Learn a design process for creating three-dimensional assessment tasks that support student learning. We will introduce participants to each phase of the process: unpacking dimensions, developing integrated dimension maps, articulating learning performances, identifying phenomena, and designing tasks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn the steps of a systematic process for designing three-dimensional tasks that align with NGSS performance expectations, take into consideration students’ diverse backgrounds, and can be used in classrooms to provide information to teachers and students to improve learning.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Krajcik (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI), Christopher Harris (WestEd)

Come join us to see how OpenSciEd’s materials can help you reveal your students’ brilliance. This professional learning institute will simultaneously prepare you to teach the first unit in the OpenSciEd middle school program and provide the support you need to advance your practice so that learning is both driven by student questions and leads to the foundational science learning they need to be successful. To do this, this session will put teachers in the student’s seat so they can feel what it's like to be a student whose thoughts and questions are valued in the drive to figure out puzzling phenomena. We actually do science together with the facilitator acting as the "teacher" and then dig in to see the coherence across the program and the details in the first units of OpenSciEd’s program.

In the morning, coaches, admin, and teachers will be together. In the afternoon, teachers will keep digging into the materials and instructional coaches or administrators will have the option to move to a breakout room to learn more about the tools and resources that are available to support teachers in impactful implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
How OpenSciEd's free and publicly available instructional materials and professional learning can make a district's vision for science education a reality.

SPEAKERS:
Thomas Clayton (K-5 STEAM Specialist: Berkeley Heights, NJ), Heather Galbreath (Lombard Middle School: Galesburg, IL), Renee Affolter (Boston College: Chestnut Hill, MA), Alicia Wedderburn (Science Instructional Coach: , MA)

Immerse yourself in OpenSciEd's innovative learning and gain a deep understanding of the High School Biology Unit B.1 Ecosystem Interactions & Dynamics. Experience learning in the unit from students’ perspective through lesson immersions and gain a tool-kit of resources and strategies to confidently facilitate the unit in your classroom. Make the B.1 Ecosystem Interactions & Dynamics unit come alive in your high school classroom! Hybrid workshop series beginning at the NSTA National Conference Denver 24 and continuing through April 2024

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rademaker (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Holly Hereau (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Join us to learn how OpenSciEd materials can help you build high school science learning experiences anchored in compelling phenomena and meaningful community and global problems.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will gain a bird's-eye view of the structure of units for all three courses of OpenSciEd– biology, chemistry, and physics– and discuss the routines and resources that promote equitable science learning in high school. This PLI will dive into unit 1 of the OpenSciEd High School chemistry course.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Novak (Northwestern University: Evanston, IL), Nicole Vick (Northwestern University)

Join us to figure out how to adapt NGSS assessments to be meaningful and coherent for your learners, useful for communicating progress, and manageable for you to provide actionable feedback. We will analyze what task features ensure eliciting evidence related to 3D sensemaking in grade-appropriate ways and consider how to adapt/design tasks to be accessible, relevant, and meaningful to all learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will work together to adapt classroom tasks and plan for their implementation using the most up-to-date tools and resources from across multiple NGSS assessment leaders and projects. You will leave with a task that has been collaboratively adapted during our session that you can share with your colleagues and try with your learners, along with tools and strategies you can use to change your assessment practices in your classroom, school and/or district.

SPEAKERS:
Kelley Aitken (Winchester Public Schools: Winchester, VA), Sara Cooper (Contextus), Abraham Lo (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Dawn Novak (Northwestern University: Evanston, IL)

Successful implementation of open-source instructional materials for the NGSS requires adaptation for local needs. This Professional Learning Institute will engage participants in using tools to adapt an open-source middle school unit for local standards and phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Jean Flanagan (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Elaine Klein (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Audrey Mohan (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Candice Guy-Gaytán (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Zoe Buck Bracey (Senior Science Educator and Director of Design for Justice: Colorado Springs, CO), Jamie Noll (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Lindsey Mohan (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Janna Mahfoud (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Cynthia Gay (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO)

Join us at the Coloroado Convention Center for an opening reception to mark the start of NSTA Denver24! We’ll keep it casual—enjoy beverages and small bites while networking with old and new friends. The event is complimentary and open to all registered conference attendees.

Don't judge a book by its cover; the same applies to relationships. Superficial judgments may miss meaningful connections. Explore implicit biases, adjust thought patterns, and eliminate discrimination for a more enriching journey.

SPEAKERS:
Adolph Brown

Calling all yoga enthusiasts! Regardless of whether you’re a newbie or veteran, join yoga teacher, Azra Chughtai, RYT, for a warm-up with breathwork; hatha yoga (gentle stretching exercises to wake up the body); and, of course, meditation for relaxation and de-stressing. Beginner friendly!

TAKEAWAYS:
Recharge: Energizing and Stress Relief

SPEAKERS:
Azra Chughtai (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Welcome to NSTA’s national conference!! Where should you begin? Join us for an exploration of the conference app and NSTA’s social media. You will learn how to maneuver and conquer the conference and leave feeling energized.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to get the most out of your conference experience in addition to becoming an engaged learner.

With literacy making it's way to the forefront of all core curriculum, do you ever feel like you don't have enough time to add a reading assignment to your lesson plans? Don't stress! I will present strategies that I have incorporated into my plans that have had positive results.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will take away literacy strategies that can be incorporated immediately into your lesson plans that will encourage students to read aloud, pick out important words and phrases, and put their ideas on paper. Also allows teachers to assess reading abilities and comprehension.

SPEAKERS:
Stacey Barnett (Hammond Creek Middle School: Dalton, GA)

Diversity in STEM is crucial; however, we need to do more than just talk about it. In order to really create inclusive spaces, we must address the dark side of science which has led many groups to shy away from pursuing these fields. This harm can be repaired through restorative practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand the history of science in the United States. By acknowledging the systemic obstacles and barriers that certain underrepresented groups faced, we can implement restorative strategies to create inclusive science classrooms, such as: circles, conferences, and restorative questions.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Josue Falaise (GOMO Educational Services: No City, No State)

Unlock the power of student sensemaking in science. Learn strategies to ignite curiosity, foster discussion, and use writing to create an inclusive classroom. Elevate science teaching to ensure you have a student-centered classroom using strategies that develop science and engineering practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
For middle school students, communication through talking and writing is natural. When they are making sense of science through talking and writing, they are making their thinking visible. This session highlights strategies and routines that will transform science lessons into student-centered learning.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Rhoades (Collaborative Science Teaching and Learning Group Consulting: Midlothian, VA)

Explore how excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere makes water more acidic through hands-on activities from the free 5E lesson plans in middleschoolchemistry.com.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will conduct simple, safe, and inexpensive hands-on experiments showing that carbon dioxide gas makes water more acidic, and see how these activities and concepts can be taught to students in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
James Kessler (American Chemical Society: Washington, DC)

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 tracking student thinking/understanding.

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

Hosting a STEM Science Fair promotes engagement with the scientific method and CER. It allows students to investigate areas of science that interest them. Learn the logistics of hosting a STEM science fair at your school and the benefits it can bring to your building.

TAKEAWAYS:
Hosting a Science Fair allows students to be active scientists as they study, experiment, and share their knowledge of an in-depth topic of their interest.

SPEAKERS:
Stacie Hopple (8th grade science teacher: New Lexington, OH)

Students with exceptionalities experience barriers to mastering the breadth and depth of the NGSS. This session explains the process used to reduce the depth, breadth, and complexity of the NGSS into K-12 alternate standards for students with severe cognitive disabilities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how the developmental process of the NGSS PEs was mirrored, yet altered, to develop alternate standards that incorporated the three dimensions described in the Framework and the NGSS at a reduced depth, breadth, and complexity.

SPEAKERS:
Joyce Depenbusch (Atlas DLM), Christy Glore (ATLAS at University of Kansas: No City, No State)

Undergraduate researchers built a bat house on the Amazon River Basin. The project goals were: 1.) provide natural remediation, 2.) create a marketable commodity (guano), and 3.) reduce overhead costs. The venture has proven beneficial and has far-reaching global effects on the most at-risk humans.

TAKEAWAYS:
Several benefits for the Maijuna can be replicated in other communities. International historical bat projects will be shared. Future ventures with tropical bat houses and other natural resources will be shared. The main takeaway is the use of the natural environment to battle current human struggles.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Bechtel (Wartburg College: Waverly, IA)

Like many states, Connecticut has adopted OpenSciEd for the middle level model science curriculum. The approach to teaching and learning through OpenSciEd presents a challenge for school and district leaders– that is, what does it look like? The instructional model & feedback will be the focus.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leaders and supervisors will learn what to expect in an OpenSciEd classroom and take away tools and resources to support their understanding, and support teacher implementation through formative feedback to enhance teacher growth and collective efficacy.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Wlodarczyk (Capitol Region Education Council: Hartford, CT)

School leaders play an important role in the adoption of high quality instructional materials and can serve as catalysts for smart adoption processes. Participants will learn how to develop and use local priorities and instructional vision to drive the instructional materials adoption process.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to develop local priorities and establish an instructional vision, engage with EdReports reviews of instructional materials to make informed decisions based on local context, and leave with materials to support replicating this process with their local educators.

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

Making enhancements to our Science programming requires an integration of STEM concepts. In this session we share our technological journey and how we have infused 3D printing, drones, robots, coding, and Arduinos seamlessly into 6th-8th grade Science classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees learn how STEM can be infused seamlessly into current NGSS programming, new STEM options available, how they are being used to increase problem solving and critical thinking skills, and how to use the instructional planning framework to integrate STEM technology into any middle-level class.

SPEAKERS:
Anna Kopacz , Howard Frishman (Woodlawn Middle School: Long Grove, IL), Nicole McRee (KCSD#96)

How do we prepare teachers to build a community of student learners and leaders? Science education is ideal for building student leaders as they investigate phenomena through questions and observations.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will explore and model best practices to promote inclusive student leadership in science.

SPEAKERS:
Sephali Thakkar (National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA): No City, No State), Beverly DeVore-Wedding (Nebraska Indian Community College: Meeker, CO)

Are your students’ explanations of science sometimes jaw-dropping, leaving you scratching your head as to where that “knowledge” came from? While we can’t eliminate kids’ misconceptions, we can work with those ideas to help them understand the correct science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn how to work with misconceptions that students hold in order to incorporate those into useful assessments. Use students’ sensemaking to discover ways to get at those ideas, and share your students’ misconceptions, hear others as well, and build research-based assessments.

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

Science coordinators from two public school districts in South Carolina will share how they are implementing a high-quality, open-education NGSS curriculum to support equitable three-dimensional science instruction for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will share our implementation strategies, including how we recruited teachers as early adopters. Learn how we support teachers and students, partner with administrators and the community, manage materials, address challenges, and celebrate successes.

SPEAKERS:
Richard Phillips (Sumter School District: Sumter, SC), Holly Sullivan (Richland School District Two: Columbia, SC)

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)

Get ready to Rise to the Challenge in this Workshop series based on our Massachusetts STEM Week Challenges. From extreme weather to deserted islands, and zoo makeovers, there’s a challenge for everyone! You’ll experience hands-on, inquiry and phenomena-based investigations. Receive the curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will explore STEM Design Challenges funded by the MA DHE and run during MA STEM Week. They will explore using a design challenge in their classroom that addresses the Science and Engineering Standards and the engineering design process, and will experience using phenomena-based units.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Stronach (Lloyd Center for the Environment: Dartmouth, MA), Kathryn Atkins (Wade Institute for Science Education: Quincy, MA), Sandra Ryack-Bell (Wade Institute for Science Education: Quincy, MA)

Physical computing allows students to design and create interactive objects that emphasize computational thinking skills. Participants will engage in activities designed for middle school students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Microcontrollers are small computers that come with several integrated sensors. Their functionality makes them useful for both investigations and engineering projects. Some of the basic functionality of different microcontrollers will be learned through hands-on experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Susan German (Hallsville Middle School: Hallsville, MO), G. Michael Bowen (Mount Saint Vincent University: Halifax, NS)

Discover how simple adjustments in activity order can supercharge your students' knowledge construction and seamlessly integrate the NGSS into your teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro, Instructional Sequence Matters will empower you with both the rationale and tangible, real-world examples to revamp your hands-on teaching methods.

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

In this presentation we’ll discuss how to bring makerspaces, STEAM, and genius hour to life in the classroom. An experienced STEAM educator will share her joyful journey creating and implementing a middle school STEAM class rooted in research on making, equity, and the genius hour practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to bring joy into teaching and learning through making, STEAM, and genius hour. Attendees will walk away with tools, tips, and tricks to support their own vision of joy in teaching and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Olivia Bello (75 Morton: New York, NY)

Explore student-driven phenomena to teach and scaffold the NGSS Science Practices! This session is a mix of presentation, hands-on inquiry, and discussion. Utilizing a teacher’s experience in research and scientific publication, we’ll explore common areas of dissonance in emerging scientists.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to make authentic research accessible to diverse learners with a simple jelly, bread, and kitchen utensil investigation. Scaffolding progressions will cover scientific writing, data analysis, peer feedback, and scientific communication to bridge the gap between classroom and research.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Lane (C R Anderson Middle School: Helena, MT)

Middle School NGSS-aligned curriculum, instruction, and assessment resources created by the SIPS Project provide a scalable and coherent approach to improve three-dimensional science learning for all students, including unpacking the science content, instruction, and assessing student progress.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators’ ability to use three-dimensional instruction and assessment resources to provide inclusive, equitable instruction, promote sensemaking, assess learning, and make instructional decisions will be enhanced. Benefits of a coherent system to improve student outcomes will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Rhonda True (Nebraska Department of Education: Lincoln, NE), Mary Nyaema (University of Illinois Chicago: Chicago, IL), Bill Herrera (edCount, LLC: No City, No State), Charlene Turner (Senior Associate: Laramie, WY)

Members of NSTA's Professional Learning Committee want to meet you! Join us as we kick-off the Sensemaking and Crosscutting Concepts Conference Course. This session gives an overview of how CCCs are used to enrich SEPs and DCIs, enhance student sensemaking, and guide future instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session is a call to action for realizing the power of CCCs. Attendees will have an opportunity to connect with NSTA's PL Committee, collaborate with fellow science leaders, and leave with an invitation to continue the conference course to further understandings of sensemaking and CCCs.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Science Teachers Association), Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Sharon Cates (Phenomenon Science Education: Amherst, MA), Kimberley Astle (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Olympia, WA), Leah Litz (Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium: No City, No State)

Participants will be presented with the characteristics of NGSS-based learning. The presenter will frame this through the review of a hands-on/demonstration activity vs. a Three-Dimensional approach to instruction. This session is meant for school administrators who do not have a science background.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be introduced to the process of converting a hands-on/demonstration activity to a true NGSS-based lesson.

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

We will engage audience in experiencing strategies a group of middle-school science teachers used to customize OpenSciEd curriculum to better support students' equitable sensemaking by enhancing the curriculum's relevance. We will also share the challenges and lessons learned.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through this session, we hope that the attendees will walk away with a set of strategies they could use to enhance curriculum's relevance to students in future instruction, as well as the items they want to pay attention to during customization.

SPEAKERS:
Jason Buell (Postdoctoral researcher: No City, No State), Brian Reiser (Learning Sciences, SESP, Northwestern University), Claire Hiller (Chute Middle School: Evanston, IL), Stephanie Baldwin (Haven Middle School: Evanston, IL), Kafi Chase (Chute Middle School), Yang Zhang (Northwestern University: Evanston, IL)

Explore transformative AI tools for education, including Questionwell, Curipod, and Twee. Learn to seamlessly integrate them into lessons, enhance student engagement, and elevate learning with AI-generated questions and personalized feedback.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain hands-on experience with AI tools for education, understanding their potential to enhance student engagement, streamline assessment, and promote innovative teaching strategies.

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

We are conducting a workshop on how to engage science learners in a virtual platform. We will have an interactive workshop with examples of how to teach Life Science and Physical Science concepts from your home through science phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Use various teaching tools and strategies in a virtual setting to foster the passion for science in all students. Use science phenomena to activate student’s critical thinking skills in a fun and interactive way.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Huffaker (Teacher: , GA), Rebecca Miller (Science Department Chair/ 8th Grade Science Teacher: , GA), Latoya Moore (Georgia Connections Academy: No City, No State)

What do climate data feel like? How can they engage our senses? Explore climate data using simple methods to create powerful and tactile data stories. Inspired by #ShowYourStripes and the Tempestry Project, participants learn ways to make environmental data accessible and fun for students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Workshop participants will create and keep a sample data project using tactile materials and receive step-by-step plans for how to replicate this with any data set in their classrooms. The plans can be easily adapted to any unit that uses data in natural science, math, or social science classes.

SPEAKERS:
Alexandra Rose (CU Science Discovery: Boulder, CO), Ian Schwartz (Boulder Valley School District: Boulder, CO), Tim Ogino (CU Science Discovery: Boulder, CO)

Science is a social endeavor! Gain strategies to transform your classroom into a community of learners in which students and teachers actively try to make sense of the natural and built worlds.

TAKEAWAYS:
Classroom norms help ensure equitable science learning

SPEAKERS:
Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

We'll explore using BioInteractive's free Model Builder tool to assist students in understanding system models. Choose from a library of models or create your own.

SPEAKERS:
Steven Rogg (Notre Dame College Prep: Niles, IL), Joseph Evans (Kent County High School: Worton, MD)

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Learn fun strategies for using informational texts to support your young learners’ sensemaking. Investigate supports with these texts that help students gather more information, use new vocabulary, and experience new ways of talking about their ideas about the world of science around them.

SPEAKERS:
Jen Gutierrez (Activate Learning: Greenwich, CT)

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Teach macromolecules without the crazy prep! In this micro-scaled lab activity, students test for starch, glucose, protein, lipids and DNA, without the need for large volumes of reagents, cleaning test tubes, or boiling reagents. Then students apply their knowledge and test various unknown samples.

SPEAKERS:
Whitney Hagins (Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation: Cambridge, MA)

Sponsoring Company: Great Minds

See how Colorado schools are using phenomena to drive K–2 science instruction. We'll dive into a PhD Science® module to discover how phenomenon-driven instruction anchors student learning. Participants will hear from a piloting Colorado district and leave with access to the free K–2 OER materials.

SPEAKERS:
Madeline Cronk (Great Minds: Washington, DC), Rebecca Rolater (pK-12 Science Performance Improvement Partner: Aurora, CO)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Explore how physical models foster an understanding of the importance of mitosis and meiosis to the growth and development of living things.

SPEAKERS:
Ruth Hutson (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Engage with Hands-On Biology! Flinn Scientific presents a variety of easy to perform and exciting intro and Advanced Biology demonstrations. Come see Flinn’s new demonstrations and some of your old favorites—all guaranteed to make your science classroom come alive. Handouts provided for all.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Cambron, M.S. (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL)

Sponsoring Company: BIOZONE Corporation

Step-through BIOZONE's activities and learn how to utilize our unique pedagogical approach to engage students and streamline lessons. See how to integrate BIOZONE'S rich collection of digital assets into your lessons. Attendees receive a FREE print title & 90 day digital access to a title.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Stilwell (BIOZONE Corp.: Parker, CO)

Sponsoring Company: Community Training and Assistance Center (CTAC)

This session explores a unique approach to integrated STEM. The approach places curricular units that focus on engineering and computer science directly into the core curriculum for every student, PreK-12.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Reynolds (Community Training and Assistance Center (CTAC): Boston, MA)

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Dive into three NOAA modules (Observations vs. Models, Predators and Prey, and Ocean Food Webs) that explore scientific modeling as applied to Earth systems using a VR environment. Using these modules students will employ the NGSS practice of developing and using models in hands-on activities.

SPEAKERS:
Randy Russell (Dragonfly Games: Boulder, CO), Bruce Moravchik (NOAA National Ocean Service: Silver Spring, MD)

Sponsoring Company: PEER Physics

How can pedagogical tools and materials support students with building and revising mechanistic models? We’ll explore strategies for building models using shared evidence and consensus. Co-presented by PEER Physics and Arbor Scientific.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Quinty (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO)

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Use gel electrophoresis to help astronauts identify bacteria growing aboard the International Space Station. This case study is based on the research of the NASA microbiology team. Also, learn about Genes in Space, a free experimental design competition that launches student experiments to the ISS.

SPEAKERS:
Marc Bliss (miniPCR bio: Cambridge, MA)

Sponsoring Company: PASCO

Learn how to lead simple hands-on experiments with sensors. Help students collect and analyze carbon exchange data from plant leaves in real-time! Dispel student doubts in their understanding of photosynthesis and respiration.

SPEAKERS:
Sophia Guzules (PASCO Scientific: Roseville, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify Science

Through reflecting on our own personal ‘why’ for teaching science, we’ll consider how to spark a love of science for the next generation of solution seekers. Using exemplar activities and teacher moves, explore ways to celebrate student thinking, be responsive, and promote deep scientific thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Cross (Albert Einstein Academy Middle School: San Diego, CA)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

Arts integration is a holistic approach that enables students to access the curriculum while developing scientific skills needed for the twenty-first century. Learn how poetry, music, storytelling, drama, visual art, and creative movement can be meaningfully embedded within the science curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Walters (Accelerate Learning, Inc.: Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Come experience the Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd for Middle School and High School. See how the new Carolina Certified Edition enhances these high-quality instructional materials and makes OpenSciEd even better! Leave with classroom resources.

SPEAKERS:
Cory Ort (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Burlington, NC)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Take a tour through the mammalian heart and trace the path of a blood cell on its journey to oxygenation. Participants take blood pressure readings. Then dissect a preserved sheep heart to model blood flow and connect BP to heart anatomy. Don’t skip a beat - it’s going to be hands-on fun!

SPEAKERS:
Patti Kopkau (Retired Educator: National City, MI)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Decode concealed clues and unveil invisible evidence using spectroscopy! This demonstration will cover how students can use the Go Direct® SpectroVis® Plus Spectrophotometer and Vernier Spectral Analysis® app to capture and identify the spectra for invisible ink in a note left at a crime scene.

SPEAKERS:
Nüsret Hisim (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Colleen McDaniel (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Studying complex physics phenomena with photogates can be exciting for your students! Join us to explore strategies for engaging your students in learning about velocity vs. time graphs, acceleration, and kinematic equations. Build confidence in these tools and bring hands-on learning to your class!

SPEAKERS:
Josh Ence (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), David Carter (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP Science

Discover the synergy of engineering and science in your classroom! Merge hands-on learning and digital tech to bridge content and practice. Ignite creativity, foster problem-solving, and bring real-world experiences to your students through the power of brainstorming.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Bonville (BrainPOP: New York, NY)

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Explore the world of forensic science with these fun and exciting escape room activities! Try forensic blood detection and agarose gel electrophoresis experiments, decipher clues, and solve puzzles. Learn to design your own escape room to have students unravel the evidence and free the innocent.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Tom Cynkar (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: Lab-Aids

Students model global water movement as driven by the Sun and gravity. They consider how a plant's systems interact over various time and spacial scales. Crosscutting concepts of scale, proportion, and quantity are used to discuss the study of water movement and human impact on water.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Parker (Dublin Coffman High School: Dublin, OH)

Sponsoring Company: TCI

Learn to promote interest and engagement while helping students achieve specific learning objectives with games. Join us as you learn simple and valuable ways to gamify your lessons. We will be sharing a few creative game ideas for building relationships and reviewing and learning content.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Kumar (TCI: Mountain View, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Earth faces pressing challenges: rising temperatures, extreme weather, resource strain, and pollution. Unfairly, students must tackle these, but solutions exist. Teachers play a vital role in providing students with academic tools, fostering confidence and hope for them to shape a sustainable future

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

From exploding glitter bombs to backyard squirrel obstacle courses to engineering the world's smallest Nerf gun, if there's one thing Mark Rober knows how to do, it's getting kids stoked on science. Join us as Mark shares his incredible journey from NASA engineer to captivating millions with his science-fueled experiments and hilarious inventions on YouTube. Get ready for your mind to be blown when Mark unveils his most ambitious project yet - right here on the NSTA main stage.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Rober (CrunchLabs LLC: Sunnyvale, CA)

Many schools need high-quality units to meet their state standards or localize phenomena. BSCS Science Learning has extensive experience with designing, adapting, and localizing. In this session, apply a BSCS design tool, and learn about a suite of tools to use for large-scale design or adaptation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience with a tool to unpack target standards by clarifying key ideas, listing prerequisites and challenges, and considering what students should “figure out” and not just “learn about.” Consider and share how to apply tools and processes for designing and adapting HQIM in your local context.

SPEAKERS:
Jean Flanagan (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Elaine Klein (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO)

Please join us for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the exhibit hall, featuring companies with services, support, and resources for science educators.

In today’s fast-paced world, chronic stress is common, but your mind and body can pay a high price. Learn to recognize overwhelming stress—and what you can do about it. Most importantly, learn how to use the power of your senses to relieve stress on the spot and stay calm, productive, and focused.

TAKEAWAYS:
Tips on how to manage stress.

SPEAKERS:
Azra Chughtai (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Use Biointeractive resources to help students explain the relationship between climate change and coral bleaching by analyzing real world data on heat-stress mortality trends.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn Norton (Educator: Holcombe, WI), Chi Klein (Saint Stephen's Episcopal School: Bradenton, FL)

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Simplified prep and innovative technology makes your bacterial transformation work for you, not the other way around. Transform cells in a few simple steps, and use a new innovative media plate that comes pre-poured. See how this lab will let you spend your time teaching and doing, not prepping.

SPEAKERS:
Whitney Hagins (Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation: Cambridge, MA)

Sponsoring Company: Simulation Curriculum

Teach astronomy and space science using the most effective and recognized tool available - Starry Night. We invite teachers to see our newest, browser-based NGSS aligned edition. We'll show the lessons, exercises, simulations and interactions along with the assessments and teacher materials.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Goodman (Simulation Curriculum: Hopkins, MN)

Sponsoring Company: Great Minds

Come along as we undergo a rigorous student experience to work through a complex investigation. Throughout the course of the session, participants will discover the importance of fostering an environment that encourages challenge where students can struggle in a safe space.

SPEAKERS:
Madeline Cronk (Great Minds: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Dive deep into water's secrets! Harness 3D models to unravel states of matter, polar covalent bonding, solubility, and beyond in an immersive journey.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt (3D Molecular Designs: No City, No State), Tim Herman (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Teaching Chemistry should be AWESOME! Flinn Scientific presents a variety of easy to perform and exciting chemistry.. Come see Flinn’s new demonstrations and some of your old favorites—all guaranteed to make your science classroom come alive. Handouts provided for all.

SPEAKERS:
Savannah Stanley, M.Ed. (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL)

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Get a close look at the pedagogical strategies of a highly acclaimed Earth Science book. Developed by the American Geoscience Institute, this book relies on student-centered activities, students doing science! Take part in several activities and connect with other earth science teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Gary Curts (Activate Learning: Greenwich, CT)

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Link physical science concepts like circuits and charged particles to the essential biotech method gel electrophoresis. Build a reusable gel electrophoresis system with the Bandit STEM Electrophoresis Kit, and use it to separate colorful dyes. Also, add the A to STEAM with creative pipetting art!

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hennessy-McDonald, PhD (miniPCR bio: Cambridge, MA)

Sponsoring Company: PASCO

Get hands-on experience with sensors, demonstrators, and software for graphing motion. For students new to describing motion, position and velocity graphs can be challenging to interpret. Learn accessible methods to help your students solidify their motion graphing skills and comprehension.

SPEAKERS:
Sophia Guzules (PASCO Scientific: Roseville, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify Science

How do we uncover and leverage the wealth of background knowledge and experiences students bring to science classrooms? Join UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science for strategies and examples of how student-centered experiences can spark curiosity, empower students, and lead to deeper learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Curley (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Daniel Alcazar-Roman (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

Come learn how to use effective literacy strategies so that students can better understand science content. Student understanding and critical-thinking skills will improve with these techniques. Join our constructivist approach that promotes literacy in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Thompson (Accelerate Learning, Inc.: Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Join our interactive science workshop where literacy meets exploration! Immerse yourself in a world of discovery as we blend scientific concepts with the power of language. Through engaging activities, see how students will not only unravel the wonders of science but also enhance their literacy skills. Leave with classroom resources.

SPEAKERS:
Hoover Herrera (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Burlington, NC), Sarah Glassman (Smithsonian Science Education Center: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Reimagine standards-aligned enzymology lessons with an updated real-world spin. Attendees will explore lactase enzyme function firsthand and use Vernier Go Direct® sensors to observe lactose breakdown. Students can make real-world connections to digestive health concepts like lactose intolerance.

SPEAKERS:
Colleen McDaniel (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Nüsret Hisim (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Wondering how to get started with Vernier technology? Explore three of our most common sensors for chemistry, biology, and physics and learn about resources and support available to you from Vernier. Walk away with data collection tips and best practices to incorporate in your classes.

SPEAKERS:
David Carter (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Josh Ence (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP Science

Looking to help students develop science inquiry skills and think critically about scientific concepts? Join our session on Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER), the framework that helps students make sense of the world around them and leave with an in-depth understanding and practical strategies.

SPEAKERS:
Kelsie Stocz (BrainPOP: New York, NY)

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Unleash the power of gene editing with your students using REAL CRISPR-Cas technology to knock out colorful genes in E. coli. Identify successful knockout based on the cell color. Experiment by switching RNA templates and analyzing results, letting your students prove the specificity of CRISPR!

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Tom Cynkar (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: Lab-Aids

Learn about the intentional design of our units to embed equitable opportunities in phenomenon-based learning. This hands-on workshop uses a model activity showing how students use data to develop an evidence-based argument supporting the best way to recover copper from a waste solution.

