Join us to learn how to translate academic research into curricula and how to utilize a research-based curriculum on disasters and inequality in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about: 1. summer opportunities for teachers at Columbia University's Climate School; 2. the process of collaborating with researchers to translate novel scientific research into K–12 lesson plans; and 3. a curriculum on disasters and inequality, and how it can be used in K–12 classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Tina Ahmadi (PhD Student: Indianapolis, IN)

Come participate in activities showing how all students’ understanding of science becomes deeper and broader when given the chance to interact with a professional scientist mentor.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn how the PlantingScience mentoring program works, and how they can participate; 2. understand the impact that exposure to real scientists can have on students' interest in and perception of science as a practice and a profession; and 3. learn mentoring strategies and understand how PS mentors are coached to respond to students in ways that promote inclusive conversations and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Hartley (The Botanical Society of America: Saint Louis, MO)

Sponsoring Company: Beyond Labz

Built on a platform developed over 20 years, Beyond Labz creates an open-ended environment providing students the opportunity to experiment, practice, fail, discover, and learn.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Beyond Labz simplifies and reduces the cost and expertise needed to provide crucial laboratory experiences and practice for Secondary and Higher Ed students; 2. Attendees will learn how the labs are used for pre- and post-lab experiences, credit recovery and lab make-up, student engagement in class, and meeting NGSS standards; and 3. Basic onboarding and startup instructions will be provided for drop-in solutions, and instructions for using some of the more sophisticated features will also be described.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Woodfield (Brigham Young University: Provo, UT)

Sponsoring Company: DoD STEM

Build STEM culture through community engagement! Develop interest and awareness, leading to increased demand for STEM programming and STEM career pathway courses.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn strategies for hosting community engagement events, including family STEM nights; 2. Explore the role of partnerships in supporting engagement events; and 3. Walk away with resources to support establishing and hosting community engagement events.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Blank (Watertown City School District: Watertown, NY), Tiara Davis (Teacher: Charlotte, NC), Heather Overkamp (Portsmouth Public Schools: Portsmouth, VA), Patty Brunet (Cypress High School: Cypress, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Discovery Education

Start your day with the DE team and a hands-on immersion into the wonderful world of Phenomena! Please note that attendees must preregister for this workshop here.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn and experience how to incorporate everyday phenomena into meaningful science lessons; 2. experience how to utilize hands-on activities to introduce phenomena ; and 3. explore scientific concepts using phenomena from across all grade levels K–12.

SPEAKERS:
Brad Fountain (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD), Justin Karkow (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Systems Object Framework is an assessment tool that captures both levels of system structure and students’ growing conceptualization of that system structure.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will interact with Systems Object Framework and learn how: 1. to use it as an assessment tool evaluating student conceptualization of system structure; 2. to use it as a curriculum design tool; and 3. NGSS standards are being promoted through the use of SOF.

SPEAKERS:
Narmin Ghalichi (Bowling Green State University: Bowling Green, OH)

Join us as we explore how NOAA Teacher at Sea can bring stimulating ocean science content to the classroom through a wide range of technology and media applications.

TAKEAWAYS:
NOAA Teacher at Sea provides numerous cutting-edge strategies to make ocean science accessible to students such as Google Cardboard and various VR applications to utilizing NOAA Teacher at Sea’s rich ocean science resources.

SPEAKERS:
Spencer Cody (Edmunds Central School District: Roscoe, SD)

What kinds of talk, tasks, and tools do students need in order to fully engage in meaningful forms of science learning? Join us as we share a statewide virtual book study that allowed AMBITIOUS Iowa science teachers to connect, collaborate, and refine their practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. focus on teaching practices relating to planning for engagement with big science ideas, eliciting students’ ideas, and supporting ongoing changes in student thinking; 2. learn how to set up opportunities for collaboration both online and with a local coach and peers; and 3. learn about the application of the learning related to a classroom action research option.

SPEAKERS:
Tammy Askeland-Nagle (Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency: Bettendorf, IA), Beverly Berns (Keystone Area Education Agency: Elkader, IA), Hope Garton Brown (Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency: Pocahontas, IA), Christopher Soldat (Grant Wood Area Education Agency: Cedar Rapids, IA)

Engage your students in real-world science about climate change, geology, and Earth’s history through free resources offered by the International Ocean Discovery Program.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to access the 100+ free classroom resources developed by the International Ocean Discovery Program; 2. Collaborate with other teachers to plan lessons that engage students in real-world science and engineering practices; and 3. Improve students’ science literacy through the opportunity to provide students with an authentic interaction with diverse STEM leaders.

SPEAKERS:
Maya Pincus (Bushwick Leaders' High School for Academic Excellence: Brooklyn, NY)

See how a high school science department unpacked the science and engineering practices to create and implement a flexible, competency-based assessment system across all courses.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Competency-based grading in a science classroom; 2. Assessing Science and Engineering Practices; and 3. Practical tips for assessment and rubric design and implementation.

SPEAKERS:
Alyssa Wallace (Del Lago Academy: Escondido, CA), Trish Stepanek (Del Lago Academy: Escondido, CA), Maria Vidaca (Del Lago Academy: Escondido, CA)

Equip your students to be energy-literate adults and decision-makers with unbiased energy knowledge through the free Switch Classroom curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Switch Classroom provides unbiased information about energy resources and issues pertaining to energy in an engaging online platform. Through the teacher-created curriculum, students develop the knowledge and skills to explain concepts, analyze and create visual representations, and propose solutions to complex energy decisions in a nonpartisan and objective manner; 2. Teachers will learn how to set up a class in Switch Classroom and create a customized energy lesson plan that includes video, formative assessments, critical thinking, writing, and analysis. The Switch Classroom (classroom.switchon.org) curriculum contains six comprehensive units detailing renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, energy production foundations, energy poverty, and energy decisions; and 3. The Switch Energy Alliance website (switchon.org) is home to a library of over 300 energy videos, as well as full-length documentaries on energy and energy poverty.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Kistler (Upper St. Clair High School: Pittsburgh, PA)

As agricultural runoff infringes on aquatic ecosystems, learn how to introduce your students to the microcosms of freshwater communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. be introduced to an original phenomenon-based 5E lesson that uses current STEM research to help students explore the impact of human activity on relationships in an ecosystem; 2. learn how to use live cultures of phyto- and zooplankton to help students figure out an ecosystem’s stability and change; and 3. learn how a hands-on investigation implements NGSS science and engineering practices and tenets of the nature of science.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Hofeld (Harrah High School: Harrah, OK), Robert Bowser (Oklahoma State University: Stillwater, OK), Julie Angle (Oklahoma State University: Stillwater, OK)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts are applied to the DCIs of Heredity and Ecosystems in two hands-on activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to: 1. incorporate phenomena into life science lessons; 2. construct models and explanation for inheritance using Wisconsin Fast Plants®; and 3. use a cell phone spectrometer to gather data.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Risko (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Burlington, NC)

Sponsoring Company: Green Ninja

This session will share a framework for how to create compelling learning experiences where students use science and engineering concepts to solve local environmental problems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. be able to create a storyline and lesson sequence outline that focuses on a local environmental issue of interest; 2. be able to bundle different science TEKS using a storyline; and 3. develop experience using localized phenomena to create student-oriented instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Eugene Cordero (Green Ninja: Mountain View, CA)

Sponsoring Company: The Climate Initiative

Come walk through exciting free climate change learning modules. Engage your students in hands-on activities and get them starting conversations in their communties.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Walk through the six-lesson module and learn how to use it with your online or in-person classroom; 2. Participate in a communication activity and learn how to conduct community converations that empower student voice and make them change agents in their local landscape; and 3. Learn how to incorporate Climate Change from the three lenses (Economic, Ecological, and Sociocultural) to encourage students to understand the issues from a local to global scale.

SPEAKERS:
Leia Lowery (The Climate Initiative: Cape Porpoise, ME)

Sponsoring Company: DoD STEM

Engage the power of visible thinking to heighten learning through scientific inquiry and authentic questioning while fostering connections with and between students in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. understand and explain visible thinking; 2. describe multiple benefits of applying visible thinking in the classroom; and 3. learn strategies to apply visible thinking in inquiry-based science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Blank (Watertown City School District: Watertown, NY), Patty Brunet (Cypress High School: Cypress, CA), Tiara Davis (Teacher: Charlotte, NC), Heather Overkamp (Portsmouth Public Schools: Portsmouth, VA)

Explore the use of zebrafish in a diverse, inquiry-based classroom to spark ALL students’ curiosity and scientific engagement with real-life science experiences through multiple-learning modalities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Build knowledge about the use of zebrafish in biomedical research; 2. Learn how zebrafish and low-budget pet store supplies can be used to engage diverse learners in multimodal (visual, kinesthetic) real-life science learning experiences; and 3. Engage in activities to learn how zebrafish can be used to provide three-dimensional learning experiences for ALL learners by providing opportunities to engage in practices used by scientists, exploring crosscutting concepts and disciplinary code ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Vinita Hajeri (The University of Texas at Dallas: Richardson, TX), Pam Kirkland (The University of Texas at Dallas: Richardson, TX)

When teaching about complex social justice science issues, how do teachers decide what to include while learning about new content and contexts?

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Strategies for deciding what content is “worthwhile” when teaching about complex phenomena; 2. Strategies for deciding how much context is appropriate to include when dealing with social justice issues in science class; and 3. Suggestions for leveraging professional learning communities as sites where we can learn about unfamiliar contexts and contents in order to connect our subject to our communities.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Morales-Doyle (University of Illinois Chicago: Chicago, IL), Alejandra Frausto Aceves (Northwestern University: Evanston, IL), Adilene Aguilera (George Washington High School: Chicago, IL), Mindy Chappell (North-Grand High School: Chicago, IL), Tiffany Childress Price (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL), Tomasz Rajski (Hubbard High School: Chicago, IL)

Invitations to Inquiry with FieldScope are free lessons designed to build student confidence to analyze and interpret data and answer questions about real-world phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Develop an understanding of an instructional model designed to incrementally provide students with opportunities to develop data analysis and interpretation skills using citizen and community science data sets; 2. Develop awareness and fluency in using an online graphing and mapping tool to analyze large data sets; and 3. Consider the benefits and barriers in using large data sets and digital tools in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Audrey Mohan (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Sean O'Connor (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO)

Engage in three-dimensional learning with hands-on activities to explore human population, biodiversity, climate change, land and natural resource use, and paths to sustainability.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn ways to incorporate 3-D learning strategies into hands-on activities around the NGSS topic of Human Sustainability; 2. come away with ideas and lessons to supplement their coursework in High School Biology and Environmental Science (General and AP) with experiential activities for in-person and virtual classrooms; and 3. be able to identify how the presented hands-on activities meet the NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices; and how the activities can be used to reach all kinds of learners, for an inclusive classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Abby Watkins (Population Connection: Washington, DC), Pam Wasserman (Population Connection: Washington, DC)

A multidisciplinary open-ended investigation that incorporates absolute and relative dating, anomalies, historical context, volcanoes, solar proton events, energy cycles, Earth systems, terrestrial events, and supernovas.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students will have a better understanding of the process of constructing knowledge; 2. Students will have to analyze and defend their results; and 3. Sometimes there is no answer key, only possible solutions from constructing and analyzing data from several sources that cross traditional disciplines.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Young (NASA/NSO/UoL Program Manager: Laughlin, NV)

We will share how we use learning targets based on the NGSS science practices to develop assessments that are accessible to learners of all abilities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. understand how to develop assessments that are accessible to all learners; 2. distinguish between formative and summative assessments and see examples of effective ways to apply each; and 3. understand how to use assessments to fine-tune teaching practice.

SPEAKERS:
David Frangiosa (Pascack Valley Regional High School District: Montvale, NJ), Elise Naramore (Pascack Hills High School: Montvale, NJ)

You made the learning three dimensional in your classroom; now it's time to do the same for your grading.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Ways to help students focus on learning more than gradesl 2, Systems of efficient grading that make meaningful feedback possible; and 3. Tips to have students participate in telling their learning story.

SPEAKERS:
Johanna Brown (Washington State OSPI)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Learn how to introduce new scientific concepts to your students through the lens of climate change. We will discuss experiments that let students study climate change in the classroom using data-collection technology, such as an investigation into the effect of carbon dioxide on ocean and freshwater pH. All activities are available as a free download for attendees.

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)

Sponsoring Company: Legends of Learning

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

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understanding of how game-based learning (GBL) can enhance a 5Es lesson; 2. Understanding of unique ways to integrate GBL into instructional practices; and 3. Understanding how GBL allows for easier differentiation and builds an inclusive classroom learning environment.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Gerlach (Legends of Learning: Laurel, MD), Sean Reidy (Legends of Learning: Laurel, MD)

Sponsoring Company: Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge/ Shell Awards

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:
Participants will: 1. learn about the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge competition and the two Shell-sponsored teacher awards; 2. learn how to nominate and apply for the programs that are sponsored by Shell; and 3. be able to collaborate with previous winners and judges on key elements to include in a strong application.

SPEAKERS:
Martha McLeod (Aransas County ISD: Rockport, TX), Ritu Gandhi (Morales Elementary School: Houston, TX), Ruth Ruud (Cleveland State University: Cleveland, OH), Melissa Collins (John P. Freeman Optional School: Memphis, TN)

Sponsoring Company: Lab-Aids

Students investigate the use of reactions with three metals for reducing copper waste and reclaiming copper from a used copper etching solution. Students use data from their investigation and text sources to develop an evidence-based argument for which metal is the best choice for recovering copper from the waste solution.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Develop an evidence-based argument for which metal is best for removing copper from liquid wastes; 2. Chemicals such as copper and its compounds react in characteristic ways to form new substances with different properties; and 3. Decisions involving resource use should be made with an understanding of the trade-offs involved.

SPEAKERS:
Cindy Lilly (Ocean Bay Middle School: Myrtle Beach, SC)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Join the Savvas team for a hands-on workshop on a three-dimensional classroom experience based on the new Texas Standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Incorporate science and engineering practices into your lessons; 2. Build dynamic science lessons aligned to the TEKS; and 3. Transform the new TEKS into student-centered performance expectations.

SPEAKERS:
Chuck Kremer (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ), Manuel Romo (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ)

Sponsoring Company: BIOZONE

Learn how BIOZONE’S superb interactive texts and BIOZONE toolkit support teachers to deliver flexible and engaging NGSS and AP programs.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover how BIOZONE’s interactive worktexts and BIOZONE toolkit empower teachers to deliver engaging, effective programs within a differentiated classroom; 2. Discover how the BIOZONE toolkit augments the worktext and supports teachers in delivering a flexible and engaging program; and 3. Learn about BIOZONE’S two NGSS series (Standard NGSS Series and Integrated NGSS Series) and our new Advanced Placement titles for AP Biology and AP Environmental Science.

SPEAKERS:
Pam Temons (BIOZONE International Ltd.: Hamilton, New Zealand)

Sponsoring Company: National Science Foundation, Presidential Awards

Join NSF as we share professional development opportunities for teachers within the federal government and hear from Presidential Awardees about their experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Federal professional development opportunities that you may not have been aware of before; 2. The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) application process and benefits received; and 3. The paths of accomplished teachers and Presidential Awardees as they continue to grow their career.

SPEAKERS:
James Colby (National Science Foundation: Alexandria, VA)

The WINS Program facilitators and participants provide insight on how working through scientific processes impact participants’ approach to addressing real-life challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The importance of incorporating culturally relevant concepts like sustainability and environmental justice as they relate to issues within participant communities; 2. Frequently incorporating the steps of the scientific method and engineering design process in classroom activities provides participants with strategies for addressing challenges outside the classroom; and 3. Useful strategies for transitioning a hands-on program to a virtual platform, and taking advantage of free experiences within the community.

SPEAKERS:
Vanessa Vasquez (Esperanza Academy: Philadelphia, PA), Bintou Baradgi (The Preparatory Charter School: Philadelphia, PA), Kimberly Godfrey (The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University: Philadelphia, PA)

Compare surface temperature data collected by students between urban and rural areas. Get involved and continue over the summer in a Google classroom. Resources will be provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The importance of collecting surface temperature data to study “heat islands” within communities and ways to interpret the data; 2. Analysis of ground-truthing data and NASA satellite data; and 3. Instructional materials from GLOBE and NASA to teach the science content (heat islands) and protocols aligned to NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Desiray Wilson (Science Systems and Applications, Inc.: Hampton, VA), Janet Struble (: Toledo, OH), Kevin Czajkowski (The University of Toledo: Toledo, OH), Jessica Taylor (NASA Langley Research Center: Hampton, VA)

Bee-coming a data scientist—discover how honeybee researchers find pathogens that contribute to colony loss.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understand the essential role of honeybees in agriculture; 2. Discover example phenomena to engage students as a data scientist and exploration into the universal language of DNA sequences; and 3. A simple and free computer-based activity that can be performed anywhere with a computer and internet (classroom, home, or public library).

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

This workshop will focus on how collaboration between educators can provide an educational experience to all learners in a district that highlights STEM education from Kindergarten to High School. The presenters will introduce many activities and lessons for teachers and administrators to bring back to their schools and classrooms focusing on agricultural education, engineering activities, and STEM experiments. The workshop will be broken into three segments highlighting hydroponics, community gardens, robotics, computer science, and science experiments/demonstrations.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Our Science/STEM Instructor will present various STEM Night lessons and activities that are taught to high school students who participate in Family/Science Nights in the district throughout the year. These activities focus on NGSS standards that students learn throughout the year; 2. Our Agriculture Educator will present how to start and maintain a hydroponics lab and a community garden in the district for all levels of instruction; and 3. Our Engineering instructor will present a curriculum and activities in Robotics and Computer Science Applications that will build your students' knowledge and demonstrate how these students teach younger students in the district in STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Usery (Cabot High School: Cabot, AR), Nicole Gatewood (Cabot High School: Cabot, AR)

Sponsoring Company: Edulastic

NGSS lessons by students, for students—how cool is that?! Hear the STEAM Team’s story, discover their suite of activities, and get free classroom tools!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. about what inspired a group of high school students to create engaging and fun STEAM lessons for middle school students; 2. how to access student-created digital learning lessons to help teach science to their own students; and 3. how to locate NGSS-focused assessments and create their own assessments in Edulastic, and assign them to their students.

SPEAKERS:
Ileana Betancourt (GoGuardian + Pear Deck + Edulastic: El Segundo, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Digitalis Education Solutions, Inc.

Use Digitalis' Nightshade NG planetarium software to target NGSS and/or TEKS at multiple age levels in various scientific disciplines.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. gain ideas about how Nightshade NG planetarium software can be used to target NGSS and/or TEKS at multiple grade levels; 2. experience how Nightshade NG planetarium software can be used to target NGSS and/or TEKS in various disciplines such as astronomy, Earth science, engineering, ecology, biology, physics, and more; and 3. learn how astronomy can be used as an anchor for interdisciplinary units.

SPEAKERS:
Karrie Berglund (Digitalis Education Solutions, Inc.: Bremerton, WA), Beau Hartweg (Tyler Junior College: Tyler, TX)

This program aims to dramatically increase the exposure to and consumption of locally produced honey by developing a network of apiaries and supporting curriculum for preK–12.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn about: 1. how educational apiaries can be used in an education setting; 2. the benefits of implementing curriculum related to honey production; and 3. strategies to engage migrant students in STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Spencer Cody (Edmunds Central School District: Roscoe, SD)

Learn how to access and explore NOAA’s data-rich resources, lesson plans, and visualization tools to build data literacy and proficiency in scientific data analysis.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What types of data are available from NOAA; 2. How to find and use NOAA data in your classroom; and 3. How students can be involved in data collection.

SPEAKERS:
Bekkah Lampe (NOAA Office of Education: Silver Spring, MD), Kayla Smith (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Silver Spring, MD)

Integrated science? Teach NGSS-focused geology, ecology, biology, engineering, and physical science through real-world problems. Access rubrics, guides, lesson plans, timelines, and other ideas.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Using a thematic approach to integrated science truly integrates the disciplines rather than the traditional one quarter of each discipline; 2. Integrated science can be highly engaging by giving students real-world applications of the content; and 3. Even though NGSS does not have a set of "integrated science" standards, aligning this kind of course to NGSS is still possible.

SPEAKERS:
Vanessa Ueltzen (Walther Christian Academy: Melrose Park, IL)

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. The global real-world issue of human-generated trash polluting local bodies of water is the main focus of this hands-on session. Using our partnership with the Howard County Conservancy, our students learn about their local watersheds and contribute to a Watershed Report Card. Students see how trash that is often found on our local schoolyards can affect our watershed, and they design a working model for trash removal in a local tributary. Basic coding will be used to design programs that will control sensors and motors through a microcontroller, thus removing the trash from the water source. The model will utilize solar and water power to move the trash into a separate receptacle. Various sensors will also be used to monitor water levels and determine the outcome of the program. This session will allow participants to find ways to increase the environmental stewardship of their students while incorporating engineering design into the science classroom. This project allows authentic integration of technology, mathematics, crosscutting concepts, science practices, and easy implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards.

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: Voorhees, NJ), Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Youngsville, LA)

Overview of thermoset versus thermoplastic polymers and hands-on activities to be done in the classroom, including predictive design, calculations, and environmental impact discussion.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Different ways of categorizing polymers; 2. Difficulties with recycling certain polymer materials; and 3. Design and environmental challenges for students.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Spohler (Global Impact STEM Academy: Springfield, OH), Briana Richardson (Washington High School: Washington Court House, OH)

Sponsoring Company: Lab-Aids

Look for patterns in species diversity in coral reef ecosystems and other animals to determine cause and effect of relationship and understand how ecosystem interactions affect patterns of biological diversity.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Compare maps showing the geographical ranges of several different species and several different abiotic factors; 2. For each species, determine which abiotic factors correlate with species diversity and which do not; and 3. Consider the importance of species diversity to an ecosystem.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Koker (Lab-Aids, Inc.: Ronkonkoma, NY)

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Engage students with data-driven NGSS-focused interactive online lessons, visualizations, and role-playing activities to explain what sea level rise is, why it is so dangerous, and how we can address it.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will: 1. learn about climate change–driven sea level rise and its impacts to their coastal communities and nationally; 2. explore NOAA’s classroom-ready Data in the Classroom module: Investigating Sea Level Using Real Data; and NOAA’s Sea Level Rise Viewer, learn how students can use NOAA satellite and coastal station data to analyze how sea level is changing, its impacts on U.S. Coastal areas, and how they can integrate its inquiry-based resources into their classrooms immediately; and 3. play NOAA’s role-playing game Beat the Uncertainty: Planning Climate-Resilient Cities, and learn how to use it with their students.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Moravchik (NOAA National Ocean Service: Silver Spring, MD), Symone Barkley (NOAA National Ocean Service: Silver Spring, MD)

During this session, we will discuss instructional tools and resources to leverage students' cultural capital in the science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore the tenets of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy; 2. Understand how all learning is cultural, especially science, and access to science helps students become change agents; and 3. Explore the components and values of an inclusive science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Morgan (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA)

Through engaging case studies, attendees will gain an understanding of what is in our indoor air, including emissions from emerging sources and their health impacts, as well as mitigation strategies.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Identify the potential unintended consequences of emerging technologies on indoor air quality; 2. Understand what is in our air, including emissions from emerging sources and their health impacts; and 3. Provide engaging case study examples and strategies for how to successfully deploy safer solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Holley Henderson (Chemical Insights Research Institute: Marietta, GA), Melanie Share (Chemical Insights Research Institute: Marietta, GA)

Sponsoring Company: Lab-Aids

Explore the use of a Driving Question Board (DQB) as a tool to make the phenomena meaningful and connected to science content. Using an example activity from Ecology, we will model the DQB at the start of the unit, then jump to an activity to make connections to the phenomena and content. Pro-tips and full exemplary DQB walkthrough with our experienced classroom trainers.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Develop a DQB to help drive phenomena throughout a unit of study; 2. Develop a model of an ecosystem; and 3. Determine how an introduced species affects the flow of energy and cycling of matter throughout an ecosystem.

SPEAKERS:
Cindy Lilly (Ocean Bay Middle School: Myrtle Beach, SC)

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Find out how to become a NOAA Planet Steward Educator and access professional development opportunities, education resources, and funding. Increase your students’ science literacy and have them respond to real-world environmental threats.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn about the goals, methods, and outcomes of NOAA’s Planet Stewards program; 2. learn about the range of NOAA Planet Stewards professional development opportunities and how to participate in them, including live and archived webinars, a monthly book club, as well as face-to-face and distance learning workshops; and 3. engage in a dialogue with educators who have received funding through the program and successfully carried out Planet Stewards projects.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Moravchik (NOAA National Ocean Service: Silver Spring, MD), Symone Barkley (NOAA National Ocean Service: Silver Spring, MD)

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Cultivate a sense of belonging in your classroom with conservation, stewardship, and climate science using educational resources from NOAA and other socially conscious organizations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. identify at least three affinity groups focused on marine/environmental science; 2. identify at least three marine/environmental science resources by affinity groups to use in instruction; and 3. draft one lesson or activity that includes a NOAA resource and a resource by an affinity group.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Moravchik (NOAA National Ocean Service: Silver Spring, MD), Symone Barkley (NOAA National Ocean Service: Silver Spring, MD)

This workshop will look at different issues around environmental  justice and how students can use scientific data and discussion to formulate evidence based arguments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to: 1. design a seminar around an issue of environmental justice; 2. develop protocols in the classroom to ensure all voices are heard ; and 3. develop a curriculum around case studies to promote scientific literacy for all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Lena Cosentino (College of Staten Island High School for International Studies: Staten Island, NY)

Come learn how to teach in three dimensions and advance students’ scientific literacy by strategically applying the use of CERs and CEJs in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
After this session, participants will be able to: 1. identify the CER and CEJ approach for building scientific literacyl; 2. identify opportunities for using CERs and CEJs to facilitate student discourse and discussion; and 3. apply what they have learned to their own classroom.

SPEAKERS:
McKenna Serowka (Lake Zurich High School: Lake Zurich, IL), Laura Cohen (Lake Zurich High School: Lake Zurich, IL)

The free app E-Bin identifies trash and recyclables as they’re tossed out and indicates which waste bin to use. Rewards are earned for doing so.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. set up a school recycling system based on rewards; 2. use a free educational app promoting a “green” environment; and 3. earn money for school clubs.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Supal (Retired Educator: Grosse Pointe, MI)

Look for patterns in biodiversity and habitat structure as you investigate mesofauna to determine cause and effect relationships and understand how ecosystem services affect patterns of diversity.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Investigate patterns in mesofauna diversity, soil health, and carbon sequestration; 2. Calculate species richness, relative abundance, and soil structure to determine the diversity in a soil ecosystem; and 3. Identify human impact on ecosystem services that affect patterns of biological diversity.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Bryan (Nourish the Future - Education Projects, LLC: Columbus, OH)

The session will describe the need and deliberate actions taken within the Scientific Research Saturdays program to involve under-resourced students to develop STEM projects and participate in the regional science and engineering fair.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Under-resourced students are disadvantaged by not having mentors to assist them in developing research that will benefit them in competing in national and international science fairs, winning scholarships to universities and programs, and strengthening their confidence and passion for STEM fields; 2. Mentoring is an effective strategy to support under-resourced high school students. However, access to mentors, particularly where geographic and time barriers are concerned, and reduced cost must be considered; and 3. The onus to establish equity in education continues to be on educators.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Todd (Miami-Dade Virtual School: Miami, FL)

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Get hands-on experience on how to teach gel electrophoresis and DNA fingerprinting in a single classroom session.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to use the MiniOne Electrophoresis System in biology and environmental science classes; 2. Determine the parentage of a baby whale using electrophoresis; and 3. See how engaging and reliable hands-on labs excite students for careers in environmental and conservation sciences.

SPEAKERS:
Whitney Hagins (Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation: Cambridge, MA)

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Journey to the abyss with NOAA Ocean Exploration as we investigate deep-sea phenomena using the student sensemaking instructional model and hands-on demonstrations.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Covering 70% of Earth, the ocean is rich with complex natural phenomena that can be used in the classroom to engage students in science learning as well as foster curiosity and interest about the ocean, ocean exploration, and stewardship; 2. Instructional strategies that support student sensemaking also support student equity and inclusion in the classroom by ensuring that every student has a voice; and 3. NOAA Ocean Exploration provides numerous educational resources that support current education standards and modern classroom pedagogy.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Hoadley (NOAA Office of Education: Dauphin Island, AL)

Sponsoring Company: Seven Sides Publishing

Seven Sides Publishing will show how our investigation manuals provide an easy and efficient way to put science in the hands of students through Simple Investigations.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. We have enough ideas for investigations to cover 100% of the science standards; 2. Investigations are so simple, students and teachers will want to use them; and 3. Simple Investigations will put science in the hands of students, efficiently increasing learning and test scores.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Garside (Seven Sides Publishing: , United States)

Citizen Chats allow students to find a voice on topics ranging from social justice issues to scientific experiments, and let the data collected guide their decisions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. be able to support their students in the incorporation of 21st-century skills to design and execute student-driven research in class; 2. be able to design and implement grading strategies to appropriately gauge student learning for a wide variety of topics; and 3. feel comfortable incorporating student-based research into their everyday curriculum for deepening student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Lahr (Greene Central High School: Snow Hill, NC), Jose Garcia (Greene Central High School: Snow Hill, NC)

NCF-Envirothon is an environmental and natural resources problem-solving competition for high school students that engages students with classroom-based study and hands-on outdoor experiential education.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The NCF-Envirothon is an environmental and natural resource conservation problem-solving, team-building, and leadership experience that inspires high school students across the U.S., Canada, and China to integrate science learning with real-world applications; 2. The NCF-Envirothon incorporates STEM principles, in-class curriculum, and hands-on outdoor field experiences to foster student learning about natural resource management and environmental science career possibilities in the areas of Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Soils and Land Use, Wildlife, and Current Environmental Issues; and 3. Through a comprehensive course of study aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and the AP Environmental Science curriculum, the NCF-Envirothon challenges students to develop their critical-thinking skills to create inventive solutions to the complex local and global environmental issues facing our world today. The NCF-Envirothon empowers students with knowledge and skills to change the world!

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Edwards (National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD): Washington, DC)

Participants will learn about how some districts around the country are using an asset approach to post-COVID learning and will collaboratively share ideas with others.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Some districts around the country are focusing on an acceleration rather than a remediation post-COVID approach to learning; 2. An asset approach to learning and learners supports social and emotional well-being; and 3. The NSELA Learning Center provides resources for continued learning about asset versus deficit approaches to learning.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Weatherhead (National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA): Downingtown, PA), Linda Cook (The University of Texas at Dallas: Richardson, TX)

Participants will explore the biology, chemistry, and physics of carbon dioxide’s role in climate and climate change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. explore the biological pathways, stoichiometric reactions, thermodynamics, and environmental implications of hydrocarbon-sourced CO2 gas; 2. learn how to explain the role of carbon dioxide in climate change to high schoolers through hands-on activities; and 3. learn how to bring relevance and critical thinking to their science classes.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole DiLuglio (Houston ISD: Houston, TX), Marlo Diosomito (Houston ISD: Houston, TX), Cedric Williams (Houston ISD: Houston, TX)

Hear how to support the development of students' critical consciousness in STEM using COVID-19 to explore social and health disparities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Examine beliefs, practices, and policies that uphold and enforce the oppression of marginalized people; 2. Unpack the history of power, prejudice, privilege, and oppression that marginalized people have faced in healthcare; and 3. Explore how to help students evaluate the recent history of diversity and inclusion efforts and offer solutions to create inclusive classrooms, schools, and communities.

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Morgan (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Kadir Demir (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA)

How can science learning experiences be designed to support reciprocal and caring understandings of the natural world and human-nature relationships? Come find out with us!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Human-nature relationships are culturally rooted and embedded in approaches to science learning; 2. Shifting away from a view of humans as separate from nature and toward an understanding of humans as part of nature can support learners’ development of caring ecological relationships and practices; 3. Supporting reciprocal and caring human-nature relationships aligns with NGSS science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Maya Garcia (Colorado Dept. of Education: Denver, CO), Deb Morrison (Educator and Learning Scientist: Seattle, WA)

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Analyze authentic field data, run electrophoresis gels, build phylogenetic trees, and explore ecological data to decide whether an extinct species of lemur has been rediscovered.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Bring molecular approaches to ecology and evolution units; 2. Explore authentic data from researchers at the Duke Lemur Center; and 3. Use genetic tests to examine species differences.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Bryan (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Bring real-world conservation to biology students using electrophoresis and an elephant database to analyze DNA profiles from confiscated ivory tusks.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to use the MiniOne Electrophoresis System for reliable labs that can be completed in a classroom period; 2. Explore how genetics can be used in modern conservation efforts ; and 3. Explore a real-world conservation lab from MiniOne, along with resources from the Science Education Partnership, that can enrich AP Biology and AP Environmental Sciences classes.

SPEAKERS:
Erika Fong (MiniOne Systems: San Diego, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Lab-Aids

Look for patterns in species diversity in coral reef ecosystems and other animals to determine cause and effect relationships and understand how ecosystem interactions affect patterns of biological diversity.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Compare maps showing the geographical ranges of several different species and several different abiotic factors; 2. For each species, determine which abiotic factors correlate with species diversity and which do not; and 3. Consider the importance of species diversity to an ecosystem.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Koker (Lab-Aids, Inc.: Ronkonkoma, NY)

Sponsoring Company: NOAA Office of Education

Join us for a demo and discussion about the NEW searchable database of 1,200+ educational resources from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

TAKEAWAYS:
1. NOAA has 1,200+ resources for educators, including lessons, videos, activities, posters, and more; 2. You can now search by grade, resource type, subject, and topic to find what you’re looking for; and 3. We have NGSS resources too! Search by DCI.

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Jones (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Washington, DC), Bekkah Lampe (NOAA Office of Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Oceanography is an appealing application to engage all students in the high school physical science, physics, and chemistry classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to leverage students' interest in oceans to engage all students in physical science inquiry; 2. Resources for training teachers to promote oceanography instruction at all levels; and 3. Example activities that incorporate oceans into the physical sciences.

SPEAKERS:
Steve Schulz (Manheim Township School District: Lancaster, PA)

EdReports is expanding into high school materials reviews. Learn about the high school tool development, share your experience, and hear about opportunities to become a reviewer.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Build an understanding of the challenges educators face in finding quality materials and how EdReports aims to address those challenges; 2. Learn about the expansion into high school science and develop an understanding of the tool development process, characteristics of alignment to the NGSS and usability, and discuss smart adoption processes; and 3. Hear about opportunities to engage as an EdReports reviewer in upcoming reviews, which includes NGSS training, an extended learning community, and a paid stipend.

