High school chemistry focuses on the invisible world of the atom, making the learning of chemistry challenging. The vocabulary of chemistry is its own language; forming connections among abstract ideas can be difficult. When incorporated into the curriculum, games provide students with an experience that allows them to gain a better understanding of chemistry concepts. Device-free games allow students to engage with the content and their classmates. Our comprehensive review games for each unit are designed to provide an opportunity for students to problem solve, think critically and work as a team in a growth-mindset environment. Our experience supports the research that low-achieving students and students receiving educational supports find classroom games beneficial. This workshop will provide teachers an opportunity to play games covering the following topics: matter, atomic structure, periodic table, electron configuration, bonding (ionic, covalent, intermolecular), nomenclature, balancing equations, molar mass, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, solutions, gases, equilibrium and acids/bases.

TAKEAWAYS:
EVERYONE plays and learns along the way. Put ideas together, practice communication and teamwork to improve understanding and application of chemistry concepts. Appropriate for all levels of high school chemistry. Electronic resources for games will be available to workshop participants.

SPEAKERS:
Elaine Kollar (New Trier High School, Winnetka Campus: Winnetka, IL), Laura Hessling (New Trier High School, Winnetka Campus: Winnetka, IL), Tracy Smith (New Trier High School, Winnetka Campus: Winnetka, IL)

Guide your students to compose elements of graphic novels inspired by the graphic novel version of Naturalist and Black Birder Christian Cooper’s It’s a Bird.

TAKEAWAYS:
Comics and graphic novels can engage diverse learners to understand the nature of STEM and encourage them to craft their own stories, with interdisciplinary thinking across science, social studies, history, math, and language arts.

SPEAKERS:
Dennis Liu (E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation: Durham, NC)

This workshop highlights one way to incorporate science history on a routine basis in the science classroom. Participants will receive a brief overview of the neuroscience research that explains why storytelling is emerging as one of the most effective educational tools for students of all ages. They will also explore how telling stories from science history promotes understanding of science practices, supports strong student science identities, and leads to discussion about the human nature of science and the underlying ethical and cultural implications. The presenter will share about the development of People to Ponder, a series of science profiles that can be used throughout a school year. This is not one specific set of scientists but rather a strategy to consistently include science history in instruction. Participants will experience through a student lens what a typical People to Ponder lesson might involve. Once they’ve experienced the strategy, participants will have a chance to reflect on and discuss how they might structure something similar in their classrooms. Participants will be provided with resources and instructional scaffolds that can assist them in their planning. They will leave with at least one activity or lesson planned for implementation in their classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore a strategy for sharing science biographies that promotes student engagement and understanding of science topics while creating an inclusive and culturally responsive teaching environment.

SPEAKERS:
Anna Babarinde (Sonoma County Office of Education: Santa Rosa, CA)