SPEAKERS:
Ed Miller (Selden Middle School: Centereach, NY)

Sponsoring Company: TCI

Join our dynamic workshop, blending engineering and speed dating! Experience hands-on challenges inspired by TCI's K-8 science programs. Engage in "speed dates" with engineering activities, gaining valuable lessons and insights. Don't miss this innovative session!

SPEAKERS:
Sara Kumar (TCI: Mountain View, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Assume the role of a crime scene investigator to solve a realistic crime scenario. Students use fingerprint, hair analysis, tire track impressions, blood typing, forensic entomology, and a police log review to identify a primary suspect from a pool of 6 alleged perpetrators.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Nixon (Chemistry Teacher: Boone, NC), Ryan Hainey (Product Manager of Biotechnology, Genetics, and Forensics: Burlington, NC)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Scientific perspectives and data should help economic decisions, guide government policy, and improve health. Yet denial of science is everywhere. Evolution. Climate change, Vaccination. GMOs. We will analyze the causes of science denial, and discuss what can educators can do about it.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Levine (Science Writer and Producer: Concord, MA)

Sponsoring Company: Legends of Learning

Forget boring! Ignite learning with Legends of Learning's Game Based Adventures! Embark on an immersive learning experience. Active, engaging, unforgettable. Unleash the learning within!

SPEAKERS:
Sean Reidy (Legends of Learning: Laurel, MD), Jonathan Gerlach (Legends of Learning: Laurel, MD)

Sponsoring Company: KidWind Project

Join us to explore the science of solar power! During this workshop, educators will learn the foundations of solar power including the science and technology of solar PV. We will also introduce activities for the classroom that engage students in dynamic, hands-on, energy-based learning.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Arquin (KidWind Project: Saint Paul, MN)

Discover the latest and greatest science and STEM teaching and learning resources, tools, and products available during this break in concurrent sessions.

Calling all Science Supervisors, department heads, principals, school coordinators. Please join us for a roundtable discussion on curriculum, resources and supervision of science departments. Participants will be adding to and have access to a shared Padlet full of various ideas and resources!

Join two instructional coaches who will lead a medical-themed session where attendees will have the opportunity to travel through the cross-curricular leveling-up (station-based) activity. Attendees will leave the session with instructional strategies to fuel student engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will participate in a cross-curricular leveling-up (station-based) activity. Attendees will also receive access to a website that includes meaningful instructional sequences, grade-appropriate resources, a cross-curricular map, rubrics, and student organizers fueling student engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Jamesa Broome (Instructional Lead Teacher: Richmond Hill, GA), Ann Vitello (Richmond Hill Middle School: Richmond Hill, GA)

PAEMST Awardees are invited to a celebratory reception of the 40th anniversary of the PAEMST award. Come and meet your fellow alumni!

Although teachers understand the importance of literacy integration, the process of literacy integration remains elusive...until now! This session will support the development of a concrete plan for integrating literacy into your classroom. Resources included!

TAKEAWAYS:
Literacy integration does not mean teaching students to decode. Literacy integration, at its core, is the process of making text visible in the classroom so students can read, write, and speak like professional scientists. Literacy integration makes science fun!

SPEAKERS:
Mesa Davis (Clayton State University: Morrow, GA)

Materials science combines many fields such as physics, chemistry, engineering, and math to understand the properties of, and create new materials for, the modern world. Get some hands-on learning and get access to resources that will provide exciting cross-content experiences in your classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore materials science and help students make connections between the understanding of the STUFF things are made of and how this can change our world. Making things like cars, cellphones, medical technology, space exploration, sustainable energy and so much more possible! Materials Matter!

SPEAKERS:
Shelly Grandell (Assistant Director of Education and Outreach: Madison, WI)

What started out as our solution to “viewing science fair projects can be boring” evolved into a well-attended, hands-on experience for our families and community. In this session, we will share our station-oriented activities and how to use them to build relationships with families and your school.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with the resources and confidence to organize large events for their school and community using science to build relationships. Session participants will be given an outline of helpful resources, tools, and ideas they can use to manage their own events.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Hunt (First Grade Teacher: Eustis, FL), Anne Fritz (Science Teacher: Eustis, FL)

Discover engaging phenomena and relevant content (sensor technology, medicine, and the environment) to promote equity in your classroom by engaging ALL students in nanotechnology and scientific learning to help improve our world and the human experience.

TAKEAWAYS:
Nature-inspired solutions are needed to solve real problems and nanotechnology provides the tools to develop innovation solutions and engage students in learning; identify the locations of nano NGSS-aligned activities, resources, and virtual experiences for your classroom in any STEM subject area.

SPEAKERS:
Daniella Duran (Stanford University: Stanford, CA)

Our world demands creative thinkers and problem-solvers. But what is creativity, really? If our job is to foster innovation and prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the future, how exactly do we do that in classrooms from K to 16? What I have found out just might surprise you.

TAKEAWAYS:
Research shows that creativity can (and should) be taught. We want to assess it, but it seems so subjective! Attendees will get some background, critique some assessment tools, and collaborate to design research-based criteria to use in their own classrooms.

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

Justice-centered science instruction is a critical process for building transformative, empowering classrooms. The TEECH 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:
Stacy Meyer (Educational Service District 112: Vancouver, WA)

Have you felt all the responsibility of teaching climate in only your classes? Every K-12 classroom can integrate climate literacy & action. Join us to learn about Washington State’s ClimeTime Program’s resources and support for integrating climate literacy and action across all content areas, K-12.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with practical solutions to create connections between the climate literacy found in the Framework and non-science K-12 content areas. Guidance for working with their peers to anchor classroom instruction around climate change and climate solutions will also be provided.

SPEAKERS:
Korey Peterson (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Olympia, WA), Jacob Parikh (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Olympia, WA), Lori Henrickson (Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Olympia, WA)

This session introduces art, music, reading, writing, and drama ideas to be woven through your lessons on climate change. I have multiple examples of climate-related projects that have been used successfully with students to educate and empower. Dare I say that teaching climate change can be fun?!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers learn how to enrich their teaching and inspire their students by incorporating The Arts into their climate lessons. In addition, The Arts can provide creative and fun project-based learning that has the potential to communicate climate science effectively to the greater population.

SPEAKERS:
Kottie Christie-Blick (University of San Diego: San Diego, CA)

Participants will learn about the characteristics of hiqh-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and how to identify them. They will use EdReports resources to compare and contrast materials based on markers of quality and discuss how to use this process when selecting HQIM for their local context.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through engaging in a sample materials selection process, participants will gain an understanding of the characteristics of high-quality instructional materials (including sensemaking and the presence of phenomena and problems) and how to use EdReports' free resources.

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

Embark on an AI-powered journey with Chat-GPT to grow your teacher toolbox! Join us to discover how Chat-GPT can offer options for differentiation and equity within your science classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will observe and synthesize differentiated activities to better address performance expectations using ChatGPT, such as finding animations for abstract concepts, tiered reading materials, supports for ESL students, culture integration in lessons, and enrichment opportunities.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Kipp (Texas A&M)

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 examine sample assessments for three-dimensional questioning and be given a chance to enhance a question on a topic relevant to their teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Anna Kopacz , Nicole McRee (KCSD#96)

Nothing excites an educator more than learning a new skill and sharing it with others! The goal of this session is to introduce Place-Based STEM using digital mapping and storytelling resources. Educators will receive direct instruction in digital mapping and resources for their classes!

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn to connect location and geography to science content locally, regionally, and globally through the use of digital mapping and problem-based learning STEM strategies.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Ragsdale (STEM Professional Development: Grand Junction, CO)

Promoting reading and writing while learning science? Utilize proven literacy strategies to enhance your students’ science knowledge and science literacy for the 21st (STEM) century.

TAKEAWAYS:
Enhancing student learning in science utilizing literacy strategies.

SPEAKERS:
Beverly DeVore-Wedding (Nebraska Indian Community College: Meeker, CO)

Learn effective ways to help students formulate effective questions, design explorations to answer their questions, apply analytical and critical thinking skills, collect and interpret data, and determine effective ways to communicate their findings and the concepts they have learned. Handouts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to help students read like a scientist, how to formulate effective questions they want to answer, how to set up explorations and learning experiences, how to apply skills and communicate their findings so that students can think, act, and communicate like scientists.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Knoell (Educational and Technology Consultant: Prairie Village, KS)

Learn how student interest & identity are co-equal dimensions with disciplinary core ideas, science & engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts when designing phenomenon-driven assessments. Participants will learn how to use tools to elicit information about students for use in design.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators engage with the 5D Assessment Project's tools to elicit and use information about students' interests and identities to design meaningful, phenomenon-driven assessment opportunities. Work with examples of meaningful assessment aligned to the elements of the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Cooper (Contextus), Kevin Cherbow (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Abraham Lo (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO)

Join members of NSTA’s Professional Learning Committee to explore strategies and tools that focus classroom talk on sensemaking using the Crosscutting Concepts. You’ll have the chance to experience sensemaking strategies linked to discourse and consider applications in your sphere.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with discussion strategies and tools they can implement right away in classrooms to support student discourse and sensemaking anchored in the Crosscutting Concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Science Teachers Association), Kimberley Astle (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Olympia, WA)

Physical computing allows students to design and create interactive objects that emphasize computational thinking skills. Participants will engage in activities designed for middle school students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Microcontrollers are small computers that come with several integrated sensors. Their functionality makes them useful for both investigations and engineering projects. We will focus in how engineering tasks using microcontrollers provide opportunities for student sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Susan German (Hallsville Middle School: Hallsville, MO), G. Michael Bowen (Mount Saint Vincent University: Halifax, NS)

Game-based learning is a powerful way to engage learners and introduce STEM topics. Working with experts, we designed an escape room for students and their families to increase their understanding of neuroscience phenomena and how the brain works. Try demo activities as you learn to design your own.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will demonstrate how to develop an educational escape room to serve informal and formal science learning objectives and get families actively interacting with science and engineering processes. It will also review methods of assessment, especially for out-of-school settings.

SPEAKERS:
Daisy Reyes (PhD Student: Brooklyn, NY), Lucas Leprince (Game Designer: No City, No State), Sandra Roberts (Science Friday: New York, NY)

Using a probe from the popular “Uncovering Student Misconceptions” series, the co-author will share student responses to address this key concept for teaching climate change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understanding student misconceptions in this foundational component of climate change is critical prior to teaching the subject. Discover how engaging, open-ended probes provide insight into student ideas and misconceptions, while learning ways to support them in understanding the concepts accurately.

SPEAKERS:
Brett Thomsen (Science Department Head: Chimacum, WA), Laura Tucker (Consultant: Port Townsend, WA)

Engage in a research strategy grounded in the Global Competence Framework. Using maps and data visualization tools, including the EPA’s Environmental Justice Screening Tool, participants will consider different perspectives, investigate the world, communicate ideas, and plan to take action.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn a research strategy that helps make student research personally meaningful and globally relevant while developing their global competence. Learn how to use data visualization tools to explore environmental justice in your own community and inspire students to take action for a more just world.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Emery (GEMS-Net, University of Rhode Island: No City, No State), Catherine Knasas (University of Rhode Island: Kingston, RI), Caroline Stabile (GEMS-Net, University of Rhode Island: No City, No State)

The Science Teacher Symposium is a model focused on science content knowledge that simultaneously provides the space and support teachers need to focus on their own wellbeing. Hear the impacts and lessons learned after 6 years of crosscutting connections and 2 years of embedded resilience training.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand the pros and cons of the in-person vs. virtual versions of the multi-day symposium model and will learn about the incredible impacts the resilience training has had on the educators involved, including increased teacher retention.

SPEAKERS:
Meg Gebert (Arizona Science Teachers Association: Tucson, AZ), Alison Smith (The Thrive Designer: Chandler, AZ), DaNel Hogan (Waters Center for Systems Thinking: , ID)

Explore tried-and-true strategies firsthand for supporting student-driven revision of written work. Walk away with strategies to help students self- and peer-assess their work and improve it.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn what a critique lesson can look like in which students generate success criteria for quality scientific explanations. They will walk away with strategies to implement in their own classrooms to support students with the NGSS practice "constructing explanations."

SPEAKERS:
Kristie Rachell (Haven Middle School: Evanston, IL), Claire Hiller (Chute Middle School: Evanston, IL), Kafi Chase (Chute Middle School), Alissa Berg (Evanston Skokie School District 65)

Once upon a time, there were dedicated teachers who wanted nothing more than classrooms full of happy, engaged, and inspired students. Alas, our heroes must face many dastardly obstacles including boring curriculum! This session will provide storytelling tips to help turn duds into happy endings...

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with compelling explanations/research behind the effectiveness of storytelling as an instructional tool as well as several examples of story integration into various STEM activities.

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

Imagine a world where you can solve real-world problems, build robots, and use cutting-edge of technology. The Department of Defense (DoD) offers diverse STEM programs for kindergarten to post-secondary students and teachers, including competitions, camps, professional growth opportunities and more.

TAKEAWAYS:
The Department of Defense has an extensive and diverse portfolio of STEM programs for kindergarten to post-secondary students and teachers. Attendees will discover the wide range of programs offered by the research offices of the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force and Space Force.

SPEAKERS:
Louie Lopez (Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering: Alexandria, VA), Kathryn Lasky (NSTA/Army Educational Outreach Program), Brian Leftridge (U.S. Army: Lakeland, TN), Kathleen Miranda (Naval STEM Coordination Office: No City, No State), Winnie Boyle (NSTA: No City, No State), Elyse Lohrbach (United States Air Force: No City, No State)

Join the US Patent & Trademark Office with activities from the free online invention education platform EquIP HQ, Patent Sensei, and Patent Quest. Gain a conceptual understanding of some of the steps needed to take during the patent process including developing skills to help perform a patent search.

TAKEAWAYS:
All students have the power to invent. The USPTO is committed to providing free resources to help K-12 students realize their potential as inventors. Unlocking young inventors' potential, EquIP HQ introduces students to the patent process, igniting creativity and innovation in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Juan Valentin (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Alexandria, VA)

Take a deep dive into the practice of developing and using models! We’ll explore how creating and using models help students build science ideas and can support students’ in developing and writing explanations. Experience the power of building science ideas together as part of a learning community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Developing models individually, in groups and as a class makes all students essential members of the knowledge-building community.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rademaker (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Patrice Scinta (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Blank stares and closed mouths no more! The Visual Non-Glossary makes rich, equitable small-group conversations super easy by providing structured visuals and guiding discussion questions and sentence stems for each of 1,500+ vocabulary words K-12 in Science, available in both English and Spanish.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to get kids to think deeply and talk elaborately about science content. We will interact in small groups with science content to see how all students of different backgrounds can intuitively engage with structured visuals.

