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.
66 results
Save up to 50 sessions in your agenda.

Supporting Educator Understanding of the NGSS Three Dimensions of Learning While Engaging Elementary Students in Engineering Design and Design Thinking

Tuesday, April 13 • 5:45 PM - 6:45 PM

Show Details

Learn to access hundreds of free hands-on engineering design activities that exemplify the interconnected three-dimensional elements of K–5 science learning.

For this beginner-level hands-on activity, each participant will need: 

  • 4–6 Lifesaver® mints
  • 4–6 plastic straws (with diameters smaller than the Lifesaver® mint’s hole diameter)
  • 2–4 popsicle sticks
  • 1–2 index cards (or thin cardboard or poster board scraps)
  • tape (duct or masking)
  • scissors
  • paper
  • pencil
  • ramp (made from sturdy poster board or rigid cardboard)
  • meter stick
  • 10–30 pennies

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. engage in a hands-on NGSS engineering design–aligned activity for elementary students from the FREE TeachEngineering digital library; 2. experience the integration of design and design thinking through 3-D learning while exploring a fun way to ignite student creativity; and 3. experience the interconnectivity of 3-D learning while strengthening their own ability to implement 3-D teaching and learning practices in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Dua Chaker (Teach Engineering: No City, No State), Michael Soltys (TeachEngineering: Boulder, CO), Jennifer Kracha (Teach Engineering: No City, No State)

Integrating Inquiry and Literacy in the Elementary Science Classroom

Wednesday, April 14 • 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2021 SPDI Brochure (web version).pdf
Digital Toolkit. .pdf

STRAND: Integrating Science and Literacy

Show Details

Investigate using inquiry-based learning and the SEPs to deepen students’ understanding of both science concepts and literacy strategies remotely or in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. l eave with a toolkit of hands-on, inquiry science investigations inspired and enhanced by literature; 2. l earn about distance-learning tools that support integrating the Science and Engineering Practices with literacy strategies to engage students in real-world science; and 3. identify strategies and resources for using books, productive talk, and science writing to integrate science, literacy, and discussion in ways that foster critical thinking, academic language, and meaning making.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Ryack-Bell (Wade Institute for Science Education: Quincy, MA), Kathy Renfrew (Wade Institute for Science Education: Quincy, MA)

Little Big Minds: STEAM for Our Youngest Learners

Wednesday, April 14 • 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Little Big Minds Presentation Materials
This document contains a link where all presentation materials may be downloaded.

STRAND: Integrating Science and Literacy

Show Details

STEAM activities are for early childhood students, too! Connect STEAM and literature with three-dimensional learning in a series of culturally relevant, play-based activities exploring simple machines.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Literature and visual texts provide opportunities for students to experience STEAM in a context that is familiar and meaningful to them; 2. STEAM-integrated activities, such as those presented in this unit of study, promote 3-D learning through scientific inquiry and investigation, mathematical exploration, and initial development of executive functioning skills; and 3. There is a need to engage in literature-connected, STEAM-integrated activities in the early childhood years. In formal and informal educational environments, young children are curious, inquisitive, and eager to explore STEAM concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsey Herlehy (Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: Aurora, IL), Cassandra Armstrong (Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: Aurora, IL)

Spark Discovery and Invention

Wednesday, April 14 • 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Evolution of the Electric Lamp
This Google Slide deck can be modified for use with your students.
Google Form to Request Access to the DRAFT eBook
We are delighted to provide you with a PRE-RELEASE copy of the materials developed in our partnership.
Session Jamboard
This jamboard will be used in our session. A link is included for the convenience of sessino participants so they can access it later.
SPARK Website
This link will take you to the SPARK museum's main website.

STRAND: Supporting Equity in the Science Classroom

Show Details

Learn more about FREE curriculum modules from the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention that promote the engagement of all students in science and engineering! Modules were co-developed by Western Washington University and the Bellingham School District.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn more: 1. about the world-class collection of electrical engineering artifacts, such as Edison's first light bulb and early prototype electrical devices, available to educators (including virtual collections) at the SPARK Museum; 2. about FREE curriculum modules aligned to the NGSS that engage students in the engineering design process while learning about energy; and 3. ways that engineering can be made relevant to students from diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities.

