Feeling overwhelmed by all there is to see and do at an NSTA conference on science education? Join us for an interactive exploration through the conference app and NSTA’s social media. By the end of the session, you will know just how to get the most from your conference experience in addition to bu

Explore the NSTA Website with us! NSTA provides high-quality digital resources and opportunities—all within a professional community—that supports professional learning and classroom instruction. NSTA staff will be available to answer questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will become knowledgeable about the plethora of digital resources available on NSTA’s website, about the live events, and professional learning community that can help them enhance their knowledge and improve their teaching practices.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

As part of the SCAFFOLD project, district science coordinators develop and implement strategic plans. In this session, coordinators will share their experience with this process and faculty will share ideas for supporting the development of your own strategic plan.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about strategic planning and gain support for developing their own plan.

SPEAKERS:
Brooke Whitworth (Clemson University: Clemson, SC), Julie Luft (University of Georgia: Athens, GA)

What will be describe in this session is are community science events that can be organized with themes that use natural phenomena or NGSS standards, practices, and outcomes that a school would like to promote.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to update these events to go beyond the traditional Family Science Events that are superficial. One main takeaway are example indepth activities and resources that can be used for use with families and students

SPEAKERS:
Annabelle Fortine (Central Michigan University: Eagle, MI), Lavender Bertsch (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI), Hannah Smock (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI), Morgan Glann (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI), Nicole Merner (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI), Makayla Spencer (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI), Emma Harma (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI), Jim McDonald (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI)

This session will highlight the coaching up of intentional literacy instruction during science time for coaches and teachers. School districts select goals based on their district improvement plans to support writing, reading, and/or academic productive talk. Facilitation guides provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in a model for cross-disciplinary work during science instruction to take to their districts, supporting both instructional coaches and teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Jackie Presson (Early Literacy Coach: Muskegon, MI), Christi Gilbert (Literacy and EL Coach), Wendi Vogel (Kent Intermediate School District: Grand Rapids, MI)

Come learn three discussion routines that can transform your science lessons: “I Notice, I Wonder, I Predict”, “Data Discussions”, and “Let’s Make Sense of It All”. Together we’ll explore key features of each talk, participate in enactments, and brainstorm ways to have more talk time in our lessons

TAKEAWAYS:
For young students, talking is learning as students learn as they talk through their own ideas and listen to the ideas of others. This session highlights three whole class science discussion routines that can transform elementary science lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Forsythe (Texas State University: San Marcos, TX)

This is the first session in the PL Committee CCCs Pathway and is designed to support K-12. This session is an opportunity for members of the Professional Learning Committee to recruit and connect with fellow NSTA members. Attendees will be introduced to topics included in the pathway, highlighting how CCCs are used as tools in service of DCIs and SEPs, student sensemaking, and assessment of CCCs to guide further instruction. Using the Framework progression documents and STEM Teaching Tool #41, attendees will have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow participants to uncover vertical progressions of CCCs and leave with tools to use in the classroom to elicit student sensemaking. The PL Committee will utilize research from Jeffery Nordine and Okhee Lee’s book, Crosscutting Concepts: Strengthening Science and Engineering Learning, to ignite the call to action for realizing the power of CCCs.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session is a call to action for realizing the power of CCCs. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with members of NSTA’s PL Committee, gain an overview of the connected sessions included in the pathway, and leave with an invitation to further understandings of sensemaking and CCCs.

SPEAKERS:
Zoe Evans (Bremen City Schools: Bremen, GA), Kimberley Astle (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Olympia, WA), Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Science Teachers Association), Holly Baldwin (Instructional Support Specialist: No City, No State), Christopher Soldat (Grant Wood Area Education Agency: Cedar Rapids, IA), Leah Litz (Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium: No City, No State)

In this session we will look at how engaging students in the practice of Developing and Using Models over the course of a unit can be used for different purposes. Participants will experience building a consensus model and reflect on how building a class consensus model is an important step in ensuring that all members of the learning community can contribute to the knowledge building and that ALL students have access to the ideas the class agrees moves the understanding forward. We will also highlight how models are a powerful way to uncover new questions students may have, requiring students to dig for a deeper understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Developing and using scientific models allows all students to be integral members of the knowledge-building community.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Hereau (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

We will share how we implemented current educational research to create a learning environment that supports learners of all abilities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand the educational research supporting a shift away from traditional grading and describe methods of implementation that address issues of equity, differentiation, peer interactions, and more.

SPEAKERS:
David Frangiosa (Pascack Valley Regional High School District: Montvale, NJ)

During this session, participants will discuss the significance of culture in STEAM learning. Additionally, participants will obtain and practice using a tool to include culturally inclusive practices in STEAM lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Why are culturally inclusive strategies important in STEAM classrooms? How can you synthesize strategies that challenge and engage a diverse group of learners? In this session, we will reveal a planning tool that you can use to support learner success in STEAM classroom settings.

SPEAKERS:
Deanna Taylor (Interactive Learning Solutions LLC: Columbia, SC), Regina Ciphrah (Verbalizing Visions, LLC)

The design of scaffolds can support or take away opportunities for student sensemaking. We will identify scaffolds already built into high quality curriculum, like OpenSciEd, and analyze teacher designed scaffolds to determine if they support or undermine sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Before high quality curriculum, teachers had to aggressively scaffold materials. Teachers will see how the materials support sensemaking without major redesign. They will consider how additional scaffolds may support or undermine student sensemaking elevating the deep expertise of teachers

SPEAKERS:
Hillary Paul Metcalf (Boston College: Chestnut Hill, MA), Nicole Ruttan (Boston College: Chestnut Hill, MA), Ji-Sun Ham (School Support Specialist: Chestnut Hill, MA)

Our session will support science teachers in discovering and incorporating diverse and relevant experiences so ALL students can see themselves as scientists. We will review culturally responsive science instructional practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore the tenets of Culturally Responsive Science Teaching; 2. Understand how all learning is cultural and the importance of access to diverse representation; and 3. Explore the components and values of an inclusive science classroom and the need for students need to see themselves.

SPEAKERS:
Tonya Woolfolk (Houston County Schools: Perry, GA), Patricia Morgan (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA)

Come learn how to carefully unpack elements of the Crosscutting Concepts to support the development and implementation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment using this brand-new version of the NSTA Quick-Reference Guide to the Three Dimensions. The “purple book” is now better than ever.

TAKEAWAYS:
A deeper understanding of the Crosscutting Concepts and how a well-designed reference guide can make it easier to unpack the three dimensions for work in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

This session is intended for secondary science teachers with multilingual learners (MLLs). MLLs bring important science ideas that contribute to learning. This session will emphasize meaningful language instruction for all students and provide ideas for how to support emergent multilingual students.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, participants will engage with meaningful examples of teaching techniques to support higher-level thinking for all students, especially multilingual learners. These examples can be implemented in any secondary science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Monica Davies Davies (AVID curriculum Developer: , WA), Angela DiLoreto (Bellevue School District: Bellevue, WA)

Did you know the ocean is a major influence on weather and climate? Apply Ocean Literacy - an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean - in your learning environment! Explore the Ocean Literacy Framework, including alignment of ocean science concepts with NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
You can't be science literate without being ocean literate. While terrestrial examples dominate NGSS, Ocean Literacy is essential to understanding many DCIs, but the connection may not be obvious. Other DCIs do not mention the ocean but cannot be fully understood without the ocean component.

SPEAKERS:
David Christopher (Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service: Lewes, DE)

Does your PLC need some TLC? Come learn new strategies and approaches to enhance your professional learning community (PLC). In this workshop, participants will reflect on their previous PLC experiences, learn about the components of a community of practice (CoP), and walk away with specific strategies to revitalize and bring meaning back to their PLCs. “Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly,” (Wenger-Trayner, E. & Wenger-Trayner, B., 2015). Workshop participants will explore how to make their PLC not just another group planning session, but rather a dynamic community where members work towards specific goals for themselves and their students by incorporating elements of a CoP. By the end of this session, participants will have specific strategies they can take home and implement immediately with their PLCs.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this workshop, participants will reflect on their previous PLC experiences, learn about the components of a Community of Practice (CoP), and walk away with specific strategies to revitalize and bring meaning back to their PLCs.

SPEAKERS:
Meredith Schwendemann (Clemson University), Ashley Hunter (Clemson University: Clemson, SC), Brooke Whitworth (Clemson University: Clemson, SC), Jennifer Bateman (Clemson University)

Science notebooks can be a powerful tool for students to capture their thinking and chart growth in learning. But, how can notebooks be assessed to help students grow in their science and engineering practices? Proficiency rubrics will be shared to allow teachers and students to assess notebooks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave this session with 4 different proficiency scales to assess student notebooks through the science and engineering practices. While notebooks should not be assessed as “right and wrong,” they can be used to help students grow in their science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
Chelsie Byram (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Cedar Falls, IA), Mandie Sanderman (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Cedar Falls, IA)

Calling all diverse and experienced educators that impact students and their community. Learn how to win up to $10K with Shell sponsored teacher awards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Collaborate with past winners and judges to learn how to start your winning application for the Shell Teaching Awards. We'll walk through the application step by step and you'll be able to begin your application or nomination form live.

SPEAKERS:
Martha McLeod (Aransas County ISD: Rockport, TX), Amanda Upton (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Washington County Public Schools, MD had adopted the definition of Acceleration as intentionally providing access to grade/course-level learning so students who have unfinished learning succeed in today’s learning experience. Underpinning this definition we have leaned on the work of John Hattie to identify 4 high-impact areas(relationships, scaffolds, clarity, feedback) of teaching and learning to frame our focus away from traditional remediation. This session will look at the practice of scaffolding instruction in the science classroom. Attendees will participate in collaborative discussions and experience the use of authentic classroom examples. These experiences will promote their own thinking of how our practical strategies can be transferred into their classrooms. Due to the organizational leadership role of the presenters, audience members will be able to have questions ranging from classroom implementation to curriculum integration discussed.

