, and amazing people to deliver customer orders around the globe; 2. how algorithms, sensors, cloud computing, machine learning, databases, and more all help make Amazon possible; and 3. what it's like to be an engineer at Amazon.

SPEAKERS:
Trinidad Cisneros (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Tony Wallin (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Hilah Barbot (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA)

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)

Engagement Strategies and Resources for Remote and Face-to-Face Instruction

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

STRAND: Continuing Effective Distance Learning Strategies Post-COVID

Show Details

Participants explore strategies and resources for engaging students during face-to-face and virtual instruction. Equity, differentiation, and nonlinguistic representations of instruction and learning will be targeted.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn research-based strategies that increase student engagement so that all students are involved in the learning process; 2. learn new ways to increase the confidence of learners who may be reluctant to engage in classroom activities and discussions; and 3. obtain numerous activities, templates, games, resources, etc. they can use with their students. These can be used “as is” or modified to include other content based on the needs of the attendees.

SPEAKERS:
Iris Mudd (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools: Winston Salem, NC)

Virtual Field Labs: Student-Generated Data Explorations of Investigable Questions Led by Climate Scientists

Wednesday, April 21 • 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Virtual Field Labs-NSTA .pdf
This is a PDF of the Virtual Field Labs (VFL) NSTA presentation. The live presentation included video clips that demonstrated the VFLs, new student centered, data-driven resources for both internet and face-to-face classrooms. The Virtual Field Labs are available for your use at icedrill-education.org. If you have any questions contact: [email protected].

STRAND: Continuing Effective Distance Learning Strategies Post-COVID

Show Details

Based on three-dimensional learning and field-tested in high school classes, Virtual Field Labs can be used synchronously, asynchronously, or in hybrid classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Hands-on virtual tool for teaching climate change concepts; 2. Student-generated data activities led by climate change scientists; and 3. Generate, graph, and analyze data on the way to making claims supported by evidence related to the investigation.

SPEAKERS:
Louise Huffman (U.S. Ice Drilling Program: Hanover, NH), William Grosser (Curriculum Designer: Auburn, CA)

Discipline-Specific Language Demands with CER and KLEWS

Wednesday, April 21 • 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM


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

STRAND: Integrating Science and Literacy

Show Details

Explore how to use argumentation and explanations supported with the CER framework and the KLEWS chart to engage in the science and engineering practices in the science classroom—both virtually and in person. These ideas will support students to actively participate in inquiry-based, phenomenon-centered activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students need a scaffolding of supports to fully participate and grow in their ability to use the SEPs; 2. Teachers can use many different supports, in different ways for varied learners, to help all students be successful in science. ALL students can be successful!; and 3. These supports can be tailored to all topics in science.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Moore (Tennessee Tech: Cookeville, TN)

Designing for Phenomena in Food Production

Wednesday, April 21 • 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Designing for Phenomena in Food Production Slide Deck
Refer to the slide deck for direct links to lesson plans and resources explored in the session. If you don't see it on the slide, check the "Notes" :)
Workshop Handout
Click on the live links in this PDF to link directly to resources introduced in the webinar.

Show Details

Discover lesson plans and teaching resources to better integrate science and engineering practices in our food system.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Engage in the practice of phenomena-based learning through the phenomena of photoperiodism; 2. Improve critical thinking while investigating food production systems; and 3. Integrate STEM concepts through design thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Gardner (Utah State University: Logan, UT), Tessa Matuszak (National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization: Palm Coast, FL)

Biodiversity and the Environment

Thursday, April 22 • 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Biodiversity and the Environment
In this activity, students will observe model environments, adjust abiotic variables in those environments, observe the results of those adjustments, and then draw conclusions about the effects of the abiotic world on the biotic world.

