2023 Atlanta National Conference

March 22-25, 2023

All sessions added to My Agenda prior to this notice have been exported to the mobile app and will be visible in your account when the app launches. Any sessions added now, will also have to be added in the app.
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Rooms and times subject to change.
141 results
Save up to 50 sessions in your agenda.

Opening Reception

Wednesday, March 22 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - Registration Hall A/B


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Join us at the Georgia World Congress Center for an opening reception to mark the start of NSTA Atlanta23! We’ll keep it casual—meet new colleagues and greet returning friends while enjoying beverages and small bites and a photo opportunity with keynote speaker—NASA Astronaut, Dr. Megan McArthur. The event is complimentary and open to all registered conference attendees. Immediately following the reception, McArthur will share her thrilling experiences while working on the International Space Station in an inspirational fireside chat facilitated by NASA’s K-12 Education Advisor Cindy Hasselbring.

Opening Keynote Session: What Viewing Earth from Space has Taught Me - A Fireside Chat with NASA Astronaut Megan McArthur

Wednesday, March 22 • 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Join NASA Astronaut Megan McArthur as she shares her passion for science and the experiments she conducted during her stay on the International Space Station. McArthur will be joined by NASA’s K-12 Education Advisor Cindy Hasselbring for an inspirational fireside chat. They will discuss McArthur’s thrilling experiences during more than 200 days in space, lessons learned, NASA's return to the moon through the Artemis program, and much more.

Start your day mindfully - Morning mindfulness meditation

Thursday, March 23 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B403


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Join us to find out how being mindful can reduce stress and other benefits. Share tips on how to incorporate mindfulness into your life. We will practice breathwork together and share in a meditation exercise.

TAKEAWAYS:
A sense of calm, peace, and balance.

ESPRESS-O Yourself @ NSTA’s Morning Coffee Chats

Thursday, March 23 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - Social Table


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and join us for an informal get-together with your peers. Each day of the conference will feature a morning coffee chat, providing participants an opportunity to share ideas and experiences, expand their network, and connect with colleagues and friends from around the country. All are welcome to attend!

NSTA Sunrise Exercise: Yoga

Thursday, March 23 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A409


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Calling all yoga enthusiasts. Regardless of whether you’re a newbie or veteran, schedule time to join Jasmine for a gentle warm-up; traditional vinyāsa-style yoga (balance poses, core, strength building); deep stretching for hips and hamstrings; and, of course, meditation for relaxation and de-stressing. Beginner friendly!

NSTA Sunrise Exercise: Barre

Thursday, March 23 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 AM

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center - Magnolia


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

N/A

TAKEAWAYS:
Start your day off at the barre! A combination of the best of yoga, pilates, & ballet, barre strengthens and builds flexibility in a fun, low-impact way. Set to a great beat, we challenge all major muscle groups. Be ready to start your day with a smile with instructor Tita. Beginner friendly!

SPEAKERS:
LaShawn Duckett (Director of Meetings: McLean, VA)

NSTA First-Timers Orientation Session

Thursday, March 23 • 7:15 AM - 7:45 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B402


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

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

Recharge yourself! From Striving to Thriving - How to Manage Your Stress

Thursday, March 23 • 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B403



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Stress Relief Presenentation ATL March 2023 FINAL.pdf

STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

In today’s fast-paced world, chronic stress is common, but your mind and body can pay a high price. Learn to recognize overwhelming stress—and what you can do about it. Most importantly, learn how to use the power of your senses to relieve stress on the spot and stay calm, productive, and focused—no matter what life throws at you.

TAKEAWAYS:
Tips on how to manage stress.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Azra Chughtai (NSTA: McLean, VA)

Scales of Change: How Climate Change Impacts Every Unit in Biology

Thursday, March 23 • 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B203


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

How can we integrate climate change into different biology units? We'll use data-rich HHMI BioInteractive resources to demonstrate how to incorporate this topic across scales.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Eberhard (St. Clair High School: Saint Clair, MI), Samantha Johnson (Arroyo High School: San Lorenzo, CA)

Using Zebrafish as the hook for increasing students’ scientific curiosity and advancement - special focus on English Learners.

Thursday, March 23 • 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B314



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Video links Zebrafish.doc.pdf
ZSI Flyer-23.pdf

STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Explore the use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) a freshwater fish at the forefront of biomedical research and easily maintained in a classroom aquarium, to spark ALL students’ curiosity and scientific engagement with real-life science experiences through multiple-learning modalities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learning how zebrafish and low-budget pet store supplies can be used to engage diverse learners in multimodal (visual, kinesthetic) real-life science learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Vinita Hajeri (The University of Texas at Dallas: Richardson, TX)

Discover NSTA’s Digital Resources and Online Community

Thursday, March 23 • 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A407


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

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)

Exploring the Power of Strategic Planning

Thursday, March 23 • 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - C206


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

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)

Exploring Light - Hands on Fun

Thursday, March 23 • 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - C212


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Explore the properties of light with hands-on activities. Build a spectrometer, make an LED saber, “see” sound with a laser light show, reflect/refract and absorb light in an obstacle course and more! Easily and cheaply bring back to your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about light and the properties of light through engaging and fun, hands-on activities they can easily and cheaply take back to their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Betty Bigney (Blue Creek Elementary School: Jacksonville, NC), Holly Mentillo (Ocean Breeze Elementary School: Indian Harbour beach, FL)

Genes in Space: A free experimental design competition

Thursday, March 23 • 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B204


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Engage students in authentic research through Genes in Space: the experimental design competition that launches experiments to the International Space Station. Learn about free educational resources, including lesson plans, classroom activities, explainer videos, and biotechnology equipment loans.

SPEAKERS:
Katy Martin (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

The Tapwater Tour - Tapping into the Phenomena of Drinking Water

Thursday, March 23 • 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A313


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: LaMotte Company

Water is the single most valuable resource essential for life on Earth, yet is subject to increasing scarcity, pollutants, and overuse. The Tapwater Tour curriculum make the real-world connection between the phenomena explored in the lesson and actual hands-on laboratory activities.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Evans (Kent County High School: Worton, MD)

From Circuits to Molecules: Biotech basics for middle school and general bio

Thursday, March 23 • 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B204


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Link physical science concepts like circuits and charged particles to the essential biotech method gel electrophoresis. Build a reusable gel electrophoresis system with the Bandit STEM Electrophoresis Kit, and use it to separate colorful dyes. Also add the A to STEAM with creative pipetting art!

SPEAKERS:
Katy Martin (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Birds of a Feather

Thursday, March 23 • 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - Exhibit Hall, Birds of a Feather Area


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Birds of a Feather sessions (BoFs) are informal gatherings of like-minded individuals who wish to discuss a certain topic without a pre-planned agenda.

Hands-on genetics labs for middle school learners and general bio

Thursday, March 23 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B204


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

A purrfect introduction to genetics! Track inheritance in a family of cats using Punnett squares. Then, use gel electrophoresis to examine the gene that controls that trait. Students connect Mendelian genetics with our modern understanding of genes! No stains or extra visualization equipment needed.

SPEAKERS:
Katy Martin (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA), Katy Martin (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Locating Earthquake Epicenters Online

Thursday, March 23 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A304


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: EarthScope Consortium

Explore our new web-based interactive earthquake lab! Have your students learn and practice earthquake location and analysis techniques with real seismic data! Bring a laptop/ipad!

SPEAKERS:
Michael Hubenthal (IRIS | Earthscope Consortium: Washington, DC)

Incorporate Science Practices Using BioInteractive to Enhance Data Literacy Skills

Thursday, March 23 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B203


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Develop data-literate students! We'll use BioInteractive resources to model instructional strategies that incorporate the science practices and improve scientific thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Orr , Ann Brokaw (Rocky River High School: Rocky River, OH)

Why can't scientists predict Earthquakes: A lab activity for your classroom

Thursday, March 23 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B314



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Lesson Plan
Presentation

STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Explore the issues surrounding earthquake prediction with your students through an activity that allows students to examine the rates of earthquakes occurrence around the world.

TAKEAWAYS:
The focus question for the session will be “Can past history of Earthquake occurrence “predict” future occurrences?”

