Come learn some fun hands on activities that you can use in your classroom and/or lab that don't cost an arm and a leg! We will focus on activities for Chemistry, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, and Physical Science. Everything from student made projects to instructor demos!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees with leave with Low Cost Hands-On Activities.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Knowles (Teacher), Rachel Kakesh (Bowdon High School: Bowdon, GA)

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)

Want to make phenomena come alive for your students? Well use live animals for your phenomena! In this session, Samuel Pruitt will show how to use the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) teaching strategy and an array of live reptiles as phenomena to teach biology and environmental science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) and live animals in biology and environmental science phenomena can provide critical to learning and can be motivational to students. This session will blend the CER teaching strategy with the interest that comes from using live reptiles in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Samuel Pruitt (Biology/Environmental Science Teacher: , GA)

Experience two novel instructional routines supporting the integration of NGSS Crosscutting Concepts; learn how these routines can be used to foster belonging in science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will come away with a deeper understanding of how to use the CCCs to foster belonging in science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Joy Otibu (Mott Hall Bronx High School: Bronx, NY), Andrea Sau (Mott Hall Bronx High School: Bronx, NY)

Join us to learn how to introduce the practices of modeling and scientific argumentation at the beginning of the school year by using phenomenon-based instruction. We will share how our Biology PLC helped students to define a model for life that could be used to determine if a virus is living .

TAKEAWAYS:
Phenomena can serve as a way to introduce and build skills in the science practices. Students will develop a model based on one organism and use that model to construct an argument about whether a virus is living.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal McDowell (Greenbrier High School: Evans, GA)

It is a challenge to help students not only figure out science ideas, but how to work together and support each other. This panel of classroom teachers will explore how co-constructed community agreements, returned to throughout the year, can help students participate in a scientific community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand how community agreements are used in OpenSciEd and other high school classrooms to support collective and equitable sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Patton (Denver Public Schools), Joe Kremer (Denver Public Schools: No City, No State), Samantha Pinter (Norwalk Public Schools: Norwalk, CT)

All instructors of science methods courses are invited to bring a favorite activity or assignment to share with colleagues, network with other science teacher educators, and gather new ideas for your future science methods courses!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants who attend this session will have an opportunity to network with other science teacher educators who teach secondary science methods courses to share practices and resources.

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

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)

Techniques such as CRISPR, mitochondrial transfer, and mRNA therapeutics have opened up new possibilities for genetic manipulation, bringing with them new possibilities that can energize the biology curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be introduced to high interest case studies/phenomena to engage their students in human molecule biology and gene therapy.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Miller (Brown University: Providence, RI)

Learn about free NSTA resources that support integrating learning in Life Science, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence. Experience programming your own Artificial Intelligence device on your laptop. Discover the free professional learning resources available to support the lesson materials

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn code to program a simple dialogue with an AI Device. Discover how NSTAs free lessons authentically integrate Life Science, Computer Science, and AI. Learn about free professional learning that supports the lesson materials.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

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)

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)

What was once considered an insurmountable hurdle is becoming more real by the day. Strides are being made in the treatment and cure of both breast cancer and Type 1 diabetes. Join us and learn how to help your students better understand these diseases.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using real case studies, attendees will follow the journeys of a breast cancer survivor and a teenage Type I Diabetic, from diagnosis through treatment.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Lukens (Retired Science Teacher: Sioux Falls, SD)

What does engagement look like in a physics classroom? Movement, noise, and fun! Learn about how you can include all students in your physics classroom. Take home a sample lesson plan on 1-D kinematics and learn more about project-based learning, cross-curricular lessons, and real-world designing.

TAKEAWAYS:
Make physics accessible to all learners by encouraging curiosity, creativity, and promoting equity, inclusion, and engagement through an exploratory instructional strategy.

SPEAKERS:
Tita Anderson Lovell (Paul Duke STEM High School: Norcross, GA)

Learn how to add the third form of circular motion, galactic rotation, to your lessons on circular and planetary motion and let your students find out how dark matter was discovered from a simple physics principle. Lesson and slides provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students will learn that galactic rotational motion follows different rules than either circular motion or Kepler’s planetary motion laws. That discrepancy will lead students to their own discovery of dark matter.

SPEAKERS:
John Clark (Volusia Online Learning: Port Orange, FL)

How can you use science inquiry for engineering design? What makes a lesson "engineering design"? Learn three go-to teacher strategies for integrating engineering into science lessons for all grades. Leave with free resources, templates, and terrific ideas for confidently integrating the "E."

TAKEAWAYS:
You'll learn how to integrate the E without wasting precious science time by making three strategic moves: set up enticing phenomenon-driven challenges, grow student engineering identity through creative problem definition, and scaffold engineering tasks that require science investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Katey Shirey (edukatey: Washington, DC)

Are you looking to integrate discovery engineering design principles and historical case studies into your biology class? Attend this session to explore serendipitous, real-world stories that have influenced engineering discoveries and learn how to incorporate these ideas in your classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants attending this session will explore historical case studies describing discovery engineering stories and learn how to integrate case studies as interactive, data driven activities for students to learn biology and create innovative designs to address specific challenges in biology.

SPEAKERS:
M. Gail Jones (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC), Rebecca Hite (Texas Tech University: Lubbock, TX), Gina Childers (Texas Tech University: Lubbock, TX)

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)

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)

Ungrading! Have you thought about the implications of you assigning grades to your students. What if instead you asked your students the grade themselves on their learning? This session will present the pros and pitfalls of what this looks like in the high school chemistry classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Once the stress and challenges of the teacher giving grades to the students is removed the students are allowed to focus on the learning. Imagine how your classroom will change for the better.

SPEAKERS:
Richard Fitzner (Chemistry Teacher: Beverly Hills, MI)

Looking for ways to personalize learning and implement the 5E's (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate), come learn how to use Choice & Voice, Varied Strategies, & Flexible Pacing to promote Mastery of Standards

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to see student exemplars of Choice & Voice, and PBL. They will see how ISTE, NSQ standards, 5 E's of Science come together to promote student engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Gaganjot Singh (Fulton Virtual)

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)

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)

How can we use gravity to get electricity? This session showcases a physics/physical science unit based around the phenomenon of the Gravity Light - a small generator that uses falling weights to power an LED lamp. Students develop models and carry out investigations in electricity and magnetism.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave the session with lessons and resources to support them in teaching a three-dimensional, phenomenon-based unit where students perform hands-on investigations and develop models to understand the relationship between electricity and magnetism.

SPEAKERS:
Alan Cummings (Physics Teacher: No City, No State), Justin Harvey (Brookwood High School: Snellville, GA)

Come learn from the National Free Flight Society (NFFS) and Science Olympiad about how easy it is for to use free flight model aircraft in your classroom to help students master the three dimensions of the NGSS related to Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the art of the possible when it comes to using flight as topic to engage students in their study of forces, free body diagrams, and Newton's Laws.

SPEAKERS:
John Loehr (Science Olympiad: Oakbrook Terrace, IL)

Come learn from a fellow chemistry teacher how to incorporate history and culture using chapters from Napoleon's Buttons. We will focus on Birth Control Pill, Malaria Pill, and DDT by DuPont. Mini-lessons will be enacted and full lessons for chapters will be shared at the end of the semester.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the history, chemistry, and cultural implications of the Birth Control Pill, Malaria medicines, and DDT. Real-world applications will be addressed and lessons will be shared that have been tested in high school chemistry classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Benkoski (Greene County High School: Greensboro, GA), Lacey Huffling (Georgia Southern University: Statesboro, GA)

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)

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)

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)

We will discuss engineering design within the context of the NGSS. Focusing on the decline of pollinators, participants will develop prototypes of native bees and dry pollination techniques to demonstrate how to develop engineering lessons using problem-based phenomena and engineering design.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will have the opportunity to experience an engineering design lesson aligned to NGSS, develop and test prototypes of native bees, and engage in meaningful discussions of engineering design within the context of 3-dimensional science and engineering teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Rita Hagevik (The University of North Carolina at Pembroke: LAURINBURG, NC), Kathy Trundle (Utah STate University: No City, No State), Laura Wheeler (Assistant Professor: , UT)

