NSTA Engage: Spring21 - Sessions

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

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

Danny Bergman (Wichita State University: Wichita, KS)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

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

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)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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Discipline-Specific Language Demands with CER and KLEWS

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)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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Designing for Phenomena in Food Production

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)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

Science Storytelling: Student Activism Through Film

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)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

Raising the Bar for At-Risk Youth

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)

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

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)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

Designing for Phenomena in Food Production

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)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

ASTE-Sponsored Session: The Birth of a Movement

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

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)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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STEM Scoop: High School Competition Edition

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 (NSTA: Arlington, VA), 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

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)

Science Storytelling: Student Activism Through Film

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)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

Enlivening the High School Earth Science NGSS: Using Geoheritage and Place-Based Education to Highlight and Integrate Dimensions of Earth Science Relevance

The fascinating phenomena of Earth and space science take on heightened relevance in learners’ lives when presented through the frameworks of geoheritage and place-based education.

Takeaways: 1. There are practical approaches for accentuating the excitement of Earth and space sciences as they are shown to intersect with human life, history, and culture; 2. The connection of geoscience with human history and culture—what is increasingly known as geoheritage—has great potential in education as a reference framework that encourages learning as well as promoting conservation of significant natural features; and 3. The dimensions of the NGSS, the big ideas of geoheritage, and the design principles of place-based education are mutually supportive—which together lead to strategies for meaningful learning in Earth and space science.

Speakers

Missy Holzer (Great Minds: Washington, DC), Aida Awad (Education Consultant/ Adjunct: Buckeye, AZ), Eric Pyle (James Madison University: Harrisonburg, VA), Dawna Cerney (Youngstown State University: Youngstown, OH), Rebecca Dodge (Midwestern State University: Wichita Falls, TX), Ed Robeck (American Geosciences Institute: Alexandria, VA), Dianna Gielstra (Prescott College Online Graduate Degree Program: Prescott, AZ)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

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

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)

COVID Teaching Strategies That Are Keepers!

NSTA High School Committee members will discuss the strategies that they will bring forward from COVID teaching.

Takeaways: 1. Teaching for student engagement; 2. Distance, hybrid, in-person techniques; and 3. Time for questions and discussion between the presenters and particpants.

Speakers

Demetrice Smith-Mutegi (Old Dominion University: Norfolk, VA), Ruth Hutson (Blue Valley High/Middle School: Randolph, KS), Johanna Brown (Pullman High School: Pullman, WA), Brenda Walsh (Eden Prairie High School: Eden Prairie, MN)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

Beyond Polar Bears: Disproportionate Impact of Climate Change on Low-Income and Marginalized Communities’ Health

Critical examination of public social and scientific data resources will provoke awareness of the legacy of bias, as well as identify mitigation and reparation activities.

Takeaways: 1. Due to legacy of bias, as reflected in the redlining of urban communities in the early 20th century, extreme heat events associated with climate change have a disproportionate impact on low-income and marginalized urban communities; 2. This legacy can be integrated into NGSS ESS activities thanks to publicly available digital social and scientific data; and 3. Science knowledge coupled with a value for justice can orient and inform students and teachers to make decisions and identify mitigation (e.g. changing surface material and/or color) and reparation activities (orienting efforts toward low-income and marginalized communities). A virtual national network of NSTA members can advance this work.

Speakers

Susan Meabh Kelly (University of Connecticut: Storrs Mansfield, CT), Michelle Ellis (Hunter Huss High School: Gastonia, NC)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

High School NSTA Lessons Plans: Science Instruction for ALL, Part 1

Join us to experience a high school NSTA lesson plan containing the assets that contemporary research shows are needed to support ALL students, particularly those from underserved communities and those traditionally marginalized in science classrooms. Reflect on the teacher guidance provided that empowers students, targets current standards, and creates a classroom community of learners.

Takeaways: 1. Gain strategies designed to shift instruction to create engagement and scientific literacy for ALL students that leverage the assets students bring to the table; 2. Explore a high-quality NSTA lesson plan; and 3. Understand what sensemaking is and how to create opportunities for sensemaking .

Speakers

Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

High School NSTA Lessons Plans: Science Instruction for ALL, Part 2

Join us to experience a high school NSTA lesson plan containing the assets that contemporary research shows are needed to support ALL students, particularly those from underserved communities and those traditionally marginalized in science classrooms. Reflect on the teacher guidance provided that empowers students, targets current standards, and creates a classroom community of learners.

Takeaways: 1. Gain strategies designed to shift instruction to create engagement and scientific literacy for ALL students that leverage the assets students bring to the table; 2. Explore a high-quality NSTA lesson plan; and 3. Understand what sensemaking is and how to create opportunities for sensemaking .

Speakers

Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Identifying Bias and Misinformation in Resources and Media

We are currently in an epidemic of fake news and misinformation. This session will help teachers guide students (and themselves) to use critical-thinking tools and skills to evaluate sources of information.

Takeaways: 1. Misinformation and bias is on the rise, and we are consistently exposed to it through social media and other news sources; 2. There are great tools and resources to help students identify and avoid the traps of fake news and misinformation; and 3. By helping students become more critical consumers of information, teachers are helping create better informed citizens.

Speakers

Jason Carter (Evergreen Community Charter School: Asheville, NC), Michelle Benigno (The Science House at North Carolina State University: Mills River, NC)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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The Journey Back: Leveraging Data Tools and EdTech in the Post-COVID Classroom

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)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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NARST-Sponsored Session: Affirming Science Experiences in a STEM-Focused Urban High School

“When the learning experience is fun and sometimes a challenge, that intrigues me.” Participants will engage with materials/activities that advance a scientifically and culturally responsive perspective that is affirming for racial, ethnic, and linguistically diverse high-achieving students.

Takeaways: Participants will learn about: 1. science classroom cultures that are affirming and inclusive; and 2. hands-on STEM experiences that promote strong science identities.

Speakers

Jennifer Tripp (University at Buffalo, SUNY: Buffalo, NY), Noemi Waight (University at Buffalo, SUNY: Buffalo, NY)

Climate Change Phenomena and Carbon Hoofprints

Explore how to engage students in the science of climate change using the question., “How will we produce food in a changing climate?”

Takeaways: 1. Resources for students to understand that food is grown in climate-specific areas of the world; 2. Critical thinking regarding the environmental footprint of food production; and 3. Context for the carbon cycle.

Speakers

Andrea Gardner (Utah State University: Logan, UT)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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Preservice Day Session: Preservice Teacher Welcome

Come meet the NSTA Presidents and discover how NSTA can help you on your path to becoming a teacher of science at all levels.

Takeaways: 1. Meet the NSTA Presidents; 2. Learn about how NSTA can help preservice teachers; and 3. Discover NSTA resources available to you as a preservice teacher.

Speakers

Elizabeth Allan (University of Central Oklahoma: Edmond, OK), Eric Pyle (James Madison University: Harrisonburg, VA), Dennis Schatz (Institute for Learning Innovation: Beaverton, OR), Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Donna Governor (University of North Georgia: Dahlonega, GA)

SCST-Sponsored Session: Make Your College Science Content Relevant with Community-Engaged Learning

Community-engaged learning promotes “big picture” understanding and hands-on experiences. Through ongoing reflection, reciprocity, and dissemination, students delve deeper into content and impact local communities.

Takeaways: Community engaged learning (CEL): 1. makes content relevant for students, providing a real-world application and big picture understanding; 2. provides hands-on experiences through which students apply course content and benefit a community partner; and 3. can be incorporated into traditional, hybrid, and online classrooms; session participants will learn best practices of CEL to ensure success within all STEM courses.

Speakers

Renee Clary (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS)

Preservice Day Session: Science and Literacy: Complimentary Disciplines Inciting Critical Science Citizenry

Explore the placement of science literacy within the nature of scientific knowledge and the Next Generation Science Standards. Gain insights on implementing science literacy strategies.

Takeaways: 1. Exemplars with steps for implementing three or more literacy strategies; 2. Overview of how Science Literacy connects with the Nature of Scientific Knowledge; and 3. Overview of the position of Science Literacy within the NGSS.

Speakers

Christine Anne Royce (Shippensburg University: Shippensburg, PA), Omah Williams-Duncan (University of Houston-Clear Lake: Houston, TX)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

Preservice Day Session: It’s Debatable…for Preservice Teachers! Using Socioscientific Issues to Develop Scientific Literacy, K–12

During this session, participants will explore the use of controversial societal issues related to science to develop their students’ scientific literacy.

Takeaways: 1. Learn more about socioscientific issues; 2. Understand how socioscientific issues relate to scientific literacy; and 3. Learn how to address socioscientific issues in the classroom.

Speakers

Sami Kahn (Princeton University: Princeton, NJ)

Preservice Day Session: Teaching Science in a Virtual Learning Environment

Join us as we discuss strategies to provide ALL students opportunities for engaging in science and engineering practices individually from home and sensemaking collaboratively with their peers.

Takeaways: 1. Learn more about inequities that virtual learning has illuminated; 2. Strategize ways to make virtual learning more equitable; and 3. Learn more about NSTA resources to support that.

Speakers

Brianna Reilly (Great Minds: Washington, DC), Jessica Holman (Boone County High School: Florence, KY), Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

Preservice Day Session: Elevating the Discourse Between Science and Religion

How do you address students’ questions on science and religion? Join me for a conversation on different ways to address science and religion in a science classroom.

Takeaways: Learn more about how teachers can: 1. address students’ questions about science and religion ; 2. better understand the relationship between science and religion; and 3. clarify the role of science teachers in helping students navigate the differences.

Speakers

Ian Binns (The University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Charlotte, NC)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

Preservice Day Session: ELL Inclusion in Science Teaching

Learn about implementation of culturally relevant resources in secondary science and practices to teach ELLs in elementary and middle grades science.

Takeaways: Learn how to: 1. use bilingualism (English/Spanish) in science; 2. use and create culturally relevant resources; and 3. promote socioscientific reasoning in science .

Speakers

Max Vazquez Dominguez (University of North Georgia: Dahlonega, GA), Lorraine Ramirez Villarin (University of North Georgia: Dahlonega, GA)

Preservice Day Session: Using Place-Based Education to Teach Beyond the Test

Learn how to incorporate place-based learning within your instruction to allow ALL students to apply their factual knowledge in practical, meaningful ways within a relevant context.

Takeaways: 1. Construct a deeper understanding of the content presented in state curriculum standards; 2. View experiential learning events as a critical aspect of science education in their classrooms; and 3. Discover how investigations of local natural phenomena can serve as the foundation on which investigations of more distant or abstract phenomena can be constructed.

Speakers

Robbie Higdon (James Madison University: Harrisonburg, VA)

Preservice Day Session: Supporting Equity and Justice Through 3-D Science Instruction: The Road Travelled and the One Ahead

Explore how instruction can equitably support science learning that is consequential to students and their communities while promoting a more just society and flourishing world.

Takeaways: 1. Learn more about what equitable science teaching is; and 2. Learn how to use the STEM Teaching Tools resources to support equitable science instruction.

Speakers

Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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Preservice Day Session: Navigating Your Student Teaching

Join our panel of  these recent student teachers to find out how to successfully navigate your student teaching, Ask questions and interact with these graduating seniors.

Takeaways: 1. Hear from recent student teachers about the challenges they faced; 2. Ask questions about what to expect while student teaching; and 3. Get advice on how to handle the unexpected.

Speakers

Caleb Holtzclaw (University of North Georgia: Dahlonega, GA), Richard Jones (University of Hawaii-West Oahu: Kaploei, HI), Naamah Shissler (Shippensburg University: Shippensburg, PA), Makae Bythewood (University of North Georgia: Dahlonega, GA)

Preservice Day Session: Developing Leadership Through NSTA Student Chapters

Discover how an NSTA student chapter on your campus can support your professional growth and development! We’ll share tips for growing or starting your student chapter!

Takeaways: 1/ Learrn how to organize and start an NSTA student chapter for preservice teachers at your college or university; 2. Discover the wide range of activities that a chapter can organize for professional growth and development; and 3. Find out how NSTA is rebuilding our student chapter program at the National level.

Speakers

Donna Governor (University of North Georgia: Dahlonega, GA), Debi Hanuscin (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Robbie Higdon (James Madison University: Harrisonburg, VA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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Preservice Day Session: Next Generation Science Assessment

Next Generation Science Assessment (NGSA) consists of tasks designed to meet the Next Generation of Science Standards and for teachers to use formatively in their science classrooms. Come learn how to access and use equitable assessment tasks to engage all students in 3-D learning!

Takeaways: 1. Learn about how to assess 3-D learning; 2. Understand how formative assessment aligns with the NGSS; and 3. Learn more about resources to support equitable assessment through NGSA.

Speakers

Joseph Krajcik (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI)

Preservice Day Session: Safety in the Classroom

In this session, learn more about safety protocols specific for science and
critical to teaching science during a pandemic from NSTA’s Safety Advisor!

Takeaways: 1. Learn about NSTA supports for safety; 2. Explore safety issues for science teaching; and 3. Learn more about pandemic-related safety issues.

Speakers

Kenneth Roy (Glastonbury Public Schools: Glastonbury, CT)

Preservice Day Session: Preservice Teacher Wrap-Up

Don’t miss this final, short session to give feedback about the conference and  how NSTA can help you. We have some final information and door prizes as well!

Takeaways: 1. Provide feedback for today’s sessions; 2. Let us know how NSTA can help you grow as a preservice teacher; and 3. Win a $25 gift card for NSTA Press.

Speakers

Donna Governor (University of North Georgia: Dahlonega, GA), Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Using Online Tools to Engage Students in Asking Questions About Phenomena

Learn to use free Google tools to support your students in analyzing phenomena and asking good scientific questions that drive learning in the classroom or remotely.

Takeaways: 1. Students' observations of and questions about phenomena should drive their learning; 2. You can use free online tools from Google to engage students in analyzing and developing questions about phenomena whether you are teaching face-to-face or remotely; and 3. We can use these same tools to scaffold students' ability to revise and improve their questions to be more productive.

Speakers

Jeremy Peacock (Jackson County School System: Jefferson, GA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

ASTC-Sponsored Session: The Art of Facilitating Observation: Strategies to Deepen Scientific Literacy

A 21st-century museum will share strategies developed through school partnerships that strengthen student language and listening skills while meeting Next Generation Science Standards.

Takeaways: Attendees will: 1. be introduced to strategies to practice student-led, evidence-based discussions about scientific concepts; 2. see the application of this open inquiry technique for in-person or digital learning; and 3. experience the process in action.

Speakers

Kerri Ziemann (The Wild Center: Tupper Lake, NY), Michael Trumbower (The Wild Center: Tupper Lake, NY)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Please login with your NSTA account to view the materials)

Preservice Session: Preparing to Tackle Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Science Education

Ideas of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the science classroom are challenges for new teachers. Strategies, tools, and resources will be given to support preservice educators.

Takeaways: 1. How to teach for equity, diversity, and inclusion; 2. What you may not know and weren’t taught in your preparation program; and 3. Resources to help address these issues.

Speakers

Alicia Conerly (Monticello Elementary School: Monticello, MS)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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Do You Need a New Science Lab? Come Learn How to Apply to Win for Your School!

Are you located in the U.S. near a Shell asset? Attend this session for the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge to learn how to apply for this amazing opportunity. Pick up tips for completing a winning application and begin your journey in applying to win an updated science classroom. This program will award 33 prize packages valued up to $15,000 for high school and $10,000 for elementary and middle school!

Takeaways: 1. Learn how you can apply to win the Shell Science Lab Challenge; 2. Learn the tips to completing a winning application; and 3. Have an opportunity to actually begin to complete the application and have your questions answered.

Speakers

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

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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Come Join the Tour of NSTA’s New Professional Learning Products and Services!

The NSTA Professional Learning team has been inspired by educators across the globe who have been providing distance and hybrid learning. Come learn about the NSTA Daily Dos, DailyDo playlists, Transforming Science Learning and Teacher Tip Tuesday webinar
series, and other new NSTA products and services!

Takeaways: 1. Explore new NSTA products and services designed to shift instruction to create engagement and scientific/STEM literacy for ALL students that leverage the assets students bring to the table; and 2. Hear from teachers the ways NSTA products and services have helped them create a classroom culture that supports student sensemaking based in the science and engineering practices that grow life and workforce skills.

Speakers

Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Effective Questioning Strategies to Engage Students in STEM

Collaborate and share tools that can be used either in person or in a distance-learning environment. Discover how you can use these tools in the science classroom, especially with STEM projects and competitions.

Takeaways: 1. Collaborate and share tools that can be used either in person or in a distance-learning environment; 2. Discover how you can use these tools in the science classroom, especially with STEM projects and competitions; and 3. Engage with educators that are interested in improving science literacy with K-12 students via interactive engagement strategies for students.

Speakers

Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

A Differentiated Approach to Supporting Adult Learners

Join us to learn more about our journey to support teachers' social and emotional well-being by designing differentiated learning experiences as we implemented three-dimensional science.

Takeaways: 1. Methods to design effective differentiated learning for science educators; 2. Ways to support adult learners via differentiation; and 3. Ways to strengthen the implementation of 3-D science teaching, learning, and assessment across districts.

Speakers

Tonya Woolfolk (Houston County Schools: Perry, GA), Denise Richardson (Rockdale County Public Schools: Conyers, GA)

Fueling Success with Students—Win Up to $10K!

Do you impact your school and community with STEM? If you teach K–12, come learn how to apply to win one of eight Shell-supported awards.

Takeaways: 1. Learn how to apply for a Shell-sponsored award; 2. begin your application or nomination of a Shell-sponsored program and receive a prize; and 3. collaborate with past winners and judges to learn how to strengthen your application.

Speakers

Amanda Upton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Richard Embrick (Crockett Middle School: Richmond, TX)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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NSTA-WIDA Session: Creating Equitable Science Instruction for Multilingual Learners

This session will utilize the design principles for engaging multilingual learners in 3-D science to create engaging and equitable learning experiences for ALL students, but especially MLLs.

Takeaways: 1. Examine a set of principles co-developed by NSTA and WIDA and discuss how these "show up" in classroom; 2. Explore ways to help a linguistically diverse group of students engage together in sensemaking discourse; 3. Explore the role of modeling as a sensemaking support in linguistically diverse classrooms; 4. Learn about WIDA’s four Language Practices to authentically engage ALL students in using language for sensemaking; and 5. Learn how the Teacher Discourse Moves and Student Discourse Moves facilitate the exploration and transformation of science understanding.

Speakers

David Crowther (University of Nevada, Reno: Reno, NV), Rita MacDonald (Wisconsin Center for Education Research: Madison, WI)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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Summer STEM Institute Goes Virtual: Creating an Engaging STEM Learning Program

We will share the strategies and activities that made our first virtual STEM institute an engaging and educational experience for diverse upper elementary and middle level youth.

Takeaways: Participants will: 1. identify best practices for engaging youth in informal STEM experiences, including an end-of-summer celebration; 2. learn how we delivered programming in STEM with multiple grade-level bands; and 3. gain a list of valuable resources we used to teach scientific concepts, including how we created and distributed kits.

Speakers

Demetrice Smith-Mutegi (Old Dominion University: Norfolk, VA)

Urban Science Educator Discussion and Panel

Educators share challenges and strategies to enhance STEM learning in the urban environment. A variety of real-world issues and their successful solutions will be shared.

Takeaways: 1. Engage with educators who have led their school systems to meet various challenges; 2. Learn from successful programs; and 3. Discuss relevant issues related to urban science educators.

Speakers

Michelle Ellis (Hunter Huss High School: Gastonia, NC), Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Pat Shane (Professor & NSTA President 2009-2010: Chapel Hill, NC), Brad Rhew (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools: Winston Salem, NC), Rabiah Harris (Jefferson Middle School Academy: Washington, DC), Mary Beth Berrien (Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School: Greenfield, MA), Charles Hayes (Highland Oaks Elementary School: Memphis, TN)