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

In this session you will learn how to use a simulation of an aquatic ecosystem to help students see the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors such as dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature. The simulation makes it possible to model environments that would otherwise be very difficult to monitor and experiment with. Plus, the fish animations are really cool!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Using simulations with students can help them better visualize the mechanisms behind phenomena; 2. Simulations are a great complement to hands-on learning and work best when hands on isn't possible/practical; and 3. Effects of changes to certain variables in aquatic ecosystems can have negative effects on the organisms that live there.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Kohout (Howard County Conservancy: Woodstock, MD)

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: Recognizing Quality Teaching in STEM

Thursday, April 22 • 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

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Sponsoring Company: PAEMST

Come learn about the highest recognition for STEM educators in the United States. We will discuss eligibility criteria, nomination, application, and review process for the awards. Awardees receive a certificate; a $10,000 award; a trip to Washington, DC, for a recognition event; and access to over 5,100 award-winning teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How you can win $10,000; 2. How you can apply for this prestigious award from the U.S. Government; and 3. The benefits of applying for this award.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Mayes (National Science Foundation: Alexandria, VA)

Keynote Panel: Psychosocial Skills and Achievement: A Two-Way Street

Thursday, April 22 • 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Show Details

The objectives of this session are threefold: to assist teachers in identifying students who need additional social and emotional support; to highlight the dynamic between SEL and learning/achievement as bi-directional, since SEL instruction and skill building have been shown to improve achievement, but achievement or lack of it also impacts children’s sense of well-being; and to highlight psychologically validated strategies designed to prevent distress as well as enhance performance in the science classroom. Teachers will learn about approaches they can use to help students manage performance fears and encourage strategic risk-taking that fosters creativity.

SPEAKERS:
Rena Subotnik (American Psychological Association: Washington, DC), Joanne Broder (Media Psychologist: Moorestown, NJ), Amanda Dettmer (Yale School of Medicine: New Haven, CT), Kimberly A. S. Howard (Boston University: Boston, MA)

Science Storytelling: Student Activism Through Film

Thursday, April 22 • 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Science Storytelling Resources

STRAND: Climate Justice and Climate Science

Show Details

Help students create compelling stories about climate change and environmental justice. Classroom-ready resources will help students communicate scientific information with narrative structure across various media.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. In an analytical discipline like science, there is still a case to be made for storytelling; 2. The And-But-Therefore narrative structure technique to summarize scientific information or craft original science communication; and 3. Science storytelling can enhance student projects by improving conceptual understanding and allowing choice and voice to engage students as activists for environmental justice.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Tate (Whitehall Middle School: Whitehall, MI), Cristina Veresan (The Nueva School: Hillsborough, CA)

Marketplace Partner Keynote: Creating Inclusive STEM Classrooms to Support All Students from Diverse Backgrounds

Friday, April 23 • 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

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Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

STEM fields do not currently reflect the diversity in our country. Not every student will need to be a scientist or engineer but every student should be able to envision themselves in a STEM field. How do we create inclusive classrooms to support all students from diverse backgrounds?

SPEAKERS:
Jacqueline Smalls (Code.org: Seattle, WA)

Marketplace Partner Keynote: A New Awakening: Taking Care of the Social and Emotional Needs of Students and Teachers

Friday, April 23 • 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Heydrick-SEL-STEMscopes-NSTA-2021-Apr23.pdf
UPDATED presentation slides from session. Link to resources.

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

This past year put a spotlight on the social and emotional needs of our teachers and students. Let’s step back and look through a renewed lens at what really matters. While good teaching is the hallmark of student success in the classroom, this can only happen when teachers and students are in a good frame of mind and position to care for one another. We'll tackle this critical issue with relevant tools and suggestions. Learning from this past year can transform education forever.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Kenneth Heydrick (: Houston, TX)

Raising the Bar for At-Risk Youth

Saturday, April 24 • 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM

STRAND: Supporting Equity in the Science Classroom

Show Details

It is a challenge to work with at-risk youth. Our discussion will center on successful strategies for motivating, assessing, and nurturing the science mind of students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Strategies for motivating at-risk youth in the science classroom; 2. Examples of adaptations of assignments for at-risk youth; and 3. Aligning building relationships with building a growth mindset with at-risk youth.

SPEAKERS:
Nadene Klein (Daniel C. Oakes High School: Castle Rock, CO)

Keynote Presentation: You Would Be a Great Teacher!

