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

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

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

Research in climate change education indicates that knowledge alone is a poor predictor of student action toward addressing climate issues. Learn about how one high school is supporting students to connect local issues, climate and food justice through community partnerships and civic action.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session you’ll learn about: A framework for education that integrates knowledge of place, interdependence, and student agency Current research in climate change education How food justice can be a powerful motivator that leads to student engagement and action

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Margon (Teacher: NY, NY), Jennifer Cirillo (Shelburne Farms: Shelburne, VT)

Conduct an activity that can be used to introduce students to the concept of energy justice and receive a scorecard that can be used to evaluate stories that highlight our current and future energy system and its impacts on people and communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about energy justice and use an evaluation scorecard as one strategy to enhance education about clean energy technologies while promoting literacy, systems thinking and critical thinking skills among learners.

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

How often have you performed a simple water test as a lab and thought - is there more to this? How else can I get students to relate to the importance of the water they utilize everyday? Learn how to incorporate case studies and reading into this common lab activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to set up a simple water test for testing nutrient levels in the water but then expand concepts on the quality of water by exploring the digital platform H2KNOW.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Reynolds (Teacher: Chicago, IL)

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

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

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

Join the News Literacy Project and science literacy subject matter expert Melanie Trecek-King as we cast light where the “sun don’t shine”! In this session, educators will become learners as they debunk the social media trend of perineum sunning using Trecek-King’s FLOATER toolkit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Subject matter expert Melanie Trecek-King will team up with NLP staff to facilitate a session exploring the FLOATER toolkit using the Checkology® lesson “Evaluating Science-Based Claims.” Attendees will then be challenged to debunk a trendy health claim—that perineum sunning increases energy levels.

SPEAKERS:
Melanie Trecek-King (Massasoit Community College)

Learn how to support students' analysis of science models by teaching cognitive literacy strategies through the Transfer Learning Routine.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use the transfer learning routine to teach literacy strategies in science.

SPEAKERS:
Charles Link (DeWitt Clinton High School: Bronx, NY)