SPEAKERS:
Debi Hanuscin (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Bridget Dahlman-Oeth (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Abby Russell (SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention: Bellingham, WA)

The Walking Classroom as a STEM Resource

Thursday, April 15 • 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: The Walking Classroom

The Walking Classroom is a research-proven program of audio podcasts that students listen to while they walk. Our STEM program includes 60 science podcasts, including a science career series and supplemental resources. Elementary students learn better, retain information longer, and want to learn more about topics after listening and walking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn about the research-proven benefits of listening to podcasts while walking as experienced by students; 2. find out more about the podcast content provided by The Walking Classroom, which includes Earth science, physical science, life science, and a careers in science series; and 3. get an overview of the additional resources provided that supplement each podcast and include video clips, downloadable worksheets, suggested hands-on activities, virtual field trips, and more!

SPEAKERS:
Debra Ives (The Walking Classroom: Chapel Hill, NC)

NSTA Press Session: Argument-Driven Inquiry in Grades 3-5: Helping Children Use Science, Literacy, and Math to Figure Out the World Around Them

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

Show Details

Learn about Argument-Driven Inquiry and how to use this instructional model to provide rigorous and equitable learning experiences for children.

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)

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

Friday, April 16 • 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Show Details

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)

Leveraging Student Experiences to Promote Equity, Relevance, and Deep Learning

Friday, April 16 • 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Eliciting and Leveraging Student Experience handout - NSTA Spring 2021.pdf
Handout - Eliciting and Leveraging Student Experiences and Ideas Routine
Leveraging Student Experience Slides NSTA Spring 2021.pdf

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

Students learn best when they are empowered to draw on and make connections to their own experiences, prior knowledge, and cultural and social backgrounds. In this interactive session, participants will explore how an asset-based approach can inform strategic adaptations to core science instructional materials to promote equity, relevance, and deep learning for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn how to empower students to draw on and make connections to their own experiences, prior knowledge, and cultural and social backgrounds; learn how an asset-based approach can inform strategic adaptations to core science instructional materials; and 3. gain strategies on how to promote equity, relevance, and deep learning for all students.

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

Phenomena to Scenario: Intentionally Moving from Inquiry to STEM Application

Saturday, April 17 • 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM

STRAND: Community and Global Impacts on Classroom Learning

Show Details

Engage in this interactive session to find out how the idea of anchoring to a phenomena to begin a STEM unit lays out a plan for helping students to see how science impacts their community.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understand why the scenario helps students connect the phenomena to their own community/ global issues; 2. Show how to move from the unit phenomena introduction to the crafting the storyline for the student learning; and 3. Teachers will have a chance to practice developing their own scenario based on a given phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Jo Anne Vasquez (NSTA President 96-97: , AZ), Michael Comer (Consultant: Paramus, NJ)

Reinforcing Middle School Physical Science Concepts with Computational Problem-Solving Practices

Wednesday, April 21 • 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://bit.ly/PASCO-NSTA-2021

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

How can you infuse computational problem solving into your science lessons? In this session, we will work through the process to incorporate data collected from active physical science explorations into coding challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Reinforcing forces and motion concepts through computational problem solving; 2. Authentic application of mathematical practices; and 3. Utilizing data in programming applications.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Brennan (PASCO Scientific: Roseville, CA)

Master Data Analysis

Wednesday, April 21 • 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Estes Industries

Learn how model rocketry altitude tracking is a great way to get students comfortable with collecting, graphing, and analyzing data. Win a Mini AltiTrak set for your classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Tips to incorporate graphing into a lesson; 2. Information on data analysis activities for students; and 3. How to use the Estes Mini AltiTrak as a technology tool for data collection.

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Biernat (Zanilu Educational Services, LLC: No City, No State), Nicole Bayeur (Estes Industries: , United States)

WhiteBox Learning: The E in STEM  

Wednesday, April 21 • 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific, Inc.

This workshop will demonstrate an authentic engineering practice so compelling that science and engineering students create an average of 62 virtual design iterations of balsa wood bridges, gliders, mousetrap cars, wind turbines, drones, and many others before (optionally) building a physical model of their optimized design.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Time and money (nearly) prohibits science and engineering classrooms from presenting an authentic engineering practice; 2. WhiteBox Learning provides an authentic experience by utilizing powerful web-based tools with roots in industry that leverage gamification for motivation; and 3. It is possible to leverage familiar projects like balsa wood bridges, balsa wood gliders, mousetrap cars, and others to teach engineering in an authentic way. This is great news because the familiarity of these projects makes it easier for teachers to take on engineering.

SPEAKERS:
Tom Robertson (WhiteBox Learning: Louisville, KY)

Inquiry-Based STEM, Featuring the PocketLab

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

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Estes Industries

Give your students the opportunity to nurture their inquisitive nature with our Does Mass Matter? lesson plan. Learn more about how Estes is working with cool educational companies and industry professionals to provide you with hands-on, real-world learning experiences for your classroom. All participants will be entered to win our Green Eggs™ Starter Kit!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Improve inquiry-based learning techniques; 2. Foster students' inquisitive nature with the PocketLab; and 3. Incorporate all four elements of STEM with the Does Mass Matter? lesson plan.

SPEAKERS:
David Bakker (PocketLab: San Jose, CA), Kathy Biernat (Zanilu Educational Services, LLC: No City, No State), Nicole Bayeur (Estes Industries: , United States)

Adding NOAA's SOS Explorer to Your Data Visualization Education Toolbox

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

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: NOAA Office of Education

Modern society is awash with data that tell complex stories in the language of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Most humans are intensely visual and find it difficult to find meaning in just numbers. NOAA's answer—SOS Explorer (SOSx), now available as a FREE APP on your tablet or smartphone!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Interpreting data through visualizations; 2. Using mobile device apps in teaching; and 3. Resources available from NOAA.

SPEAKERS:
Beth Russell (NOAA Office of Education: Silver Spring, MD), Hilary Peddicord (NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory: Lyons, CO), Stephen Zepecki (NOAA Office of Education: Silver Spring, MD)

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 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)

ASTC-Sponsored Session: Science Inquiry During Remote Learning

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


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2021 SPDI Brochure (web version).pdf
Buoy data_Student_2021_NSTA.pdf
Buoy Data_Teacher_NSTA.pdf
Flipgrid document.docx
Insulate an Egg Remote Learning_Teacher_NGSS.pdf
Insulate an Egg_RemoteLearningAdapt.2021.pdf
Jamboard Padlet Comparison.pdf
Light and Temperature_NSTA.pdf
Marble Roller Coaster_Remote Learning_Teacher_NSTA.pdf
Marble Roller Coasters Lesson Plan_2021.pdf
Marble Roller Coasters Lesson Plan_2021.pdf
Roller Coaster Scale Drawing - Rockin Roller.pdf
Science During Remote Learning.pdf

STRAND: Continuing Effective Distance Learning Strategies Post-COVID

Show Details

Explore using the SEPs to make remote STE instruction inquiry based. Participate in a remote hands-on investigation. Receive a toolkit of resources, strategies, and instructional tools.

Materials needed:

  • Markers or crayons
  • Large sheet of heavy weight paper (11x17 or 8.5 x14)
  • 4–6 ice cubes all about the same size
  • 4 paper cups big enough to hold 2 ice cubes
  • Cooler or access to freezer to keep ice frozen
  • Aluminum tray
  • Black or white tray (take-out container will work)

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Leave with a toolkit of distance-learning practices and investigations to enhance students’ use of the SEPs; 2. Learn about distance-learning tools that support the engagement of all students in STE; and 3. Develop new ideas for performance-based assessments using distance-learning strategies.

SPEAKERS:
Rosemary Rak (Wade Institute for Science Education: Quincy, MA), Angela Damery (Wade Institute for Science Education: Quincy, MA), Sandra Ryack-Bell (Wade Institute for Science Education: Quincy, MA), Margaret Brumsted (Education Specialist: Riverside, RI)

NSTA Press Session: Once Upon a Physical Science Book: Real Science, Real Literacy Instruction

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


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Identify This Lab.pdf
Student lab sheet for the activities we demonstrated during our sessions.
Is it Poison .pdf
This is a simpler reading if "Was it a drug bust?" is too complex for your readers. Although, I suggest trying the harder reading if working in groups--the topic often interests students enough to work at the reading.
Session Power Point Presentation
These are the slides, with links to additional literacy resources.
Was it a drug bust.pdf
Student reading to accompany lab described in our session.

STRAND: Integrating Science and Literacy

Show Details

Want your students to read and write science more effectively? Join the author of the Once Upon A Science Book series for lessons from her newest book integrating literacy and physical science content.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. There are three main impediments to students becoming confident science readers: they do not expect what they are reading to make sense, they lack the background knowledge assumed in the text, and they have found shortcuts around doing classroom reading; 2. Using a literacy learning cycle (exploration, reading, writing) makes reading science easier; and 3. Participants will also try out a literacy learning cycle that they can use with their classes (so they will learn a new lesson plan).

