2023 Kansas City National Conference

October 25-28, 2023

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FILTERS APPLIED:STEM Share-a-Thon, STEM Haven | Computer Science, STEM

 

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

Evidence-Based Teaching in Chemistry

Saturday, October 28 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Kansas City Convention Center - 2208


Show Details

Research has proved that active learning is more effective than traditional lectures. However, active learning requires additional support in addition to the textbooks. For example, POGIL needs workbooks to assist students' learning. Flipped classroom needs clickers to collect students' responses. This talk will discuss what kind of support is required by active learning, specifically for flipped classroom and Just-in-time learning from a practice standpoint and a technology standpoint. After the presentation, the attendees will be able to design their own material for their classroom teaching. After the presentation, the attendees will have skills to design their own material for their classroom teaching. For example, the attendee can prepare teaching material before class, during class, and after class for flipped classroom and Just-in-time learning. The attendees will also learn how to choose technologies to assist their implementation of their chosen teaching pedagogy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn a new tool to improve the teaching/learning efficiency of the classroom teacher AND reduce the workload of the teacher.

SPEAKERS:
Jack Huang (associate professor: Jacksonville, FL)

Science in Our Community: An Interdisciplinary STEM Unit on Viruses, Wastewater, and Public Health

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


STRAND: STEM Haven | STEM

Show Details

Part of an NIH Initiative, participants will engage in an interdisciplinary, phenomenon-based high school science unit composed of six 3-D lessons. Aligned with the NGSS, the lessons focus on viruses, wastewater, and public health, and aims to support students in making informed decisions about science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engage in a series of interdisciplinary 3-D lessons on science, technology, and public health using relevant phenomena like COVID-19, water quality, & wastewater treatment. All supporting documents and activities will be shared with the participants. Examples of student artifacts will be showcased.

SPEAKERS:
Sahar Alameh (University of Kentucky: Lexington, KY)

Quick Activities to Increase Data & Graph Literacy (Grades 3-10)

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


Show Details

Data is key to NGSS, yet many students struggle to make sense of it. Many of us are confused about how to help our students (especially post-pandemic learning) build and strengthen these skills. These classroom-ready, quick activities are based on what research says about how students learn from data! Come discuss strategies and access ready-to-use activities to integrate these skills into whatever your curriculum or platform is, as Do Nows and Exit Tickets. These strategies both foster science sensemaking for all students and increase students' interest in working with data (from Pre-K to 8th). Let’s set ourselves and our students up for success by building strong foundations... without having to reinvent the wheel ourselves or take away lots of time from the rest of our instruction!

TAKEAWAYS:
Access ready-to-use activities to build your students' data and graph skills, without taking a lot of time from the rest of your curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hunter-Thomson (Dataspire Education & Evaluation, LLC)

Making Sense of STEM in Pre-K

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Making Sense of STEM in Pre-K
NSTA KC23

STRAND: Students and Sensemaking

Show Details

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)

Equity and Diversity in the STEM Classroom

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Famous Bridges Around the World.pdf
Here are a selection of different types of bridges from around the world.
Links to Videos on the Constellations.pdf
Here is a link to videos on constellation stories from around the world.

Show Details

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)

Share-a-Thon: Computational Thinking Guided By Artificial Intelligence

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Platform to create with guidance from AI
Video demo of the platform, working with AI
Create with real-time guidance from AI and practice to think like a computer scientist

Show Details

This is a Share-a-Thon presentation highlighting the learning of computational thinking with the guidance from artificial intelligence. Through a live demonstration of describing a game's logic in English, the AI will guide the user to think computationally and bring the game to fruition.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to: clearly articulate programming concepts, think like a programmer, relate various aspects of each sentence to computational concepts and constructs, and apply lessons to various subjects.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Hsiao (Virginia Tech: Blacksburg, VA)

Science Practices Innovation Notebook: Guiding Student Data Practices

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


Show Details

SPIN, a FREE web-based notebook created with funding by NSF, has three customizable lessons for data-focused investigations in Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. Teachers can also input their own lessons into SPIN. One of the teachers and one of the researchers who created the lessons in the notebook will be presenting. Teachers will see how SPIN works and how students can use the notebook and the metacognitive support features such as the Communication Hub, I’m Stuck button, and SPAARC prompts. Experiences of teachers and students who have used SPIN will be discussed. Teachers can customize a lesson in SPIN or input their own lessons with help from the presenters. By the end of the session, teachers will be able to use SPIN effectively with the ability to share the notebook with all of the teachers at their school. Use of SPIN is free and is found at https://spin.cehd.gmu.edu/login.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to use SPIN to download and edit a lesson from the Global Marketplace, or create their own lesson in SPIN. Teachers who have used SPIN note that this has helped their students understand data practices explicitly.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Peters-Burton (George Mason University: Fairfax, VA)

Build a Better Future Activity

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Build a Better Future Activity

Show Details

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)

Clean Cut - Learning about Simple Machines and Engineering Design

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area



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

Show Details

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)

S.O.S. [Science Olympiad Success] => Start Up-Survival-Standards

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
S.O.S. (Science Olympiad Success)
Link to our presentation, helpful documents and National Sci Oly links.

Show Details

Coaching Science Olympiad 30+ years and my science teaching cousin still a rookie, we offer tips and tricks on team startup or management. Join us to hear how I took a tiny Nebraska school to win B and C Divisions at Regionals my first year at Arcadia. Having been a veteran coach at four public schools, this amazing educational science event molded careers for my students, cousin, and four children. My cousin started a team in western Nebraska which added travel challenges across our state. We will share ideas on how to manage 2 teams of 30+ students to compete in 24+ events that coaches rarely get to see. Nebraska coaches often make tests for 2 events in 4 time slots to judge. Balancing team preparation and meeting NGSS/state science standards is a challenge while teaching a full day with 3-7 preps. The NE Director asked me to mentor more S.O. coaches so here we are. Teachers will be enlightened with a poster, slide show, paper examples and 3-D visuals to help coaches find success.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain ideas to start their own Science Olympiad Team/s. How to select students for various events to earn team points in each, make user-friendly maps with schedules, reminders and information students can follow, and build unity by wearing team designed school shirts.

SPEAKERS:
Polla Renken (Science Instructor: Kearney, NE), Stacey Bauer (Spalding Academy: Spalding, NE), Marie Wadas (Arcadia Public School: Arcadia, NE)

Leveraging AI Within The Engineering Design Process

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Leveraging AI Within the Engineering Design Process (1).pdf

Show Details

This session will showcase how artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated within STEM-based design challenges to enhance student engagement and the 'improve' step of the engineering design process. Teachers usually stop design challenges after students test their designs. The presenter will walk participants through how to develop AI prompts, engage students in reflecting upon the AI responses, building/creating and testing the AI provided solution, and ultimately, guiding students through the reflection and optimization process. The students are challenged to "beat the computer" by utilizing data collected through the test phase to create an optimized solution that will be tested against the AI-generated solution. The presentation will take the form of demonstration, discussion, and provision of examples.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) within STEM-focused design challenges to engage in the test and improve/optimize steps of the engineering design process.

SPEAKERS:
Dennis Dagounis (Berkeley Heights Public Schools: Berkeley Heights, NJ)

Latinas In STEM -- Using An Asset-Based Mindset To Encourage Latina STEM Persistence

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA KC 2023_ Using an Asset-Based Approach to Identify Sources of Persistence for Latinas in Selecting STEM Undergraduate Degrees.pdf

Show Details

The population of Latinx students is rapidly growing in the United States, yet Latinas are underrepresented in STEM careers compared to their peers of other identities. This could be in part due to the deficit-based ideology that has historically been utilized when describing this group's success in academic disciplines. This presentation will highlight the findings of a recent qualitative study that asked Latina STEM undergraduate students to reflect on their sources of persistence in high school STEM coursework. The study participants’ responses were correlated with Yosso's (2005) “Community Cultural Wealth Model" to identify their unique sources of strength and persistence in STEM. The study findings will serve as the foundation for recommendations to be made for the implementation of equitable and asset-based shifts to promote Latinas’ persistence and success in STEM at the secondary levels.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using an asset-based approach, participants will engage in social justice-themed conversations to equitably encourage Latina high school students’ persistence in STEM coursework. Ready-to-use strategies will be featured to promote greater perseverance in STEM for Latinas.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Vitello Lowell (Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy: North Windham, CT)

A New Take on STEAM – Using the Krebs Cycle of Creativity to Investigate the Intersections of Art, Science, Engineering, and Design

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


Show Details

This poster presentation will use the Krebs Cycle of Creativity, as created by Dr. Neri Oxman, as a framework for a new approach to interdisciplinary sciences. I will explore the intersectionality of art, science, engineering, and design. This will include how the synergy between these disciplines creates opportunities to study how art and design affect our behavior, how design and engineering impact utility, how engineering and science creates knowledge, and how science and art portrays information. I will use examples from my own classes to highlight how the Krebs Cycle of Creativity can provide a new lens to view interdisciplinary teaching in the science discipline. This will include examples of projects, teaching materials, and student samples. Visitors will leave with a tangible understanding of how their school can move away from the siloed STEAM approach and move towards a more holistic approach that connects the many different disciplines of science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Visitors will leave with a new lens to view interdisciplinary science teaching including examples of projects, teaching materials, student samples, and a tangible understanding of how their school can move away from the siloed STEAM approach and towards a more holistic take on teaching science.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Vorel (6th Grade Science Teacher: Webster Groves, MO)

Shining a Light on the “T” in STEM-- Engaging Elementary Students in Computational Thinking Using Activities About Light.