SPEAKERS:
Michael Hubenthal (IRIS | Earthscope Consortium: Washington, DC), Tammy Bravo (IRIS | Earthscope Consortium: Vancouver, WA)

Recharge Yourself! From Striving to Thriving: Part 2 Stress Management

Thursday, March 23 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B403



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Stress Management Part II ATL March 2023 FINAL.pdf

STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

While it may seem like there’s nothing you can do about stress at work and home, there are steps you can take to relieve the pressure and regain control. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium, as well as your physical health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life. Effective stress management helps you break the hold stress has on your life, so you can be happier, healthier, and more productive

TAKEAWAYS:
Tips on how to relieve pressure and regain control.

SPEAKERS:
Azra Chughtai (NSTA: McLean, VA), Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Explore Moon to Mars: Radiation & Humans in Space

Thursday, March 23 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B310



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
23_Additional Resources_Explore M2M Radiation Humans in Space.pdf
23_Materials List_Overview_Explore M2M Radiation Humans in Space.pdf
Deep Space Hazards Radiation CRE Extensions.pdf
Hazards to Deep Space Astronauts Activity Guide.pdf
NASA Space Faring The Radiation Challenge Yeast Activity Guide.pdf

STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Anne Weiss (Educator Professional Development Specialist)

Energizing Your Achievement - Shell Teacher Awards win up to $10k

Thursday, March 23 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A408


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

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)

P51™ Glow Labs: Study DNA structure and enzyme activity using fluorescence

Thursday, March 23 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B204


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Discover a new way to study DNA and enzymes! Use fluorescence to see changes to DNA structure and enzyme activity with your own eyes. Explore how temperature, pH, and genetic sequence affect DNA base pairing. Then, see inhibitors, concentration, temperature, and pH affect enzymatic reaction rates.

SPEAKERS:
Ally Huang (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Developing Data Literacy Skills With HHMI BioInteractive Data Points

Thursday, March 23 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B203


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Join us as we model how to engage students in data analysis using BioInteractive Data Points, a free collection of authentic scientific graphs and figures.

SPEAKERS:
Amit Morris (Science Teacher: , ON), Brian Mason (Teacher: , AK)

Computational Thinking Using Computer Simulations in High School Biology

Thursday, March 23 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center - International Ballroom A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2023 NSTA CT-S Student Lesson FINAL .pdf
2023 NSTA CT-S Student Lesson FINAL .pdf
2023 NSTA CT-S Teacher Lesson Plan FINAL.pdf

STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

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

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

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

Affordable Indoor School Gardening

Thursday, March 23 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - C211


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

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)

Quarks and the Nuclear Synthesis Modeling of Protons, Neutrons and the Hydrogen-2 Isotope Using String and Solid Sphere Models

Thursday, March 23 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center - Cottonwood A


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Each Attendee will be given assorted materials to create the up and down quarks and the strong nuclear force to construct protons, neutrons, and the hydrogen-2 Isotope models using both the String Theory and Solid Sphere Models. Hand-outs and examples will be given. Attendees will take their models.

TAKEAWAYS:
This hands-on classroom quark modeling activity was designed for students to use both the String Theory and the Solid Sphere Models for the nuclear synthesis of protons, neutrons, and the hydrogen-2 isotope. As a class, students will create their own criteria for model comparison and probability.

SPEAKERS:
Gary Schiltz (Retired Chemistry Teacher: Naperville, IL)

Developing Communities Through Personal Botanical Histories

Thursday, March 23 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - C202


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

This session will focus on sharing instructional modules that have been developed to facilitate relationships between herbaria and high school students to highlight the importance of plants and preserving botanical specimens.

TAKEAWAYS:
Many times, plants are overlooked and considered less significant than animals. This is known as Plant Awareness Disparity. Participants in this session will learn about free instructional modules that will help high school students connect with plants through exploring their own botanical history

SPEAKERS:
Rachel May (Graduate Student), Kelly Moore (Tennessee Tech: Cookeville, TN)

BioBits®: A hands-on lab to teach the central dogma

Thursday, March 23 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B204


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Add a hands-on lab to your study of the central dogma! With the cell-free BioBits® system, students can watch as polymerases transcribe RNA and ribosomes translate it to make protein, all using fluorescent indicators. Now you can experiment directly with transcription and translation!

SPEAKERS:
Ally Huang (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Phenomenal Classroom Critters

Thursday, March 23 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B208


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Company

Add excitement to your class with live organisms! Discover fun, simple hands-on ways to explore evolution, adaptation, and behavior in your classroom with a variety of insects and arthropods. Learn about care and handling, as well as easy ways to integrate Organisms and Environments standards. Addit

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Nixon (Chemistry Teacher: Boone, NC)

Happy Birthday NGSS!

Thursday, March 23 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B402


STRAND: No Strand

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In April 2013, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were released just before the NSTA Annual Conference in Austin, Texas. In that time, nearly every state in the country has either adopted the NGSS outright or developed similar standards of their own. This session will reflect on the impact those standards have had in the last decade and consider what the future holds.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain insight into how standards are an essential step in the process of student learning, but how implementation of those standards plays an equally important part in the process.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD), Stephen Pruitt (Southern Regional Education Board: Atlanta, GA), Brian Reiser (Learning Sciences, SESP, Northwestern University), Edel Maeder (Rochester City School District: Rochester, NY), Maya Garcia (Colorado Dept. of Education: Denver, CO), Cristina Thomas (SpEd teacher: Hayward, CA)

The Mystery of the Missing Tusks: Explaining Elephant Evolution Using HHMI Biolnteractive Resources

Thursday, March 23 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B203


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

How do selective pressures shape elephant populations? We'll explore HHMI BioInteractive activities that have students analyze data and construct explanations about this phenomenon.

SPEAKERS:
Marisa Alvarado (Grossmont High School), Dionne Reid (Teacher - Science: Pembroke Pines, FL)

Fostering Community Through Science: A Whole School Approach

Thursday, March 23 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - C211



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA 2023---Fostering Community Through Science: A Whole School Approach
This is a copy of the presentation shared during the session. There is a link to our plans with other stations and slime recipe. There is also a link to the station signs.

STRAND: No Strand

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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)

GNOu Mechatronics Apprenticeship: An Industry- Education Partnership

Thursday, March 23 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B306


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

The GNOu Mechatronics Apprenticeship program showcases the framework of New Orleans' premier apprenticeship programs that was created through dynamic partnerships between 2-year community colleges and the manufacturing industry.

TAKEAWAYS:
The GNOu Mechatronics Apprenticeship program will showcase the framework used to create an apprenticeship program focused on advanced manufacturing- one of the leading new employment sectors. Attendees will learn how the partnerships were formed between the industry & 2-yr colleges.

SPEAKERS:
Osmar Padilla (Director of Workforce Programs: New Orleans, LA), Daphine Barnes (GNO, Inc.: New Orleans, LA)

COVID, Monkeypox, and Other New and Emerging Infectious Diseases: The Ecology and Evolution of Host-Pathogen Relationships

Thursday, March 23 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B313a


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

COVID, Monkeypox, and influenza didn’t appear out of nowhere. They were spawned by dynamic ecological and coevolutionary relationships between hosts and pathogens. These diseases demonstrate the value of evolutionary and ecological concepts in medical practice, public health, and students’ lives.

TAKEAWAYS:
Viruses, especially those that have alternate animal hosts, evolve in complex and unpredictable ways, interacting with all members of their infectious ecosystem in ways that constantly challenge medicine and public health.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Levine (Science Writer and Producer: Concord, MA)

HHMI Movie Night

Thursday, March 23 • 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Join us for a sneak peek of WILD HOPE, a new series of short films from Tangled Bank Studios highlighting the intrepid changemakers who are working to restore and protect our planet. Each half-hour episode inspires audiences with stories of bold interventions, unexpected alliances, and nature’s resilience. Dinner and drinks and discussion will be provided. The screening is free but please REGISTER to attend. Link to Registration page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hhmi-night-at-the-movies-nsta-2023-tickets-514907130087

SPEAKERS:
LaShawn Duckett (Director of Meetings: McLean, VA)

Start your day mindfully - Morning mindfulness meditation

Friday, March 24 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B403


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Join us to find out how being mindful can reduce stress and other benefits. Share tips on how to incorporate mindfulness into your life. We will practice breathwork together and share in a meditation exercise.

TAKEAWAYS:
A sense of calm, peace, and balance.

ESPRESS-O Yourself @ NSTA’s Morning Coffee Chats

Friday, March 24 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - Social Table


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and join us for an informal get-together with your peers. Each day of the conference will feature a morning coffee chat, providing participants an opportunity to share ideas and experiences, expand their network, and connect with colleagues and friends from around the country. All are welcome to attend!

NSTA Sunrise Exercise: Yoga

Friday, March 24 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A409


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Calling all yoga enthusiasts. Regardless of whether you’re a newbie or veteran, schedule time to join Jasmine for a gentle warm-up; traditional vinyāsa-style yoga (balance poses, core, strength building); deep stretching for hips and hamstrings; and, of course, meditation for relaxation and de-stressing. Beginner friendly!

NSTA Sunrise Exercise: Barre

Friday, March 24 • 6:40 AM - 7:40 AM

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center - Magnolia


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

N/A

TAKEAWAYS:
Start your day off at the barre! A combination of the best of yoga, pilates, & ballet, barre strengthens and builds flexibility in a fun, low-impact way. Set to a great beat, we challenge all major muscle groups. Be ready to start your day with a smile with instructor Tita. Beginner friendly!

A Hands on approach to effectively teaching anatomy using clay on a skeletal model

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A313


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Anatomy in Clay

In this workshop, attendees will build replicas of human anatomy using clay and a specially designed skeletal model in a class-room setting. Educators will learn how to implement a unique curriculum system which helps students create a kinesthetic map of the human anatomy.

SPEAKERS:
Chuck Roney (ANATOMY IN CLAY Learning Systems: Loveland, CO)

Bandit™: Accessible gel electrophoresis for the biology classroom!

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B204


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Meet Bandit™, the electrophoresis system that brings accessibility to a new level. Build an affordable, durable, and reusable electrophoresis system. Then, make connections between molecular and Mendelian genetics with electrophoresis labs that run in 20 minutes and don’t require staining.

SPEAKERS:
Katy Martin (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Using Science Practices To Connect Evolution and Inheritance With HHMI BioInteractive's Rock Pocket Mouse Resources

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B203


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Join us as we explore how to use HHMI BioInteractive's rock pocket mouse resources to connect evolution and inheritance, and strengthen students' data literacy skills.

SPEAKERS:
James Clark (Director: Pleasanton, CA), Jennifer Barnes (Gwinnett Online Campus: Lawrenceville, GA)

The Plight of the Bumble Bee: Genetic Biodiversity of Bees

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B218


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Bio-rad Laboratories

Taxonomy in action: use visual cues and biotechnology techniques to sort bumblebees into separate species. Experience how PCR, sequencing, and bioinformatics help scientists distinguish bee species.

JEDI Path - Exploring Equitable Instructional Strategies for 3-Dimensional Outdoor Learning

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B302


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Join this hands-on workshop to explore phenomenon-based outdoor learning with (free) Eco-Engineering Challenges and Schoolyard Investigations, using a toolkit of research-informed easy-to-implement instructional strategies that promote equitable and inclusive student engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with instructional strategies and teaching resources they can implement immediately to create a more relevant, equitable and inclusive learning environment for phenomenon-based environmental and outdoor learning.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Miles (Villa Rica High School: Villa Rica, GA), Patricia Morgan (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Karan Wood (Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia (EEA): Acworth, GA)

Free lesson plans in chemistry for grades K-5 from the American Chemical Society’s online resource inquiryinaction.org

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A411


STRAND: No Strand

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Teachers participate in hands-on lessons for Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, and 5th Grade from the free online resource inquiryinaction.org. Teachers investigate the questions: What makes it rain, are M&Ms or Skittles better dissolvers, and does baking soda or baking powder bubble the most with vinegar.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will practice using grade-appropriate explanations of atoms and molecules to help students better understand the causes of the phenomena they observe.

SPEAKERS:
James Kessler (American Chemical Society: Washington, DC)

Engineering Severe Weather Solutions

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B314


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Harness the power of technology with student designed solutions for a changing climate.

TAKEAWAYS:
Use technology to expose students to coding and engineering design solutions for severe weather.

SPEAKERS:
Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Youngsville, LA), Jessica Kohout (Educational Consultant: Ellicott City, MD)

Fueling Success with Students—Win Up to $20K for Your Classroom!

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A408


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Do you impact your school and community with STEM? If you teach K–12, come learn how to apply to win up to $20K through this teacher competition.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to apply for the Shell-sponsored teacher competition, and collaborate with past winners and judges to learn how to strengthen your application.

SPEAKERS:
Ruth Ruud (Cleveland State University: Cleveland, OH), Amanda Upton (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

#ScienceSaves: Lessons on how science has benefited humankind

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B301


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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)

NSTA Job Fair

Friday, March 24 • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - Exhibit Hall, Job Fair Aisle


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Jumpstart your career search at the NSTA Job Fair! NSTA is excited to host this inaugural event, featuring dozens of school districts, private academies, universities, and informal science institutions looking for qualified, dedicated educators to join their teams. Come explore options, gather information, and interact with representatives about current and future employment opportunities. Free to all who have registered for NSTA Atlanta23.

SPEAKERS:
LaShawn Duckett (Director of Meetings: McLean, VA)

Featured Presentation: Educator Burnout - Empowering All to Bring About Change

Friday, March 24 • 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center - Grand Ballroom D/E


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Tackling burnout requires intentional reflection and actionable solutions from teachers, administrators, districts, and state departments of education. How can we join together to bring about that change? How can the professionalism and humanity of educators be elevated and supported through such strenuous times? Join us as we walk through Teacher Burnout in Georgia and current initiatives launched across Georgia in response to it. Gather your own “tool kit” for developing a plan to address or avoid teacher burnout and confront the real challenge of teacher recruitment and retention.

SPEAKERS:
Cherie Goldman (Teacher: No City, No State), Matt Taylor (Assistant Principal (P - 8): Dublin, GA)

NSTA Job Fair

Friday, March 24 • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - Exhibit Hall, Job Fair Aisle


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Jumpstart your career search at the NSTA Job Fair! NSTA is excited to host this inaugural event, featuring dozens of school districts, private academies, universities, and informal science institutions looking for qualified, dedicated educators to join their teams. Come explore options, gather information, and interact with representatives about current and future employment opportunities. Free to all who have registered for NSTA Atlanta23.

Discovering Lemur Diversity: Teaching conservation genetics through an authentic case study

Friday, March 24 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B204


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Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Bring molecular techniques to Ecology and Evolution units. Join an expedition to Madagascar to decide if an extinct lemur species has been rediscovered! Test DNA with gel electrophoresis, build phylogenetic trees, and analyze authentic field data from the Duke Lemur Center.

SPEAKERS:
Ally Huang (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA), ALEXANDRA Dainis (Owner/Producer: LOS ANGELES, CA)

Using A Sickle Cell Phenomenon To Explore Genetics

Friday, March 24 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B203


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Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Why do some people with the sickle cell genotype not show symptoms? Using HHMI BioInteractive resources, we'll engage with science practices to unpack this phenomenon.

SPEAKERS:
Michele Koehler (Riverside Brookfield District 208: Riverside, IL)

Do real hands-on CRISPR gene editing!

Friday, March 24 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B218


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Sponsoring Company: Bio-rad Laboratories

Experience CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing experiments designed for your students' learning! In this hands-on workshop edit a chromosomal gene, complete with essential experimental controls, using the same cut-and-repair technology used in medicinal and agricultural applications.

Science + Engineering + Math = Parachute STEM Activity

Friday, March 24 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A411


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This STEM activity includes reading a book and involves one-hour lessons over seven days. Student groups design, build, test, and analyze parachute models.

TAKEAWAYS:
Student groups learn that the engineering design process and the scientific method are circular processes as they design, build, test, and evaluate a parachute model then improve it.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Cunningham (Purdue University: West Lafayette, IN)

Federal STEM Education Resources - Where can I find them?

Friday, March 24 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A412



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Federal STEM Education Resources 8.5x11 FINAL 03.15.23.pdf
NASA Connects Flyer 9.14.22.pdf
NASA Connects Flyer 9.14.22.pdf
NSTA Federal STEM Presentation 03.24.23.pdf
NSTA Federal STEM Presentation 03.24.23.pdf

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Have you ever wondered where to find Federal STEM education resources that can provide authentic learning experiences for your students? Come join many federal agencies including NASA, NOAA, Dept. of Defense, EPA, Smithsonian, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, to learn more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn what K-12 STEM learning resources are offered by federal agencies. In addition, teachers will engage in two-way conversations with federal representatives about the STEM resources, programs, and opportunities that are available.

SPEAKERS:
Bekkah Lampe (NOAA Office of Education: Silver Spring, MD), Carrie Olsen (NASA Headquarters: No City, No State), Carol ODonnell (Smithsonian Institution: Washington, DC), Melissa Anley-Mills (U.S. EPA: Washington, DC), Jorge Valdes (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Alexandria, VA), Cindy Hasselbring (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: Greenbelt, MD), Reginald Duncan (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Alexandria, VA)

NSTA's Informal Science Division - Meet the Committee

Friday, March 24 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A316


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The Informal Science Division is packed with professionals volunteering their decades of experience for NSTA. Join this open format meeting as the committee discusses future plans and ways that you can engage with them. You'll also have the chance to ask questions and find out how they can help you.

TAKEAWAYS:
Ways to engage with the Informal Science Division.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsay Milner (Mad Science Group Inc.: Montreal, QC)

NSTA Job Fair

Friday, March 24 • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - Exhibit Hall, Job Fair Aisle


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Jumpstart your career search at the NSTA Job Fair! NSTA is excited to host this inaugural event, featuring dozens of school districts, private academies, universities, and informal science institutions looking for qualified, dedicated educators to join their teams. Come explore options, gather information, and interact with representatives about current and future employment opportunities. Free to all who have registered for NSTA Atlanta23.

Dog Mode Design Challenge

Friday, March 24 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle


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Introducing students to real-world engineering problems is a key component to engaging them in the science classroom. In this project, students solve the problem of saving pets from a hot car. Many students are aware of this issue and would have many ideas on how this could be achieved. This projects gives them the tools to help solve such a problem by building a model and finding a solution. Participants in this session will get to build the model themselves to see how information from sensors (input) can determine what should be done (output) through simple lines of code. No coding or engineering experience is needed, just imagination and logical thinking. Projects like these can expose students to STEM Careers. The exposure to coding and engineering design can also get them interested in doing more in the STEM field.

TAKEAWAYS:
Solve a real-world problem with coding and engineering design - no prior experience needed.

SPEAKERS:
Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Youngsville, LA)

Birds of a Feather

Friday, March 24 • 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - Exhibit Hall, Birds of a Feather Area


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Birds of a Feather sessions (BoFs) are informal gatherings of like-minded individuals who wish to discuss a certain topic without a pre-planned agenda.

NSTA Job Fair

Friday, March 24 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - Exhibit Hall, Job Fair Aisle


STRAND: No Strand

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Jumpstart your career search at the NSTA Job Fair! NSTA is excited to host this inaugural event, featuring dozens of school districts, private academies, universities, and informal science institutions looking for qualified, dedicated educators to join their teams. Come explore options, gather information, and interact with representatives about current and future employment opportunities. Free to all who have registered for NSTA Atlanta23.

Fire’s Out! Considerations on the history and future of energy

Friday, March 24 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Fire’s Out! Considerations on the history and future of energy
Fire made modern society possible. It made us human, and humans are the only species with dominion over fire. It is also clear that fire so endangers modern society that we must rapidly diminish its role in society. And, we don’t talk enough about fire. When we change how we get energy, we change history. We are in the midst of rapid energy transitions of epic proportions. Most of us know little of the scope and importance of these transitions. Coal use in the US is less than half what it was in

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For 90% of Earth history, there was no fire. Fire made humanity and civilization. Now fire so endangers us that we must repower without flame. Energy system transitions make history. What can we learn from past transitions? What does the future hold? Can we reframe how we talk about climate change?

TAKEAWAYS:
In climate change education efforts, we should talk more about fire as it’s both the root cause of modern climate change and was effectively nonexistent for the first 90% of Earth history. This reframing helps people see the issue in a new light, and has the potential to engage broader audiences.