Saturday, April 24 • 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM

Show Details

If a student in your class is amazing at math, then what job do you tell them they'd be good at? Engineering, maybe? What if they have a natural aptitude for science, or they’re well-spoken and love to debate? The best answer for these questions, and every other issue we face in education, is simple: You would be a great teacher!

SPEAKERS:
John Arthur (Meadowlark Elementary School: Salt Lake City, UT)

Keynote Presentation: Lessons from CDC Studies of COVID-19 in Schools and Implications for Science Education

Monday, April 26 • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM


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

Show Details

School-based studies of COVID-19 have provided valuable information about how the virus spreads and the activities and settings most associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although some risks can be ameliorated with policy or environment change, behavior plays a large role in risk of infection. Science teachers are well positioned to address behavioral contributions and can impact behavior change to mitigate the spread of COVID-1.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Barrios (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Atlanta, GA)

NSTA’s “State of Education” Message

Tuesday, April 27 • 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA State of Education Message.pptx

Show Details

Hear about the new administration’s priorities and plans for supporting science and STEM educators and learn more about education and funding priorities in Congress. Bring your questions, and join us in this discussion about what’s going on in Washington, D.C.

SPEAKERS:
Jodi Peterson (: Arlington, VA)

Carolina 3D Science: Hands-On Science in Flexible Settings

Wednesday, April 28 • 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
3D FLEX Digital Biology
3D FLEX Digital Chemistry
3D FLEX Digital Earth and Space Science
3D FLEX Digital Environmental Science
Carolina 3D Science Hands-On Science in Flexible Settings Data Sheet

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Engage in three examples of hands-on investigations, digital investigations, and digital teacher demonstrations from Carolina 3D® kit lines for biology, chemistry, and Earth and space science. Activities illustrate how modified in-class, hands-on laboratory investigations are used in socially distanced, in-person classrooms, and remote learning settings.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Three hands on activities; one in life science, chemistry, and Earth and space science; 2. Techniques for altering hands-on labs for remote or socially distanced learning; and 3. Information about Carolina 3D Kit lines.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Risko (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Burlington, NC)

The Post-COVID Dissection Lab

Wednesday, April 28 • 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Animalearn

Discover how you can make your dissection lab dynamic and innovative after COVID-19! Learn about new life science resources, including mixed reality (AR/VR) education technology; and explorative, hands-on teaching tools that will amaze and engage your students. Participants will be entered to WIN FREE PRIZES like dissection resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Life science resources; 2. Education technology; and 3. Hybrid classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Green (Animalearn: Jenkintown, PA)

Teaching with Protozoa, NGSS, and Research Articles

Wednesday, April 28 • 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15FTpX4svd8Kusvc2kmS14s7pfRnOMMhE/view?usp=sharing
Google drive link to presentation slides (with vid and links)
https://sciencewithevie.com
NSTA Workshop Material_uHandy Microscope

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: uHandy Mobile Microscope

Since History and English classes teach students how to read and analyze primary sources, why can't Science classes do the same? In this workshop, you will learn how to teach NGSS using research articles and how to seamlessly tie it all into a lesson, with the help of some pond protozoa.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to: 1. teach NGSS using research articles; and 2. seamlessly tie it all into a lesson, with the help of some pond protozoa.

SPEAKERS:
Evelyn Wong (Science with Evie: New York, NY)

It's Phenomenal! Using Real-World Connections to Support Three-Dimensional Learning

Wednesday, April 28 • 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Co.

Phenomena-based instruction is a proven way to create connections between the content we present in our classrooms and the knowledge and experiences our students bring to the table. In this interactive session, we'll explore ways teachers can use phenomena to present new material, as well as review previous topics of study. Teachers will leave with ideas they can immediately implement into their own classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What is phenomena-based instruction?; 2. How can I use phenomena to introduce a topic? and 3. How can I use phenomena to review many topics?

SPEAKERS:
Jessi Davis (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ)

Day in the Life of a Robotics Engineer at Amazon

Wednesday, April 28 • 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Amazon Future Engineer

Interested in exposing your students to the careers of the future? Join three Amazon Robotics Engineers as they discuss what it's like to build a future in technology. Then, sign up for our Class Chat Program to bring a virtual speaker to your classroom this spring!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. what a robotics engineer does day to day at Amazon; 2. an idea of the potential career path required to become a robotics engineer; and 3. how to sign up to bring a speaker to their class.