Participants will explore how any level of inquiry can transform STEM lessons. Preservice and in-service teachers will engage in guided, structured and open inquiry formats that can be effectively utilized with various student populations. Activities and discussions allow participants to analyze how

TAKEAWAYS:
How to incorporate structured, guided and open inquiry in any STEM subject

SPEAKERS:
Selene Verhofstad (Dobie High School: Houston, TX), Faryal Shaukat (Dobie High School: Houston, TX)

Geoscience Teaching Outdoors in NC cultivates an active and equitable geo-STEM learning ecosystem. Gain activities and discuss best practices for phenomenon-based learning about earth systems using technology and citizen science to support a diverse future workforce and STEM-literate public.

TAKEAWAYS:
Supporting a geo-STEM learning ecosystem of teachers, informal science centers and geoscience researchers can lead to integration of field experiences focused on locally relevant climate change impacts and solutions into instruction, sparking diverse students’ interest in geoscience careers.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Yelton (UNC Institute for the Environment: Chapel Hill, NC)

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)

Bridging the Gap between the School and the Community through STEM is a very promising strategy designed by the project investigator to increase active parent involvement in the education of their high school teen particularly to the students of chemistry 1 honors through take home STEM projects.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to pick up strategies to improve student learning through STEM and increase parent involvement in the education of their teens

SPEAKERS:
Maria Maderal (Chemistry Teacher)

Feeling timid about embracing the challenge of engaging students in fun and creative engineering design challenges? The presenter will share a method for structuring, scaffolding, and assessing student growth and learning during NGSS aligned engineering design challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engaging students in the engineering design process fosters life long skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Assessment of engineering design should focus on these skills rather than the overall success or failure of a student designed project.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Stasi (Retired Secondary Science Educator: , IL)

Set up a simple lab experiment and watch a cool demo for ways to talk about resources and the environment, using copper as a specific example.

TAKEAWAYS:
Great lab that can be used for many levels of understanding - geology, environmental science, chemistry – with a focus on environmental impact of resource acquisition. Resources to highlight for students the depth and complexity of these issues.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Spohler (Global Impact STEM Academy: Springfield, OH), Briana Richardson (Washington High School: Washington Court House, OH)

Hands-on lab producing graphs critical to understanding properties for engineering bridges and more. With focus on making, interpreting, and teaching the graphs in a classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Cheap and effective beams & bridges labs with graph analysis, iterative design, and real-world applications.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Spohler (Global Impact STEM Academy: Springfield, OH)

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)

Have you given back assignments, after spending hours writing detailed comments, only to have students look at the grade, shrug, and stuff them away? Using feedback is an important and teachable skill. I will describe several effective approaches to get students to read and use that feedback.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will develop of research-based rationale for practicing the skill of “Using Feedback”, that can be used to create a scoring rubric to guide student growth in this area. They will examine several examples of student work, and score them using the rubric.

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

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)

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 strategies for introducing CER writing and strengthening students’ CER writing skills through scaffolded training, peer feedback, teacher feedback, and revision. Rubrics, task templates, and sample tasks will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies for training their students to effectively write CER responses, how to best format practice tasks, and how to provide feedback on responses.

SPEAKERS:
Steve Kuninsky (Science Teacher/Instructional Coach: Lawrenceville, GA)

Explore STEAM with concrete, metal, polymers, and clay. Apply math & design concepts to many real-world examples. Supplies are cheap and students love destructive testing!

TAKEAWAYS:
Affordable labs exploring these properties of material categories and ways to adapt these labs for specific classroom needs while referencing real-world applications and iterative design.

SPEAKERS:
Briana Richardson (Washington High School: Washington Court House, OH)

Is a field trip enough? Connect your science students to STEM career opportunities found within their own community by helping those businesses solve challenges they already face! Participants will gain insight on planning STEM project-based learning units for science courses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Those attending this session will come away with unique ideas about how to connect their students to the STEM community in which they live through problem-based learning units that bring the content to life for the learner and give back to local businesses through student-led problem solving.