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


STRAND: STEM Haven | Computer Science

Show Details

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)

Gender Disproportionality: Observations, Initial Findings, and Action Steps to Achieve Gender Parity for Advanced STEM Courses

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Program Poster - Gender Disproportionality.pdf
Protocol and Criteria for School Counselors to Increase Female Student Enrollment in AT Physics.pdf
Protocol and Criteria for Teachers to Increase Female Student Enrollment in AT Physics.pdf

Show Details

Female student engagement in the STEM fields does not currently match the level at which male students are engaged. Whether it is in high school course enrollment, college, or careers, males outnumber females in terms of enrollment and study of advanced STEM fields, particularly physics, and engineering. Incorporating Advanced Placement Potential as a measure of demonstrated aptitude, this program will review the current research findings and intervention strategies, including action steps to reverse this trend and promote a more proportional, and equitable, enrollment of males and females in advanced STEM courses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Awareness of current enrollment trends, the phenomenology inherent in gender disproportionality, and the sharing of action steps to take to reduce gender disproportionality that are designed to increase enrollment for female students with documented individual Advanced Placement Potential.

SPEAKERS:
Richard Stec (West Windsor-Plainsboro High School: Hamilton, NJ)

Create Interactive, Randomized, & Self-Grading Questions! (Free Tool)

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


STRAND: STEM Haven | STEM

Show Details

Create interactive questions with randomizable values for your students using our completely FREE tool!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to use my tool to create interactive, randomized questions to use with their students!

SPEAKERS:
Jack Replinger (FormerTeacher / Founder: , WA)

Fly Into Science and Engineering Practices with Birds

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


Show Details

Birds provide an accessible context for student science investigations and creative engineering design projects. From building a bird feeder from recyclables, to building nest boxes for specific species, to thinking critically about bird adaptations, using citizen-science projects to inspire authentic questions and original scientific studies… we aim to help creative students engage in STEM! During this workshop, I will provide free resources to help teachers develop students’ science and engineering practices—while also supporting a connection to the local environment. During this time, teachers will: • Work to create a bird feeder and chat about the factors that make a successful design • Design a well-adapated bird that can survive in a challenging habitat

SPEAKERS:
Susan Licher (Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Ithaca, NY)

The Influence of In-School Computer Science Experiences on Students’ Career Intentions

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


Show Details

We report results from a large-scale nationwide study titled “Researching Pre-College Factors that Lead to Persistence in Computer Science,” which has been supported by the National Science Foundation. This retrospective cohort study, including data from 6,044 students at 58 institutions of higher education across the U.S., investigated, among other questions, the effects on students’ computer science related career intentions of designated computer science classes in high school, and the teaching of computational thinking in high school classes other than computer science classes. We specifically looked at the effects of various types of in-school computer science classes (AP CS A, AP CS Principles, non-AP courses), of grades received, and of specific pedagogies in computer science classes, as well as in other classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
What difference do various "flavors" of in-school computer science classes (AP CS A, AP CS Principles, non-AP courses) make?

SPEAKERS:
Gerhard Sonnert (Harvard College Observatory: Cambridge, MA)

Assessing Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge and Experiences: A National Study

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


Show Details

The Science Education Dept. at Harvard University conducted a nationwide study, over the course of three semesters, on the strengths and weaknesses of STEM, and on the teaching knowledge of preservice educators who will soon enter the STEM teaching workforce. By examining pre-service teachers’ experiences before and during their preparation program, we’ll share our findings about experiences that optimize teacher knowledge for effective science teaching. The study also characterizes two essential types of teacher knowledge: 1) subject matter knowledge; and 2) pedagogical content knowledge concerning the common preconceptions and misconceptions held by learners, reflecting stages in student learning progressions. This research helps identify promising features of undergraduate PST programs for future implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn what factors impact preservice teachers’ interest in teaching, the status of teacher education programs, and what are the strong and weak STEM content knowledge areas of preservice science teachers, including the prevalence of learning about students’ misconceptions.

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

How to Identify and Provide Actionable Feedback for STEM Instructional Practices

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Poster Session Oct 2023.jpg

Show Details

A quality STEM program is key to developing within students the skills needed to be happy, healthy, and productive citizens. This requires quality STEM instructional practices to be employed in our classrooms. The majority of school districts in Indiana have a single evaluation instrument to evaluate all certified teachers, with no specific focus on STEM instructional practices. Providing teachers actionable feedback, specific to STEM instructional practices, is a critical component of this work. The tool created for this work can be adapted to any local teacher evaluation instrument.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with a tool, that they can adapt to their own district, to support identifying and providing actionable feedback for STEM instructional practices.

SPEAKERS:
Christina Hilton (Central Indiana Educational Service Center: Indianapolis, IN)

Using Coding in the Science Classroom

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


Show Details

Using TI Nspires, Rovers, Hubs, and arrays attendees will learn how a science teacher from South Arkansas incorporated simple coding into his science classroom. We will draw VSEPR molecular models with Rovers, see how hubs and arrays can "brighten" up the electromagnetic spectrum calculations of wavelength, frequency, and energy with sound, pictures, and color. No coding experience necessary.

TAKEAWAYS:
Ideas on how you may incorporate simple coding into the science classroom and give topics new life.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Coker (Camden Fairview High School: Camden, AR)

CONSTRUCTing Effective Assessment Questions using the NGSS DCIs

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


STRAND: STEM Haven

Show Details

Using the Disciplinary Core Ideas and a research-based “citizen science” approach, science educators contributed their own test items, and helped to revise existing test items in order to address crucial issues such as difficulty, gender, and racial/ethnic bias that were present in the item analysis characteristics. We share the analysis and results of these efforts so that educators can assess their own test items to be more inclusive of all students’ understandings in one of the dimensions of the 3D-approach to learning. Learn what changes contributed to improvement of the item as well as what types of changes or revisions made the item worse than before. We also share results of field testing of these items in student classrooms and discuss the importance of incorporating students’ misconceptions into the response choices to capture their true understanding of science concepts as outlined in the DCIs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn to evaluate assessment questions that you use to assess students’ sensemaking of elements outlined in the NGSS DCIs. Are the questions free of bias, not too difficult, indicative of overall student performance? Do they include common misconceptions that students hold? Utilize a free resource.

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

Georgia State University Summer Teacher Radon Research Workshop

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


Show Details

Prolonged exposure to radon, a colorless, inert noble gas, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Researchers at Georgia State University and Perimeter College are conducting research to measure and monitor the levels of radon gas in metro Atlanta through support from USDA and NSF grants. This project will detail the partnership between Georgia State University and DeKalb County Public Schools to provide an authentic experience by hosting a radon research summer workshop for 6-12 grade STEM teachers in 2022 and 2023. The teachers conducted hands-on laboratory experiments that modeled the research that is being conducted by the Georgia State University researchers and toured the sampling sites. The workshop received positive feedback from both cohorts. The workshop will detail how universities and school districts partner to strengthen the STEM pipeline and incorporate university-level research in a secondary classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how universities and K-12 school districts can partner to provide authentic science experiences to transfer high-level university research to a secondary classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Samantha Andrews (GSU Perimeter College)

"H-Two-Poo": Contextualizing High School Science Through Wastewater Testing and Public Health

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


STRAND: STEM Haven

Show Details

In this session, participants will experience part of an NGSS-aligned unit on wastewater testing and COVID-19. This six-lesson unit utilizing the 5E learning approach was developed through the collaboration of educators, engineers, scientists, medical doctors, and public health experts within an NIH-funded project. Attendees will participate in the fourth lesson of the sequence, entitled “H-Two-Poo.” Participants will first test the quality of different water samples to answer the driving question “how do you know if water is safe to use?” Participants will then learn about sources of wastewater, methods of wastewater management, and the development of a wastewater testing protocol to detect the presence of COVID-19. The experiences of high school students and teachers who have participated in the implementation of this phenomenon-based unit will be shared, including data from student surveys and handouts, along with photos of field trips to the community wastewater treatment facility.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will utilize science and engineering practices to collect and analyze water quality data. They will further learn how science and engineering have been used to develop wastewater testing techniques that inform public health decisions in our communities.

