2022 Chicago National Conference

July 21-23, 2022

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FILTERS APPLIED:6 - 8, Developing Scientific Literacy in the Science and STEM Classroom, Life Science

 

Rooms and times subject to change.
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Lunch: Elements of Curriculum-Based Professional Learning

Wednesday, July 20 • 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place - Regency Ballroom


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

By Invitation Only

Shifting from traditional professional development to curriculum-based professional learning is a simple concept but complex to design and execute well. At its core, it means teachers experience the same kind of inquiry-based learning we expect them to provide their students. Learn more about a Carnegie Corporation of New York report, The Elements, which identifies a core set of research-based actions, approaches, and enabling conditions that effective schools and systems have put in place to reinforce and amplify the power of high-quality curriculum and skillful teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Examine beliefs and assumptions regarding the relationship between high-quality instructional materials, curriculum-based professional learning and student success 2. Gain understanding of the foundation for The Elements, a challenge paper from Carnegie Corporation of New York 3. Learn from science practitioners whose successful curriculum implementation efforts are grounded in the elements and essentials.

SPEAKERS:
Jim Short (Carnegie Corporation of New York: New York, NY)

Unpacking the Crosscutting Concepts with a Brand New NSTA Quick-Reference Guide to the Three Dimensions

Thursday, July 21 • 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM

McCormick Place - Skyline W375c


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Since its release, the NSTA Quick-Reference Guide to the NGSS has become an essential tool for many educators across the country. A new version titled the Quick-Reference Guide to the Three Dimension has been developed to not only support teachers in all states that have standards based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education. This new version of the Quick-Reference Guide still contains the most useful features of the original, including descriptions of the practices and the crosscutting concepts from the Framework of K-12 Science Education and K-12 progressions of the elements of all three dimensions. In addition, the new Quick-Reference Guide contains several new features that should make it even more helpful. For example, every element now has a unique code (based on the codes in the NSTA Atlas of the Three Dimensions) that makes it much easier to reference a particular element. In addition, there is an entire chapter devoted to the Performance Expectations. Finally, the guide also contains a number of tools for working with standards. This session will outline all of the features of the guide through the process of unpacking the crosscutting concepts to better understand how to make curriculum, instruction, and assessment more three-dimensional.

TAKEAWAYS:
A deeper understanding of the Crosscutting Concepts and how a well-designed reference guide can make it easier to unpack the three dimensions for work in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Increasing Scientific Literacy: Strategies, Free Activities, and Resources That Work!

Thursday, July 21 • 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM

McCormick Place - W178a


STRAND: Developing Scientific Literacy in the Science and STEM Classroom

Show Details

Participants will learn strategies and receive numerous resources that increase students’ scientific literacy. The hands-on approach has participants engaged in the activities, games, and more.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn new strategies for incorporating scientific literacy into their lessons; and 2. receive numerous activities, templates, games, and other resources to help with doing this. These resources can be used “as is” or modified to allow for differentiation based on the needs of the learners. Strategies and resources will include ones effective with ELL and EC students.

SPEAKERS:
Iris Mudd (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools: Winston Salem, NC)

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) - An Effective Approach to Ensuring an Inclusive Science Classroom

Thursday, July 21 • 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM

McCormick Place - Skyline W375a


STRAND: Strategies for Creating Inclusive Science and STEM Learning Environments

Show Details

The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines are a tool that can be used to design learning experiences that meet the needs of all learners (CAST, 2018). Instructional designers and teachers can use these principles to create learning environments that reduce barriers to access for all students, while keeping in mind the learning goals of the lesson. The three guiding principles of UDL are engagement, representation, and action and expression. In this session educators will be provided with examples of these principles in action in sample materials from OpenSciEd and classroom videos. In these examples, participating will identify how the materials have been purposefully designed with multiple avenues for engagement, representation, and action and expression. Additionally, they will identify the built-in supports for teachers to highlight student assets and to address potential barriers to learning for their local student population. Teachers will utilize a tool to help them analyze their own lessons to identify goals, potential barriers, and ways to use the UDL Principles to remove barriers and create flexible paths to learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will utilize a tool to help them analyze their own lessons to identify goals, potential barriers, and ways to use the UDL Principles to remove barriers and create flexible paths to learning.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Delaney (OpenSciEd: San Carlos, CA)

Coronavirus: From genome sequencing to mRNA vaccine production, in less than one year!

Thursday, July 21 • 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM

McCormick Place - W475b



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Coronavirus From Genome Sequence to mRNA Vaccine Production, in Less than One
Workshop Resources

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Sponsoring Company: Center for BioMolecular Modeling

COVID 19: Science to the Rescue! The COVID19 pandemic has created many challenges for educators over the past two years. Amidst all this chaos, there is one positive outcome of this pandemic – it has provided educators in the molecular biosciences with an opportunity to highlight the power of modern biology and the many ways in which this science has been used to provide solutions to the control of this virus. This workshop will tell the story of the COVID19 pandemic from the perspective of the CoV-2 virus, the structure of the spike protein, the molecular mechanism of the infections process and the successful application of an mRNA vaccine to provide protection from infection. Workshop participants will use physical models of the CoV-2 coronavirus – enhanced by Augmented Reality – to explore these topics.

TAKEAWAYS:
The nucleotide sequence of the CoV-2 RNA genome was the first step in vaccine development.

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

Tracing the Spread of COVID

Thursday, July 21 • 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM

McCormick Place - W192c


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Respiratory viruses like influenza or COVID can lead to worldwide pandemics. We’ll discuss how diseases spread and perform experiments to explore how disease testing works.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore pathology of common diseases, including clinical testing and epidemiology of pathogens.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Danielle Snowflack (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Phenomenal Classroom Critters

Thursday, July 21 • 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM

McCormick Place - W471a


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Add excitement to your class with live organisms! Discover simple hands-on ways to explore evolution, adaptation, and behavior with  insects and arthropods. Learn care, handling, and integration of organisms with NGSS standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will takeaway firsthand knowledge and skills to select, handle, and successfully keep insects and arthropods in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Nixon (Watauga High School: Boone, NC)

Genes in Space: Genetics Research on the International Space Station, Free Biotech Equipment, and More!

Thursday, July 21 • 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM

McCormick Place - W476


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Genes in Space is an experimental design competition that invites students in middle and high school to design biology experiments addressing challenges faced by space travelers. Each year, one winning project is launched to the International Space Station, where it is carried out by astronauts. Join us to learn how the contest can engage your students in authentic research combining science and engineering practices. We will also share how you can access free Genes in Space classroom resources, including lesson plans, classroom activities, explainer videos, and biotechnology equipment loans.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engage students in an experimental design contest, access free classroom resources including lesson plans, activities, videos, and biotechnology equipment loans, and make a real-world scientific contribution for a chance to launch your experiment to the International Space Station

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Bryan (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

How to Seriously Succeed Through Play: The Research Behind Game-Based Learning

Thursday, July 21 • 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM

McCormick Place - W190b



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Legends of Learning One Pager - National 2022.pdf
Math Basecamp White Paper

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Legends of Learning

Attendees will learn how employing game-based learning (GBL) engages and develops all learners. Understand how games empower students, develop critical thinking skills, provide instant feedback (and more) to develop content mastery as well as social-emotional learning. Game-Based Learning: encourages players to take risks without fear of failure, provides instant feedback that takes advantage of the richest teachable moments, creates individualized experiences through student agency, develops 21st century skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity, allows students to experience that actions have ramifications, and invites all students to engage, providing expanded opportunities for equitable learning. Attendees will experience examples of each of these benefits, discuss how they could apply to their own classrooms, and will learn about the research that supports them. Attendees will collaborate with each other as they explore and discuss concepts during the session. They will also investigate how to apply game-based learning to creating experiences that address their own learning objectives.

TAKEAWAYS:
Apply game-based learning to make a difference to your students.

