Our innovative approach to science and STEM engages students through hands-on and minds-on physical computing. Through this approach you can enable students to leverage Computer Science to investigate, develop models and ultimately enact local and global change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to effectively bring Computer Science and programming into the middle school classroom, based on curriculum add on units developed by Schoolwide Labs at the University of Colorado Boulder. Our place-based focus is a powerful promoter of equity for all students.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Henson (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO), Greg Benedis-Grab (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO)

Wondering how to customize your curriculum to help more students share and build on others’ ideas? Using examples from OpenSciEd as a context, we’ll share tools & strategies for customizing curriculum to elevate student voice and perspective. Come ready to work! 90 minute session

TAKEAWAYS:
If curriculum enactment pairs great materials with support for teachers to make those materials even better, amazing things can happen. Customizing curriculum to encourage student voice repositions students as knowledge makers and support their science identity and motivation and values.

SPEAKERS:
Austin Moore (Boston College: Watertown, MA), Matt Krehbiel (OpenSciEd: Derwood, MD), Erika Palys (OpenSciEd: Palatine, IL), Renee Affolter (OpenSciEd: Montpelier, VT)

Far too often, equity efforts are relegated to the sidelines instead of being embedded in core curriculum leadership tasks. Join us to consider how anchoring science leadership in equity principles can remove barriers to science teaching and learning through curriculum implementation efforts.

TAKEAWAYS:
The implementation of HQIM can lead to more equitable systems when barriers to equity are confronted and removed. The process of confronting barriers includes collaborating for justice, taking small actions to learn, and continual reflection and revision of implementation plans based on data.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Gomez Zwiep (BSCS Science Learning: Long Beach, CA), Jenine Cotton-Proby (BSCS Science Learning: Waldorf, MD), Janna Mahfoud (BSCS Science Learning: Laveen, AZ)

In this workshop, you will learn about our "Students as Scientists" unit, the science process, & how to help your student's questions get off the ground. Asking testable questions will help your students launch interesting, relevant, & achievable investigations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to help their students think like a scientist and move from a curious question into a testable question that will launch a student-led investigation.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Licher (Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Blacksburg, VA)

Climate literacy and data literacy go hand-in-hand. Variability in data often throws our students off. To truly understand the causes and effects of climate change, students must be adept at cutting across the noise in complex data to look for climate signals.

TAKEAWAYS:
Enhance your students' ability to analyze and interpret variable climate data effectively by implementing strategies to get students to focus on trends instead of individual data points.

SPEAKERS:
Jocelyn Foran (Tuva)

Assessing student sensemaking can be time-consuming, and applying standards-based grading can seem overly vague. In this session we’ll analyze 3D assessment scenarios to uncover their scaffolded structure, and use that structure to develop leveling rubrics that quickly convert to traditional grades.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with samples of high-quality, scaffolded three-dimensional assessment scenarios, and strategies to make standards-based grading quick and consistent.

SPEAKERS:
Barbara McIntyre (Michigan Technological University: Midland, MI), Chris Geerer (Mi-STAR: Rochester, MI)

Explore free existing K12 resources and contribute to the development of new resources through collaborative engagement with three US NSF-funded facilities. Experiment with activities on electromagnetism, light and wave interference.

TAKEAWAYS:
Resources from NSF facilities are useful in connecting the NGSS aligned K-12 classroom to current, cutting-edge science efforts that are implementing Science and Engineering practices in real-time.

SPEAKERS:
Carlos Villa (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory: Tallahassee, FL), Robert Sparks (NSF's NOIRLab: Tucson, AZ), William Katzman (LIGO's Science Education Center: Baton Rouge, LA)

Explore how leaders can use the new BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning (AIL) instructional model to support teachers in creating learning experiences that motivate students with significant, real world phenomena and problems! Learn how AIL cycles of inquiry and sensemaking culminate in student agency!