SPEAKERS:
Sagan Goodpaster (University of Kentucky: Lexington, KY)

Putting It All Together With PBL

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


STRAND: STEM Haven | STEAM

Show Details

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)

A STEM Education Center's Eclipse Outreach for 2023 and 2024

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


Show Details

This STEM Share-a-thon session acts as a come-and-go session where attendees can learn about our outreach for the 10/14/23 eclipse. Our goal with this outreach was to reach most, if not, all 5th grade students in Lafayette County, MS. In Mississippi, students learn about eclipses in the 5th grade. In this session, we will share what we did, how we were able to get all the moving parts in place, and what we learned while conducting this outreach. Attendees will also learn about our partnership with our local library for a public viewing party on the day of the eclipse. Attendees will receive a handout detailing how we conducted and met both outreach goals. Attendees will also see photos from our events and resources that influenced our outreach. Presenters will be available for questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will receive a handout detailing a report of our outreach in Lafayette County, Mississippi. Attendees will also be able to see pictures of our events, and receive ideas about how they might conduct their own public outreach for the April 2024 eclipse.

SPEAKERS:
Alice Steimle (Director: University, MS), Christian Clark (University of Mississippi: University, MS)

Elementary STEM Unit: Lessons and Insights

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
STEM Share-a-thon Poster

Show Details

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)

Community Science Data Talks

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


Show Details

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)

Equity In STEAM

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


Show Details

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)

Engaging Middle School Students in Blackout Poetry

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


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To some students, poetry may seem daunting. But if we look at poetry as writing in short lines and lists of words, it becomes less scary. In our science classrooms, students may also find that some concepts are difficult. But what happens if we give students opportunities to play with ideas and rehearse those ideas in short lines and lists, or poems, that they create? In our Linking Science, Mathematics, and Literacy for All Learners program, teachers have developed integrated literacy lessons to help students learn scientific content. As students write to learn, they are also learning vocabulary and approaches to help them read and understand complex science texts. One of these strategies is black-out poetry in which the writer is blacking out, or eclipsing, words on the page to create something new. In this session we will share how blackout poetry can be used in different ways with a variety of texts so that all learners can blend their science learning and poetry writing. We wil

TAKEAWAYS:
In this activity, students read and comprehend a scientific text, and then determine the key terms and domain-specific vocabulary. They use this information to create a poem, as well as a visual representation of the text. This is appropriate for upper-elementary through high school students.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Lannin (University of Missouri: Columbia, MO)

Ignite STEM: Empowering Scientific Explorers Through Video Creations

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


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Join us as we take you through a hands-on journey, walking you step-by-step through the process of crafting impactful movies. Whether you’re a seasoned tech enthusiast or new to the world of video editing, this session caters to all levels of expertise. Learn how to: 1. Choose the Right Software: Explore the functionalities of iMovie, Clips, and other popular editing tools, and determine which one suits your presentation style best. 2. Plan Your Story: Dive into the art of storytelling and how to structure your presentation to convey information effectively. 3. Capture and Edit Footage: Discover techniques for capturing engaging video content and editing with precision, including adding transitions, effects, and captions. 4. Incorporate Visuals: Learn how to integrate images, graphics, and animations to enhance your message and keep your audience engaged. 5. Perfect the Audio: Understand the importance of clear audio and explore how to incorporate music, narration, and sound effects.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn how to seamlessly integrate critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, information literacy, media literacy, technology literacy, flexibility, leadership, and initiative into their STEM curriculum through video-based projects.

SPEAKERS:
Tambra Clark (Birmingham City Board of Education: Birmingham, AL), Portrice Warren (William James Christian K-8 School: Birmingham, AL)

Career Info + Career Experience + Research Project + Mentor = 89% Choosing STEM Career

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


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STEM Career awareness has been done in many ways, as has STEM experiences. Students doing research projects is not new, nor is having mentors. What IS novel is how a coordinated effort to move students from career awareness, to interest, to proficiency through doing research in a mentored and well-resourced environment with extensive Teacher PD at the core, really results in 89% of the students choosing a STEM career. Based on a 12-year case study, the combination of intentional (teacher/student) support centered around a specific STEM career has outcomes tracked in a free online database. This presentation will share the formula, coach teachers to create their own implementation plan during the session, and offer web access to the free online database so teachers/students can track their own progress and benchmark it to aggregated anonymous data of others doing similar programs. Teachers are able to pull/share a PDF report of their own outcomes and as compared to others.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a written plan for their chosen career focus and lists of resource suggestions to help implement this program locally, as well as access to an online data tracking system where they can benchmark outcomes and receive tabulated reports at no charge.

SPEAKERS:
Jill Ott (Science Coach: Saint Louis, MO)

Invention Education Lightning Round

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


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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)

Corn is "A-MAIZING"!: Incorporating Agriculture in the STEM Classroom

Saturday, October 28 • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Kansas City Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Share-a-thon Area


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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)

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