SPEAKERS:
Stephen Fleenor (Seidlitz Education: No City, No State)

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Support students in using data to construct explanations! Join us as we utilize free BioInteractive resources to explore factors driving evolution among Galapagos finches.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Eberhard (St. Clair High School: Saint Clair, MI), Robin Bulleri (Science Teacher: Carrboro, NC)

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Agriculture, biology, and business knowledge are essential on the modern farm. In this hands-on workshop, use gel electrophoresis to visualize genotypes for a gene necessary for high quality cheese, and help a dairy farmer select which breeding pairs give her the best chance to have a Ca$h Cow!

SPEAKERS:
Whitney Hagins (Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation: Cambridge, MA)

Sponsoring Company: Simulation Curriculum

Teach about plate tectonics, minerals & rocks, earthquakes & volcanoes, geologic time, atmosphere, weather and climate using the most effective and recognized tool available - Layered Earth! We invite teachers to come and see our newest, browser-based NGSS aligned editions.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Goodman (Simulation Curriculum: Hopkins, MN)

Sponsoring Company: Great Minds

Join us as we review the parameters of three-dimensional assessments and practice screening assessments for three-dimensionality. In this session, we'll brainstorm ways to work with system leaders to strategically plan around curriculum embedded assessments and uncover supports for every child.

SPEAKERS:
Madeline Cronk (Great Minds: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: Anatomage, Inc.

The Science Table provides a library of over 60 biology, chemistry, and physics experiments with realistic-quality visuals on an interactive 7 foot-long touch-screen table. The workshop will focus on incorporating the Science Table into middle school, high school, and college level classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jake Lehman (Anatomage, Inc: Santa Clara, CA)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Dive into modeling the movement of ions and nutrients across membranes. Help your students connect theory with the results from popular homeostasis labs.

SPEAKERS:
Ruth Hutson (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Sponsoring Company: Wildlife Conservation Society

WCS presents Field Sight pairs the insight of our educators with the expertise of WCS field staff to bring you stories of the conservation work we are doing all over the world. Learn about our exciting fieldwork protecting wildlife, and bring this valuable information into your classroom!

SPEAKERS:
Anine Booth (Wildlife Conservation Society: Bronx, NY)

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Physics should be exciting! Flinn Scientific presents a variety of easy to perform and exciting physics demonstrations. Come see Flinn’s new demonstrations and some of your old favorites—all guaranteed to make your science classroom come alive. Handouts provided for all.

SPEAKERS:
Jonnathan Medina Ramos, Ph.D. (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL)

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Learn how to enhance students’ overall communication in and out of the science classroom throughout their learning. Delve deeper into topics that include listening using classroom norms, strategies that help students with short response, and how to enhance students’ use of CER!

SPEAKERS:
Brian Klaft (Activate Learning: Greenwich, CT)

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

As a NOAA Planet Stewards Educator you can become a STEM agent of change in your school and community. Learn how to access professional development opportunities, education resources, and funding, to increase students’ science literacy, and have them respond to real world environmental threats.

SPEAKERS:
Symone Barkley (Education Specialist: Silver Spring, MD), Bruce Moravchik (NOAA National Ocean Service: Silver Spring, MD), Karen Metcalf (Cornerstone Learning Community: Tallahassee, FL), Kelley Hodges (Patronis Elementary School: Panama City, FL), Kyla Trahan (Beaumont Middle School: Lexington, KY)

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Some of Mendel’s peas have been discovered in an old notebook! Can you confirm which gene Mendel studied in the 1800s using gel electrophoresis? This lab connects Mendelian genetics and Punnett squares with our modern understanding of how genes determine inherited traits.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hennessy-McDonald, PhD (miniPCR bio: Cambridge, MA)

Sponsoring Company: PASCO

Gain vital teaching tools to make global phenomena feel relevant to students to improve their understanding of climate change. We’ll show you how to engage students while monitoring local CO2 levels, modeling ocean acidification, and exploring global data sets with free classroom-ready resources.

SPEAKERS:
Sophia Guzules (PASCO Scientific: Roseville, CA)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

In the STEM classroom, an effective teacher selects actions that have an impact on student achievement. Come learn about the 15 STEM Teacher Actions to enhance your instructional practices and achieve improved student achievement.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Campana (Accelerate Learning, Inc.: Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Discover new ways to help students think and work like scientists and engineers. Through a hands-on lesson, we will model instruction and resources that support 3-dimensional teaching & learning including teacher instructional slides, student friendly materials, simulations, & student investigations

SPEAKERS:
Hoover Herrera (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Burlington, NC)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Explore easy, engaging, and safe chemistry activities that guarantee a reaction in your students. Whether you’re new to chemistry or feeling out of your element, create excitement with hands-on labs, demonstrations, and Carolina’s digital content.These lab activities support 3-dimensional learning.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Nixon (Chemistry Teacher: Boone, NC)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Apply creative problem-solving skills and engineering practices to chemistry and physical science challenges with race cars and rockets. Experience how Carolina makes it easy to incorporate STEM into your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Patti Kopkau (Retired Educator: National City, MI)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Discover the newest STEM solution from Vernier, built to teach and engage students in 3D science! Vernier Connections is a web-based platform that equips teachers with hands-on lessons. We will feature a lesson demonstrating the design & structures that make Connections a must for the STEM classroom

SPEAKERS:
Lori Anderson (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Colleen McDaniel (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Learn how to make magnetism visible and quantifiable for students! Dive into Earth science concepts such as modeling field strength, polarity, and orientation using the Go Direct® 3-Axis Magnetic Field Sensor. Investigate permanent magnets and electromagnets with hands-on, ready-to-use experiments.

SPEAKERS:
David Carter (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Josh Ence (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP Science

Modern science education goes beyond memorization and traditional experiments. Educators now aim to cultivate transferable skills for students to thrive beyond the classroom. This requires an approach where students engage in a multidimensional world of inquiry, activating their curiosity and empowering them with critical scientific and data literacy skills. Join the discussion on the evolving landscape of science education to meet enhanced standards.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Powers (BrainPOP: New York, NY), Harshil Parikh (Tuva Labs Inc.: New York, NY), Kathy Perkins, PhD (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO), Hannah Bonville (BrainPOP: New York, NY)

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Bring inquiry into your classroom with food science! Learn how to extract dyes from candy to analyze using agarose gel electrophoresis and paper chromatography. Students use the simple techniques as a starting point to design experiments, test hypotheses, and use STEM techniques to analyze results.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Tom Cynkar (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: Lab-Aids

Learning sequences to drive phenomena through a unit is one way to help students understand the content. In this model activity from our Lab-Aids program: Science and Global Issues: Biology, developed by SEPUP, you will use data to investigate how abiotic factors and species diversity are related.

SPEAKERS:
Donna Parker (Dublin Coffman High School: Dublin, OH)

Sponsoring Company: TCI

This workshop offers a unique opportunity for educators to gain practical insights into integrating literacy skills within the science curriculum. Attendees will leave with tangible strategies and tools to enrich their teaching practices, fostering a more engaging learning experience for students.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Kumar (TCI: Mountain View, CA)

In this session, Colorado District Science Leaders are invited to attend our March meeting. During this time, we will network and share ideas regarding the implementation of three dimensional learning in your school, site, and/or district.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, Colorado District Science Leaders are invited to attend our March meeting. During this time, we will network and share ideas regarding the implementation of three dimensional learning in your school, site, and/or district.

SPEAKERS:
Samantha Agoos (Colorado Department of Education: Denver, CO)

These two sessions will focus on leadership. These sessions will include a discussion of the structures that need to happen to support these shifts in science instruction. How do you get teachers on board to engage in this work? For example, what are examples of the stories you need to tell to support teacher interest and buy in. What are examples of sustainable structures at a system level to support this work? What are examples of observation and instructional tools to support this work? In session 1, we will draw on case studies to engage how storytelling can be used to support onboarding teachers and to strengthen a science infrastructure. In session 2, we will share observation and instructional tools for leaders to support this work. In session 1, participants will gain strategies and insights utilized to enhance science instruction within a school system. In session 2, we will use classroom videos and other examples to illustrate how to do this work in schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain strategies and insights utilized to enhance science instruction within a school system.

SPEAKERS:
Katherine McNeill (Boston College: Chestnut Hill, MA), Stefanie Marshall (Assistant Professor: East Lansing, MI)

In this session, participants will build their capacity to elicit, identify, and appreciate the range of intellectual resources students use as they make sense of phenomena. This session will help leaders work directly with educators to better appreciate students’ multiple ways of knowing and better shape instruction to support diverse sense-making through science and engineering practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will help leaders work directly with educators to better appreciate students’ multiple ways of knowing and better shape instruction to support diverse sense-making through science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Neill (Research Scientist: Oklahoma City, OK), Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA), Angela Kolonich (Minnesota Department of Education: Minneapolis, MN)

Join us to discuss recent research on supplementing and modifying science instructional materials and to hear from teachers about the important things to keep in mind while modifying and supplementing materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
For many reasons, including alignment to standards and lack of class time, most educators modify their science instructional materials. Teachers say that they would like professional learning, time, and models to help them make these modifications to meet their students’ needs.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Weatherhead (National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA): Downingtown, PA), Karey Pierce (Nolan Middle School: Harker Heights, TX), Tram Nguyen (5th Grade Science, Math, and Social Studies Teacher), Cecelia Gillam (Hahnville High School: La Place, LA), Jennifer Childress Self (NextGenScience: San Francisco, CA)

Seeking support in what to look for and how to provide feedback to best support teachers? We will share an observation tool, model a pre & post observation conversation, examine a range of coaching interventions, and consider action steps based on patterns that are observed in science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leaders and coaches play an important role in supporting teachers as they shift to more student centered instruction. Participants will be provided with an observation tool and coaching interventions that promote trust and increase reflective practice to meet the needs of students and teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Affolter (Boston College: Chestnut Hill, MA), Grace Lugo (Boston College OEI: No City, No State)

During this talk Jason will explain what Science Ninjas is, why CLEAPSS and King’s College, London (University of London) decided to undertake this research and what it’s taught he, and his colleagues, about supporting elementary and middle school teachers to plan effective active learning lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation provides educational professionals and coaches with insights into the effective practices and ways of working that we have developed to support elementary and middle school science leaders to promote hands-on learning across their schools.

SPEAKERS:
Jason Harding (Teacher Educator)

Teaching students to use the Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) Framework is not easy. This workshop bridges the gap between theory and practice by providing a stepwise strategy that makes the process of evidence-based critical thinking visible to students. All activities are student-approved!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to successfully implement CER in their classrooms. In addition, attendees will leave the session with three readymade activities that are easily implemented but have a high impact.

SPEAKERS:
Mesa Davis (Clayton State University: Morrow, GA)

This session will share the results of a four-year investigation into the genetics of different varieties of watermelons, and will highlight the advantages of using watermelons as a model organism for genetics investigations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Watermelons offer several advantages as a model organism for student research, including a variety of easily identifiable traits that exhibit Mendelian and non-Mendelian patterns, ease of growth, ease of cross-pollination, potential for cultural connections, and opportunities for original research.

SPEAKERS:
Steven Gaskill (K.O. Knudson Middle School: Las Vegas, NV)

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

TAKEAWAYS:
An overview of essential planning considerations covers becoming an “explore-before-explain” teacher and designing lessons that use the assets all students bring to learning science.

SPEAKERS:
Tim Blesse (Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Denver, CO), Patrick Brown (Fort Zumwalt School District R-II: O'Fallon, MO)

Transform your assessment tool into a powerful instrument for enhancing learning. Designed for educators from K-16, with an aim to streamline the grading process, make rubrics strengths-based, differentiable across all levels, and centered on developing transferable skills. Bring your own rubric!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with their own revised rubric that not only simplifies grading but also fosters student engagement and achievement. They will discover ways to provide constructive, actionable feedback that drives improvement and facilitates student growth.

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

We will share strategies, ideas, accommodations, and ways to adapt and obtain student collaboration and engagement through the lens of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) focus. Come learn strategies for including diverse learners in your project-based classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with ready-to-use resources and ideas for instruction with students with diverse needs focusing on project-based activities within the STEAM framework. These ideas can be adapted to lessons in many content areas.

SPEAKERS:
Theresa Robertson (Middle School STEM teacher: Platte City, MO), Sandy Carr (Lorenzo ISD / EPEC-SSA: Lorenzo, TX)

We use the 3-H socioemotional learning cycle to engage learners, using hands-on inquiry around the composition of different soil types. Teachers learn how to identify the soil types of clay, humus, sand, and compost, and apply this information to what can grow and flourish in different soil types.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be provided with lesson plans and student work to initiate discussions about classroom applications. At the end of the session, participants will learn how to apply the 3-H model to engage students' hearts, heads, and hands in science learning using the phenomenon of soils.

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

Explore advanced space propulsion methods, from chemical to laser propulsion, in this hands-on session. Learn how light intensity changes with distance using PocketLab Voyager Sensors and laser pointers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain a deeper understanding of light and laser intensity variations with distance through engaging experiments and practical applications. Model how to implement the Pocketlab sensors and notebook into their curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Jenny McCall (Winburn Middle School, Fayette County Public Schools: No City, No State)

Use the My NASA Data Earth System Satellite Cards and Data Literacy Cubes in multiple activities with different strategies to analyze global NASA Earth data, understand the relationship among different environmental variables, and explore how the data changes seasonally.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in active learning about Earth as a system and the relationship between key environmental variables. They will also learn how to engage learners in analysis of false color images of satellite data using scaffolded questions for different Lexile and WIDA proficiency levels.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Taylor (NASA Langley Research Center: Hampton, VA), Rosalba Giarratano (Outreach Coordinator: East Elmhurst, NY), Angela Rizzi (NASA Langley Research Center/ADNET: No City, No State)

Discover how AI can ease your workload and transform your instruction. Explore ways to harness the power of AI for your personal and professional gain. Learn how to leverage AI for deeper student learning. Whether you’re brand new to AI or a seasoned user, leave with ideas to implement right away.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how AI tools such as ChatGPT can be a game-changer in the classroom—saving teacher time and deepening student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Terra Tarango (Van Andel Education Institute: Grand Rapids, MI)

Do you want your students to understand how current scientific research is relevant to their learning and has real world applications? We will present an accessible STEM curriculum, informed by current work in a university research lab, that integrates nanoscience phenomena with content standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about current research in the field of nanoscience and will gain access to a STEM curriculum package that draws on nanoscience to help all students in grades 5-8 make connections between STEM content and their everyday lives.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Kwan (teacher: National City, CA), Donna Terrasi (Saint Clement School: No City, No State), Silvia Kenna (Blessed Trinity Catholic School: No City, No State)

Join other educators on the Giant Map of Colorado! Learn how to integrate physical mapping into science-focused, problem-based learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators have the opportunity to learn how to access a Colorado Giant Map, for inclusion of Place and Problem-Based Learning. This can help address climate science, ecosystems, geology, river concerns, weather, and scientific history of Colorado.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Ragsdale (STEM Professional Development: Grand Junction, CO)