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)

The goal of this session is for participants to be able to feel confident and competent with incorporating multiple SEPs into everyday sensemaking lessons in their classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience a hands-on lesson that walks them through the basic steps of how to lead a sensemaking lesson that incorporates multiple SEPs.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Schumann (Katy High School: No City, No State), Elizabeth Morris (Katy ISD: Katy, TX)

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)

A showcase of creating dynamic spreadsheets that provide instantaneous, differentiated feedback to students as they learn or practice new content independently or in small groups. This method amplifies confidence for students of all abilities and frees teachers to assist those most in need.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will make use of existing, free, and relatively ubiquitous digital spreadsheets in making presentations for new content. The use of this tool makes practicing content and skills helpful, engaging, and memorable. Educators will create their own spreadsheets for a lesson in their content.

SPEAKERS:
Sean Regan (Chemistry Teacher: Framingham, MA)

Engaging students in science practices, like arguing from evidence, supports a vision of inclusive instructional strategies. Come explore how students in a fourth grade classroom argue from evidence to figure out which organism was pollinating the moonflower, which only blooms at night.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with an example of how to structure argumentation in the 4th grade classroom through observing student data organization and student discourse.

SPEAKERS:
Betsy Barent (Lincoln Public Schools: No City, No State), Miranda Orellana (Elementary Teacher: Lincoln, NE)

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)

This session looks at the research behind play-based learning and ways of and criteria for assessing science play in the P-2 group. Participant will actively assess several play scenarios.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with experience assessing some science play scenarios, assessment guidelines, and research citations supporting play-based learning to use and share in their own contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Lowry (Aleph Academy: Reno, NV)

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)

This session presents a unique approach to teacher-led professional learning communities, leveraging data-driven inquiry cycles to identify, test, and refine solutions to common problems of practice around science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore the creation and facilitation of teacher-led professional learning communities, which leverage Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) learning cycles to address problems of practice within their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Seabloom (Chicago Public Schools)

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)

Experience how embedding literacy supports for reading, writing, and academic discourse in 3D teaching and learning promotes sensemaking and science understanding for ALL learners! Learn how the BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model embeds literacy supports throughout cycles of inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
The research-based BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model succeeds the 5Es and embeds literacy supports for reading, writing, and academic discourse in conjunction with science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to promote students in figuring out key science ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Gay (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO)

Increase knowledge aligning SEPs with science DCIs. Will students Plan/Conduct investigations using Inquiry lessons, or will they define simple design problems practicing STEM protocols? Design/build Paper Helicopters and Huff & Puff Vehicles practicing both ways of doing science. FACTs included.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will take away two classroom models (Paper Helicopters & Huff/Puff Vehicles) and experience firsthand how to engage students in collaborative, inclusive groups to solve problems and build community. Try to constrain yourselves as you set up your criteria for success! FACTs modeled, too!

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

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)

Hear how a K-8 district just north of Chicago with 18 schools is transforming science teaching and learning through cultivating Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), leveraging teacher leaders, and centering student voice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teacher leaders & students are crucial to scaling reform efforts. Participants will walk away with a detailed model for cultivating science PLCs and example strategies for elevating student voice.

SPEAKERS:
Kristie Rachell (Haven Middle School: Evanston, IL), Meghan Thomas (Educator: Evanston, IL), Megan McDermott (Nichols Middle School: No City, No State), Elida Patino (Kindergarten Dual Language Teacher), Alissa Berg (Evanston Skokie School District 65)

This session provides an overview of teaching science for social justice and how elementary teachers can design explorations that use science to critique injustices. Participants will engage in an elementary hands-on, social justice science lesson and discuss ways to do the same in their contexts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of teaching science for social justice, along with practical classroom strategies informed by the Learning for Justice (2022) standards and Davis’ (2022) Four Approaches to Equity Framework, to design their own elementary science lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Alesia Moldavan (Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Science Education), Bailey Nafziger (Georgia Southern University)

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)

Engage in activities that show how to connect your current science lessons to cutting edge engineering research and inspire students to pursue careers in STEM. Receive access to K-5 NGSS aligned resources that immerse students in scenario based tasks using data from current STEM research.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to enhance student engagement, and promote STEM college and career pathways by connecting classroom learning to current engineering research at URI and UCONN. Leave with access to video and instructional resources aligned to NGSS and connected to the research.

SPEAKERS:
John Koziatek (University of Rhode Island: No City, No State), Christopher Cochran (GEMS-Net, University of Rhode Island: No City, No State), Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi (University of Rhode Island: Kingston, RI), Zachary Orefice (GEMS-Net, University of Rhode Island: Narragansett, RI)

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)

Classroom physical activity has been linked to improved academic performance, attention, concentration, and on-task behavior for students. This interactive session will provide strategies and activities for integrating physical activity into the science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the association between movement integration and learning, as presenters share current research and examples of movement activities designed to increase understanding, engagement, and performance.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Lindt (Professor: Wichita Falls, TX), Stacia Miller (Professor- Kinesiology: Wichita Falls, TX)

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: 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: 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: 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: 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)

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)

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)

The INSPIRE program is a professional learning opportunity aimed at increasing diversity within the geosciences. This is accomplished through inclusive pedagogies: specifically scaffolding support for student executive functioning skills and self-regulated learning cycle in inquiry activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about student executive functioning skills, the self-regulated learning cycle, and ways to incorporate their support into their planning and teaching praxis. Participants are asked to bring an example of an inquiry activity (lab, or otherwise) to work with during the session.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Anne Mollica (Teacher/ Science Pedagogy Specialist)

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: 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: 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

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: 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)

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!

Participate in an exploration of science and STEM learning tailored for young learners. Navigate through informative stations, engage with colleagues, and establish connections with science leaders. Depart with lessons and resources designed to elevate STEM and science in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Elementary and early childhood educators will leave with resources, lessons, and ideas that will advance science and STEM learning in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Williams (Isidore Newman School: New Orleans, LA)

Check out and learn how to access free ML-PBL integrated science curricular units for Grades K-5. See how the features of PBL support sensemaking, check out examples of unit overviews, literacy integration and recommended trade books, and research supporting the Multiple Literacies in PBL Project.

TAKEAWAYS:
After viewing examples from multiple units within the ML-PBL K-5 unit sequence, participants will learn how to access the free K-5 curricular resources on the Sprocket site. Handouts provide access to support for accessing and implementing the resources, or for adapting current units.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Codere (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University, Retired)

Teachers how to begin planting using upcycled and free materials, how to reuse containers as planters, how to make biodegradable seedling planters in seconds, and how to transform desolate ground into a blooming wildflower garden with seeds and a container of air-dry clay.

TAKEAWAYS:
Simple, easy, and inexpensive methods for starting a school garden by using upcycled and free materials

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Kurson (Collegiate School: New York, NY)

This year’s OSTB award books will be available for participants to peruse and enjoy. Additionally, we will share our methods and findings for a review of all 246 submitted books for topics in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Also, learn about our experiences serving on the committee!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants can view and discuss the latest Outstanding Science Trade Book winners.

SPEAKERS:
Ana Houseal (University of Wyoming: Laramie, WY), Katie Morrison (University Child Development School: Seattle, WA)

This is a hands-on session where participants will use every day items and associate their use with scientific concepts. They will find that multiple items will lead to the same concept, and/or that one item can be associated with multiple science concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Children can learn real science through every day items. A handout will help participants remember some of these concepts and the science terms they can use with children.

SPEAKERS:
Ellen Cogan (Hilltop Early Childhood Services: No City, No State)

Demonstrating motion is easy, but what about allowing students to collect data for nonaccelerated motion? A simple activity engages students with dune buggies to show how data is taken for distance and how graphing that data is a great visual representing constant velocity or uniform motion.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how use a constant speed dune buggy to show students how uniform motion is measured and graphed.

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

Students have “glow in the dark” clothes and hard seen UV beads, but do they know why they glow? Probably not. Use phenomena to help students understand the glow (energy transformations) that are seen in nature and man-made materials. Those stars on their ceiling will never be viewed the same again.

TAKEAWAYS:
Things that glow are naturally engaging to students. Understanding why they glow can open many different avenues for students to investigate. From man-made objects to plants and animals, this phenomena can move students forward in understanding and identifying energy transformations.

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

Experience 4 take-away activities for ages 2-8 in engineering and math. Integrate suggested apps from technology and the sciences. Preview a complete Science Fairy project for staff training. Bang for your dollar here.

TAKEAWAYS:
STEM activities (9) with at-conference DIY from That Science Fairy to implement in early education 2-8 settings

SPEAKERS:
Laura Weilert (Maker of Experiences: Colorado Springs, CO)

Observations are the basis for understanding science principles, especially in elementary. Have you wondered if it is possible to “change” something by measuring it? Is there a difference in observation and measurement? Come find out.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students will be able to distinguish between destructive and non-destructive measurements. Students will be able to explain the difference in measurement and observation. Students will be able to determine when a change occurs while being measured.

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

Science and Children is the preeminent resource for educators of elementary and early childhood-aged children. Whether it is finding ideas for your classroom or writing articles to share with a wider audience, Science and Children is your resource for science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Find out how to write for Science and Children or discover the implementable ideas, strategies, and lessons contained within each journal.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn (National Science Teaching Association)

A variety of activities exploring seeds, including: comparing and contrasting by size, shape, color, texture; experimenting with samaras to ask scientific questions, like which way do they spin as they fall to the ground; and more. Books about seeds will be available to view.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to integrate science into language arts, using seeds.

SPEAKERS:
Frances Hamilton (The University of Alabama in Huntsville: Huntsville, AL)

Old Enough to Make a Difference? Yes, you are! It is possible for students of all ages to start making a positive difference in their community. Inspirations from student projects will be shared along with resources for teachers. Great ideas for family engagement nights, science fairs, and more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will have resources that can used in the classroom and community right away.

