Beyond Earth, cosmic radiation is a substantial challenge to astronaut health. Biomedical research is critical to success of NASA’s Artemis, and unraveling the genetic riddles of aging and disease. In this session, participants explore radiation biology through NASA research and hands-on activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
To offer participants resources and strategies for developing radiation biology units that integrate hands-on NASA education activities and cutting-edge scientific research, with particular attention to benefits for Earth-based medicine as well as optional connections to the humanities.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Weiss (Educator Professional Development Specialist)

Come experience how leveraging complex culturally relevant societal challenges as phenomena in 3D teaching and learning supports student motivation and engagement. Learn how the BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model develops student agency within and beyond the classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
The research-based BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model succeeds the 5Es and leverages complex societal issues as anchoring phenomena/problems, culminating tasks, and performance assessments in 3D units of instruction to motivate students and develop agency in addressing these issues.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Gay (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO)

Explore how to engage students in computational thinking using a newly developed, freely available simulation designed to address high school performance expectations in life science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to promote the science and engineering practice of computational thinking in the high school biology classroom. Participants will be introduced to a freely accessible computer simulation based on a real-world phenomenon designed to address PEs in biology.

SPEAKERS:
Maia Binding (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Ben Koo (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Wendy Jackson (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Experience an anchoring phenomenon lesson designed to engage students in a local climate impact. Reflect on how local community problems can be leveraged to engage students in understanding large-scale, shared global issues, like climate change, to increase relevance and agency for youth.

TAKEAWAYS:
Anchoring student learning in local phenomena and problems can tap into students’ interest and perceived relevance of science learning to their life and community. A storyline based on local problems also position students to for meaningful activities for future learning and taking action now.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsey Mohan (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Audrey Mohan (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Enya Granados (Life Science Teacher: , GA)

A major evolution misconception is that organisms on a phylogenetic tree are progressing towards the ultimate goal of being bigger, better, and faster. Using convergent evolution as an anchoring phenomenon, learn how to inoculate your students against this misunderstanding with a 5E storyline.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to help students using a misconception-based approach. By looking at a variety of species, teachers will leave with evidence-based examples of evolution in action. Major areas of focus are artificial selection, domestication, natural selection, and convergent evolution.

SPEAKERS:
Cari Herndon (National Center for Science Education: No City, No State), Lin Andrews (National Center for Science Education: Oakland, CA)

Come learn about Data Puzzles, a free resource co-designed by climate scientists and instructional specialists from the University of Colorado Boulder that combine authentic data with Ambitious Science Teaching instructional practices to help students make sense of phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore authentic, contemporary data through Data Puzzles resources that frame data analysis for use in middle and high school classrooms with the Ambitious Science Teaching framework and leave prepared to implement these 2-3 day sensemaking tasks in their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Griffith (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, VT)

In this workshop, participants will apply conceptual maps of photosynthesis and cellular respiration to simple algal assays. Collected assay data will be used to evidence real-time carbon cycling within the organism as well as serving as a model for ecological interplay between these processes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Walk through how students can measure and learn about photosynthesis, cellular respiration and the carbon cycle in the same hands-on lab.

SPEAKERS:
Audra Brown Ward (Upper School Biology Teacher: , GA)

Model how environmental health investigators work to discover the cause of an outbreak of encephalitis. Experience hands-on, minds-on, NGSS practice-based lessons related to One Health – the connections between human, animal, and environmental health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about hands-on, minds-on, NGSS practice-based lessons related to One Health – the connections between human, animal, and environmental health. Engage in three-dimensional activities that focus on the science practices of analyzing data and constructing explanations.

SPEAKERS:
Dina Markowitz (University of Rochester: Rochester, NY), Lisa Brosnick (SUNY Buffalo State College: Buffalo, NY)

Experience how the new BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning (AIL) instructional model creates learning experiences that motivate students with significant, real world phenomena and problems! Learn how AIL anchors cycles of inquiry and sensemaking, culminating in student explanations/design solutions!

