Story Play curriculum embraces children’s storytelling, while reinforcing the writing process. This approach has roots in Montessori methods and uses STEM as a context. While the method was created to meet students’ needs after the pandemic pause, it can be used anytime to help all students learn.

TAKEAWAYS:
The importance of children's own experiences for storytelling and writing and how STEM exploration can be used as a context for both.

SPEAKERS:
Michelyn Goodin (Yonkers Early Childhood Academy: Brooklyn, NY), Amanda Gunning (Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry Campus: Dobbs Ferry, NY)

This presentation centers the NGSS dimensions of science, crosscutting concepts, and engineering practices in real-life applications that yield tangible results to get students excited about STEAM by engaging with a school garden. Current teachers will share their successes and pitfalls.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session is aimed at helping teachers see that school gardening provides a plethora of STEAM-based learning experiences from current teacher perspectives.

SPEAKERS:
Tain Curtis (Teacher: Price, UT)

Computational thinking and computing education have the potential to develop students’ higher-order thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills in ways that can advance learning in interdisciplinary ways and can be done even with our youngest minds.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will focus on how we can embed computational thinking skills into student learning by using background knowledge from multiple subjects to design and implement curriculum that allows for all students to have access to higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in real-world situations.

SPEAKERS:
Wyman Khuu (KIPP NYC: Sunnyside, NY)

Career connections in elementary school are crucial in supporting the workforce. This session shows how a district implemented a sySTEMatic plan to grow understanding of career pathways for our high-needs students. Participants will be provided with a STEM Camp toolkit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a blueprint of how to implement STEM career awareness in elementary school by using the curriculum, teacher development, and community partners.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Berry (Knox County Schools: Knoxville, TN), Mallory Sterling (Knox Co Schools: Knoxville, TN)

Exploring Monarch Butterflies in Science and Art

TAKEAWAYS:
This quick session will introduce insects to a class designed for both Science and Art.

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

Do you need help in planning engineering experiences for young learners? Collaboration with others in a learning community can help! This session will show how a group of teachers used Flip to share ideas for STEM/STEAM and engineering focused lessons. Get ready to join our engineering fun!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in using the Flip application and learn how they can create learning communities focused on STEM/STEAM and engineering education.

SPEAKERS:
Tara Hood (Science Specialist: Jacksonville, AL), Carol McGinnis (Jacksonville State University: Anniston, AL)

We aim to bring K-12 STEAM further in the 21st century by emphasizing innovation. The proposed session will cover a STEAM rebranding process. We will host a discussion of NSTA community goals around innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as tools and resources for addressing these goals.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees should expect the session to serve as a valuable idea brainstorm, to provide a collection of strategies, and to generate a network of NSTA members interested in pursuing a rebranding of STEAM to a “Tinker-Create-Innovate” model who may serve as allies as such shifts are endeavored locally.

SPEAKERS:
Maggie Renken (STEAM Program Director: Dillard, GA)

Learning rarely takes place in only one space. In this session, identify strategies for developing and executing STEAM-based curriculum for young learners. Shift your mindset from “child homework” to “family learning” as we discuss ways to engage parents and families as stakeholders in learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will identify strategies for creating lessons grounded in STEAM and engaging parents and families in their child’s learning.

SPEAKERS:
Samanta Gutierrez (Professional Learning Specialist: No City, No State), Patricia Ratanapraphart (STEM Content Manager: Dallas, TX)

STEM careers are for ALL students! Learn how to bridge the gap between STEM careers and classroom spaces by exploring proven strategies for hosting STEM professionals in your elementary classroom! Walk away with a complete engagement guide written for elementary teachers, by elementary 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: Broomfield, CO), Cameron McKinley (Technology Integration Coach: Hoover, AL), Kristen Record (Bunnell High School - National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY): Bridgeport, CT)

Looking for more interactive grade 3-5 physical science curriculum? Students will engage with robot SaM-1’s videos and hands on activities while exploring physical science at an animal conservatory and on vacation at the beach! Free access will be given to use this curriculum in your class.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be given access to a physical science curriculum in grades 3-5 that provides instructional content via videos, hands on lesson and labs, bulletin board ideas and coding. The curriculum is meant to transform elementary science classrooms from using workbooks to real science!

SPEAKERS:
Jim Reynolds (STEM coordinator: Tallahassee, FL), Carrie Meyers (Curriculum Coordinator: No City, No State)