Are you looking for new and inspiring ways to help secondary students grasp human evolution? Dr. Bayer presents 3 inquiry-based, open-access labs that not only bring the most compelling evidence for hominin evolution, but also unpack its underlying mechanisms: 

1. Honing in on 5 physical traits (including vestigial ones), the "Human Species in Transition" lab investigates our evolutionary past (and future), illustrating the interplay between natural selection and mutation as evolutionary drivers. 

2. Employing 11 skull replicas, the "Be a Paloanthropologist for a Day" lab allows students to literally grasp 3 key features of human evolution, namely bipedalism, brain growth, and orthognathism.

3. The "Bonobo vs. Chimp vs. Human" lab features 3D-printed crania from each of the 3 distantly related species and employs the sexual dimorphism lens to unpack physiologic and behavioral differences between the sexes, traits which are then compared and contrasted between the species.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Bayer (Co-Founder, AncientAncestors.org: Feucht, Germany)

Are you looking for new ideas to engage your secondary biology classrooms? Join these three educators as they share strategies for engaging students in topics around climate change, environmental science, and models.

Experiential Learning: Marine Science Field Studies
How do we prepare our youth of today to become tomorrow’s future leaders and decision makers? In this presentation, we will explore a Marine Science course designed to instruct students through experiential learning in our changing world.

The “Wicked” Problem of Phosphate in Clean Water, Food Systems, and Climate Change: Using Clues to Solve an Environmental Mystery
What killed the fish in the river? Solve this mystery by analyzing well water data to identify the source of phosphate pollution in the environment. Use a game-based activity to highlight the role of phosphate in the environment and learn about the how phosphate contributes to eutrophication.

Evaluating and Using Models - A DNA Example
Models allow us to "see" things we wouldn't normally be able to see. Models are useful tools, but they are not perfect representations. Analyse models of DNA to determine which are able to demonstrate the most DNA properties and which would be best for your specific purpose.

SPEAKERS:
Madeline Stallard (North Carolina State University), M. Gail Jones (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC), Hannah Crowder (Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton: Atherton, CA)

When children start team sports not much is expected, they are often not physically developed, and coaches start at the beginning. By high school and college bodies are better equipped, fundamentals have been learned, expectations rise, and the process is performance oriented. The same concepts should guide student research. First-year undergraduates begin with fundamentals, using guided inquiry. Expectations rise as research is conducted in courses (CUREs), and finally as independent projects. Just as with coaches, faculty expectations need to be developmentally defined, and success easily measured. As sports teams need specialty coaches, research teams also need specialists that can teach/encourage by using their expertise for unique projects – a primary advisor (coach) and additional specialists (assistant coaches). As a team sport, all members of the team receive the same rewards (although one member receives the honor of being first author, similar to one player being named MVP).

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will see examples of progression from inquiry labs to independent research. Attendees will how this model of undergraduate research increased the output of both presentations and papers. Attendees will discover how teams of faculty with different levels of expertise contribute to student s

SPEAKERS:
Kerry Cheesman (Capital University: Columbus, OH)

Do you wonder how STEM learning can impact communities? Hear from educators who share their experiences and resources for creating student advocates, problem-based learning, and developing student debate.

Developing Students Who Are STEM Advocates
Students who have been positively impacted by their STEM experiences can become some of the best advocates that can help change the lives of others in their community. Working with these students to develop their stories and to give them the tools to have successful meetings with legislators.

To Sit or to Stand: A Problem-Based Learning Unit Connecting High School Science Students to the Local STEM Community
Is a field trip enough? Connect your science students to STEM career opportunities found within their own community by helping those businesses solve challenges they already face! Participants will gain insight on planning STEM project-based learning units for science courses.

Inspiring Marine Protection and Careers for Teens (IMPACT)
The Wildlife Conservation Society is leading Inspiring Marine Protection and Careers for Teens (IMPACT) to prepare teachers and empower students in energy alternative careers. This project fosters foundational skill development by connecting students to professionals and professional development.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy McIntyre (Robotics Education & Competition Foundation: Greenville, TX), Patricia Rushing (PhD Candidate: , VA), Sonia Ahrabi (New York Aquarium: No City, No State)

Join high school educators sharing strategies for engaging students using social media, escape rooms, and assessment probes.

AP Biology Escape Room
Come Escape to Winter Break with me! Every year to review for the 1st semester final exam, my students complete a week long Escape Room (4 locks per day for 5 days). In this speed session, I will share an example of some of the components from my escape room so you can do it too.

Social Media Review
Meet your students where they are! Our students are always on their devices and on their social media platforms, so why not develop a review opportunity that incorporates that. In this speed session, you will see how I have developed a review resource through Instagram stories.

Using Phenomena to Explore Student Ideas and Misconceptions in Biology
Using probes for understanding, students decide if they agree or disagree with explanations - containing common misconceptions - for every day phenomena such as consuming more weight in food than you gain, and how drinking too much water can kill you.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Shoham Jones (Science Instructor: Conyers, GA), Hannah Crowder (Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton: Atherton, CA)