NSTA Engage: Spring21 - Sessions

The Walking Classroom as a STEM Resource

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)

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

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)

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

Master Data Analysis

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 (Educational Consultant: Franklin, WI), Nicole Bayeur (Estes Industries: , United States)

WhiteBox Learning: The E in STEM  

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

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 (Educational Consultant: Franklin, WI), Nicole Bayeur (Estes Industries: , United States)

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

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's Global Systems Laboratory: Boulder, CO), Hilary Peddicord (NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory: Lyons, CO), Stephen Zepecki (NOAA Office of Education: Silver Spring, MD)

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

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

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!

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

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)

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

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 (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD), Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

To the Sky with STEM Learning!

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

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)

Complement Hands-On with Simulations!

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)

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

Doing Science According to the Next Generation Science Standards

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 (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL)

Day in the Life of a Robotics Engineer at Amazon

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

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)

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

Whet Your Appetite for Learning with the Water Kit!

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)

Virtual Amazon Fulfillment Center Tour

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)

Hands-On, Authentic Science for All Students  

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 (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL)