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)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes

Literacy strategies, such as analyzing, discussing, and summarizing, can be utilized while reading science-based articles, authentic science research, journals, and textbooks. The use of these strategies provides a cross-curricular bridge that not only increases understanding but also increases a student's ability to think critically. Our professionally trained STEM coaches know what it takes to effectively integrate literacy and writing into the science content. Using a constructivist approach, participants will experience hands-on learning that will give them a greater understanding of literacy in science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. work in a collaborative group to understand the importance of a constructivist approach; 2. understand how constructivist strategies provide a cross-curricular bridge that not only increases understanding but also increases a student's ability to think critically; and 3. work on an interactive activity to know what it takes to integrate literacy into the science content.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Mathis (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX), Jessica Morse (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Join Global Educator and Into Science author Michael DiSpezio for an engaging and motivating session on the tenets of an equitable approach to phenomena-based learning. Profiling an assortment of investigation phenomena, you'll discover how these process interactions are presented using everyday and inexpensive materials. Driven by experiences common to a diverse student population, the approach levels the often more exclusive playing field of traditional experimentation. Plus, it's fun! So, whether you are teaching face-to-face, hybrid, or remotely, this informative and practical session offers ideas for immediate implementation and success.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Tenets of an equitable approach to phenomena-based learning; 2. Discover how the process interactions are presented using everyday and inexpensive materials; and 3. Approaches that level the often more exclusive playing field of traditional experimentation.

SPEAKERS:
Michael DiSpezio (Master Educator, Presenter, and Author: North Falmouth, MA)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes

With the increased focus on accountability for science, we can offer a play- and literacy-based program for young learners. This hands-on science program supports child development and socio-development in a meaningful way. There is always time for science!

TAKEAWAYS:
Science: 1. provides real-life applications for math and language arts; 2. develops problem-solving and critical-thinking skills; and 3. fosters curiosity and creativity.

SPEAKERS:
Mindy Stroup (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX), Amber Gunner (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes

Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) is a way for students to explain observed phenomena in a scientific way. This structured approach allows students to use observations and data from an investigation. Students use critical reasoning to connect the claim and evidence together. CER is an acclaimed and highly successful instructional strategy that is changing how students understand concepts and write explanations for phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will explore how to: 1. encourage student curiosity and engagement in authentic science and engineering practices; 2. engage students in deeper skills of inquiry; and 3. empower students to lead discussions about scientific phenomena, based on logical protocol for using evidence to make a claim.

SPEAKERS:
Maeve Green (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX), Susan Arnette (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Perdido, AL)

Challenge and assess 21st-century learners through coding! We’ll explore code-based assessment or extension options related to a variety of NGSS Practices and Core Ideas.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Challenging students to think critically and creatively through science-based coding projects builds competency in 21st-century skills while providing an innovative assessment opportunity; 2. Science practices and core ideas can be assessed through projects requiring varying levels of coding proficiency; and 3. Allowing students to creatively express their understanding of ideas can promote equity in access to computer science, enhance motivation and achievement, and provide another avenue for students to recognize their strengths.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Townsend (Oak Grove Primary School: Prairieville, LA)

The authors of the Picture-Perfect STEM series will share how  picture books can make STEM come alive for your students!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Strategies for integrating STEM and literacy in K–5; 2. Suggested picture books that integrate STEM and literacy; and 3. A STEM lesson you can use right away.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Morgan (Picture-Perfect Science: West Chester, OH), Karen Ansberry (Picture-Perfect Science: Lebanon, OH)

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: Dartmouth, MA), Kathy Renfrew (Wade Institute for Science Education: Milford, MA)

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)

Early positive experiences in STEM are critical for future academic success and the development of STEM-related habits of mind. In this session, participants will make connections between current research and resources for science and math implementation. Educators will also explore resources for increasing STEM discourse and engaging families in math exploration at home.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. STEM activites for young learners; 2. Resources for STEM discourse; and 3. Family engagement strategies for math explorations.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Thompson Allen (D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education: Clinton, MD)

Discover how "Tub People" can be used to deepen young learners’ understanding of subtraction under 10 and how quick prototypes help solve engineering problems.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Great mathematics and engaging engineering challenges can be found in children's literature; 2. Learners of all ages benefit from identifying patterns and discovering multiple ways to represent their understanding; and 3. Whether it be in solving mathematical expressions or finding engineering solutions, young learners benefit from using manipulatives as they work.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Burton (Trinity School: Atlanta, GA), Becky Holden (Trinity School: Atlanta, GA)

Experiments do not belong just in the science classroom anymore! Learn about STEAM-focused NASA resources that can serve as a companion to literary novels.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. walk away with list of STEAM novels; 2. be given NASA resources that can accompany literary novels; and 3. walk away with a material list for activities discussed during session that can be used in person or virtually.

SPEAKERS:
Celena Miller (Texas Space Grant Consortium: Austin, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Legends of Learning

With the amount of time for science instruction constantly under scrutiny, developing experiences beyond traditional classroom hours is critical. Learn how educators can leverage game-based learning to introduce, review, and deepen student content understanding. Through student-driven learning, Legends of Learning helps educators ensure that not a moment of time is lost.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. New ways to engage students through game-based instruction; 2. How student-driven learning resources can maximize instructional time; and 3. Strategies for using game-based learning to introduce, reinforce, and enrich student content experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Joselyn Whetzel (Legends of Learning: Laurel, MD), Aryah Fradkin (Legends of Learning: Laurel, MD), Sean Reidy (Legends of Learning: Laurel, MD)

Sponsoring Company: Nat'l Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke

Discover exciting brain educational resources from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke! Join this interactive workshop to learn about engaging, interactive online videos; activities; lesson plans; and games for children and teens that are sure to engender excitement about the brain. Share your insights with federal staff.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) has an array of resources for children in grades K–12, including stroke awareness lesson plans, introductory information about the brain, and brain-related classroom activities and videos; and 2. Attendees will learn how to access and use these resources to promote excitement and curiosity about the brain and brain science with students.

