2023 Atlanta National Conference

March 22-25, 2023

All sessions added to My Agenda prior to this notice have been exported to the mobile app and will be visible in your account when the app launches. Any sessions added now, will also have to be added in the app.
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Pathway/Course

FILTERS APPLIED:6 - 8, Presentation, Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice, General Science

 

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

NSTA First-Timers Orientation Session

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B402


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Feeling overwhelmed by all there is to see and do at an NSTA conference on science education? Join us for an interactive exploration through the conference app and NSTA’s social media. By the end of the session, you will know just how to get the most from your conference experience in addition to bu

Discover NSTA’s Digital Resources and Online Community

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

Georgia World Congress Center - A407


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Explore the NSTA Website with us! NSTA provides high-quality digital resources and opportunities—all within a professional community—that supports professional learning and classroom instruction. NSTA staff will be available to answer questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will become knowledgeable about the plethora of digital resources available on NSTA’s website, about the live events, and professional learning community that can help them enhance their knowledge and improve their teaching practices.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Sensemaking and the Crosscutting Concepts Pathway Kickoff

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B401


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

This is the first session in the PL Committee CCCs Pathway and is designed to support K-12. This session is an opportunity for members of the Professional Learning Committee to recruit and connect with fellow NSTA members. Attendees will be introduced to topics included in the pathway, highlighting how CCCs are used as tools in service of DCIs and SEPs, student sensemaking, and assessment of CCCs to guide further instruction. Using the Framework progression documents and STEM Teaching Tool #41, attendees will have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow participants to uncover vertical progressions of CCCs and leave with tools to use in the classroom to elicit student sensemaking. The PL Committee will utilize research from Jeffery Nordine and Okhee Lee’s book, Crosscutting Concepts: Strengthening Science and Engineering Learning, to ignite the call to action for realizing the power of CCCs.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session is a call to action for realizing the power of CCCs. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with members of NSTA’s PL Committee, gain an overview of the connected sessions included in the pathway, and leave with an invitation to further understandings of sensemaking and CCCs.

SPEAKERS:
Zoe Evans (Bremen City Schools: Bremen, GA), Kimberley Astle (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Olympia, WA), Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Science Teachers Association), Holly Baldwin (Instructional Support Specialist), Christopher Soldat (Grant Wood Area Education Agency: Cedar Rapids, IA), Leah Litz (Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium: No City, No State)

Synergizing Culturally Inclusive Practices & STEAM

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

Georgia World Congress Center - C209


Show Details

During this session, participants will discuss the significance of culture in STEAM learning. Additionally, participants will obtain and practice using a tool to include culturally inclusive practices in STEAM lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Why are culturally inclusive strategies important in STEAM classrooms? How can you synthesize strategies that challenge and engage a diverse group of learners? In this session, we will reveal a planning tool that you can use to support learner success in STEAM classroom settings.

SPEAKERS:
Deanna Taylor (Interactive Learning Solutions LLC: Columbia, SC), Regina Ciphrah (Verbalizing Visions, LLC)

Supporting rigorous student sensemaking through adapting curriculum materials and using thoughtful scaffolding

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

Georgia World Congress Center - A411



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

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

The design of scaffolds can support or take away opportunities for student sensemaking. We will identify scaffolds already built into high quality curriculum, like OpenSciEd, and analyze teacher designed scaffolds to determine if they support or undermine sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Before high quality curriculum, teachers had to aggressively scaffold materials. Teachers will see how the materials support sensemaking without major redesign. They will consider how additional scaffolds may support or undermine student sensemaking elevating the deep expertise of teachers

SPEAKERS:
Hillary Paul Metcalf (Boston College: Stanford, CA), Nicole Ruttan (Boston College: Chestnut Hill, MA), Ji-Sun Ham (School Support Specialist: Chestnut Hill, MA)

Expanding the STEM Narrative: Ensuring All Students Can See Themselves in STEM

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B302


STRAND: Equity and Justice

Show Details

Our session will support science teachers in discovering and incorporating diverse and relevant experiences so ALL students can see themselves as scientists. We will review culturally responsive science instructional practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore the tenets of Culturally Responsive Science Teaching; 2. Understand how all learning is cultural and the importance of access to diverse representation; and 3. Explore the components and values of an inclusive science classroom and the need for students need to see themselves.

SPEAKERS:
Tonya Woolfolk (Houston County Schools: Perry, GA), Patricia Morgan (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA)

Unpacking the Crosscutting Concepts with a Brand New NSTA Quick-Reference Guide to the Three Dimensions

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B301


STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

Come learn how to carefully unpack elements of the Crosscutting Concepts to support the development and implementation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment using this brand-new version of the NSTA Quick-Reference Guide to the Three Dimensions. The “purple book” is now better than ever.

