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)

Join the author of Notable Notebooks and Exemplary Evidence to discuss effective notebooking practices. Get a preview of her upcoming book about elementary science notebooks!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Science notebooks are an essential component of 3-D student-centered classrooms; 2. While there are a variety of notebook models in use, a flexible, hybrid approach is best to meet the needs of elementary students; and 3. Notebooks can be a rich source of formative and summative assessment data.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Fries-Gaither (Columbus School for Girls: Columbus, OH)

Sponsoring Company: NSTA Press

Learn how to use explore-before-explain learning to flip the traditional teaching script and promote long-lasting understanding in physical, life, and Earth and space science.

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; 2. How you do it—ready-to-teach lessons that use an explore-before-explain sequence; and 3. Connections to modern standards—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)

Sponsoring Company: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

In this workshop, participants will discuss how sustainability can be an integrative thread throughout STEM topics, such as climate change and environmental science. Participants will identify strategies for integrating sustainability into their existing curricula and will define sustainability in terms of systems thinking and future orientation. This workshop will be led by faculty and staff from the University of Wisconsin-Steven Point’s Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability Program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. discuss how sustainability can be an integrative thread throughout STEM topics; 2. be able to identify strategies for integrating sustainability into their existing curricula; and 3. be able to define sustainability in terms of systems thinking and future orientation (e.g., beyond reduce, reuse, recycle).

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Potter-Nelson (University of Maine at Farmington: Farmington, ME), Erin Redman (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: Stevens Point, WI), Rachael Rost (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: Stevens Point, WI)

Sponsoring Company: LaMotte Co.

Water is the single most valuable resource essential for life on Earth, yet is subject to increasing scarcity, pollutants, and overuse. The Tapwater Tour curriculum makes the real-world connection between the phenomena explored in the lesson and actual hands-on laboratory activities that students experience while revealing the quality of their own tap water. Group discussions, activities, and analysis of class data provide opportunities for teamwork, collaboration, and reflection.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Simple hands-on methods that students can easily and safely perform in the classroom, or as teacher demonstrations for distance learning, will be presented; 2. Examples of phenomena to engage students in water quality testing will be given; and 3. Ideas for adapting lessons to suit student audience/grade levels/abilities will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Hill (LaMotte Co.: Chestertown, MD)

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)

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Kohout (Independent Contractor: Ellicott City, MD)

Sponsoring Company: FDA/ Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Join us in exploring FDA's free curriculum designed for middle level and high school students. The Science and Our Food Supply series provides hands-on lessons in food safety, nutrition, and agricultural biotechnology…and provides a bridge for students to experience science in the real world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will: 1. explore the variety of lessons found in the FDA curriculum; 2. understand how this curriculum can be integrated into a variety of science classes; and 3. be exposed to how this curriculum can be adapted to both hands-on and distance learning.

SPEAKERS:
Elena Stowell (Kentwood High School: Kent, WA), Laurie A Hayes (Retired Biomedicine Teacher: , CA)

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)

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)

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

A decomposing corpse is found in a field. Four possible missing persons fit the description. But who is it? Using clues near the scene will help determine identity. Forensic anthropologist Diane France helped to develop this free middle school and high school forensic science lesson.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Forensic science is a great career field that combines science with criminal justice; 2. Natural processes of decomposition of flesh can be clues to determining cause of death; and 3. Storytelling is a great way to engage students in science.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Lukens (Retired Science Teacher: Sioux Falls, SD)

Sponsoring Company: NSTA Press

This session shows how simple shifts in the way you arrange and combine activities will help students construct knowledge while allowing you to put the NGSS into practice.

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; 2. How you do it—ready-to-teach lessons that use an explore-before-explain sequence; and 3. Connections to modern standards—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)

Sponsoring Company: FDA/ Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Join us in exploring FDA's free curriculum designed for middle level and high school students. The Science and Our Food Supply series provides hands-on lessons in food safety, nutrition, and agricultural biotechnology…and provides a bridge for students to experience science in the real world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will: 1. explore the variety of lessons found in the FDA curriculum; 2. understand how this curriculum can be integrated into a variety of science classes; and 3. be exposed to how this curriculum can be adapted to both hands-on and distance learning.

SPEAKERS:
Elena Stowell (Kentwood High School: Kent, WA), Laurie A Hayes (Retired Biomedicine Teacher: , CA)

Come learn from your peers and discover how you can help contribute to and curate tools and resources for teaching elementary science methods. Participants are asked to bring an idea, activity, assignment, or resource to share with colleagues.

Participants will work with technology tools only during this workshop (jamboards, etc.).

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Meet/network with other science teacher educators; 2. Learn new ideas, activities, or strategies from peers; and 3. Be able to access additional information and contribute to the 'Method for Methods' collection online.

SPEAKERS:
Debi Hanuscin (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Tina Vo (University of Nevada, Las Vegas: Las Vegas, NV), Dr. Dieuwertje Kast (USC Joint Educational Project: Los Angeles, CA), Sumreen Asim (Indiana University Southeast: New Albany, IN), Nazan Bautista (Miami University: Oxford, OH)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Sami Kahn (Princeton University: Princeton, NJ)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Robbie Higdon (James Madison University: Harrisonburg, VA)

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA)

Come hear how preservice teachers organized and hosted a virtual science fair that aligns with the NGSS science practices—and learn how to do this yourself!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how: 1. to hold a science fair virtually; 2. to align the traditional science fair project with the NGSS science and engineering practices; and 3. preservice teachers can learn from this real-world practicum experience.

SPEAKERS:
Debi Hanuscin (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Isabel Martian (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Emily Moran (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Shannon Sandburg (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Ruby Pappas (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Emily Barr (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Andrew Bumgarner (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Kady McCartney (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore a high-quality NSTA lesson plan; 2. Familiarize participants with NSTA Daily Do lesson plans for all grade bands and families; and 3. Inform participants of the new Daily Do Playlists.

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

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

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

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

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Roy (Glastonbury Public Schools: Glastonbury, CT)

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

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

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

Overview of NSF funding opportunities to support science preservice and inservice teacher education.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain knowledge about NSF funding opportunities for STEM teacher educators; 2. Know do's and don'ts for submitting NSF proposals to Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE); and 3. Identify STEM teacher education priority areas for DUE submissions.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Richardson (National Science Foundation: Alexandria, VA)

Calling all professors to learn ways NSTA digital resources and professional learning tools are being used when teaching science preservice teachers. Professors currently using NSTA as textbook will be present to answer questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Over 100 professors at more than 80 universities are using NSTA resources and online tools to effectively teach science preservice teachers; 2. Preservice teachers create a library of resources, grow their network of professional colleagues, and enhance their content and pedagogical knowledge of science by actively engaging with NSTA digital resources and online tools within the NSTA website; and 3. Participating preservice teachers experience being part of the science professional organization that is NSTA.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Richard Jones (University of Hawaii-West Oahu: Kaploei, HI)

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)

Investigate an historic epidemic that disproportionately impacted persons experiencing poverty 100 years ago. We'll use materials designed to support preservice and inservice teachers’ critical science consciousness.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. that making connections between science and systemic inequities explicit is a culturally relevant practice; 2. how exploring systemic inequities through science practices, disciplinary content, and crosscutting concepts supports teacher candidates’ critical consciousness development; and 3. how to create a critical inquiry case study around an issue of interest in their own instructional context.

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

Share ways your students learn to speak clearly, read thoughtfully, write coherently, and create and/or critique media while learning science. Also consider examples in https://open.oregonstate.education/physicsforteachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will learn about ways to integrate science and literacy learning; 2. From these examples, attendees will learn about different perspectives on what it means to integrate science and literacy learning; and 3. Attendees also will learn about ways to integrate science and literacy lessons while enacting NGSS recommendations such as engaging students in the science and engineering practices of asking questions and defining problems, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in argument from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information within the context of using relevant cross cutting concepts while exploring phenomena on which to base development of disciplinary core ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Van Zee (Retired Associate Professor: Corvallis, OR)

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Conerly (Marion County Schools: Columbia, MS)

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)

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: , NC), Brad Rhew (Guilford County Schools: No City, No State), Rabiah Harris (Ida B Wells Middle School: No City, No State), Mary Beth Berrien (Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School: Greenfield, MA), Charles Hayes (Highland Oaks Elementary School: Memphis, TN)