SPEAKERS:
Erica Aduh (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Joe Lee (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Mikell Taylor (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Hilah Barbot (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA)

Space Science for Online Learning

Wednesday, April 28 • 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Starry Night Software Access Code Information
If you wish to follow along with the presenter during this workshop, this PDF file contains details on how to access a free trial of the Starry Night web-based software.

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Simulation Curriculum Corp.

Experience Simulation Curriculum’s award-winning Starry Night astronomy simulator. Accurate and stunning visualizations allow students to make precise observations of sky motions, moon phases, planets, the universe, and much more. NGSS-focused lessons engage students with interactive simulations joined to exercises, animations, and images including current astronomical phenomena. Designed for online learning and compatible with iPads, Android tablets, PCs, Macs, and Chromebooks. Free trial access provided!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Online science simulations are effective tools to compliment your instruction; 2. Become familiar with Starry Night as a resource for teaching Space Science; and 3. Learn how to integrate simulations into your course.

SPEAKERS:
Martin Gabber (Retired Educator: Toronto, ON)

Engaging with Grants

Wednesday, April 28 • 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Donors Choose Application parts and Tips 2021
Engaging with Grants PPT slides
Grants Tip Sheet 2021
Partnerships and Finding Funding for Science Ideas and Worksheet GSTA 2021

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Ward's Science

Join us as we explore how you can identify and leverage new and existing resources to bring funding and awesome projects to your students. In this not-your-typical grant-writing workshop, we will delve into the relationship between engagement and grants and consider best practices for engaging students, colleagues, partners, and the community. You'll leave this workshop with the information you need to prepare a grant proposal that will wow funders! Takeaways include materials with ideas and activities to sharpen engagement and grant writing toward increasing student outcomes and impacts.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. get information for grant applications; 2. engage partners; and 3. find grants.

SPEAKERS:
Rusti Berent (Ward's Science: West Henrietta, NY), Karol Stephens (Ward's Science: Fayetteville, GA)

Fueling Success for Students—Win Cash and Prizes Up to $15K

Wednesday, April 28 • 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Instructional Method and Teaching Philosophy questions
Kermit winner testimonial
Shell Award winner - Gary Koppelman
Shell Award winner - Kristen Poindexter
Shell Lab testimonial - Mark Parker
Shell Programs flyer
Shell Regional winner testimonial - Tyler Dufrene
Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge winners - Geismar
Shell Science Teaching Award winner - Jose Rivas

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Shell Science Lab

Come start your winning application for one of three Shell-sponsored programs. We'll walk through the application step by step and you'll be able to begin your application or nomination form live.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn: 1. tips to complete a successful application; 2. who's eligible to apply; and 3. how to nominate a deserving teacher.

SPEAKERS:
Ruth Ruud (Cleveland State University: Cleveland, OH), Amanda Upton (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Using HHMI BioInteractive’s The Biology of Skin Color to Practice Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning Skills

Wednesday, April 28 • 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
BSCS Explanation Tool.pdf
Skin Resources.pdf
skincolorselection-studentHO-act.pdf

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Use the short film The Biology of Skin Color to practice argumentation skills of developing claims with supporting evidence and reasoning techniques. This content can easily connect to learning in units of genetics, evolution, or cellular structure from middle school through AP/IB courses. Scaffolds and online learning suggestions included.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Biological traits are not inherently good or bad. Some traits can provide an advantage to an organism in certain environments but be a disadvantage in other environments; 2. Different human populations living many generations in a particular part of the world may have different variations in certain traits. In spite of these differences, all humans are very closely related and share most traits; and 3. A claim is a statement that answers a question using clear and supporting evidence connected by reasoning.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Hedeen (Oregon City High School: Oregon City, OR), Kathryn Fisher Hedeen (Oregon City High School: Oregon City, OR)

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)

Designing for Phenomena in Food Production

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


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Workshop handout (with live links)
Workshop Slide Presentation

Show Details

Discover lesson plans and teaching resources to better integrate science and engineering practices in our food system.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Engage in the practice of phenomena-based learning through the phenomena of photoperiodism; 2. Improve critical thinking while investigating food production systems; and 3. Integrate STEM concepts through design thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Tessa Matuszak (National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization: Palm Coast, FL), Andrea Gardner (Utah State University: Logan, UT)

ASTE-Sponsored Session: The Birth of a Movement

Wednesday, April 28 • 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

STRAND: Supporting Equity in the Science Classroom

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How did the Environmental Justice movement begin? Come discover how science inquiry and justice-oriented practices support teachers and students as changemakers in their communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. that research supports connecting science content and opportunities for students to serve their communities as an essential facet of culturally relevant science instruction; 2. how to support students’ and teachers’ understanding of systemic inequities through science practices; and 3. how to create a critical inquiry instructional case study for students engaged in virtual or face-to-face instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Lenora Crabtree (The University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Charlotte, NC)

Spreading and Retaining Black Girl Magic in STEM Classrooms and Beyond

Wednesday, April 28 • 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
BGM in STEM Classrooms (PowerPoint Deck)
BGM STEM Case Study Notes.pdf
Culturally Responsive Instruction Observation Protocol (CRIOP) Rubric
Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education (CRSE) STEAM Scorecard

STRAND: Supporting Equity in the Science Classroom

Show Details

Learn strategies to be more culturally responsive from an equity framework to not only retain but spread Black girl magic in STEM in school settings!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The school-based and classroom-based factors that are contributing to Black girls starting off with the highest interest in STEM but resulting in the lowest retention of STEM; 2. The seven elements of the ICUCARE equity framework in the classroom; and 3. Three to five strategies (to then develop and apply) for providing learning experiences in the school setting that empower our Black girls to remain in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Princess Francois (Math, Engineering, and Science Academy: Brooklyn, NY)

STEM Scoop: High School Competition Edition

Wednesday, April 28 • 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM

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An informal discussion with former eCYBERMISSION Team Advisors about how to find success with student competitions.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. engage students in STEM competitions; 2. take part in STEM competitions with limited time; and 3. help students find success in STEM competitions.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Hartman (BrainPOP: Pittsburgh, PA), Lora Gibbons (Mountain Heights Academy: West Jordan, UT), Mary Clarke (St. Paul Catholic High School: Bristol, CT), Michael Lake (Half Hollow Hills High School East: Dix Hills, NY)

(Re)discover Your Passion for Science and Engineering: Physical and Life Science Case Studies

Wednesday, April 28 • 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM

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Case studies highlight serendipitous discoveries that integrate engineering and science. Cases rooted in history capture students’ imaginations and can be used with online, remote instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will explore the historical background that case studies provide to teach science; 2. Attendees will apply scientific practices with the engineering design process.; and 3. Using case studies, attendees will work in small groups and will learn how to use cases to challenge students to use their imaginations and creative skills to ideate new products or applications of current products.

SPEAKERS:
M. Gail Jones (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC), Rebecca Hite (Texas Tech University: Lubbock, TX), Megan Ennes (University of Florida: Gainesville, FL), Gina Childers (Texas Tech University: Lubbock, TX), Elysa Corin (Institute for Learning Innovation: Beaverton, OR), Emily Cayton (Campbell University: Buies Creek, NC)

SEL During COVID-19: How Can We Slow the Spread of the COVID-19 Virus to Protect Our Communities?