SPEAKERS:
Katie Stevenson (South Redford School District: Redford, MI)

Camouflage puppets, songs, and animal family activities for early childhood classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Camouflage puppets, songs, and animal family activities for early childhood classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Scharff (Isidore Newman School: New Orleans, LA)

Do you impact your school and community with STEM? If you teach K–12, come learn how to apply to win up to $20K through this teacher competition

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to apply for the Shell-sponsored teacher competition, and collaborate with past winners and judges to learn how to strengthen your application.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Join NSTA and ECA Science Kits Services for the pilot of their ready-to-use (TM) Picture-Perfect STEM ClassPacks. These ClassPacks are built around the expanded editions of Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons, K, 1, and 2 and feature everything you and your students will need to perform those activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science and literacy are a wonderful match, and our Picture-Perfect program combines these perfect partners to help you teach your elementary students through lesson/trade books and classroom activities. You teach the lessons, and we'll handle the rest, with refurbishments available for all kits.

SPEAKERS:
Cathy Iammartino (Chief Product Officer: Bayside, WI), Emily Brady (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

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

Early grades students are the most curious, uninhibited learners. They are ready and eager to share their ideas. How do we support them in developing accurate science understandings about complex phenomenon?

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will explore complex phenomenon that support the NGSS K-5 standards, developing not only their own understandings, but considering how they can support students in group sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Ananda Weigand-Sheerer (teacher leader: Rochester, NY), Kelly Peason (Associate Director of Science Education Outreach: Rochester, NY), Michael Occhino (The Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development: Rochester, NY), Kimberly Fluet (Associate Director of Science Education Outreach: Rochester, NY)

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)

This session introduces participants to the Dash robot and how it can be used in elementary science classrooms to explore the flow of energy. Participants will engage in a hands-on exploration with Dash to develop models using technology to illustrate sample food webs. Be sure to bring a laptop.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore how robotics can be used to communicate information about the flow of energy within an ecosystem (5-PS3-1 and 5-LS2-1). Participants will be introduced to the functionality of the Dash robot and how it can be used as a tool to develop a model to describe the phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Alesia Moldavan (Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Science Education)

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)

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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)

The NGSS highlights phenomena as one of the components of equitable instruction. This interactive workshop introduces an instructional tool that helps K-8 science teachers identify an appropriate phenomenon that will enable the teacher to plan and implement three-dimensional science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will have opportunities to share their perspectives in identifying anchoring phenomena, use a phenomenon tool to evaluate a range of phenomena and non-phenomena, and discuss some common issues in identifying and using anchoring phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Lin Xiang (University of Kentucky: Lexington, KY), Caitlin Ousley (Saint Agnes School/Archdiocese of Louisville: No City, No State), Kristin Cook (Bellarmine University: Louisville, KY)

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)

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)

Research suggests that most teachers will leave the profession within 5-years. This presentation will share tips to help science teachers stay enjoying teaching! This session could prove helpful to any new or preservice teacher, teacher mentor, or anyone who wants a new perspective.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with tangible practices to implement in their lives as a teacher! I will offer tips that worked for me, discussing topics like the school social environment, the lingo of education, using district resources, combating burn out (preemptively and practically), and more!

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Christie (Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology: Conyers, GA)

This session will offer practical and adaptable examples of formative classroom assessment techniques that could be incorporated into any science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will present formative assessment techniques that attendees can take back to their classrooms and use immediately.

SPEAKERS:
Tyler Buchan (Salisbury Composite High School: Sherwood Park, AB)

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)

Figuring out phenomena engages students in the nature and process of science through the integration of all three dimensions. Observe how scientists investigate a question. Then use a web tool to illuminate the nature and process of science and apply to any lesson or phenomenon in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use the Science Flowchart interactive journaling tool to illuminate the dynamic nature and process of science, and how to apply the tool to any phenomenon or lesson in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kirsten Smith (Pound Middle School: Lincoln, NE), Lindsey Roy (Science and Digital Learning Coordinator: Lincoln, NE), Betsy Barent (Lincoln Public Schools: No City, No State)

Prior experience and knowledge are key to reading comprehension, especially for tackling complex texts. Join us for an interactive session where we'll explore how doing science and applying effective reading strategies are what students need to be successful readers and scientists.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students need to engage fully in the science and engineering practices in order to build reading comprehension. Science cannot be learned through reading alone, and readers need to be able to draw upon their experiences in science to understand and make sense of new concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Claudio Vargas (Sci-Lingual Education: Oakland, CA), Diana Velez (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

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)

Join us to explore and reflect on research-based practices for improving science engagement and learning for multilingual students through a mini-lesson, discussing how these practices are working with our students, and considering how to apply these strategies in your own classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a selection of easy-to-implement practices for making science learning more accessible to multilingual students, and even other students in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Nesnidal (Science from Scientists: Bedford, MA), Esther Niemasik (Science from Scientists: Burlingame, CA), Mary Hatton (Science From Scientists), Beth Murphy (Science from Scientists: Bedford, MA)

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)

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)

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)

Participants will directly experience and undertake a more authentic science investigation by adapting and extending exisiting hands-on investigations. This is a step toward more student-directed investigations that allow exploration and the creation of evidence-based claims (i.e. sensemaking).