SPEAKERS:
Jodi Wheeler-Toppen (Author/ Staff Development: Atlanta, GA), Karen Kraus (Retired Teacher: Goodyear, AZ), Matthew Hackett (Delta Woods Middle School: Blue Springs, MO)

NSTA Press Session: Instructional Sequence Matters: Structuring Grades 6–8 Lessons with the NGSS in Mind

Wednesday, April 21 • 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTAEngage_6-8_2021.pdf

Show Details

Learn how to be an explore-before-explain teacher who structures lessons so student evidenced-based claims are the foundation for learning and promote long-lasting physical science understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Why sequence matters—a concise review of cognitive science and science education research explains why the order in which you structure your lessons is so critical; and 2. How you do it—ready-to-teach lessons that use an explore-before-explain sequence to provide an experience that meets the Next Generation Science Standards and makes interdisciplinary connections to the Common Core State Standards.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Brown (Fort Zumwalt School District R-II: O'Fallon, MO)

How Can We Make Something New That Was Not There Before? Explore How to Support Student Sensemaking Through Three-Dimensional Assessment

Wednesday, April 21 • 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
7.1-Chemical-Reactions-Storyline.pdf
NSTA - OpenSciEd Bath Bombs - Sensemaking through 3D assessments.pdf
Student Arguments_ Bath Bombs (NSTA Engage21).pdf

STRAND: Reimagining Assessment

Show Details

In this presentation, participants will be introduced to the Chemical Reactions unit and how three-dimensional assessment is embedded throughout the unit to support student sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand: 1. the anchoring phenomena for the unit; 2. the storyline for the unit and how it supports coherence from the student perspective; and 3. the embedded assessments and features of the instructional model that supports all students in successful sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Jamie Noll (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Dawn Novak (Northwestern University: Evanston, IL)

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)

Phenomena to Scenario: Intentionally Moving from Inquiry to STEM Application

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


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Phenomena to Scenario Planning Form_04.2021.pdf
Vasquez.Comer_WHERE Model Template_NSTA Engage Spring21 .pdf

STRAND: Community and Global Impacts on Classroom Learning

Show Details

Engage in this interactive session to find out how the idea of anchoring to a phenomena to begin a STEM unit lays out a plan for helping students to see how science impacts their community.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understand why the scenario helps students connect the phenomena to their own community/ global issues; 2. Show how to move from the unit phenomena introduction to the crafting the storyline for the student learning; and 3. Teachers will have a chance to practice developing their own scenario based on a given phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Comer (Consultant: Paramus, NJ), Jo Anne Vasquez (NSTA President 96-97: , AZ)

Phenomenal Storylines to Drive Student Learning with Discovery Education’s Science Techbook for Middle School

Thursday, April 22 • 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Discovery Education

The 16 units in Discovery Education’s brand-new Science Techbook for middle school are driven by engaging anchor phenomena that prompt students to ask driving questions. Students engage in storylines using the science and engineering practices to collect evidence that answers their questions, learning both core ideas and crosscutting concepts along the way.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Curriculum units should begin with an anchor phenomena that stimulates student questions; 2. A unit should be designed to allow students to collect evidence from investigative phenomena that they can use to answer their questions; and 3. Students should make sense of phenomena by engaging in practices that lead them to develop disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Hailey Adams Mangum (Discovery Education: Chicago, IL), Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

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

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

Show Details

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)

To the Sky with STEM Learning!

Thursday, April 22 • 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Estes Industries

Ready to take STEM learning to new heights? Join Estes and receive a FREE model rocket to build with us. We will cover model rocketry basics and how you can implement this exciting, low-cost STEM tool in your classroom!

Register here to receive your FREE rocket for this workshop.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. the basics of model rocketry; 2. how to use rocketry in the classroom; and 3. the benefits of hands-on, real-world science.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bayeur (Estes Industries: , United States)

New Three-Dimensional Formative Assessments with BrainPOP Science

Thursday, April 22 • 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Learn about three-dimensional formative assessment design and insights for student learning with the new BrainPOP Science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. In this session, we will share how BrainPOP Science uses 3-D formative assessments strategically embedded in lessons to gather actionable data on student progress; and 2. Additionally, session participants will work through classroom scenarios to identify the best implementations of BrainPOP Science, focusing on the checks-for-understanding (formative assessments) and the resulting dashboards and reports.