TAKEAWAYS:
The research-based BSCS Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model succeeds the 5Es and forms the basis for high-quality instructional materials. Leaders can leverage this model to support teachers in creating a student centered classroom that provides effective teaching and learning for all.

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

This 60-minute workshop presents a new NSF-funded Middle School science storyline curriculum unit called Build it Green! (BIG!). BIG! addresses human impacts of energy systems through a green building engineering design process.

TAKEAWAYS:
Workshop participants will learn about our 14-lesson unit, the standards it addresses, and its unique use of digital tools, architectural design, and hands-on learning. Participants have a chance to engage with a new digital design tool that was made for BIG! using authentic architectural data.

SPEAKERS:
Caiden Webb (Graduate Student: Columbia, MO), Rebekah Snyder (University of Missouri: CLINTON, MO)

TeachEngineering will lead STEM educators through a hands-on activity that integrates engineering with science learning. Utilizing the seven steps of the engineering design process, participants see how they can combine engineering design to enhance their students' learning of scientific concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience the seamless integration of design and design-thinking with science learning as they use the engineering design process to ask, research, imagine, plan, create, test, and improve their own wind-powered sail cars!

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Kracha (Teach Engineering), Ellen Parrish (Teach Engineering: ERIE, CO)

How do you know if you are effectively implementing the science and engineering practices (SEPs)? What should teachers and students be doing? We will assist teachers in reflecting on their classroom activities and learn new approaches to practices, specifically questioning and engaging in arguments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with immediately applicable strategies and ideas for evaluating their practices in alignment with the standards.

SPEAKERS:
Summer Landreth (educator: Anderson, SC), Augustine Owusu Achiaw (Graduate Assistant: Clemson, SC)

We will explore expansive ways we can notice students’ sensemaking assets and use those ideas to engage students in deeper learning. This session supports educators who are exploring modification or creation of instructional materials to better serve all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore the expanded ways of communicating and negotiating meaning children use as they engage in sensemaking at all ages. Work with us as we share ways to becoming more attuned to the multiple ways children engage in meaning making

SPEAKERS:
Mary Starr (Michigan Mathematics and Science Leadership Network: Plymouth, MI), Miranda Fitzgerald (University of North Carolina Charlotte: Mint Hill, NC)

We will be sharing activities for a 6-8 aligned unit on force and motion. The activities will include: a hands-on activity with technology to collect and analyze data that will aid in calculating speed and a hands-on activity using technology to graph motion in real time.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will experience physics fun for 6-8 Science as they apply to the new standards. We will use Hot Wheels to collect data to calculate speed and create motion graphs using hands-on technology.

SPEAKERS:
Becky Walker (Hudson Middle School: Lufkin, TX), Amy Rush (Lufkin Middle School: Lufkin, TX)

Learn how the STEM Observation Protocol – a tool that highlights integrated STEM practices – can be used for creating curricula, instructional coaching, and formative assessment on practice. This workshop will address observing lessons, modeling coaching conversations, and reflecting on practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain a better understanding of how to bring integrated STEM education into their current science classrooms. Resources – including access to a set of online learning modules – will be provided to support teacher growth and practice beyond the workshop.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Dare (Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, LA)

We will be sharing activities for a 6 & 8 Force, Motion, and Energy aligned unit using hands-on laboratory investigations, simulations and technology to compare the characteristics of amplitude, frequency, and wavelength in transverse and longitudinal waves, including the electromagnetic spectrum.

TAKEAWAYS:
The activities the participants will experience will include: a hands-on activity with technology to collect and analyze data by comparing the characteristics of amplitude, frequency, and wavelength in transverse and longitudinal waves, including the electromagnetic spectrum.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Rush (Lufkin Middle School: Lufkin, TX), Becky Walker (Hudson Middle School: Lufkin, TX)

In this session teachers will focus on implementing anchor charts into instruction to develop deeper scientific reasoning skills for students. Participants will create and modify anchor charts to show the progression of student learning and the deepening of scientific reasoning during learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Anchor charts can increase student scientific reasoning skills and teachers ability to assess student learning when used effectively. This session will demonstrate how to use anchor charts to increase student scientific reasoning skills.

SPEAKERS:
Morgan Dallas (Caddo Parish Public Schools: Shreveport, LA)

Explorations provide a strategic and clear to engage students in learning science regardless of the curriculum implemented. Explorations create a framework for student learning and formative assessment that provide streamlined and effective opportunities for scaffolding and student-driven learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the components of the Exploration framework, examine its efficacy, and act as students moving through the exploration framework to learn about its ability to transform classroom learning.

SPEAKERS:
Tyler Miller (Teacher: Tulsa, OK), Jennifer Miller (Tulsa Public Schools: Tulsa, OK)

Want to improve learning through common assessments? To do so, you need a way to design assessments efficiently that cover a wide range of standards and a way to score assessments that fits your capacity as a school or district. In this workshop, join us to explore practical common assessment design.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a process for designing, administering, and scoring common assessments that require students to apply three dimensions of science to explain phenomena and solve problems that are meaningful to students and important to their communities.

SPEAKERS:
Abraham Lo (BSCS Science Learning: Ambler, PA), Kate Henson (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO), William Penuel (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO)

Join us for an interactive workshop where we delve into research-based methods for seamlessly weaving student discourse and writing into hands-on activities. Discover strategies to engage students in discussions and foster writing skills while they actively participate in learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to incorporate strategies that promote student discourse and writing when students engage in hands-on activities. These strategies are research based and focus on ensuring students walk away with deep content understanding while engaging in an interactive learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Shine (Garland Independent School Dis: Richardson, TX), Jawan Wiltz (Science Instructional Design Facilitator: Wylie, TX), Leon Chatman (Garland Independent School District: Garland, TX)

Participants will learn how to break down 3-dimensional standards for their grade level/content into the crosscutting concepts, science and engineering practices, and disciplinary core ideas and what mastery of the standard looks and sounds like in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the importance of internalizing and breaking down 3-dimensional standards so that they can be more intentional when planning their lessons. Intentionally teaching the 3-dimensions leads to students getting more “at bats” doing science, which helps builds joy and investment.

SPEAKERS:
Melvenia Martin (Ochsner Clinic Foundation: New Orleans, LA), Rachel Thomas-Little (Manager: New Orleans, LA), Carlin Czerniak (Ochsner Health)

Join us for a hands-on workshop to learn how Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids free, standards-aligned curriculum materials support upper elementary, middle, and high school students learn about mitigating lead in water.

TAKEAWAYS:
Lead in water is a problem that disproportionally affects children and low-income communities of color. Come away with free standards-aligned, transdisciplinary curriculum materials that s help students in upper elementary, middle, and high school understand the problem and potential solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Ashley Allen (Instructional Specialist: Research Triangle Park, NC), Dr. Whitney White (RTI International: Research Triangle Park, NC)

The implementation of high-quality instructional materials requires support as teachers make the shifts needed for effective use. Dig into Change Management from The Elements of curriculum based professional learning to figure out how key lessons can help you lead change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Join other leaders to consider key lessons from change and dig into Change Management from The Elements: Transforming Teaching through Curriculum-based Professional Learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jody Bintz (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Jim Short (BSCS Science Learning: Ridgefield, NY)

Grading for Understanding is a standards-aligned assessment practice that provides greater clarity to teachers, students, and parents. Using the Grading for Understanding, teachers can provide more valuable feedback to students and focus on assessing current understanding of science standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how Grading for Understanding reduces biases in grading and supports growth mindsets and hope for students to succeed in science.

SPEAKERS:
Tyler Miller (Teacher: Tulsa, OK), Jennifer Miller (Tulsa Public Schools: Tulsa, OK)

This session will provide a conceptual framework for transdisciplinary learning and share a template for designing project-based learning tasks, in which students assume a STEM-related career role to create a product for an authentic audience and in response to a real-life question or problem.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn how to create a transdisciplinary task that can be brought back to their schools, utilized in practice with students, and shared with colleagues in their school building.

SPEAKERS:
Stefanie Holloway (Greater Oregon STEM Hub: La Grande, OR)

Once you’ve adopted high-quality instructional materials, how do leaders ensure effective and sustained implementation, especially at high school? Join us to explore features of transformative professional learning that address a range of concerns teachers may have about implementation and change.

TAKEAWAYS:
Effective and sustained implementation of high-quality instructional materials requires planning for change prior to implementation, generating excitement, providing transformative professional learning, monitoring implementation progress and using data to support continuous improvement.

SPEAKERS:
Jody Bintz (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Jim Short (BSCS Science Learning: Ridgefield, NY), Cynthia Gay (BSCS Science Learning: Steamboat Springs, CO)

Feeling phenomena fatigue? Wanting to help students connect their work to the broader community? Hear tips for incorporating community experts into units, including ways to prep your students and guests for an experience that validates student ideas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Localize phenomena/storyline curriculum without having to rewrite the entire unit with a different local phenomena. Community connections and industry partnerships can address questions, ideas for investigations and related phenomena that students generate during the anchoring phenomena routine.

SPEAKERS:
William Baur (Washougal High School: Battle Ground, WA)

Sustaining the use of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) requires monitoring progress throughout implementation. Join us to consider how leaders from one district gathered and analyzed data to inform decisions and how lessons learned can help refine your plan for the sustained use of HQIM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Deepen understanding of data collection tools and how to use them to inform planning to support the sustained and effective use of high-quality instructional materials.

SPEAKERS:
Jody Bintz (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO)

During this hands-on workshop, participants will work with a 26 year veteran science teacher to delve into the impact of using a daily predictable learning routine to help students hone executive functioning skills like goal setting, time and task management, accountability, and self-regulation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Each participant will receive an Organized Binder Student Bundle. This content-agnostic program models a predictable learning routine for students but it also integrates easily into a teacher's existing curriculum, with tools and strategies that can be implemented the very next class session.

SPEAKERS:
Eva Behr (Los Angeles Unified School District: Los Angeles, CA)

Explore how student self-assessment can transform STEM learning by empowering learners to reflect on and take charge of their educational journey. Gain practical strategies and tools to implement this effective approach in your classroom, enhancing engagement and understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to implement student self-assessment techniques that boost independence, deepen understanding, and increase engagement in STEM subjects.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Mawn (Roxbury High School: Succasunna, NJ)

In the presentation, we will be sharing performance assessments and various examples that can be incorporated to all science concepts for grades 6-8. The activities the participants will experience will include hands-on activities using innovation, creativity, and technology.

TAKEAWAYS:
Get ready to learn, be involved, and have ready-made activities and performance assessments to bring back and use to engage your students and share with your colleagues!

SPEAKERS:
Amy Rush (Lufkin Middle School: Lufkin, TX), Becky Walker (Hudson Middle School: Lufkin, TX)

Come explore volcano-related resources and hands-on activities developed by the American Geosciences Institute in collaboration with the National Park Service. The ways in which volcanoes relate to sustainability will also be explored.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will understand how the United Nations SDGs can provide a context for learning. Making connections between volcanic activity and the SDGs using hands-on, standards-aligned instruction can be an effective way to highlight how the sciences are used to address global issues.

SPEAKERS:
Sequoyah McGee (American Geosciences Institute: Herico, VA), Lindsay Mossa (American Geosciences Institute: ANNAPOLIS, MD)

Guiding instruction based on the assessment of student’s developing proficiencies is a key feature of powerful learning experiences. This session focuses how to design assessments that gauge student understanding of justice-related phenomena and topics that are deeply consequential.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about a detailed 9-step process for conceiving, developing, testing, refining, and using 3D science assessments focused on social justice phenomena and topics. Open education resources that support this assessment development process will also be shared. #NSFfunded

SPEAKERS:
William Penuel (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO), Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA)