NSTA Engage: Spring21

May 12-8, 2021

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Rooms and times subject to change.
22 results
Save up to 50 sessions in your agenda.

Cooped Up Kids? Students Explore STEM Indoors and Out

Thursday, April 15 • 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM

STRAND: Social Emotional Learning and the Science Classroom

Show Details

Discover free age-appropriate "Cooped Up Kids" activities that connect kids to the outdoors and exciting science content whether in school, remote, or blended.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover free hands-on lessons that are tied to the NGSS and Common Core Standards and discuss how to implement them whether learners are at home or in school; 2. Describe the socio-emotional benefits of place-based outdoor experiences for diverse K–8 students; and 3. Learn how to access a variety of free educational interactives, online multimedia resources, and citizen science projects scaffolded by lessons that are perfect for K–8 settings.

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

NMLSTA-Sponsored Session: Meet Me in the Middle Virtual Share-a-Thon, Session 1

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


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
EarthKAM User Guide
Everything you need to know so that you can have your students remotely control a camera on the International Space Station.
Link to additional EarthKAM Resources
Useful documents to use when getting started with NASA's EarthKAM

Show Details

Join us for a variety of short, modified Pecha Kucha–style presentations, after which the presenters will be available for questions and further discussion.

The presentations included in this session are:

EarthKAM: Have Your Students Take Photos from ISS
Presenter: David Curry

The Post-COVID Dissection Lab
Presenters: Nicole Green and Bailee Henderson

Teaching Physics on the Cheap
Presenter: Shannon Hudson

Shape of Life: Virtually Teaching The Greatest Story Ever Told—Evolution of the Animal Kingdom on Planet Earth
Presenter: Denise Ryan

NMLSTA Award Opportunities
Presenter: Alison Betz Seymour

Parent/Family Involvement in Science: Why It's Important and How to Make It Work
Presenter: Jessica VanValkenburg

Teaching the Engineering Design Process Through Urban Gardening
Presenters: Elizabeth Weissman and Rebecca Somogyi

Moderator: Mary Lou Lipscomb

Note: This session involves Breakout Rooms. In order to participate, you must have the latest version of Zoom downloaded to your computer. Before accessing our Zoom platform, please visit Zoom.us/download, click on Download, and then click on Execute file to initialize.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover a variety lessons, units, professional development opportunities, and resources for hybrid or virtual instruction; 2. Learn ways to engage middle level students in exciting inquiry learning; and 3. Become aware of ways to involve parents and/or community in science.

SPEAKERS:
Denise Ryan (Shape of Life: Capitola, CA), David Curry (Newtown Middle School: Newtown, PA), Nicole Green (Animalearn: Jenkintown, PA), Bailee Henderson (Animalearn: , United States), Shannon Hudson (Crawfordsville Middle School: Crawfordsville, IN), Alison Betz Seymour (Science Teacher: Winchester, 0), Jessica VanValkenburgh (Columbus State University: Columbus, GA), Elizabeth Weissman (The Ramaz School: New York, NY)

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)

NSTA Press Session: Argument-Driven Inquiry in the Life, Physical, and Earth-Space Sciences: Lab Investigations for Grades 6–8

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

Show Details

Learn about Argument-Driven Inquiry and how it can help students learn how to use DCIs, CCs, and SEPs to explain natural phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to use this instructional model, or way of teaching, to give students an opportunity to learn how to use the core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and practices of science to make sense of natural phenomena; 2. How to give students an opportunity to talk, read, and write in the service of sensemaking; and 3. Ways to support students as they learn to use the core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and practices of science to make sense of natural phenomena.

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

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)

NMLSTA-Sponsored Session: Meet Me in the Middle Virtual Share-a-Thon, Session 2

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


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Bioprospecting for Medicine - Coral Reef Locations Maps
Accompany student acitivity. Students determine who has rights to life on coral reef.
Bioprospecting for Medicine - Simulated Screening on New Medicine
Accompanies student activity. Students simulate screening of potential new medicines to determine if they will move on to the next phase of development.
Bioprospecting for Medicine - Simulated Testing of Potential New Medicines
Accompany student activity. Students use simulated testing to identify if a medicine will go to the next level of development.
Bioprospecting for Medicine - Student Pages
Student pages for activities in the Bioprospecting unit.
Bioprospecting for Medicine - Teacher Pages
Teacher pages to support implementation of all activities within the unit.
Innovation in Biology

Show Details

Join us for a variety of short, modified Pecha Kucha–style presentations, after which the presenters will be available for questions and further discussion.

The presentations included in this session are:

Innovation in Biology
Presenter: Jessica Kohout

Eureka! Bioprospecting for Medicine
Presenter: Liz Martinez

FIRST at Home
Presenter: Libby Simpson

Opportunities and Resources for All Middle Level Educators!
Presenters: Anne Schoeffler and Edralin Pagarigan

Inspiring the Future of Aerospace
Presenter: Melissa Sleeper

Ten STE(A)M Skills for Everyone
Presenters: Lydia Kidane

Moderator: Mary Lou Lipscomb

Note: This session involves Breakout Rooms. In order to participate, you must have the latest version of Zoom downloaded to your computer. Before accessing our Zoom platform, please visit Zoom.us/download, click on Download, and then click on Execute file to initialize.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover a variety lessons, units, professional development opportunities, and resources for hybrid or virtual instruction; 2. Learn ways to engage middle level students in exciting inquiry learning; and 3. Become aware of ways to involve parents and/or community in science.

SPEAKERS:
Edralin Pagarigan (Golden Ring Middle School: Rosedale, MD), Lydia Kidane (Sustainable Forestry Initiative: Washington, DC), Jessica Kohout (Howard County Conservancy: Woodstock, MD), Liz Martinez (Curriculum/Professional Development: Escondido, CA), Libby Simpson (FIRST®: Manchester, NH), Anne Schoeffler (Seton Catholic School: Hudson, OH), Melissa Sleeper (Storm Grove Middle School: Vero Beach, FL)

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)

NMLSTA-Sponsored Session: Meet Me in the Middle Virtual Share-a-Thon, Session 3

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


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Jet Streams Activity
Full Jet Stream lesson PDF that can be copied for use in your classroom.
Science Simulations and Digital Notebooks
Stack the Deck - Shipping Container Template
Template for making shipping containers that will be filled and used for simulated ocean journey.
Stack the Deck - Graphics & Effects of COVID on Closing West Coast Ports
COVID has impacted supply chains. Article contains graphs and impact information about the impact of COVID from the slowing of and closing ports ion the West Coast.
Stack the Deck - Ocean Currents Maps
Accompany student activity. Maps students use to help track the path of items spilled by a cargo ship to where they washed ashore.
Stack the Deck - Stuck in the Suez Canal
Video of young childern explaining their ideas as to how to free the Ever Given from the Suez Canal.
Stack the Deck - Student Pages
Accompany Shipping Industry Unit.
Stack the Deck - Teacher Pages
May be used to assist in implementing the shipping unit.
Stack the Deck - Washed Ashore
Accompanies student activity. Shows items washed ashore from shipping containers that have fallen into the ocean. Students then trace the path from the point of the spill to where items wash ashore.
Stack the Deck - Whats Old is New
Accompanies student activity. Students repurpose a used shipping container. This PowerPoint shows examples of actual repurposed shipping containers.

Show Details

Join us for a variety of short, modified Pecha Kucha–style presentations, after which the presenters will be available for questions and further discussion.

