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)

Join Louisiana teacher leaders in empowering educators to effectively utilize high-quality instructional materials while addressing common challenges related to classroom assessment. Participants will engage collaboratively with resources designed to support educators with this goal.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with resources and strategies to assist with addressing some common challenges with curriculum-integrated assessment opportunties including analyzing and interpreting information provided in these assessment moments in an efficient and effective manner.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Jimenez (LA Dept of Education/Evergreen Jr High: Gray, LA), Loren Klein (Academically Gifted Teacher: Lafayette, LA), Lauren Waguespack (Harry Hurst Middle School: Destrehan, LA), Kylie Martin (Bayou Blue Middle School: Raceland, LA)

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)

Join us to participate in providing educators with the skills and knowledge needed to create authentic and engaging assessments that truly measure student understanding of the 3-D science standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will utilize the NGSS standards, the Louisiana Achievement Level Descriptors, and high-quality curriculum items to develop and evaluate 3-dimensional assessment items.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Shirley (Teacher: Natchitoches, LA), Sheena Prelow (Natchitoches Parish School Board: Natchitoches, LA), Paula Callender (Natchitoches Central High School: Pleasant Hill, LA), Jessie Church (Natchitoches Parish School Board: Natchitoches, LA)

Research has shown that real-world performance is how students learn best. Using Performance Assessments allow teachers to genuinely assess students with a task that closely mirrors the responsibilities of a scientist and elevates the learning to higher-order thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Speakers will identify the goals of performance-based assessments, provide structure and examples for development, and discuss the real-classroom applications. Participants will work to develop a performance assessment that can be used in the classroom of the core sciences.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Judd (Bishop McNamara High School: Edgewater, MD)

AI is changing the world around us, but how can it help with making 3-dimensional assessments? In this session, we will explore the opportunities and challenges with using AI in all phases of creating and refining assessments in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
AI is not a silver bullet for developing assessments, but a powerful tool if a teacher understands the principles of 3-dimensional assessments.

SPEAKERS:
Loren Klein (Academically Gifted Teacher: Lafayette, LA)

Come learn about the NSTA press books addressing the three dimensions: Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas: Reshaping Teaching and Learning, and Crosscutting Concepts: Strengthen Science and Engineering Learning

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn techniques to use these three books to help educators have a deep understanding of practices, core ideas, and crosscutting concepts to foster better student learning in their classrooms.

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

The Learning Progression Model is a flexible, equitable assessment strategy to provide descriptive feedback, set goals, evaluate teaching, and report achievement. Attendees leave knowing how they can implement this in their classrooms even in a traditional grades school.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understand how the Learning Progression Model keeps students engaged and accountable, how learning progressions are used to develop/assess skills and knowledge aligned with NGSS, and how to integrate this approach into the traditional grading system.

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

Feeling burned out by unmotivated students? Join us to reveal motivational gems hidden in your class. Attendees will gain strategies to provide SEL support, including methods allowing students to share their input and assessment practices to increase participation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will discover how things they may already be doing can be adapted to boost student motivation and build confidence. Walk away with strategies to implement tomorrow!

SPEAKERS:
Amber Richards (Chatsworth Elementary School: Chatsworth, GA)

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

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

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

3-dimensional transfer task assessments require students to apply learning to related phenomena, demonstrate deep levels of understanding, and engage in new learning. Learn how to tailor existing transfer tasks and support students in completing them from 2 teachers who do this in their classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will examine revised and customized transfer task assessments, effective strategies and supports, and hear student testimonials to help guide and assist their students through the often challenging transfer task assessment process.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bolduc (Ellington Middle School: South Windsor, CT)

How do we know which students of our students are figuring things out that they care about? Which students are contributing to knowledge-building in small groups? Join us to learn about a simple approach to using data from exit tickets with research-based strategies to promote more equitable partici

TAKEAWAYS:
Making formative use of exit ticket data on student experience can help all students experience instruction as more relevant and coherent from the student perspective. Key to improvement is testing research-based strategies for promoting more equitable participation in class.

SPEAKERS:
William Penuel (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO), Melissa Campanella (University of Colorado Boulder: Baltimore, MD)

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:
Darren Wells (Mather Elementary School: Dorchester, MA), Karen Ziminski (EMK Academy for Health Careers: Boston, MA)

Memes are a powerful learning tool, helping teachers assess understanding and drive deeper learning through Bloom’s taxonomy. Memes challenge students to articulate and audit their understanding through powerful puzzles. Explore how to use memes in your classroom as a formative assessment tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, participants will gain an introduction to memes as a learning tool, see good and bad examples of memes in learning, and explore three unique meme activities that can be used in your science classroom to support the development of NGSS Science and Engineering Practices.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Libov (CEO: Chappaqua, NY)

We will explore how AI revolutionizes early childhood education by personalizing learning experiences and reducing teacher burnout throughout automation, enhancing both teaching and learning outcomes.