Wednesday, April 28 • 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM

STRAND: Social Emotional Learning and the Science Classroom

Show Details

Explore a simulation to discover how different mitigation strategies slow the spread of a virus (COVID) while experiencing a storyline around pandemics. Download: https://tinyurl.com/C19basicspread

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will be introduced briefly to the anchor for a storyline around things people can do to help to slow the spread of a virus, using the current pandemic from COVID-19; 2. Through interacting and engaging with a simulation developed for this storyline, participants will explore the effects of different mitigation approaches on the spread of a virus; and 3. With the emotional toll the pandemic has had on everyone, participants will explore social-emotional activities and support for students.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn Novak (Science Educator: Grayslake, IL), Dan Voss (Northwestern University: Evanston, IL)

Science Storytelling: Student Activism Through Film

Wednesday, April 28 • 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Science Storytelling Resources

STRAND: Climate Justice and Climate Science

Show Details

Help students create compelling stories about climate change and environmental justice. Classroom-ready resources will help students communicate scientific information with narrative structure across various media.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. In an analytical discipline like science, there is still a case to be made for storytelling; 2. The And-But-Therefore narrative structure technique to summarize scientific information or craft original science communication; and 3. Science storytelling can enhance student projects by improving conceptual understanding and allowing choice and voice to engage students as activists for environmental justice.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Tate (Whitehall Middle School: Whitehall, MI), Cristina Veresan (The Nueva School: Hillsborough, CA)

Making Science Inquiry Work for Emergent Bilinguals

Wednesday, April 28 • 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM

STRAND: Supporting Equity in the Science Classroom

Show Details

Learn how the language and structure of your inquiry activities can produce roadblocks for emergent bilinguals, and how subtle shifts dramatically increase engagement and success.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. A resource versus-deficit perspective and building lessons around abilities; 2. Breaking down language barriers in student-student collaborations through effective modeling; and 3. Using multiple representations in science, utilizing emergent bilingual's strength with translanguaging.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Moore (University of Nebraska Omaha: Omaha, NE)

Empower Environmental Changemakers with Soil Quest’s Action Project to Sequester Carbon and Reduce Climate Change

Wednesday, April 28 • 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Instructional Storyline - Soil Quest.pdf
This storyline pdf describes what happens on each of the Quest's webpages, and offers additional instructional ideas.
Project Hero's Soil Quest (Captain Planet Foundation)
Our session will explore how you can use this Quest as a local action PBL experience. It was developed in collaboration with Kiss the Ground.
Soil QUEST Overview.pdf

STRAND: Climate Justice and Climate Science

Show Details

Using Project Hero’s online Soil Quest and Q-U-E-S-T framework, guide learners to design projects that sequester carbon, restore soil’s health, and slow climate change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. work with the online PBL Soil Quest platform (https://herofortheplanet.org/healthysoils) as a model for empowering students to use the understanding of science concepts to design and carry out a solution to a local soil problem; 2. understand how to teach the connection between soil-carbon-climate change concepts through Quest activities and investigations (aligned to the NGSS), and lay the foundation for designing and carrying out this project; and 3. gather ideas for how the soil project, and lessons for supporting concepts, could fit into current NGSS-focused curricula (i.e., concepts around healthy soil ecosystems, carbon cycle and sequestration, climate change, and design of conventional and regenerative farming and gardening practices), and connect to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Arndt (Global GreenSTEM: Franktown, CO)

Learn About the Science of Food!

Thursday, April 29 • 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Feeding Tomorrow, Institute of Food Technologists

Do your students know about the science of food? The world needs the brightest minds engaged in the science of food to meet the challenge of feeding a projected population of 9 billion in 2050. To help meet this challenge, we want to help you introduce your high school students to the science of food and career opportunities in food science and technology.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Food science lesson plans; 2. Food science pedagogy; and 3. Food science careers.

SPEAKERS:
Katie Sudler (FONA International Inc.: Geneva, IL)

Lab Safety Protocols with Flinn Scientific, the Leader in Safety!

Thursday, April 29 • 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Science Safety Best Practices for Teaching in COVID environments

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Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific, Inc.

Please join Flinn for a quick refresher on common safety concerns and issues that arise in the classroom and remote settings. This is a must-attend session for new teachers and experienced teachers alike who want to deliver the most comprehensive and safe program possible! Come for an overview of best practices in the lab with Flinn!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Refresher on science safety best practices; 2. Safety awareness culture; and 3. Practical :what to do in case of emergency" trainings.

SPEAKERS:
James Palcik (Flinn Scientific Canada, Inc.: Hamilton, ON)

CRISPR Cas9: A Powerful new Tool for Editing the Human Genome

Thursday, April 29 • 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM