The 1974 discovery of the iconic Lucy fossil in Ethiopia changed our understanding of human origins. Almost everyone today knows of Lucy, but over the last 48 years the field of human origins has exploded thanks to new discoveries all over the world as well as critical new developments in the realm of molecular biology. Few biology classes address these advances. However, the tools and techniques students learn in STEM classes have a direct connection to the advances and changes that have shaped modern work with human origins. Attending this session will give you the chance to appreciate the revolution that has occurred since “Lucy” and offer you tools to bring new understanding to your students in ways you can weave into your curriculum in less controversial ways connected to evolution, fossils, DNA, proteomics, genealogy, biogeography, 3D printing, as well as topics related to more recent human evolution (skin color, lactose tolerance, and high-altitude adaptation). As a 32-year K-12 human evolution educator who has been fortunate to work with leaders in the field, I have had a front row seat to many of the milestones of human evolution in the 21st century and I’m eager to share them with you.

TAKEAWAYS:
Since the discovery of Lucy, our understanding of human origins has grown and changed thanks to new discoveries and technologies – participants will learn about these amazing changes and how to integrate these new discoveries into their biology curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
John Mead (St. Mark's School of Texas: Allen, TX)

Join us to learn what sensemaking is and how to use research-based resources to engage students in making sense of the world around them. Leave with a collection of resources to move your professional learning forward no matter where you are on the sensemaking continuum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Develop an understanding of what sensemaking is and how it can help build classrooms where students are able to make sense of the world around them. Leaders walk away with a consensus-building exercise for their team.

SPEAKERS:
Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Elizabeth Allan (University of Central Oklahoma: Edmond, OK)

Faculty at the University of Indianapolis redesigned their physical science course for preservice teachers based on the 2020 NSTA/ASTE Standards for Science Teacher Preparation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about and become familiar with the 2020 NSTA/ASTE Standards for Science Teacher Preparation as well as examine our semester guide to a physical science course for preservice teachers based on the 2020 NSTA/ASTE Standards.

SPEAKERS:
Stacy Hootman (University of Indianapolis: Indianapolis, IN), Sarah Reynolds (University of Indianapolis: Indianapolis, IN)

Although group projects have been shown to increase learning and cooperation, bullying can sneak into student peer evaluations. Examples and alternatives to ghosting presented.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science classrooms are a great place for group projects to enhance learning, but students may unwittingly be ghosted from their group, ultimately making them seem like they are not a team player. We as teachers must be diligent against bullying/ghosting.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Huelskamp (Wright State University-Lake Campus: Celina, OH)

Join us for a chance to learn more about  NSTA-administered competitions and awards from NSTA staff and past participants. NSTA-administered competitions include NSTA Teacher Awards, the Army Educational Outreach Program, Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge, and Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competitions. This engaging hour will include discussion and tips on how to engage K–12 students in project-based learning opportunities that are no cost to participate.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Engage with educators that have participated in NSTA-administered competitions and awards; 2. Learn more about opportunities to engage students in project-based learning; and 3. Share best practices and tips to foster inquiry-based learning and showcase ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

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.

Are you an instructor of preservice teachers of science? Learn about NSTA's digital resources, virtual experiences, and website tools to help your students become the BEST teachers they can be. More than membership, learn about what’s on the NSTA website…and more.

TAKEAWAYS:
Preservice teachers using NSTA in lieu of Textbook create a library of resources, grow their network of professional colleagues, and enhance their content and pedagogical knowledge of science by actively engaging with NSTA digital resources and online tools within the NSTA website.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

NSTA has developed the NSTA Preservice Teacher Chapter Program to encourage and support future teachers as they prepare to enter the profession, as well as help them network and connect with the many resources and opportunities provided by the Association. The NSTA Preservice Teacher Chapter Program consists of two types of chapters: (1) the National Preservice Teacher Chapter and (2) the Local Preservice Teacher Chapters at Universities or Colleges. The National Preservice Teacher Chapter supports all Preservice Teachers (active members of NSTA) who are based at higher education institutions without local chapters or groups. The Local Preservice Teacher Chapters at Universities or Colleges are separate but interdependent organizations that have elected to ally themselves with NSTA to encourage professional learning and networking of preservice teachers of science. Session participants will learn about the opportunities for increased leadership skills, career growth, and networking for students and faculty that the NSTA Preservice Teacher Chapter Program offers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Preservice Teachers and Faculty Advisors walk-away informed to participate in NSTA’s Preservice Teacher Chapter Program.

SPEAKERS:
Lorraine Ramirez Villarin (University of North Georgia: Dahlonega, GA), Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Lizz Holtz (Glenn C. Jones Middle School: Buford, GA)

Science teaching has evolved. What worked in the 20th century doesn’t work today. Schools are different, students are different, and most importantly, classrooms are different. Instruction is guided by standards, and research drives pedagogy. Teachers entering the profession can’t expect to teach “the way they were taught” and be effective. In this session, we plan to share the basics in research with preservice and new teachers about what makes for effective instruction and how to effectively integrate science across the curriculum. Findings from the Frameworks for K-12 Science Education will be shared, as well as how that research led to the development of 3D instruction. Sensemaking through the lens of social constructivism will guide the session to help our newest colleagues teach using 21st-century pedagogy. Activities will model instructional practice and explain the why for instructional practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
An overview of research-based practices in teaching science for the beginner and resources for research-based instructional practices.

SPEAKERS:
Lorraine Ramirez Villarin (University of North Georgia: Dahlonega, GA), Donna Governor (University of North Georgia: Dahlonega, GA)

The use of natural phenomena and driving questions to motivate student learning are key in the NGSS. With so many different science phenomena being posted for use in the classroom it can be difficult to determine what makes a good phenomenon and if that phenomena would be appropriate in all educational settings. The focus of this hands-on workshop is to give science teachers the tools needed to find, evaluate and use phenomena and driving questions for Performance Expectations that are consistent with the culture of their classroom. We will first explore and evaluate different phenomena used to teach the NGSS from various sources (websites, kits, science texts). Then we will apply cognitive learning theory and practices to those same phenomena and evaluate them considering different classroom cultures. Finally, participants will choose and discourse about alternative phenomena which might be used given different classroom cultures. The ultimate goal is to help science teachers evaluate and choose phenomena and create driving questions which can drive excellent science pedagogy in THEIR classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science phenomena and driving questions need to be tailored to the real-world of students in YOUR classroom

SPEAKERS:
Rob Keys (Cornerstone University: Grand Rapids, MI)

Student teaching and the first year of teaching can be unsettling experiences for preservice teachers. They have a million concerns and even more questions! This session brings together a panel of newly graduated seniors and new teachers to talk about their experiences and allow attendees to ask questions. A similar session was included at the Spring Engage conference in 2021 and it was highly attended, leading us to understand the importance of these types of dialogues for preservice teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Preservice teachers can be better prepared to student teach and begin their first jobs from new teachers who have just experienced interning or been through their first year.

SPEAKERS:
Natalie Johnson (Chestatee Academy), Lizz Holtz (Glenn C. Jones Middle School: Buford, GA)

Sometimes novice teachers don’t know what they don’t know. And when the unexpected arises, it can cause problems, or even present career defining challenges. In this session, we plan to share hacks related to safety, management and organization of the science classroom. We’ll address these issues with tips and advice from new and experienced teachers. We’ll start with a short video of K-12 science teachers completing the sentence, “I Wish I Had Known…” then address the issues that they bring up in their narratives.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science classroom safety and management tips

SPEAKERS:
Omah Williams-Duncan (University of Houston-Clear Lake: Houston, TX)

The free NASA STEM lesson plans introduce the practice of computational thinking and include elements of a real NASA mission. NASA’s Artemis program will return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972, the year of the agency's last Apollo moon landing. This Educator Guide provides four standards-aligned activities to help students learn about NASA's Orion spacecraft that will take astronauts to the Moon and beyond. In this session, we will design and build a crew module model that will secure two 2-cm astronaut figures during a drop test. The PowerPoint will be available to all participants. The PowerPoint will include the videos and activities including the tips and pointers. Session Outline: 5 min - Welcome and Introduction to NASA Artemis Mission 10 min- STEM Engagement strategies and culturally relevant teaching 10 min- Introducing the Engineering Design Challenge 20 min- Teams Design a Crew Vehicle 10 min- Testing the Crew Vehicle 5 min- Reviewing the Resources and Q and A https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/np-2020-02-2805-hq.pdf

TAKEAWAYS:
NASA provides free educational resources that include educator guides with standards-aligned activities to help students use computational thinking while including elements of real NASA missions.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Kohler (NASA Glenn Research Center: Cleveland, OH)

Pre-service teachers will receive an overview of the NSTA Resources currently in our library and available through our professional development sessions (webinars, online seminars, virtual conferences), how to organize these resources to address the various components of science/STEM resources, and how to refer to these resources and professional development experiences when applying for teaching positions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Pre-service teachers will get a thorough overview of all the resources and materials available in our NSTA Library and professional development opportunities to strengthen their resume and build confidence when seeking teaching positions.

SPEAKERS:
Jacob Hayward (Siloam Springs Middle School: Siloam Springs, AR), Lizz Holtz (Glenn C. Jones Middle School: Buford, GA)

Did you know that every U.S. aircraft flying today, and every U.S. air traffic control facility, uses NASA-developed technology in some way? Participants in this session will gain insights into how NASA Aeronautics work to make aviation truly sustainable by reducing delays and environmental impacts, transforming aviation efficiency and safety, while reducing noise, fuel use, harmful emissions, and ultimately transform the way we fly. NASA’s X-57 Maxwell is an experimental aircraft designed to test operating multiple electric motors for use in turning propellers – an idea known as “distributed electric propulsion.” This session highlights an activity from NASA’s “X-57 Electric Airplane: STEM Learning Module” (https://www.nasa.gov/aeroresearch/stem/X57 ) part of a series of Educator Guides with lessons and activities to help students learn about NASA’s X-57 Maxwell and the science behind electric propulsion. This session will focus on the “X-57 Maxwell: Circuits Activity Guide” that engages participants to build a light-up paper helicopter by creating a “parallel circuit” that uses copper foil tape, two LED lights, and a battery. This session’s goals are to demonstrate that an all-electric airplane is more efficient, quieter, and more environmentally friendly. Session participants will understand that knowledge gained from the X-57 Maxwell research will help engineers design future electric-powered aircraft for everything from urban air mobility to moving passengers and cargo between nearby cities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attendees will explore NASA STEM Educator Guides that are standards-aligned and provide detailed information and resources on how to implement NASA STEM engagement learning experiences in the classroom. 2. Hands-on minds-on experience with implementing a NASA STEM activity in their classroom that encourages students to create a parallel circuit on a paper helicopter as an introduction to circuitry and propulsion. 3. Attendees will gain insights into how NASA’s X-57 Maxwell all-electric airplane is more efficient, quieter, and more environmentally friendly while gaining a better understanding of the STEM concepts of energy transfer, and the physical science of pressure and aerodynamics.

SPEAKERS:
LaTina Taylor (NASA Educator Professional Development Collaborative (EPDC): Flossmoor, IL)