This session will highlight and discuss key takeaways from the bestselling book Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy Helpful Little Humans that have practical applications for educators in their own classrooms, including the acronym TEAM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about some of the underpinning childrearing philosophies commonly found in cultures around the world that help lead to kind, confident, and contented kids, and leave with a toolbox of “best practices” that can be applied directly in the classroom.

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

To meet the spirit and vision of NGSS, teachers need pedagogies and practices for facilitating scientific discourses at various stages of STEM lessons. This session introduces three discourse frameworks to help students engage in the practices of listening and speaking like scientists and engineers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn pedagogy and practice for scientific discourses. Participants learn how to facilitate 1.) science talks — how to generate curiosity, wonder, and theorize; 2.) scaffolding action, how to engage and expand scientific investigation and engineering design; and 3.) foster scientific argumentation.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Devitt (Associate professor science education: Turlock, CA)

Paramount tasks can develop learners’ scientific literacy and critical consciousness by problematizing real world situations. We will engage participants in explorations to demonstrate how community-centered phenomena and children’s literature can be catalysts for developing paramount tasks (EC-5).

TAKEAWAYS:
Paramount tasks foster opportunities to develop rigorous problems that intricately connect learners, their communities, and their cultures with key content and skills. This approach reflects the hallmark of the NGSS and positions learners and their communities at the forefront of learning.

SPEAKERS:
Kelley Buchheister (Associate Professor: Lincoln, NE)

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: Chester, NY)

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 (NSTA: Danville, VA)

Museum educators have known that motivation and interest are vital for engagement. Learn how to bring these informal strategies into your classroom so students can not only interact with science in a different environment but make connections that allow them to see themselves as capable learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Come prepared to take part in activities led by a pair of formal and informal educators that will combine the best of both worlds. Museum educators know how to rapidly engage an audience and you will take away strategies to reach the same level of participation in your classroom.

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

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)

You have a coherent phenomenon-based learning plan for your students, and midway through, you get sick, or have jury duty-- now what?!? This session will highlight approaches to substitute plans that are flexible, easy to implement, and support student learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
When students are tasked with sensemaking and figuring out, day in and day out, it is easier to have that happen without the teacher present. Utilizing a quality curriculum that supports student coherence and phenomenon-based learning is the best tool to make that a reality.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Delaney (OpenSciEd: San Carlos, CA)

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Patty McGinnis (NSTA: Brevard, NC)

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 (Winchester College: Scottsdale, AZ)

Join us as we explore classroom activities that engage students in thinking, exploring, and making sense of the world using an integrated science and literacy approach. Learn how to use our 5 thinking routines to collect assessment evidence to support student learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants gain a toolkit of engaging science activities strategically paired with literacy strategies to enhance instructional effectiveness and empower students to develop essential thinking routines to tackle scientific challenges, because together this approach 'just works' in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Lionel Sandner (Edvantage Interactive: Victoria, BC), Sandra Mirabelli (Brock University: Mississauga, ON)

Introducing the Next Gen ASET SEP tools created by university teacher educators and public school instructional specialists to: support teachers in understanding NGSS SEPs, facilitate curriculum development, and evaluate NGSS alignment with existing curricula.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will 1.) gain a deeper understanding of NGSS SEPs and their significance in science education, 2.) acquire practical skills to develop and assess curriculum in alignment with NGSS, and 3.) engage in collaborative discussions on effective SEP integration.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Stalker (Graduate Student: Colorado Springs, CO), Lin Xiang (University of Kentucky: Lexington, KY)

Sensemaking and Three-Dimensional Learning is an important aspect in today's science classrooms. This interactive session provides tools necessary to build engaging lessons for all students. This will include both high and low tech. Examples will stem from NGSS standards and framework.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be provided resources to take back to their schools and/or classrooms ready to implement. Teachers will have a short time to brainstorm and elaborate on their practices and exchange ideas with other educators.

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Moss (Instructor/Supervisor: Andover, KS), Meghan Shave (Emporia State University: Valley Center, KS)

Dive into data about a range of math and science careers and how these compare to teaching as a profession. While you’re here, share your story!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teaching is an attractive highly competitive career if you love young people! We want to hear from you too!

SPEAKERS:
Jia Wern Hue (Research Associate: Colorado Springs, CO)

Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusive practices through STEAM / STEM instruction. Future educators demonstrate culturally diverse STEAM strategies that enable teachers to effectively instruct and empower culturally/linguistically diverse English Learners and English Learners with disabilities.

TAKEAWAYS:
See examples of STEAM strategies and curriculum materials designed for instruction of Culturally Linguistically Diverse English Learners (ELs) and English Learners with disabilities. Replicate materials and teaching strategies for EL students and diverse learners with disabilities in your communities.

SPEAKERS:
Alma Sandigo (Northern Arizona University: Yuma, AZ), Patricia Peterson (Northern Arizona University: Flagstaff, AZ)

This session is a panel discussion about an innovative partnership. Panelists include teachers and district staff from the innovation zone within a highly diverse urban school district, and preservice teachers and faculty from a teacher preparation scholarship program at an urban commuter university.

TAKEAWAYS:
This interactive session will serve as an exchange about ideas for both preservice and inservice professional learning that is focused on closing STEM opportunity gaps. Session attendees will have ample time to interact with panelists.

SPEAKERS:
Christina Perez (Brighton 27j School District: Brighton, CO), Mahexabel Garcia Nunez (Metropolitan State University of Denver: Aurora, CO), Janelle Johnson (Metropolitan State University of Denver: Lakewood, CO)

QFT helps students formulate questions in order to make sense of a novel phenomenon. Creating opportunities for collaborative learning through student questioning instills a sense of ownership and builds authentic connections with the content. Connections to SEPs and CCCs will be explored.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to implement QFT at any grade level. Examples of various methods to use QFT will be modeled. Ties to SEPs and CCCs will be discussed. In addition, participants will be given resources they can use in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn DiAndrea (Farmingdale School District: Farmingdale, NY), Dr. Kristen Cummings (Farmingdale Union Free School District: Farmingdale, NY)

Participants engaged in experiential learning with an avatar-based virtual platform to facilitate guardian-teacher conferences. During this poster, curriculum examples from the professional learning experience will be shared, along with character development and participant reflections.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will take away recommendations for leveraging technology such as Mursion in teacher education.

SPEAKERS:
Chelsea McClure (Towson University & Morgan State University)

Many elementary students have a basic understanding of motion, but may be unable to graph motion in terms of distance, direction, and intervals of time. We will use a dune buggy to examine and graph motion. The activity can easily be taken back to your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
This hands-on session provides a learning cycle for constant motion using a constant speed buggy. Attendees will make physical graphs using adding machine tape and/or sticky notes or washers.

SPEAKERS:
Jan Mader (Retired Physics and Chemistry Teacher: Great Falls, MT)

Are you a preservice teachers’ instructor? Learn how NSTA's digital resources, web seminars, and online community can help students become the BEST teachers they can be. We will discuss what’s available at NSTA and how to easily access it from your own Class Landing Page. Membership is included.

TAKEAWAYS:
Instructors using NSTA as their Textbook (or as a supplement) have students who create a library of resources, grow their network of professional colleagues, and enhance their content and pedagogical knowledge of science. Membership is included.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Owings Mills, MD)

Engage in the science practices of investigating (making observations) and analyzing data to make a claim about classifying objects based on observable material properties. Participants will explore and classify a set of K-2 appropriate materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore a set of materials to determine how to classify them according to their observable properties. Next, participants examine sample student work to uncover student ideas and think about why those ideas may be reasonable to them.

SPEAKERS:
Jaclyn Murray (Mercer University: Cumming, GA)

Inviting all Preservice Teachers, University-Level Teacher Education Faculty, and Faculty Advisors attending the conference to learn about NSTA’s Preservice Teacher Chapter Program with National and Local Preservice Teacher Chapter options.

TAKEAWAYS:
Preservice Teachers, University Teacher Educators, and Faculty Advisors will walk away informed about how to participate in NSTA’s Preservice Teacher Chapter Program.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Owings Mills, MD), Debi Hanuscin (Western Washington University: Bellingham, WA), Morgan Glann (Central Michigan University: Sanford, MI), Eli Vincent (Central Michigan University: Evart, MI), Lauren Rupe (Central Michigan University: Mt. Pleasant, MI), Emma Patrus (Central Michigan University: Chesterfield, MI), Jim McDonald (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI)

Learn to use Explicit Instruction (EI) to teach Python programming as part of a science course or a standalone course. EI can help reach ESL, lower socio-economic backgrounds, and special education students. It can also keep ALL students engaged in the lessons as it involves hands-on practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Develop an Explicit Instruction (EI) lesson for Python ‘if statements’ and have the knowledge to develop a full EI curriculum in Python programming to reach all students, including underserved students.

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

Engaging students in phenomenon-based 3D science learning is challenging, and when students are absent it can feel impossible. In this session, participants will take away strategies for supporting absent students in staying engaged in learning when they miss classroom instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will take away strategies for supporting absent students in staying engaged in learning when they miss classroom instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Delaney (OpenSciEd: San Carlos, CA)

Transform trash into a teaching tool with this straightforward approach to innovation and engineering. This session will address NGSS science and engineering practices, apply knowledge in a real-world context, and help make sense of abstract concepts with hands-on application.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engineering is not scary! Participants will use instructor-provided materials and instructions to practice problem-solving with everyday objects and zero budget. Consider how to use this approach to teach science concepts underlying each engineering solution.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Metlay (Western Governors University: Longmont, CO)

Scientific communication through various media is a crucial skill. We discuss the importance of equitable access for science education and tools for advocating for educational equity. This is a practical session on creating scientific infographics and MS Sway website design for teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants form groups to work on a project combining elements of scientific communication, green chemistry, equity in education, and sustainability. Each group creates an infographic, a website mock-up, or a PowerPoint presentation on a relevant topic.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Juhl (University of Colorado at Colorado Springs: Colorado Springs, CO), Tisha Mendiola (University of Colorado Colorado Springs: Colorado Springs, CO)

Preparing and supporting teacher candidates with coherent and engaging learning experiences requires the collaborative efforts of different sectors of the education system. We will discuss the strategies and resources developed and implemented to ensure K-5 science teachers are classroom-ready.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain concrete strategies and resources to consider a similar collaborative process within your regional and local context.

SPEAKERS:
Tana Luther (Louisiana Dept. of Education: Baton Rouge, LA), Susan Gomez Zwiep (BSCS Science Learning: Long Beach, CA), Nancy Hopkins-Evans (BSCS Science Learning: Wayne, PA)

Upgrade your science teaching! NSTA's bite-sized PLUs fit any schedule and will deepen your understanding of three-dimensional teaching and boost student learning. Earn credit, conquer challenges, and unlock equitable classrooms - all on your terms!

TAKEAWAYS:
Lead your professional learning community’s learning using NSTA PLUs.

SPEAKERS:
Zoe Evans (Bremen City Schools: Carrollton, GA), Kristin Rademaker (NSTA: Freeport, IL), Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

This presentation will introduce a problem-solving experiment using Beer's Law to find the concentration of tartrazine in a high school chemistry class.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session's takeaway is a fun and novel lab that attendees can implement into their own chemistry class.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Mason (University of Wisconsin-Stout: Chippewa Falls, WI), Gregory Matthias (University of Wisconsin-Stout: Menomonie, WI)

Teachers in many rural districts around the country operate as singletons and very rarely have the opportunity to collaborate with teachers of the same subject area. The presenter will discuss the steps she took that led to significant growth as indicated by state test scores.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the strategies that are necessary to support teachers in rural school districts, which in turn, supports all learners.

SPEAKERS:
LATASHA LAMPKIN (District Science Coach: Dallas, GA)

This session describes a program funded by an NSF grant that gives pre-service science teachers the opportunity to spend a summer working in a science research laboratory gaining hands-on research experience as they apply the NGSS SEPs, CCCs, and Nature of Science standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Effective implementation of the NGSS requires science content knowledge as well as knowing how to incorporate SEPs, CCCs, and NOS into instruction. An NSF-sponsored grant supports pre-service teachers as they employ the NGSS during a summer research placement with a research team.

SPEAKERS:
Linda Padwa (Stony Brook University, SUNY: Plainview, NY)

Institutes of Higher Education are integral in developing pre-service teachers environmental literacy (ELit). The HEEL fellowship focuses on building faculty capacity of ELit application to teacher education. This presentation will share curriculum examples, self-reported reflections, and artifacts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Recommendations for environmental literacy practices, curriculum, and resources for fostering environmental literacy in Higher Education faculty and pre-service teacher education.

SPEAKERS:
Chelsea McClure (Towson University & Morgan State University)

In response to calls for integrated STEM education that builds all students’ agency and sense of belonging, teachers and leaders are being encouraged more and more to consider how to equitably implement integrated STEM education for all—both in the science classroom and beyond.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through active discussion and dissection of classroom examples, attendees will learn about research-based best practices in STEM education, knowledge of the equity-based conceptual framework, and practical teaching ideas to empower their students with meaningful STEM learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Cook (Bellarmine University: Louisville, KY), Christa Jackson (Saint Louis University: Saint Louis, MO), Thomas Roberts (Bowling Green State University: Bowling Green, OH)

Through collaborative teacher education teams, lesson plans were developed to promote the integration of social justice and environmental awareness to the secondary science through Cli-fi. Curriculum examples of the YAL text Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet will be shared in this session.

TAKEAWAYS:
Recommended practices and resources for fostering environmental awareness and social justice through Cli-fi.

SPEAKERS:
Chelsea McClure (Towson University & Morgan State University)

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)

Join our interactive roundtable of preservice, beginning, and veteran science teachers to discuss their experiences with planning and implementing interdisciplinary, advocacy-focused science lessons. We will be sharing tips, resources, and exemplar lesson plans. Hear their stories and ask questions!

TAKEAWAYS:
Science teachers attending this session will gain research-based instructional practices that will enable them to cultivate an advocacy-focused, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for their students by integrating social justice science issues into their science curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Owings Mills, MD), Morgan Glann (Central Michigan University: Sanford, MI), Jaclyn Murray (Mercer University: Cumming, GA), Lauren Rupe (Central Michigan University: Mt. Pleasant, MI), Jim McDonald (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI), Andrea Henrie (Vanderbilt University: Franklin, TN), Charlotte Graham (Vanderbilt University: Tampa, FL), Helena Spigner (Pre-Service Teacher: Buffalo, MO), Emma Patrus (Central Michigan University: Chesterfield, MI), Cesar Palacios (Undergraduate Student: Nashville, TN), Jenna Cahn (Preservice Educator: Columbus, OH), Emma Bishop (Pre-service Teacher: Mason, OH), Eli Vincent (Central Michigan University: Evart, MI), Erika Reeves (Bodies STEM Early College Experience Teacher: Columbus, OH), SOPHIA JEONG (The Ohio State University: Columbus, OH)

This project shows how informal science spaces provide opportunities for pre-service teachers to build their knowledge in STEM disciplines, develop their STEM teaching skills, and take on leadership roles. A set of best practices will be shared with specific examples and lessons learned.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore the affordances of partnerships between university programs and informal science spaces through a model of engagement consisting of: distributed expertise, agency, learning and growth, transformational leadership, community engagement, creating change-makers, and longevity.

SPEAKERS:
Carmen Vanderhoof (Penn State: University Park, PA)

This session will share the results from a 15-week study that explored how an innovative STEM methods course impacted teacher candidates’ personal and professional growth as future STEM educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave the session with a framework for developing innovative STEM methods courses to prepare future teachers to effectively integrate inquiry-based STEM instruction in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Cramer (The University of Alabama: Hoover, AL), Jennifer Ponder (The University of Alabama at Birmingham: Birmingham, AL)

Take part in a punctuated case study led by four preservice students on how to utilize, modify, and adapt case materials in the classroom. Hear from the author about how her experiences in Costa Rica led to the writing of a published case study (NCCSTS/ NSTA) of Costa Rican sustainability.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees in this session will take part in a punctuated case study and be provided instruction on how to write, utilize, and adapt case studies to fit in the secondary or lower-level postsecondary classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Madison Lockhart (Olivet Nazarene University: Salem, IL), Emily Blucker (Student: No City, No State), Matthew Aude (Olivet Nazarene University: Bourbonnais, IL), Haley Lloyd (Olivet Nazarene University), Aggie Veld (Olivet Nazarene University: Bourbonnais, IL)

Have you read great articles in the NSTA journals that changed or added to the ways you and your students do science for the better? You could inspire other educators across the country in the same way by sharing your teaching ideas, activities, or lessons as an NSTA journal author!

TAKEAWAYS:
Instructions and tips on how to prepare and submit your manuscript for publication in NSTA's journals.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Patty McGinnis (NSTA: Brevard, NC), Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn (National Science Teaching Association: Chester, NY), Ann MacKenzie (Miami University: Maineville, OH), David Wojnowski (Georgia State University: Marietta, GA), Beth Murphy (Science from Scientists: Barnes, WI), Peter Lindeman (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

We developed a near-peer mentoring program to empower math and science teacher candidates to connect with early career teachers. We will share our research findings in this session, and engage participants in a shared discussion of approaches to support teacher self-efficacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the design of our near-peer mentoring program and have access to tools to facilitate the process. Discussion will help attendees develop near-peer mentoring in their induction or teacher education program, and how to expand and support their pool of near-peers.

SPEAKERS:
Dan Moore (Assistant professor of secondary education: Aurora, CO), Janelle Johnson (Metropolitan State University of Denver: Lakewood, CO)

Join our panel of preservice and novice teachers as they share internship and early teaching experiences. Ask questions and gain valuable insights!

TAKEAWAYS:
Preservice teachers can be better prepared to student teach and begin their first jobs by hearing stories from, and asking questions of, preservice and new teachers who have just experienced interning, or their first years of teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Owings Mills, MD), SOPHIA JEONG (The Ohio State University: Columbus, OH), Laura Robertson (East Tennessee State University: Johnson City, TN), Erika Reeves (Bodies STEM Early College Experience Teacher: Columbus, OH), Jaclyn Murray (Mercer University: Cumming, GA), Kelsea Gray (Teacher: dublin, OH)

New teachers struggle with classroom management, a work-life balance, and a lack of support. In contrast, teachers benefited from professional and emotional support, improved their communication skills through teaching, and felt a sense of purpose in their teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
New teachers benefit from their own parental support and/or mentor support.

SPEAKERS:
Donald Selway (Chavez Middle School / Oceanside Unified School District: Carlsbad, CA)

Higher Education faculty were engaged in an ELit professional learning community focused on capacity building and ELit integration into the teacher education classroom. In this session, we will share the qualitative data (course artifacts, participant reflections) and details on the HEEL curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will share ideas for integration of environmental literacy in teacher education curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Chelsea McClure (Towson University & Morgan State University)

This project exposed science and math undergraduates to research-based learning strategies (e.g., real-life scenarios, peer-to-peer discussion, and STEM-related issues) and K-12 fieldwork with multilingual learners to bolster understanding of inclusive pedagogy and interest in STEM teaching careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Exposing undergraduates to K-12 real-life experiences in multilingual learner classrooms, peer-to-peer discussion, research-based inclusive strategies, and current STEM-related issues increases interest in both equitable pedagogy and future careers in science and math high school teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Catherine Lussier (University of California, Riverside: Riverside, CA)

The New Mexico State University (NMSU) and Dona Ana Community College (DACC) Noyce team collaborated to develop science and math bachelors degree programs that embed a minor in secondary education, along with an associates in STEM Education, to recruit STEM teachers for the teaching field.

TAKEAWAYS:
The team utilized the Noyce Capacity Building grant to prepare for a full proposal for the Noyce Track 1 Scholarship Program. Challenges and solutions will be presented to aid others in considering a Noyce proposal.

SPEAKERS:
Tracey Gorham Blanco (Northern New Mexico Inquiry Science Education Consortium, NMSU: El Paso, TX)

College and university faculty who recruit STEM teacher candidates: This session is for you!

TAKEAWAYS:
There is a STEM teacher shortage. Students are interested! College and university faculty can help!!

SPEAKERS:
Jia Wern Hue (Research Associate: Colorado Springs, CO)

STEM experiences are not limited to the school day. Learn about fun & creative STEM outreach events, and get motivated to roll up your sleeves to work on planning a STEM event for your organization!

TAKEAWAYS:
STEM outreach events can be a way to engage students and families in equitable STEM learning to encourage and support all learners. This session will provide information on successful STEM outreach events & how to design your own!

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

A discussion on how the CMU preservice student NSTA chapter maintains the organization at the university level, focusing on how they are involved in promoting STEM sensemaking in schools, fundraising for their organization, and providing professional development opportunities to preservice teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the ideas, strategies, and resources the CMU preservice chapter uses to maintain the chapter. The executive board members will touch on community science events, fundraising, and the professional development opportunities that allow us to be a successful organization.

SPEAKERS:
Eli Vincent (Central Michigan University: Evart, MI), Jim McDonald (Central Michigan University: Mount Pleasant, MI), Emma Patrus (Central Michigan University: Chesterfield, MI), Lauren Rupe (Central Michigan University: Mt. Pleasant, MI), Morgan Glann (Central Michigan University: Sanford, MI)

We will share the latest findings from a multi-year study to identify the most promising features of undergraduate teacher preparation programs that contribute to improved training of preservice science teachers, and experiences that optimize overall STEM knowledge and students’ misconceptions.

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

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

In this workshop, participants will put hands-on experiments and learning scenarios used in a research study that focused on the contribution of non-formal activities to a pre-service science teacher education program about the nature of science, inquiry-based science learning, and STEM learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
All participants explore hands-on STEM experiments (e.g. planets’ orbit) with daily materials and inquiry-based learning scenarios (e.g. how to eliminate noise). In groups, they discuss and propose a new one. All materials will be available to participants, including some extra learning scenarios.

SPEAKERS:
Isabel Borges (Institute of Education University of Lisbon: Lisboa, AL)

This study aims to provide opportunities to collaborate with rural science teachers in a mutually beneficial partnership in order to build agency in rural teachers, students, and preservice teachers in rural classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will collaborate with presenters in order for all to better understand the challenges and opportunities for providing high-quality, engaging science instruction to students in rural areas.

SPEAKERS:
Gwinn North (Tarleton State University: Stephenville, TX)