Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

STEM is not just about integrating science, technology, engineering, and math. Dr. Carol O’Donnell discusses how schools can support STEM students and teachers of diverse backgrounds through curricula, professional development, and leadership development that take an integrated approach to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in K–12 STEM. Participants will learn about several free Smithsonian resources to integrate inclusive design into K–12 STEM curricula, apply PD strategies for teaching English learners and girls in STEM, and diversify the STEM teaching workforce.

SPEAKERS:
Carol ODonnell (Smithsonian Institution: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

What have we learned during the past year about what we most value about teaching and learning? Where does science fit in a responsive relaunch? Join leaders from UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science as we reflect on these questions and begin to explore how to capitalize on a phenomenon-based approach to create a culture that values student voice and fosters curiosity and engagement.

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

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

STEM fields do not currently reflect the diversity in our country. Not every student will need to be a scientist or engineer but every student should be able to envision themselves in a STEM field. How do we create inclusive classrooms to support all students from diverse backgrounds?

SPEAKERS:
Jacqueline Smalls (Code.org: Seattle, WA)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

This past year put a spotlight on the social and emotional needs of our teachers and students. Let’s step back and look through a renewed lens at what really matters. While good teaching is the hallmark of student success in the classroom, this can only happen when teachers and students are in a good frame of mind and position to care for one another. We'll tackle this critical issue with relevant tools and suggestions. Learning from this past year can transform education forever.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Kenneth Heydrick (: Austin, TX)

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

How do we capture the attention of our digitally tuned students today? The answer came from an experiment in 2013 called “an hour of code.” Today, coding and computational thinking is the new wave that is capturing students’ attention worldwide. New approaches in the U.K., Sweden, Norway, and even the U.S.’s NGSS all use this cleverly disguised critical-thinking skill to excite, engage, and educate the future generations. We will investigate this new instructional wave together.

SPEAKERS:
JP Keener (PASCO Scientific: Roseville, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Co.

Public opinion in the U.S. continues to demonstrate a surprising unwillingness to embrace the scientific consensus on major issues affecting the country and the world. This problem relates to popular perceptions of science and scientists, placing science educators in the crosshairs of this conflict. We will suggest ways in which science educators can play a key role in regaining the cultural high ground in American society.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Miller (Brown University: Providence, RI), Joseph Levine (Science Writer and Producer: Concord, MA)