2022 Houston National Conference

April 31-2, 2022

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FILTERS APPLIED:6 - 8, Strategies for Creating Inclusive Science Classrooms, Biology

 

Rooms and times subject to change.
130 results
Save up to 50 sessions in your agenda.

Genotype or Stereotype? Using PBL to Explore Middle School Genetics

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 332C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
GenoStereo.NSTA.Mar31.22.pptx

Show Details

Can a genetics unit affect students’ views of people different from themselves? This session presents lessons learned during a project-based learning unit, with critical discussion.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How can we use project-based learning to enhance scientific literacy? Attendees will have access to lesson plans and supporting materials. 2. How can we use middle school standards to decrease stereotypes? Participants will see the results of a pilot study that measured shift in bias as students learned genetics. 3. What can teachers do to encourage this kind of learning? Participants will engage in critical conversation to identify standards and approaches that will work in their classrooms as well as having an opportunity to connect and collaborate.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Clapp (The Catamount School: Sylva, NC)

Explore Before Explain, But Not Always

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 342A


Show Details

The 5E is effective for learning most concepts, but not for processes. Other models may need to be included within the 5E.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Clearly understand the various instructional models and the best practice for their uses; 2. The learning objective must be clearly identified as a concept of a process to correctly identify the best practice and instructional model; and 3. Use other best practices such as moving instruction from the known to the unknown or concrete to pictorial to abstract or limiting objectives within a 5E.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra West (Texas State University: San Marcos, TX)

Using Varied Assessments for Teaching Evolution

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 342F


Show Details

The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science provides teachers with an entire unit of instruction that includes a variety of assessments, free and available for download.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The units created by the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES) can be presented to a whole class, small groups, or can be assigned to individual students. They are teacher-guided or student-guided. 2. The TIES units can be easily downloaded for free and meet or exceed the evolution standards of every U.S. State. 3. The TIES units contain a variety of assessments, including online games, video questions, data analysis, puzzles, and formal assessments. They include a student response sheet, rubric, and formal assessments.

SPEAKERS:
Alison Seymour (Science Teacher: Winchester, 0)

What’s That Buzz? The Mission Mosquito Science Notebook and NASA Citizen Science

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 352F


Show Details

Join us to explore the free online student notebook and facilitator’s guide, make your own mosquito larvae trap, and do NASA citizen science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Students will learn where, how, and when to safely find mosquito larvae, and how to identify three medically important mosquito genera; 2. Mosquitoes and the diseases they spread are everywhere; students will learn how to reduce the number of mosquito breeding sites in their local community and contribute their citizen science data; and 3. Facilitators will learn about the insights, answers, recommendations, background information, applications, and supplements (games and book lists) found in the Facilitator’s Guide.

SPEAKERS:
Liz Burck (Institute for Global Environmental Strategies: Arlington, VA), Cassie Soeffing (Institute for Global Environmental Strategies: Arlington, VA)

Climate in Your Classroom, Climate in Your World: Use Free NOAA Resources and Data to Teach This Integrated Topic

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 370C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
TCI NSTA CONFERENCE.pdf

Show Details

Want to teach climate literacy but don’t know where to start? NOAA offers lesson plans, videos, data, webinars, and more to inform and inspire students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What is climate literacy and how to improve it; 2. How to discuss climate and climate controversies in the classroom; and 3. What climate education resources are available from NOAA.

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

NMLSTA-Sponsored Session: NMLSTA Algae Academy: Taking Algae from "Ick!" to "Awesome!"

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 370D



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Algae Academy - Taking Algae from Ick to Awesome.pptx
Algae Academy Presentation

Show Details

Using algae as the vehicle for innovation, this FREE STEM kit and curriculum will have your students asking big questions as they grow algae in the classroom and dive deeper into its vast potential.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn all things algae—from the basic living requirements to how algae will help solve pressing global issues; 2. Walk through the entire Algae Academy curriculum to better understand the supplies provided, day-to-day activities, and teacher resources available to support teacher instruction; and 3. Learn how to cultivate your own algae culture!

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Nalley (The Algae Foundation: Midland, TX)

Beyond Labz: Realistic Virtual Labs That Bridge the Gap Between Real Labs and Scientific Inquiry

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 350E


Show Details

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)

Show Me the Moo-ney! Determine the Genetics of a CA$H-Cow

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 330A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Use electrophoresis to determine which pair of cows will have the best return on investment in this hands-on ag/life science lab.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to do electrophoresis in the MiniOne Electrophoresis System; 2. Discover how to do hands-on labs with students in middle and high school life science and ag classes; and 3. Explore how agriculture, biology, and business are intertwined in the modern farming industry.

SPEAKERS:
Callen Hyland (Embi Tec: San Diego, CA)

Explore the Power of Yeast

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 351 C/F


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Join us for coffee, breakfast, and a take-home classroom activity. In this Power of Yeast activity, participants will set up and observe fermentation processes in varied environments to help provide an initial understanding of a modern biochemical model of cellular life. Participants will receive ready-to-go lesson activities for Elementary, Middle Grades, and High School classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. receive ready-to-go lesson activities for Elementary, Middle Grades, and High School classes; 2. enjoy coffee and baked goods in a relaxed presentation environment; and 3. examine ways to show students that science is both dynamic and relevant to their lives.

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

Left at the Scene of the Crime: High School Forensics

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 320B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek Inc.

Forensic science combines science disciplines to determine “whodunnit.” In this workshop, learn how to merge hands-on biotechnology experiments with literacy exercises to create an immersive lesson.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. participate in hands-on biotechnology experimentation; 2. discuss the implications of genetic fingerprinting of forensic samples; and 3. learn strategies for connecting the lessons learned to the Common Core Literacy Standards.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Danielle Snowflack (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Maria Dayton (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Building a Culture of STEM: Engaging Our Communities!

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 360 A/D



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Resources

Show Details

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)

Jump-start a “Phenomenal” Day with a Discovery Education Hands-On Experience

Thursday, March 31 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 371


Show Details

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)

ADI with PE and BIO? OMG!

Thursday, March 31 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 352C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Slideshow
Slides used during the presentation, including resource links

Show Details

Discover how to use physical education to help teach interdependence of the circulatory and respiratory systems through Argument Driven Inquiry. Three-dimensional teaching meets cross-curricular planning.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to: 1. collaborate with your PE teachers to conduct a scientific investigation; 2. teach students about data collection and analysis; and 3. help students realize the interactions of body systems and how they relate to physical exercise.

SPEAKERS:
Lincoln Clark (Spain Park High School: Birmingham, AL)

Heredity and Ecosystems: NGSS Activities for 3-D Phenomena-Based Instruction

Thursday, March 31 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 320A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Genetics and Ecology NGSS Activities for 3-D Learning

Show Details

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)

Let's Get Physical: Human Physiology Experiments

Thursday, March 31 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 330B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Get active and participate in hands-on experiments. Explore limb position and grip strength, balance, and EKG/EMG experiments designed to encourage students to think about the physiology of various human organ systems. Walk away with valuable information, including sample labs and teaching tips.

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 experience 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)

Using Environmental Solutions as a Lens for Teaching Science and Engineering

Thursday, March 31 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 350E


Show Details

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)

Take the Mess and Stress Out of Bacterial Transformation

Thursday, March 31 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 330A


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Let innovative technology and simplified prep take the mess and stress out of bacterial transformation with the Let it Glow™ Bacterial Transformation MiniLab.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn about a faster, simpler, and more reliable way to teach bacterial transformation; 2. See how teachers can use a PCR System and Fluorescence Reader to perform and analyze bacterial transformation; and 3. Explore how new technology makes traditionally complicated labs more teacher- and student-friendly.

SPEAKERS:
Callen Hyland (Embi Tec: San Diego, CA)

Coronavirus—From Genome Sequencing to mRNA Vaccine Production, in Less than One Year!

Thursday, March 31 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 351D



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
1. Houston NSTA 2022. Coronavirus.pptx

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

This workshop explores the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of the CoV-2 virus. Participants use physical models—enhanced by Augmented Reality—to explore these topics.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The nucleotide sequence of the CoV-2 RNA genome was the first step in vaccine development; 2. Prior research focused on the spike protein of CoV-1 set the stage for rapid progress on vaccine development; and 3. Pseudouridine was the key to an effective mRNA vaccine.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Herman (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Going Viral: Learning from COVID-19

Thursday, March 31 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 351 C/F



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Covid Lesson Suggestions
Some resources and suggestions for using Covid-19 as a teaching tool.
PowerpointFile
Powerpoint slides from "Going Viral" by Ken Miller

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Ken Miller will describe ways in which a curriculum built around the COVID-19 virus can help students to explore some of the most basic processes in biology. The emergence, spread, diversification, and resilience of this virus will be used to demonstrate important principles in evolution, genetics, molecular biology, immunology, and cell biology.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Participants will examine specific curriculum plans using the COVID-19 virus to illustrate basic principles of cell biology, including biological membrane structure, mRNA function, transcription, translation, replication, and immune response; 2. The emergence of COVID-19 variants will be explored as a case study in natural selection, evolution, and phylogenetic analysis; and 3. The public reaction to pandemic public health countermeasures and vaccination will be examined as a case study in scientific literacy and science denial. Participants will discuss ways to use their classrooms to promote student understand of the science behind these public health measures.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Miller (Brown University: Providence, RI)

Tracing the Spread of Disease

Thursday, March 31 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 320B


Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek Inc.

Respiratory viruses like Influenza or COVID can lead to worldwide pandemics. We’ll discuss how diseases spread and perform experiments to explore how disease testing works.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. participate in hands-on biotechnology experimentation; 2. explore medical testing for common diseases, including how they work and what they mean; and 3. discuss the epidemiological triad, a framework for understanding the relationship between host, pathogen, and environment.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Maria Dayton (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Making Inquiry Visible

Thursday, March 31 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 360 A/D



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Resources

Show Details

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)

NSTA Press Session: Crosscutting Concepts: Strengthening Science and Engineering Learning

Thursday, March 31 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 352F


Show Details

This session focuses on the core messages of the book Crosscutting Concepts: Strengthening Science and Engineering Learning, published by NSTA Press in 2021.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The power of crosscutting concepts is most fully realized when they are used in conjunction with science and engineering practices and disciplinary core ideas; 2. Crosscutting concepts serve as lenses on phenomena, supporting all students in question-asking and sensemaking; and 3. Teacher leadership is critical to realizing the power of crosscutting concepts in practice.

SPEAKERS:
Jeff Nordine (The University of Iowa: Iowa City, IA), Okhee Lee (New York University: New York, NY)

Using Talk Moves to Support Equitable Discourse

Thursday, March 31 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 332D



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Let's Talk Science! Productive Discussions and Talk Moves

Show Details

Discourse is an important part of science learning. In this session, we will engage in talk moves from the teacher and student perspective.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. distinguish between everyday conversation and academic discourse; 2. apply the goals of productive discourse through talk moves; and 3. consider classroom environment layout and routines that support a community of learners.

SPEAKERS:
Jason Martin-Hiner (Keystone Area Education Agency: Elkader, IA), Beverly Berns (Keystone Area Education Agency: Elkader, IA)

The Search for Life in the Universe with Your Students

Thursday, March 31 • 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 370C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Life in the Universe and the Astrobiology Learning Progressions presentation

Show Details

Astrobiology Learning Progressions support the creation of units that are relevant and motivating through the lens of the search for life in the universe.

TAKEAWAYS:
K–12 teachers, curriculum directors, and other science communicators will take away from this session: 1. what is the scientific search for life in the universe—Astrobiology, how it is interdisciplinary, and how it can be combined within STEM, ELA, art, engineering, and more; 2. how they can use the excitement and motivating topics in Astrobiology to leverage learning in a variety of science concepts throughout the NGSS; and 3. the know-how to navigate and use the Astrobiology Learning Progressions ( https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/education/alp/ )to find information, context, and resources to create their units and lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Dani Leach (Lakewood High School: Arlington, WA)

Sowing SEEDs, Cultivating Community Partnerships, and Nurturing STEM Careers

Thursday, March 31 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 362B


Show Details

Connect your school with local colleges and STEM employers using relevant, standards-based, hands-on activities that spark interest in science and STEM careers. Sample activity included.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to identify and reach out to potential community and industry partners; 2. How to build a program or event that meets the needs of all stakeholders; and 3. How to develop authentic learning experiences to impact student perspectives of locally available STEM careers.

SPEAKERS:
Bethany Kenyon (BioNetwork: Greenville, NC)

How to Make In-Person and Remote STEM Instruction Meaningful, Rigorous, and Equitable for Students

Thursday, March 31 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 332B


Show Details

This session introduces a way to create in-person and remote learning experiences that give all students a chance to learn how to use the DCIs, CCS, and SEPs to make sense of the world around them.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to make in-person and remote learnings experience more meaningful, relevant, and equitable for students; 2. How to give students an opportunity to use their own ideas along with the DCIs, CCs, and SEPs in the service of sensemaking; and 3. How embedded formative assessment during an investigation can be used to examine student sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Victor Sampson (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX)

What Do I Do with This? Making Sense of Your Assessment Data

Thursday, March 31 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 342B



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Resource Document Form
Click on this link to access the Resource Document for the session. This will ask for your email so that I can share the slide deck following the session based on how the conversation unfolds.

STRAND: Promoting Effective Assessments in the STEM Classroom

Show Details

We are awash in assessment data, but often it’s overwhelming to make sense of it. Join us to learn tips and strategies for wrangling data.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore new ways to organize data collection and raw data to aid in exploring the data for stories after it is collected; 2. Acquire skills in tying questions, data types, and data visualizations to enhance your ability to make sense of your assessment data; and 3. Identify next steps to better utilize and leverage your assessment data to help you measure students’ learning and know what steps to consider next.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hunter-Thomson (Dataspire Education & Evaluation, LLC)

NMLSTA-Sponsored Session: NMLSTA Awards: Come Learn About Two Awards for Middle Level Science Teachers!

Thursday, March 31 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

George R. Brown Convention Center - 322A


Show Details

Learn how to apply for NMLSTA’s Classroom Teacher Awards and Hurd Award. This interactive workshop will provide information and an opportunity to begin an application.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. NMLSTA Classroom Teachers awards provide up to $200 to support science in your classroom and has a quick and easy application. 2. The Hurd Award is for exemplary science teaching performance including leadership in sharing these ideas and a great way to showcase what you are doing in science education. 3. This workshop will cover eligibility, requirements, and timelines along with how to write a successful application, an opportunity to brainstorm ideas and start an application.

SPEAKERS:
Alison Seymour (Science Teacher: Winchester, 0)