SPEAKERS:
Laurel Ozersky (BrainPOP: New York, NY)

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 (Educational Consultant: Ellicott City, MD), Liz Martinez (Curriculum/Professional Development/Assessment: Escondido, CA), Libby Simpson (FIRST®: Manchester, NH), Anne Schoeffler (Seton Catholic School: Ottumwa, IA), Melissa Sleeper (Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Upper School: Melbourne, FL)

Free Elementary and Middle School Lesson Plans in Chemistry from the American Chemical Society

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

Show Details

Investigate states of matter, dissolving, and chemical reactions from inquiryinaction.org and middleschoolchemistry.com, the free resources of NGSS-focused lesson plans for teaching basic chemistry concepts to elementary and middle school students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Awareness of free resources of NGSS-focused lesson plans in chemistry for elementary and middle school teachers and students; 2. Questioning strategies built into lessons to help students contribute to the design of an investigation to answer a question; and 3. An understanding of using grade-appropriate explanations of atoms and molecules to help students better understand the causes of the phenomena they observe.

SPEAKERS:
James Kessler (American Chemical Society: Washington, DC)

Earth Day: Sea Level Rise—What It Is; Why It’s Happening; Why It’s So Very, Very Dangerous; and What You Can Do About It

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


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slides - Sea Level Rise
Sea Level Rise Education and Data Resources
These materials support the NOAA presentation - Sea Level Rise: What It Is; Why It’s Happening; Why It’s So Very, Very Dangerous; and What You Can Do About It!

STRAND: Climate Justice and Climate Science

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This session engages participants in the exploration of middle school–oriented, classroom-ready, interactive, online, data-driven, three-dimensional activities and visualizations that present how sea level rise is caused by climate change, how NOAA monitors and measures these changes, how U.S. coastal regions are dangerously impacted by it, and how you can get up to $5,000 for your school to mitigate its impacts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will: 1. explore a middle school–oriented classroom-ready multimedia module, and use data-driven NOAA websites that explain and visualize how climate change is causing sea levels to rise globally and impacting all U.S. coastal areas; 2. explore NOAA’s classroom-ready, Data in the Classroom modules: Investigating Sea Level Using Real Data, and learn how their students can use data from NOAA’s satellites and coastal stations to do the analysis to see sea level changing, and learn how they can integrate its inquiry-based resources into their classrooms today; and 3. learn about NOAA Planet Stewards, a Federal program that offers educators up to $5,000 to engage in hands-on stewardship activities to mitigate climate change and its impacts.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Moravchik (NOAA National Ocean Service: No City, No State)

Assessing Three-Dimensional Learning with Discovery Education’s Science Techbook for Middle School

Friday, April 23 • 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

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Sponsoring Company: Discovery Education

Discovery Education’s brand-new Science Techbook for middle school provides multiple opportunities to assess students’ proficiency with all three dimensions. This session highlights the opportunities for formative assessments throughout the unit as students engage in practices, as well as a summative unit project and a set of performance-based assessments (PBAs) targeting every performance expectation.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students' engagement in science and engineering practices provides an opportunity for formative assessments; 2. Assessments should be tied to phenomena; and 3. Assessments should be three-dimensional.

SPEAKERS:
Nikki Brassell Snyder (Montgomery County Public Schools: Rockville, MD), Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

To the Sky with STEM Learning!

Friday, April 23 • 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

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Sponsoring Company: Estes Industries

Ready to take STEM learning to new heights? Join Estes and receive a FREE model rocket to build with us. We will cover model rocketry basics and how you can implement this exciting, low-cost STEM tool in your classroom!