SPEAKERS:
Samantha White (NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Bethesda, MD), Nina Lichtenberg (NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Bethesda, MD), Diana Andriola (NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Bethesda, MD)

Sponsoring Company: Ward's Science

Explore the life cycle of a butterfly using our Ward’s Science live butterfly larvae! During this virtual workshop, educators will go through all the steps required to “build” a butterfly and observe its life cycle in a classroom. Motivate and meet the needs of all learners with daily observations and growth recordings as well as art projects building models and creative writing suggestions for language arts. We’ll see why butterflies are beneficial to our environment and an exciting living learning tool for the classroom. Door prizes to multiple winners!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to handle LIVE larvae for your life cycle of a butterfly unit; 2. Care and feeding of larvae and newly emerged butterflies; and 3. Create life cycle models incorporating Art and Language arts.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Ahern (Ward's Science: Austin, TX), Peter Tucker (Ward's Science: West Henrietta, NY)

Sponsoring Company: Brain Chase

Dive into interactive, educational Escape Rooms, and learn how you can design your own programs using dozens of electives and different Escape Room themes. Plus, there will be a fun sneak-peek of our fun Escape Room experience with NSTA that is scheduled on May 6.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Using escape rooms and treasure hunts makes learning feel like an adventure for students; 2. Adventures incentivize learning, progress, and engages 21st-century skills; and 3. Hands-on projects to engage students add to a more robust experience that straddles virtual and physical worlds.

SPEAKERS:
Gracie Helms (Brain Chase: Austin, TX)

Discover free age-appropriate "Cooped Up Kids" activities that connect kids to the outdoors and exciting science content whether in school, remote, or blended.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover free hands-on lessons that are tied to the NGSS and Common Core Standards and discuss how to implement them whether learners are at home or in school; 2. Describe the socio-emotional benefits of place-based outdoor experiences for diverse K–8 students; and 3. Learn how to access a variety of free educational interactives, online multimedia resources, and citizen science projects scaffolded by lessons that are perfect for K–8 settings.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Fee (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Ithaca, NY)

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)

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

Sponsoring Company: NSTA Press

The authors of the Picture-Perfect STEM series will share lessons that integrate STEM and literacy through the use of engaging STEM-related picture books.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Picture-Perfect lesson you can use in your classroom right away; 2. Picture book recommendations for integrating STEM and literacy; and 3. Padlet of Picture-Perfect STEM resources.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Morgan (Picture-Perfect Science: West Chester, OH), Karen Ansberry (Picture-Perfect Science: Lebanon, OH)

Sponsoring Company: TCI

Essential to good scientific practice and mitigating learning loss is the ability to communicate an argument effectively. You’ll be mining chocolate chip cookies to see the cause and effect between human activity and Earth Systems. We’ll demonstrate how to integrate language skills while guiding students in developing their science knowledge.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Mitigate learning loss by integrating literacy skills in science investigations; 2. Learn to integrate literacy skills into elementary science classrooms; and 3. Leave with practical real-world tips that can be immediately incorporated into the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn Smith (TCI: Murray, KY), Kelsey Moore (TCI: Mountain View, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Brain Chase

Dive into interactive, educational Escape Rooms, and learn how you can design your own programs using dozens of electives and different Escape Room themes. Plus, there will be a fun sneak-peek of our fun Escape Room experience with NSTA that is scheduled on May 6.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Using escape rooms and treasure hunts makes learning feel like an adventure for students; 2. Adventures incentivize learning, progress, and engages 21st-century skills; and 3. Hands-on projects to engage students add to a more robust experience that straddles virtual and physical worlds.

SPEAKERS:
Gracie Helms (Brain Chase: Austin, TX)

Five STEM authors provide hand-on activities and ideas for using picture books to support both literacy and science in the classroom and via distance learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. An understanding of how to incorporate STEM activities into your literacy routines; 2. Full lesson plans for classroom and at-home activities that can be used with each of our books; and 3. A list of STEM book titles to support literacy and science learning in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kirsten Larson (Author: Lancaster, CA), Vicky Fang (Product Designer & Author-Illustrator: Los Altos, CA), Jen Malia (Norfolk State University: Norfolk, VA), Colleen Paeff (Author: Los Angeles, CA), Lindsay Metcalf (Author: Concordia, KS)

Inclusive approaches to teaching and learning include probing questions that all students can relate to, that provide multiple entry points for engagement, and that create a desire to want to figure it out. Learn how to use the Uncovering Student Ideas probes and strategies to support a classroom where all students' ideas matter!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn about a resource for formative assessment; 2. Explore key points from research on learning that support using formative assessment probes; and 3. Gain new strategies for eliciting all students' ideas and building a classroom culture where everyone's ideas matter.

SPEAKERS:
Page Keeley (NSTA Past President: Fort Myers, FL)

“Growing from Home: A Literacy STEM Adventure” encourages inquiry-based exploration through an accessible bilingual activity series that links STEM exploration with culturally relevant literature and physical engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be: 1. sent 10 engaging bilingual STEM activities that include culturally and thematically relevant reading suggestions and healthy, accessible recipes; 2. given access to the interactive, bilingual, captioned video demonstrations for the 10 activities in the series; and 3. provided “activity action cards” that relate to each of the STEM activities and help integrate STEM and literacy skill development with physical movement.

SPEAKERS:
Mariah Romaninsky (The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University: Philadelphia, PA), Meghan Nealon (GrowingGreat: Manhattan Beach, CA)

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: Worcester, MA)

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)

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 Wisconsin - Stevens Point: Stevens Point, WI), Erin Redman (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: Stevens Point, WI), Rachael Rost (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: Stevens Point, WI)

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: Oak Creek, WI), Nicole Bayeur (Estes Industries: Pueblo, CO)

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)

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

Learn how to create a project-based camp or classroom lesson that enable students to apply concepts, such as photosynthesis and the water cycle, to design a smart irrigation system. Inspired by real-world events, students are motivated to apply problem-solving skills and learn some basic programming to come up with innovative solutions to using water more efficiently.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Developing models to better understand a process; 2. Constructing explanations and designing solutions; and 3. Introducing students to coding to solve a science problem with an engineering solution.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Kohout (Educational Consultant: Ellicott City, MD)

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: Oak Creek, WI), Nicole Bayeur (Estes Industries: Pueblo, CO)

Sponsoring Company: TCI

Designed to be engaging no matter where learning takes place, TCI’s Engineering Challenges get students thinking and acting like real-world engineers, but most importantly, excited about science. Discover the power of the TCI approach and get practical real-world tips for your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore TCI’s unique approach to engineering; 2. Learn to engage students anytime and anywhere with engineering challenges; and 3. Leave with practical real-world tips that can be immediately incorporated into the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Thomas (TCI: Mountain View, CA), Deanna Morrow (TCI: Rancho Cordova, CA)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes

Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) is a way for students to explain observed phenomena in a scientific way. This structured approach allows students to use observations and data from an investigation. Students use critical reasoning to connect the claim and evidence together. CER is an acclaimed and highly successful instructional strategy that is changing how students understand concepts and write explanations for phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will explore how to: 1. encourage student curiosity and engagement in authentic science and engineering practices; 2. engage students in deeper skills of inquiry; and 3. empower students to lead discussions about scientific phenomena, based on logical protocol for using evidence to make a claim.

SPEAKERS:
Kristen Wheat (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Long Beach, MS), Michele Cozza (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Plainfield, IL)

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: 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:
Trinidad Cisneros (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Tony Wallin (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Hilah Barbot (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA)

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: Washington, DC)

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: Pipersville, PA), Nicole Green (Animalearn: Jenkintown, PA), Bailee Henderson (Animalearn: Jenkintown, PA), Shannon Hudson (Crawfordsville Middle School: Crawfordsville, IN), Alison Seymour (Winchester College: Scottsdale, AZ), Jessica VanValkenburgh (Columbus State University: Hamilton, GA), Elizabeth Weissman (The Ramaz School: Fresh Meadows, NY)

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: Newton, KS)

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: Fall River, MA), Angela Damery (Wade Institute for Science Education: Quincy, MA), Sandra Ryack-Bell (Wade Institute for Science Education: Dartmouth, MA), Margaret Brumsted (Education Specialist: Riverside, RI)

Join us as we outline and present classroom applications of a four-part framework for equitable science instruction incorporating issues of identity, diversity, justice, and action.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to use the four-part framework (identity, diversity, justice, action) to incorporate issues of social justice into classroom practices or science curricula; 2. How the four domains of social justice meet the call for equitable instruction outlined by the NGSS appendix “All Standards, All Students”; and 3. How to empower students to explore scientific issues and their personal identities within the scientific community.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Redick (Ohio Department of Education and Workforce: Powell, OH), Laura Blue (The Ohio State University: Hilliard, OH)

WeatherBlur, an online citizen science platform, links schools in the Gulf of Maine with schools in the Gulf of Mexico to explore local environmental issues.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Empowering students to tackle difficult environmental challenges seen in their communities and get their voices heard; 2. Promoting idea exchanges and collaboration between different communities and cultures from around the country; and 3. Enhancing environmental and data literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Clark Uchenna (Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance: Augusta, ME), Megan McCall (Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies: Mobile, AL)

Connect the human impact of trash pollution to engineering design. Get your students thinking critically and creatively as they collaborate in real-world problem solving.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Connecting the human impact of single-use plastics and their effect on aquatic ecosystems; 2. Exposing students to basic coding and engineering design in an NGSS-focused content classroom; and 3. Developing a project that enhances STEM skills in students such as collaboration, curiosity, and creative problem-solving.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Kohout (Educational Consultant: Ellicott City, MD), Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Scott, LA)

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: Worcester, MA), Jo Anne Vasquez (NSTA President 96-97: , AZ)

My NASA Data will model interactive resources for students learning in-person and via virtual environments that feature short activities, lessons, and access to NASA data.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. walk away with access to NASA resources for their Earth science classrooms that can be linked directly to their learning management systems; 2. learn of interactive strategies for using these resources with students in a variety of learning environments; and 3. learn of an Earth science data visualization tool that enables students/educators to access and visualize NASA data for a particular region or time period.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Joyner (NASA Langley Research Center: Suffolk, VA), Angela Rizzi (NASA Langley Research Center/ADNET: Newport News, VA)

