Learn how you can utilize iNaturalist in the classroom to get students designing and executing their own inquiries right in their backyards!

TAKEAWAYS:
From this session, attendees will takeaway strategies in which they can utilize iNaturalist in order to have their students explore the ecosystems around them and make nature come alive.

SPEAKERS:
Alexander Eden (Florida International University: Miami, FL)

A former national science fair judge provides insights on how good titles can improve the odds of winning at science fairs. The poster will describe what the parts of a "good" title are and how teachers can help your students create one.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn the components of a good project title (from an research project on science fairs) and how to help their students develop a good title for their own project.

SPEAKERS:
G. Michael Bowen (Mount Saint Vincent University: Halifax, NS)

In this self-directed session, you will be able to: Interact with educators in face-to-face poster presentations; Watch short video submissions from educators around the world; and Participate in hands-on/minds-on, takeaway learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science education occurs everywhere on this planet. We can get ideas and best practices from collegues around the world.

SPEAKERS:
Alison Seymour (Science Teacher: Winchester, 0)

The creation of case studies utilized teaching and learning techniques to facilitate undergraduate research projects. Students reflected on a real problem they had encountered and explored possible solution/s from an interdisciplinary perspective.

TAKEAWAYS:
The instructors functioned as facilitators fostering the learners' self-directed and self-regulated competencies.

SPEAKERS:
Nalini Broadbelt (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Boston, MA), Michelle Young (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Boston, MA)

The goal of the study was to compare how visual representations were integrated into the content of middle school life science textbooks.

TAKEAWAYS:
While most of the visual representations are completely linked and related to the content, there is still some room for improvement in making them more complementary than explanatory, which has added benefits.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Nyaema (University of Illinois Chicago: Chicago, IL)

Alaska has cultural standards take an important role in science instruction. Using rural Alaska for case studies, learn how cultural standards can enhance science teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
Session participants will learn: 1. what cultural standards are; 2. how they were applied in instruction in several sites in the YK Delta in Alaska; and 3. how the proper application of cultural standards can be applied in any setting with any demographic group.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew West (Lower Kuskokwim School District: Bethel, AK)

Don’t debate evolution – Rather dig deeper into evolution by having your students research, debate, & rank the top evolutionary thinkers of all time.

TAKEAWAYS:
Rather than stage a debate over evolution which tends to be fraught with misinformation, have your students debate & rank the top figures in the history of evolutionary thought. They can then compare their ranking with that of a group of evolutionary experts.

Water is the major force in shaping our planet. Students use simple models to measure water outwash and soil erosion.

TAKEAWAYS:
Simple models show students how plants and plant residue play major roles in preventing water runoff and soil erosion.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Cunningham (Purdue University: West Lafayette, IN)

Creating inquiry activities doesn't have to require re-inventing the wheel. There are simple adjustments you can make to build inquiry into any activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Three easy ways to build inquiry into traditional "cookbook" activites.

SPEAKERS:
Regina Borriello (Clifton High School: Edison, NJ)

Escape-room activities offer promise for fun and function in developing social problem-solving skills. Participants will learn implementation and design strategies for their own ER environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how escape rooms help to engage students in dynamic learning environments and how to begin developing up your own activities.

SPEAKERS:
Joy Barnes-Johnson (Princeton High School: Princeton, NJ), Mridula Bajaj (Mount Laurel Schools: Mount Laurel, NJ), Shefali Mehta (Princeton High School: Princeton, NJ)

Babyscientist organizes/operates STEM workshops/camps in underserved communities engaging students in hands-on scientific experiments. We’re in the business of creating dreamers, believers, and creating scientist!

TAKEAWAYS:
How our method of informal learning inspires and motivates children of color from underserved communities to pursue careers in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Kristy McDowell (Merrimack College: North Andover, MA)

This workshop demystifies bioinformatics using free online tools. The activity explains the mechanisms behind herbicide resistance and genetic changes that help weeds avoid chemical control.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will see a real-world example of artificial selection in action, while also increasing the awareness of free bioinformatics tools available for everyone to compare and analyze DNA sequences.

SPEAKERS:
Jane Hunt (Nourish the Future - Education Projects, LLC: Columbus, OH), Zack Bateson (National Agricultural Genotyping Center: Fargo, ND)