TAKEAWAYS:
One main takeaway that attendees will discover is how AI can significantly enhance personalized learning for young children. AI can tailor educational experiences to individual needs and abilities, which optimizes their developmental growth.

SPEAKERS:
Robin Mangus (Managing Director of Operations: Erie, CO)

Come see how you can make a shift to storylines in your classroom where students make sense of phenomena, see how this motivates them to engage in science and engineering practices, and learn disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
How having students make sense of phenomena leads to greater engagement and better understanding.

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

Want to better understand your standards? In this session, we walk through the process of breaking down a standard using a learning progression protocol. This will result in teachers involved having an intensive understanding of their standards and a list of scaffolded student "skill" statements.

TAKEAWAYS:
A process and resources for walking through the process from standards/big ideas through scaffolded student skill statements.

SPEAKERS:
Delsey Olds (Tolleson Union High School District: Phoenix, AZ)

Grading that supports student sensemaking doesn't have to keep you at school all night. Learn approaches to grading that prioritize 3D sensemaking and utilize technology, collaboration, and existing resources so you have can your evenings back.

TAKEAWAYS:
The process of giving feedback and assigning grades is easier when there are strong materials and assessments to build from and technology can help make it faster without decreasing effectiveness for students.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Delaney (OpenSciEd: San Carlos, CA), Matt Krehbiel (OpenSciEd: Derwood, MD)

Learn how to craft content language objectives (CLOs) that seamlessly blend the 3D of NGSS with the four elements of a language objective, providing insight into structuring targeted support.

TAKEAWAYS:
CLOs are a practical solution to the pressing challenge of addressing language proficiency as students access and engage with complex scientific concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Jean Rowe (DSST Public Schools: Denver, CO)

Explore and apply methods to restructure 3D HQIM assessments and grading guidance to efficiently and objectively grade student responses and offer clear, concise feedback. Participants will also engage with an evaluation tool to ensure that restructuring the assessments and grading guidance does not change the integrity, rigor, and 3 Dimensional quality of the tasks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the process behind the LDOE/NSTA Partnership and explore practical strategies for using NSTA resources to build science leader capacity. Attendees will walk away with skills and tools necessary for restructuring the format and grading guidance of HQIM embedded assessments in a way that ensures maintenance of rigor and standards alignment.

SPEAKERS:
Jill Sutton (science teacher/instructional coach: Ruston, LA), Molly Talbot (Louisiana Dept. of Education: New Roads, LA), April Winstead (District K-12 Science Facilitator: Ruston, LA)

Explore an innovative evidence-based argumentation to gauge student mastery, fostering real-world connections, and authentic applications in the science classroom. The use of AI/GPTs, technology, and student conferencing will highlight how to incorporate respectful dialogue into your class.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to equip students with evidence-based argumentation skills for real-world relevance, fostering confidence in dialogue and authentic application of concepts taught in class. An introduction to the use of AI/GPTs, technology, and a workshop/conference model will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Jesi Hessong-Brown (Flint Hill School: Sterling, VA), Andrew Tran (Flint Hill School: Oakton, VA)

Discover how sensemaking mini-projects can be used to engage students in the world around them. Learn how using non-traditional assessments helps students with obtaining and communicating high-level information. Strategies for assessment development will be shared with an emphasis on SEPs and CCCs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover strategies for authentic assessment of high-level concepts through phenomena-based mini-projects. Explore pre-developed earth science projects and student examples showcasing mastery of science and engineering practices. Gain tips for crafting NGSS-aligned assessments.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren LaSota (Adlai E. Stevenson High School: Tower Lakes, IL), Molly Sponseller (Adlai E. Stevenson High School: Lincolnshire, IL)

3-dimensional transfer task assessments require students to apply learning to related phenomena, demonstrate deep levels of understanding, and engage in new learning. Learn how to tailor existing transfer tasks and support students in completing them from 2 teachers who do this in their classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will examine revised and customized transfer task assessments, effective strategies and supports, and hear student testimonials to help guide and assist their students through the often challenging transfer task assessment process.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bolduc (Ellington Middle School: South Windsor, CT), Amy Hetherington-Coy (Teacher: Ellington, CT)

This goal of this session is to give teachers the tools they need to adjust to the addition of Fluids to the AP Physics 1 curriculum. During this session, we will reinforce content understanding, and provide classroom-ready resources such as instructional materials, labs, and more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will walk away with alleviated anxiety about the addition of a new unit to AP Physics 1, and perhaps even excitement! Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of fluids concepts, labs, problems, modeling activities, as well as finding a new group of collaborative friends!

SPEAKERS:
Oather Strawderman (Lawrence Free State High School: Lawrence, KS), John Pinizzotto (Director, AP Physics: Whitman, MA)

Writing exam questions can be challenging, especially for assessing critical thinking. Led by a content development expert, the session will review criteria for assessment, provide practice in writing and evaluating items, and discuss strategies for ensuring that exams are fair and useful.

TAKEAWAYS:
A useful assessment item requires more than just a correct answer. The best assessments allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and they help guide future learning.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Berman (KGL: Sterling, MA)

Embrace a competency-based approach to any Advanced Placement science course by focusing on the practices without sacrificing content or pace. The strengths-based, feedback-oriented assessment approach supports student success on the AP exam, transitioning from a traditional grading to the LPM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Create learning progressions based on the SEPs and adjust the target levels to provide enough time for students to grow to AP expectations. Attendees will leave knowing how they can implement this consistent, reliable method immediately in their classrooms even in a traditional grades school.

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

How do you teach logical writing? What structures do you use to support students who just “don’t get it” when constructing explanations? We’ll share our philosophy, graphic organizer, sample tasks, student work, manipulatives, connections to CCC’s, and a gradual release model that builds student pro

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave our session with a model of how to support struggling learners with constructing explanations for SEP6. This includes a graphic organizer that can be adapted for any topic area as well as a gradual release model of how we walk our students up to proficiency in constructing explanations.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Fitz (Adlai E. Stevenson High School: Libertyville, IL), Josh Bozeday (Adlai E. Stevenson High School: Lincolnshire, IL), Kristy Wrona (Adlai E. Stevenson High School: Lincolnshire, IL)

Participants will learn how to allow students to take ownership of their learning, build their own science resources, and foster creativity. We will delve into strategies for differentiation, language support, and fostering a safe and inclusive learning space.

TAKEAWAYS:
Supporting MLs and high-needs students by embracing flexible and differentiated science notebooks, fostering creativity, and promoting inclusivity in science education by allowing students to work through problems and build their own science resources.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Warren (Framingham Public Schools: Milford, MA)

Paper labs get lost SO easily. Lab notebooks help prevent this! Come explore lab notebook templates, sample labs, and modifications that can be made to best support students and their lab experience! Labs will be Chemistry focused, but all sciences welcome!

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore a lab notebook template and its modifications that can support the needs of various learners, including IEP and English Language Learners.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Pavletich (Esperanza Preparatory Academy: New York, NY)

In this session, you will help your middle or high school students take on the role of a genetic counselor. For the challenge problem, students will use their understanding of genetics to write a professional report explaining the likelihood of their patients having a child with a genetic condition.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through the challenge problem, students will demonstrate their creativity, understanding of genetic terminology, Punnett squares, pedigrees and writing skills. This can be used as a summative, performance assessment. You can make simple alterations to have it fit in with your curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Kaitlyn Johnson (Middle School Science Lead Teacher: San Jose, CA)

In our presentation, we'll show how a standard five-section lab report is divided into chunks with clear prompts for clarity, grading, and executive functioning support. As students improve in technical writing, scaffolding is phased out, building confidence and improving communication skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Improving science writing skills enhances clear communication, and when scaffolded effectively, fosters inclusivity, bolsters student confidence, and encourages systems thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Hirsch (Upper School Science Teacher: Rye, NY), Jennifer Doran (Rye Country Day School: Rye, NY)

In anticipation of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) science results, join us to learn more about our new composite variable for measuring student socioeconomic status (SES) and how it can be used to uncover connections between SES and student achievement on NAEP.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will better understand the previous variables used to measure SES and how the recommendations provide new insights into student achievement in the upcoming 2024 NAEP Science release.

SPEAKERS:
Markus Broer (Managing Researcher: Washington, DC)

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)

Students often lack skills to study effectively or generate study guides aligned to the range of questions encountered in NGSS 3 dimensional assessments. Students fill in this template of Bloom's taxonomy prompts alongside AI, lecture, lab, and text resources to elevate their preparation.

TAKEAWAYS:
First, attendees will learn how I arrived at this process to improve student learning and be able to look at samples of student generated study guides before and after implementing this learning strategy. Second, attendees will see how they can add this strategy to their toolkit.

SPEAKERS:
Jasper Steenhuis (Abraham Joshua Heschel Middle School: New York, NY)

Chunking texts from various sources allows teachers to decrease the amount of teacher-centric time and increase student-centric time. Students will also measurably grow in their science literacy skills as their increase their fluency with purposeful practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn simple strategies to add chunking to their lesson as a substitution for lecture. In addition, they will take away some understanding the role of literacy and student success in a science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Hamilton (Southland Center CCS: Columbus, OH)

This session examines results from a long-term research study that compares the pedagogical strategies of physical and digital model construction on the conceptual understanding of the DNA molecule’s form and function by high school biology students as measured by different assessment strategies.

TAKEAWAYS:
Physical model construction provides greater long-term conceptual understanding than digital model construction at the initial learning experience. Conceptual understanding is a complex construct that demonstrates a greater degree of learning than memorization and requires varied assessment tools.

SPEAKERS:
Salvatore Garofalo (Queens College, City University of New York: Mineola, NY)

State boards require an additional hour for science courses to give students the ability to learn and apply content. This is reasonable; however, there is a knowledge gap regarding the influence of lab instructors. Data shows that training, experience, and classification significantly impact grades.

TAKEAWAYS:
Blind spots could inhibit a department’s ability to support laboratory instructors, allocate funds, and improve undergraduate outcomes. This data and process will catalyze conversations about best practices in the supervision, planning, and instruction of undergraduate laboratories.

SPEAKERS:
Steven Koether (Sam Houston State University: Huntsville, TX), Analeesa Santillan (Sam Houston State University: Houston, TX)

Students are tasked with purifying water from a "sludge" containing a variety of insoluble solids, soluble ionic compounds and non-miscible liquids. Project worksheets and scaffolding recommendations will be shared to help with differentiating the activity for a spectrum of learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
A comprehensive lab practical is a useful way for students at all levels to apply their knowledge to a real-life chemistry challenge. It demonstrates that concepts in Chemistry are not siloed units to forget once you are done with them, but rather a building of knowledge with interlocking parts.

SPEAKERS:
Caroline Gochoco-Tsuyuki (Archbishop Riordan High School: Lafayette, CA)

"Unleash the power of chemistry with our thrilling lab-based assessments! Join us to discover engaging experiments that captivate students' imaginations while reinforcing essential concepts. Elevate your teaching and ignite a passion for science in your classroom!"

TAKEAWAYS:
At our session, attendees will gain practical insights into implementing dynamic lab-based assessments, enhancing student learning and fostering a deeper appreciation for chemistry. Plus, take home detailed lab descriptions for immediate classroom application!

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Ragusa (Neuqua Valley High School: Naperville, IL)

Accurately assessing students’ scientific thinking without language ability getting in the way is a challenge. This session will share exemplar three-dimensional assessments for middle school science and provide practical tips for updating your existing assessments for all learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with 3D assessments and grading rubrics ready for their middle school classrooms, as well as research-based strategies for adapting their existing assessments for struggling readers and English Learners.

SPEAKERS:
Linda Malkin (University of Wisconsin-Madison: Middleton, WI), Katrina Pommerening (Outreach Specialist: Madison, WI)

In this session, attendees will discuss perhaps unseen sides of assessment and learn how to use them to boost confidence and motivate students. Join us for strategies on how to make minor changes for big effect in your classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
Walk away with strategies that allow students to share their input, share what they know, and share in the wealth that can be assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Amber Richards (Chatsworth Elementary School: Chatsworth, GA)

Explore an innovative evidence-based argumentation to gauge student mastery, fostering real-world connections, and authentic applications in the science classroom. The use of AI/GPTs, technology, and student conferencing will highlight how to incorporate respectful dialogue into your class.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to equip students with evidence-based argumentation skills for real-world relevance, fostering confidence in dialogue and authentic application of concepts taught in class. An introduction to the use of AI/GPTs, technology, and a workshop/conference model will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Jesi Hessong-Brown (Flint Hill School: Sterling, VA), Andrew Tran (Flint Hill School: Oakton, VA)

Reflection is a critical piece of classroom instruction that enhances self awareness, leadership, and empathy in our students. Through guided reflection, students engage in metacognition, gain a deeper understanding of their content, and can even build empathy with their peers!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave this workshop equipped with a variety of ways to implement individual and group reflection practices in their classrooms that allow students to find purpose, relevance, and real world application in their work!

SPEAKERS:
Kenta Ferrin (American School Foundation of Guadalajara: Guadalajara Jalisco, Jal.)

Join us to explore how to engage students, pre-screen activities, and upgrade your hands-on tasks to meet 3D expectations for deeper understanding of the related content with a few quick changes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain experience to implement tomorrow! Attendees will engage in a sample task, explore examples, and spend time expanding on the strategies using standards-based inspirations before taking home helpful guides.

SPEAKERS:
Amber Richards (Chatsworth Elementary School: Chatsworth, GA)