The present-day Gulf of Mexico has long been known for its amazing diversity of sharks, rays, and skates. Join the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to learn a little known fact: Alabama leads the nation in extinct and extant shark species! Learn about and "dig" through coastal Alabama's geologic history!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn about the paleontological history of northern Gulf of Mexico sharks, and why Alabama is a hot bed of past and present shark species, while giving attendees a chance to be amateur paleontologists by sieving their own northern Gulf coastal sands for evidence of this diversity.

SPEAKERS:
Greg Graeber (Dauphin Island Sea Lab: Dauphin Island, AL)

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Explore the world of forensic science with these fun and exciting escape room activities! Try forensic blood detection and agarose gel electrophoresis experiments, decipher clues, and solve puzzles. Learn to design your own escape room to have students unravel the evidence and free the innocent.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Link physical science concepts like circuits and charged particles to the essential biotech method gel electrophoresis. Build a reusable gel electrophoresis system with the Bandit STEM Electrophoresis Kit, and use it to separate colorful dyes. Also, add the A to STEAM with creative pipetting art!

SPEAKERS:
Rose Chaffee-Cohen (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply

Experience a hands-on model lesson from OpenSciEd for High School & discover how the Carolina Certified Edition enhanced these high-quality instructional materials, making them more accessible, user-friendly, & safer for classroom use. Participate in the Serengeti board game from the Biology 1 unit.

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

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Dive deep into water's secrets! while harnessing the power of physical 3D models to unravel states of matter, polar covalent bonding, and beyond in an immersive journey from atoms to oceans.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Company

Take a tour through the mammalian heart and trace the path of a blood cell on its journey to oxygenation. Participants take blood pressure readings. Then dissect a preserved sheep heart to model blood flow and connect BP to heart anatomy. Don’t skip a beat - it’s going to be hands-on fun!

SPEAKERS:
Patti Kopkau (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Hale, MI)

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Unleash the power of gene editing with your students using REAL CRISPR-Cas technology to knock out colorful genes in E. coli. Identify successful knockout based on the color of the cells. Experiment by switching RNA templates and analyzing results, letting your students prove the specificity of CRIS

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Dive into modeling the movement of ions and nutrients across membranes. Help your students connect theory with the results from popular homeostasis labs.

SPEAKERS:
Ruth Hutson (3D Molecular Designs: Westmoreland, KS)

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Molly the Labradoodle has surprise puppies. Students use Punnett squares and DNA gel electrophoresis to track the furnishings trait and determine the father. Mendelian genetics has never been this cute!

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hennessy-McDonald, PhD (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Humans’ arms race with pathogens shaped history and influences life today. Understanding the evolutionary ecology of diseases, including H1N1 flu, COVID and HIV, that infect two or more species is vital to understanding current and future threats to individual and public health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to use our fascinating relationships with infectious disease in demonstrating the importance of evolutionary and ecological concepts in medical practice, public health, and students’ lives.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Levine (Science Writer and Producer: Concord, MA)

The Question Formulation Technique (QFT), created by the Right Question Institute, will be explored in a hands-on, multidisciplinary, teacher-to-teacher training session exploring “How can we work together on creating more opportunities for all students to ask their own questions?”

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will give educators a proven and novel instructional strategy, and teachers who participate in the session will understand the mechanics of the QFT strategy, have experience practicing the QFT strategy, and obtain concrete examples of how to use the QFT strategy in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Katy Connolly (Right Question Institute: Cambridge, MA), Maureen McGrail (University of Notre Dame: Notre Dame, IN)

Learn how one educator used cross-curricular PBL units to help students understand the effects of climate change while staying solution focused. In one unit students wrote and proposed climate driven migration legislation. The other explored ocean acidification through science fiction writing.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with two ready to use units developing climate literacy as well as real life examples of how to use PBL in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Plowman (Santa Monica High School: Santa Monica, CA)

Learn how to engage your students with the rich phenomena of a runner that fails to maintain homeostasis, using an open-source NGSS-driven unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will deepen their understanding of how to use phenomena-driven three-dimensional instruction to attend to student interest and relevance, develop a clear vision for how to use modeling to teach homeostasis, and will learn how to access, use, and a use, and adapt a free EQuIP-reviewed unit.

SPEAKERS:
Devin Foschi (New Visions for Public Schools: New York, NY), Joy Otibu (Mott Hall Bronx High School: Bronx, NY)

Racism is prevalent in our society. Participants will examine resources for engaging students in respectful and productive activity that contrast the social construct of race with scientific understandings of genetics. Examples of how science education can be a form of social justice will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Anti-racism work in science education is difficult. Resources to support teachers in engaging in controversial topics will be examined and used by participants to rehearse effective pedagogical moves in engaging in classroom discussions of racism and science. Curricular resources will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Jeanne Chowning (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Seattle, WA), Michal Robinson (Alabama State Department of Education: Hoover, AL), Deb Morrison (University of Washington: Salt Spring Island, BC), Kelsie Fowler (University of Washington: Seattle, WA)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Why are some coral and fish species disappearing? In this 3D lesson, students investigate how climate change impacts interdependent relationships in aquatic ecosystems. Help your students ask questions, define problems, and use sensors to investigate how excess CO2 affects ocean and freshwater pH.

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

What happens when you cook an egg? Is it possible to un-cook it? Investigate the characteristics of amino acids, the levels (and rules!) of protein folding, and how denaturing a protein alters its function in an engaging investigation of the Amino Acid Starter Kit.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Use gel electrophoresis to investigate if someone was wrongfully convicted. Based on the principles from the FBI’s CODIS system, this forensics investigation allows your students to make connections between DNA analysis and its uses in the criminal justice system. Inspired by the Innocence Project.

SPEAKERS:
Rose Chaffee-Cohen (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Learn a possible pathway for facilitating your science department's transition from traditional grading to standards-based grading. See examples showcasing the integration of the SEPs to guide instruction and assessment, and foster your students' journey toward mastering essential science skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will see how the SEPs can be used to frame standards-based instruction and assessment in an authentic way. Participants will gain insights from specific examples of rubrics, success criteria, practice, and assessments that have been classroom-tested in biological and physical science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Sponseller (Adlai E. Stevenson High School: Lincolnshire, IL), Kellie Dean (Adlai E. Stevenson High School: Lincolnshire, IL)

Engage in conversations for how to use the three dimensions of the NGSS and the NRC Framework, storylines, driving questions, and hands-on activities to engage students in science and engineering skills while making sense of how SOIL affects the food that we grow and eat in a new storyline unit.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in activities that are part of a new storyline unit on how soil affects the types and quantities of food commodities grown. Topics include what is soil, the effect of soil on plant growth, movement of matter and energy through soils, and how to decrease human impact on soils.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Tobin (Stevenson High School: Gurnee, IL), Chris Embry Mohr (Olympia High School: Carlock, IL)

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

You’ve planned the experiment and collected data, now let’s discuss the best way to analyze it. In this workshop, we’ll use PCR and ELISA to bring quantitative data analysis and statistics to the lab. Mastery of these skills is crucial to prepare students for careers in biotechnology and STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Model how DNA is transcribed into mRNA and how mRNA is translated into a protein - the final stages of the flow of genetic information.

SPEAKERS:
Ruth Hutson (3D Molecular Designs: Westmoreland, KS)

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Teach topics ranging from protein function to genetic diseases with this engaging hands-on activity. It only takes one class period! Students help a fictional family obtain molecular diagnoses using gel electrophoresis. Bonus: a free hands-on activity to model sickle cell gene therapy treatments.

SPEAKERS:
Ally Huang (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

How did humans turn a simple grass into a staple food crop? And, how are scientists working to ensure that corn can continue to feed billions of people as the world’s climate changes? In this new storyline on popcorn, students will think like scientists as they enjoy this yummy snack food.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore a new storyline on popcorn that engages students in constructing explanations from evidence. Students investigate how teosinte evolved into one of the most important food crops on Earth-corn, as they learn about genetics and future evolution in order to meet the needs of a changing planet.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Embry Mohr (Olympia High School: Carlock, IL)

Explore the relationship between adaptations and niches using an interactive lesson from the National Center for Science Education. This activity uses phenotypes and karyotypes to illustrate the complexities of creating phylogenetic trees of marsupials and placental mammals.

TAKEAWAYS:
The goal of this session is for participants to experience a lesson from students’ perspective and take the free materials back to their own classrooms. The purpose of the activity is to address the NGSS standards related to evidence for evolution, natural selection, and adaptation.

SPEAKERS:
Blake Touchet (National Center for Science Education: ABBEVILLE, LA)

Learn a variety of implementation strategies to include debating/ argumentation into your science curriculum. Strategies include ideas such as Four Corners, tabletop debate, and full class debate. Ways to differentiate strategies to accommodate different learning abilities will be discussed.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will be able to implement different debating/ argumentation strategies into their science curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Melanie Craig (Croatan High School: Newport, NC)

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Unlock biology's mysteries with model organisms! Join our workshop to learn how to culture and study C. elegans in your classroom laboratory. Explore heavy metal effects using a simple locomotion assay. Integrate STEM concepts, data collection, and statistics for an enriching learning experience.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

This session will provide strategies on Teaching with Primary Sources in the science curriculum to promote student inquiry and discourse, critical thinking and analysis and the understanding of scientific history.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in teaching strategies that exemplify how analyzing primary sources can support critical thinking and the scientific method of observation, hypothesizing, and analysis.

SPEAKERS:
Dat Le (Arlington Public Schools: Arlington, VA)

We will introduce our forthcoming NSTA book containing a collection of units and resources to help teachers engage students in three-dimensional learning through model-based inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about four chemistry model-based inquiry units for rigorous and equitable instruction. Developed with secondary science teachers, the session guides three-dimensional learning, anchoring phenomena, modeling, and scientific explanations.

SPEAKERS:
Ron Gray (Northern Arizona University: Flagstaff, AZ), Todd Campbell (University of Connecticut: N. Franklin, CT)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Company

With the transition to 3-dimensional learning and NGSS,is there still a place for dissections in the classroom? The answer is yes! As you dissect a frog,we will demonstrate how to integrate the 3 dimensions of learning while highlighting adaptations and relationships between structure and function.

SPEAKERS:
Patti Kopkau (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Hale, MI)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Empower your high school students to unlock the secrets of enzyme specificity through hands-on biotech design challenges

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Science Education

Help students explore why dairy can cause digestive discomfort! This 3D investigation looks at lactase enzyme function and sugar metabolism in yeast and builds an understanding of molecular structure, function & energy transfer while connecting to real-world health issues like lactose intolerance.

Sponsoring Company: Terra Science and Education

Spend a week learning how to set up and run a Bahamas trip. Snorkeling and evening classes mirror the trip you can run for students. The goal is to gain the knowledge and skills needed to work with Terra to run a program that is safe, exciting, and rigorous. Room and board is free for all attendees

SPEAKERS:
George Wolfe (Retired: Walworth, NY)

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Experience an easy-to-implement genetic engineering lab with simple teacher prep - no starter cultures or incubator required! This robust lab allows students to visualize the transformation of bacteria from white to bright blue using a protocol that can be completed in a 45-minute class period.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hennessy-McDonald, PhD (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Why can mammals survive the first few weeks or months of life by only ingesting milk? But, what happens when someone is lactose intolerant? Why can lactose-intolerant people tolerate some dairy products? Explore the answers to these questions in a new unit storyline on MILK.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this new storyline on milk, students construct an explanation based on evidence for why dairy is an important source of food energy. Human babies double their weight during the first 6 months of life, yet some lose the ability to digest lactose. Fermentation is one way to solve this problem.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Tobin (Stevenson High School: Gurnee, IL), Chris Embry Mohr (Olympia High School: Carlock, IL)

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Dive into forensic science's role in justice with our workshop. Study a cold case solved by DNA based technologies like RFLPs & PCR, and its legal implications. Ideal for law and science enthusiasts.

Join us as we delve into the transformative power of manipulatives in science education. This workshop offers a hands-on approach to teaching intricate scientific concepts. Discover how simple no-cost paper models can transform your teaching method and enhance student comprehension.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will allow attendees to increase their teacher toolbox by learning about several no-cost hands on activities. Participants will take part in paper folding, coloring, and cutting to create materials that can be used to teach a wide variety of science topics.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Swanson (Teacher: , AB)

Unlock the potential of narrative-driven instruction in your science classroom with our interactive workshop on creating storyline-driven lessons. We will provide educators with practical strategies and tools to infuse storytelling elements into their science curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
During the workshop, participants will explore the power of storytelling in science education and discover how to develop cohesive storylines that guide the learning journey.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Holman (Hillsborough County Public Schools: TAMPA, FL)

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

Investigate transcription and translation without culturing cells! In this inquiry-based lab, RNA glows green and protein glows red, so you can see gene expression happen in a test tube. Use experimental data to test hypotheses about variables that affect transcription and translation.

SPEAKERS:
Ally Huang (miniPCR: Cambridge, MA)

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

A decomposing corpse is found in a field. Four possible missing persons fit the description. But who is it? Using clues near the scene will help determine identity. Forensic anthropologist Diane France helped to develop this free middle school and high school forensic science lesson.

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Explore Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR in our hands-on electrophoresis workshop! This powerful biotechnology breakthrough is making dramatic changes to human health RIGHT NOW. Dive into CRISPR biology with quick experiments modeling cures for genetic diseases like Sickle Cell Anemia and Cystic Fibrosis.

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Dive deep into water's secrets! while harnessing the power of physical 3D models to unravel states of matter, polar covalent bonding, and beyond in an immersive journey from atoms to oceans.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Join us as we explore a lesson sequence that utilizes multiple BioInteractive resources to explore the phenomenon of tusklessness in elephant populations. We'll model how to have students explain the effects of a selective pressure on the Gorongosa elephant population.

SPEAKERS:
Dionne Reid (Teacher - Science: Pembroke Pines, FL)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Company

Participants will make and use alginate beads containing algae and alginate beads containing yeast. They will learn how the beads can be used to model the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Risko (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Burlington, NC)

This presentation explores empowering teachers to drive curriculum change. Using the storyline approach, educators gain buy-in, guiding them to create engaging curriculums, and fostering student empowerment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Empower teachers to drive curriculum change using the storyline approach, fostering student-centered learning and ownership.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Holman (Hillsborough County Public Schools: TAMPA, FL)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Discover how modeling with interactive, collaborative tools can help your students learn about this new gene editing technology. Hear how the treatment has helped people.

SPEAKERS:
Ruth Hutson (3D Molecular Designs: Westmoreland, KS)

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Discover forensic biotech in our workshop. Perform Bradford Assay for biological sex identification from fingerprints, and delve into biochemical analysis with practical skills.

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)

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Scientists collect data to create models and develop solutions. We'll explore free HHMI BioInteractive resources that ask students to analyze authentic data in order to connect how climate change impacts coral bleaching and understand the effects of increasing global temperatures.

SPEAKERS:
Chi Klein (Saint Stephen's Episcopal School: Bradenton, FL), Cathy Sammons (Teacher: Lexington, KY)

Sponsoring Company: Edvotek

Wildlife conservators often return captive-bred animals to their native habitats to rewild the area. In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore the use of RFLP analysis and phylogenetics in conservation biology to analyze the DNA samples of two lions. Can we return them to their ancestral home?

SPEAKERS:
Danielle Snowflack, PhD (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC), Brian Ell (Edvotek Inc.: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

Bring a friend with you to attend, "Zombie Apocalypse!". Just make sure you can run faster! Zombies provide a great way to get students interested in understanding how diseases move through a population. Great for middle and high school students.

Sponsoring Company: miniPCR bio

PTC tasting is a classic way to link genotype and phenotype. Use PCR and gel electrophoresis to determine if students have taster or non-taster alleles for bitter perception. Learn about our all-new curriculum and see how easy it can be to bring molecular genetics to your class!

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Join our workshop to explore Ozempic's dual action on diabetes and weight loss. Learn about semaglutide's role in blood sugar and appetite regulation through hands-on ELISA simulations.

We live in a 3D world. Do your assessments? Come learn how to measure the dimensionality of your assessments and how to write two- and three-dimensional questions. Participants will be given time to apply their learning to their own assessments to integrate the CCCs and SEPs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to write two- and three-dimensional questions and edit current assessment questions to integrate the cross-cutting concepts and science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
Laura Cohen (Lake Zurich High School: Wauconda, IL), McKenna Serowka (Lake Zurich High School: Lake Zurich, IL)

Sponsoring Company: Anatomy in Clay

They will acquire the knowledge to engage science students with immediate, hands-on learning using a proven method that is nationally recognized to increase student retention and test scores. Come build the rotator cuff with us!

SPEAKERS:
John-Paul Theriault (ANATOMY IN CLAY Learning Systems: Loveland, CO)

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Explore DNA and RNA with three different physical models. Discover strategies to help students learn about nucleotide structure, base-pairing, DNA directionality, and even Epigenetics!

SPEAKERS:
Mark Arnholt (3D Molecular Designs: Milwaukee, WI)

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Do your students struggle with constructing scientific explanations? We'll explore free BioInteractive resources featuring authentic data about the evolution of Caribbean anoles and discuss how students can utilize multiple sources of evidence, such as phylogenetic trees, to support their claims.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Eberhard (St. Clair High School: Saint Clair, MI), Dionne Reid (Teacher - Science: Pembroke Pines, FL)

Explore how our instructional modules address the Plant Awareness Disparity by empowering high school students to connect with their botanical heritage. Our hands-on approach fosters equitable access to STEM learning through place-based exploration of personal, cultural, and community assets.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will discover how our modules promote equity in science education by engaging students in hands-on botanical exploration, fostering deep connections with nature, and aligning with contemporary research and educational standards.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Moore (Tennessee Tech: Cookeville, TN)

Wondering how to reach your neurodivergent students? Come listen to a teacher who is neurodivergent herself provide information on the innerworkings of the ASD and ADHD mind in relation to the classroom. Learn simple ways to create a classroom environment that is equitable for all brains!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with information on the mind of students with ASD and ADHD. Teachers will acquire simple, low cost ways of making their classroom environment more accessible to neurodivergent students.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Goodwin (Olive Branch H.S.: Southaven, MS)

Student game design is presented as an approach to engineering design practices and hands-on learning within a Biology classroom, including the outcomes of a year-long science game design course. Participants will witness research outputs, and receive tools for their classroom implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain scaffolding tools to implement game design in their classroom as a part of their science curriculum while addressing NGSS standards and science and engineering practices, designed to minimize instructional material cost while creating an authentic learning experience.

SPEAKERS:
Rebekah Snyder (University of Missouri: CLINTON, MO)

Participants will receive a worm culture to interact with, record observations, and conduct research to determine and list facts about the worms. They will then use the results of this research to write a nuanced claim about the worm culture, using facts as evidence to explain their reasoning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about hands-on activities that engage students in science and research, and strategies to improve evidence-based writing in the science classroom including a CER checklist, scaffolding techniques for struggling writers, vocabulary banks, sentence frames, and peer feedback.

SPEAKERS:
Maureen Barclay (Captain Shreve High School: Shreveport, LA), Amy Douglas Kendrick (Jena High School: Jena, LA)

Case studies are powerful storytelling tools that captivate students and immerse them in learning scientific concepts in context. Discover how to leverage the case studies available through the NCCSTS that are freely accessible on the NSTA website and how to incorporate them into your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Case studies offer various types and teaching methods, from intimate debates and clicker cases to Problem-Based Learning and jigsaw. This session aims to demystify the world of case studies, guiding you through their various forms and how to use them to enhance student engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Hoppe (STEMisED, Inc: Rio Rico, AZ)

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Experience CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing experiments designed for your students' learning! In this hands-on workshop edit a chromosomal gene, complete with essential experimental controls, using the same cut-and-repair technology used in medicinal and agricultural applications.

Quick and easy techniques to improve lab experience in the classrom from preparation through tear down.

TAKEAWAYS:
Practical tips on how to set up a lab to reduce clean up, spills, and ease transition to the next class.

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

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Model how our DNA genome replicates – the first stage of the flow of genetic information and preserves genome integrity.

SPEAKERS:
Ruth Hutson (3D Molecular Designs: Westmoreland, KS)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Whether degrading curricula, handicapping librarians, or thwarting medical and environmental educators, science denial impedes rational individual decision making, impedes environmental policy-making, and seriously threatens both individual and public health. What can we educators do about it?

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Levine (Science Writer and Producer: Concord, MA)

Are you looking for an opportunity to bring free hands-on engineering experiences to your students? The labs available work for biology, environmental science and physical science classes with cross curricular application in math.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this workshop, teachers will don their student caps as an engineer guides us through Engineering Tomorrow’s most popular lab - Phototherapy! Teachers will have an opportunity to register for this free program during this workshop and leave with a goodie bag of supplies!

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Maggio (Stuyvesant High School: New York, NY)

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

During this workshop, we'll use an HHMI BioInteractive activity to explore major biodiversity threats and design solutions for preserving biodiversity. Participants will leave the workshop with a complete activity and ways to implement it while emphasizing student inclusion and agency.

SPEAKERS:
Cathy Sammons (Teacher: Lexington, KY)

By implementing STEM related mini grants, students will be positively impacted through multidisciplinary, hands-on, and inquiry-based learning. Students benefit from experiencing mini grants in the classroom which also allows teachers to more effectively teach their students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn the specific benefits and reasons for implementing STEM mini grants throughout every grade level. Through learning the positive impacts on students, attendees will understand how to meet the specific needs of one's own classroom and their content area.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Hansen (Student: Bridgeport, CT), Adriana Piccolino (Student: Mount Kisco, NY), Jenna D'Angelo (Student: Bridgeport, CT)

This will focus on successful implementation of teaching strategies that aim to challenge diverse learners using differentiation. Examples include: dynamic models as alternatives to lectures, note-taking strategies, creating leveled practices, and review sessions with differentiated stations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with several ideas to create materials for a range of learner needs that have been implemented in a variety of science disciplines as well as multiple levels including Special Education & AP. Learn ways to adjust the curriculum to encourage student independence & agency.

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

Reinforce genetics concepts by exploring the molecular processes technologies employ to understand genetic disorders. Experience an interactive curriculum module that is a window into biochemical processes at different levels from DNA to protein, and the technologies that illuminate them.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to access and use a free, NGSS-friendly curriculum module that helps students gain a deeper understanding of molecular genetics and the ways genetic disorders affect the pathway from DNA to a functioning protein by exploring the biochemical processes that technologies employ to detect a disorder.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Malone (The University of Utah: Portland, OR)

Experience two instructional routines supporting the integration of NGSS Crosscutting Concepts; learn how these routines can be used to foster belonging in science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the steps for how to facilitate instructional routines that encourage student thinking and discourse, using CCCs to support sense making of phenomena and promote a sense of belonging in science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Joy Otibu (Mott Hall Bronx High School: Bronx, NY), Charles Link (DeWitt Clinton High School: Yonkers, NY), Dora Kastel (New Visions for Public Schools: New York, NY)

Sponsoring Company: Bio-Rad Laboratories

Discover the role of Scenedesmus obliquus in biotechnology, from biofuels to wastewater treatment and microplastics detection. This hands-on workshop includes a powerful teaching lab for photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and allows students to engage in structured and open inquiry

Sponsoring Company: 3D Molecular Designs

Model how DNA is transcribed into mRNA and how mRNA is translated into a protein - the final stages of the flow of genetic information.

SPEAKERS:
Ruth Hutson (3D Molecular Designs: Westmoreland, KS)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Company

Get students of all ages doing hands-on plant science: learning life cycles, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Wisconsin Fast Plants® make teaching life sciences interactive and practical. Learn planting, pollination, and more with these versatile organisms.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Nixon (Watauga High School: Blowing Rock, NC)

Learn a variety of implementation strategies to include debating/ argumentation into your science curriculum. Strategies include ideas such as Four Corners, tabletop debate, and full class debate. Ways to differentiate strategies to accommodate different learning abilities will be discussed.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will be able to implement different debating/ argumentation strategies into their science curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Melanie Craig (Croatan High School: Newport, NC)

Sponsoring Company: HHMI BioInteractive

Extreme climate events are driving evolutionary changes in anole lizards! Use BioInteractive resources to help students develop data literacy skills in analyzing data from the primary literature and practice writing scientific explanations about how climate affects gene pools.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Eberhard (St. Clair High School: Saint Clair, MI)

We will present the efforts of twenty secondary schools and partners at Stanford University to create authentic Drosophila-based research experiences, and how you can too!

TAKEAWAYS:
Through coordination with the Stan-X Network of schools, students and teachers can learn science through authentic, open-ended, publishable genetics research.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Lantz (The Lawrenceville School: Lawrenceville, NJ)

Work through NSTA's Beyond Representation and BSCS Science Learning's Humane Genetics Program, has given me the tools to transform more traditional curriculum to include Social Justice Standards as a way of teaching and learning in science classes. Transformed units and lessons will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Social Justice Standards can and should be a way of teaching and learning science along side NGSS. Attendees will see examples of how this can be done in the Biology and Environmental Science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Lizabeth Peterson (Highland Park High Schoo Dist 113: Highland Park, IL)

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

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

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

The purpose of this study is to design phenomena based storyline using localized climate change learning experiences to test student’s environmental science agency.  During this study, educators tested a model with a base unit that is designed for a teacher to adapt phenomena with additional support.

TAKEAWAYS:
Empower educators with a flexible storyline model supported by BSCS that encourages students to apply their learning in real-world scenarios beyond the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Neotha Williams (STEM4Real: Addis, LA)

An innovative session designed to integrate STEM, project-based learning and student grouping such as progressive task grouping, triad grouping, jigsaw grouping, project product grouping!
NGSS aligned! Learn specific PBL strategies to take back with you! Real world problem solving and more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Integrating STEM with PBL and group strategies focuses on solving real-world problems through teamwork and interdisciplinary projects, enhancing engagement and fostering essential skills.

SPEAKERS:
Ericka Jones (Aldine ISD: New Caney, TX)

Want to implement an experiential laboratory-based neuroscience program at your school, as a stand-alone course or embedded within biology or anatomy and physiology courses? This session will share field-tested methods for students and faculty to explore this emerging science alongside one another.

TAKEAWAYS:
Neuroscience is a rapidly progressing field that captivates student interest and can create a model environment for students and faculty to learn alongside one another while fostering 21st-century skills including experimental design, scientific research, and interdisciplinary investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Sullivan (Mounds Park Academy: St. Paul, MN)

A Microsoft Excel program will be explored to learn features of Excel, variable manipulation, and methods for guiding student research within a host-parasite system. Facts about the parasitic varroa mite, sample student work, and methods for teaching population dynamics will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with lessons to teach student-driven research projects to investigate population dynamics, parasitism, biotic and abiotic interactions using a Microsoft Excel Computer Model. Suggestions for establishing honeybee colonies on a high school campus will also be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Frank Kriegler (Asheville School: Asheville, NC)

Explore a model for co-production of science education resources by tribal community-based Indigenous culture bearers and university-based science outreach teams. Gain access to free hands-on lessons, educational videos, and Indigenous science terminology guides.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to implement the Cultural Connections Process Model to co-produce Indigenous community-driven, culturally relevant, place-based and standards-based science curriculum. Explore a variety of free resources developed using the model.

SPEAKERS:
Doreen Hayward (Geophysical Institute: Fairbanks, AK), Lori Schoening (Geophysical Institute: Fairbanks, AK)

Under a NIIMBL grant, NC biopharma industries combined with NC STEM outreach organizations to create a fun and interactive activity to showcase the biotech career pathway.

TAKEAWAYS:
My Future in Biotech is a comprehensive pilot program which addresses the unprecedented growth and demand for a skilled workforce in the biomanufacturing industry. This presentation will go through the pilots, the activity, and what we've learned from the experience and students and teacher feedback.

SPEAKERS:
Courtney Behrle (BioNetwork: Greenville, NC)

If “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” what data can we examine to escape this fate? Paleobiologic data can help students gain insights into climate change, the potential of a 6th mass extinction, and the enduring discourse around human equality and race. Come learn how.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain insight into how paleobiology offers a unique opportunity for students to engage with historical science and to access and apply real data to issues that they care about. The presentation will offer a sample course outline, resources, and the rationale for their use.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Schopf (The Winsor School: Boston, MA)

In keeping with an established New Orleans tradition, different colors of king cake babies are used to examine how the frequency of genes can change in a population following a natural disaster as some of the variations of babies have traits that will benefit their survival while others do not.

TAKEAWAYS:
A demonstration will accompany the presentation that shows how the bottleneck effect can alter gene frequency when the size of a population is severely reduced. This model can be used to incorporate Punnett squares, pedigree charts, genetic drift, and natural selection.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Gingold (Willow School NOLA: New Orleans, LA)

This session will focus on using your state's forensic science standards in conjunction with *free* educational AI resources to build exciting new activities to meet the needs of your learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will leave the session with 3 or more exciting AI tools to build new activities for your forensics classroom. In addition, you will be given time to explore these tools so you can leave with a new activity to implement when you return!

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Mullen (Sprayberry High School: Marietta, GA)

Are you looking for an opportunity to bring free hands-on engineering experiences to your students? The labs available work for biology, environmental science, and physical science classes, with cross curricular application in math. Leave with a goody bag of sample labs!

TAKEAWAYS:
In this workshop, teachers will explore the free resources developed by Engineering Tomorrow (“ET”). The ET curriculum of hands-on and virtual labs work for biology, environmental science and physical science classes with cross curricular application in math. Leave with a goody bag of sample labs!

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Maggio (Stuyvesant High School: New York, NY)

Turbocharging ELL Learning with Quizizz, Nearpod, Edpuzzle & More! Unleash Quizizz AI's magic in these tools for personalized support & tracking. Plus, discover top strategies for empowering ELL students' success. Get ready to revolutionize your classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn dynamic teaching strategies that accommodates ELL students' learning.

SPEAKERS:
Luis Jaua (Mater Academy Charter Middle/High School: Hialeah, FL), Valdwin Etienne (Mater Academy Charter Middle/High School: Hialeah, FL), Diana Ocampo (Mater Academy Charter Middle/High School: Cutler Bay, FL)

This round table discussion will outline the key components, benefits and struggles of high school research programs. Established research program directors will be able to provide insights for educators and administrators seeking to implement similar initiatives in their schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
By implementing research programs for high school students, we can enhance science education and empower the next generation of scientists, innovators, and problem-solvers.

SPEAKERS:
Caleb Bagby (Senior Director of Engineering, Technology, and Design: Chattanooga, TN), Ashley Posey (McCallie School: Flat Rock, AL)

Engage students in authentic health research using the All of Us Research dataset. We will present curriculum we used to engage students in this robust dataset to investigate their own research questions about biomedicine.

TAKEAWAYS:
Session participants will explore "big data"-focused curriculum materials that were designed to help high school students engage with the NIH-funded All of Us platform. We will also discuss lessons learned about All of Us requirements and classroom limitations.

SPEAKERS:
Jimmie Thomas (Baylor College of Medicine: Houston, TX), Katherine Harris (Baylor College of Medicine: Houston, TX), Matthew Blank (Baylor College of Medicine: Houston, TX)

Teacher obtained mini grants used in order to teach lessons utilizing STEM pedagogy specific to science, math, and technology. Using the real-world problem of invasive species in nearby lakes, students investigate nutrient cycles and create restoration strategies to assist the local community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn strategies and resources concerning the incorporation of local and environmental issues into inquiry-based STEM learning that allows students to impact their local community.

SPEAKERS:
Jenna D'Angelo (Student: Bridgeport, CT), Karen Hansen (Student: Bridgeport, CT), Bonnie Maur (Sacred Heart University: Monroe, CT), Andrew Lazowski (Sacred Heart University: Fairfield, CT), Adriana Piccolino (Student: Mount Kisco, NY)

An innovative approach to ethology can be utilized through public webcams, which stream live footage of both wild and captive animals. By engaging in long-term observational data collection and analysis, students develop the skills needed to become proficient animal behaviorists.

TAKEAWAYS:
Comprehensive curriculum can be designed around observations made of live animal webcams, taking students through all the steps of the scientific method. Students walk away having completed individualized ethology research projects.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Savaria (Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall: Waltham, MA)

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)

Most students have some experience with eating spicy food. While the exact spices may vary in different regions, the effect is the same. It tastes hot. In this unique problem-solving lab, students design their own experiment to test which solution is best to combat hot sauce.

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

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

Enzymes rates are affected by many factors, e.g., enzyme conc., substrate conc., temp., pH, and ionic strength. Students in 8-10 groups test assigned factors at multiple levels and input their data into a prepared GoogleSheet, which calculates initial rates and plots curves of rate vs.factor level.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will recieve links to lab instructions and a prepared spreadsheet with and without a sample data set. Using this tool, students learn how plots of product concentration vs. time are used to make a plot of initial rate vs. factor levels. Rate curves lead to an understanding of enzyme regulation.

SPEAKERS:
Steven Peppers (Germanna Community College: Fredericksburg, VA)

This session provides best practices in secondary STEM education. We share our approaches to equity-centered, cultural responsiveness teaching. As former middle and high school science teachers, who are now university faculty, participants will interrogate trends in effective science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to identify strategies for continuous improvement in secondary science instruction that center culturally responsive instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Anita Sanyal (University of Maryland)

This 30-minute presentation will have participants consider and reflect on which student-driven lessons and assessments will yield the highest ROI on student engagement, relevance, and participation.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to create lessons and assessments that will appeal to and result in increased student engagement

SPEAKERS:
Dani Maloney (Mamaroneck High School: Stamford, CT)

Connecting audiences to deep-sea habitats and the impacts humans can have on them is challenging. Creative hands-on activities, stunning videos, and talking to scientists at sea in real time brings an important ecosystem they may never see to them instead!

TAKEAWAYS:
After hands-on demonstrations of new, interactive educational materials and a viewing of highlights from livestream broadcasts, formal and informal educators and community leaders will leave the session with access to ready-to-use deep-sea activities for all ages, from “K to Gray".

SPEAKERS:
Sasha Francis (National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: Galveston, TX)

Engage in inquiry-based, hands-on activities to explore ecosystem interdependence and the impacts of human activities on environmental health and sustainability. Develop 3D models and graphs and take part in lively simulations, all matched to NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn ways to guide students’ inquiry around key environmental challenges, using hands-on simulations and modeling activities that employ 3D learning in an inclusive biology classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Sheila Lumod (Edna Karr High School: Harvey, LA)

Session participants will experience the immersive Half-Earth Project map to explore our planet's richness and fragility. Then, they will learn to utilize ARC-GIS Story Maps to transform scientific content and data into compelling narratives suitable for non-formal and formal environments.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, attendees will be introduced to RC-GIS Story Maps and learn to create simple, learner-centered resources. They will also receive materials to support the continued application of this tool and facilitate student-created content.

SPEAKERS:
Claire Lannoye-Hall (Detroit Zoological Society: Huntington Woods, MI), Jocelyn Miller (E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation: Chapel Hill, NC)

Learn a variety of implementation strategies to include debating/ argumentation into your science curriculum. Strategies include ideas such as Four Corners, tabletop debate, and full class debate. Ways to differentiate strategies to accommodate different learning abilities will be discussed.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will be able to implement different debating/argumentation strategies into their science curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Melanie Craig (Croatan High School: Newport, NC)

This essential biology investigation requires students to compare hominid skulls, studying the morphological changes as humans evolved. Skull models cost thousands of dollars. Do this important investigation for free with our slide presentation, student instructions, 2D skulls, and online resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
This essential biology investigation requires students to compare hominid skulls, studying the morphological changes as humans evolved. Skull models cost thousands of dollars. Do this important investigation for free with our slide presentation, student instructions, 2D skulls, and online resources.

SPEAKERS:
Melanie Trecek-King (Thinking Is Power: Franklin, MA)

Participants will use cell phone adapters and microscopes to capture photos/videos of microbes present in pond water, then Screen Mirror them via Apple TV. Participants will record observations of organisms, briefly research them, and develop a CER style writing to justify their identification.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about hands-on activities that engage students in science and research, and strategies to improve evidence-based writing in the science classroom including a CER checklist, scaffolding techniques for struggling writers, vocabulary banks, sentence frames, and peer feedback.

SPEAKERS:
Maureen Barclay (Captain Shreve High School: Shreveport, LA), Amy Douglas Kendrick (Jena High School: Jena, LA)

Learn how to use low-cost materials to effectively teach biology students how to use a cladogram model to interpret and test predictions of evolutionary relationships.

TAKEAWAYS:
Identify key features of cladograms and learn to create a cladogram model using pipe cleaners and using plastic pony beads given provided different character states.

SPEAKERS:
Mark Little (Broomfield High School-Retired: Arvada, CO)

Complete a distracted driving hands-on activity and discover award-winning videos and more inquiry-based activities from IIHS’s Crash Science in the Classroom program that illustrates the vital connections between biology, physics, mathematics, medicine, engineering, and teen crash safety.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will measure their reaction time and complete a distracted driving simulation using a series of 4 activities simulating the 4 major types of driving distractions. Participants will also learn how to access detailed lesson plans, teacher tips videos, student lab sheets and answer keys.

SPEAKERS:
Pini Kalnite (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute: Arlington, VA), Griff Jones (University of Florida: Newberry, FL)

ASSET, an NIH SEPA funded program at WashU STL, offers modules that nurture students’ innate curiosity through hands-on exploration of biology using safe, easily manipulated model organism, Tetrahymena. Modules are paired with FREE lending materials designed to stimulate inquiry-based learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be introduced to ASSET and will conduct modified lab activities to see how ASSET can be used in the classroom to address topics like microscope use, cell parts and processes (phagocytosis & osmolarity), chemotaxis, and the effects of smoking, vaping, and alcohol on living cells.

SPEAKERS:
Courtney Hausner (Oakville Senior High: Saint Louis, MO), Anne Deken (John Burroughs School: St. Louis, MO), Alexandra Forgerson (Instructional Specialist: University City, MO)

Explore useful tools to incorporate into intentional planning for science instruction and curriculum implementation. Examine how to support teachers in intentional planning of science instructional routines. Provide examples of how the science instructional routines can show up in teaching and learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
With the use of intentional planning, participants will learn how to use instructional routines in the classroom to support student science sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Kellie Boquet (Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy: Broussard, LA)

This session will engage participants in authentic conservation decision-making practices using dynamic, interactive tools on the Half-Earth Project Map and Map of Life. The activities shared empower learners to evaluate biodiversity distribution, protected areas, and human impacts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Human activity adversely impacts biodiversity through habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. However, data-driven tech tools help ensure conservation decisions protect areas with the highest biodiversity with equitable benefits to humans.

SPEAKERS:
Jocelyn Miller (E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation: Chapel Hill, NC)

Learn how to weave in the stories of cancer survivors, local public health data, and health care experts into the OpenSciEd HS biology cancer unit. Discuss social emotional learning strategies that support students and teachers while learning about cancer as a phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
The stories of cancer survivors and local public health data can help students identify health disparities in their community and empower students to think critically about the role they can play to improve the health of themselves, their family and their community.

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

Learn how one program developed and sustained classroom-based partnerships with scientists to strengthen teacher practice. PlantingScience is a free online resource for teachers. It provides volunteer scientists, resources, and activities to support innovation in teaching, learning, and mentoring.

TAKEAWAYS:
The Planting Science Student Teacher Scientist Partnership provides a unique opportunity for teachers to provide inquiry experiences for their students, by connecting volunteer scientists to student teams for student-centered research projects. Learn how to access the free PlantingScience resources.

SPEAKERS:
Jenine Cotton-Proby (BSCS Science Learning: Waldorf, MD)

This session combines birdwatching with observation skills, deductive reasoning skills, impression evidence, and determining a post mortem interval with forensic entomology.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will involve both a demonstration, as well as whole group discussion. We’ll be able to model how the class combines observation skills and deductive reasoning and mathematical skills to determine a post mortem interval in a fictional crime scene to review key forensic science concepts.

SPEAKERS:
Tessah Zepeda (Los Fresnos CISD: Los Fresnos, TX)

Use agriculture to showcase evolutionary relationships with cladistics. Look at the shared characteristics of plants to construct cladograms and interpret data. Free classroom materials and prizes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learners will engage in an argument from evidence as they discuss the evolutionary relationships of corn and will identify unique traits between corn species, create outgroups to build a cladogram, and create an explanation for evolutionary relationships.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Bryan (Nourish the Future - Education Projects, LLC: McComb, OH)

Student choice generates buy-in, project based learning awakens scientific inquiry, and engagement allows critical skill development. Attendees will hear how to design Scientific Research classes to meet the highest student needs through exploring student exemplar topics and making a fishing lure.

TAKEAWAYS:
Take away ideas of how to combat the overwhelming apathy of students entering the current science classroom through projects and topics that can be modified and adjusted to fit not only the individual students of a particular class, but the teacher's unique skills, education, and experience.

SPEAKERS:
Clark Moore (Sequatchie Co High School: Dunlap, TN)

Learn how students create and execute immune system posters, which combine analogy, visuals, and concise explanations. This is a low-cost and creative way for students to demonstrate their understanding of the complex workings of the immune system in an engaging and accessible manner!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will see samples of student work demonstrating this approach's effectiveness in understanding the immune system. Teachers will come away with the scaffolding, instructions, and rubrics of this immune system visual/oral project to use in their own classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Beth Pethel (Science Faculty: Hudson, OH)

Funded by the National Science Foundation, these are paid summer opportunities for STEM teachers to conduct research! Hear from a two-year participant about her experience at the Kellogg Biological Station, where she researched plant evolution and created Data Nuggets through the Conner Lab.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the application process and expectations involved in most RETs, the research I was able to contribute through my time with Michigan State University, and how I bring these experiences back to the classroom for student experiments!

SPEAKERS:
Kirsten Salonga (Justice High School: Alexandria, VA)

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 NGSS are used to make sense of these real-world phenomena and problems.

SPEAKERS:
Rick Henningfeld (Vivayic, Inc.), Craig Rebich (Relevant Classroom: Lawrenceburg, IN), Brian Beierle (Relevant Classroom, a Division of Vivayic, Inc.: Wauwatosa, WI)

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to help your students connect to nature through birds–an accessible animal in every season, explore biodiversity data, build science practices with eBird participatory science, and use tech and big data to help conservation efforts wherever you are.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to: use the Merlin Bird ID app to identify birds, submit data to eBird, and describe how participatory science helps students develop data literacy, deepen their understanding of biodiversity, uncover real-world patterns and trends, and support conservation efforts.

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

Learn how to engage your students with the rich phenomena around the mismatch between our human body physiology and our modern environment, using a free, EQuIP-reviewed unit designed for HS NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will develop a vision for how to use engineering practices to teach genetics and epigenetics while creating a more engaging and inclusive classroom environment for all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Joy Otibu (Mott Hall Bronx High School: Bronx, NY), Devin Foschi (New Visions for Public Schools: New York, NY)

Leveraging guided inquiry strategies we will support educators' interactions with the National Association for Geoscience Teachers' Teach the Earth resource collection. Our goal is to discover new ways to bring Earth & Space Science into the other disciplines.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to navigate the Teach the Earth collection, identify multiple resources that support their curriculum, and share ideas on more effective ways to integrate ESS in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses.

SPEAKERS:
Cheryl Manning (OrbWeaver Consulting, LLC: EVERGREEN, CO)

Participants will be engaged with current research techniques using STEM to engaged students in real world problem solving.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will take away strategies and techniques to use in their classroom to introduce students to how to collect, analyze and report out research.

SPEAKERS:
Judith Lucas-Odom (Chester High School: Ardmore, PA)

Soil science IS the Science of Life! The elements present in our soil today become our food tomorrow. Participants will make connections between Biology, Chemistry and Geology through use of the periodic table, soil studies and biogeochemical cycles.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain an understanding of the importance of soil chemistry and how soil studies connect life and physical sciences.

SPEAKERS:
Ann Smart (Cabrini High School: Covington, LA)

Come experience a new way to review that will have your students saying, "YES! IT'S REVIEW DAY!" Teachers will be introduced to a variety of games that can be applied to any subject area! These games have proven to increase student engagement with material and retention of knowledge.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with new ways to engage students in reviews through using games in the classroom which support students of all levels and lead to increased retention of information.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Goodwin (Olive Branch H.S.: Southaven, MS)