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)

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: Lincolnwood, IL), Meghan Thomas (Educator: Evanston, IL), Megan McDermott (Nichols Middle School: Evanston, IL), Elida Patino (Kindergarten Dual Language Teacher: Evanston, IL), Alissa Berg (Evanston Skokie School District 65: Chicago, IL)

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)

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: Owings Mills, MD)

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 - University of Kansas: Nashville, KS), Christy Glore (ATLAS at University of Kansas: Canton, GA)

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: Chicago, IL)

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: Wethersfield, CT)

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: Lincoln, NE), Miranda Orellana (Lincoln Public Schools: 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)

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)

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 Competitions: Crofton, MD), Brian Leftridge (U.S. Army: Lakeland, TN), Kathleen Miranda (Naval STEM Coordination Office), Winnie Boyle (NSTA: Fort Lauderdale, FL), Elyse Lohrbach (United States Air Force: Powell, OH)

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: SEATTLE, 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)

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: Tucson, AZ)

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)

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)

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: Lindenhurst, IL)

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: Saddle River, NJ)

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 (Faith Lutheran School: Redmond, WA)

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: Edmonton, AB)

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)

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: La Veta, CO)

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: Bloomington, IL)

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: Midwest City, 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 (Northwood Charter Academy: Philadelphia, PA)

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 (Huguenot High School: Richmond, VA), Victoria Oliveira (Researcher: Belmont, MA)

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)

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: Naperville, IL)

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)

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 (Cottage Lane Elementary School: Tappan, 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: Oakland, CA), Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

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: Washington, DC), Brittany York (Center for Applied Linguistics: Washington, DC)

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: San Antonio, TX), Josephine Mesina (International High School at Largo: Bowie, MD), Thanh Le (Montebello High School: Glendale, CA), Nicole Rosen (The Ingenuity Project: Baltimore, MD)

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: Elizabeth, CO)

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)

The NSTA provides in-person, online, and blended professional learning experiences for cohorts of K–12 educators. All programs engage educators with digital resources, virtual programs, the larger community, and expert staff. Depending on your choice of services, NSTA membership is also included.

TAKEAWAYS:
District and school leaders will learn about the variety of professional learning opportunities that NSTA offers, delivered in-person, online, and blended that give their teachers the power to enhance their learning as well as the ability to learn with peers. Membership included for most services.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Owings Mills, MD), Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Clarksville, TN)

This session will provide a brief overview of the basic science behind global warming and its consequences, plus discussion of how we can in principle achieve a “post-global warming” future in which today’s children will someday be able to talk about global warming as a problem of the past.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to teach global warming science without “gloom and doom” — and without provoking parents — by inspiring students to envision a post-warming future.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Bennett (Big Kid Science: Boulder, CO)

Join me as I share my experience of transforming a local citizen science project into a phenomenon-driven unit that uses a storyline approach.

TAKEAWAYS:
You’ll walk away with a step-by-step process for taking a place-based or citizen science project and learning how to build a storyline around it, including finding an authentic phenomena that will not only drive the unit, but engage you and your students.

SPEAKERS:
Kyle Beeton (Lisbon School Department: Lisbon, ME)

Led by members of NSTA Early Childhood-Elementary Committee, the session addresses the relationship between science education & children’s literature by providing an interactive platform for educators to discover how literature can support & enhance science & engineering practices in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore the integration of children's literature with science and engineering practices through cross-disciplinary connections and hands-on activities. Resources provided.

SPEAKERS:
Simone Nance (University of Southern Indiana: Newburgh, IN), Jennifer Williams (Isidore Newman School: Belle Chasse, LA), Katie Morrison (University Child Development School: Seattle, WA), Jenn Brown-Whale (Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE): Randallstown, MD), Annette Venegas (retired: Gig Harbor, WA), Anne Lowry (Aleph Academy: Reno, NV), Melissa Parks (Stetson University: Deland, FL)

We are middle school teachers at a title one school with the highest number of grade 6-8 L25 students of the 125 schools in our district. This session will focus on the strategies that we use daily to ensure we are teaching with rigor in a way that all students can learn!

TAKEAWAYS:
"Every student, every question, every time" is our school philosophy. We will share our tried-and-true strategies for distributed summarizing and effective questioning.

SPEAKERS:
Dave McGinley (Teacher: Lehigh Acres, FL), Barbara Rebeor (Harns Marsh Middle School: Ft Myers, FL)

Phenomena based science assessments allow students to transfer knowledge to new phenomena while using all three dimensions. As students demonstrate understanding they also deepen their learning. We will examine sample tasks and hear from students and teachers on their experiences with these tasks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Transfer tasks ask students to make sense of phenomena using 3D understanding. These tasks can provide continued learning while assessing students. Identifying key features and hearing from students and teachers for how to support these tasks can help teachers implement them in their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Ridder (Boston College OEI: Scarborough, ME), Thomas Clayton (K-5 STEAM Specialist: Long Valley, NJ), Renee Affolter (OpenSciEd: Montpelier, VT)

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: North Kingstown, RI), Kristin Rearden (The University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Knoxville, TN)

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 Institute for Education: 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: Franklin Park, NJ)

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)

Ever wondered where to find FREE Federal STEM education resources that can provide authentic learning experiences for your K-12+ students? Join Federal agencies, including but not limited to the Dept of Education, NASA, NOAA, EPA, NIH, USGS, USPTO and NSF to learn more & to receive a resource guide!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn about FREE K-12 STEM learning resources offered by federal agencies. In addition, teachers will engage in two-way conversations with federal representatives about the STEM resources, programs, and opportunities that are available and leave with a one-page resource guide.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Nickelsen (Forest Service/ Natural Inquirer: Bogart, GA), Rachel Crowley (NIGMS, National Institutes of Health: Silver Spring, MD), Eleanour Snow (U.S. Geological Survey: Reston, VA), Bekkah Lampe (NOAA Office of Education: College Park, MD), Kayla Smith (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Silver Spring, MD), Miranda Fike (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center: Huntsville, AL), Jorge Valdes (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Alexandria, VA), Patti Curtis (U.S. Department of Education: Washington, DC), Melissa Anley-Mills (U.S. EPA: Washington, DC)

The water-flea, Daphnia, is a charismatic model organism in the life sciences. They are easy to find in lakes/ponds and to care for, making them great for classroom investigations. Here we present two interconnected curriculum units exploring the effects of pollution on Daphnia and their ecosystems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to facilitate NGSS-aligned, inquiry-driven classroom investigations with Daphnia. We will share two examples of interconnected investigations based on our current work as science graduate students at the University of Illinois. Curriculum materials will be provided.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Wilson (PhD Student: Urbana, IL), Barbara Hug (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Champaign, IL), Jeannette Cullum (Graduate Student: Urbana, IL)

Research Experiences for STEM Educators & Teachers (RESET) is dedicated to improving STEM education across the nation. This presentation is for middle/high school educators who want to experience real-world research & learn about how to translate their experience effectively into the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
The audience will leave with information about AEOP programs and how to become involved with the AEOP RESET program.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Moore (Tennessee Tech: Cookeville, TN), Leslie Suters (Tennessee Tech: Knoxville, TN), Jennifer Meadows (Tennessee Tech: Cookeville, TN)

Little is known about how the framing of phenomena impacts students’ interest and sense of relevance. We share findings from a study where we asked students to rate how relevant and interesting they found four phenomena either described using an engineering, a local, a neutral, or a justice framing.

TAKEAWAYS:
Framing a phenomenon as an engineering design problem, a social or environmental justice issue, a local event, or a neutral problem influences students' perception of interest and relevance, which can influence how they engage as learners.

SPEAKERS:
Diego Rojas-Perilla (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: Evanston, IL)

Using phenomena in your classroom is a crucial way to drive instruction. However, many times phenomena are not localized and therefore do not relate to student interest. In this session, learn about different ways to use local phenomena to increase engagement in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
A list of possible local phenomena to use in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Autumn Rivera (Glenwood Springs Middle School: Glenwood Springs, CO)

The Atlas is a collection of 62 maps of the practices, core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and performance expectations in NGSS and other Framework-based standards. The maps show how goals in science are meant to build upon each other and relate to each other over a student’s K-12 education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to read the maps and use other tools in the Atlas to understand and interpret standards and plan instructional sequences as part of their work in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Derwood, MD)

Diversity is more than skin deep. It's part of who we are and who our students are. In this session, you will learn how your students differ on many levels and how you can tailor your lessons to better match their needs. Learn different strategies and practice modifying lessons!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn strategies to diversify their lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Hodge (Mississippi Department of Education: Poplarville, MS), Kristin Ambrose (Walhalla High School: Seneca, SC)

ASTA shares a professional learning model that promotes curriculum development and supports classroom implementation, both critical components in transforming science education. Using carefully designed steps, teachers craft cohesive units with performance tasks that incorporate the 3 dimensions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain an understanding of the challenges and successes of this multi-year, intensive professional learning program for constructing three-dimensional K-12 units and share ideas on how this process might be adapted to one’s own local context to support the educators they serve.

SPEAKERS:
April Holton (Arizona State University: Peoria, AZ), Adrian Alvarez (Grand Canyon Public Schools: Williams, AZ), Sara Torres (Arizona Science Teachers Association: Tucson, AZ)

How do we get more students to see their ideas as important and valuable? How do we get more students to be willing to share and build on others’ ideas? We will explore strategies and examples for adapting curriculum to help elevate student voice and perspective for more equitable sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Encouraging student voice and perspective can reposition students as knowledge makers and support their science identity and motivation. We will share strategies and classroom examples for promoting student voice as well as a way to think about adapting curriculum to support equitable sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Katherine McNeill (Boston College: Newtonville, MA), Renee Affolter (OpenSciEd: Montpelier, VT)

Learn how to integrate some of the Science and Engineering Practices of Asking Questions, Constructing Explanations, and Engaging in Argument From Evidence into lessons driven by a phenomenon. Students of all backgrounds and abilities engage in these practices and feel part of a learning community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Resources for using phenomenon-based lessons, Question Board, Notebook Guidelines, Written Responses, and promoting Scientific Discourse will be shared. A guided lesson will be shared which covers DCI PS3.B and PE 4-PS3-2. A classroom video will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Mary O'Donnell (Penn State University: Long Beach, CA), Gargi Adhikari (Holland Brook School/Readington Township Schools: Whitehouse Station, NJ)

Conducting a novel study is a wonderful opportunity to develop some STEM activities that allow for practicing those skills while also developing a deeper understanding of the book being read. This session will share examples of projects and guide participants through developing their own project.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave the session with project ideas for integrating STEM into novel studies.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Bebell (7/8 Science teahcer: Blue Hill, ME)

Presenters organize around four main ideas for departmental, building, and/or district-level professional learning. Topics include equitable classroom practices, lab safety, book studies, and incorporating SEPs, CCCs, and sensemaking in science instruction (including NSTA PLUs and courses).

TAKEAWAYS:
How to organize good in-district and in-building professional learning opportunities while leading as department chair, science administrator, or teacher (leading from the middle); and how to "shoehorn" these opportunities into any available time for all grade 6-12 science subjects.

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

Attendees will learn more about the philosophy behind standards-based grading practices and apply NGSS-aligned standards to assess examples of student work from middle school level life and physical science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Standards-based grading identifies clear and specific learning goals for both students and teachers, and illuminates the path for students to demonstrate and teachers to assess proficiency.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Zarker Primomo (Lake Washington Girls Middle School: Seattle, WA), Katie Foutch (Science Teacher: Seattle, WA), Alexandra Guest (Science Teacher and Experiential Education Programs Coordinator: Seattle, WA)

These immersive STEM lab challenges will engage students by allowing them to explore through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic stimuli. Each student grouping will navigate with their team members to collect evidence and clues to piece together the narrative of each scenario.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to design immersive lessons that go beyond the design process based on multiple STEM skills utilized throughout the school year. These lessons will optimize student engagement and enhance their problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Brielle Jost (Millstone Township Elementary School: Freehold, NJ)

Menus are great opportunities for students to lead their own exploration of a science topic and be creative! In this workshop, learn the incredible flexibility in learning that menus offer, and how they can drive student interest. Delve into various menu styles and rubrics, and enhance your lessons!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn different menu styles for effective integration into 5E lesson plans, such as adding a menu into the Elaborate phase, or even menus to be used throughout all 5Es. We will also explore different menu formats (online, etc.) and presentation options to maintain student interest.

SPEAKERS:
Rama Sreekantham (Paragon Prep School: Austin, TX)

Artificial intelligence is changing the game and soon will be commonplace in your students’ lives. Come explore ways to effectively use AI tools such as ChatGPT to enhance your professional development and teaching practice, as well as where AI can lead you and your students astray.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be able to describe how AI tools such as ChatGPT work; use AI to build their professional knowledge and generate lesson ideas, such as how to adapt activities to local phenomenon; and recognize the limitations of AI tools in areas such as safety and questioning strategies.

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

Reading proficiency is tied to academic success. Teaching various reading and testing strategies while using high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and innovative technology can help students overcome their challenges with comprehension and vocabulary acquisition.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to use reading strategies coupled with technology to help all students develop ways to navigate grade-level, challenging text. How creating a classroom culture can cultivate an environment conducive for welcoming and increasing literacy in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie White-Keuchler (The School District of Philadelphia: Philadelphia, PA)

This new version of the Quick-Reference Guide (aka The Purple Book) is a must-have reference tool for working with NGSS and other Framework-based, 3D standards. This session will review the features of the book and show how to use the tools and resources in it to unpack the crosscutting concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to unpack the three dimensions using the tools and resources in the Quick-Reference Guide and will gain insights into the meaning of the crosscutting concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Derwood, MD)

Our brains and our students' brains are programmed to engage with stories. This is true not only for the stories of STEM discoveries and history but also for broader applications. Engagement, understanding, and even classroom culture all benefit when the instructor becomes the storyteller.

TAKEAWAYS:
Come learn how to find, cultivate, create, and deliver the stories embedded within your content area with a published author and 16-year science educator. Also, learn techniques for adding story where it might not seem apparent and building the story of your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Matt Brady (Atkins High School: Winston-Salem, NC)

There is no shortage of jaw-dropping discoveries made from meteorites. Known as the “poor man’s space probe” most meteorites come from the asteroid belt. Now that we have actual material from a known asteroid we better sharpen up about meteorite science, because we’re going to need it.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the exciting history and evolution of meteorites science through meteorite falls and discoveries. 500 years ago to the most recent meteoritic events, the science just keeps pouring out of these enigmatic rocks from space. Meteorites are the foundation for sample-return missions.

SPEAKERS:
Martin Horejsi (University of Montana: Missoula, MT)

Scientific misinformation caused tens of thousands of COVID deaths and threatens millions of people due to climate change. I will explain why it is essential to teach students how to find trustworthy scientific information and discuss key teaching strategies to accomplish this vital goal.

TAKEAWAYS:
Everyone needs accurate scientific information. Teachers should teach students how to find trustworthy information and resist misinformation, because most students are not good at evaluating information they find online. This feasible goal is consistent with the NGSS but should become a higher priority.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Zucker (Independent Scholar: Cambridge, MA)

Do you want all your students to feel like they belong and to see themselves in your classroom? Learn how to use the NSF-funded DoS classroom observation and feedback system, which incorporates student voice, reflection, and equitable access to build productive science classroom communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn strategies to promote belonging for all students in your MS science classroom, through applying the evidence-based DoS observation framework to real classroom scenarios and having small group conversations about your peers’ experiences building inclusive and reflective classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Victoria Oliveira (Researcher: Belmont, MA), Virginia Andrews (Huguenot High School: Richmond, VA)

Phenomena based science classrooms require students to listen, discuss, collaborate, and support one another as they uncover science ideas. But how do we assess those skills in order to provide feedback for students? We will examine tools and strategies for gathering and sharing data on these skills

TAKEAWAYS:
Students need to be able to listen, engage in discussion, work collaboratively, and support one another as they uncover science ideas. Often gradebooks do not communicate information about these skills. Participants will leave with tools that can help collect and share this data with all stakeholders.

SPEAKERS:
Thomas Clayton (K-5 STEAM Specialist: Long Valley, NJ)

Deep dive trainings in strategic communications; focused on the use of digital and social media tools to reach broader audiences and on persuasive writing tips and techniques. Trainings will be followed by a panel of state teams who completed the trainings and are using the skills locally.

TAKEAWAYS:
Skills to effectively advocate for K12 science via digital and social media tools and techniques for securing OpEd/LTE and blog placements.

SPEAKERS:
Josh Parrish (Collaborative for Student Success: No City, No State), Julia Rothenberg (VP, Digital strategy, GMMB: Washington, DC), Eric Rosenberg (EMR Content + Communications Inc.: Arlington, VA), Adam Ezring (Collaborative for Student Success: Washington, DC)

Join Dr. Christy Hilton to learn how to easily imbed the five cognitive and behavioral competencies of social and emotional abilities into your STEM lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain insights and resources to implement each of the five cognitive and behavioral competencies into their STEM lessons.

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

Inspire your students to think like scientists and engineers with this hands-on STEM approach. Test variables, make predictions, and design the perfect straw rocket. See how this STEM approach can be used to create any design challenge in your class. Receive resources to transform your STEM lessons!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn hands-on strategies to help students develop measurement, data collection, and analysis skills they can apply in engineering design lessons. You will learn methods to differentiate this in any K-12 setting and leave with free resources to implement this in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Christina Davis (Air Camp USA, Inc.: Dayton, OH)

Let's face it, science often takes a backseat to math! Change the conversation with ideas to support integrating science curriculum and find funding for authentic learning experiences. Help get your topics more recognition and revitalize the most hated subject in school, math!

TAKEAWAYS:
Discuss successful steps taken to integrate curriculum, fund activities, and even co-teach ES, biology, chemistry, and STEM topics with math teammates. Walk away with lesson plans you can take to your math department to model the process.

SPEAKERS:
Scarlett Lyon (STEM Outreach Coordinator: New Bern, NC)

Explore solutions to common challenges in implementing high-quality science instructional materials in schools. In this session, presenters will share practical strategies for how they navigated alignment and buy-in barriers to support successful implementation of OpenSciEd in MS classrooms in TN.

TAKEAWAYS:
No set of curriculum materials will perfectly fit the needs of teachers and students. Thoughtful and intentional use of high-quality instructional materials provides a foundation for strong 3D instruction, and a common language and framework to support teacher collaboration.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Proffitt (TNTP)

Intentionally planning sensemaking opportunities within NGSS-aligned science units empowers students to become active learners, critical thinkers, and scientifically literate individuals. It also equips students with the skills needed to address complex real-world challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn to design a single spreadsheet that includes both a teacher-facing plan and a student-facing summary table. This integrated approach will emphasize sensemaking and the effective use of scientific vocabulary, streamlining the planning process for an enriched learning experience.

SPEAKERS:
Saswati Koya (Loyola University Chicago: Chicago, IL)

Explore the importance of reflective thinking, skepticism, and the tools for critical inquiry as emphasized by Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit. This session guides educators in fostering students' intellectual curiosity and equipping them with survival skills for the information age.

TAKEAWAYS:
Equip yourself with strategies to foster reflective and skeptical thinking in students, empowering them with Sagan's nine components of critical inquiry, ensuring they navigate the information glut with discernment.

SPEAKERS:
Nathan Lang-Raad (Author, Speaker, Educator: Limerick, ME)

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Chelsie Byram (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Waterloo, IA), Mandie Sanderman (Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Waverly, IA)

Discover a 360-degree VR intervention implemented in inclusive biology classrooms, showcasing significant score differences between students with and without disabilities. Gain insights into data analysis, limitations, practice implications, and future research plans.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with the six free resources used in the study and expectations to support their use in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Shalece Kohnke (Auburn University: Auburn, AL)

Join us to explore how our science Teacher Leader Institutes empower educators to excel in subject matter knowledge, pedagogical skills, and leadership acumen. Discover the transformative impact of this initiative on educational capacity and professional growth.

TAKEAWAYS:
During the session, participants will discover how the Teacher Leader Institute was created using freely available resources and how it has been improved over time as new groups join and more professional development opportunities are introduced.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Weatherhead (National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA): Downingtown, PA), Kammas Kersch (Chester County Intermediate Unit: Downingtown, PA)

Denver Public Schools science instructional specialists share how they co-designed professional learning opportunities for K-12 Science educators to engage students with pedagogical practices described in the books Ambitious Science Teaching and Science in the City.

TAKEAWAYS:
Ongoing professional learning designed to support targeted science reform ideas related to more equitable classroom science experiences promote shifts in educator practice.

SPEAKERS:
Eva Bridgeforth (Denver Public Schools: Denver, CO), Melissa Braaten (Associate Professor: Denver, CO), Keyerria Howard (Middle. School Curriculum Specialist: Denver, CO)

Understanding students' ideas is critical to responsive teaching and learning. This session will focus on how students use scientific practices and crosscutting concepts with NSTA's Uncovering Student Ideas in Science formative assessment probes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how the scientific practices help students make sense of the DCI elicited by a formative assessment probe and the crosscutting concepts used as thinking tools.

SPEAKERS:
Jason Harding (CLEAPSS / Kings College London: Crstal Beach, TX), Page Keeley (NSTA Past President: Fort Myers, FL)

Incorporate the three dimensions of the NGSS to guide your students through project-based learning opportunities (PBL) addressing local/regional issues and topics. Strategies for designing PBLs to engage students, integrate phenomena and content, and solve real-world problems will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
PBLs provide all students opportunities to utilize the three dimensions of NGSS to enhance their learning and apply that knowledge to address and propose solutions to issues of concern.

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

By now you are probably well aware of the upcoming total solar eclipse on 4/8/24, which passes over many major cities on a path running from Texas up through Maine. The rest of the contiguous US will have a partial solar eclipse. Learn how to be ready for this awesome STEM education opportunity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn everything you need to be ready for the upcoming eclipse, including the science behind eclipses, how to view the eclipse safely, and how to create educational opportunities for your school and community.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Bennett (Big Kid Science: Boulder, CO)

This presentation is aimed at providing an overview of the six tenets within the Cultural Wealth Model, each including activities and strategies that can be implemented within the classroom to promote social justice, equity, and cultural relevance.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation will provide teachers with resources to begin constructing culturally relevant lessons with ease, while building community in the classroom and resisting oppressive structures within education.

SPEAKERS:
Maizie Dyess (Graduate Assistant: Las Vegas, NV)

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

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

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

Come to this session to learn how to incorporate project and problem-based learning into your NGSS and three-dimensional science classroom. Real projects will be shared that are linked to relevant and engaging phenomena, and provide students with choice and agency.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to implement project- and problem-based learning into their science class, while maintaining an NGSS or three-dimensional science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Allison Bogart (Stonecreek Junior High: Bakersfield, CA)

Learn how to utilize the SCORES Model principles of Safety, Connection, and Open-Dialogue to build a classroom culture of inclusion including tips for student grouping, to facilitate communication, and increase student participation. Equip yourself to nurture a diverse STEM community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Utilize the SCORES Model principles: Safety, Connection, & Open-Dialogue, to craft a positive classroom culture, refine student grouping to promote equitable talk, and increase student engagement and intrinsic motivation through proximity and connection.

SPEAKERS:
Mandy Heal (Mesa Public Schools: Mesa, AZ), Jamie Rapkiewcz (Mesa Public Schools: Mesa, AZ)

To ensure a resilient future, we must engage students with phenomena and problems found in food systems and agriculture. This session explores how food and agriculture connect to students’ lives and presents a highly relevant and authentic science context immersed in the Three Dimensions of NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will see successful examples of authentic phenomena and problems found within food and agricultural systems that are relevant to all students. We will demonstrate how all three dimensions of the NGSS are used to make sense of these real-world phenomena and problems.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Beierle (Relevant Classroom, a Division of Vivayic, Inc.: Wauwatosa, WI)

The idea of teaching 3D science can be intimidating to an elementary classroom teacher. But a well-designed and thoughtful curriculum process can ensure that elementary teachers learn to love science as much as their students. Attendees will discover tools to improve science learning in schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn new tools for the selection and implementation of new curriculum. This includes designing professional learning and walkthrough documents that support teachers' continued learning and collaboration.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Jackson (Northbrook School District 28: Northbrook, IL), Kris Raitzer (Northbrook School District 28: Northbrook, IL)

Come learn about ways that museums, science centers, and out of school time providers can help you improve your students’ learning beyond visiting for field trips or joining the program.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about resources and opportunities that museums, science centers, and out-of-school time providers, such as Science Olympiad, offer classroom teachers to expand their students’ knowledge, borrow classroom resources, or develop themselves.

SPEAKERS:
John Loehr (Science Olympiad: Oakbrook Terrace, IL)

Educators will explore the benefits of and research related to employing structed conversation in the science classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn how to employ structured conversation in the science classroom to support all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Edreauanna Fowler (Teacher: Port Arthur, TX), Dennis Johnson (Professional Development Trainer: Beaumont, TX)

Presenter will share the value in teaching science in nature in early childhood, using their personal experience teaching science to kindergarten students in their school garden. Presenter will share the "why" behind teaching science outdoors in early childhood, as well as the "how".

TAKEAWAYS:
Young children learn through hands-on experiences. Providing opportunities for them to learn about nature within nature is very important and sparks their curiosity.

SPEAKERS:
Sheba Michel (Community Roots Charter School: Brooklyn, NY)

This session will provide science teachers with resources on how to integrate AI tools into their curriculum for personalized and differentiated instruction, including assessing students' progress and adapting lessons to meet diverse learning needs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to use AI for personalized instruction, assess student progress, and efficiently adapt lessons for diverse learning needs.

SPEAKERS:
Tamu Crisden (Master Teacher: Virginia Beach, VA), Demetrice Smith-Mutegi (Old Dominion University: Suffolk, VA)

Many students struggle to become effective science communicators through writing. Our research study reveals why some life science instructors are no longer assigning traditional lab reports. Strategies to help your students with science writing are provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
A surprisingly large number of college faculty have stopped assigning traditional lab reports in introductory life science courses. Our research study reveals several barriers, some of which are quite surprising. We provide a list of classroom-ready strategies to improve students’ science writing.

SPEAKERS:
Timothy Slater (University of Wyoming: Laramie, WY), Kristy Palmer (Ph.D. Candidate: Laramie, WY)

Projects in the P-2 band are a wonderful way to include all student voices and are very indicative of science understandings. See ways of creating a project, and what to do with the projects that get "left behind."

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with project ideas and criteria for choosing workable class projects, as well as research citations supporting such work to use and share in their specific contexts.

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

Participants will learn how to utilize PLC work to design and implement PBLs across subjects in a middle school setting. Participants will learn how to effectively score student's work, strategies for grouping, ideas for obtaining and organizing materials, and how to include community partners.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, participates will learn how to design and deliver PBLs in the middle school science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Carpenter (Arlington Middle School: Arlington, TN), Latisha King (Arlington Middle Scool: Jackson, TN)

When students use a scanning electron microscope, they are engaged in STEM and empowered to explore the microscopic world around them.

TAKEAWAYS:
It is possible (and exciting) to have a scanning electron microscope at your school! Using a SEM in high school fosters hands-on learning, develops STEM skills, encourages real-world applications, involves the challenge of independent research, provides career readiness, and engages the community.

SPEAKERS:
Krista Wilks (W. F. West High School: Chehalis, WA)

The radio spectrum is invisible, yet it enables our cell phones, contactless payment, and air travel. Learn approaches to facilitate diverse youth, families, and museum visitors using hands-on activities, mobile apps, and guides in Spanish and English from the NSF Making Waves with Radio project.

TAKEAWAYS:
Hands-on activity using everyday materials, conversation prompts, and mobile apps together can engage youth and families in playful experimentation to learn about the science and technology of radio waves and wireless radio communications. Get free educator guides and lessons in Spanish and English.

SPEAKERS:
Sherry Hsi (BSCS Science Learning: Berkeley, CA)

This session provides K-12 Colorado educators information about the Science Standards Review and Revision process beginning in the Spring of 2025 and concluding in June 2026. In addition to the background on the five stages of the process, educators will learn how they can apply to participate.

TAKEAWAYS:
By the end of this session, participants will describe the five main stages of the Standards Review and Revision process and identify opportunities for educators to participate in the process.

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

The goal of this project is to use engineering design principles to teach ecology and sustainability through active student involvement in an urban garden.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students learn the engineering design process and apply it directly in practice through the creation of an urban garden.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Weissman (The Ramaz School: Fresh Meadows, NY)

Are you a science coach or teacher leader? Come learn some "tricks of the trade" from science teachers turned coaches. Come put some tools in your tool box and learn some techniques to help your coaching skills and improve your relationships with teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will provide instructional coaches, department chairs, teacher leaders, and administrators with tools to help science teachers upgrade their practices for the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Newburger (Tappan Zee High School: Orangeburg, NY), Samantha Levine (South Orangetown Central School District: Blauvelt, NY)

We will share insights from experienced K-12 teachers about effective ways to best teach the complex NGSS. The multi-year professional learning focused on vertical progressions of concepts K-12, student engagement in the SEPs and CCCs, and pedagogical strategies to teach the three dimensions.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will offer ideas about how experienced teachers can continue to deepen pedagogical approaches for teaching the NGSS. The complexity of the standards may require substantial shifts for some teachers, but approaches such as foregrounding/backgrounding the dimensions can support planning and instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Ingrid Carter (Metropolitan State University of Denver: Denver, CO)

NSTA's Early Childhood - Elementary Science Committee welcomes educators seeking science and STEM teaching resources for our youngest learners. Discover teaching support, network with peers, and explore leadership opportunities with NSTA membership. All EC and elementary teachers are welcome!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about NSTA's leadership opportunities, committees, and resources available to early childhood and elementary educators.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Parks (Stetson University: Deland, FL), Simone Nance (University of Southern Indiana: Newburgh, IN), Annette Venegas (retired: Gig Harbor, WA), Katie Morrison (University Child Development School: Seattle, WA), Jenn Brown-Whale (Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE): Randallstown, MD), Jennifer Williams (Isidore Newman School: Belle Chasse, LA)

We will discuss the strategies we have developed with elementary teachers in high-need urban districts for the use of gardens in outdoor classrooms and present the lessons that have been used in two high-need school districts with under-served student populations and English language learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers who attend will learn strategies to engage their students with the DCIs of the Life and Earth Sciences with easily grown gardens at their schools.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Feit (Boston University: Boston, MA), Peter Garik (Boston University: Boston, MA)

EdReports will share case studies of state partnerships and discuss how to use local priorities to drive the instructional materials adoption process.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to engage with their state and district to develop local priorities and establish an instructional vision, utilizing EdReports reviews of instructional materials, to make informed adoption decisions based on local context.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Wachowski (EdReports.org: Lander, WY)

Learn about the latest developments from NSTA, including changes in governance, volunteer opportunities, and new services and resources. There will also be an opportunity for you to provide feedback to NSTA leadership.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about ways that NSTA can help their professional journey and will provide feedback to the association.

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Conerly (Marion County Schools: Bogue Chitto, MS), Elizabeth Mulkerrin (Mulkerrin Strategic Solutions LLC: Omaha, NE), Julie Luft (University of Georgia: Athens, GA), Erika Shugart (NSTA: Rockville, MD)

To bring awareness to K-12 education communities and how to utilize programs at Field-Based Science Institutions, whereas, STEM-based education opportunities could be provided in order to increase change in STEM education.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, the attendees will become familiar with the significance of heightened STEM interest via programs that support STEM education classrooms through student’s participation in FBSI programs such as zoos, museums, and botanicals.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Michael Williams (National Louis University: Worth, IL)

As educators, we have the power to inspire, shape, and influence young minds. To do that effectively we must continuously learn and grow. We will explore how to design your own professional development plan, become an expert in your field, and find joy through discovering your passions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will set goals and identify opportunities for growth. We will share workshops, courses, and fellowship opportunities to enhance teaching skills and personal growth.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Thompson (Department of Defense: Stevensville, MD), Samantha Willsey (Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow: Washington DC, DC)

Tired of hearing: Why are we learning this? When will we ever use this? This session will discuss how to use news articles to teach reading comprehension and increase science literacy in secondary students of all levels. Also, connect 3D Lessons and Science and Engineering Practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with multiple ways of implementing science in the news into their classrooms. Science will become dynamic and applicable.

SPEAKERS:
Misty Heredia (UTRGV: Brownsville, TX)

Modeling is central in national standards. However, the practice of modeling—the process of building and refining models to answer questions—remains difficult to support. Hear outcomes from a 3-year project aimed at implementing modeling as a unifying practice in middle school science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will consider instructional choices, talk moves, and classroom structures that support student construction and revision of models. Examples of student models and support for modeling will illustrate how cycles of inquiry were productively implemented throughout the school year.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Sommi (Durham Community School: Portland, ME)

Place-based science instruction leverages students’ previous experiences, illuminates their natural world, and provides opportunities for students to learn beyond the confines of their computers. We share strategies for online course development to optimize active learning and local landscape.

TAKEAWAYS:
Place-based online science instruction promotes active learning, supports student investigations in their local environments, and builds a community of online learners as students share their experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Athena Nagel (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS), Renee Clary (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS)

Bringing the classroom outdoors can help students learn about the work of science and can also connect students to the benefits of nature itself. Attendees will explore and receive free Natural Inquirer products that encourage students to connect with the outdoors.

TAKEAWAYS:
Natural Inquirer products, created in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, introduce students to natural resource science and connect students with the outdoors. A new series of free resources also explores the impact of nature on human health. Attendees will receive copies of all materials.

SPEAKERS:
Bradi McDonald (Natural Inquirer), Nissa McKinney (FIND Outdoors/Forest Service Cooperator: Athens, GA)

In an era where science educators are encouraged to do more hands-on learning, benefiting students that learn by doing, we still test using traditional styles. Take a look into the benefits of practical style summative tests to help this student population.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to structure summative tests for kinesthetic learners, rather than the standard "pen and paper" style tests.

SPEAKERS:
Ryan Fernandes (Wayne County Schools Career Center: Medina, OH)

Giverny books feature engaging stories and illustrations that teach our youngest readers scientific principles and science-related attitudes. Explore with us how Giverny books connect 4–8-year-old readers with nature through life cycles, seasonal changes, sustainability, and more! Free resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Award-winning Giverny books provide quality science instruction and promote scientific habits of mind for the youngest 4-8-year-old readers. The books invite children to observe and connect to the natural world around them.

SPEAKERS:
Athena Nagel (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS), Renee Clary (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS)

The study aimed to explore potential benefits of infusing socio-scientific issues (SSIs) into engineering design for middle & high schoolers. This approach enhances their scientific knowledge and bolsters creative, critical problem-solving skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
By embedding socio-scientific issues (SSIs) into the engineering design process, science teachers can help students develop deeper socio-scientific reasoning skills. This innovative approach sharpens students' scientific knowledge and broadens their creative problem-solving capabilities.

SPEAKERS:
Hai Nguyen (University of Missouri: Columbia, MO)

Differentiation is a buzz word in education, but how can teachers effectively differentiate while keeping all students engaged? Blended, mastery-based instruction allows the classroom to become student-led and flexibly paced within each unit of instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to effectively differentiate instruction and provide individualized attention to struggling learners while keeping students engaged and managing classroom behavior.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Richardson (Educator: North Charleston, SC), Kathryn Allen (Florence Unified School District: Queen Creek, AZ), Laura Martin-Lauzer (Ashley Ridge High School: Summerville, SC)

Teaching about environmental problems can be demotivating if students are not given the opportunity to contribute to solutions. Come to this session to learn about a project-based unit that fosters critical hope and empowers students to become advocates for sustainability in their community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to implement a unit that positions students as changemakers and advocates for sustainability at their school. They will walk away with a unit outline, scaffolds, and examples of student work.

SPEAKERS:
Brianna Balke (Blackstone Academy Charter School: Providence, RI)

Scientific caricatures (SCs) serve as unique instructional and assessment tools to engage students in online classrooms and promote critical thinking. Learn how to incorporate SCs in YOUR classrooms! Resources provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
In online science classrooms, scientific caricatures (SCs) offer an innovative and creative assessment tool for students to imaginatively apply science content, optimize their critical thinking skills, and engage their online peers.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Clary (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS)

See how Baltimore City Schools is using student questions to drive student learning and supports Disciplinary Literacy. Participants will explore strategies such as interactive word walls, and DQBs to support student questioning, discourse, differentiation, and ML students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Be more intentional of when and what strategies to employ to support Disciplinary Literacy and Multi-Lingual students.

SPEAKERS:
Sage Caspersson (Baltimore City Public Schools: Arnold, MD), Melissa Devlin (Baltimore City Public Schools: Severna Park, MD), Kevin Garner, Ed.D. (Baltimore City Public Schools: Severna Park, MD)

TikTok videos provide microlearning opportunities for students, introducing Earth science topics in a concise, bite-sized format. We will explore instructional strategies to enable students to consume and create TikToks to further their understanding of and engagement with Earth science topics.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to navigate the educational science content landscape on TikTok, to use as a learning resource for students, as well as how to engage their own students in creating educational TikTok videos as part of their curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Zawacki (EarthScope Consortium: San Diego, CA)

A Social Problem and STEM Research Project guides students through the scientific process while encouraging students to see themselves as agents of change. Students take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding their topic, which helps build an intellectual community in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will receive examples and instructions for the Social Problems and STEM Research Project, and resources on how to guide students in finding a problem and STEM applications. They will have time to brainstorm how they can incorporate social problem topics into their teachings.

SPEAKERS:
Selene Willis (The Ingenuity Project: Owings Mills, MD), Nicole Rosen (The Ingenuity Project: Baltimore, MD)

Learn about a successful cross-curricular model creating an opportunity for students to explore the science, history, and culture of their community. Add math skills, physical education, and poetry, too. This collaboration brings staff together to create a unique student learning opportunity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about a successful all-school science-led, cross-curricular week highlighting the school's local environment, history, and culture with the opportunity to brainstorm how to create a similar activity for their own schools.

SPEAKERS:
Alison Seymour (Winchester College: Scottsdale, AZ)

By learning new skills and continuously gaining knowledge, teaching and learning can be easier than ever!! After 25+ years in the classroom, I will share a toolbox full of shortcuts & techniques to make the planning & implementation of your content more efficient and effective.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will take away an abundance of ideas that will maximize time and minimize effort in planning and implementing activities and lessons. The presented ideas will make the classroom more teacher-facilitated, focusing on student-driven learning.

SPEAKERS:
Tracy Rodgers (Northside High School: Northport, AL)

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 - University of Kansas: Nashville, KS), Christy Glore (ATLAS at University of Kansas: Canton, GA)

Dive into the future of science education! Join "AI Unleashed" and discover innovative ways to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into your classroom. Leave with practical knowledge of AI tools and strategies to create dynamic, data-informed lessons to prepare students for a tech-driven future.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will see how AI tools can provide personalized and engaging learning, helping students develop critical thinking, problem-solving and data literacy skills essential for the 21st century. Teachers will gain practical knowledge of AI tools and strategies to create dynamic lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Ripollone (Cardinal Gibbons High School: Garner, NC), Kathy Biernat (Zanilu Educational Services, LLC: Oak Creek, WI)

Participants will learn about the K-12 Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge teacher competition, and the two Shell USA, Inc. sponsored teacher awards. Participants will learn how to nominate and apply for the programs that are sponsored by Shell USA, Inc.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to nominate and apply for the programs that are sponsored by Shell USA, Inc. Participants will be able to collaborate with previous winners and judges on key elements to include in a strong application.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton (NSTA: Fresno, TX)

Get a brief introduction to free OER-integrated science curricular units for Grades 3-5 and see how well the features of Project-Based Learning provide the tools and routines to support sensemaking. Learn more about the research behind the resources, and resources available to support implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will get a detailed description of the free resources, look at how PBL works, hear examples from the Multiple Literacies in Project-Based Learning (ML-PBL) Research and Development Project. They will learn how to access the free resources for later review, and connect with free support.

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

Elevate science and literacy in your elementary classroom through practical integration strategies. Utilizing a lesson template and science trade books to design a plan to stimulate knowledge building allows you to engage, equip, and empower your students by contextualizing their comprehension.

TAKEAWAYS:
INTEGRATING science and literacy ALLEVIATES challenges (time constraints, disconnected learning, low engagement). This presentation includes evidence-based research, practical insights, and hands-on application to empower educators with knowledge and practical tools to contextualize comprehension.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Westhafer (West Jackson Elementary School: Braselton, GA)

Benefits of Flipped Classroom models to foster Student-Centered Learning in Middle and Upper School Life Sciences courses. Learn about tools, strategies, implementations, and resources to use when creating a course using Flipped Classroom models. Use literacy skills as enrichments tools.

TAKEAWAYS:
The use of both a Flipped Classroom model and Literacy tools to foster a more robust Student-Centered learrning.

SPEAKERS:
Fernando Azcona (The Out-of-Door Academy: Sarasota, FL)

The purpose of this presentation is to familiarize educators with how science nonfiction reading was incorporated in a new online science course for undergraduate teacher candidates. The scientific reading implemented the development of different levels in comprehension to gauge the learner.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gauge the learner to deeper thinking and application in the scientific concepts with big ideas. The goal is to use the scientific reading with the learner in furthering scientific thought to be more progressive and engaging.

SPEAKERS:
Abha Singh (Western Illinois University: Macomb, IL)

What killed the fish in the river? Solve this mystery by analyzing well water data to identify the source of phosphate pollution in the environment. Use clues and data to examine the role of phosphate in the environment and learn how phosphate contributes to eutrophication. Copies will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to describe the role of phosphate in our food systems and the critical need to reduce and recover phosphate from the environment. Participants will apply analytical skills to determine the source of phosphate pollution contributing to a fish kill.

SPEAKERS:
M. Gail Jones (North Carolina State University: Cary, NC), Madeline Stallard (North Carolina State University: Wake Forest, NC), Amber Meeks (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC)

Learn about the collaboration of university and industry-based researchers with K-12 educators in creating science learning opportunities through community centered STEM lessons and activities that highlight local STEM research.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how the SciREN project supports a collaborative relationship between K-12 Teachers and STEM researchers by providing a platform for researchers to translate their local research into K-12 lesson plans under the guidance of K-12 teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Joni Lakin (University of Alabama at Birmingham: Tuscaloosa, AL), Komanci Love (Northside High School: Northport, AL)

In this session, you can drop in to meet Sam Agoos the Science Content Specialist for the Colorado Department of Education. This time will provide opportunities for networking as well as space for important conversations regarding the status of three dimensional learning in your school or district.

TAKEAWAYS:
Build relationships with Sam Agoos the science content specialist at the Colorado Department of Education.

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

EarthX is a collaboration of stakeholders supporting the implementation of Earth Science and local phenomena into Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. EarthX is developing, testing, and refining embedded, BOY, and unit assessments that will provide near-real-time feedback to teachers and students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about our research and have the opportunity to see embedded formative assessments and use the UC Berkeley BASS system (AI).

SPEAKERS:
Alan Berkowitz (Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies: Millbrook, NY), Angela Hood (Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies: Baltimore, MD), Edmund Mitzel, Jr., Ph.D. (Baltimore City Public Schools: Hampstead, MD), Kevin Garner, Ed.D. (Baltimore City Public Schools: Severna Park, MD)

New technology can be overwhelming. In this session, ways to incorporate AI in your classroom will be shared. From help in developing content materials, to management tasks, to actual student use, AI can be a valuable tool for both teacher & student when application is modeled appropriately.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with a list of artificial intelligence resources and hopefully the confidence to try something new.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Fritz (Faith Lutheran School: Redmond, WA)

Coding may not be a necessary skill for every science, but learning to code can benefit students in all areas. With modern coding languages and environments, it is easy to demonstrate the benefit of computational thinking in basic sciences without much coding background for teachers or students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Easy-to-learn coding tools are now available that allow novice teachers or students to quickly model or demonstrate a wide variety of science-based concepts. This deepens student understanding and appreciation of the scientific idea.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Wong (Mercy Academy: Louisville, KY)

Join the classroom culture conversation in this session as we discuss strategies for promoting inclusivity in the science classroom through adaptability, community building circles, responsiveness, and collaboration.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore welcoming routines, as well as content and non-content prompts used in community building circles that foster a positive and safe environment. Sample newsletters will be available to share ideas for collaboration among the learning community that support inclusive science education.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Yajaira Fuentes-Tauber (Rocky Mountain High School: Fort Collins, CO)

How can we ignite scientific learning in our elementary students? Leveraging school campuses as inspiration, we will describe integrated science lessons that harmoniously blend 3D Learning and the 5E Learning Cycle, and foster deeper scientific investigations of local outdoor learning environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use their school campus as an outdoor learning environment to examine natural phenomena and create meaningful and safe 3D/5E elementary science lessons aligned to standards.

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

Loyola University Chicago is partnering with Chicago Public Schools to use an engineering design approach to create an innovative system for science teacher career development.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn the key factors and lessons learned from 6 years of implementing a PL system designed to both advance teachers' science instructional practice while also explicitly enhancing their capacity to serve as district science teacher leaders.

SPEAKERS:
Kayla Cherry (Loyola University Chicago: Chicago, IL), Sarah Stults (Loyola University Chicago: Chicago, IL)

The Story Behind the Story engaged college students of diverse identities with an often-untold history of mineral exploration/exploitation, and connected them with professional societies to help broaden participation. Join us to explore what worked—and what challenges remain.

TAKEAWAYS:
In an interactive session, participants discuss the effectiveness of the history of science/geoheritage to broaden participation—and explore avenues of how college science instructors can facilitate diversity in the sciences.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Clary (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS)