Our EDP process and STEM practices provide students with words (to develop thinking, promote planning, etc.). We support our students with an equitable, safe, and developmentally appropriate environment to foster a place for students to learn, experience failed ideas, and move toward success.

TAKEAWAYS:
The way STEM and the EDP are embedded into Pre-K environments in our school meets the needs of early intervention and provides equitable access to education for children prior to beginning kindergarten.

SPEAKERS:
Brittany Clark (McKissick Academy: Easley, SC)

Too frequently, teachers wait until Black History Month to incorporate diversity topics into their curriculum. I will be sharing how to incorporate diversity and equity topics year-round into a STEM program for both elementary and middle school students. We will examine different science topics that can seamlessly be included in the science classroom. I will be showcasing some of the work my second, fourth, and sixth grade students have completed. In addition, I will be discussing the latest addition to the sixth grade weather and climate unit: Hurricane Relief and Environmental Racism. Finally, we will be examining the stories that different cultures have composed about the origin of constellations. After taking this workshop, participants will have a much better idea on how to incorporate diversity and equity topics into their curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will see how to incorporate diversity and equity topics into their STEM classroom. They will view some of the lessons my students have experienced, and they will discover how easily it can be to adapt their lessons to celebrate the contributions of many cultures.

SPEAKERS:
Joan Gillman (The Browning School: New York, NY)

Engineers, architects, and builders design ways to make structures more durable, accessible, safer, and better. How can you build a better future? 1. Brainstorm: Use your imagination to design a structure for one of these scenarios. (K-2-ETS1-1) (3-5-ETS1-1) • Environmentally friendly design (K-ESS3-3) (5-ESS3-1) • Durable design to withstand a natural disaster (3-ESS3-1) (4-ESS3-2) • Improve an existing place to be more accessible. 2. Design: Draw a picture of your solution to the challenge. (K-2-ETS1-2) 3. Create: Build a model to represent your solution using only the pieces provided. (2-PS1-3) 4. Share: Think about your answers to these questions. Record your responses or share your answers. (3-5-ETS1-1) (3-5 ETS1-2) • What problem did you solve? • Explain how your solution solved the challenge. • What constraints did you have to follow in this activity? • If you could choose any materials, how would you modify and improve your design? • Brainstorm solutions for the other sc

TAKEAWAYS:
You will do a STEM challenge that uses the engineering design process in an easy and fun way with just a small bag of LEGO elements. You will receive a NGSS-aligned student challenge activity card as a takeaway, as well as a bag of LEGO elements!

SPEAKERS:
Tammy Pankey (Director of Education)

Simple machines are historically a difficult subject to teach due in part to limited integration with other content. The Clean Cut unit is suitable for upper elementary students and combines the concept of the wedge and the engineering design process. The goal is not only to introduce students to simple machines but also to introduce them to the nature of engineering design. Throughout the unit, students learn that one perfect solution does not exist; instead, they learn to tolerate and learn from failures. The students learn why simple machines are used in everyday life and design a solution to a problem while learning about and using an engineering design process. The students refine their design to fit within the constraints and criteria set by a client. Students test the design and collect qualitative data to refine their design. The unit includes a summative assessment in the form of a letter to the client describing what was learned about simple machines and engineering design.

TAKEAWAYS:
The context of the lesson is designing a tool to split soap for use by people who have been through a natural disaster. Participants will learn about the integrated approach using engineering design and simple machines, experience part of the unit, and receive the handouts for use in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
William Walker (Assistant Director, CATALYST: No City, No State), Sopheak Seng (Mr.: Lafayette, IN)

Even though children interact with the natural and designed worlds daily, they don’t often think and act like scientists and engineers-- who often use computational thinking. Come see how to embed computational thinking into an elementary lesson on light!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to incorporate computational thinking into science lessons!

SPEAKERS:
Jesse Wilcox (University of Northern Iowa: Cedar Falls, IA)

During this session, participants will discover how our school utilizes all resources to make PBL a learning experience like no other! Learn how our school collaborates with experts and stakeholders throughout the community to bring experiential learning to our students in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn how our school implements PBL through cross-curricular concepts using art, technology, and research integration as well as bringing in community experts to make for an immersive learning experience.

SPEAKERS:
Tyler Lappe (Instructional Coach: Cape Girardeau, MO)

Explore an innovative K-2 STEM unit by Elaine Makarevich. Discover engaging lessons and resources tailored for young learners. Gain insights from the teacher/author on the creation and development process.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain access to STEM lessons and resources, and hear from the teacher/author who wrote the lessons on how she developed them.

SPEAKERS:
Elaine Makarevich (SubjectToClimate)

N/A

TAKEAWAYS:
You will takeaway teacher tools to support planning and implementing each flexible practice, along with understanding how these practices have played out with teachers and students. These takeaways will be supported by student and teacher examples of work with, and reflections on, these practices.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Lawson (Teaching Assistant Professor)

How to organize and plan a school-wide STEAM event that provides opportunities for all students to engage richly with STEAM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Identify the components to include in your own STEAM event in order to provide all students with an equitable learning experience.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Bartol (Hillside Elementary School: Montclair, NJ)

This Share-A-Thon stop will include information and free teacher materials from the USPTO's Office of Education presented by a Master Teacher of Invention Education & Intellectual Property. There will also be an opportunity for further networking with other fellow elementary teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will walk away with free materials from the US Patent & Trade Office created specifically for elementary teachers, along with an invitation to explore further with a Master Teacher of Invention Education & IP.

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Hoppe (STEMisED, Inc)

This Share-A-Thon Session will feature a display that contains hands-on (Make-n-Take) projects, lesson plan ideas, student products, handouts, information about community resources and more. This PreK-5th grade presentation will highlight the need for exploring ways to incorporate agricultural literacy within STEM based lessons. This session will connect attendees with resources, such as Kansas Corn and National Agriculture in the Classroom, where they can discover ways to add the world of agriculture to their STEM teaching! Because we all rely on agriculture for food, fuel, fiber and more, combining agricultural education and STEM education are a natural fit. When agriculture is brought into the classroom, students become aware of the impact their actions have on the world and can gain an appreciation of the world around them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with a variety of activities and easy-to-implement STEM ideas that incorporate agricultural literacy. We'll also explore ways to secure community resources, materials, and lesson plan ideas. Agriculture education and the STEM fields are a perfect match!

SPEAKERS:
Nancy Smith (Heatherstone Elementary School: Olathe, KS)