NSTA Engage: Spring21 - Sessions

Tapping into the Phenomena of Drinking Water

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.: , United States)

Biodiversity and the Environment

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 (Howard County Conservancy: Woodstock, MD)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Materials are only accessible to NSTA Members)

From Food Safety to Biotechnology—Using the FDA Curriculum in Your Classroom

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 Hayes (Retired Educator: Clovis, CA)

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

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)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Materials are only accessible to NSTA Members)

Using Maggots, Flies, and Flesh to Solve a Mystery!

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)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Materials are only accessible to NSTA Members)

NSTA Press: Instructional Sequence Matters: Explore-Before-Explain, Grades 9–12 Physical Science

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)

From Food Safety to Biotechnology—Using the FDA Curriculum in Your Classroom

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 Hayes (Retired Educator: Clovis, CA)