An informal discussion with former eCYBERMISSION Team Advisors about how to find success with student competitions.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. engage students in STEM competitions; 2. take part in STEM competitions with limited time; and 3. help students find success in STEM competitions.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Hartman (BrainPOP: Pittsburgh, PA), Sarah Rahman (Cabrillo Middle School: Santa Clara, CA), Debra Las (John Adams Middle School: Rochester, MN), Andi Suter (Serrano Intermediate School: Lake Forest, CA), Vonda Fruhwirth (Kings Junior High School: Kings Mills, OH)

The fascinating phenomena of Earth and space science take on heightened relevance in learners’ lives when presented through the frameworks of geoheritage and place-based education.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. There are practical approaches for accentuating the excitement of Earth and space sciences as they are shown to intersect with human life, history, and culture; 2. The connection of geoscience with human history and culture—what is increasingly known as geoheritage—has great potential in education as a reference framework that encourages learning as well as promoting conservation of significant natural features; and 3. The dimensions of the NGSS, the big ideas of geoheritage, and the design principles of place-based education are mutually supportive—which together lead to strategies for meaningful learning in Earth and space science.

SPEAKERS:
Aida Awad (Education Consultant/ Adjunct: Ormond Beach, FL), Margaret Holzer (none: Somerset, NJ), Rebecca Dodge (Midwestern State University: Wichita Falls, TX), Eric Pyle (James Madison University: Harrisonburg, VA), Dawna Cerney (Youngstown State University: Youngstown, OH), Dianna Gielstra (Prescott College Online Graduate Degree Program: Austin, TX), Ed Robeck (American Geosciences Institute: Salisbury, MD)

Discover lesson plans and teaching resources to better integrate science and engineering practices in our food system.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Engage in the practice of phenomena-based learning through the phenomena of photoperiodism; 2. Improve critical thinking while investigating food production systems; and 3. Integrate STEM concepts through design thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Gardner (Utah State University: Enterprise, UT), Tessa Matuszak (National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization: Palm Coast, FL)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes

In this workshop, we will utilize a simple yet effective talk process that can encourage students to more fully own their thinking and effectively communicate their ideas to peers. Join us in this interactive session to learn various talk strategies that support the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices, Argument-Driven Inquiry (ADI), and best-practice instruction for all learners!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Setting the stage for student-centered talk success; 2. Shared experiences around the power of talk; and 3. Resources to support the implementation of science talk.

SPEAKERS:
Pam O'Brien (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX), Kristan Buckman (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

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: Plainfield, IL), Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Derwood, MD)

Sponsoring Company: Legends of Learning

It is no surprise that the more engaged a student is with their learning, the more knowledge they retain. One significant takeaway from this past year is that many students thrived in an asynchronous learning environment. Learn how to support educators within any instructional model through game-based learning, increasing student engagement and content retention.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How asynchronous learning can help engage students through content experiences; 2. How to support educators within any instructional model through game-based learning; and 3. Understanding of how game-based learning can increase engagement while teaching content.

SPEAKERS:
Joselyn Whetzel (Legends of Learning: Laurel, MD), Aryah Fradkin (Legends of Learning: Laurel, MD), Sean Reidy (Legends of Learning: Laurel, MD)

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)

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: Pueblo, CO)

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: Durham, NC)

Sponsoring Company: Brain Chase

Dive into interactive, educational Escape Rooms, and learn how you can design your own programs using dozens of electives and different Escape Room themes. Plus, there will be a fun sneak-peek of our fun Escape Room experience with NSTA that is scheduled on May 6.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Using escape rooms and treasure hunts makes learning feel like an adventure for students; 2. Adventures incentivize learning, progress, and engages 21st-century skills; and 3. Hands-on projects to engage students add to a more robust experience that straddles virtual and physical worlds.

SPEAKERS:
Gracie Helms (Brain Chase: Austin, TX)

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 (Baltimore County Public Schools: Rosedale, MD), Lydia Kidane (Sustainable Forestry Initiative: Washington, DC), Jessica Kohout (Educational Consultant: Ellicott City, MD), Liz Martinez (Indepedent: Escondido, CA), Libby Simpson (FIRST®: Manchester, NH), Anne Schoeffler (Seton Catholic School: Macedonia, OH), Melissa Sleeper (Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Upper School: Vero Beach, FL)

Help students create compelling stories about climate change and environmental justice. Classroom-ready resources will help students communicate scientific information with narrative structure across various media.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. In an analytical discipline like science, there is still a case to be made for storytelling; 2. The And-But-Therefore narrative structure technique to summarize scientific information or craft original science communication; and 3. Science storytelling can enhance student projects by improving conceptual understanding and allowing choice and voice to engage students as activists for environmental justice.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Tate (Whitehall Middle School: Montague, MI), Cristina Veresan (The Nueva School: El Granada, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

What if coding were integrated into core science instruction instead of being an isolated, after-school activity for a select few? Join the curriculum developers from UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science to experience cutting-edge and research-based instructional materials designed to make coding an interactive, collaborative, and science-based endeavor in service of students finding solutions to real-world problems. Explore how Coding Science Internships for Amplify Science grades 6–8 can play a prominent role in providing equitable access to coding and computational thinking for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. experience how cutting-edge and research-based instructional materials can make coding an interactive, collaborative, and science-based endeavor in service of students finding solutions to real-world problems; 2. explore how Coding Science Internships for Amplify Science grades 6–8 can play a prominent role in providing equitable access to coding and computational thinking for all students; and 3. have access to strategies that aim to increase access to positive experiences in computer science learning.