SPEAKERS:
Sam Shaw (EdReports.org)

Join us as we share our journey of collaborating with science leaders to recognize and design quality professional learning to advance 3-D science teaching and learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. An understanding of the science leader’s role in putting the pieces of the NRC Framework together for a coherent science program; 2. Ways to strategically plan and prioritize professional learning based on system and individual teacher needs; and 3. Ways to approach addressing what teachers need to know and be able to do if students are to achieve our vision for science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Tonya Woolfolk (Houston County Schools: Perry, GA), Patricia Morgan (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Casey Bethel (Douglas County School System: Douglasville, GA)

Did you realize that elders used inquiry, a multidisciplinary project-based approach, hands-on learning, and innovation? Incorporating these ideas will improve your classroom for ALL students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. All teachers can adapt their teaching methods to match those of our elders and, in fact, NSTA's Sensemaking program provides a strong foundation for this method of instruction; 2. The sequence and methods that were used by our elders ensured that all students were active learners; and 3. The elders not only had students build a foundation of knowledge, but also accomplished this by using inquiry, exploring phenomena, implementing a hands-on approach, and concluding with an innovative extension.

SPEAKERS:
Joel Truesdell (Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus: Keaau, HI)

Local food systems need youth changemakers. Participants will learn about strategies to engage students in food ;systems by identifying food deserts, developing student-led hands-on projects, and learning about opportunities to engage the global community.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Identify resources to support classroom discussions on food systems and building relationships with the community; 2. Recognize opportunities to engage sttudents in student-led hands-on community projects; and 3. Learn about the World Food Prize Youth Institute and other global food community opportunities for students.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Delcher (Essex County West Caldwell Tech: West Caldwell, NJ)

Engage yourself and your students in experimental research and engineering opportunities to develop real-world and effective communication skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to engage yourself and your students as scientists; 2. Writing assessment guides and taking advantage of what students learn in language arts classes; and 3. Communication—as a teacher scientist and to help guide your students to communicate as student scientists.

SPEAKERS:
John Taylor (Marvin Ridge High School: No City, No State)

Explore what it means to be scientifically literate and how to develop students who can participate in discussions about scientific issues that affect society.

TAKEAWAYS:
The goals of this session are for participants to gain an understanding of what scientific literacy is, how it can be supported in classrooms, and how the application of science principles and processes will enable students to join society’s science conversations.

SPEAKERS:
Tina Hovance (Katy ISD: Katy, TX), Cathy Harter (Katy ISD: Katy, TX)

We will share how we implemented current educational research to create a learning environment that supports learners of all abilities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. understand the educational research supporting a shift away from traditional grading; 2. describe which attributes of a learning progression model address each of several major classroom issues, including equity, differentiation, peer interactions, and growth mindset; and 3. describe methods of implementing the research in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
David Frangiosa (Pascack Valley Regional High School District: Montvale, NJ), Elise Naramore (Pascack Hills High School: Montvale, NJ)

Based upon the Sprocket AP Environmental Science Curriculum, hear experiences of implementing a Project-Based Learning approach to increase engagement for diverse learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. how to utilize and explore the Sprocket curriculum website; 2. how to modify curriculum for diverse learners; and 3. how to access support and resources.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Pavic (Glenbrook South High School: Glenview, IL)

Have you attended too many PD trainings that never made a difference in your classroom instruction? Let's explore ways to change that.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Setting and growing toward personal goals that align with campus and district priorities is one strategy we'll explore; 2. Designing content-specific learning for yourself as the classroom teacher creates opportunities for you to share with your students what you are learning, and that next question you are researching; and 3. We'll share available resources and practices that guide embedded science teacher learning. (Please bring yours.)

SPEAKERS:
Joey Belgard (Rockwall ISD: Rockwall, TX)

Explore a variety of careers in the energy sector and discover what soft skills and personality traits will help your students in the workforce.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn activities to help students identify the soft skills and personality traits that will make them stand out in workplace environments; 2. Help students in understanding just how many different career opportunities and paths exist in the world around them. The list is much broader than doctor, lawyer, teacher, or firefighter and the energy industry includes much more diversity in job types than just engineer, technician, and electrician; and 3. Be able to describe the traits and skills that are essential to being a good worker and team player, no matter what industry or job the student may enter.

SPEAKERS:
Sue Parrent (The NEED Project: Manassas, VA)

Climate change is a crucial subject for all ages. Come explore classroom strategies for supporting learners’ climate science knowledge and action-oriented responses to the climate crisis.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. All students are capable of learning about climate science and climate justice; 2. Climate education should be place-based, experiential, multidisciplinary, action-oriented, community-centered, and personally relevant for learners; and 3. Numerous examples, resources, and communities of practice are emerging to support teachers on climate education.

SPEAKERS:
Peter McLaren (Next Gen Education, LLC: North Kingstown, RI), Deb Morrison (Educator and Learning Scientist: Seattle, WA), Maya Garcia (Colorado Dept. of Education: Denver, CO), Frank Niepold (NOAA Climate Program Office: Silver Spring, MD)

Sponsoring Company: Summit K12

Engaging evidence-based best practices that accelerate learning through an innovative eighth-grade STAAR Review Process that optimizes by class or through Individualized Learning Plans. See how this process ensures growth at the Masters, Meets, and Approaches levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Teachers can meaningfully connect Benchmark Results to a customized STAAR Review Plan; 2. Students will be able to accelerate their learning through a customized learning path and plan; and 3. Students are guaranteed to excel in Science.

SPEAKERS:
Edna Carter (Summit K12 Holdings, Inc.: Austin, TX)

Do you impact your school and community with STEM? If you teach K–12, come learn how to apply to win up to $10K through these Shell-sponsored teacher awards programs.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to apply for two Shell-sponsored teacher awards programs; 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: Arlington, VA)

Join us as we walk through scenarios from science classrooms and provide UDL solutions and resources to ensure learning for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will; 1. recognize common barriers to learning in the science classroom; 2. understand how the UDL framework addresses instructional barriers to promote high-level learning for diverse learners; and 3. identify at least two resources to support engagement, interaction, and scientific understanding among all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Shalece Kohnke (Auburn University), Michelle Patterson (University of Central Florida: Orlando, FL)

Meteorology is an appealing application that can be used to engage all students in the high school physical science, physics, and chemistry classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to leverage students' interest in weather to engage all students in physical science inquiry; 2. Resources for training teachers to promote meteorology instruction at all levels; and 3. Example activities that incorporate weather into the physical sciences.

SPEAKERS:
Steve Schulz (Manheim Township School District: Lancaster, PA)

Teach students to build relatively simple, visual computer models to study system interactions associated with climate change. Software is free and web based.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. See how to build several relatively simple visual simulation models, in stages, dealing with systemic interactions involving population/global temperature, population/global potable water, etc.; 2. Learn how to incorporate nonlinear influences in a systems model; and 3. See a live demo detailing how to build a basic population model in the free web-based software.

SPEAKERS:
Diana Fisher (Portland State University: Portland, OR)

This session will describe a proposed high school STEM course open to all students. This course utilizes problem-based learning based on local businesses.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The proposed course, STEM in the 901, will teach students the scientific method, the engineering design process, and content knowledge across STEM disciplines through researching and solving problems faced by local businesses; 2. The use of problem-based learning (PBL) centered around local businesses allows for the integration of culturally relevant pedagogy and encourages engagement by all students; and 3. One of the proposed PBL units, including lesson plans and suggested assessments, will be made available to participants.

SPEAKERS:
Shelby Montague (St. George's Independent School: Collierville, TN)

Use SageModeler to model real data on how hippos affect their environment in Tanzania and predict how invasive hippos might impact the environment in Colombia!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. discuss how to use hippos, and particularly Pablo Escobar’s hippos in Colombia (an introduced species), as an anchoring phenomenon to teach ecology; 2. examine data from a study of how hippos affect the ecology of aquatic ecosystems in central Tanzania and use those data to investigate key ecological concepts like nutrient cycling and eutrophication and 3. learn to use the free online program SageModeler to model the interactions described in the study above and predict how Pablo Escobar’s hippos may affect the Colombian ecosystem.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Schmidt (The Bronx High School of Science: Bronx, NY)

An English teacher and a science teacher team up to present four methods of teaching prairie ecology and citizen science concepts using project-based assessments.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Cross-curricular teaching is an investment that yields higher student engagement and learning; 2. Three-dimensional science teaching is further enhanced by crossing curricular boundaries, resulting in greater efficiency in meeting standards for both curricular areas; and 3. Student-designed projects can improve scientific literacy while allowing for student choice and creativity.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Leising (Omaha Public Schools: Omaha, NE), Tess Sykes (Papillion La Vista Community Schools: Papillion, NE)

Leave with the knowledge and strategies needed to focus three-dimensional science lessons through the lens of the crosscutting concepts in the physical and virtual classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
At the end of this session, teachers will be able to: 1. develop a deeper understanding of the crosscutting concepts in science lessons; 2. brainstorm ways in which we can incorporate and assess the crosscutting concepts in 3-D science lessons; and 3. learn strategies that will engage all students in utilizing the crosscutting concepts to make deeper connections in science.

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Murdock (Dekalb County School District: No City, No State)

Learn how to engage students in making sense of local climate justice phenomena and take action in response in partnership with impacted communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Ability to articulate the climate science standards within your own teaching context; 2. Examination of strategies to engage in climate justice instruction; and 3. Definition of your own action plan for designing science learning around climate justice phenomena for your own context.

SPEAKERS:
Deb Morrison (Educator and Learning Scientist: Seattle, WA)

Experience how the discussion diamond protocol can help support students’ argumentation skills and Claim Evidence Reasoning writing through peer discourse.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Student discourse can be used to support the development of students’ argumentation skills; 2. The discussion diamond protocol provides students with a structure to build scientific arguments based on evidence and reasoning in collaboration with their peers; and 3. The discussion diamond protocol is a versatile tool that can be adapted for students at different skill levels and in various subjects.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Ciccarello (Beverly Hills High School: Beverly Hills, CA)

Do you need new lessons, activities, and ideas for your high school classroom? Please join members of the NSTA High School Committee and other high school professional educators in an hour of learning, networking, and gathering great ideas and activities. Enter to win door prizes!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn engaging activities that are used in high school classrooms; 2. Network with other high school educators; and 3. Win door prizes!

SPEAKERS:
Brenda Walsh (Eden Prairie High School: Eden Prairie, MN)

Set up a simple lab and watch a cool demo for ways to talk about resources and the environment, using copper as a specific example.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Great lab that can be used for many levels of understanding—geology, environmental science, chemistry; 2. Focus on environmental impact of resource acquisition; and 3. Resources to highlight for students the depth and complexity of these issues.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Spohler (Global Impact STEM Academy: Springfield, OH), Briana Richardson (Washington High School: Washington Court House, OH)

Sponsoring Company: Brandwein Institute

Henry David Thoreau was a climate change scientist! For the past 19 years, Professor Richard Primack and his team have been using Thoreau’s records from the 1850s and other Massachusetts data sources to document the earlier flowering and leafing out times of plants, the earlier flight times of butterflies, and the more variable response of migratory birds. Most noteworthy, plants in Concord are also changing in abundance due to a warming climate. This work has received extensive media coverage as an example of the biological effects of climate change, and is now being extended to the neglected autumn season. What would Thoreau tell us to do about global warming if he were alive today?

NSTA wishes to thank Brandwein Institute for sponsoring Richard Primack’s talk.

SPEAKERS:
Richard Primack (Boston University: Boston, MA)