The presentations included in this session are:

Telling Data Stories
Presenter: Loris Jean Chen

AMS Project Atmosphere: Jet Streams
Presenter: David Curry

3 Cs of Bridging the Gap to Science Literacy
Presenters: Jennifer Ledbetter and Lisa Reis

Stack the Deck
Presenter: Liz Martinez

Greetings from Mars!
Presenter: Melissa Sleeper

Science Simulations and Digital Notebooks
Presenter: Stacy Thibodeaux

NGSS-Focused STEM Projects
Presenter: Vanessa Ueltzen

Moderator: Mary Lou Lipscomb

Note: This session involves Breakout Rooms. In order to participate, you must have the latest version of Zoom downloaded to your computer. Before accessing our Zoom platform, please visit Zoom.us/download, click on Download, and then click on Execute file to initialize.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover a variety lessons, units, professional development opportunities, and resources for hybrid or virtual instruction; 2. Learn ways to engage middle level students in exciting inquiry learning; and 3. Become aware of ways to involve parents and/or community in science.

SPEAKERS:
Loris Chen (Science Education Consultant: Fair Lawn, NJ), David Curry (Newtown Middle School: Newtown, PA), Jennifer Ledbetter (University School: Johnson City, TN), Lisa Reis (University School: Johnson City, TN), Liz Martinez (Curriculum/Professional Development: Escondido, CA), Melissa Sleeper (Storm Grove Middle School: Vero Beach, FL), Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Youngsville, LA), Vanessa Ueltzen (Walther Christian Academy: Melrose Park, IL)

NGSS-Focused Summative Classroom Assessments of Three-Dimensional Learning

Saturday, April 24 • 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM

STRAND: Reimagining Assessment

Show Details

Explore benchmark assessments and scoring guides you can use to assess students’ three-dimensional learning related to middle school performance expectations.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. True 3-D assessments incorporate the SEP, CCC, and DCI for a PE in such a way as to elicit student responses demonstrating knowledge of all dimensions; 2. Phenomena and scenarios provide context for assessments that help elicit 3-D responses from students; and 3. Attention to potential equity, access, and bias supports the design of assessments that better elicit demonstration of knowledge and understanding from all students.

SPEAKERS:
Maia Binding (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

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)

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)

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)

Climate Change Phenomena and Carbon Hoofprints

Saturday, May 1 • 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://cdn.agclassroom.org/media/uploads/lp707/NSTA_Climate_Change_Workshop_Handout.pdf
Workshop handout (with live links)

Show Details

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)

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)

Effective Questioning Strategies to Engage Students in STEM

Saturday, May 8 • 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM

STRAND: Integrating Science and Literacy

Show Details

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

Saturday, May 8 • 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM

STRAND: Social Emotional Learning and the Science Classroom

Show Details

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)

Helping Students Become Explorers Through Modeling, Mapping, and Service Learning

Saturday, May 8 • 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM

STRAND: Climate Justice and Climate Science

Show Details

Engage students in building scientific models, mapping, and service learning to explore climate change phenomena while inspiring them to take action.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover how to integrate, develop, and use scientific modeling to promote 3-D learning as the means to explore the phenomena of climate change as identified in the ESS NGSS; 2. Explore how to integrate maps to promote 3-D learning of climate change and environmental justice phenomena; and 3. Take a step further in 3-D teaching by offering students opportunities to propose a solution to address a local problem in connection to core ideas learned in class.

SPEAKERS:
Yajaira Fuentes-Tauber (Rocky Mountain High School: No City, No State)

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

Saturday, May 8 • 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Instructional Method and Teaching Philosophy questions
Shell Award winner - Gary Koppelman
Shell Award winner - Jose Rivas
Shell Award winner - Kristen Poindexter
Shell Programs flyer

STRAND: Community and Global Impacts on Classroom Learning

Show Details

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)

Summer STEM Institute Goes Virtual: Creating an Engaging STEM Learning Program

Saturday, May 8 • 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM

STRAND: Continuing Effective Distance Learning Strategies Post-COVID

Show Details

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

Saturday, May 8 • 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM

Show Details

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 (UNC-Chapel Hill Emerita: No City, No State), 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)

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