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Rushing (PhD Candidate: , VA)

Labs! Assessments! Feedback! Notetaking! Sharing teaching strategies and classroom practices that motivate ALL students and shift ownership of learning from the teacher to the student

TAKEAWAYS:
Increase student engagement for ALL learners by using these tried-and-true strategies and practices for labs, note-taking, feedback, and assessments.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Crowder (Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton: Atherton, CA)

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)

The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) conducts graduate field biology training. Their teaching model is a daily cycle of data collection, analysis, and reporting. The benefits for students 15-18 of a strong commitment to field science include better understanding of scientific arguments, increased confidence in research, communication, and team-building, and a sense of ownership. For high school classes, I stretched the timeline of each research cycle from one day to three weeks. Classes were divided into three-student teams with rotating roles (writing, editing, and presenting). Teams developed hypotheses, carried out field investigations, analyzed data, and shared their results on the final day of each cycle. These activities occupy about 40% of available class time. This adaptation of professional education to high school biology has had the effect of giving students a distinct advantage in experience and confidence as they have moved on to later research opportunities.

TAKEAWAYS:
A strong commitment to a field centered program is a leap, but the diversity of choices for possible research projects can integrate with many curriculum goals and contributes profoundly to students’ excitement, engagement, and analytical skills.

SPEAKERS:
Barry McPhail (Bayside Academy for Advanced World Studies: Mobile, AL)

Join us on a deep dive into STEM comics — from webcomics to graphic novels, and how to effectively incorporate comics into an existing curriculum to teach content and the importance of sequence in science.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to effectively integrate comics and graphic novels into a STEM classroom and get students making their own to express what they know.

SPEAKERS:
Shari Brady (Kaleideum: Winston-Salem, NC), Matt Brady (Atkins High School: Winston-Salem, NC)

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)

NASA Science provides an abundance of resources for learners and educators. The most common question I receive is, "where do I start?" In this session, I will share resources and lessons learned from my 7 years as part of the Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative, a NASA Science Activation partner.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with digital resources and personal connections in order to bring NASA Science to their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Cass (Physics and Astronomy Instructor: Sylva, NC)

Students are taught various scientific concepts that can be applied to a plethora of global phenomena. It is important to connect these concepts to local environments. Learn about a CER investigation that engaged students with thinking about mosquitos and global warming in their neighborhood.

TAKEAWAYS:
By the end of this session, attendees will have an example of a CER investigation that ties big picture concepts and phenomena to a student's local environment. This investigation can be seen as a framework and modified to fit different phenomena while still allowing students to think critically.

SPEAKERS:
Alexander Eden (Florida International University: Miami, FL)

In The Story of Our Stuff, students choose an everyday object, trace its history backwards to its roots in natural resources, and its future all the way to the point when it returns to the earth. They represent the story in a creative way.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students make connections about mining and agriculture, consumerism and the value of everyday objects, transportation, energy, and the value of workers and artists.

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

Apply science in a real-world activity and combine science skills needed by CSIs in this activity. Students take on the role of a CSI, become part of the story , walk around and engage with classmates, faculty and staff while competing to see who can solve the mystery.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will analyze blood stain patterns in order to determine the mechanism by which the patterns are created. identify the red blood cell antigens and antibodies in human blood types and will demonstrate proper evidence collection techniques at a crime scene.

SPEAKERS:
Lori Barber (Teacher: Quinlan, TX)

The intent of the National Quantum Initiative is to increase awareness of quantum in grades K-12. The Quantum for All project has focused on the challenges of this initiative by working with high school STEM teachers and students. We will discuss the challenges, successes, and resources available

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about QISE national standards and resources available for their classroom

SPEAKERS:
Karen Matsler (University of Texas Arlington: No City, No State)

Experience a lesson where students take on roles of stakeholders while engaging in guided research, discussion, and designing solutions to address algal blooms in Florida. Plans, protocols, and templates for student work and collaboration will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn a strategy for guiding students to research and generate solutions an environmental issue that impacts various stakeholders in different ways. I want attendees to see the need to teach skills related to research, discussion, and consensus building.

SPEAKERS:
Steve Kuninsky (Science Teacher/Instructional Coach: Lawrenceville, GA)

Using the marine science resources created by teachers for teachers on Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) EARTH website. Teachers learn how to navigate the lesson plans available on the website, how to become an EARTH teacher and how to “adopt a float” to collect data from the ocean.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain authentic marine science data and lesson plans to use in your classroom!

SPEAKERS:
Megan McCall (Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies: No City, No State)

This talk presents low-cost, safe, and home-based chemistry lab activities that can be used for face-to-face or online chemistry labs. The activities use the iodine clock reaction and dropwise titration method to analyze the vitamin C content in juice samples.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use the iodine clock reaction and dropwise titrations to analyze vitamin C in juice samples.

SPEAKERS:
Sharron Jenkins (Georgia Gwinnett College: Lawrenceville, GA)

Explore strategies to modify various storylines that increase belonging and student identity in the science classroom. Testimonies from biology and special education teachers who have implemented storylines to bring NGSS and equity to students with learning needs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to recognize barriers to students' success and implement strategies via storylines to remove those barriers and promote equity in the classroom. Participants will be able to modify storyline activities as we discuss and work through the modification process.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Pavic (Glenbrook South High School: Glenview, IL)

Social and Emotional Learning is most effective when intentionally interwoven into the fabric of a course. Students are increasingly successful in the science classroom when they feel a strong sense of belonging and have high hopes in their lives.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be shown multiple frameworks (i.e. Habits of Mind, Formative Five, CASEL) that can be implemented into everyday curriculum to support the development of success skills and well-being in students. A catalog of aligned activities as well as an implementation template will be provided.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Rose (Adlai E. Stevenson High School: Lincolnshire, IL), Molly Greenberg (Adlai E. Stevenson High School: Lincolnshire, IL)

This presentation will cover an effective coding strategy that our team has applied to evaluate initiatory and responding practices during student teaching. Pre-service and in-service teachers are encouraged to transcribe and analyze audio recordings of classroom interactions for self-evaluation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be introduced to (1) a recommended chart for coding teacher/student interactions, and (2) the value of self-evaluation in improving teaching practices with the goal of promoting student engagement and dialogue.

SPEAKERS:
Allie Randall (7th Grade Science Teacher), Sharon Davis (Student Teacher: No City, No State), Christie Chow (University of Georgia: Athens, GA)

In this session, the teachers will start out by receiving a detailed explanation of what makes an effective infographic for the classroom. We will then work through several examples of high-quality infographics and how they can be used in the classroom. When the session is over the teacher should leave with multiple lesson ideas and a better understanding of infographics in the classroom and how their addition to the classroom can increase student understanding and engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
The teacher will leave with a better understanding of infographics and how to use them as a tool within the classroom curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Rob Lamb (Pattonville High School: Maryland Heights, MO)

Find out how to modify your current instruction to better communicate the true nature and process of science using tools from the Understanding Science website. Help students recognize science as a dynamic, exciting, creative, and intensely human endeavor!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use two resources from the Understanding Science project: an interactive journaling tool to document the process of science and stories that make the nature and process of science explicit, both of which address NGSS SEPs and reflect NSTA’s 2020 position statement.

SPEAKERS:
Betsy Barent (Lincoln Public Schools: No City, No State), Anastasia Thanukos (University of California Museum of Paleontology: Berkeley, CA)

This session will highlight some of the practices that can be used to encourage student engagement, authentic work, and efficacy in the virtual environment. Through years of experience in a traditional face-to-face environment, a blended/hybrid online environment, and a fully virtual environment, t

TAKEAWAYS:
A major takeaway of this session will be strategies and ideas that teachers can immediately implement in their classroom to engage their online learners and gauge their mastery of the classroom standards rather than students’ internet savvy.

SPEAKERS:
Bethany Lambert (Online Content Developer & Science Teacher: No City, No State)

This session will highlight how to embed literacy strategies to increase engagement, fluency and comprehension in biology through the phenomenon of Sickle Cell Gene Therapy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn new strategies that can be used in the classroom to increase engagement, fluency and comprehension.

SPEAKERS:
Elissa Blount (Vidalia High School: Vidalia, GA)

Do you have dry skin? Evaluate a variety of skin care products on simulated skin cells using Orbeez super absorbent polymers in an inquiry-based lab.

TAKEAWAYS:
Take home an exciting new inquiry-based lesson to incorporate into any biology or anatomy and physiology class.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Mason (University of Wisconsin-Stout: Menomonie, WI), Gregory Matthias (University of Wisconsin-Stout: Menomonie, WI)

Through the reflective process students have the opportunity to grow as learners. Using this contemplative tool, students develop a deeper understanding of their own learning process and how to grow as a result of the reflection.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will receive a tool to support student growth as learners and contemplate applicability to their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Tara Bonebrake (The Summit Preparatory School: Springfield, MO)

Explanation & implementation of BCA (before-change-after) tables used in stoichiometry. And why you should try it in your Chemistry class.

TAKEAWAYS:
Research about BCA stoichiometry: what it is, how to use it, & teacher experiences implementing.

SPEAKERS:
Jordan Tidrick (Walton High School)

This presentation will showcase a one-trimester class for high school upperclassmen based on the book Napoleon’s Buttons by Jay Burreson and Penny Le Couteur. It will introduce a chemistry-based set of labs, explore literacy connections, and participants will partake in a version of a hands-on lab.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will get an overview of our class structure and activities and will participate in a hands-on lab that applies chemistry to history. In the session, we will emphasize cross-disciplinary connections in teaching chemistry, and teachers will have practical examples for their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Ager (Chemistry Teacher)

Our problem based learning project ‘Impacts to biodiversity on campus,’ merges scientific inquiry and hands-on, authentic experiences. We share our unit sequence, materials and methods, and finished products as well as the intangible benefits such as class camaraderie and appreciation for science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the unit sequence, materials and methods, and finished products of our problem based ecology unit, as well as intangibles such as class camaraderie, enthusiasm and appreciation for the challenges of science.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Jenkins (Rabun Gap Nacoochee School: Rabun Gap, GA)

Starting with a 3D learning target will ensure you build a lesson that includes a strong connection between Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Cross-Cutting Concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will create 3D learning targets and outline lessons that guide students through sense making instruction as they explore scientific content.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Suarez (Northwest ISD: Fort Worth, TX), Courtney Toht (Northwest ISD: Fort Worth, TX)

Do you want your students to see themselves as scientists? Learn about an innovative approach to promoting equity in your classroom by having students research scientists and researchers in your field to discover unsung heroes in science!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how one science teacher modified a national project and competition to reach students in her marine science classes and help build a set of women and people of color who have contributed to our understanding of the world around us.

SPEAKERS:
Tami Lunsford (Newark Charter School: Newark, DE)

Promoting scientific literacy is a critical 21st century skill for all students to obtain, but it can be challenging to incorporate this into your classroom due to time constraints and content coverage concerns. We use a variety of readily available, free resources to help students develop the skills associated with the NGSS Science Practices 1, 4, 5, 6, & 7. In this session, we will model this process by having educators complete one of the data activities together and discuss possible ways to scaffold and differentiate for students. We will also provide student examples of work from our classrooms in order to show educators what to expect and how we implement them.. Educators will leave with copies of several activities that are ready to implement in their classrooms, including tips for differentiation, student self-assessment and extension activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science requires data analysis skills and critical thinking skills. These skills are part of the Next Gen Science Standards (NGSS) as well as state science standards. How do we promote these skills in our students? How do we teach these skills? We will share our strategies!

SPEAKERS:
Emily Boatwright (Wren High School: Piedmont, SC), Mary Dillingham (Wren High School: Piedmont, SC)

A team of middle/high school STEM teachers with university teacher educators lead a discussion about what we’ve learned from planning, implementing, and evaluating social-justice-oriented STEM lessons in school districts with varying support for integrating social justice into the curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants receive lesson samples that (i) define a target concept aligned with curriculum, learning targets, and social justice issue; (ii) identifies the STEM-knowledge informing the issue, (iii) articulates discourse boundaries, and (iv) anticipates varying student perspectives on the issue.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Barrett (Marietta High School: Marietta, GA), Marshai Waiters (Marietta Middle School: Marietta, GA), Mike Dias (Kennesaw State University: Kennesaw, GA)

In this session, we will share a jigsaw style activity that uses 4 primary source readings and a series of questions arranged to help build understanding with secondary students about the cultural significance of milkweed.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will offer specific examples of lessons and assignments using phenology of native plants, including common milkweed (and monarch butterflies) that support students to learn and relate indigenous science and disciplinary core ideas in ecological concepts with personal or cultural connections.

SPEAKERS:
Jake Ross (Student: Saint Peter, MN), Emelia Hinrichs (Student), Michele Koomen (Research Professor: No City, No State)

Agile is becoming increasingly dominant as a project-management methodology. We will share our experience with applying Agile principles in a high school setting, using a physics and engineering electricity/circuits project as an example.

TAKEAWAYS:
Exposing students to Agile can not only prepare them for internships and careers, but also help them develop better time management, self-assessment, and work evaluation skills. Learn how we adapted Agile for a high school science class, as well as general advice for applying Agile in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick McClanahan (Teacher: Suwanee, GA)

Hear experiences of implementing a Project Based Learning approach, based upon the Sprocket AP Environmental Science Curriculum, to increase engagement for diverse learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to modify the Sprocket PBL curriculum to create culturally responsive teaching and learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Pavic (Glenbrook South High School: Glenview, IL)

Allowing students to work at their own pace within the framework of a highly structured classroom leads to true differentiation and increases equity. The many pros, and few cons, to this classroom practice will be discussed, as well as practical techniques for implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
An introduction to self-paced learning and how you can successfully implement it in your course, leading to true differentiation and increased equity.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Mallory (Instructor of Biology: Durham, NC)

I will share some favorite chemistry introductory, conceptual, and review activities. Join me for instructions, how-tos, and tips/tricks for using these activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be provided with instructions to create activities, student handouts, teacher guidelines, and our tips & tricks for successful implementation in class.

SPEAKERS:
Jordan Tidrick (Walton High School)

How do we prepare our youth of today to become tomorrow’s future leaders and decision makers? In this presentation, we will explore a Marine Science course designed to instruct students through experiential learning in our changing world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore a Marine Science course designed to instruct students through experiential learning in our changing world.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Dushay (High School Science Teacher)

Help bridge representation gaps by giving students the opportunity to see themselves and their cultures reflected in STEM. We'll share standards-aligned stories from history to incorporate into your lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain a better sense of why inclusive representation matters; 2. consider how STEM is a human achievement, built by people of all backgrounds; 3. learn about historic figures that are not taught in traditional settings to get started in creating a more inclusive, diverse STEM picture

SPEAKERS:
Katie Busch (The University of Alabama at Birmingham: Birimingham, AL)

Get ready for the NGSS with ways to sequence instruction that promote long-lasting understanding for your students by using a simple yet powerful sensemaking approach: Explore-Before-Explain.

TAKEAWAYS:
Develop knowledge of important planning considerations covers becoming an “explore-before-explain” teacher and designing lessons that use the assets all students bring to learning science through inquiry-based approaches.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Brown (Fort Zumwalt School District R-II: O'Fallon, MO)

This session will explore strategies to ensure students are receiving the opportunities and coaching necessary to develop proficiency in the science and engineering practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand the roles of guided and independent practice, when to use each, and a system for supporting students as they engage with the science and engineering practices.

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

Gene expression is a key topic in the AP Biology curriculum that can be difficult for students to investigate and explore. In this lesson, students are introduced to RNA sequencing and are able to analyze NASA data to create hypotheses of how space impacts biological functions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be guided through the process of analyzing RNA sequencing data using the GeneLab platform so they can use this tool to teach gene expression in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Bliss (Teacher)

How can you bring sensemaking to life in your classroom? Explore how to create deep connections within your classroom community between students and to the science ideas while working purposefully together to make lasting meaning while investigating phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
By exploring a few common examples and considering a specific aspect of their own learning environments, participants will explore how to pull all the pieces of their science teaching practice together to engage students in ways that are relevant and meaningful to them.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Passmore (University of California, Davis: Davis, CA)

The session will include various research and strategies used to improve science and literacy achievement of English Language Learners. Teachers and school leaders in STEM will be equipped to engage with their students through culturally relevant pedagogy as well as universal design learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to incorporate culturally relevant pedagogy to help EBs in science

SPEAKERS:
Faryal Shaukat (Dobie High School: Houston, TX), Selene Verhofstad (Dobie High School: Houston, TX)

Engagement in scientific sense-making necessitates rich classroom discourse. We will explore strategies for students to present their ideas, engage in reasoned argumentation, refine their ideas, and reach shared conclusions. Walk away with many ready-to-use resources!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will examine common teacher-talk patterns, plan goals for conversations, and explore creating a classroom environment in which students openly share ideas, clarify understandings, and draw conclusions to deepen their learning experience.

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

Ever had a project fail? Too difficult or easy? Students make great products but without actually learning or using the content? We will share our journey of learning to plan better projects through a way of thinking anchored in real-world engineering ideology: thinking in Solution/Problem Space.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn to consider how the criteria and constraints you set for a project will affect the Solution Space your students must navigate. This will help you avoid trivial or unaligned solutions, as well as more easily create projects with rich potential for students to create imaginative solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick McClanahan (Teacher: Suwanee, GA)

The Bengal Biodiesel program was launched six years ago with a goal to help students fuel their futures by gaining professional experience while still in high school. In this elective Chemistry course, students work together to transform waste vegetable oil into a sustainable diesel substitute: 100% biodiesel. Students experience an industry-standard lab environment as they rotate through and assume the responsibilities of our five departments; Production, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Research and Development, and Communications. This session will provide teachers an overview of the Bengal Biodiesel program, including history, key partnerships, and student impact stories (15 minutes). Teachers will also learn practical strategies for implementing student-centered experiential learning opportunities in their own courses (30 minutes). Attendees will engage in an activity and discussion throughout the session (15 minutes).

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain insight and inspiration for developing an immersive, student centered experience. Presenters will share direct student impacts of the Bengal Biodiesel program, as well as the challenges, highlights, and key partnerships that have made the program successful.

SPEAKERS:
Casey Giust (Science Teacher: Blythewood, SC), Will Epps (Science Teacher: Blythewood High School, SC)

Explore classroom-tested techniques that shift the focus to learning, boost engagement, and de-emphasize grades.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to build a flexible framework that takes students through a learning progression as they engage with science practices and content.

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

Dr. Michael Wysession, NGSS co-author and geophysics professor, will explore ideas for storylines and curricular phenomena related to tipping points within Earth’s climate system, which are an important and exciting part of the most current research in climate science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Climate system tipping points are an engaging topic for helping students understand the NGSS crosscutting concept of Stability and Change, as well as address NGSS several performance expectations in Earth and space science.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Wysession (Washington University in St. Louis: Saint Louis, MO)

Content academic language proficiency is developed through creating daily opportunities for English Learners to read, write and speak in the classroom. Learn instructional strategies that will allow you to differentiate the various proficiency levels in your classroom so that all students have the

TAKEAWAYS:
1. create and implement opportunities to support language development in the science classroom; 2. understand how to scaffold instructional strategies for English Learners, and 3: understand the Cummins quadrants to plan targeted lessons specific to the needs of their English Learners proficiency.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsey Curiel (Region 4 Education Service Center: Houston, TX)

Join NSTA Professional Learning Facilitators for informal conversations about science teaching and learning. Bring questions and ideas to explore and discuss — no topic is too big or too small! Let’s work together to make science learning engaging, important, and accessible to all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
We’ll draw on the expertise of NSTA professional learning facilitators and educators in the room to answer questions, provide research-based feedback, and share resources to help you continue to shift your practice toward three-dimensional teaching and learning.