Formative assessment through scientific discourse, modeling, and argumentation regarding evidence for scientific phenomena or theory gives authentic insight into student understanding of difficult science concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understand the role of formative assessment within the teaching progression to promote student achievement; 2. Value argumentation and modeling as valid forms of formative assessment; and 3. Identify that scientific discourse with peers is a valuable learning tool within a classroom to give insight into student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Mansell (Washington Fields Intermediate School: Washington, UT)

This session will introduce you to the use of "probing questions" that uncover how students (and teachers) think about concepts and phenomena for the purpose of informing instruction while simultaneously promoting conceptual learning. The new digital Google Classroom probes will also be introduced.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn why it is important to start with students' (and teachers') initial ideas; 2. Examine specially designed questions called "probes" that reveal what students (and teachers) are really thinking about core ideas, (including answer choices that mirror commonly held ideas noted in the research literature), and the support material for using the probes effectively in pre- and post-assessment; and 3. Gain strategies for using the probes in K–12 inclusive classrooms as well as with teachers during professional learning.

SPEAKERS:
Page Keeley (NSTA Past President: No City, No State)

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)