Register here to receive your FREE rocket for this workshop.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. the basics of model rocketry; 2. how to use rocketry in the classroom; and 3. the benefits of hands-on, real-world science.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bayeur (Estes Industries: , United States)

Come Meet the New BrainPOP Science

Friday, April 23 • 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

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Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Join us as we walk you through the brand-new BrainPOP Science, the next step in teaching science with BrainPOP. Our new product is designed to drive student mastery and inspire the next generation of scientific thinkers with turnkey investigations and embedded interactive tools to prepare students for assessment success.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Leave with tangible strategies that you can use to connect kids to real-world science in remote, hybrid, and in-person learning environments; 2. Discuss and reflect on facilitating the connection between trusting science and doing real-world science; and 3. Leave with a menu of turnkey activities that you can use to propel how you approach phenomena-driven virtual lab instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Kari Stubbs (BrainPOP: New York, NY), Mike Jones (Illinois State University: Normal, IL)

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 (Johnson City Schools: Johnson City, TN), Liz Martinez (Curriculum/Professional Development/Assessment: Escondido, CA), Melissa Sleeper (Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Upper School: Melbourne, 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)

Doing Science According to the Next Generation Science Standards

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

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Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific, Inc.

This workshop will focus on how to provide all students opportunities to use the science practices to understand things of interest to them and to construct knowledge. Ideas for simple hands-on activites, how to use digital media, and how to build straightforward simulations with free spreadsheet programs will be presented.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. do NGSS-aligned science; 2. promote scientific thinking skills in students; and 3. use hands-on activities, digital media, and spreadsheet programs to make science accessible to all students and to construct knowledge.

SPEAKERS:
Mike Marvel, Ph.D. (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL)

Complement Hands-On with Simulations!

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


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Complement Hands-On with Simulations!
Complement Hands-On with Simulations!
Simulations can be great ways for students to visualize abstract concepts.

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

You will see how easy and engaging it can be to use simulations in your chemistry (actually most sciences) class! Simulations are great to speed up the very slow, slow down the very fast, zoom in on the very small, and shrink the very large so students can better understand these scientific processes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Simulations: 1. are great complements to hands on; 2. can help students better see the really small, really large, really fast, or really slow processes in nature; and 3. are NOT the only approach to teaching science but do serve a role in helping students better understand phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Youngsville, LA)

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

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

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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

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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)

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)

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)

Investigation DarkSky: A Virtual Escape Room–Type Activity

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


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2021 CREDC DarkSky .pdf

STRAND: Continuing Effective Distance Learning Strategies Post-COVID

Show Details

Participate in an energy delivery–themed virtual escape room activity. Solve puzzles and pursue clues to discover the origin of a cascading blackout.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The U.S. power grid is the system of producers and consumers of electricity. It includes power generators, switches that control the flow of electricity, substations, miles of power lines, and millions of transformers; 2. Nearly all electricity is used the moment it is generated. The power grid is continually evolving as we integrate alternative power resources and invent technologies; and 3. This challenging process allows us to deliver energy to homes and businesses in cleaner, more efficient ways and makes the system more resilient to disruption.

SPEAKERS:
Jana Sebestik (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Champaign, IL), Logan Marlow (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Urbana, IL), Michael McKelvey (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Urbana, IL), Christina Tran (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Urbana, IL)

NARST-Sponsored Session: Impact of Earth Science Integration on Student Learning in a High School Chemistry Course

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

Show Details

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in sample activities that integrate chemistry, Earth science, and science practices and to review example student work.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn: 1. about integrated chemistry and Earth science activities; and 2. how to support student engagement in creating models of scientific phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathon Grooms (The George Washington University Graduate School of Education: Washington, DC), Kevin Fleming (Cardozo Education Campus: No City, No State), Bess Caplan (Howard County Conservancy: Woodstock, MD), Alan Berkowitz (Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies: Millbrook, NY), Vonceil Anderson (Baltimore City Public Schools: Baltimore, MD)

With Liberty and Justice for All: A Climate Perspective

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

STRAND: Climate Justice and Climate Science

Show Details

The Climate Resilient Schools program developed by The CLEO Institute brings vetted climate science into classrooms with an emphasis on equity, justice, advocacy, and empowerment.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students are eager to learn about climate issues and many feel that it is not being adequately addressed in their general curriculum. Building climate literacy in both students and teachers creates a more robust learning experience that prepares students for future challenges; 2. Teachers play a key role in bringing climate action into the community. There should be a focus on solutions, both technological and societal, as well as environmental issues. This leads to higher engagement from students who feel empowered to take action; and 3. Materials should follow the latest scientific consensus to provide the most up-to-date information and follow standards such as the ACE (Action for Climate Empowerment) Framework and NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Julieta Rodrigo (The CLEO Institute: Miami, FL), Karolyn Burns (The CLEO Institute: Tallahassee, FL)

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

STRAND: Climate Justice and Climate Science

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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)

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

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

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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)

Engaging Your Students in Today’s Digital World

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

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Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Co.