TAKEAWAYS:
Using the provided hands-on activities, participants will be given a plausible scenario encouraging them to explore and then create evidence-based claim(s) — modelling a more student-directed approach. This process strongly aligns with the sensemaking framework of explore-before-explain...

SPEAKERS:
Ian Kennedy (The Roadshow: Wellington, 0)

BYO Device to this hands-on workshop for the Next Generation Science Assessment (NGSA) project. Explore free, high-quality, multidimensional tasks, consider how to use them to create opportunities for your students to demonstrate their science understanding in your elementary classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore freely available online formative assessment resources to make students’ multidimensional science understanding visible. They will gain confidence in using the tasks with students, analyzing and interpreting student work, and making instructional decisions to support learning.

SPEAKERS:
Carla Strickland (UChicago STEM Education: No City, No State), Jeanne Di Domenico (The University of Chicago: Chicago, IL)

Communicating your findings is a huge piece of any science investigation or project. Come and see some of the different forms such communication can take in P-2 classes, as well as create some of your own!

TAKEAWAYS:
Ideas and formats for communicating science findings.

SPEAKERS:
Annette Venegas (Kent School District: Kent, WA), Anne Lowry (Aleph Academy: Reno, NV)

How do we center our own students and their communities in NGSS units designed for a national audience? Explore and try out localizing approaches, resources, and examples that are grounded in equity-focused research and built out by K-8 teachers and district leaders implementing Amplify Science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will become familiar with an approach used to localize national curricula and will take away research-based and equity-centered tools, resources, and examples they can use in their own efforts to localize their curricula and create an inclusive classroom environment.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Brad Street (IslandWood: Bainbridge Island, WA)

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)

Get acquainted with OpenSciEd HS, from the anchoring phenomena to the curricular routines to assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
OpenSciEd HS's storyline approach, curricular routines, student discourse strategies, and assessment systems work together to help students build equitable science learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Zoe Buck Bracey (Senior Science Educator and Director of Design for Justice: Colorado Springs, CO), Kate Henson (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO)

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)

A tour of the key debates that are happening in science education in the UK will be provided. The impact of these issues across different age-phases, on differing stakeholders and how they have shaped the curricula that can be found in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will be outlined.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the key debates in education within the UK and compare and contrast these with their educational setting.

SPEAKERS:
Alex Sinclair (Senior Lecturer: HAMPTON, 0)

Investigate fostering scientific understanding and practice skills in our youngest learners. Take away topics of inquiry and tools for planning experiments and documenting student thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with strategies to: • Plan investigations to integrate science into their early childhood curriculum. • Build scientific practice skills in all of our youngest learners. • Reveal and document student understanding through lab notebooks.

SPEAKERS:
Alyssa Barr (Science Teacher: Seattle, WA), Katie Morrison (University Child Development School: Seattle, WA)

Learn from our experience as a math and a science teacher collaborating together to give our students an interdisciplinary learning opportunity so that you can start your own plan. We will share the logistics from this authentic inquiry-based project and you’ll hear testimonials from our students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be provided with one way to overcome logistical challenges inherent with interdisciplinary collaboration at the secondary level, including differing rosters and schedules. Furthermore, attendees will have the opportunity to start their own plan for their own interdisciplinary project.

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

What will be describe in this session is are community science events that can be organized with themes that use natural phenomena or NGSS standards, practices, and outcomes that a school would like to promote. We will also share how we form these partnerships with local schools and museums.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to update these events to go beyond the traditional Family Science Events that are superficial. One main takeaway are example indepth activities and resources that can be used with families and students at local schools and museums. We share information about resources.

SPEAKERS:
Morgan Glann (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI), Eli Vincent (Student: , MI), Lauren Rupe (Student: , MI), Jim McDonald (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI), Emma Patrus (Student)

With support from a sponsored organization and the DoD, DoD STEM Ambassadors are prepared to promote equitable education in their communities. Resources and strategies will be shared to encourage other teachers to utilize DoD STEM resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how DoD STEM Ambassadors increase STEM education and opportunities for disadvantaged students in their communities. Presenters will review DoD STEM resources and show how attendees can also serve their classrooms to close the achievement gap, with support from DoD STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Botello (Byron P. Steele II High School), Josephine Mesina (International High School at Largo: Upper Marlboro, MD), Thanh Le (Montebello High School: Montebello, CA), Nicole Rosen (The Ingenuity Project: Baltimore, MD)

Multilingual students' science knowledge isn’t always visible to educators. Our innovative research uncovers that knowledge regardless of students’ English language skills. You’ll learn about our research and how to build multilingual multimodal assessments for your own instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn about multilingual and multimodal formative assessment strategies and how to implement them in your science instruction. You will have access to a formative assessment activity template and a rubric for reviewing multilingual and multimodal formative assessment activities.

SPEAKERS:
Keira Ballantyne (VP Programs & Development), Brittany York (Senior Research Assistant: Washington, DC, DC)

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)

In this interactive PBL experience, attendees will LISTEN to the STEAM podcast “Wow in the World”, WONDER to generate ideas, TINKER to choose a testable hypothesis, and MAKE a multimedia scientific inquiry or engineering design project in the free, private, and NGSS-aligned TinkerClass platform.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to streamline PBL instruction, manage the classroom to develop 21st Century skills, and excite K-5 students about hands-on scientific inquiry and engineering design using TinkerClass’ modular LISTEN, WONDER, TINKER, and MAKE experience.

SPEAKERS:
Carole Paterson (Science Teacher: Ligonier, PA), Twee Mac (Digital Associate Producer: Montclair, NJ)

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)

Experience PreK-2 lessons, learn outdoor classroom management, and hear philosophies from School in the Woods, a public school with an outdoor focus. Crosscurricular lessons that meet your standards with 3-D Learning through outdoor, hands-on, minds-on discovery. Turn your classroom inside OUT !

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will experience outdoor lessons to use with students to meet all areas of the curriculum (with indoor alternatives and in/out infusion ideas). Free nature notebook.

SPEAKERS:
Maurine Banzhaf (Colorado PLT advisory council: No City, No State), DeLene Hoffner (eleSTEMary: Colorado Springs, CO)

After trying several K-12 solutions-based design challenges, choose one to customize for your students and environment. Adapt and leave ready to teach the entire QUEST (Question-Uncover-Explore-Solve-Teach). Written for Guam, these empower students to design projects that solve local problems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will begin customizing one student-relevant purposeful design challenge QUEST, have access to many more, and will recognize the benefits of purposeful design challenges being part of a larger QUEST unit that requires intentional learning of STEM concepts and practices.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Arndt (Global GreenSTEM: Franktown, CO)

Delve into children’s literature that merges storytelling and science explanations, inviting elementary students to unravel intriguing investigations and uncover how and why science works.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will examine children’s literature that enhances critical thinking and guides elementary students in refining science models and explanations post-investigation. This session will showcase the transformative potential of literature in elementary science.

SPEAKERS:
Colleen Saxen (: Dayton, OH), Michelle Fleming (Wright State University: Dayton, OH)

Join members of NSTA’s Professional Learning Committee to explore effective strategies and resources that focus on helping students make sense of data using the Crosscutting Concepts. In this session, you will engage with the strategies and consider how to implement them with students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with sensemaking strategies for engaging students in the Science and Engineering Practice of Analyzing and Interpreting Data, through the lens of the Crosscutting Concept of Patterns, that can immediately be implemented with students!

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

Come and see a model for an outdoor education day where invited scientists and environmental educators gather in a local state park to teach every student in our 3rd through 5th grade school. We have been hosting this event at a State Park near our school and it works. You can do it, too.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to successfully put together an outdoor education day involving local scientists, environmental educators, and conservationists. We have been putting together this event for over 10 years and can share what we have learned along the way.

SPEAKERS:
Jacob Tanenbaum (South Orangetown Central School District: Blauvelt, NY)

Phenomena-based teaching and learning in science authentically lends itself to integration with literacy, language development, and other subject areas, yet each is often taught in silos. Explore how to shift K-5 classroom practice towards an integrated approach that supports all students’ learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers and leaders will gain insight into principles of content integration with science as the anchor and will explore tools, strategies, and system-wide approaches they can use in their own K-5 context in order to identify and plan for more equitable interdisciplinary science instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Diana Velez (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Using a co-designed NGSS curriculum unit, we highlight solutions to challenges in designing and implementing a phenomenon-based investigation unit. Participants examine both design templates and finished curriculum to familiarize themselves with a revision and customization process.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with curriculum design templates to use when customizing curriculum to support students’ sensemaking of phenomena. An opportunity will be provided to explore templates and ask clarifying questions. Participants will have access to a curriculum unit designed using the templates.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara Hug (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Champaign, IL), Nick Leonardi (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: No City, No State)

Participants will engage in hands-on activities focused on force and motion concepts. Activities are easy set-ups, using low-cost household materials that promote inclusivity of all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be engaged in multiple activities that promote learning and inclusivity of all students. Necessary materials and best teaching practices will be shared so that attendees can immediately incorporate knowledge and activities into their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Starks (Houston Middle School: Germantown, TN)

Are you looking for an evidence-based framework for observing science classrooms and giving feedback to teachers? Learn how the NSF-funded DoS observation system can help coaches and educators develop a common language to speak about productive science learning in MS classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science leaders will learn to use DoS, which integrates the Framework for K-12 and equity, to build the capacity of colleagues in their districts to use a structured method and shared language to observe classrooms and give feedback to teachers about areas of strength and opportunities for growth.

SPEAKERS:
Virginia Andrews (Research Project Manager: Belmont, MA), Victoria Oliveira (Researcher: Belmont, MA)

Use the STEM Teaching Tool’s self-documentation strategy as we go outdoors and create a map of our schoolyard. We will document observations & questions that can drive our learning. Consider how you might use a similar activity to connect classroom learning to your outdoor spaces.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use outdoor spaces to keep students engaged and invested in building new science ideas driven from their own observations and questions.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Houle (The University of Rhode Island: NARRAGANSETT, RI), Holly Emery (GEMS-Net, University of Rhode Island: No City, No State), Zachary Orefice (GEMS-Net, University of Rhode Island: Narragansett, RI)

Come learn two transformative whole class discussion routines for your classroom. “Data Discussions” support students in finding patterns in their data while “Sensemaking Summaries” guide them to integrate findings from multiple investigations to develop data-based explanations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be equipped to use “data discussions” in lessons to help students notice and analyze meaningful patterns in investigations, and use “sensemaking summary” talks to help students develop sophisticated explanations of phenomenon by synthesizing key findings from multiple investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Forsythe (Texas State University: San Marcos, TX)

Learn strategies for planning an anchoring phenomenon routine that will generate questions to drive student learning. Participants will wear a "student hat" to share an experience to make sense of phenomenon.

TAKEAWAYS:
Planning inquiry-based lessons are easy as 1, 2, 3... Using an anchoring phenomenon routine to drive student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Karla White (Earl Harris Elementary: Bethany, OK), Lisa Pitts (Oakdale School: Edmond, OK)

Are you ready to take you teaching to the next level and create a innovative and engaging classroom environment for your student? This Hands On Minds On PD session will share research-based instructional practices, to enhance student engagement in the classroom environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore a diverse range of innovative teaching strategies that encourage active learning through integration of technology, labs, and interactive learning resources to enhance learning experiences. Participants will access a wealth of online tools and teaching strategies.

SPEAKERS:
ROBBIE KEUCHLER JR (Secondary Science Specialist: Orange Park, FL)

Engaging in culturally responsive teaching requires that teachers shift their perspective by building relationships within the communities they serve. We present cases of science teachers who partner with communities to design curricula that affirm the assets of students while aligning with the NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about ways to meaningfully connect with communities outside of school to critique systems of oppression in science education and shift deficit perspectives. Participants will be empowered to advocate for their communities and engage in transformational teaching practices.

SPEAKERS:
Jeff Spencer (Illinois Regional Office of Education: Chicago, IL)

Introducing Sprocket: Powered by Educurious! Sprocket is a free platform with OER project-based learning science courses for educators everywhere. Created by researchers, experts, and educators, Sprocket is now part of Educurious. Join us for a guided tour of Sprocket’s courses and online community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Sprocket is the world’s only OER platform providing access to evidence-based, full-year, project-based learning courses at no cost. Participants will learn how to navigate Sprocket, access the curriculum, and connect with an online community of colleagues and collaborators.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Rosenberg (Digital Content Specialist: Rohnert Park, CA), Hanna Jaramillo (Educurious Partners: Seattle, WA), Sara Nachtigal (Educurious Partners: Seattle, WA), Alexandra Goodell (Educurious: No City, No State)

What is the connection between coherent instructional sequences from the students’ perspective and equitable access to science learning? Learn how coherent storyline units support students’ genuine engagement and perseverance as they work to explain a complex phenomenon over the course of a unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Storyline unit Instructional routines provide a coherent path from students’ questions about a phenomenon to the explanation or model of that phenomenon.

SPEAKERS:
NSTA Online Advisors (Teachers), Holly Hereau (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Patrice Scinta (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Sponsoring Company: hand2mind

Finding time to teach science can be one of the most difficult tasks for an elementary teacher. Come experience how to engage students in phenomena-based learning in just 15-30 minutes a day using the 5E model.

SPEAKERS:
Brittany Goerig (hand2mind: No City, No State)

Sponsoring Company: The NEED Project

Inquiry-based, hands-on STEM and critical thinking activities that help students to develop a comprehensive understanding of energy, electricity, hydropower, and emerging ocean technologies.

SPEAKERS:
Vernon Kimball (NEED Facilitator: Manassas, VA)

Sponsoring Company: BIOZONE Corporation

BIOZONE's innovative worktext approach delivers flexible, engaging, student-centred resources. Learn how our titles integrate into our digital platform and how the Teacher Toolkit helps teachers plan, deliver, and assess. Attendees each receive a FREE print title & 1-year digital access to a title.

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

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Investigate strategies and ideas for using informational texts in science. As students obtain, evaluate, construct explanations, and communicate information about the world around them, engaging with informational texts is critical for building this background knowledge and supporting sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Tracy Marmolejo (Activate Learning: Greenwich, CT)

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning

Models are tools for representing ideas and developing explanations related to phenomena. Models can be used to deepen student understanding of scientific and math concepts. You will identify connections to the use of models in your instruction while examining your state standards and/or frameworks.

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

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Take a deeper dive into understanding the importance of learning progressions in 3-dimensional learning using STC Middle School. Experience the importance of a coherent story line in student understanding. Leave with classroom resources.

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

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Discovered new-to-you Vernier sensors in your classroom or storage? Join our beginner-friendly, interactive workshop to help you understand how to assess, calibrate, and start using hands-on Vernier solutions. Explore our suite of sensors and how they work with our Graphical Analysis app.

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

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Discover hands-on approaches to STEM learning that equip middle schoolers for high school and beyond. Attendees will explore updated activities with the Vernier Go Direct® temperature, light, force, and gas pressure sensors to model real-world phenomena.

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

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP Science

Revitalize student engagement in science inquiry! Join our session on scaffolding Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) experiences. Empower students to think critically, make sense of the world, and leave with practical strategies for a deeper understanding.

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

Sponsoring Company: TCI

Join our session to learn how to harness the power of three-dimensional Performance Assessments! Beyond evaluating learning, these assessments offer students a meaningful context to demonstrate understanding. Explore the role of performance assessments in teaching core science concepts effectively.

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

In this session, Colorado educators will have the opportunity to participate in a structured forum to share their experiences in implementing three dimensional learning and instruction as outlined in the Colorado Academic Standards for Science.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, Colorado educators will have the opportunity to participate in a structured forum to share their experiences in implementing three dimensional learning and instruction as outlined in the Colorado Academic Standards for Science.

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

Attendees will learn how fit in all 3 dimensions of the NGSS while working under the significant time constraints of a typical elementary classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with a unit map planning document, sample anchor phenomena and example SEP activities.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Magaw (Community Roots Charter School: Brooklyn, NY)

Get acquainted with New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas (NSTA District - 13 members) Science Teacher Association Officers and conference attendees. Learn what each state is doing to advance Science and STEM engagement in K - 16 settings.

Participants will engage in a variety of activities, collect information, discover new resources, and network with middle-level leaders from NSTA and NMLSTA. The new ideas and materials will be something that can be used next week.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will have networking opportunities with other middle-level science educators, both presenters and other attendees. In addition, they will discover new resources for all aspects of science teaching and they will engage in a variety of new activities to use with their students.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Lou Lipscomb (National Middle Level Science Teachers Association: Naperville, IL)

The NSTA Research Division cordially invites all members - researchers AND practitioners- to join us for a discussion of the relationship between research and practice and how NSTA can best foster that.

Interested in writing for Science Scope? Come talk to the editor!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn tips and tricks for successful manuscript submission

SPEAKERS:
Patty McGinnis (NSTA: No City, No State)

Chat with alumni of extraordinary free professional development opportunities for science teachers. Where might your curiosity and thirst for learning lead you?

TAKEAWAYS:
Free travel, field experiences, and training programs are available to teachers looking for professional growth opportunities.

SPEAKERS:
Loris Chen (Science Education Consultant: Fair Lawn, NJ)

Many beverages contain various sugars, and most of that sugar comes from corn. Reading nutrition labels can inform students of the amount of nutrients in various beverages.

TAKEAWAYS:
Young students find it difficult to equate mass measurements with volumes. Also, students, when reading labels, do not do math! Single serving amounts do not mean the total grams of sugar in a container.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Cunningham (Purdue University: West Lafayette, IN)

The National Middle Level Science Teachers Association supports middle level science teachers through many free activities open to members and nonmembers as well as members only benefits and opportunities for awards including Science Classroom Teacher Awards and the Hurd Award.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain a better understanding of the benefits of NMLSTA membership.

SPEAKERS:
Alison Seymour (Science Teacher: Winchester, 0)

We will share the development of the Word Wall in our Science Classrooms and how they became interactive and informative to all of our Students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will walk away with an idea to support the use of scientific vocabulary for a diverse classroom of learners.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn Konieczny (Brooks Middle School: Bolingbrook, IL), Kim Nagle (Brooks Middle School: Bolingbrook, IL)

Discover how classroom pets can transform science education with engaging, hands-on lessons that spark curiosity! Learn to leverage these companions for engaging, hands-on lessons that spark curiosity. Review standards-based lesson plans and learn about how to get that classroom pet for free!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will feel confident in their ability to integrate a classroom pet, utilizing the standards based lessons presented. Pets foster empathy, responsibility, and emotional development but also teach the standards. And explore funding opportunities for your classroom companion!

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Biernat (Zanilu Educational Services, LLC: No City, No State)

Educators will learn how to use a free online resource called Skype-A-Scientist. This unique application pairs classrooms with professional scientists to be virtual guest speakers.

TAKEAWAYS:
The takeaway is to leverage Skype-A-Scientist strategically to connect your students with real professional scientists as guest speakers in your classroom.

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

eCYBERMISSION’s virtual STEM competition for 6th-9th graders promotes self-discovery as teams compete for awards while also supporting teachers with a wealth of resources. eCYBERMISSION's table will provide details regarding the competition along with a fun interactive activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Throughout the competition, students and teachers are provided access to eCYBERMISSION staff, standards-aligned resources, grant opportunities and much more.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Kutsch (National Science Teaching Association, eCYBERMISSION)

Here we present curriculum units exploring phenomena in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems at multiple scales, from micro to macro. In these units, students investigate concepts of ecosystem stability with curricula based on science research.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to facilitate NGSS-aligned, inquiry-driven classroom investigations of ecosystems at multiple scales. We will share multiple examples of investigations based on our current work through GEMS, a NSF Biology Integration Institute. Curriculum materials will be provided.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara Hug (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Champaign, IL), Patrick Wilson (PhD Student: Urbana, IL), Nick Leonardi (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: No City, No State), Jeannette Cullum (Graduate Student: Urbana, IL)

During the middle level Share-A-Thon, we will give a brief overview of MySciLife and its functionality. Then, we will share practical ways you can begin to integrate it into your lessons to create more student engagement and collaboration.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the FREE science social learning platform, MySciLife, and what opportunities are available to engage their students.

SPEAKERS:
Jesse Nolan (Product Manager, MySciLife)

Observations of students entering middle school and their perceptions of science. How much of these perceptions are preformed, and how much are still malleable?

TAKEAWAYS:
Students leave our classrooms with a definition of what science is and isn't and how it can and cannot be used in their lives and careers.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Laborn (STEM Teacher: , IL)

Do you find yourself falling down the Google rabbit hole when searching for lesson ideas? We have a time-saving solution. Participants will gain access to a newly compiled list of numerous resources for middle level science teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be given access to a list of resources compiled specifically for middle level science educators.

SPEAKERS:
Kathleen Brooks (CREC: No City, No State)

Presentation of a researcher designed tool for the purpose of authentic student data collection of wind speed & direction. Using the idea of a graph and a compass, a measurement tool was created for students to plot their wind direction and wind speed in place of (x,y) coordinates.

TAKEAWAYS:
Walk away with a template and understanding of how to implement tool for students to individually collect authentic wind data in a manner that is visually meaningful to them for analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Laborn (STEM Teacher: , IL), Robert LaBorn (Jackson Middle School: Villa Park, IL)

We all know that performance tasks are a great way to assess our three-dimensional science standards! Join RCPS’s Elementary Science Coach as she shares her district’s vision of implementing performance tasks across the district. Then, discover how performance tasks have supported a positive shift in 3D.

TAKEAWAYS:
One takeaway from this session is that you will learn how to design, implement, calibrate, and revise performance tasks based on your districts learning progressions.

SPEAKERS:
Christy Hernandez (Rockdale County Public Schools: Conyers, GA)

SEL does not have to be something additional to teach! Learn how to purposefully incorporate SEL skills in your science classroom. Leave with practical ways to make powerful lessons that captivate your future scientists and cultivate those skills that are essential for success beyond the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Practical ways to make powerful science lessons that captivate future scientists and also cultivate those SEL skills that are essential for success beyond the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn McCotter (Van Andel Education Institute: Grand Rapids, MI)

Eliminate the obstacle of finding OER that adheres to local pacing by experiencing a tool to adapt existing high-quality instructional materials. This planning roadmap leverages sensemaking best practices while maintaining coherence surrounding an anchoring phenomenon for students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will discover the intentionality behind the components of a planning roadmap that maintains coherence while adapting storylines found in OER to local pacing guidelines. Participants will engage in a thermal energy phenomenon and experience prioritizing science ideas for a lesson sequence.

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

Urban elementary teachers and researchers will share successes from the NSF-funded Teaching Science Outdoors – Urban Partnerships project, describe their experiences fostering place-based science learning that is hands-on, heads-on, and hearts-on, and offer ideas to use in your instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the value of the 3H framework (hands-on, heads-on, and hearts-on) in place-based science learning using urban spaces. They will leave the session with real-life examples, resources, and ideas shared by teachers using the framework in their work with students.

SPEAKERS:
Kieshaune Perkins (Teacher: Saginaw, MI), Roberta Hunter (Research Associate: , NJ)

Each will identify grade level, core disciplinary ideas (science content standards), Science & Engineering Practice and Crosscutting concepts. Participants will leave with lessons plans, websites, grants ideas and other resources. Over 14 PAs will bring best practices from their varied expertise.

TAKEAWAYS:
K-12 teachers will leave with lessons plans, websites, grant ideas, and other resources from Presidential Awardees.

SPEAKERS:
DeLene Hoffner (eleSTEMary: Colorado Springs, CO)

Beatrix Potter, mycologist? George Washington, agriculturalist? Rosalynn Carter, entomologist? Learn how biographies and other trade books about citizen scientists can lead to the exploration of the wonders of nature.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore how they can address the NGSS and integrate literacy through incorporating high-quality science trade books about citizen scientists such as Beatrix Potter.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Broemmel (The University of Rhode Island: Kingston, RI), Kristin Rearden (The University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Knoxville, TN)