2023 Atlanta National Conference

March 22-25, 2023

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FILTERS APPLIED:PreK - 5, Presentation, Student Learning and Inclusion, Equity

 

Rooms and times subject to change.
34 results
Save up to 50 sessions in your agenda.

The Three Most Important Science Talks for Elementary Lessons

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B305



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_2023_ThreeTalks_Forsythe.pdf
PPT Preview

STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

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)

K-12 Science Messaging + Communications Brainstorm Session

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B301


STRAND: Leadership and Advocacy

Show Details

For anyone that has excitedly explained the power of phenomenon-based instruction or 3-dimensional learning and been met with a blank stare – this session is for you! Led by communication experts, this session is designed to help you create K-12 Science messages in succinct, compelling ways.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn new ways to describe and explain the importance of 3-dimensional instruction and phenomenon based learning to key audiences, including parents and communities, lawmakers, and non-science educators.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Ezring (Collaborative for Student Success: No City, No State), Josh Parrish (Collaborative for Student Success: No City, No State), Michelle Austin (Managing Director, SVP: Washington, DC)

Improving science achievement: A science and literacy instruction intervention with implications for research, policy, and practice.

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

Georgia World Congress Center - C212



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
A promising science and literacy instructional model with Hispanic fifth grade students.pdf
This study evaluated the Science and Literacy Instructional Model aimed at helping primarily Hispanic bilingual/English Learners (ELs) and economically disadvantaged fifth grade students with science achievement as measured by high-stakes standardized science achievement scores. The model combined purposeful planning, innovative academic vocabulary instruction, and a Lesson Design Lab. Difference-in proportions tests were used to determine if students at two school campuses showed positive achi
Interactive word wall expectations science 2023.pdf
Vocabulary planning template 2023 S&E Practices.pdf

STRAND: Research to Practice

Show Details

This intervention combined purposeful planning and innovative academic vocabulary instruction. Easily replicable classroom strategies and examples will facilitate implementation and demonstrate how to make science accessible to all students, including minorities, economically disadvantaged, English

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will strategically target academic vocabulary, visually display connections between inquiry activities and vocabulary, and explore opportunities for students to experience vocabulary in context, actively process word meanings, and practice using vocabulary to speak and write sentences.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Jackson (Texas State University: San Marcos, TX)

3-dimensional learning: from instructional design to full implementation

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B305


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Come and learn how two different school contexts (rural and urban) are implementing science engineering practices through PBL experiences. Utilizing Engineering is Elementary resources as a model, teachers will share their instructional practices and strategies along with successes and challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to explain that SEPs can and should be integrated in a manner to meet the individual needs of a school’s community and make-up.

SPEAKERS:
Trudy Giasi (Valle Catholic Schools: Ste. Genevieve, MO), Andi Maddox (Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Kennett, MO), Brandy Hepler (Southeast Missouri State University: Cape Girardeau, MO)

Scaffolding that Provides Access and Promotes Success

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

Georgia World Congress Center - C213



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Elementary Scaffolding 22-23 NSTA.pdf
Slide deck from session

STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

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)

Place-Conscious STEM Instructional Methods

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

Georgia World Congress Center - C206


STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

Generating STEM interest through a place-conscious framework is a pathway for students to solve issues relevant to their community. Framing instructional methods within the place-conscious design allow important issues to be at the center of the curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will explore how to design hands-on inquiry lesson developed from a place-conscious framework.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bookheimer (Pre-service Teacher: , MT)

Using the NSTA Sensemaking Tool to Evaluate Lessons for Sensemaking

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B402



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Using the NSTA Sensemaking Tool to Evaluate Lessons Atlanta23 Collection

STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

The NSTA Sensemaking Tool (adapted from the research-based NGSS Lesson Screener) is designed to help educators be critical consumers of curricular materials as well as create and/or revise science lessons to reflect the instructional shifts required by new standards (sensemaking). Join us to gain experience using the tool and facilitating criteria-based consensus conversations with colleagues.