As educators, you know what student engagement looks like in the classroom. Students are focused on their work in front of them, they are collaborating with their peers, they are asking good questions, and creativity is flowing. But now that things have moved online, what does engagement look like? In this session we will explore the wealth of tools within the Mastering® technology from Pearson that you can use in your digital or hybrid classroom now to boost engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Student engagement in a digital/hybrid classroom; 2. How to utilize resources within the Mastering® technology from Pearson to boost student engagement; and 3. Learn about resources within Mastering to support digital teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Vaccaro (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ), Debra Gipson (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ), Matthew Barber (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ), Monica Wadler (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ)

Whet Your Appetite for Learning with the Water Kit!

Thursday, April 29 • 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

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Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Whether breaking bonds, dissolving NaCl, or exploring states of matter, your students will be captivated by 3D Molecular Designs’ magnetic Water Kit©. The versatile kit will engage students in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, Earth science, or physical science and its usefulness spans from middle and high school to college.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Teach bonds and bond strength with models; 2. Teach solutions and states of matter with models; and 3. Teach polarity with models.

SPEAKERS:
Jim Lane (Mahtomedi High School: Saint Paul, MN)

Rock Their Worlds: Teaching Earth Science Using Online Simulations

Thursday, April 29 • 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Layered Earth 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 Layered Earth web-based software.

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Simulation Curriculum Corp.

Simulation Curriculum is a pioneer in developing online simulation-based curriculum to help enhance students’ understanding of Earth science topics as diverse as climate change, plate tectonics, volcanism, Earth materials, and geological processes on Earth’s surface. NGSS-focused lessons engage students with interactive simulations and thought-provoking exercises. 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 Layered Earth as a resource for teaching Earth science; 3. Learn how to integrate Earth science and literacy.

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

Virtual Amazon Fulfillment Center Tour

Thursday, April 29 • 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: 1. 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:
Tony Wallin (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Hilah Barbot (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Trinidad Cisneros (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA)

Choosing the Right BIOZONE NGSS Series for Your High School

Thursday, April 29 • 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
BIOZONE NSTA Workshop Presentation Slides
Please download a copy of our workshop slides

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: BIOZONE

BIOZONE’s two NGSS series have been designed to fully embrace the spirit of the NGSS. We will compare their features, guiding you to select the series best suited to your program. We will show how BIOZONE’s flexible print and digital solutions support you to teach face-to-face, remotely, or through hybrid programs.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Comparing features of the standard and integrated NGSS series; 2. Guiding participants to select the series best suited to their program; and 3. Print and digital solutions to support teachers who are teaching remotely or face-to-face.

SPEAKERS:
Lissa Bainbridge-Smith (BIOZONE Corp.: Parker, CO), James Leggett (BIOZONE Corp.: Parker, CO)

Developing Science as a Second Language: Vocabulary Acquisition for All

Thursday, April 29 • 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation: Developing Science as a Second Language

STRAND: Integrating Science and Literacy

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In this session, learn how to engage all students in vocabulary development in the science classroom. Instructional strategies for all students, with a focus on English Learners, will be highlighted.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. how to teach vocabulary alongside content; 2. immediately implementable activities to promote vocabulary acquisition; and 3. about resources to support vocabulary instruction.

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

Experience Kinematics: Using Data to Understand Motion

Thursday, April 29 • 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM

STRAND: Reimagining Assessment

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Learn what representations and data your students can use to bridge phenomena and mathematics, and how to assess kinematics understanding, as opposed to rote algebra skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Using authentic data from real, open-access journal articles to model motion; 2. Students using multiple representations to shift back and forth from pictures, graphs, and math; and 3. Assessing students' understanding through their performance using real data.

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

Hands-On, Authentic Science for All Students  

Friday, April 30 • 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

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Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific, Inc.

This workshop will focus on how to incorporate more hands-on experiments into science courses in a way that connects the experiences to the broader world. The workshop will also discuss how to make the experiences doable for all students regardless of prior knowledge, training, or learning environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to do more hands-on, authentic experiments; 2. How to make experiments relevant; and 3. How digital media and adaptable platforms can help cater experiences to all students.

SPEAKERS:
Mike Marvel, Ph.D. (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL)

COVID Teaching Strategies That Are Keepers!