TAKEAWAYS:
A deeper understanding of the Crosscutting Concepts and how a well-designed reference guide can make it easier to unpack the three dimensions for work in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Assessing notebooking through the practices

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

Georgia World Congress Center - A407



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
3-5 Notebooking Assessment tool
6-8 Notebooking Assessment Tool
9-12 Notebook Assessment Tool
K-2 Notebooking Assessment Tool
Slide deck includes all links to resources
TOOL for notebook assessment 3-5
TOOL for notebook assessment 6-8
TOOL for notebook assessment 9-12
TOOL for notebook assessment K-2

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

Science notebooks can be a powerful tool for students to capture their thinking and chart growth in learning. But, how can notebooks be assessed to help students grow in their science and engineering practices? Proficiency rubrics will be shared to allow teachers and students to assess notebooks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave this session with 4 different proficiency scales to assess student notebooks through the science and engineering practices. While notebooks should not be assessed as “right and wrong,” they can be used to help students grow in their science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
Chelsie Byram (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Cedar Falls, IA), Mandie Sanderman (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Cedar Falls, IA)

Leading Regional Change for Science Instruction

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

Georgia World Congress Center - A316



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Leading Regional Change - web links
"One Stop Shopping" for web resources.

STRAND: Leadership and Advocacy

Show Details

Use your position to impact more teachers and students and actualize the NGSS vision. Success stories include: launching an NGSS-aligned curriculum, forming collegial circles, hosting administrator-focused workshops, and providing assessment resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be inspired to form partnerships with formal and informal organizations supporting science education. Participants will hear success stories and receive electronic links to relevant resources.

SPEAKERS:
Harry Rosvally (Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES: Yorktown Heights, NY), David Jacob (Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES: Yorktown Hghts, NY)

Cracking the CER Code: How a Mi-STAR Lesson Can Help Your Students Construct Explanations and Argue from Evidence with Confidence

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

Georgia World Congress Center - A411



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Handout
Mi-STAR Open Ed Resource Off-the-Shelf Lesson Claim, Evidence, Reasoning
Mi-STAR Open Ed Resource Off-the-Shelf Lessons

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

As long as there have been CER templates, there have been students who struggle. What’s the difference between evidence and reasoning, or an explanation and an argument, exactly? Our Mi-STAR CER lesson and templates help answer these questions and they are open to all - join us to learn more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with clear and concise definitions of reasoning, explanations, and argumentation, along with a lesson plan, activities, and templates to help students define and construct all three in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Tubman (Michigan Technological University: Houghton, MI), Chris Geerer (Mi-STAR: , MI)

Assessment Systems to Build Children’s Learning Stories

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B406a/b


STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

COESEE - Join us to learn more about assessment of elementary science learning using elementary learning stories.

TAKEAWAYS:
Creating student learning stories can help support assessment in elementary classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Ewing (The Charles A. Dana Center: No City, No State)

Helping Students (and Teachers) Make Sense of the World Using the SEPs

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B401


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Three-dimensional science instruction puts students at the center of the learning. In this session, we will share how educators statewide engaged in a three-part book study featuring Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices. The three courses are organized around the Investigating, Sensemaking, and Critiquing Practices. Educators explore and demonstrate through a Plan-Do-Study-Act how the Science and Engineering Practices are interwoven in their instruction, focusing on small shifts at a time. Opportunities for collaboration and reflection with other science educators help further individual implementation. We will share strategies, examples, and teacher experiences for engaging and supporting students in sensemaking discussions, developing, using and revising models, and making claims and explanations. In shifting to 3D learning, quick strategies will be shared that build toward more complex classroom shifts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will access teacher professional learning resources including implementing a Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle, embedding instructional coaching, and providing a collaborative space to share classroom practice.

SPEAKERS:
Hope Garton Brown (Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency: Pocahontas, IA), Christopher Soldat (Grant Wood Area Education Agency: Cedar Rapids, IA), Beverly Berns (Keystone Area Education Agency: Elkader, IA)

Accessibility Online? All Students Means All Students

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

Georgia World Congress Center - A412


STRAND: Equity and Justice

Show Details

Much of the technology around us has been designed for persons with different needs. We can now set an alarm just by asking a device to do so. We can enter stores without touching doors, and read captions for the news on television while listening to music on earbuds. Online curriculum needs to mirror this type of access to give all students the ability to engage with content. Can the visually impaired student in a biology classroom use a microscope? Where are videos with captions for hearing impaired students? Can a student with limited dexterity independently access interactive slides? Deliberate planning of online lessons and selective use of virtual resources can help foster your students’ independence and alleviate barriers. Come learn from the experts.

TAKEAWAYS:
All students have unique needs in regards to online learning. Deliberate planning of online lessons and selective use of virtual resources can help foster your students’ independence and alleviate barriers.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Like (Iowa Department of Education: No City, No State), Jennifer Bliss (Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Council Bluffs, IA)

Coaching Teachers in the NGSS

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B405


STRAND: Leadership and Advocacy

Show Details

Have you wondered how to develop capacity and support teachers around the shifts in the Framework and the NGSS? This session will dive into how one teacher discovered the NGSS, moved from novice to apologist and works with teachers to continue to realize the vision of the Framework for Science Ed.

TAKEAWAYS:
This will largely focus on how to support teachers from a leadership perspective to help students engage in all three dimensions of the NGSS. How can we talk with and work with teachers to help them make shifts while developing the needed capacity and not devalue their expertise.

SPEAKERS:
Spencer Martin (Kansas City Kansas Public Schools: Kansas City, KS)

Authentic Learning: Minimizing Human Impact on the Environment to Save an Endangered Species

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

Georgia World Congress Center - C209


STRAND: Assessment

Show Details

Discover an NGSS-aligned, student-driven unit where students are conservation biologists who participate in rigorous opportunities by taking responsibility for their learning, reading scientific papers, analyzing real data, and developing a solution to propose in a culminating exhibition.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with an understanding of how a unit can be designed with a blended approach to project-based learning, standards-based grading, and NGSS as well as with thorough unit resources such as assessments, proficiency rubrics, students exemplars, text sets, and learning tasks.

SPEAKERS:
Allison Wise (American Community School of Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)

Climate in your classroom, climate in your world: Use free NOAA resources and data to teach this integrated topic

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B404


STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

Want to teach climate literacy but don’t know where to start? NOAA offers lesson plans, videos, data, webinars, and more to inform and inspire students.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to improve climate literacy and discuss climate and climate change in your classroom with free resources from NOAA.

SPEAKERS:
Frank Niepold (NOAA Climate Program Office: Silver Spring, MD)

THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN GENDER, MINDSET, AND SCIENCE INQUIRY IN MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE

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

Georgia World Congress Center - A411


STRAND: Equity and Justice

Show Details

We focus on students’ science mindset vary over time when engaged in science inquiry activities and is there a difference between male and female students? Our quantitative research shows that the use of scientific inquiry as a teaching method directly impacts a females science growth mindset.

TAKEAWAYS:
A female's science identity weakens if elements such as self-efficacy, interest, and willingness to challenge themselves are missing. As students become more familiar with scientific inquiry, there is a deeper understanding of the science content, reducing the gender science achievement gap.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Jennifer Hooper (Byron Steele High School: No City, No State)

Breaking down the silos - an interdisciplinary approach to deepen students’ learning

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B405



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mMsszKzWI1GX2lGBb2IapvUDVm2ee70O?usp=share_link

STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Real-world problems often cannot be satisfactorily addressed by individual disciplines (or subjects). Enrich students’ learning by engaging them in a summative task requiring integration of concepts and skills from various subjects, through a close collaboration with one or more subject teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will use a modified Understanding by Design (UbD) template to develop an interdisciplinary learning experience that provides opportunities for students to integrate knowledge from various subjects (or disciplines) to create new understandings.

SPEAKERS:
May Jean Cheah (STEM Educator)

Connecting Science to our world and Taking Action

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

Georgia World Congress Center - A401



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation slides for Connecting science to our world and taking action

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

This session will cover how the science department at our school worked with our director of collaborative curriculum to create transdisciplinary lesson plans for grades 5-8. Some of the topics covered in our units include light and perception, climate change, breadmaking, sustainability, and water.

TAKEAWAYS:
Our work shows how science can be the center of a transdisciplinary study. We wanted to connect science to real world issues and bring the world into the classroom. We are using science skills and understanding to take action in our community.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Melman (San Francisco Friends School: San Francisco, CA), Rich Oberman (San Francisco Friends School: No City, No State), Jeffrey Porter (San Francisco Friends School: San Francisco, CA), Jennifer Stuart (Director of Collaborative Curriculum: San Francisco, CA), Christine Tantoco (Science Teacher: San Francisco, CA)

Selecting High Quality NGSS-Aligned K-12 Instructional Materials

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B408



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_Selecting HQ NGSS-Aligned K-12 IM.pdf
NSTA_Selecting HQ NGSS-Aligned K-12 IM.pdf

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

This session helps participants use the tools and reports available from EdReports to select high-quality instructional materials for their classroom or school. Participants will learn how the tools evaluate for NGSS-aligned instruction and have the chance to practice evaluating sample materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with tools to help them evaluate instructional materials for NGSS-aligned instruction based on making sense of phenomena and integrating the three dimensions.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Wachowski (EdReports.org: Fort Collins, CO), John-Carlos Marino (Science Lead)

System Models with Mi-STAR: Supporting Students to Develop and Share System Models

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B305



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Mi-STAR Open Ed Resource Off-the-Shelf Lessons

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

Engineers around the world use system models as a go-to tool to solve problems, and your students can too. Create system models related to real-world problems and learn pedagogy for supporting students to develop and share system models. Leave with an engineer-approved 5E lesson to use tomorrow!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand the origin and use of system modeling as an engineering tool and be able to use student talk, whiteboarding, and system schema to implement system modeling in their classrooms. Teachers receive Mi-STAR’s OER lesson plan to introduce system models to their students.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Tubman (Michigan Technological University: Houghton, MI), Chris Geerer (Mi-STAR: , MI)

#ScienceSaves: Lessons on how science has benefited humankind

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B301


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

An introduction for teachers to free standards-based lessons focused on a diverse group of scientists who have made scientific breakthroughs and the positive role of science in our lives provided by #ScienceSaves.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will become familiar with free resources to teach how science has benefited human outcomes with lessons focused on a diverse group of scientists, including teacher notes with curriculum standards, student response sheets, rubrics, and lesson plans.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Clapp (The Catamount School: Sylva, NC), Alison Seymour (Science Teacher: Winchester, 0)

STEM and SELI

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - A401


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

STEM and SELI explores how to bring social emotional learning practices to your science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
One main takeaway is that science teachers can use social emotional learning practices to both foster better working relationships with their students, and show students that science (like interpersonal relationship building) is applicable everywhere, and not just in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Ariella McCown (Educator: Baltimore, MD)

Interactive Lab Journals

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B310



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Interactive Notebook Presentation NSTA.pptx

STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

Attendees will learn how to utilize interactive lab journals to model scientific reasoning with students. Lab journals allow students to become owners of their own learning and track growth throughout the year.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to create a lab journal in their classroom to fit their standards and curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Cristina Farley (Ahlf Junior High School: Searcy, AR), Kyla Glasser (Ahlf Junior High School: Searcy, AR)

Project Based Learning in the Science Classroom

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B316


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Come and learn how to transform your classroom instruction, increase engagement, and more importantly empower your students to put their knowldege into practice. In this session you will learn how to incorporate project and problem based learning into your science class, as well as see real examples

TAKEAWAYS:
How to plan for and implement project and problem based learning into the Science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Allison Bogart (Stonecreek Junior High: No City, No State)

What is a CER and Why Do I Need One?

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B406a/b


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Join us to learn strategies for student success in sharing their ideas and understanding of scientific content and sensemaking using the Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning format. Experience lessons from middle school math and science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Walk away from the session with tips, strategies, and sentence starters to help your students be successful at communicating scientific information.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy Gifford (Monomoy Regional Middle School: Chatham, MA)

Knock, Knock, Chicken Who’s There? Our Assumptions and Students’ Misconceptions in Science

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

Georgia World Congress Center - B404



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA-Atlanta 2023, Knock, Knock Chicken... presentation NSTA upload, v.3.pptx
We ask kids questions to get at their understanding of science concepts but have underlying expectations of how they will respond. Be aware of what ideas your students will bring to the classroom and use to shape their ideas about science. Explore students’ ideas and misconceptions in the Physical Sciences and know some of what they bring with them before they walk in the door!

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

We all make assumptions about how we think students will respond to our seemingly basic questions on what they know. We also assume that they are thinking what we are thinking – until they tell us.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn to work with research-based misconceptions that students hold across grade bands in the physical sciences in order to incorporate those into assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Crockett (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian: Cambridge, MA)

Make it open: How to break out of the classroom and transform schools into community partnerships?

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B315


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

This presentation provides an overview of the open schooling approach and the Make It Open project. By introducing resources co-created with educators and tested with students, we aim to present practice concepts such as maker, and inquiry-based learning, to help teachers implement this in classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be introduced to the Make It Open project based on the open schooling approach. They will get an overview of the tools and learning scenarios curricula developed by this project and reflect on how they can implement them in their classrooms based on their community.

SPEAKERS:
Tamar Fuhrmann (TC Columbia University: No City, No State)

Teaching Evolution: Free resources and Lessons

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B308



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA TIES 2023
Resources from the TIES presentation showcasing free tieseducation.org materials for teachers.

STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES) provides teachers with free and downloadable resources for an entire unit of instruction, including a variety of assessments.

TAKEAWAYS:
The TIES website contains a variety of teaching materials including presentations, online resources, online games, video questions, data analysis, puzzles, and formal assessments. The formal assessments include student response sheets and rubrics to support teaching evolution.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Clapp (The Catamount School: Sylva, NC), Alison Seymour (Science Teacher: Winchester, 0)

Informal + Formal = Synergistic Learning Ecosystems

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A316


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

This session provides an opportunity for NSTA members to start an important conversation about the intersection of informal and formal science education. There will be a panel of informal educators leading the discussion and sharing success stories about meaningful formal-informal collaborations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with an increased awareness and understanding of potential synergies between informal and formal science education organizations as well as a better understanding of NSTA’s Informal Science Division.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Hays (Denver Zoo: Denver, CO), Julie Travaglini (Allegheny Land Trust: Sewickley, PA), Christine Moskalik (NSTA)

Designing Classroom Assessments to address NGSS Performance Expectations

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B303



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slides and Resources

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

In this session, we will share how to use NGSS performance expectations to design classroom assessments. Sample assessments will be provided that require students to incorporate models and use evidence to support their responses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will come away with both examples of assessments and tools for developing their own three-dimensional assessments.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole McRee (KCSD#96), Tracy Eschrich (KCSD96)

Helping students develop conceptual models of science concepts through the use of inquiry activities

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B311


STRAND: Research to Practice

Show Details

By presenting students with science concepts and then assisting them with designing inquiry labs and models, students develop better mental models of how science theories and concepts operate.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to design student led inquiry projects that allow students to create conceptually correct mental models of how different science theories work. Computer simulations and physical models provide students with actual experience manipulating variables to see the results.

SPEAKERS:
Carolyn Mohr (University Center of Lake County: Grayslake, IL), Tina Harris (Bedford North Lawrence High School: Bedford, IN)

The Forgotten Science Practice; Observation!

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B316



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Slide deck

STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

This session will be about the importance of Observation as the first scientific skill that we can impart to our students; without it you cannot complete the rest of the practices. Observation can help our multilingual learners and diverse learners feel like they have a place in certain sciences that seemed inaccessible before due to language barriers. Certain teacher moves will be discussed that will strengthen observations as well as activities that the teachers will be able to recreate in their classroom to do the prep work for such a strong foundational skill. Activities will include: drawing, gallery walks, whole group/small group observation discussions. While this proposal requires me to have target grade range; I believe that this session would be great for all grade levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies to get their students to more easily make observations in their learning which will support the rest of the Science and Engineering Practices. Teaching moves that can be employed right away to reach all skill levels; in fact, show your diverse learners excelling!

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Morton (Lozano Elementary: Chicago, IL)

Note-booking for Meaning, Making Meaning in Notebooks

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B310


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

This session will introduce teachers to a variety of note-booking techniques that will increase student engagement and excitement for learning. Students will take pride in their notebooks and therefore increase the level of effort they put into their work.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will provide teachers and administrators with various strategies to differentiate learning for English Language Learners, Special Education Students, and General Education Students and accurately assess student learning through note-booking. By using our notebook format students will d

SPEAKERS:
Darren Wells (Mather Elementary School: Dorchester, MA), Karen Ziminski (EMK Academy for Health Careers: Boston, MA)

SIOP Model in Science: Supporting the ELL

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B301



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
SIOP Model in Science Slides with Links

STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

The SIOP Model is an effective research-based instructional model for meeting the academic needs of English language learners. Learn how to use it to support ELLs in your science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The eight components to the SIOP model will be explained; 2. Examples of actual and effective classroom implementation of the SIOP model; and 3. Consideration for not only teaching science content but doing so in a culturally conscious manner will also be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Nadene Klein (Daniel C. Oakes High School: Castle Rock, CO)

Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms for Everyone

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B313a



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2023 Amy Couch_ Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms for Everyone.pdf

STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

Creating emotionally safe classrooms for all students willing to take risks, gain confidence, and find their voice, this is the ultimate reward. Student scientists practice positive communication, build strong connections, and support each other as they learn new concepts and develop new skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn several strategies to create emotionally safe classrooms and practice applications in grade level support teams. Teachers will feel confident returning to their student scientists ready to set up learning environments where everyone has a voice and is their own self-advocate.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Couch (Captain Nathan Hale Middle School: Coventry, CT)

Defining Criteria and Constraints for Successful Engineering Solutions: A Mi-STAR Lesson for Middle School Students

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A305



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Mi-STAR Open Ed Resource Off-the-Shelf Lesson Criteria and Constraints
Mi-STAR Open Ed Resource Off-the-Shelf Lessons

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

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How could the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows bridge have been prevented? How can we ensure electronic devices hold up to everyday use? Developing well-defined criteria and constraints is critical to successful engineering. Experience ways to help your students plan and evaluate solutions like pros!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the importance of well-defined criteria and constraints, and will experience activities to share with students to help them develop and evaluate successful solutions to engineering challenges. Everyone leaves with access to a Mi-STAR NGSS aligned OER lesson.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Tubman (Michigan Technological University: Houghton, MI), Chris Geerer (Mi-STAR: , MI)

Storylines in Practice: Creating, Adopt, and Adapting

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B403



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Creating Adopting or Adapting.pdf

STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

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You’ve probably heard a lot about using storylines, but actually implementing them usually leads to unexpected challenges. Based upon our classroom experience with storyline units, we share insights and practical principles whether you plan to create, adopt, or adapt storylines for your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Implementing storylines involves either creating your own units or adopting/adapting existing units. Regardless of the approach to implementation, keeping the principles of coherent instruction in mind will help to realize the potential of storyline units in practice.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Like (Iowa Department of Education: No City, No State)

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about NGSS, But Were Afraid to Ask

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B305



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Atlanta2023_Everything you always wanted to know about NGSS_Handout.pdf
Atlanta2023_Everything you always wanted to know about NGSS_Presentation.pptx

STRAND: No Strand

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Still confused about the basics of the NGSS? Need a refresher about what it is and why it matters? Come learn from the experts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with a basic understanding of the structures of the Next Generation Science Standards and how they inform 3-dimensional standards and 3-dimensional science teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Karin Klein (Museum of Science and Industry: Chicago, IL)

Classroom discussions where students “figure it out”: Using different teacher moves depending on the goal of the discussion

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B405



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2023 [email protected]
contains links to all Boston College OEI presentations at the April 2023 NSTA conference in Atlanta.

STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

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Facilitating classroom discussions that are student-centered and advance students’ thinking is challenging. Initial ideas, building understanding, and consensus discussions are three types of discussions that can be used to help draw out student ideas and support their sensemaking. These three types of discussions serve different purposes and phases of a lesson or unit. While they share many features, because the purposes are different the roles of the student and facilitation strategies of the teacher vary across the three types. During this session, we will provide examples and tools from OpenSciEd storyline curricula, which is a high quality, free, online, open educational resource for teachers. We will look at classroom videos from three different types of discussions, consider their purposes and examine teacher moves. We will also share a discussion planning tool that considers both the purposes and moves to help plan discussions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Classroom discussions that support equitable participation require careful planning and implementation. Discussions can be organized into three discussion types with distinct goals, which can help teachers to plan supports and facilitation moves that equitably engage students in meaningful talk.

SPEAKERS:
Bruce Kamerer (School Support Specialist: Chestnut Hill, MA), Katherine McNeill (Boston College: Chestnut Hill, MA), Benjamin Lowell (New York University: New York, NY), Renee Affolter (OpenSciEd: No City, No State)

Making the Science of Water Engaging

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B315


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

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Water is constantly in the news. Between hurricanes, flooding, drought issues and water wars, everyone knows how important water is to our well being. With that being said, do students really understand its importance, it's behavior, the difference between cohesion, adhesion and surface tension?

TAKEAWAYS:
Activities in this session come from the Project WET Curriculum. These will feature hands on activities with copies of lessons distributed.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Henman (Brenau University: Gainesville, GA)

Assessment of Sensemaking Through the Crosscutting Concepts

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B401


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

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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)

Girl Power: Powerful Ways to Motivate Girls in STEM

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B313a


STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

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Discover the recent research on females in STEM and learn how to take intentionally small, but powerful steps in your classroom to ensure that our future female problem-solvers have the confidence, encouragement, and motivation to change the world, one STEM field at a time!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will discover the current reseach regarding girls in STEM and leave with six powerful ways to increase their interest,, motivation, and confidence in these fields.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn McCotter (Van Andel Institute for Education: No City, No State)

Planning for Sensemaking: A Tool to Build Coherence in a Series of Lessons

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B316



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Materials

STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

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OER can be overwhelming to teachers or districts who must adapt materials to fit local pacing guidelines. Upon the adoption of 3-dimensional standards, our district began the journey of developing instructional materials that support student sensemaking. This tool was a result of our efforts to be strategic in preserving coherence in storylines while focusing on best practices in standards-aligned instruction. In our district, more than 80% of teachers that received professional development on a lesson series using a roadmap chose to repeat the unit the following year. Teachers and instructional leaders attending this session will experience how this tool attends to the four critical attributes of sensemaking described by NSTA while promoting research-based practices. Participants will learn how to begin with OER, existing lesson plans, or phenomenon ideas to develop a series of purposefully sequenced, coherent, and standards-aligned lessons around a phenomenon.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will discover the intentionality behind the components of a planning roadmap that builds coherence in a series of lessons. This roadmap simplifies the process of creating or adapting storylines found in OER to local pacing guidelines. A middle and high example will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Trudy Rogers (Knox Co Schools: Knoxville, TN)

Impacting Adoption of High Quality K-12 Instructional Materials with EdReports Resources

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B408



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_Impacting Adoption of High Quality K-12 Instructional Materials with EdReports Resources.pdf

STRAND: Leadership and Advocacy

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School leaders play a large role in the adoption of high quality instructional materials and can impact change in this space. Participants will learn about how to utilize EdReports reviews of instructional materials and how to get started with the adoption process by setting an instructional vision.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage with EdReports reviews of instructional materials and how to use the evidence from the reports to make informed decisions based on local context. They will explore how to utilize EdReports resources to set an instructional vision as part of the materials adoption process.

SPEAKERS:
John-Carlos Marino (Science Lead), Shannon Wachowski (EdReports.org: Fort Collins, CO)

CDC Presents: Lessons from a global pandemic, why STEM is important

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B314



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
science-ambassador-flyer-508 (1).pdf

STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

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Real-world public health examples help teach middle and high school students concepts and skills across multiple STEM disciplines. Using a fictional novel emerging respiratory disease (i.e., NERD for short), CDC’s NERD Academy curriculum uses real-world COVID-19 data and scenarios to teach foundational science, math, and critical thinking skills. Designed by STEM teachers and CDC public health experts, each module includes engaging videos, STEM classroom activities, and career spotlights that can enrich classroom learning. In eight modules, using educational videos, interactive activities, and a set of diverse characters representing specific jobs in public health, the curriculum helps students answer critical public health questions like, “How does disease spread?”, “Who is at risk?”, or “Why do laboratory testing?”. This session will include an overview of the eight-module curriculum and a brief tour of CDC’s publicly available online STEM lesson plans and other resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how real-world public health examples can illustrate key concepts and skills across multiple STEM disciplines and how public health professionals like epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, and health communication specialists use STEM skills in their careers.

SPEAKERS:
Juliana Azeredo (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Atlanta, GA)

Taking Dynamic Learning Maps for science to practice in 8th grade

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A405



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA_ DLM for science into practice (8th grade) .pdf

STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

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A special education teacher and science consultant worked together to plan, create, deliver and assess the middle school Essential Elements Science standards for students with significant cognitive disabilities. All assessed students increased three full grade levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with an understanding of how to teach science using the Dynamic Learning Maps for middle school students with significant cognitive disabilities using best practices in special education and science teaching. Unit samples will be available.

SPEAKERS:
Mandie Sanderman (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Cedar Falls, IA), Nancy Scheel (Teacher), Chelsie Byram (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Cedar Falls, IA)

Vocabulary Instruction for English Language Learners!

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B310


STRAND: No Strand

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How do we teach Tier 3 science vocabulary to students with limited English (or no English) and encourage success? We will share multiple strategies for teaching Tier 3 Academic Science vocabulary, as well as modalities that incorporate visual aids, manipulatives, and kinesthetic activities to engage

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Tier 3 strategies for teaching science; 2. The inclusion of visual and kinesthetic activities to engage ALL students; and 3. Forms of assessment for ALL level of English Language Learners.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Ziminski (EMK Academy for Health Careers: Boston, MA)

THAT'S the Science Class I Want to Be In!

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B403



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Blank Planning Checklist
This is a checklist for what teachers should consider when planning NGSS-aligned lessons. You might use it to plan a few lessons, but you probably wouldn't use it for EVERY lesson that you plan.
Lesson 1 - filled in
This would be overkill to do for every lesson, but we wanted to make our thinking transparent and share this with you.
Lesson 2 - filled in
This would be overkill to do for every lesson, but we wanted to make our thinking transparent and share this with you.
Lesson 3 - filled in
This would be overkill to do for every lesson, but we wanted to make our thinking transparent and share this with you.
NSTA Science Class CO2 task student for NSTA.docx
This is our set of Lesson Plans 1-3 including Student Pages.

STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

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When you get it right, students are engaged and making sense for themselves. Your lessons are aligned to standards and include scaffolded supports. Here's how to plan those lessons!

TAKEAWAYS:
SEPs, DCIs, and CCCs are the three legs of the stool that support a cohesive lesson. By being immersed in a sensemaking experience, participants define the most important elements and how to plan. Electronic resources are provided.

SPEAKERS:
David Jacob (Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES: Yorktown Hghts, NY), Harry Rosvally (Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES: Yorktown Heights, NY)

Curriculum-agnostic Pedagogical Approaches to Teaching with the NGSS

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B312



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Atlanta2023_Curriculum-agnostic Pedagogical Approaches_Handout.pdf
Atlanta2023_Curriculum-agnostic Pedagogical Approaches_presentation.pptx

STRAND: Research to Practice

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We are developing a framework of pedagogical methods and professional learning, with an emphasis on equity, that can be leveraged to support teaching with the NGSS no matter what curriculum is being used. Come tell us what you think!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain a deeper understanding of high leverage pedagogical practices that directly support teaching with the NGSS, and strategies to implement some of these practices in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Karin Klein (Museum of Science and Industry: Chicago, IL)

Transforming traditional laboratories into challenge-based learning experiences

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B311



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Transforming traditional laboratories into challenge-based learning experiences.pptx

STRAND: Research to Practice

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Are you and your students tired of following procedures for classroom laboratories? Us too! Come join us in learning about the challenge-based learning framework and helping us redesign traditional laboratories into differentiated challenge-based learning experiences!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will conceptualize the challenge-based learning framework (i.e., engage, investigate, and act) and reimagine traditional classroom experiments into challenge-based learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Gustavo Perez (Texas A&M University: College Station, TX), Andrew Kipp (Texas A&M)

Navigating NGSS Storylines to Develop 3D Units

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B313a


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

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Take a closer look at how to structure science learning units through student-driven inquiry. We will examine the components involved in designing a coherent, NGSS-aligned storyline. Teacher teams will collaborate to analyze, critique, and optimize existing storylines and corresponding phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Examine the Five Routines that work together to create a 3D learning experience through the inquiry cycle. Learn where to find existing storylines for Middle and High school sciences. Leave with templates to guide you in your storyline planning.

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

Developing Visual Literacy in the Classroom

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B401


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

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In this session teachers will come away with strategies to intentionally incorporate reading, dialogue and graphing into the classroom to assist students in becoming scientifically literate.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will include engaging examples of activities that integrate speaking, listening, and reading into the science classroom; helpful tips to reach different learning styles (visual, auditory) in the classroom; tips to promote retention of vocabulary through scaffolding

SPEAKERS:
Courtney Lewis (Katy ISD: Katy, TX), Molly Niedens (Tays Junior High School: Katy, TX)

Beyond Career Day - Engaging Middle School Students in Thinking About STEM Careers

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A402


STRAND: STEAM or STEM

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STEM careers are for ALL students! Learn how to bridge the gap between STEM careers & classroom spaces by exploring proven strategies for hosting STEM professionals in your middle school classroom! Walk away with an engagement guide written for middle school teachers, by middle school 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), Dr. Tehmina Khan (PK-6 STEM Department Head: Stratford, CT), Kristen Record (Bunnell High School - National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY): No City, No State)

A Climate Justice Toolkit for K-12 Educators - Building Community and Justice Connections in the Science Classroom

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - C209


STRAND: Equity and Justice

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Justice-centered science instruction is a critical process for building transformative, empowering classrooms. The Climate Justice Toolkit for K-12 Educators provides resources and planning templates for creating community-driven, justice-centered science learning experiences for students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Classroom learning experiences that center local issues impacting students and their communities are more engaging and meaningful for students, especially for students traditionally underrepresented and underserved by science education.

SPEAKERS:
Pranjali Upadhyay (Educational Service District 112: Vancouver, WA), Rae Han (EarthGen: No City, No State), Stacy Meyer (Educational Service District 112: Vancouver, WA)