Language learning occurs in content-rich and discourse-rich classrooms. Learn how to use interactive word walls to support listening, speaking, reading, and writing about academic language.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. organize science concepts and academic vocabulary to scaffold listening, speaking, reading, and writing about science; 2. identify vocabulary that has multiple meanings and may present comprehension challenges for multilingual learners; and 3. bridge academic language acquisition theory to classroom practice.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Jackson (Texas State University: San Marcos, TX)

Daily Do sensemaking lessons are designed to engage students in authentic, relevant science learning. Join us to explore how these phenomenon-driven lessons motivate students to engage in science and engineering practices to make sense of science ideas (disciplinary core ideas) they need to explain how or why the phenomenon occurs. Learn strategies for implementing Daily Do lessons  in both face-to-face and virtual settings. If you are a K–5 teacher, we have Daily Do sensemaking lessons for you!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore how phenomenon-driven lessons motivate students to engage in science and engineering practices to make sense of science ideas; 2. Understand the critical attributes of sensemaking; and 3. Discuss strategies for implementing Daily Do lessons in face-to-face and virtual settings.

SPEAKERS:
Patrice Scinta (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Kristin Rademaker (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

This presentation will share the design and outcomes of implementing a nature storyline that includes student, family, and community knowledge, along with an indigenous perspective.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. receive a template and learn how to create storylines that include opportunities for family and community knowledge; 2. see and reflect on an example of how to incorporate indigenous perspectives when learning about nature; and 3. observe video examples and written artifacts and consider how this approach led to rich student discourse, noticing, and wondering.

SPEAKERS:
Lori Zimmerman (Arthur Street Elementary School: Hazleton, PA), Michelle Brown (Penn State: University Park, PA)

Hold a successful formal debate in your classroom by having students construct logical arguments and debate issues pertinent to a science curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. select an appropriate topic; 2. help students find relevant information for a debate; and 3. structure a formal debate in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Kurson (Collegiate School: New York, NY)

Hear about various NSTA competitions and how they can bring STEM and the NGSS into the classroom, as well as give students and teachers a chance to earn recognition and prizes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn: 1. about NSTA competitions; 2. how NSTA competitions help integrate STEM and NGSS in the classroom; and 3. how students and teachers can win recognition and prizes.

SPEAKERS:
Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Matthew Hartman (BrainPOP: Pittsburgh, PA)

Tired of disconnected, one-day field trips? Join this interactive presentation on collaborating with community experts to embed outdoor science learning within an interdisciplinary PBL.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with specific strategies for: 1. building strong relationships with community science partners; 2. linking outdoor learning experiences to standards-based science and interdisciplinary learning through Project-Based Learning; and 3. helping students explore real-world environmental issues and become advocates for change.

SPEAKERS:
Victoria Martinez (Artemisia Bowden Academy: San Antonio, TX), Jared Holmes (Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve: Johnson City, TX), Ellen Barnett (Trinity University: San Antonio, TX), Melissa Rodriguez (Mirabeau B. Lamar Elementary School: San Antonio, TX), Lyric Johnson (Trinity University: San Antonio, TX)

If we treat content areas as silos, we’ll never find time for Science! Discover how to create authentic, cross-curricular projects that increase engagement and critical thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Determine characteristics of authentic learning experiences; 2. Explore two projects, lesson by lesson, making connections to your science content; and 3. Discover a process for creating your own project-based learning units.

SPEAKERS:
Terra Tarango (Van Andel Education Institute: Grand Rapids, MI)

This interactive session showcases embedded assessment strategies created for an elementary unit on Earth's geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, adaptable for other NGSS-based instructional units.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn a variety of effective assessment strategies that can be used before, during, and after instruction to determine student understanding and learning needs; 2. learn how to seamlessly integrate interactive formative assessments during instruction; and 3. apply what they have learned, by identifying and sharing one new assessment strategy to integrate into their own instructional practice.

SPEAKERS:
Ellen Schiller (Grand Valley State University, Robert C. Pew Campus: Grand Rapids, MI), Heather Miller (Austin Community College, Elgin Campus: Elgin, TX)

Learn how to create a vermicomposting container in your classroom that will encourage participation, learning, and environmental awareness.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Expand the awareness of the environmental husbandry of our Earth and its resources; 2. Vermicomposting takes care of the majority of food waste while also eliminating greenhouse gases; and 3. Vermicomposting can turn into an Earth-friendly, income-producing project that allows the entire classroom to participate.

SPEAKERS:
Paula Daniel (UF/IFAS Extension Okeechobee County: Okeechobee, FL)

Elementary teachers—let's read some awesome books and pair those books with opportunities to go outside to DO something. Targeted for preK–5, this session offers opportunities to connect environmental issues and aims to empower young learners to make pro-environmental choices every day. Session takeaways include an annotated list of trade books and sample classroom and at-home activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will use selected award-winning books as a foundation to build and deliver hands-on activities incorporating the crosscutting concept of cause and effect while practicing the science and engineering practice of asking questions and defining problems; 2. Presenter will lead activities focusing NGSS science and engineering practices extracted from texts with hands-on activities to promote students' growth in scientific processes and environmental stewardship; and 3. Participants will leave the session with a list of resources, books, and activity samples ready to be personalized for use in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Parks (Stetson University: Deland, FL)