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

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Learn how to facilitate student exploration of phenomena through simulations and virtual worlds that support three-dimensional learning with the new BrainPOP Science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. As the students interact with the Sims and virtual worlds, they develop disciplinary knowledge, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices in authentic and engaging ways; 2. Sims and virtual worlds provide rich student-generated artifacts and process data that can be used for effective teaching, learning, and formative assessment (e.g., the number of trials performed, evidence collected in support of scientific argumentation); and 3. Sims and virtual worlds foster student collaboration and discussion when focused around well-crafted driving questions that are correctly answered in multiple ways, creating a robust learning experience that reaches beyond the screen.

SPEAKERS:
Brendon Trombley (BrainPOP: New York, NY)

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: Germantown, MD), Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Derwood, MD)

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: Pueblo, CO)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Co.

No one likes to fail, but failing doesn’t make us failures! Join Savvas’ National Science Specialist Erin Horner for an engaging and interactive workshop as we look at ways to encourage Social and Emotional Learning in our middle school science classrooms. Participants will work through a series of famous failures and see how these “mistakes” led to greatness. Teachers can then take these same principles and apply them in the classroom as they strive to support students in developing emotional intelligence and STEM knowledge at the same time.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How embracing SEL will help your science students succeed; 2. The power of encouraging students to make mistakes; and 3. Tips on using collaborative groups most effectively.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Horner (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ)

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: Bloomington, IL)

Sponsoring Company: Brain Chase

Dive into interactive, educational Escape Rooms, and learn how you can design your own programs using dozens of electives and different Escape Room themes. Plus, there will be a fun sneak-peek of our fun Escape Room experience with NSTA that is scheduled on May 6.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Using escape rooms and treasure hunts makes learning feel like an adventure for students; 2. Adventures incentivize learning, progress, and engages 21st-century skills; and 3. Hands-on projects to engage students add to a more robust experience that straddles virtual and physical worlds.

SPEAKERS:
Gracie Helms (Brain Chase: Austin, TX)

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 (none: Fair Lawn, NJ), David Curry (Newtown Middle School: Pipersville, PA), Jennifer Ledbetter (University School: Johnson City, TN), Lisa Reis (Johnson City Schools: Johnson City, TN), Liz Martinez (Indepedent: Escondido, CA), Melissa Sleeper (Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Upper School: Vero Beach, FL), Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Scott, LA), Vanessa Ueltzen (Walther Christian Academy: Chicago, IL)

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)

Learn how to navigate the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication's Educator Page. Engage with data-based, NGSS-focused activities that you can easily use with students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Communicating effectively about climate change is just as important as understanding climate science itself if we hope to realize viable, equitable climate solutions in our lifetime; 2. The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication conducts scientific research on public climate change knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Through YPCCC's Educator Page, students can engage with current data from this research to identify effective climate change communication strategies and think critically about what it takes to implement climate action; and 3. Students are a critical audience to engage in the work to find and enact climate solutions. The activities on the Educator Page can help students develop a sense of agency around climate change communication while honing important NGSS-related skills.

SPEAKERS:
Ruthie Gold (Yale Program on Climate Change Communication: New Haven, CT)

Sponsoring Company: Nat'l Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke

Discover exciting brain educational resources from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke! Join this interactive workshop to learn about engaging, interactive online videos; activities; lesson plans; and games for children and teens that are sure to engender excitement about the brain. Share your insights with federal staff.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) has an array of resources for children in grades K–12, including stroke awareness lesson plans, introductory information about the brain, and brain-related classroom activities and videos; 2. Attendees will learn how to access and use these resources to promote excitement and curiosity about the brain and brain science with students.

SPEAKERS:
Nina Lichtenberg (NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Bethesda, MD), Diana Andriola (NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Bethesda, MD), Samantha White (NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Bethesda, MD)

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)

Sponsoring Company: Animalearn

Discover how you can make your dissection lab dynamic and innovative after COVID-19! Learn about new life science resources, including mixed reality (AR/VR) education technology; and explorative, hands-on teaching tools that will amaze and engage your students. Participants will be entered to WIN FREE PRIZES like dissection resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Life science resources; 2. Education technology; and 3. Hybrid classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Green (Animalearn: Jenkintown, PA)

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)

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: Venice, FL), Amanda Upton (NSTA: Fresno, TX)

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: Clovis, 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: Granger, IN), Katy Fattaleh (The Nora Project: La Grange Highlands, IL), Lainey Bristow (Penn High School: Minneapolis, MN)

Discover lesson plans and teaching resources to better integrate science and engineering practices in our food system.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Engage in the practice of phenomena-based learning through the phenomena of photoperiodism; 2. Improve critical thinking while investigating food production systems; and 3. Integrate STEM concepts through design thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Tessa Matuszak (National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization: Palm Coast, FL), Andrea Gardner (Utah State University: Enterprise, UT)

Participants will explore how to use infographics in the science classroom and have the opportunity to start creating an infographic using digital tools.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understand why reading and creating data visualizations will make an impact in your classroom; 2. View student examples and create your own infographic using simple digital tools; and 3. Leave with concrete ways to get students to create data visualizations in your science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Ilana Somasunderam (KQED: San Francisco, CA)

Workshop examining the integration of engineering design challenges and culturally responsive pedagogy into a three-dimensional NGSS ecological justice storyline to support equity.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Introduce a storyline that addresses an issue of environmental justice using science and engineering practices, culminating in a problem-based design solution; 2. Explore strategies for leveraging the critical connections between cultural and socioeconomic issues, science, and engineering to best support inquiry and investigation in the science classroom; and 3. Support teachers in developing students’ agency to explain, advocate for, and design solutions to environmental justice issues.

SPEAKERS:
Allison Grecco (Mather High School: Chicago, IL), Amber Luczak (John Marshall Metropolitan High School: Chicago, IL)

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)

Connect the human impact of trash pollution to engineering design. Get your students thinking critically and creatively as they collaborate in real-world problem solving.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Connecting the human impact of single-use plastics and their effect on aquatic ecosystems; 2. Exposing students to basic coding and engineering design in an NGSS-focused content classroom; and 3. Developing a project that enhances STEM skills in students such as collaboration, curiosity, and creative problem-solving.

SPEAKERS:
Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Scott, LA), Jessica Kohout (Educational Consultant: Ellicott City, MD)

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: Champaign, IL), Christina Tran (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Arlington Heights, IL)

An informal discussion with former eCYBERMISSION Team Advisors about how to find success with student competitions.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. engage students in STEM competitions; 2. take part in STEM competitions with limited time; and 3. help students find success in STEM competitions.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Hartman (BrainPOP: Pittsburgh, PA), Lora Gibbons (Utah Education Network: Stansbury Park, UT), Mary Clarke (St. Paul Catholic High School: Bristol, CT), Michael Lake (Half Hollow Hills High School East: Dix Hills, NY)

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)

Help students create compelling stories about climate change and environmental justice. Classroom-ready resources will help students communicate scientific information with narrative structure across various media.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. In an analytical discipline like science, there is still a case to be made for storytelling; 2. The And-But-Therefore narrative structure technique to summarize scientific information or craft original science communication; and 3. Science storytelling can enhance student projects by improving conceptual understanding and allowing choice and voice to engage students as activists for environmental justice.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Tate (Whitehall Middle School: Montague, MI), Cristina Veresan (The Nueva School: El Granada, CA)

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)

Sponsoring Company: MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling

Explore CRIPSR as an adaptive immunity system in bacteria using 3DMD’s new Adaptive Immunity Kit©. A classic 2012 paper proves how this system works and will give your students practice in interpreting scientific data. Model how restriction enzymes connect to a CRISPR endonuclease for editing the human genome.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn about CRISPR as an adaptive immunity system in bacteria; 2. Give students practice interpreting scientific data; and 3. Use modeling to connect restriction enzymes, CRISPR, and genome editin.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Herman (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

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: MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling

Using 3DMD’s new CRISPR Kit©, explore the Cas9 endonuclease’s unique ability to recognize a statistically unique site in the 3.2 billion base-pair human genome, before moving to an accurate 3D-printed Cas9 model to explore enhancements of the system that become an even more powerful genome editing tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What is CRISPR?; 2. Explore the CRISPR Cas9 endonuclease and its role in genome editing; and 3. Learn how scientists have enhanced Cas9 to make it even more powerful in genome editing.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Herman (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

In this workshop, we will demonstrate an engaging way for students to test motion models using a Smart Cart and a Smart Cart Motor. Operated using time-based commands or sensor readings, this modern motion model provides students with immediate feedback to confirm their designs or inform their revisions.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Complete classroom activities and labs; 2. Sample control programs; and 3. Ideas for coding in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Dan Burns (PASCO Scientific: Roseville, CA)

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: Mahtomedi, MN)

Sponsoring Company: NSTA Press

In this workshop, participants will learn how to do integrated STEM challenge-driven projects in high school, including an overview of STEM and introduction to the STEM Road Map Curriculum series published by NSTA.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understanding of integrated STEM pedagogy; 2. Knowledge of how to integrate STEM into high school science; and 3. Sample lesson plans from STEM Road Map curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Carla Johnson (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC)

Sponsoring Company: MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling

Using engaging and powerful kits, model how proteins are simply long linear sequences of amino acids that spontaneously fold into complex 3-D shapes, following basic principles of chemistry. Then explore how a stylized enzyme model can help students understand basic concepts while an accurate model leads to increased levels of complexity.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Teach protein folding with models; 2. Explore enzymes using models; and 3. Learn how AI is assisting in determining the shape of complex proteins.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Herman (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

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 (Roosevelt High School, Sioux Falls, SD: Sioux Falls, SD)

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)

We’ll explore the intersection of racism, the construct of race, genetic variation, and the history of science to support biology educators through our new curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Race is a socio-political construct with deep implications, but race is not a good surrogate/proxy for biology; 2. Understanding human genetic variation can disrupt the idea of biologically meaningful “races"; and 3. Race is not a risk factor for health disparities (but racism is).

SPEAKERS:
Hanako Osuga (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Seattle, WA), Jeanne Chowning (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Seattle, WA)

The fascinating phenomena of Earth and space science take on heightened relevance in learners’ lives when presented through the frameworks of geoheritage and place-based education.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. There are practical approaches for accentuating the excitement of Earth and space sciences as they are shown to intersect with human life, history, and culture; 2. The connection of geoscience with human history and culture—what is increasingly known as geoheritage—has great potential in education as a reference framework that encourages learning as well as promoting conservation of significant natural features; and 3. The dimensions of the NGSS, the big ideas of geoheritage, and the design principles of place-based education are mutually supportive—which together lead to strategies for meaningful learning in Earth and space science.

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Holzer (none: Somerset, NJ), Aida Awad (Education Consultant/ Adjunct: Ormond Beach, FL), Eric Pyle (James Madison University: Harrisonburg, VA), Dawna Cerney (Youngstown State University: Youngstown, OH), Rebecca Dodge (Midwestern State University: Wichita Falls, TX), Ed Robeck (American Geosciences Institute: Salisbury, MD), Dianna Gielstra (Prescott College Online Graduate Degree Program: Austin, TX)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

In this hands-on interactive workshop, participants will learn how to utilize physical phospholipid and transport protein models to explore the structure of the cell membrane, the role of transport proteins in moving ions and small molecules across membranes, and how defects in transport proteins can cause diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Teach membrane transport with models; 2. Teach the role of transport proteins with models; and 3. Teach how defects in transport can cause diseases.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Chou (Longmont High School: Longmont, CO)

Sponsoring Company: Amazon Future Engineer

Interested in exposing your students to the careers of the future? Join four Software Development Engineers as they discuss what it's like to code at Amazon. 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 normal day looks like as a software developer at Amazon; 2. potential career paths that can lead to becoming a software developer; and 3. how to register to bring a virtual guest speaker to your class to talk about careers in technology!

SPEAKERS:
Hilah Barbot (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Maria Rocco (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Luu Tran (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Natalie White (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA), Michael Shao (Amazon Corporate Affairs: Seattle, WA)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Spark questions with the Synapse Construction Kit© and provide hands-on activities to achieve Concept Explanation and Visual Representation goals in a topic that students find intrinsically interesting. How does the neurotransmitter not only get back in the presynaptic cell, but back in the vesicle? What energy is involved in the transport of these molecules?

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Evaluating models; 2. Teaching cell communication through modeling; and 3. Teaching difficult concepts using hands on modeling.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Avery (Pennsylvania College of Technology: Williamsport, PA), Daniel Williams (Shelter Island Union Free School District: Shelter Island, NY)

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

How do we know when genes are on or off? In this workshop, we will use carbon dioxide to study gene regulation, while also demonstrating software tools that make interpreting data easier. In the bonus demonstration, well explain how students can express their understanding of metabolic rates using code.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Simple gene regulation investigation; 2. Linear equations as mathematical models; and 3. Coding as computational thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara Pugliese (PASCO Scientific: Roseville, CA)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Explore and compare mitosis and meiosis in this hands-on interactive workshop. You will see how the Chromosome Connections Kit© and Chromosome Student Modeling Pack© can take your students from the cellular scale to the molecular scale connecting DNA nucleotides to chromosomes, whether modeling mitosis or Punnett Squares.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Model chromosome structure and anatomy; 2. Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis; and 3. Model mechanisms that contribute to genetic variation.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Chou (Longmont High School: Longmont, CO)

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

How do fossil fuels contribute to ocean acidification, and what are the consequences of an increasingly acidic ocean? Next time you introduce acids and bases, pique your students' interest with this ocean acidification model and pH activity. Then, put their computational thinking skills to the test with an engaging coding activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Combustion and acid-base reactions; 2. pH; and 3. Human activity and effect on environment.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara Pugliese (PASCO Scientific: Roseville, CA)

Sponsoring Company: XR Guru

Integrate VR/AR science modules to help your students understand complex topics in an immersive engaging environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn the research on using VR/AR in education; 2. View sample science module content; and 3. View the teacher portal and receive immediate free access to all content.

SPEAKERS:
Doug Smith (XR Guru: Dublin, OH)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Inspire curiosity, questions, and discussion with 3DMD’s hands-on DNA modeling kits. Students will discover the dynamics of DNA—twisting, untwisting, separating for replication and transcription, and coming back together. Upon examining the intricacies of DNA anatomy, students can analyze the crosscutting relationship of structure and function.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Eliciting questions through modeling; 2. Crosscutting relationship between structure and function of DNA; and 3. Teaching the dynamics of DNA for replication and transcription.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Williams (Shelter Island Union Free School District: Shelter Island, NY), Karen Avery (Pennsylvania College of Technology: Williamsport, PA)

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: Clovis, CA)

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: Bridgewater, CT), Michelle Ellis (Hunter Huss High School: Gastonia, NC)

My NASA Data will model interactive resources for students learning in-person and via virtual environments that feature short activities, lessons, and access to NASA data.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. walk away with access to NASA resources for their Earth science classrooms that can be linked directly to their learning management systems; 2. learn of interactive strategies for using these resources with students in a variety of learning environments; and 3. learn of an Earth science data visualization tool that enables students/educators to access and visualize NASA data for a particular region or time period.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Rizzi (NASA Langley Research Center/ADNET: Newport News, VA), Elizabeth Joyner (NASA Langley Research Center: Suffolk, VA)

This session will provide an overview of our restructuring of a popular biology lab, DNA forensics, covering the same skills but using wrongful conviction cases.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How DNA technology can be used not only to identify criminals but to exonerate the wrongfully convicted; 2. How DNA technology can be presented in the classroom in a social context that can open discussions about issues like mass incarceration and the presumption of guilt; and 3. How population genetics underlies identification using DNA.

SPEAKERS:
Hanako Osuga (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Seattle, WA), Jason Foster (Evanston Township High School: EVANSTON, IL), Gretchen Kraig-Turner (Burlington Edison High School: Burlington, WA), Jeanne Chowning (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Seattle, WA)

Why should all students in a class receive the same aseesment questions? Technology tools enable us to tailor assessments for each of our students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. One size does NOT fit all; 2. Google Forms can deliver test questions that match student achievement; and 3. Building a more inclusive classroom benefits everyone.

SPEAKERS:
James Gaffey (Saint Ignatius College Prep: Chicago, IL)

Engage in a lesson from NOAA’s Data in the Classroom to explore some effective engagement and assessment tools and technologies for the post-COVID classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Keep experimenting with EdTech inside and outside of your classrooms; 2. Utilize EdTech for assessment and engagement of all learners in the classroom; and 3. Access scientific data from NOAA to help students evaluate claims, construct arguments, and better understand the world around them.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Dean (Jewish Community High School of the Bay: San Francisco, CA)

“When the learning experience is fun and sometimes a challenge, that intrigues me.” Participants will engage with materials/activities that advance a scientifically and culturally responsive perspective that is affirming for racial, ethnic, and linguistically diverse high-achieving students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about: 1. science classroom cultures that are affirming and inclusive; and 2. hands-on STEM experiences that promote strong science identities.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Tripp (University at Buffalo, SUNY: Buffalo, NY), Noemi Waight (University at Buffalo, SUNY: Buffalo, NY)

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)

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: Sedro-Woolley, 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)

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)

A 21st-century museum will share strategies developed through school partnerships that strengthen student language and listening skills while meeting Next Generation Science Standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. be introduced to strategies to practice student-led, evidence-based discussions about scientific concepts; 2. see the application of this open inquiry technique for in-person or digital learning; and 3. experience the process in action.

SPEAKERS:
Kerri Ziemann (The Wild Center: Tupper Lake, NY), Michael Trumbower (The Wild Center: Tupper Lake, NY)

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)

This session will provide a framework for how to develop a STEM program. The presentation will include an example of a STEM strategic plan that promotes equity and inclusion.

TAKEAWAYS:
Session participants will learn: 1. a process for developing STEM curricula and programming; 2. how to begin to address equity issues; and 3. methods for including student voice and agency into a STEM program.

SPEAKERS:
Carol Larson (Indiana Connections Academy: Oak Lawn, IL), Naomi Nelson (Christel House Academy: Indianapolis, IN)

The Museum of Science and Industry Chicago developed through practice, research, and evaluation bilingual science programming for Spanish-speaking audiences based on the community needs.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Creating opportunities for English Language Learners; 2. Promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in teaching and learning; and 3. Building bridges between formal and informal STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Raposo (Museum of Science and Industry: Chicago, IL), Nick Joseph (Museum of Science and Industry: Chicago, IL)

Do you impact your school and community with STEM? If you teach K–12, come learn how to apply to win one of eight Shell-supported awards.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to apply for a Shell-sponsored award; 2. begin your application or nomination of a Shell-sponsored program and receive a prize; and 3. collaborate with past winners and judges to learn how to strengthen your application.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton (NSTA: Fresno, TX), Richard Embrick (Wright Junior High: Rosenberg, TX)

We will share the strategies and activities that made our first virtual STEM institute an engaging and educational experience for diverse upper elementary and middle level youth.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. identify best practices for engaging youth in informal STEM experiences, including an end-of-summer celebration; 2. learn how we delivered programming in STEM with multiple grade-level bands; and 3. gain a list of valuable resources we used to teach scientific concepts, including how we created and distributed kits.

SPEAKERS:
Demetrice Smith-Mutegi (Old Dominion University: Suffolk, VA)

Leverage how people learn to integrate key data skills with your science content through tips and strategies to engage with real-world data, science, and literacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain: 1. a framework for thinking about how people learn with data and what the steps are along the progression from being a novice to expert user of data in STEM; 2. strategies and resources to use in our existing science teaching to better set students up for success in the future as they build their mastery of data skills to become more data and science literate, without adding more stress on a crowded curriculum; and 3. a suite of tips and tricks to integrate into your current science curriculum that enhance how students work with data to learn the content, ask questions and explore the data, analyze and interpret the data, and critically evaluate evidence and claims.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hunter-Thomson (Dataspire Education & Evaluation, LLC: Santa Cruz, CA)

Bring science processes and SEL alive using wonder and the natural world. Free online resources help in-person or virtual teachers access nature with students.

Note: If you are able to watch this short video "Pocket Worlds" BEFORE the session, it will be beneficial to you. 

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn how to access and use a suite of free web-based resources designed to promote discovery learning in nature; 2. experience the lesson individually and discuss it with colleagues to make meaning and increase relevance for both teachers and their students; and 3. share and discuss applications for using these tools for discovery learning in their own setting.

SPEAKERS:
John DiDiego (Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont: Townsend, TN)

Do you care about inspiring girls to pursue STEM careers? Then join us to learn about the IF/THEN Collection designed to help ensure equitable gender representation in STEM! The IF/THEN Collection is the world’s largest FREE library of images, videos, and other content portraying women in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn about the background and purpose of the IF/THEN Collection; 2. learn how to use the IF/THEN Collection to support STEM learning programs; and 3. get hands-on experience utilizing assets from the IF/THEN Collection.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Hay (National Girls Collaborative Project: Seattle, WA)

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: Chapel Hill, NC), Brad Rhew (Guilford County Schools: High Point, NC), Rabiah Harris (Ida B Wells Middle School: Washington, D.C., DC), Mary Beth Berrien (Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School: Westfield, MA), Charles Hayes (Highland Oaks Elementary School: Memphis, TN)