TAKEAWAYS:
Recognize the critical aspects of sensemaking in a science lesson.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Mathews (NSTA: McLean, VA), Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Working with Indigenous Learners and Communities– an Un-guidebook for Success

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B302


STRAND: Equity and Justice

Show Details

As education professionals seek to engage with Tribal entities to support Youth, they need resources to help ensure that they are stepping respectfully and intentionally. Learn about an Un-guidebook, supported by 100kin10, to help non-Native education professionals engage with Tribal entities.

TAKEAWAYS:
After this session, STEM educators will know more about building relationship with indigenous communities, and how both formal/OST, educators can use the Un-guide to create the first steps of a relationship with Tribal entities in their community and better support Tribal learners, especially youth.

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Hoppe (STEMisED, Inc), Melinda Higgins (U.S. Dept. of Energy - Fossil Energy & Carbon Management: Washington, DC)

Localizing National Curricula: Working together to center students and their communities

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

Georgia World Congress Center - C213



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Localizing Notes Template - Atlanta 2023.pdf
Slide Deck for Localizing National Curriculums - NSTA 2023

STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

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)

Partnering with Families to Promote Young Multilingual Learners' Integrated Science and Language Learning

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

Georgia World Congress Center - C207



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
FINAL Partnering with families.pptx

STRAND: Research to Practice

Show Details

We will share a model of science home/school partnership, focused on families of young multilingual learners (MLs) that fuels their science and language learning across contexts, sparks their interest and self-efficacy in science, and can be leveraged to support their school science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with concrete strategies, tools, and resources for building science partnerships with families of MLs that support language-enriched science experiences at home and mutually reinforce children's NGSS-aligned science and language experiences at school.

SPEAKERS:
Mandell Academy (Connecticut Science Center: Hartford, CT), Rachel Shurick (Connecticut Science Center: Hartford, CT), Becky Fahey (Connecticut Science Center: Hartford, CT), Cindy Hoisington (Education Development Center, Inc.: Holbrook, MA)

Equity: Expanding what counts as science and science as social justice

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B406a/b


Show Details

How do students' learning experiences change when we expand what constitutes science and engineering and begin to see science as part of social justice teaching? The Brilliance and Strength report pushes us to include these two ideas in the form of science activities, teacher planning and implementation, and materials development. Join us as we explore these ideas as they are applied to elementary science. We will provide some examples of what we think these goals mean for teaching and learning, discuss them, and then co-design others as a way to dive more deeply into justice-centered learning. Brilliance and Strengths Report: Equity foci 3 and 4 and Recommendations 6 and 8

TAKEAWAYS:
Science learning is part of social justice teaching and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Carla Zembal-Saul (Penn State: University Park, PA), Heidi Carlone (Vanderbilt University Peabody College: Nashville, TN)

Supporting Students with Disabilities with High Quality Science Curriculum Resources

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

Georgia World Congress Center - A404



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Garbage Unit Icons
Icons to accompany the garbage unit as visual supports
Session Slides

STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

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), DESE Science (Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Malden, MA)

NSELA Sponsored Session: Supporting Science Instruction By Growing a Science Educator Leadership Community

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B409


STRAND: Leadership and Advocacy

Show Details

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 (Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE): Baltimore, MD), Linda Wilson (Manor Woods Elementary School: Ellicott City, MD)

Revitalizing STEM Instruction through Innovation and Inclusion

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

Georgia World Congress Center - C207


STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

In this session you will take a closer look at STEM instruction in order to reflect on whether it is inclusive of all students and how to use innovative ideas to continue moving forward as a STEM educator.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss and reflect on their own STEM instruction and focus on ways to include all students in STEM education regardless of abilities, language, or economic status.

SPEAKERS:
Pavel Escobedo Garcia (Principal: Ventura, CA), Adriana Guerra (E. P. Foster STEM Academy: Ventura, CA)

Dreaming Up Dream Cities: Culturally-Responsive STEAM Curriculum in action through Inquiry-Based Learning

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A403


STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

Culturally responsive pedagogy can help bridge the diversity gap in STEM. This session shares how our Dream City program supports all students in thinking like urban planners to design beautiful neighborhoods that are not only structurally sound but also inclusive and responsive to all who come.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will have a chance to see how IMSA Outreach provides inquiry-based, hands-on STEM learning. Attendees will see how inquiry-based teaching and learning is, by its very nature, inherently culturally responsive and can leave with practical ideas to use in their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Elaine Wu (Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: Aurora, IL)

English Learners and Science, Instruction and Amplifications

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A301


STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

Making core instruction accessible to a variety of English Learners isn’t rocket science! With intentional planning and implementation of best practices, you can support multilingual learners with deepening their understanding of science concepts AND developing their English language proficiency.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn more about collaborating and intentionally developing resources for a range of English language learners.

SPEAKERS:
David Flores (Title III Resource Teacher: Charlotte, NC), Christina Mahar (English Language Resource Teacher: Charlotte, NC), Darlene Keyser (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: Charlotte, NC)

Inclusive Excellence in Elementary STEM: Supporting future teachers in designing rigorous STEM classrooms that center equity and engage ALL students

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A405


STRAND: Equity and Justice

Show Details

In this session, the presenters will share specific strategies and an intentional design for preparing elementary STEM teachers to create inclusive and equitable STEM classroms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about specific strategies to create inclusive STEM classrooms. Elementary STEM educators will model ways in which they have revised curriculum and integrated specific STEM pedagogy that is inclusive, culturally sustaining, and rooted in social justice.

SPEAKERS:
Bonnie Maur (Sacred Heart University: Fairfield, CT)

I Want to See Me in My Science Learning…Using Literacy to Meet the Needs of All Science Learners

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B308


STRAND: Equity and Justice

Show Details

This session is presented by members of the Georgia Science Teachers Association Board of Directors and shares ways to incorporate literacy in science lessons using inclusive teaching strategies. The session will be a panel presentation that addresses using a broad range of analogies, a mix of textual and visual representations, inclusion of examples that include both women and ethnic minority groups, students with disabilities, use of funds of knowledge, a variety of learning exercises and assessments and the use of rubrics. Justin Harvey (GSTA Director) is submitting this proposal on behalf of the GSTA Board, but he is not one of the presenters. The panel of presenters include: Teresa Massey, GA District 10 Director Robert Bice, GA District 1 Director Jane Reed, District 2 Director Michelle Thompson, District 8 Director Kathryn Mullen, District 12 Director Melissa Niemi, GSTA President-Elect

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will see how the need to consider diversity is important for all students learning science. Participants will gain research-based strategies for integrating diversity in science lessons that meet the needs of all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Teresa Massey (Graduate Student), Michelle Thompson (Effingham College and Career Academy: No City, No State)

Student Created Visual Representations - Elevating the Traditional Word Wall

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

Georgia World Congress Center - A301


STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

Looking for an innovative way to bring to life the science vocabulary your students need to know? This session will cover a strategy to enhance the ol' word wall of the past into an engaging learning experience that is low prep for the teacher with maximum benefit for the student.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with the ability to create an engaging visual representation wall, knowledge of current brain science behind building vocabulary memory, and factors to consider when prioritizing key vocabulary words.

SPEAKERS:
CHRISTINA SPEARS (Director of Teaching Academy: Comfort, TX)

Learn Science for Good: Deepening Engagement through True Student Empowerment

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

Georgia World Congress Center - A303


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Deepen engagement for all students by showing them the power of science to impact their worlds.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with practical strategies for empowering students to apply their learning to have a positive impact on their communities.

SPEAKERS:
Ben Talsma (Van Andel Education Institute: Grand Rapids, MI)

Supporting Productive Adaptations in Instructional Materials through Professional Learning

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B406a/b


STRAND: Research to Practice

Show Details

Professional learning is critical for identifying and using high-quality instructional materials and can be provided in multiple ways. Join us as we examine criteria for choosing high-quality professional learning experiences in K-5 science. Participants will explore useful tools and just-in-time supports for personal professional learning that meet teachers where they are. We will collaborate to refine expectations for professional learning that supports K-5 learning. Participants will have a different lens for knowing the types of support that are critical when evaluating and implementing high-quality instructional materials Brilliance and Strengths Report: Recommendation 10, 12, 14

TAKEAWAYS:
Professional learning should be connected to curriculum materials and be flexible enough to meet teachers needs.

SPEAKERS:
Shelly LeDoux (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX), Carla Zembal-Saul (Penn State: University Park, PA), Heidi Carlone (Vanderbilt University Peabody College: Nashville, TN), Mary Starr (Michigan Mathematics and Science Leadership Network)

Bringing Dialogue to Teacher Training: Using Cases to Enrich PL and Tackle Tough Situations in the Science Classroom

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A315


STRAND: Leadership and Advocacy

Show Details

Admins, Supervisors & TLs: Do you need a new way to engage your teachers about equity issues? Focusing on diversity, technology, assessment, and more, we will model case-based pedagogy as a tool for your learning community to have tough discussions. K-5 Resources Provided (focus), 6-12 Available.

TAKEAWAYS:
School leaders will be able to use cases (short stories around a central dilemma) to create a layered dialogue bringing together multiple stakeholders in a learning community. Multiple cases will be provided as take-home resources and training material for attendees.

SPEAKERS:
Chelsea Sexton (University of Georgia: Athens, GA)

I Spy with My Science Eye

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A408


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

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)

In Flight with Paper Airplanes: An Exploration with Elementary Engineering

Saturday, March 25 • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B401


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

This session will demonstrate drag, gravity, thrust and lift and how those forces are integrated into a unit that uses paper airplanes to explore science and engineering practices and disciplinary literacy techniques in reading and writing with Amelia Earhart, aviator & champion of women’s rights.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will come away from this session with concrete resources on how key concepts in physical science can be embedded within an engaging unit using airplanes that also support student learning in the practices of science and engineering.

SPEAKERS:
Michele Koomen (Research Professor: No City, No State)

PreK and Elementary Science Teaching: A synthesis of DRK-12 Investments

Saturday, March 25 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B401


STRAND: Professional Learning

Show Details

The purpose of this session is to discuss research findings from a synthesis we conducted from projects funded by the NSF's DRK-12 program related to improving preK and elementary science teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
More research is needed in lower elementary grades and professional development lasting a year or longer showed promised in increasing teachers' self-efficacy and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK).

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Ferguson (Researcher: Arlington, VA)

Collaborating with Students to Assess Talent Development in Young, Gifted Scientists

Saturday, March 25 • 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B311


STRAND: Assessment

Show Details

Gifted students are a unique population we rarely have time to focus on while common misconceptions often prevent them from reaching full potential. This session offers an assessment tool to help students capitalize on strengths and realize their own potential in a STEM classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
A Total Talent Portfolio can be used to identify students’ interests, preferred learning styles, and expression styles to leverage motivation, engagement, & autonomy. A Talent Portfolio also serves as an assessment tool teachers can use to document talent development throughout the year.

SPEAKERS:
Bailey Nafziger (Georgia Southern University)

Inclusive Strategies and Interventions for In-Person and Remote STEM Instruction

Saturday, March 25 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B216


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

The need for all students to have STEAM-related strategies and practices that work is paramount for a equitable classroom. This presentation is to provide recommendations to support students with and without disabilities in remote and in-person classroom environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to implement evidence-based strategies for STEAM instruction that work for students with and without disabilities in a a variety of instructional settings.

SPEAKERS:
Jonté Taylor (Penn State: University Park, PA)

Building Sustainable & Inclusive K-5 STEM Teacher Leaders

Saturday, March 25 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B316


Show Details

In this session we will share our model for sustainable and inclusive K-5 STEM teacher leadership, drawn from experiences working with teams of teachers and administrators. This work is part of an NSF-funded capacity-building initiative in preparation for a larger project which seeks to develop a robust cadre of Master Teacher Fellows. Our model for STEM teacher leadership is unique in that (1) it is focused on STEM learning at the K-5 level; (2) it centers equity and inclusivity in STEM teaching, and (3) it takes place within the context of a state that recently adopted K-12 climate change standards. We will first share the model and how it came to be. Then, we will provide examples of ways in which STEM teacher leaders can lead innovation within and across many contexts including schools, communities, professional organizations, and through social media.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will share a model for sustainable and inclusive K-5 STEM teacher leadership and examples of ways to leverage the assets of these leaders to bring about innovation in schools, communities, and society at large.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Taylor (Assistant Professor of Special Education), Helen Corveleyn (Timberlane Middle School: No City, No State), Melissa Zrada (The College of New Jersey: Ewing, NJ), Lauren Madden (The College of New Jersey: Ewing, NJ)

Engaging with Critical Literacies in the Elementary Science Classroom: Introducing a Tool for Analyzing Children’s Picture Books

Saturday, March 25 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - C212



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Engaging with Critical Literacies to Analyze Childrens STEM Picture Books
PowerPoint Slides from the Session contain background on the potential of children's picture books for science learning, the development of the analysis tool, and examples from pre-service teachers using the tool to analyze STEM picture books and design a lesson plan featuring equity pedagogies.

Show Details

Science methods instructors will share how they engaged pre-service teachers in critical analysis of children’s STEM picture books and the design of literacy-integrated science lessons addressing equity and social justice. The critical analysis tool will be featured along with teaching implications.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the ways teachers could use the critical tool to analyze children’s science picture books, as a way to become more critical readers, facilitate equity-oriented science discussions for their students, and ultimately develop more inclusive classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Carmen Vanderhoof (Penn State: University Park, PA)

Beyond Career Day - Engaging Elementary Students in Thinking About STEM Careers

Saturday, March 25 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B408


STRAND: STEAM or STEM

Show Details

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), Cameron McKinley (Technology Integration Coach), Kristen Record (Bunnell High School - National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY): No City, No State)

Science Media for Young Learners

Saturday, March 25 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A408



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Science Media for Young Learners Resource List

STRAND: Technology and Media

Show Details

Purposeful use of quality media and text is especially important for young learners, a group often overlooked in the development of science media. Media can connect science content to students’ lives and make the material more accessible to more students.

TAKEAWAYS:
You’ll leave the session with a list of resources and ideas for actively engaging your students with media during science instruction and tips for supporting your students in engaging in science practices.

SPEAKERS:
Shawn Stevens (GBH Education: Brighton, MA)

Leading Science Through an Equity-Based MTSS Framework

Saturday, March 25 • 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A315


STRAND: Leadership and Advocacy

Show Details

Systemic inequities inhibit access to high quality science instruction. Using an equity-based MTSS framework, we use the Leadership 4 Justice Framework to recognize, dismantle and rebuild initiatives to ensure they are truly serving ALL students. Participants create a Vision 4 Justice for science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Use MTSS to RECOGNIZE systems of inequity and racist policies, particularly in science. Discuss strategies to DISMANTLE these systems and achieve equitable outcomes, and Explore ways to REBUILD systems by creating a Leadership 4 Justice action plan outline to take back to your leadership teams.

SPEAKERS:
Marie Gorman (STEM 4 Real: San Francisco, CA), Leena McLean (STEM4Real)

Advancing Elementary Content Integration with science as the anchor: Statewide model for supporting the brilliance of children

Saturday, March 25 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B401



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Materials Google Folder
Additional materials corresponding to the session (e.g., slides, handout, etc.)
Session Slides - Advancing Elementary Content Integration with Science

STRAND: Leadership and Advocacy

Show Details

This interactive session will share a statewide model for systems-level change anchored in science where participants reflect on their own contexts to advance content integration anchored in science. Participants will engage in a discussion about how the focus of content integration could be a high-leverage strategy at a systems level for enacting change in elementary science teaching and learning and for supporting learning for all children. Participants will learn about the model created by Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction's in collaboration with The Lawrence Hall of Science to discuss the strengths, challenges and affordances of this ongoing approach. Participants will have opportunities to share the conditions of their own contexts, reflect on how the strategies employed in this model may apply in their own systems, and identify entry points for beginning and/or advancing implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about a statewide model for supporting education systems in enacting content integration anchored in science, and will be able to reflect on their own systems’ context in order to identify their next step towards content integration.

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

What does Problem-Driven Learning look like in an NGSS Classroom?

Saturday, March 25 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B408


STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

This presentation provides guidance on what it can look like for NGSS-designed instructional materials to support all students to design solutions to real-world problems and use them to drive instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
In the NGSS, problems are defined as “situations somebody wants to change,” which is different from construction or design projects, where the ultimate goal is achieving a design or tinkering. Real-world problems can create intrinsic motivation for students to learn science and engineering ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Childress Self (NextGenScience: San Francisco, CA), Neelo Soltanzadeh (WestEd: San Francisco, CA)

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