Saturday, May 1 • 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1k64AO6Fp3J4tzXBGh--CcwWj-fGOW0JoulIS7trtv6M/copy
Strategies that the NSTA High School Committee used during our year of "Covid teaching" that we will continue using.

STRAND: Continuing Effective Distance Learning Strategies Post-COVID

Show Details

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 (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI), Johanna Brown (Washington State OSPI), Brenda Walsh (Eden Prairie High School: Eden Prairie, MN)

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

Saturday, May 1 • 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM


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

STRAND: Climate Justice and Climate Science

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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)

ASTE-Sponsored Session: Balancing Act: Bridging Content Pedagogy with Equity Issues in Methods Courses

Tuesday, May 4 • 5:45 PM - 6:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Balancing Act: Bridging Content Pedagogy with Equity Issues in Secondary Science

STRAND: Supporting Equity in the Science Classroom

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This session will bring together science teacher educators to share strategies and resources to support the professional development of preservice middle and high school teachers.

During this workshop, participants will discuss and share ideas, syllabi, digital tools, or lessons about how to teach secondary science teacher preparation methods classes.

This session is for college faculty who prepare teachers or mentor secondary science teachers who work with preservice teachers in clinical experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Perspectives on balancing science content, pedagogical content knowledge, and methods in courses for preservice science teachers; 2. Strategies for addressing issues of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in preservice science education courses; and 3. Ideas for adapting these content and practices for face-to-face, hybrid, and online delivery in courses.

SPEAKERS:
Ryan Summers (University of North Dakota: Grand Forks, ND), Xinying Yin (California State University, San Bernardino: San Bernardino, CA), Lauren Angelone (Xavier University: Cincinnati, OH), Stephanie Philipp (The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: Chattanooga, TN)

Preservice Day Session: Engaging in Climate Science

Wednesday, May 5 • 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Engage and Explore Black Carbon with Windows to the Universe.pdf
Using a simple activity available from Windows to the Universe, students will investigate the climate effects of increasing amounts of black carbon on the absorption of solar radiation on the Earth's surface.
Engage and explore climate models with the AMS Conceptual Climate Energy Model
Engage in an investigation that explores energy flow in a highly simplified representation of an imaginary planet and the space environment above it. The purpose is to provide insight into the impacts of physical processes that operate in the real world. We will also engage with Climate Variability and Climate Change... as it enters, resides in, and exits a planetary system model
Engage with your local Climate using NOAA Data
Using "local" data from NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) engage with the climate in your home.
Key for the Honolulu 2020 Activity
Key to accompany Empirical Climate from a Local Perspective Activity.
Key to AMS CCEM Activity
Key to accompany the Simply Climate Model Activity
Local Climate Empirical Oahu 2020 AMS Lesson Revised
Presentation from Engaging in Climate Science
PDF of the presentation to accompany the three activities presented in the session.
Simple Climate Modeling V2 1
Weblinks from session
Weblinks associated with Engaging in Climate Science presentation.

STRAND: Climate Justice and Climate Science

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In this session preservice teachers will explore several activities that help them present climate science through data collection, virtual modeling, and place-based inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Examine how increasing the amount of black carbon (soot) on Earth's surface, especially in the polar regions, can increase the amount of energy absorbed by Earth's surface; 2. Become familiar with the AMS Conceptual Climate Energy Model, a computer simulation designed to enable you to track the paths that units of energy might follow as they enter, move through, and exit an imaginary planetary climate system; and 3. Use local empirical data from the U.S. Weather Service to discover climate change at a local level.

SPEAKERS:
Richard Jones (University of Hawaii-West Oahu: Kaploei, HI)

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

Wednesday, May 5 • 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

STRAND: Social Emotional Learning and the Science Classroom

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

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

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

Designing Your Own Online Labs

Saturday, May 8 • 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM

STRAND: Continuing Effective Distance Learning Strategies Post-COVID

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Good data-based labs are priceless. Developing your own is hard—especially for online. Walk through the process of designing online, data-based labs.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Identify the differences between developing online labs and face-to-face labs; 2. Become familiar with some tools and resources available to help you design your own online, data-based labs; and 3. Be able to identify additional supports students will need in online settings.

SPEAKERS:
Zack Stockbridge (Southwestern Community College: Sylva, NC)

Effective Questioning Strategies to Engage Students in STEM

Saturday, May 8 • 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM

STRAND: Integrating Science and Literacy

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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.