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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)