TAKEAWAYS:
The practical use of instructional scaffolds and the supporting strategies to increase access to student learning in science.

SPEAKERS:
Tara Ellis (Washington County Public Schools: Hagerstown, MD)

test SCST 1.1 Engaging 1st- and 2nd-Year College Students with Science and Engineering Near-space experiments (NSEs) using high-altitude ballooning are offered to engage 1st- and 2nd-year college students to foster learning through science and engineering practices. NSEs are student-generated to build off students’ curiosities, perspectives, expressions, and sense of discovery. SCST 1.2 Fostering the Information Literacy of Community College Anatomy & Physiology Students Many students experience difficulty locating, evaluating, using, and communicating reliable information. Strategies to foster information literacy among A&P students will be presented. Students demonstrated an increased ability to evaluate claims and improved self-perception of critical thinking. SCST 1.3 Developing Literacy in the Science Classroom: Strategies that Transcend Grade Levels Literacy strategies that foster speaking, writing, reading, and listening engage students in the content, identify misconceptions, and optimize teachers’ instructional time. College science students identified Carousel and ABC brainstorming as their favorite literacy activities.

SPEAKERS:
Derrick Nero (University of Nebraska Omaha: Omaha, NE), Renee Clary (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS), Cheston Saunders (Southeastern Community College: Whiteville, NC)

We have developed a flexible, equitable assessment strategy that can be applied to all levels, grades and courses, that keeps students engaged and accountable. Even better, it can be scaled: used by an individual or by an entire district. We call this the Learning Progression Model.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand how learning progressions are used to assess student learning, provide descriptive feedback, set goals, evaluate teaching, and report out achievement.

SPEAKERS:
Elise Naramore (Pascack Hills High School: Montvale, NJ)

How can we provide access to learning to ensure students can succeed in today’s learning experience? We will look at the practice of scaffolding instruction in science and use classroom examples that can be transferred into your classroom. Q&A to follow.

TAKEAWAYS:
The practical use of instructional scaffolds and the supporting strategies to increase access to student learning in science.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Longenberger (Washington County Public Schools: Hagerstown, MD)

Use your position to impact more teachers and students and actualize the NGSS vision. Success stories include: launching an NGSS-aligned curriculum, forming collegial circles, hosting administrator-focused workshops, and providing assessment resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be inspired to form partnerships with formal and informal organizations supporting science education. Participants will hear success stories and receive electronic links to relevant resources.

SPEAKERS:
Harry Rosvally (Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES: Yorktown Heights, NY), David Jacob (Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES: Yorktown Hghts, NY)

As long as there have been CER templates, there have been students who struggle. What’s the difference between evidence and reasoning, or an explanation and an argument, exactly? Our Mi-STAR CER lesson and templates help answer these questions and they are open to all - join us to learn more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with clear and concise definitions of reasoning, explanations, and argumentation, along with a lesson plan, activities, and templates to help students define and construct all three in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Tubman (Michigan Technological University: Houghton, MI), Chris Geerer (Mi-STAR: , MI)

Addressing the needs of all the different learners in science can be challenging. Join us as we take a deep dive into research-based strategies and practices so that all students can succeed in science class no matter their learning need.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will take away a better understanding of addressing learner variability as it applies to science and Identify at least two strategies to promote student engagement, representation, or communication for planning future science lessons or adapting current lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Shirley-Stevens (Science Program Specialist), Judie Beccaro (Georgia Department of Education: Atlanta, GA)

COESEE - Join us to learn more about assessment of elementary science learning using elementary learning stories.

TAKEAWAYS:
Creating student learning stories can help support assessment in elementary classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Ewing (The Charles A. Dana Center: No City, No State)

Stories from Chemical Insights Research Institute’s “research to impact” process will be shared from their work on a variety of emerging technologies and topics such as 3D printing emissions, an economical approach to improving indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events, and more.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will discuss how “research to impact” is or might be used in their schools and collaborate to create their own research to impact story they can share to engage students in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Cristi Bell-Huff (Research Manager), Holley Henderson (Chemical Insights Research Institute: Marietta, GA)

Participants will engage in several activities that explore how a teacher explicitly prepares for collaborative conversations within a lesson. Participants will delve into strategies such as targeted questioning, talk moves, and instructional routines that promote science discourse within the class

TAKEAWAYS:
Develop understanding of the role a teacher takes in preparing for collaborative conversations that produce effective science discourse.

SPEAKERS:
Armetta Wright (Great Minds: No City, No State), Vicki Saxton (Implementation Support Specialist: CHICAGO, IL)

Young children naturally engage in science and engineering practices through play. Educators can support this kind of learning through purposeful play environments and subtle facilitation. In this session, educators will discover how to recognize and extend children’s play-based science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will be introduced to an observation tool, which allows them to measure how children are engaging in science and engineering practices. Educators will gain practice using the tool with video-based cases and discuss effective strategies to support children’s play-based science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Alison Miller (Bowdoin College: Brunswick, ME), Maranda Chung (Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance)

Three-dimensional science instruction puts students at the center of the learning. In this session, we will share how educators statewide engaged in a three-part book study featuring Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices. The three courses are organized around the Investigating, Sensemaking, and Critiquing Practices. Educators explore and demonstrate through a Plan-Do-Study-Act how the Science and Engineering Practices are interwoven in their instruction, focusing on small shifts at a time. Opportunities for collaboration and reflection with other science educators help further individual implementation. We will share strategies, examples, and teacher experiences for engaging and supporting students in sensemaking discussions, developing, using and revising models, and making claims and explanations. In shifting to 3D learning, quick strategies will be shared that build toward more complex classroom shifts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will access teacher professional learning resources including implementing a Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle, embedding instructional coaching, and providing a collaborative space to share classroom practice.

SPEAKERS:
Hope Garton Brown (Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency: Pocahontas, IA), Christopher Soldat (Grant Wood Area Education Agency: Cedar Rapids, IA), Beverly Berns (Keystone Area Education Agency: Elkader, IA)

Much of the technology around us has been designed for persons with different needs. We can now set an alarm just by asking a device to do so. We can enter stores without touching doors, and read captions for the news on television while listening to music on earbuds. Online curriculum needs to mirror this type of access to give all students the ability to engage with content. Can the visually impaired student in a biology classroom use a microscope? Where are videos with captions for hearing impaired students? Can a student with limited dexterity independently access interactive slides? Deliberate planning of online lessons and selective use of virtual resources can help foster your students’ independence and alleviate barriers. Come learn from the experts.

TAKEAWAYS:
All students have unique needs in regards to online learning. Deliberate planning of online lessons and selective use of virtual resources can help foster your students’ independence and alleviate barriers.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Like (Iowa Department of Education: No City, No State), Jennifer Bliss (Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Council Bluffs, IA)

Learn about free STEM educational resources including virtual reality, themed resource collections and lesson plans to increase ocean and climate literacy with your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries offers lessons, videos and activities that can be used in K-12 classrooms to teach students about the ocean and Great Lakes with engaging real life examples of our nation's underwater parks.

SPEAKERS:
Tracy Hajduk (NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: Monterey, CA)

How do we center students in NGSS units designed for a national audience? Join us to explore how a team of K-8 educators are developing resources and strategies that incorporate local phenomena, community needs, and the lived experiences of their students into their teaching of Amplify Science units

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will become familiar with an approach used to localize national curricula and take away research-based and equity centered tools, resources and approaches they can use in their own efforts to localize their curricula and create an inclusive classroom environment.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Brad Street (IslandWood: Bainbridge Island, WA)

A school's MTSS focus is often on math and literacy skills and scores, leaving some science teachers to wonder, "How does my science classroom fit in MTSS?". In this session, we will explore ways to identify students that need Tier 2 science supports and provide them with the assistance they need.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science teachers can utilize formative assessments, unit planning, and creative engagement strategies to provide their science students with Tier 2 support, (regardless if the school building provides an intervention period) resulting in improved student outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Moss (Northwest Area Education Agency: Sioux City, IA)

Learn from our experience as a math and a science teacher collaborating together to give our students an interdisciplinary learning opportunity so that you can start your own plan. We will share the logistics from this authentic inquiry-based project and you’ll hear testimonials from our students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be provided with one way to overcome logistical challenges inherent with interdisciplinary collaboration at the secondary level, including differing rosters & schedules. Furthermore, attendees will have the opportunity to start their own plan for their own interdisciplinary project.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Schneiderwind (Daniel C Oakes high school: Castle Rock, CO), Nadene Klein (Daniel C. Oakes High School: Castle Rock, CO)

Presenters will share two units in which science is integrated with ELA, math, and social studies. This session will share the process of unit creation and how incorporation with other content areas strengthens science instruction. Two units will be shared-one for kindergarten and one for 3rd grade.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to integrate multiple content standards to strength science instruction as well as leave with two examples of fully integrated elementary units. In addition to the sharing of the units, presenters will share the creation process so participants can engage in this work.

SPEAKERS:
Chelsie Byram (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Cedar Falls, IA), Mandie Sanderman (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Cedar Falls, IA)

test SCST 2.1 Comparing learning outcomes across different course delivery methods: face-to-face, online and video conferencing Do students learn better in a face-to-face, online or video conference course? The COVID-19 pandemic provided opportunity to help answer this question by allowing comparison of student learning outcomes in a human anatomy course taught using each of these modalities over the course of the pandemic. SCST 2.2 Digital Media Assignments in Online Geoscience Classrooms: Engaging Students and Building Community Digital media assignments allow students to share knowledge in nontraditional ways. This presentation showcases online geoscience courses that use media assignments, includes discussion of advantages and challenges and components required for creation of multimedia assignments for online class. SCST 2.3 Quality Matters: Our Experiences in Building Online College Courses to be Quality Matters-certified Quality Matters (QM) is an organization that ensures quality control in online instruction. Two professors will discuss the process for QM certification in their online courses. This presentation will discuss experiences and lessons learned to better assist others in the QM review process.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Clary (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS), Thayne Sweeten (Utah State University: , UT), Athena Nagel (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS)

Have you wondered how to develop capacity and support teachers around the shifts in the Framework and the NGSS? This session will dive into how one teacher discovered the NGSS, moved from novice to apologist and works with teachers to continue to realize the vision of the Framework for Science Ed.

TAKEAWAYS:
This will largely focus on how to support teachers from a leadership perspective to help students engage in all three dimensions of the NGSS. How can we talk with and work with teachers to help them make shifts while developing the needed capacity and not devalue their expertise.

SPEAKERS:
Spencer Martin (Kansas City Kansas Public Schools: Kansas City, KS)

Discover an NGSS-aligned, student-driven unit where students are conservation biologists who participate in rigorous opportunities by taking responsibility for their learning, reading scientific papers, analyzing real data, and developing a solution to propose in a culminating exhibition.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with an understanding of how a unit can be designed with a blended approach to project-based learning, standards-based grading, and NGSS as well as with thorough unit resources such as assessments, proficiency rubrics, students exemplars, text sets, and learning tasks.

SPEAKERS:
Allison Wise (American Community School of Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)

Simple, easy, and inexpensive methods for starting an indoor school garden, even with limited space or no windows

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will give teachers pratical ideas about how to grow plants in a classroom setting

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

What is the big deal with a phenomenon—and how is it structured for science learning? A phenomenon drives three-dimensional science instruction. Join this session to discuss the importance of phenomena as well as what it is and what it isn’t. Resources will be shared!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the importance phenomena plays in 3D Science instruction , instructional strategies to use when sensemaking. and how to assess student learning using phenomenon-based assessment tasks.

SPEAKERS:
Judie Beccaro (Georgia Department of Education: Atlanta, GA)

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:
How to improve climate literacy and discuss climate and climate change in your classroom with free resources from NOAA.

SPEAKERS:
Frank Niepold (NOAA Climate Program Office: Silver Spring, MD)

Engage your Forensics students with a few of my favorite labs, investigations, and activities! You will leave this session with ready-to-implement resources that you can use right when you get back to your classroom. (DOOR PRIZES)

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to engage their Forensics students with some of my favorite labs, activities, and classroom investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Dana Niblett (Teacher)

COESEE - Join us to explore the selection and implementation of phenomenon for elementary students as you review materials or build phenomenon into your own materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
Phenomenon can be used in multiple ways to support interesting and just learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly LeDoux (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX), Molly Ewing (The Charles A. Dana Center: No City, No State), Carla Zembal-Saul (Penn State: University Park, PA), Mary Starr (Michigan Mathematics and Science Leadership Network)

Does your district have limited support for science in Elementary schools? Join us to explore recruiting classroom teachers to develop a science teacher leader community that supports quality science instruction in PreK-5 in all schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Strategies for developing these science teacher leaders that can increase student performance/interest in science, fostering a science community among educators, enhancing their capacity in science education best practice, and developing their leadership skills.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Reese (Howard County Public School System: Ellicott City, MD), Jenn Brown-Whale (Howard County Public School System: Ellicott City, MD), Linda Wilson (Manor Woods Elementary School: Ellicott City, MD)

Calling all ASTE California members! All researchers and educators are invited to share their current research, project, or teaching resources with ASTE members.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will provide networking and sharing space for ASTE California members with all other researchers and educators to share their own practices, research, and gather new ideas for research and teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Gina Childers (Texas Tech University: Lubbock, TX)

Reconsider how complex mathematical thinking should be employed to support all students in science. An open-source high school curriculum is used to illustrate how specific elements of SEP 4 and 5 are leveraged in the service of figuring out explanations of phenomena and designing solutions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leveraging data analysis and mathematical thinking in context to explain phenomena and design solutions, rather than front-loading skills, helps students engage with these practices as sensemaking tools, deepening student understanding of the science and fluency in employing math in novel ways.

SPEAKERS:
Jamie Noll (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Nicole Vick (Northwestern University), Jim Ryan (OpenSciEd: New York, NY), Michael Novak (Northwestern University: Evanston, IL)

We focus on students’ science mindset vary over time when engaged in science inquiry activities and is there a difference between male and female students? Our quantitative research shows that the use of scientific inquiry as a teaching method directly impacts a females science growth mindset.

TAKEAWAYS:
A female's science identity weakens if elements such as self-efficacy, interest, and willingness to challenge themselves are missing. As students become more familiar with scientific inquiry, there is a deeper understanding of the science content, reducing the gender science achievement gap.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Jennifer Hooper (East Central High School: San Antonio, TX)

Real-world problems often cannot be satisfactorily addressed by individual disciplines (or subjects). Enrich students’ learning by engaging them in a summative task requiring integration of concepts and skills from various subjects, through a close collaboration with one or more subject teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will use a modified Understanding by Design (UbD) template to develop an interdisciplinary learning experience that provides opportunities for students to integrate knowledge from various subjects (or disciplines) to create new understandings.

SPEAKERS:
May Jean Cheah (STEM Educator)

In the session, I will present information about how to make your own videos using PowerPoint, Canvas Studio, or EdPuzzle. In addition, I will discuss how you can use either embedded quiz questions or open-note quizzes in class to assess students' completion of the outside of class learning prior to participating in the in-class extension activities. I will show some of the videos that I have made and share how making this shift has improved my students' scores on the End of Course tests and AP Biology exam. I will also share an open-source paper from Harvard that shows how active learning improves student performance even though students express a preference for passive learning (lecture).

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to make their own videos or use existing videos to present the basic content to their students, leaving class time for the hands-on and group activities that achieve deeper understanding of the content.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Dyer (Science Teacher: Canton, GA)

This session will cover how the science department at our school worked with our director of collaborative curriculum to create transdisciplinary lesson plans for grades 5-8. Some of the topics covered in our units include light and perception, climate change, breadmaking, sustainability, and water.

TAKEAWAYS:
Our work shows how science can be the center of a transdisciplinary study. We wanted to connect science to real world issues and bring the world into the classroom. We are using science skills and understanding to take action in our community.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Melman (San Francisco Friends School: San Francisco, CA), Rich Oberman (San Francisco Friends School: No City, No State), Jeffrey Porter (San Francisco Friends School: San Francisco, CA), Jennifer Stuart (Director of Collaborative Curriculum: San Francisco, CA), Christine Tantoco (Science Teacher: San Francisco, CA)

Many states are adopting policy that promotes the use of high-quality standards-aligned curriculum for all grade levels. However, educators may question the accessibility of these units for all students. In the Science Curriculum Adaptation Project for Special Educators (SCAPE) program, science specialists from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education worked with special educators to adapt the NYU SAIL “Garbage” unit for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Science specialists provided learning activities around the structures and routines in the unit and guided teachers through key lessons. Teachers then identified barriers and used Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to adapt the unit for their students to access ideas and SEPs in the unit. Each teacher participant left with an adapted unit to pilot with students. In this presentation we will outline the program and share examples of adaptations made for students with disabilities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Session attendees will learn about a MA program designed to support special education teachers in using the high quality “Garbage” unit with their students. Attendees will also see examples of UDL-based adaptations that can be used with science students with moderate to severe disabilities.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Palo (Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Boston, MA), Casandra Gonzalez (Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Malden, MA)

This session helps participants use the tools and reports available from EdReports to select high-quality instructional materials for their classroom or school. Participants will learn how the tools evaluate for NGSS-aligned instruction and have the chance to practice evaluating sample materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with tools to help them evaluate instructional materials for NGSS-aligned instruction based on making sense of phenomena and integrating the three dimensions.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Wachowski (EdReports.org: Fort Collins, CO), John-Carlos Marino (Science Lead)

Can science and art be held to the same rigor in a classroom? Of course! In this session we’ll share student-centered approaches to teaching science and the arts through integration as part of larger PBLs. Examples of classroom practices are targeted to K-8 educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain ideas and strategies to put into practice in their classes. These strategies will allow them to help students construct and demonstrate their learning using art as well as use science knowledge to help solve problems through the creation of art.

SPEAKERS:
Daria Collins (Visual Arts teacher), Kaleena Jedinak (Tybee Island Maritime Academy: Tybee Island, GA)

You just graded a quiz or test and you need to analyze and share that information with stakeholders. Come learn how you can use mail merge to narrow the gap by providing personalized feedback with students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn the features available with mail merge and obtain a template excel file for data analysis to be used for a mail merge in their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Shoham Jones (Science Instructor: Conyers, GA)

What started out as our solution to “viewing science fair projects can be boring” evolved into a well-attended, hands-on experience for our families and community. In this session we will share our station-oriented activities and how to use them to build relationships with families and your school.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with the resources and confidence to organize large events for their school and community using science to build relationships. Session participants will be given an outline of helpful resources, tools, and ideas they can use to manage their own events.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Hunt (First Grade Teacher: Eustis, FL), Anne Fritz (Science Teacher: Eustis, FL)

Engineers around the world use system models as a go-to tool to solve problems, and your students can too. Create system models related to real-world problems and learn pedagogy for supporting students to develop and share system models. Leave with an engineer-approved 5E lesson to use tomorrow!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand the origin and use of system modeling as an engineering tool and be able to use student talk, whiteboarding, and system schema to implement system modeling in their classrooms. Teachers receive Mi-STAR’s OER lesson plan to introduce system models to their students.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Tubman (Michigan Technological University: Houghton, MI), Chris Geerer (Mi-STAR: , MI)

Advanced spatial thinkers do well in science, and building spatial skills can improve achievement. In this session, we will explore why science teachers should care about spatial skills, pedagogical tools to build these skills, and how they can be put into practice to build scientific knowledge.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will (1) gain an understanding of what spatial skills are and why they are important to success in science learning, courses, and careers; and (2) learn how to incorporate five spatial “tools” into their pedagogy and their students’ activities during science instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Gagnier (Senior Research Scientist: Arlington, VA)

The path to science leadership is not always a clear and direct route. Join us as we share our path to science leadership and the numerous options for supporting teachers and leaders in promoting high-quality science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. An understanding of the science leader’s role in putting the pieces of the NRC Framework together for a coherent science program; 2. Ways to strategically plan and prioritize professional learning based on system and individual teacher needs; and 3. Developing a strategic and personal plan to adv

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Morgan (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Tonya Woolfolk (Houston County Schools: Perry, GA)

Scared of science? Wondering how to put it ALL together? Join us as we look at how a K-6 STEAM Elementary school creates science units that are project-based and student focused, without breaking the bank or burning out!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will understand how to create unit frameworks that are informative, easy to use, and lead to quick lesson planning.

SPEAKERS:
Joe Shaughnessy (John Thomas School of Discovery Partner School: Nixa, MO), Ryan Mahn (John Thomas School of Discovery Partner School: Nixa, MO)

Do you struggle with integrating your local habitat with science and literacy? Engaging K-3 students in content-integrated outdoor learning can be difficult for a variety of reasons. However, engaging students in environmental education outdoors is vital for developing scientific literacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using appropriate children’s literature, lessons were developed that emphasize the role of streams, water, and the local watershed allowing teachers to focus specifically on aspects of the stream that are relevant to the standards in their grade level. These will be shared with participants.

SPEAKERS:
Ann Catherine Cox (Carrollton Elementary School: Carrollton, GA), Brent Gilles (University of West Georgia: Carrollton, GA), Stacey Britton (University of West Georgia: Carrollton, GA)

Shifting your instructional practices to align to 3-D Science doesn't happen overnight! Teaching 3-D Science lessons requires you to rethink many of your best lessons! RCPS elementary teachers have been on this journey for quite some time. Walk with RCPS Instructional Leaders, as we share our districts journey into 3D science. We will celebrate our successes and challenges. Hear how we are shifting from best practices to better practices in order to facilitate and implement support for our elementary science teachers as they grow their skills in 3D Science teaching. Hear the lessons learned firsthand from our elementary science coach who has personally taken this journey. We invite you to share our journey as we continue to create a culture that embraces the rethinking of science teaching, learning, and leading. We hope that you will be propelled by a new energy that will fuel you to support teachers/leaders with creating a science learning culture that nurtures curiosity and growth!

TAKEAWAYS:
As we embark on this journey together, we hope that you will be propelled by a new energy that will fuel you to support teachers and leaders with creating a science learning culture that nurtures curiosity and growth!

SPEAKERS:
Denise Richardson (Rockdale County Public Schools: Conyers, GA), Christy Hernandez (Rockdale County Public Schools: Conyers, GA)

An introduction for teachers to free standards-based lessons focused on a diverse group of scientists who have made scientific breakthroughs and the positive role of science in our lives provided by #ScienceSaves.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will become familiar with free resources to teach how science has benefited human outcomes with lessons focused on a diverse group of scientists, including teacher notes with curriculum standards, student response sheets, rubrics, and lesson plans.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Clapp (The Catamount School: Sylva, NC), Alison Seymour (Science Teacher: Winchester, 0)

Leaders from the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and The Lawrence Hall of Science will share insights from the K-5 Project for Content Integration with Science as the Anchor. Participants will learn about the essential features for mutually supportive content integration and the tools, and strategies explored in the project. Participants will discuss their prior experiences with content integration and consider the research-based models used to ground the work of the teachers in this project, who come in from a variety of contexts and with a range of knowledge of NGSS, much like the diverse attendees of NSTA. We will focus on entry points for furthering implementation by introducing an Organizational Tool for planning with NGSS-designed science materials. Participants will reflect on how the resources can apply in their own context as an instructional leader supporting multiple teachers or a teacher using these ideas for their grade level or classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants in this session will gain insight into the principles and definitions of content integration and take away resources, tools and strategies for how these ideas apply in their K-5 educational context.

SPEAKERS:
Diana Velez (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Sarah Pedemonte (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Vanessa Lujan (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Kimberley Astle (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Olympia, WA), Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

In this session, participants will be introduced to the Touch-Talk-Text interdisciplinary instructional model for teaching science and literacy. Participants will develop interdisciplinary science lessons using NGSS-based lesson resources aligned with the 5E lesson format.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using strategies presented in the Touch-Talk-Text interdisciplinary instructional model, participants will analyze and plan NGSS-aligned elementary science lessons that integrate literacy and science practices.

SPEAKERS:
Briana Trager (Graduate Student: , NC), Danielle Scharen (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC)

STEM and SELI explores how to bring social emotional learning practices to your science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
One main takeaway is that science teachers can use social emotional learning practices to both foster better working relationships with their students, and show students that science (like interpersonal relationship building) is applicable everywhere, and not just in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Ariella McCown (Educator: Baltimore, MD)

Learn how to create and present a cross curricular, cross grade level immersion experience for all ages. Briefly discussing the research that highlights the learning benefits of themeatic units, we will follow a school as they spent a "Semester in Space" that culminated in a 10 minute ISS contact.

TAKEAWAYS:
School-wide units create a culture of learning that spans all disciplines and grade levels as students are able to experience content from variousviewpoints. Learn how to implement a an overarcing theme in any school.

SPEAKERS:
Christiana Deeter (Canterbury School: Fort Myers, FL)

Attendees will learn how to utilize interactive lab journals to model scientific reasoning with students. Lab journals allow students to become owners of their own learning and track growth throughout the year.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to create a lab journal in their classroom to fit their standards and curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Cristina Farley (Ahlf Junior High School: Searcy, AR), Kyla Glasser (Ahlf Junior High School: Searcy, AR)

Come and learn how to transform your classroom instruction, increase engagement, and more importantly empower your students to put their knowldege into practice. In this session you will learn how to incorporate project and problem based learning into your science class, as well as see real examples

TAKEAWAYS:
How to plan for and implement project and problem based learning into the Science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Allison Bogart (Stonecreek Junior High: No City, No State)

test SCST 3.1 Political Ideology in Geosciences: Strategies for Teaching n Divisive Times In an age of polarizing political ideologies, teaching geoscience is increasingly difficult. This presentation will demonstrate various strategies to teach about "controversial" topics which could provoke dissention, opposition and conflict in an online Environmental Science course. SCST 3.2 College Science Teaching in the “New Normal”: Students’ Attitudes and Preferences to Optimize Science Learning After 2+ years of the COVID-19 pandemic, college science classrooms—and students’ knowledge base and attitude—evolved to a “new normal.” Content analysis of end-of-semester survey data reveal what continues to work in upper-level college science classrooms, and techniques now rendered ineffective. SCST 3.3 All of the Above: Strategies for writing better multiple-choice questions that assess higher order thinking. We present and discuss several strategies for developing well written multiple-choice questions that can assess higher levels of Bloom’s taxonomy.

SPEAKERS:
Christa Haney (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS), Renee Clary (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS), Donald French (Oklahoma State University: Stillwater, OK), Tarren Shaw (The University of Oklahoma: Norman, OK)

There is a big push for SEL in the classroom for the benefit of students...but how can this be leveraged for teachers? I'll share several SEL strategies for the science teacher to implement for themselves to prevent burnout.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will have a variety of SEL strategies that they can choose from and use immediately in their daily routines to help themselves avoid teacher burnout.

SPEAKERS:
Nadene Klein (Daniel C. Oakes High School: Castle Rock, CO)

Come hear how my teaching and student learning changed by using a Gather, Reasoning, and Communicate approach to my lesson planning. Insights on time management and student outcomes will be shared - the good and the not-so-good. I’ll also share why I think this approach leads to deeper 3D learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will take away explicit strategies of how to implement G,R,C lessons with your class including how to scaffold the approach with different grade levels, 2-4th grade, and how to roll out the approach in your first year.

SPEAKERS:
Katheryn Kennedy, PhD (The Peck School: No City, No State)

An 11 year old recently found a trilobite in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Let's explore this phenomenon and how customizing existing high-quality, open-source lessons for local stories create a cohesive storyline for elementary students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1) How to customize existing high-quality, open-source lessons that pair with local phenomena; 2) What fossil evidence scientists use to support claims about past environments; and 3) Where to find open-source storylines for the elementary classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Cox (Knox County Schools: Knoxville, TN)

If we treat content areas as silos, we’ll never find time for Science. In this session, discover how to create authentic learning experiences that increase engagement, develop thinking skills, and connect across content areas. Come willing to try something new; leave with practical project ideas!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will formulate an understanding of the characteristics of authentic learning experiences. They’ll discover a PBL framework that can help them meet rigorous content standards while engaging students in making the world a better place.

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

Let your students take the lead in classroom CSI. Learn the teacher foundation and guideline to help your students use their creativity to create a real-sized crime scene. Then they will apply forensic techniques learned throughout the year to solve the case.

TAKEAWAYS:
Create an environment for student-created faux crime scenes and then student driven investigations to solve the crime. This end of the year activity incorporates multiple forensic content applied to support conclusions that solve the case.

SPEAKERS:
Tobie Hendricks (Walton HS: Marietta, GA)

Join us to learn strategies for student success in sharing their ideas and understanding of scientific content and sensemaking using the Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning format. Experience lessons from middle school math and science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Walk away from the session with tips, strategies, and sentence starters to help your students be successful at communicating scientific information.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy Gifford (Monomoy Regional Middle School: Chatham, MA)

Many districts de-prioritized elementary science during the pandemic and now are struggling to reignite consistent science instruction. Building, tapping, and deploying teacher leaders is a key strategy for quickly reintroducing science into the culture of your district. Teacher leaders can model best practices, demonstrate how science fits into their schedule and instructional priorities, and can guide colleagues to do the same by facilitating institutes, workshops, video reflections, PLCs, and coaching sessions. Improving Practice Together, an NSF-funded partnership between Lawrence Hall of Science, Stanford University, and Santa Clara USD, developed a suite of tools for developing and studying development of science teacher leaders, including: professional learning tools for summer institutes to support teachers’ classroom practice; tools to support development of teacher leaders; lesson artifacts, classroom videos, & teacher interviews; and research & evaluation tools.

TAKEAWAYS:
The Improving Practice Together website contains resources to support: facilitating and evaluating classroom science argumentation; leading and evaluating professional learning on argumentation; and the development and deployment of teacher leaders to support science learning in a school or district

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Pedemonte (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Diana Velez (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Krista Woodward (Santa Clara Unified School District: Santa Clara, CA), Emily Weiss (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

In this multidisciplinary 5E lesson plan, students will dive deep into many aspects of aquatic pollution through a wide variety of lab experiences and project based learning activities. This 5E unit plan is aligned to AP Environmental Science and NGSS standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
A full 5E multidisciplinary lesson plan about aquatic pollution that can be incorporated in full or in parts within the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Feifei Liu (Ph.D. candidate: Atlanta, GA), Laura Rogers (Teacher)

We all make assumptions about how we think students will respond to our seemingly basic questions on what they know. We also assume that they are thinking what we are thinking – until they tell us.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn to work with research-based misconceptions that students hold across grade bands in the physical sciences in order to incorporate those into assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Crockett (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian: Cambridge, MA)

Participants will learn about many different books and resources to integrate multiple subjects into their units, lesson plans, and project-based learning units. Teachers will also have the opportunity to see integrated units and some of the planning materials used to build these units.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use a variety of picture books to build lessons, pbls, and units. This session will give resources and materials to help you quickly and easily find books and other resources to use in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kahlilah Pagan (Teacher: College Park, GA)

Big Lessons from a Little Worm focuses on how to introduce the model organism, c.elegans into the classroom. Using c.elegans in the classroom has the potential to introduce inquiry-based labs, student-led research and much more. This presentation will highlight a chemosensation lab.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to run a chemotaxis assay, learn about GPCR signaling, and neurobiology and will learn how to introduce this lab into the classroom. Participants will learn the basics in working and maintaining worm stocks in their lab

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Monahan (North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics: Durham, NC)

Cognitive science has identified flexible and often counterintuitive cognitive strategies that boost student learning. Teachers will learn how to implement these techniques within their classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to apply multiple practical, flexible, and research-based cognitive strategies, including retrieving information from memory, distributing practice across time, scaffolding, and mixing together different examples, within their own classrooms to improve student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Tullis (The University of Arizona: Tucson, AZ)

In 2020, educators transitioned to remote and blended learning, changing their instructional strategies overnight. In this session we will use our new toolkit and the SAMR model to revive and reinvent STEM lesson plans for our modern classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with research-backed strategies to revive their old lesson plans, access to lesson plans ready to use in the classroom on Monday morning, and a new perspective for how to use technology to strengthen instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Candice Chambers (North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics: Durham, NC), Morgan Pittman (North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics: Durham, NC)

This session will be about the importance of Observation as the first scientific skill that we can impart to our students; without it you cannot complete the rest of the practices. Observation can help our multilingual learners and diverse learners feel like they have a place in certain sciences that seemed inaccessible before due to language barriers. Certain teacher moves will be discussed that will strengthen observations as well as activities that the teachers will be able to recreate in their classroom to do the prep work for such a strong foundational skill. Activities will include: drawing, gallery walks, whole group/small group observation discussions. While this proposal requires me to have target grade range; I believe that this session would be great for all grade levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies to get their students to more easily make observations in their learning which will support the rest of the Science and Engineering Practices. Teaching moves that can be employed right away to reach all skill levels; in fact, show your diverse learners excelling!

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Morton (Lozano Elementary: Chicago, IL)

This session will introduce teachers to a variety of note-booking techniques that will increase student engagement and excitement for learning. Students will take pride in their notebooks and therefore increase the level of effort they put into their work.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will provide teachers and administrators with various strategies to differentiate learning for English Language Learners, Special Education Students, and General Education Students and accurately assess student learning through note-booking. By using our notebook format students will d

SPEAKERS:
Darren Wells (Mather Elementary School: Dorchester, MA), Karen Ziminski (EMK Academy for Health Careers: Boston, MA)

The SIOP Model is an effective research-based instructional model for meeting the academic needs of English language learners. Learn how to use it to support ELLs in your science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The eight components to the SIOP model will be explained; 2. Examples of actual and effective classroom implementation of the SIOP model; and 3. Consideration for not only teaching science content but doing so in a culturally conscious manner will also be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Nadene Klein (Daniel C. Oakes High School: Castle Rock, CO)

Creating emotionally safe classrooms for all students willing to take risks, gain confidence, and find their voice, this is the ultimate reward. Student scientists practice positive communication, build strong connections, and support each other as they learn new concepts and develop new skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn several strategies to create emotionally safe classrooms and practice applications in grade level support teams. Teachers will feel confident returning to their student scientists ready to set up learning environments where everyone has a voice and is their own self-advocate.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Couch (Captain Nathan Hale Middle School: Coventry, CT)

Learn about 10 Disciplinary Literacy Essentials from science leaders in Michigan. We will share successes and challenges of working with the disciplinary literacy essentials in science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
NGSS-aligned science learning can leverage the disciplinary literacy essentials.

SPEAKERS:
Wendi Vogel (Kent Intermediate School District: Grand Rapids, MI), Mary Starr (Michigan Mathematics and Science Leadership Network)

How could the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows bridge have been prevented? How can we ensure electronic devices hold up to everyday use? Developing well-defined criteria and constraints is critical to successful engineering. Experience ways to help your students plan and evaluate solutions like pros!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the importance of well-defined criteria and constraints, and will experience activities to share with students to help them develop and evaluate successful solutions to engineering challenges. Everyone leaves with access to a Mi-STAR NGSS aligned OER lesson.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Tubman (Michigan Technological University: Houghton, MI), Chris Geerer (Mi-STAR: , MI)

You’ve probably heard a lot about using storylines, but actually implementing them usually leads to unexpected challenges. Based upon our classroom experience with storyline units, we share insights and practical principles whether you plan to create, adopt, or adapt storylines for your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Implementing storylines involves either creating your own units or adopting/adapting existing units. Regardless of the approach to implementation, keeping the principles of coherent instruction in mind will help to realize the potential of storyline units in practice.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Like (Iowa Department of Education: No City, No State)

Claim Evidence and Reasoning a strategy to increase engagement and assess student learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will use the Claim Evidence and Reasoning protocol to check student content knowledge, increase discourse and improve literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Lindiwe Ngubeni (Atlanta Public Schools: Atlanta, GA), Felicia Pratt (Atlanta Public Schools: Atlanta, GA), Warren Edwards (Atlanta Public Schools: Atlanta, GA)

COESEE - High-quality read alouds are amazing learning opportunities. Join us as we share our work and thinking around the use of fiction and non-fiction books in elementary science!

TAKEAWAYS:
Read alouds can provide high-quality, standards-aligned learning experiences within the context of a science unit.

SPEAKERS:
Miranda Fitzgerald (University of North Carolina Charlotte: No City, No State), Katherine Pfeiffer (Discovery Middle School: Orlando, FL), Amy Quinn (Gretchko: West Bloomfield, MI), Mary Starr (Michigan Mathematics and Science Leadership Network)

This presentation provides an overview of the open schooling approach and the Make It Open project. By introducing resources co-created with educators and tested with students, we aim to present practice concepts such as maker, and inquiry-based learning, to help teachers implement this in classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be introduced to the Make It Open project based on the open schooling approach. They will get an overview of the tools and learning scenarios curricula developed by this project and reflect on how they can implement them in their classrooms based on their community.

SPEAKERS:
Tamar Fuhrmann (TC Columbia University: No City, No State)

This session provides a “snapshot” of how to use the 5E model of instruction, along with children’s literature while learning the process of coding different bots.

TAKEAWAYS:
Prepare to focus your lens with highlighted lessons in ELA, Math, and Science. This session puts the “T" in STEM into action.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Headrick (AMSTI-University of Alabama, Huntsville: Huntsville, AL), Charles Holloway (The University of Alabama in Huntsville: Huntsville, AL), Cayce Perry (AMSTI-University of Alabama, Huntsville: Huntsville, AL), Shundra Morris (AMSTI-University of Alabama, Huntsville: Huntsville, AL)

We will share our experiences of teaching science with big ideas to guide students’ learning. We will introduce some tips and strategies for teachers on writing big ideas from the standards, making them visible in the classroom, and centering student activities around the big idea.

TAKEAWAYS:
Big ideas enable a cognitive framework for teachers to direct classroom activities and assist learners in seeing the connections between various scientific concepts. Teachers can create big ideas for their science curriculum and use them to guide students’ science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Hill (Teacher: Tuscaloosa, AL), Taylor Lamon (Saban Center Education Specialist), Jale Ercan Dursun (The University of Alabama: Tuscaloosa, AL)

Are you a preservice teachers’ instructor? Learn how NSTA's digital resources, virtual experiences, and online community can help your students become the BEST teachers they can be. We will discuss what’s available on the NSTA website and how to easily access it with your own Class Landing page.

TAKEAWAYS:
Preservice teachers using NSTA as a Textbook (or as instructional materials supplement) create a library of resources, grow their network of professional colleagues, and enhance their content and pedagogical knowledge of science.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Queer people have been and are still marginalized in science and the world. Come learn simple tricks and strategies to affirm and represent LGBTQIA+ students in your classes. Teachers and teacher leaders of all grade ranges are welcome, but especially middle and high school educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to affirm and represent queer identities so students feel safe, supported, and inspired to engage in science. Attendees will learn simple yet impactful methods to create classrooms that acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of their students.

SPEAKERS:
Jamie Kubiak (The Bronx High School of Science: Bronx, NY)

The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES) provides teachers with free and downloadable resources for an entire unit of instruction, including a variety of assessments.

TAKEAWAYS:
The TIES website contains a variety of teaching materials including presentations, online resources, online games, video questions, data analysis, puzzles, and formal assessments. The formal assessments include student response sheets and rubrics to support teaching evolution.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Clapp (The Catamount School: Sylva, NC), Alison Seymour (Science Teacher: Winchester, 0)

Former teacher and host of the freely-available Tumble Science Podcast for Kids Marshall Escamilla will guide science educators in the nuts and bolts of creating a classroom podcast. We'll cover the very basics of getting set up and sharing your content with the entire community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees at this session will learn the very basics of how to create a classroom podcast from a professional podcaster.

SPEAKERS:
Marshall Escamilla (Tumble Media Production: Greenfield, MA)

The Light Up! Lab will have participants building their own series and parallel circuits with low-cost items, including aluminum foil, paper clips, 9-volt battery, and Christmas lights. In the Transfor-Mation of Energy Lab Stations, participants will be provided with ways for students to investigate the transfer of energy through conduction, convection, and radiation. Using metal ball bearings, paper, and aluminum foil, they will create shock waves in the Shock ‘Em Lab. The relationship between magnetism and the movement of electrical charge will be explored through the experience with the Tinsel demo, and the Magic Soda Can demo. Soda cans, and balloons will help explain the abstract idea of the movement of an electrical charge and the build of of static electicity will make an electric field that will make a piece of tinsil float above a pie tin. We will also have on hand a Van de Graaf generator to explore electric fields and fun, engaging ways invite student interest.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will teach you have to do fun and engaging labs and demonstrations on a shoestring budget. All lab and demonstration ideas will cover topics and themes in both NGSS and GSE Physical Science under the theme of electric currents and electric fields.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Rowe (Teacher: Summerville, GA), Christopher Tallent (Chattooga High School: Summerville, GA)

This session provides an opportunity for NSTA members to start an important conversation about the intersection of informal and formal science education. There will be a panel of informal educators leading the discussion and sharing success stories about meaningful formal-informal collaborations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with an increased awareness and understanding of potential synergies between informal and formal science education organizations as well as a better understanding of NSTA’s Informal Science Division.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Hays (Denver Zoo: Denver, CO), Julie Travaglini (Allegheny Land Trust: Sewickley, PA), Christine Moskalik (NSTA: No City, No State)

In this session, we will share how to use NGSS performance expectations to design classroom assessments. Sample assessments will be provided that require students to incorporate models and use evidence to support their responses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will come away with both examples of assessments and tools for developing their own three-dimensional assessments.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole McRee (KCSD#96), Tracy Eschrich (KCSD96: No City, No State)

By presenting students with science concepts and then assisting them with designing inquiry labs and models, students develop better mental models of how science theories and concepts operate.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to design student led inquiry projects that allow students to create conceptually correct mental models of how different science theories work. Computer simulations and physical models provide students with actual experience manipulating variables to see the results.

SPEAKERS:
Carolyn Mohr (University Center of Lake County: Grayslake, IL), Tina Harris (Bedford North Lawrence High School: Bedford, IN)

Teaching literacies in your secondary classroom is not typically on top of your to-do list, but they are equally important, so we will share how we build various literacies into our lab reports. Strategies will be backed by cognitive and science education research and rubrics will be provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to develop, implement, and evaluate a lab report utilizing various literacies and a deeper understanding of the Nature of Science.

SPEAKERS:
Althea Roy (Clemson University: Clemson, SC), Tiffany Jones (South Cobb High School: Austell, GA)

Students challenged by the concept of time? Hard time understanding the processes that have shaped the Earths’ surface? Explore using science-based trade books to support young students’ conceptualization of time and their ability to communicate around earth’s changing features.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will explore how they can address NGSS & Common Core ELA standards by using science-based trade books and modeling to support young students in conceptualizing and communicating how changes in the Earth’s surface occur over time.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rearden (The University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Knoxville, TN), Amy Broemmel (The University of Rhode Island: Kingston, RI)

Still confused about the basics of the NGSS? Need a refresher about what it is and why it matters? Come learn from the experts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with a basic understanding of the structures of the Next Generation Science Standards and how they inform 3-dimensional standards and 3-dimensional science teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Karin Klein (Museum of Science and Industry: Chicago, IL)

Facilitating classroom discussions that are student-centered and advance students’ thinking is challenging. Initial ideas, building understanding, and consensus discussions are three types of discussions that can be used to help draw out student ideas and support their sensemaking. These three types of discussions serve different purposes and phases of a lesson or unit. While they share many features, because the purposes are different the roles of the student and facilitation strategies of the teacher vary across the three types. During this session, we will provide examples and tools from OpenSciEd storyline curricula, which is a high quality, free, online, open educational resource for teachers. We will look at classroom videos from three different types of discussions, consider their purposes and examine teacher moves. We will also share a discussion planning tool that considers both the purposes and moves to help plan discussions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Classroom discussions that support equitable participation require careful planning and implementation. Discussions can be organized into three discussion types with distinct goals, which can help teachers to plan supports and facilitation moves that equitably engage students in meaningful talk.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Kamerer (Boston College: Chestnut Hill, MA), Katherine McNeill (Boston College: Chestnut Hill, MA), Benjamin Lowell (New York University: New York, NY), Renee Affolter (Boston College: Chestnut Hill, MA)

Water is constantly in the news. Between hurricanes, flooding, drought issues and water wars, everyone knows how important water is to our well being. With that being said, do students really understand its importance, it's behavior, the difference between cohesion, adhesion and surface tension?

TAKEAWAYS:
Activities in this session come from the Project WET Curriculum. These will feature hands on activities with copies of lessons distributed.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Henman (Brenau University: Gainesville, GA)

This is session #4 in the PL Committee CCCs Pathway and is designed to support K-12. The crosscutting concepts provide a consistent language for student communication. When teachers’ assessment prompts are designed with the crosscutting concepts, the focus of student thinking can be directed to different aspects of the phenomenon or, the system being investigated. Patterns may be used as evidence to support explanations or arguments for the causes of a phenomenon. Participants will explore the progression of Crosscutting Concepts throughout a student’s K-12 career. They will consider phenomenon and discuss several appropriate prompts that bring different CCCs to the forefront (patterns, scale, systems). Participants will engage with the process of developing assessment prompts which use the Crosscutting Concepts to initiate student sensemaking responses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participant will leave with resources that guide their development and use of Crosscutting Concepts to focus student sensemaking on assessments. These can be integrated with assessments prompts which are aligned to Science and Engineering Practices and Disciplinary Core Ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Leah Litz (Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium: No City, No State), Christopher Soldat (Grant Wood Area Education Agency: Cedar Rapids, IA)

Discover the recent research on females in STEM and learn how to take intentionally small, but powerful steps in your classroom to ensure that our future female problem-solvers have the confidence, encouragement, and motivation to change the world, one STEM field at a time!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will discover the current reseach regarding girls in STEM and leave with six powerful ways to increase their interest,, motivation, and confidence in these fields.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn McCotter (Van Andel Education Institute: Grand Rapids, MI)

OER can be overwhelming to teachers or districts who must adapt materials to fit local pacing guidelines. Upon the adoption of 3-dimensional standards, our district began the journey of developing instructional materials that support student sensemaking. This tool was a result of our efforts to be strategic in preserving coherence in storylines while focusing on best practices in standards-aligned instruction. In our district, more than 80% of teachers that received professional development on a lesson series using a roadmap chose to repeat the unit the following year. Teachers and instructional leaders attending this session will experience how this tool attends to the four critical attributes of sensemaking described by NSTA while promoting research-based practices. Participants will learn how to begin with OER, existing lesson plans, or phenomenon ideas to develop a series of purposefully sequenced, coherent, and standards-aligned lessons around a phenomenon.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will discover the intentionality behind the components of a planning roadmap that builds coherence in a series of lessons. This roadmap simplifies the process of creating or adapting storylines found in OER to local pacing guidelines. A middle and high example will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Trudy Rogers (Knox Co Schools: Knoxville, TN)

School leaders play a large role in the adoption of high quality instructional materials and can impact change in this space. Participants will learn about how to utilize EdReports reviews of instructional materials and how to get started with the adoption process by setting an instructional vision.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage with EdReports reviews of instructional materials and how to use the evidence from the reports to make informed decisions based on local context. They will explore how to utilize EdReports resources to set an instructional vision as part of the materials adoption process.

SPEAKERS:
John-Carlos Marino (Science Lead), Shannon Wachowski (EdReports.org: Fort Collins, CO)

Real-world public health examples help teach middle and high school students concepts and skills across multiple STEM disciplines. Using a fictional novel emerging respiratory disease (i.e., NERD for short), CDC’s NERD Academy curriculum uses real-world COVID-19 data and scenarios to teach foundational science, math, and critical thinking skills. Designed by STEM teachers and CDC public health experts, each module includes engaging videos, STEM classroom activities, and career spotlights that can enrich classroom learning. In eight modules, using educational videos, interactive activities, and a set of diverse characters representing specific jobs in public health, the curriculum helps students answer critical public health questions like, “How does disease spread?”, “Who is at risk?”, or “Why do laboratory testing?”. This session will include an overview of the eight-module curriculum and a brief tour of CDC’s publicly available online STEM lesson plans and other resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how real-world public health examples can illustrate key concepts and skills across multiple STEM disciplines and how public health professionals like epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, and health communication specialists use STEM skills in their careers.

SPEAKERS:
Juliana Azeredo (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Atlanta, GA)

A special education teacher and science consultant worked together to plan, create, deliver and assess the middle school Essential Elements Science standards for students with significant cognitive disabilities. All assessed students increased three full grade levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with an understanding of how to teach science using the Dynamic Learning Maps for middle school students with significant cognitive disabilities using best practices in special education and science teaching. Unit samples will be available.

SPEAKERS:
Mandie Sanderman (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Cedar Falls, IA), Nancy Scheel (Teacher), Chelsie Byram (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Cedar Falls, IA)

Experience ways to incorporate fiction and nonfiction in science that support students at all levels. Explore books that engage and motivate students to enjoy literature while providing opportunities to make sense of science concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will provide resources to show how we weave science fiction/nonfiction text into science lessons integrating literature and science in phenomena, SEP, NGSS, CCC alignment.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Jones (South Cobb High School: Austell, GA), Stephanie Westhafer (West Jackson Elementary School: Hoschton, GA), Amanda Buice (Executive Director: Kennesaw, GA), Marlee Tierce (Retired Educator: Vonore, TN)

How do we teach Tier 3 science vocabulary to students with limited English (or no English) and encourage success? We will share multiple strategies for teaching Tier 3 Academic Science vocabulary, as well as modalities that incorporate visual aids, manipulatives, and kinesthetic activities to engage

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Tier 3 strategies for teaching science; 2. The inclusion of visual and kinesthetic activities to engage ALL students; and 3. Forms of assessment for ALL level of English Language Learners.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Ziminski (EMK Academy for Health Careers: Boston, MA)

When you get it right, students are engaged and making sense for themselves. Your lessons are aligned to standards and include scaffolded supports. Here's how to plan those lessons!

TAKEAWAYS:
SEPs, DCIs, and CCCs are the three legs of the stool that support a cohesive lesson. By being immersed in a sensemaking experience, participants define the most important elements and how to plan. Electronic resources are provided.

SPEAKERS:
David Jacob (Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES: Yorktown Hghts, NY), Harry Rosvally (Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES: Yorktown Heights, NY)

The Earth system can be used for phenomena-based instruction in any discipline. Learn how NASA visualization tools can be used to explore our Earth system and then put your creative hat on to work with colleagues and discover ways to engage learners with Earth system science in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Online data acquisition and visualization tools from NASA are explored. A work session is facilitated for teachers of biological and physical sciences to consider how Earth system datasets may be leveraged to support instruction of disciplinary core ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Desiray Wilson (Science Systems and Applications, Inc.: Hampton, VA), Natalie Macke (Pascack Hills High School: Montvale, NJ)

We are developing a framework of pedagogical methods and professional learning, with an emphasis on equity, that can be leveraged to support teaching with the NGSS no matter what curriculum is being used. Come tell us what you think!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain a deeper understanding of high leverage pedagogical practices that directly support teaching with the NGSS, and strategies to implement some of these practices in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Karin Klein (Museum of Science and Industry: Chicago, IL)

Are you and your students tired of following procedures for classroom laboratories? Us too! Come join us in learning about the challenge-based learning framework and helping us redesign traditional laboratories into differentiated challenge-based learning experiences!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will conceptualize the challenge-based learning framework (i.e., engage, investigate, and act) and reimagine traditional classroom experiments into challenge-based learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Gustavo Perez (Texas A&M University: College Station, TX), Andrew Kipp (Texas A&M)

Gradebooks can be a powerful tool for communicating student learning with students & families. Using open-source lessons, I will share a gradebook build design I have used to offer a fairer, comprehensive record of student learning with three-dimensional standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gradebooks are not a "necessary evil" for 3D learning. You will see a model gradebook and complete an example analysis of student work and practice with a gradesheet.

SPEAKERS:
Kerri Wingert (Good Question Research: Boulder, CO)

Marginalized groups have been historically overlooked in the typical classroom. Normalizing the classroom includes a shift in educator mindset, language, and behavior. What does this look like in a science classroom, often led by non-marginalized teachers?

TAKEAWAYS:
Culturally responsive tools to implement in your classroom right away

SPEAKERS:
Bridget Sparks (Princeton City Schools: No City, No State), Rashanna Freeman (Princeton High School: Cincinnati, OH), Melinda Cottrell (Princeton High School: Cincinnati, OH)

Take a closer look at how to structure science learning units through student-driven inquiry. We will examine the components involved in designing a coherent, NGSS-aligned storyline. Teacher teams will collaborate to analyze, critique, and optimize existing storylines and corresponding phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Examine the Five Routines that work together to create a 3D learning experience through the inquiry cycle. Learn where to find existing storylines for Middle and High school sciences. Leave with templates to guide you in your storyline planning.

SPEAKERS:
Lori Fine (Instructional Coach: Managua, TX)

In this session teachers will come away with strategies to intentionally incorporate reading, dialogue and graphing into the classroom to assist students in becoming scientifically literate.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will include engaging examples of activities that integrate speaking, listening, and reading into the science classroom; helpful tips to reach different learning styles (visual, auditory) in the classroom; tips to promote retention of vocabulary through scaffolding

SPEAKERS:
Courtney Lewis (Katy ISD: Katy, TX), Molly Niedens (Tays Junior High School: Katy, TX)

STEM careers are for ALL students! Learn how to bridge the gap between STEM careers & classroom spaces by exploring proven strategies for hosting STEM professionals in your middle school classroom! Walk away with an engagement guide written for middle school teachers, by middle school teachers!

TAKEAWAYS:
Through the lens of equity and inclusion, participants will explore tips for sustained classroom-based STEM career exposure success (both in-person & virtual), including: selecting and preparing speakers, planning an engaging classroom visit, and maintaining relationships with STEM professionals.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Pearson (Adams 12 Five Star Schools), Cameron McKinley (Technology Integration Coach), Tehmina Khan (Science Department Chair: Stratford, CT), Kristen Record (Bunnell High School - National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY): No City, No State)

School campuses and school gardens provide inspiring learning opportunities for supporting elementary students’ scientific sensemaking. Students have explicit experiences with science phenomena that are relevant and developmentally appropriate. Scientific sensemaking in the students' local school environment includes (1) access to authentic scientific phenomena, (2) meaningful integration of 3D learning (disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts) and the 5E learning cycle, and (3) multimodal classroom discourse focusing on engaging all students. Students revise and refine their scientific understanding over time in the outdoor classrooms, while also enhancing reading, writing, and communication skills. We will share elementary science lessons and stories that integrate 3D learning and the 5E learning cycle and deepen students' investigation of their local learning environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use outdoor learning environments to teach 3D/5E elementary science lessons. They will see how standards were used and integrated to develop both in person and virtual science lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Camryn Lochner (Teacher: No City, No State), Tess Mitchner Asinjo (Principal: Dayton, OH), Hannah Salaiz (Teacher), Michelle Fleming (Wright State University: Dayton, OH)

Justice-centered science instruction is a critical process for building transformative, empowering classrooms. The Climate Justice Toolkit for K-12 Educators provides resources and planning templates for creating community-driven, justice-centered science learning experiences for students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Classroom learning experiences that center local issues impacting students and their communities are more engaging and meaningful for students, especially for students traditionally underrepresented and underserved by science education.

SPEAKERS:
Pranjali Upadhyay (Educational Service District 112: Vancouver, WA), Rae Han (EarthGen: No City, No State), Stacy Meyer (Educational Service District 112: Vancouver, WA)

How do we build confident “do-ers” of science? Inspire curiosity, engagement, and science identity through the use of relevant and meaningful phenomena. Phenomena can come from real events and from student imaginations. Let student questions guide learning and exploration.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with ideas for incorporating meaningful phenomena in their instruction and learn how phenomena can be a bridge to relevance and engagement for students. 3-Dimensional instruction provides a framework for students to figure-out science.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Armstrong (Sanford Underground Research Facility: Lead, SD)

Come and learn more about key instructional teaching strategies K-12 for implementation of the SEP and CCC. You will receive grade-band cards for K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12.

TAKEAWAYS:
The SEP and CCC cards were developed for K-12 teachers to have a deeper understanding of the Science and Engineering Practices and the Crosscutting Concepts as well as suggestions for implementing them in classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Chambless (St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency: Marysville, MI)

Want to strengthen learning experiences outside of the classroom? All teachers are welcome to participate in this workshop where we will practice field trip collaboration skills with experts from local informal science education centers. Opportunity for free treats from Atlanta area centers!

TAKEAWAYS:
In this workshop teachers will partner with informal educators to co-develop a plan connecting classroom learning goals with the educational opportunities offered at an informal center. Teachers will be equipped to leverage their educational expertise to better collaborate for their next field trip.

SPEAKERS:
James Ammons (Gwinnett County Public Schools: Suwanee, GA)

In this presentation you'll learn one way to meet the challenge of providing meaningful, growth-focused feedback on student lab work, while also conserving teacher time and energy. It can be used for courses from AP to on-level courses, and may streamline department-level alignment as well.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will come away with reusable tools for implementing the method I have developed, as well as rationale, examples, and ideas for applying this approach to any set of instructional standards.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Miller (Visitation School: Mendota Heights, MN)

This session focuses on how to build student self-image as scientists, rather than learners of science, particularly in the wake of years of online or hybrid learning with limited lab experience. Both lessons learned from presenter experience and ideas to improve practice in participants’ classroo

TAKEAWAYS:
Student may see themselves as strong students, but not see themselves as scientists. More lab work alone is not enough to combat this. Students need multiple opportunities for investigative leadership and autonomy in decision-making. This session presents several ways of doing this effectively.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Dobrin (Science Teacher: Chattanooga, TN)

Global Education prepares students for our changing, challenging, and increasingly-interconnected world. This session provides an overview of Global Ed, then explores how STEM teachers can incorporate Global Ed into their practice by thoughtfully leveraging educational technology.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with a foundational understanding of global education, ideas for how global ed can be integrated into their already existing lessons, knowledge of edtech tools that are ready to support global ed in their classrooms, and access to resources to learn more.

SPEAKERS:
Greg Schwanbeck (Westwood High School / Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Foster digital-age STEM learning ecosystems that address the 5 Cs (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and culture) and close the digital divide for multilingual learners in the STEM classroom. Cultivate equitable, authentic, and digital learning environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
By emphasizing the six literacy domains (listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and representing), teachers can engage multilingual learners in STEM practices that position students and teachers as "co-inquirers' in the learning process. Explore opportunities that support sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Maria Cieslak (Center for Applied Linguistics: Washington, DC)

Come learn how to use what we know about brain science to weave culturally responsive teaching and learning into science classrooms! We will explore tools to help all students become independent, successful learners who are active participants in their own learning. Resources provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers can use what we know about brain science to create culturally responsive learning environments by igniting student interest, making learning relevant to students, providing students with opportunities to actively process what they have learned, and giving them multiple chances to review.

SPEAKERS:
Janet MacNeil (Cambridge Public Schools: No City, No State)

Do your students need help generating questions about phenomena? Come learn how to use the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) to help develop students ability to generate meaningful, relevant and thought provoking questions that will drive inquiry and coherence in your NGSS storyline unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will experience using the QFT to help lead their students through the process of generating, categorizing, improving, and prioritizing questions to help drive inquiry with a focus on integrating Cross Cutting Concepts and developing student ownership of learning.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bolduc (Ellington Middle School: Ellington, CT)

How can we effectively prepare the next generation of scientists when science instruction is so vastly different from actual science practice? In this session, you’ll learn how research scientists work in a lab environment and how you can transfer those practices directly to your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand 6 practices of lab researchers that differ from science instruction in most classrooms. They’ll learn how to incorporate these practices into their classroom to better prepare the next generation of scientists.

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

Bring the analysis and fiber to life through a classroom court case. As students learn the forensic significance of hair and fiber evidence, they must defend their conclusions with evidence through court

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will provide materials and guidelines for bringing forensic analysis of hair and fiber to a classroom court case. Students apply their microscopic analysis to either prosecuting or defending their client. Students love it.

SPEAKERS:
Tobie Hendricks (Walton HS: Marietta, GA)

Learn how to read the 62 maps of practices, core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and performance expectations in The NSTA Atlas of the Three Dimensions and use them and other features of this powerful navigational tool to develop and implement curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
A careful review of the connections between elements of the three dimensions can provide a clearer understanding of science standards and important guidance in planning instructional sequences to support three-dimensional teaching and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Science teacher leadership roles and responsibilities vary according to context. This session will present an activity designed to support science teacher leaders to identify their leadership roles and professional learning needs as it relates to their organizational context.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science teacher leader participants will have an opportunity to identify their roles and professional learning needs. Science teacher educators will leave with an activity that they can use in their context to develop professional learning supports for the science teacher leaders they work with.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Stallings (Graduate Student: No City, No State)

The NSTA provides in-person, online, and blended personalized professional learning experiences for K–12 educators cohorts. Programs engage educators with digital resources, virtual experiences, the larger online community, and expert staff. Membership is included with district/school partnerships.

TAKEAWAYS:
School and district leaders will learn about the variety of professional learning opportunities that NSTA offers, delivered in-person, online, and blended that give their teachers the power to personalize their learning as well as the ability to learn with their peers.

SPEAKERS:
Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Find out how contemporary scientists’ cutting-edge research can be shared with elementary students and linked to curriculum topics. Short articles written in language that children can understand and accompanying Teacher Guides describing practical activities to mirror the research will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn how I bet you didn’t know… articles written in language that children can understand and accompanying Teacher Guides can be used in the classroom to increase engagement with practical activities, develop enquiry skills and an appreciation of the impact of science on real life.

SPEAKERS:
Alison Trew (Primary Science Teaching Trust: Bristol, England)

This session will go over formative assessment techniques that will improve student participation and reflection. A year long study performed on this homework technique indicated 99% student homework completion and an over 80% reattempt rate on assignments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with the knowledge of how to create formative assessments to increase participation and reflection in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
James Evans (Professor of Chemistry)

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Frameworks are developed through a comprehensive, inclusive, and deliberative process​. The frameworks describe the content and format of a NAEP assessment​ including: (1) what to measure at each grade​, (2) how to measure it​, and (3) how achievement levels are to be represented. ​The frameworks are written for a diverse audience of educators, policymakers, and the public​. The NAEP Science Assessment covers: Physical Science, Life Science and Earth and Space Sciences. It includes four science practices (1) Identifying Science Principles (2) Using Science Principles (3) Using Scientific Inquiry (4) Using Technological Design. Results for grades 4, 8, and 12 are reported. In this session, members from the NAEP Steering and Development panels will give an overview of the recommendations for the NAEP Science Framework, gather ideas, answer questions, and provide information about submitting public comment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will have an understanding of NAEP, the recommended revisions to the NAEP Science Framework, and how to submit public comment on the proposed revisions.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Morley (Science Teacher: Hinesburg, VT)

Learn how communicating student progress with standards based grading can improve achievement and drive student growth for all learners in science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how standards based grading can be applied in their individual classroom setting, regardless of grade level, subject, or local school grading policies, and how targeted feedback improves instruction and increases learning.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Kelly (Teacher: No City, No State)

An online network learning environment (ONLE) is one built and run by instructors and educators to create a network for students and their PLE's (personal learning environments). ONLE strategies allow for collaboration and enhanced learning communities. Strategies such as creating a participatory web environment, widget and social-network linkages, and use of IvfoViz will be explored. This style of learning supports both constructivist and connectivist learning theories. Explore a model lesson using these strategies. Be ready to walk away with ways to include these strategies in your own lessons whether you have in-person or online students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to infuse ONLE strategies in your lessons which support various learning needs and enhance collaboration. These strategies support in-class and online learners. Discover how they can support your students.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Williams-Clermont (Science Teacher), Nikki Gutierrez (Science Teacher: No City, No State)

Using the "Claim, Evidence, Reasoning" model with elementary students helps to build scientific literacy as students understand how to support their ideas with evidence. Student sample work and using CER's as a formative assessment tool will be discussed in this presentation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Presenters in this session will model a fun way to introduce the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning model to elementary students. Teachers will leave with examples of how to use the CER model correlated to state standards for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade to build scientific literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Rawls (Instructional Coach: Thomaston, GA), Debi Hancock (Teacher: Thomaston, GA), Jina Chapman (teacher: , GA), Nicole Channin (Upson Lee Elementary: Thomaston, GA), Donna Fouts (Upson-Lee Elementary)

Join us and learn how to incorporate Kagan cooperative grouping structures into your science curriculum. Your students will benefit from these research-supported strategies that are easy to implement and flexible enough to meet your needs.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will model each structure as our participants join in. This experience will help participants develop a sense of efficacy and confidence to add these structures to their own programming. Each participant will leave confident in his/her ability to use three different cooperative groups structures.

SPEAKERS:
Traci Kell (Assistant Professor of Education: , AL), Grace Langston (Student: , AL), Tami Shelley (Auburn University at Montgomery: Montgomery, AL), Nicholas Bourke (Auburn University at Montgomery: Montgomery, AL)

Primary sources are a powerful tool for addressing the historical and social aspects of science. In this session we discuss using primary sources in the science classroom, including where to find relevant sources and examples from K-12 science classrooms of lessons using primary sources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave this session with an understanding of how primary source materials can help students develop their knowledge and science literacy, as well as knowing where to find science-relevant primary sources and examples of how they can be incorporated in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Julie James (Asst. Director for Professional Learning), Shelby Watson (The University of Mississippi: University, MS)

As we support students to make connections between science and their lives, we help make the science more clearly relevant and authentic to them. Increasing the relevance of science for students can also mean that there is an increase of experiences, concerns, and perspectives that get shared in the classroom. For many of us, these types of discussions in our classrooms may be new leaving us feeling unprepared to handle them. In this session, we will be sharing strategies for managing potentially difficult conversations in the classroom. We have consulted with educators outside of science – such as social studies educators – who have experience with managing difficult conversations and asked them about strategies they use when a topic might elicit conflicting views. We will also draw on relevant literature. To best consume this variety of strategies, we will have participants jigsaw the strategies and share out overviews and examples of how and when the strategies could be supportive.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a set of strategies they can implement to manage difficult discussions. These strategies have largely been gathered from educators outside of science but are used in science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Ewing (The Charles A. Dana Center: No City, No State)