TAKEAWAYS:
The research-based BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model succeeds the 5Es and leverages authentic phenomena/problems to anchor cycles of inquiry and sensemaking. This approach provides instructional coherence from students’ perspective, equitable access, and motivation for ALL learners.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Gay (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO)

A hands on simulation based on probabilities from scientific literature is used to investigate the effect of community structure on the prevalence of infected ticks. This anchoring phenomenon is extended to explore population ecology, trophic cascades, biodiversity, and the dilution effect.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with a set of lessons that teach many core concepts in ecology using a modeling approach. The hands on simulation will be supplemented by computer models that allow students to explore population growth curves and more complex community relationships.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Carroll (retired - Yorktown High School: No City, No State), Michael Zito (Yorktown High School: Arlington, VA)

Experience how embedding literacy supports for reading, writing, and academic discourse in 3D teaching and learning promotes sensemaking and science understanding for ALL learners! Learn how the BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model embeds literacy supports throughout cycles of inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
The research-based BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model succeeds the 5Es and embeds literacy supports for reading, writing, and academic discourse in conjunction with science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to promote students in figuring out key science ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Gay (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO)

Teaching Biology to ESL students sitting in our science classrooms can be challenging. In this session we will dive into Macromolecules with hands-on activities using toys as manipulatives and concluding with a mini investigation comparing macromolecule nutrients in cow's milk with nondairy milk.

TAKEAWAYS:
Macromolecules can be overwhelming to ESL students who have limited English and Biology vocabulary skills. In this session we will break down a difficult topic into hands-on activities and a mini investigation that will bring Macromolecules to life.

SPEAKERS:
Sarida Hoy (Dalton High School: No City, No State)

The lived experiences and narratives of Black heritage and African American Gullah-Geechee are used as engaging phenomena in inquiry lessons using the 5E model. The scientific practices are used to explore biology data cards created in a National Science Foundation funded project.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engaging in inquiry and scientific practices using the cultural resources of Black heritage facilitate engagement in the NGSS three dimensions of STEM. Attendees receive free resources created from this project. Connections to Common Core and equitable classroom practices will be made.

SPEAKERS:
Catherine Quinlan (Howard University)

Learn about environmental DNA (eDNA) by analyzing unknown samples against a database of DNA barcode sequences. This evidence will be used to justify whether one of the collected samples belonged to a Bigfoot. A variety of practical applications for eDNA will also be explored.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore and appreciate the importance of evidence to the scientific process by taking a deep dive into an NGSS storyline sequence developed to help students understand that science must be substantiated by multiple lines of evidence to be accepted by the scientific community.

SPEAKERS:
Cari Herndon (National Center for Science Education: No City, No State), Lin Andrews (National Center for Science Education: Oakland, CA)

This project was funded by a National Science Foundation grant to expose high school students to geoscience within their required science curriculum. A collateral benefit is integrating key concepts in other sciences. In Biology, natural selection requires eons (“deep time”) to create Earth’s biodiversity. In project-based learning using fossil-bearing rocks of multiple ages, students experience deep time concretely. A barrier to hands-on fossil study is the expense of specimens good enough for university students to systematically learn fossil taxa. However, imperfect samples can connect anyone to deep time. Ironically, some such samples are simply dumped when teachers return from professional development field trips. This presentation reveals a path to making use of such ordinary material by 1) circling fossils in ink, 2) creating a picture guide from circled fossils, 3) building a PBL unit uniting those fossils with a biodiversity-though-time graphic known as a Tree of Life diagram.

TAKEAWAYS:
Might students better master evolution standards, especially extinction and adaptation, by encountering fossils through "deep time"? Teacher-collected samples, with fossils circled in ink, a picture guide made from the set, and a detailed Tree of Life diagram form foundations for PBL exploration.

SPEAKERS:
Katty Mobasher (Professor of Geology and GIS: , GA), Adrianna Rajkumar (Lecturer), Bill Witherspoon (geologist/educator: Decatur, GA)

Investigate the spread of tick-borne diseases in humans and animals. Experience hands-on, minds-on, NGSS practice-based lessons related to One Health – the connections between human, animal, and environmental health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about hands-on, minds-on, NGSS practice-based lessons related to One Health – the connections between human, animal, and environmental health. Engage in three-dimensional activities that focus on the science practices of analyzing data and constructing explanations.

SPEAKERS:
Dina Markowitz (University of Rochester: Rochester, NY), Lisa Brosnick (SUNY Buffalo State College: Buffalo, NY)

Do probiotic products really contain the number of bacteria they claim? Do expiration dates really matter? How do supplements compare to food products?

TAKEAWAYS:
Practice the use of serial dilution, aseptic technique, and culturing to evaluate probiotic products with the goal of understanding the use of probiotics and the different environmental and nutritional needs required for bacterial growth and reproduction.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Vignolini (Biology Teacher)

Engage in hands-on activities (problem-solving challenges, simulations and modeling) that use 3D learning to explore key ecological topics in Biology and Environmental Science courses (including AP) – population trends, climate change, land use, biodiversity, and ecosystem health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn ways to guide students’ inquiry around key environmental challenges, using hands-on simulations and modeling activities that employ 3D learning in an inclusive classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Katie Grams (Education Program Associate: Washington, DC), Barbara Huth (Online Learning Manager: Washington, DC)

Experience phenomenon based, stoylined curriculum in high school biology! Use an agent based model, in the form of a table top game, to generate evidence to answer questions about predator prey interactions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use a computational model to generate evidence to answer questions about about predator prey interactions.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Henson (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO)

In this unit, learn about fermentation and ethanol production, what enzyme action can do, and how co-products from ethanol are valuable in their own right.

TAKEAWAYS:
Nourish the Future is a national education initiative developed by science teachers for science teachers to connect students to modern agriculture and provide sound science based resources that meet teacher and student needs in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Leanne Thele (Perryville High School: , MO), Tiska Rodgers (Clarkton High School: Clarkton, MO)

Engage in a variety of activities, collect information and resources, and network with high school-level leaders. Discover new ideas and materials that you can use next week.

TAKEAWAYS:
The participants will network with other high school-level science educators and leaders to discover and engage in activities that will expand their knowledge and be usable in all aspects of their work.

The topic of mRNA vaccines can introduce or reinforce ideas about central dogma (DNA->RNA->proteins) while challenging students to explore various vaccine misconceptions. Activities include an exploration of vaccine-preventable diseases and a timeline-building activity for mRNA vaccine development.

TAKEAWAYS:
mRNA vaccines, like other vaccines, help your immune system to fight infections in order to prevent severe illness. mRNA vaccines are unique in utilizing your cell’s own machinery to evoke a targeted immune response.

SPEAKERS:
Jeanne Chowning (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: No City, No State), Hanako Osuga (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center), Regina Wu (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Seattle, WA)

Attendees will learn how to collect and analyze data using sensors and technology for use across multiple Science and Engineering courses in both Biology & Engineering and Physics & Engineering cross-curricular STEM settings.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use sensors and available technology that allow students to collect and analyze data across multiple Science and Engineering courses in both cross-curricular Biology & Engineering and Physics & Engineering STEM settings.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Bennett (Mill Creek High School: Hoschton, GA), Mary Morris (Mill Creek High School: Hoschton, GA), Jonathan Harper (Mill Creek High School: Hoschton, GA)

Empowering students to make science-based decisions requires acknowledgment and dialogue around the injustices marginalized communities have endured within scientific fields. We will engage in meaningful talk around race, vaccinations, and applications within a sample lesson for science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Create opportunities to acknowledge and validate students’ personal experiences even when it might be divergent from our own personal experiences or larger data sets.

SPEAKERS:
Justin Betzelberger (UCLA Science Project: Los Angeles, CA), Richard Huynh (Science Coach: No City, No State), Zachary Cue (UCLA STEM+C3 and Science Project)

What is race? During this session, we will introduce a curriculum for biology educators that explores how racism, the construct of race, the history of science, and human genetic variation intersect.

TAKEAWAYS:
Race is a socio-political construct with deep implications but race is not a good surrogate/proxy for biology. Understanding human genetic variation can disrupt the idea of the existence of genetically meaningful “races” and help emphasize the racist roots of inequities in areas such as health.

SPEAKERS:
Hanako Osuga (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center), Jeanne Chowning (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: No City, No State)

Complete a distracted driving simulation and discover award-winning videos, crash-science activities and real-world applications exploring science, engineering, vehicle crashworthiness and driver safety. Free online access to video-supported classroom resources and NGSS-aligned lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will complete a distracted driving simulation and learn how scientific and engineering principles can be modeled in classrooms using crash-science related videos and activities.

SPEAKERS:
Pini Kalnite (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute: Arlington, VA), Griff Jones (University of Florida: No City, No State)

This unit is really engaging for the students! They start highly engaged with the filter design and stay focused through the challenge of microscope work. Our district made a video highlighting this project. Since 2018 we added the water scarcity issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_LSblnGNRU Here is the Padlet of water scarcity issues: https://nvhs.padlet.org/adrianne_toomey1/boalf80ihol2sm91

TAKEAWAYS:
Students are introduced to a regional water issue and challenged to design a filter to clean water. Students are also developing microscopes skills as they learn about life in the water. The unit ends with redesigning their filter and possible solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Habas (Neuqua Valley High School: Naperville, IL)

Explore a 10-lesson unit in which students follow a young girl’s cancer journey. Participants will work through 3 hands-on activities that center NGSS science and engineering practices to engage students in learning about mitosis, the cell cycle and cell differentiation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore 3 activities: Blood Panel Analysis - Disease diagnosis through blood cell count anomalies. Modeling Cell Differentiation - Differential expression of genes drives development of blood from hematopoietic stem cells. Cell Cycle Game - Cancer results from disruptions in cell cycle controls.

SPEAKERS:
Regina Wu (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Seattle, WA), Hannah Crowder (Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton: Atherton, CA)

This new framing of a popular forensics lab connects science topics such as DNA technology to mass incarceration by using real cases of wrongful convictions. The lab and accompanying series were featured in NSTA’s The Science Teacher (July/August 2022).

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how DNA technology can be used not only to identify criminals but also to exonerate the innocent. This can help present science in a social context, connecting it to topics such as mass incarceration and the criminal legal system.

SPEAKERS:
Jeanne Chowning (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: No City, No State), Hanako Osuga (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center)

Gain ideas for incorporating the science of e-cigarettes into STEM instruction through an examination of curriculum connections; receive a suite of data interpretation activities that showcase how toxicologists are studying the effects inhaled e-cigarette aerosols on health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to describe the components of e-cigarette liquids and inhaled aerosols; identify curriculum connections; interpret published scientific data (e.g., graphs).

SPEAKERS:
Dana Haine (UNC Institute for the Environment: Chapel Hill, NC)

Models are an essential tool used by scientists to study natural phenomena. Learn how climate hindcasting helps build powerful models for projecting future climate trends.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the history and evolution of climate modeling while examining evidence that supports their reliability for predicting future climate patterns.

SPEAKERS:
Cari Herndon (National Center for Science Education: No City, No State), Lin Andrews (National Center for Science Education: Oakland, CA)

Modeling integrates scientific practices, cross cutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas. In this workshop you will construct a model of a favorite anchoring phenomenon, and use the model to develop a 3D, modeling-based unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session attendees will learn how to engage their students in modeling, and use a systems-thinking framework to construct a modeling-based unit

SPEAKERS:
Steve Bennett (Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI)

A skyrocketing global population is making us rethink how we feed people. Traditional protein sources are unequally distributed and can have devastating effects. We will be investigating how insects could help us feed the world in a more equitable and sustainable way. Bring your appetite!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how traditional ways of farming protein (poultry and cattle) negatively affect the ecological communities and explore how insects could help rectify this problem.

SPEAKERS:
Courtney Ologbosele (Teacher), Curtis Martin (Teacher)

Ever wondered what microorganisms might be hiding in a plant? Probably not! But we'll show you how to translate real high-level research into a highly engaging lab your students will remember and enjoy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a lab protocol to isolate plant endophytes with their students

SPEAKERS:
Sloan Almehmi (Student), Katie Busch (The University of Alabama at Birmingham: Birimingham, AL)