SPEAKERS:
Janet Pittock (director: , CA)

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about NGSS, But Were Afraid to Ask

Thursday, July 21 • 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM

McCormick Place - W175a



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Everything you always wanted to know about NGSS_Handout.pdf
Everything you always wanted to know about NGSS_Presentation.pdf

STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

The NGSS is very complicated. The Institute for Quality Science Teaching at the Museum of Science and Industry provides professional learning opportunities for science teachers in Chicagoland and surrounding areas. Our approach is to ground everything we do in the NGSS and take a deep dive into all the elements of 3-dimensional learning. Professional learning programs at MSI are invested in helping teachers understand how to teach science effectively to meet these standards. Teachers in our programs learn science content in the context of 3-dimensional lessons, as instructors demonstrate instructional practices that enable NGSS-aligned teaching and learning. This presentation will review the basics of the NGSS, the 3 dimensions, how they’re combined in Performance Expectations, and the basics of enacting the NGSS in the classroom. If you need a refresher, just want a review, or still don’t have all those acronyms straight in your head, this is the presentation for you.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with a basic understanding of the structures of the Next Generation Science Standards and how they inform 3-dimensional standards and 3-dimensional science teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Slanker (Museum of Science and Industry: Chicago, IL), Karin Klein (Museum of Science and Industry: Chicago, IL)

Ecological Justice: Why Education Is Our Best Defense

Thursday, July 21 • 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM

McCormick Place - Skyline W375e


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

From A Silent Spring, The Limits to Growth and Population Bomb of the 1960s and 70s to today’s planetary boundary science, overshoot, and creating a safe and just space for humanity, some would say that “the science is in” and that it is pretty gloomy. Additionally, now in the frenetic information age, humans are overwhelmingly aware of the multitude of crises we face as a species. Our collective mental health is tanking. Knowing our predicament is one thing, but knowing what to do about it is another. Education may be one of our most powerful tools. However, delivery, content, and reach are impaired by multiple factors including politics, economics, religion, and the numerous influences affecting everyone’s social construction of knowledge. This presentation will share examples from the fields of environmental, conservation, and humane education and then focus on the potential promise of comprehensive education for ecological justice.

About the Speaker
Sarah BexellSarah M. Bexell is clinical associate professor with the Graduate School of Social Work and Director of Humane Education with the Institute for Human-Animal Connection, both at the University of Denver, Colorado. Sarah is also a faculty member teaching Animal Protection for the Institute for Humane Education at Antioch University New England and senior advisor to the Education Department of the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Pandas, China. She teaches and does research in the areas of ecological justice, humane education, and animal protection.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Bexell (University of Denver: Denver, CO)

How Did the Elk Cross the Road?

Thursday, July 21 • 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM

McCormick Place - W178b



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
AZGFD K-12 Education Resources (Focus Wild)
Crossing Structure Videos
Elk Crossing Graph
Highway Map Crossing Locations
How did the Elk Cross the Road
program
Notes Handout
Slide Deck

STRAND: Developing Scientific Literacy in the Science and STEM Classroom

Show Details

By the end of this session, participants will be able to: - Explain the impact of roads on wildlife - Analyze data to design wildlife-friendly crossing structures - Use hands-on tools to teach STEM concepts The majority of this session will focus on real world data analysis and problem solving. Working in small groups, participants will propose solutions to a number of related scenarios. First, they’ll analyze data to determine if highways pose a significant threat to wildlife. Relevant vocabulary will be introduced – including fragmentation, migratory barriers, porosity and passage rates – as we explore the need for ways to move animals across highways without impacting humans. Once a need is determined, they’ll continue their exploration by looking at potential crossing structure solutions. They’ll identify structure location and wildlife-friendly designs to ensure the highest use. They’ll be asked to either create a model or blueprint of their design. Finally, participants will discuss ways to determine the crossing structure effectiveness. This will include a cost/benefit analysis. Additional resources to expand learning will be shared, including links, books, videos, contacts and professional development.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science and Engineering Practices are used by wildlife biologists to help manage wildlife populations and those same skills can be developed in students.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Proctor (Arizona Game and Fish Department: Phoenix, AZ)

Broaden Science Participation: Unpack “Analyze & Interpret” to Teach Data As an Equalizer

Thursday, July 21 • 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM

McCormick Place - W179b



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Access to Resource Document
Complete this Google Form to access the Resource Document and a slide deck from the workshop.

STRAND: Learn and Lead: Developing a Community for Expanded Participation in Science and STEM

Show Details

We live in a data-driven world, and our students will be working in a data-driven workforce. Therefore, it is critical that our Pre-K-12 students learn foundational data literacy skills. However, currently these skills are too often only taught in upper-level classes. All students need these skills and all students, down to our little Pre-Kers, can work with and make sense of science data. Let’s make sure data is an equalizer, rather than another divider in our educational system and society! Join us as we explore what perception and learning science tell us about how our brains process data. We will experience research-based strategies and freely available resources to build science knowledge and self-efficacy through data. Finally, we will explore ways to adapt our existing curriculum activities and data visualizations to help our students more equitably access science. Through hands-on activities and group discussions, participants will leave more empowered to leverage data and data visualizations into their science content in purposeful ways for all learners. Working with and learning science from data fosters critical thinking skills, lifelong interests in science, and facilitates learners’ overall 21st century skills. Let’s set all of our students up for success!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will identify how data literacy is a critical aspect of science literacy in the 21st century for all students and ways to adjust existing curriculum to leverage data as entry points into science inquiry, sensemaking, and knowledge for all learners to see themselves in STEM.

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

Let's Get Physical: Human Physiology Experiments

Thursday, July 21 • 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM

McCormick Place - W471b


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Get active and participate in hands-on experiments. Explore limb position and grip strength, balance, and EKGs/EMGs experiments designed to encourage students to think about the physiology of various human organ systems. Walk away with valuable information, including sample labs and teaching tips.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain experience with hands-on technology that encourages students to explore and test different solutions and make connections to the real world; 2. Get access to free resources to keep students engaged while learning key scientific concepts either remotely or in the lab; and 3. Gain hands-on experiences with innovative products that increase student engagement, promote creativity and collaboration, and develop problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Colleen McDaniel (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Nüsret Hisim (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Teaching the Polymerase Chain Reaction in One Lab Period

Thursday, July 21 • 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM

McCormick Place - W192c


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Want to learn today’s top biotechnology techniques? Join us for a hands-on exploration of PCR and electrophoresis in one hour using the EdvoCyclerJr and the EDGE!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore the science behind the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and learn strategies for performing PCR in short class periods.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Danielle Snowflack (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Zombie Apocalypse!

Thursday, July 21 • 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM

McCormick Place - W194b


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

Attendees will explore disease modeling through the use of real (virtual) ZOMBIES!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. This session will explore disease-spread modeling using fictional zombies; 2. Attendees will also see how using Hollywood themes combined with actual STEM careers can be a fun way to engage students in learning science and STEM; and 3. Attendees will find out about free science and STEM lessons from Texas Instruments.

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

It’s Phenomenal! Using Real-World Connections to Support Three Dimensional Learning

Thursday, July 21 • 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM

McCormick Place - W192a


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

What's so phenomenal about phenomena? Join the Savvas science team for an engaging, hands-on workshop as we explore the purpose of phenomena, the power of using it to drive your instruction, and the way it will support your students as they bring their own life experiences into your classroom. Attendees will leave with purposeful strategies they can replicate in their classrooms immediately.

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience 3 different phenomena-based teaching strategies that can be used in your own classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jessi Davis (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ)

Bringing authentic hands-on investigations to the molecular biology classroom using fluorescence

Thursday, July 21 • 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM

McCormick Place - W476


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Discover a completely new approach to studying DNA and enzymes. Using fluorescence your students can now directly visualize DNA base pairing and explore the effects of temperature, pH, and genetic sequence on DNA structure. Then see how inhibitors, concentration, temperature and pH affect the rate of enzymatic reactions. Go beyond building models; watch biology glow!

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore the connection between DNA sequence and DNA structure and investigate the properties of enzymes including competitive inhibition.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Bryan (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Inside and Out: Making membranes memorable with models

Thursday, July 21 • 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM

McCormick Place - W475b



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Inside & Out_ Making Membranes Memorable with Models.pptx
Workshop Resources

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Participants will examine the structure of phospholipids and how it shapes the function of the cell membrane using multiple representations including hands-on models. Cellular processes like active and passive transport will be explored while demonstrating how these models can amplify traditional biology labs and classroom activities. Participants will explore examples of membranes in action that can be applied to units on genetics and evolution to extend the reach of the models throughout the school year.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students can create and revise models to explore how the structure of phospholipids influences the function of cell membranes.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Parfitt (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Hexagonal Thinking in the Science Classroom

Thursday, July 21 • 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM

McCormick Place - W185d


STRAND: Developing Scientific Literacy in the Science and STEM Classroom

Show Details

Hexagonal Thinking ensures the learning environment features a high degree of student engagement by providing a framework for academic discussion where all students participate. Participants will collaborate with colleagues to experience Hexagonal Thinking using science and math content vocabulary and visuals that will then be used to synthesize information into a piece of critical writing.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn a strategy for making thinking, learning and content connections visible in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Yates (Aledo ISD: Aledo, TX), Miranda Rosenhoover (Aledo ISD: Aledo, TX)

The NSTA Atlas of the Three Dimensions

Thursday, July 21 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

McCormick Place - Skyline W375c


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

One of the key features of the NGSS and other standards based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education is the idea that a “a progression of knowledge occurs from grade band to grade band that gives students the opportunity to learn more complex material, leading to an overall understanding of science by the end of high school.” (NGSS Appendix A, p. 2) The NSTA Atlas of the Three Dimensions has a set of 62 maps that illustrate the how the elements of the three dimensions build on each other and connect to one another. Each map focuses on a particular topic and shows the progression students are expected to make in that topic from one grade-span to the next. Arrows connecting individual elements on a map indicate that competency in one element is useful in learning to achieve the other element. Educators can use maps to deepen their understanding of the standards to plan or improve curriculum, instruction, and assessment. This session will provide participants guidance on how to read the maps in the Atlas and use this powerful tool to deepen their understanding of elements of the standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
A careful review of the connections between elements of the three dimensions can provide a clearer understanding of science standards and important guidance in planning instructional sequences to support three-dimensional teaching and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Using The Science Practices to Explore Selection in Finches With HHMI BioInteractive

Thursday, July 21 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

McCormick Place - W474a


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Create and revise a model as new information is introduced. Engage in collaborative problem-solving around observed scientific phenomena. Model the "teacher-as-facilitator" approach to students "figuring out" the science concepts from the data provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Create and revise a model as new information is introduced. Engage in collaborative problem-solving around observed scientific phenomena. Model the "teacher-as-facilitator" approach to students "figuring out" the science concepts from the data provided.

SPEAKERS:
Michele Koehler (Riverside Brookfield District 208: Riverside, IL), Jason Crean (Saint Xavier University: Orlando, FL)

NGSS Biology: Exploring the evolutionary connection between Cystic Fibrosis and Tuberculosis

Thursday, July 21 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

McCormick Place - W470b


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Lab-Aids

Use a computer simulation to analyze and interpret mathematical data that explores the evolutionary connection between cystic fibrosis (a genetic disease) and tuberculosis (an infectious disease) and evaluate mathematical representation. Learn about the cause-and-effect relationship between being a CF carrier and experiencing less severe TB symptoms. Explore he mathematical effects of changing environmental variables (prevalence of TB and access to high quality health care) on the frequency of the CF mutation; and make predictions about the future frequency of the CF mutation based on advances in treatment of CF.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about the cause-and-effect relationship between being a Cystic Fibrosis carrier and experiencing less severe Tuberculosis symptoms.

SPEAKERS:
Wendy Jackson (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

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

Thursday, July 21 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

McCormick Place - W194b


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

An empty field. A human corpse. Maggots and flies. Who is the victim? What happened? Can you solve the mystery? This middle and high school activity will challenge you to apply science and deductive reasoning to determine what happened!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Forensic science is a STEM career field that combines science, math, and criminal justice concepts; 2. Understanding the natural process of decomposition can help investigators narrow in on identifying victims and causes of death; and 3. Using stories is a great way to engage students and provide context to the science/STEM they are learning.

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

Computational Thinking and Coding in the Science Classroom

Thursday, July 21 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

McCormick Place - W474b


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: PASCO scientific

Bridging the gap between science and coding can be challenging without the proper support. In this workshop, you'll learn how to use block-based coding as part of your existing physical and life science activities by integrating it into students' data collection process. Learn how you can help students develop computational thinking skills alongside science literacy without reinventing your curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to incorporate block-based coding into your current physical and life science activities.

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

Left at the Scene of the Crime: High School Forensics

Thursday, July 21 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

McCormick Place - W192c


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Forensic science combines disciplines to determine “whodunit.” In this workshop, learn how to merge hands-on biotechnology experiments with literacy exercises to create an immersive lesson.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will perform hands-on biotechnology experiments that will allow them to discuss the implications of genetic fingerprinting and blood testing of forensic samples in class.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Danielle Snowflack (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Beginner Biotech: Electrophoresis for the STEM classroom

Thursday, July 21 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

McCormick Place - W476


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Teach electrophoresis from the inside out. The BanditTM STEM Electrophoresis Kit allows students to build a working gel electrophoresis apparatus. After building it, they use their fully functioning system to run an electrophoresis lab. Link the concepts of circuits, electric fields, and charged particles through this essential biotechnology tool as students will make connections across scientific disciplines. With the accompanying high-quality curriculum, you'll perform molecular biology labs on a budget you didn't think was possible!

TAKEAWAYS:
Connect the physical sciences to biotechnology techniques and implement accessible and affordable electrophoresis for all levels, ranging from Mendelian inheritance to molecular genetics.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Bryan (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

When Cells Talk, Things Happen: Cell Signaling

Thursday, July 21 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

McCormick Place - W475b



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Workshop Resources

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

During this workshop, participants will work explore cell communication using hands-on models of synapses. Participants will experience how using models to explore abstract concepts deepens student understanding and inquiry for students and provides opportunities for formative assessments of student understanding. Participants will also have opportunities to deepen and challenge their own conceptual understanding of cell communication by altering the biochemical events within the synapses. These changes will reflect what happens when synapses are disturbed by drugs, including both prescription and drugs of abuse, as well as some mental health disorders. Finally, ideas for three-dimensional summative assessments will be explored.

TAKEAWAYS:
Hands on models of synapses let students explore cell communication and the structure and function relationship of proteins and signaling molecules including toxins and drugs.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Parfitt (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Let's Get Middle School Students Interested in Climate Change!

Thursday, July 21 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

McCormick Place - W175a


STRAND: Using Inquiry-Based STEM to Facilitate Learning for ALL

Show Details

What causes seasons on Earth? How is permafrost affected by climate change? What can we learn from ice cores about climate? These questions are answered through a series of NGSS aligned, hands-on activities. Students design an experiment to test the effect of Earth’s tilt on seasons, explore the effect of climate change on structures built on permafrost, and more! The eesmarts climate change curriculum is composed of adapted lessons surrounding natural cycles that occur on Earth and in our solar system, including the carbon cycle and sunspot activity, how these cycles affect populations, and how humans may affect natural cycles. Activities examine evidence from the past through proxies such as tree rings, cherry tree blossoms, and ice core data. Additional topics include climate and ecosystems, the impact of invasive species, and how to minimize the effect of human activity. The lessons are part of the eesmarts K-12 curriculum, an energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy learning initiative funded by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund. They are written in the 5-E Instructional Model and include presentation Google Slides and handouts. Select digital resources will be provided to participants. The complete eesmarts program is free and available to all Connecticut educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore activities involving natural cycles including the sun cycle, the carbon cycle, and seasons, as well as a variety of proxies and what they can tell us about Earth’s climate past and present.

SPEAKERS:
Kathleen Brooks (CREC: No City, No State), Karin Jakubowski (eesmarts: No City, No State)

Data, Tables, Graphs, Oh My! Strategies to Get All Students Doing & Speaking Science

Thursday, July 21 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

McCormick Place - W176c


STRAND: Using Inquiry-Based STEM to Facilitate Learning for ALL

Show Details

We are naturally curious, prone to ask why? How? What? Unfortunately, somewhere along the way students lose the trust in their voices to ask questions of and from data. But data are what we use to do science and it permeates all aspects of society today. What should we do? Stop teaching the vocabulary of science and data first, and instead leverage classroom-ready strategies to empower students to lead with their innate curiosity to practice critical 21st century data literacy skills and master the science content. Join us to explore connections between our science content, inquiry-based activities, and data skills. We will experience research-based strategies and freely available resources for integrating phenomenon-based and local data into our science instruction to promote science literacy and student empowerment. We will participate in activities ourselves and reflect on approaches for how to bring these into our classrooms. Participants will leave more empowered to integrate data into their science content in purposeful ways to better help students do and communicate science. Working with and learning science from data fosters critical thinking skills, lifelong interests in science, and facilitates learners’ overall self-identity as a scientist. Let’s set all of our students up for success!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will identify how data literacy is a critical aspect of science literacy in the 21st century, how students can do a lot more with data than we often think or presume from their science vocabulary alone, and how to leverage existing strategies to authentically integrate data into 6-12 science instruction to teach their science content and increase literacy simultaneously.

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

Sweet Science: Exploring Complex Mixtures with Biotechnology

Thursday, July 21 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

McCormick Place - W192c


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Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Explore the science of candy colors! In this hands-on workshop, we’ll use electrophoresis and chromatography to separate mixtures of molecules based on their physical properties.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore the physical properties of molecules using chromatography and electrophoresis.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Danielle Snowflack (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Creating Effective Storylines: How to Help Students Make Connections Between Concepts

Thursday, July 21 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

McCormick Place - W192a


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Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Come see how to create storylines that scaffold students' thinking and help them make connections between science concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
* Engage in phenomena from different content areas that can be used at different grade-levels. * Learn strategies to scaffold students' thinking. * Develop strategies to help students generate questions

SPEAKERS:
Jesse Wilcox (University of Northern Iowa: Cedar Falls, IA)

Making Sense of Genetic Information Through Modeling: Replication, Transcription, and Translation

Thursday, July 21 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

McCormick Place - W475b



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Making Sense of Genetic Information Through Modeling Replication, Transcription
Workshop Materials

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Sponsoring Company: Center for BioMolecular Modeling

Teachers explore strategies that make student thinking visible while engaging all students with models to investigate the elegance of the Central Dogma of biology. Using the Flow of Genetic Information Kit and instructional strategies that promote modeling, revision of models, collaboration, and reflection, teachers will identify how modeling can be used to reveal student understanding of DNA and RNA structure and function. Teachers will investigate their own ideas and anticipate student ideas in using models. Teachers will explore how models for replication, transcription, and translation can provide spiraling instruction throughout a semester in order to enhance student success with complex ideas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will identify how modeling can be used to reveal student understanding of DNA and RNA structure and function.

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

Teaching with Co-Lob-Orate

Thursday, July 21 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

McCormick Place - W192b


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Sponsoring Company: Fisher Science Education & Aldon

Looking for ways to connect your classroom, regardless of whether students are in school or at home? Co-lab-orate is an innovative digital lab notebook that allows educators to easily create, assign, and grade lab reports, while helping students communicate with their classmates and teachers. Co-lab-orate can be used to complete hands-on activities done individually or in a group setting, when working at school or remotely. Join Fisher Science Education and Aldon as we conduct an experiment while showcasing Co-lab-Orate’s game changing and cost-effective teaching platform!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will perform a lab experiment and record the results on their own device experiencing the full power of Co-Lab-Orate.

SPEAKERS:
Kymberly Hall , Alex Molinich (Aldon Corporation: Avon, NY)