The first step toward a cleaner tomorrow is to raise awareness about the plastic waste crisis, and small-scale recycling is a possible solution. Learn how IN MOCEAN and its Recycling Fleet are collaborating with others on a local level to set up micro recycling workspaces around the world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about IN MOCEANs global project and of the possibilities and potential of small scale recycling. With information about the process of plastic recycling and how anyone can get involved, one might be interested in setting up a recycling workspace in a school or community.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Zaidlicz Everett (Teacher: Barrington, NH)

The AREN Project provides NASA technology tools to educators, learners, and citizen scientists who want to collect local earth science data. Lesson plans and equipment are made available to investigate phenomena like the Urban Heat Island Effect, and how land use affects flooding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will experience various methods of using remote sensing and in-situ measurement with common scientific tools and NASA-developed educational platforms. Participants will be invited to join upcoming virtual professional learning opportunities that provide training and materials at no cost.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Ogiemwonyi (Wayne RESA: Sterling Heights, MI)

Participants will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and practical applications of using Native Plant Gardens and Vegetable Gardens in educational settings.

TAKEAWAYS:
Identify advantages of incorporating different gardens in teaching for middle or high school. Explain how using different gardens can enhance student student engagement and learning outcomes. How gardens align with standards. Ways to include various departments through out the school.

SPEAKERS:
Jackie Scott (Mann Magnet Middle School: Little Rock, AR)

Sponsoring Company: Retro Report

Discern how to use short-form documentary films in the Environmental Science classroom to drive the inquiry process. Explore Retro Report’s free, high quality instructional resources. Retro Report is an independent, nonprofit, non-partisan news organization.

SPEAKERS:
Jeremy Wang (Saint Thomas More Catholic School: Saint Paul, MN), Derek Dubossi (Laguardia High School: New York, NY), Filiz Yargici (Retro Report: New York, NY)

This workshop delves into the environmental consequences of flooding. Participants will explore resources and activities that highlight the chain reaction of events triggered by floods, including soil erosion, the spread of pollutants, and the effects of these on overall soil health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore resources to understand that floods disrupt the delicate balance in soil impacting soil health and structure.

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

Our ecosystems are changing. We need to nurture climate-resilient learners through a transdisciplinary approach. By reconnecting with nature in urban areas we can leverage existing resources to discover new strategies for all educators that are not only actionable, but are inclusive.

TAKEAWAYS:
This interactive workshop emphasizes the importance of rebuilding relationships with nature in urban settings, and teaches strategies to leverage existing resources to build sustainable schools. It aims to provide educators with strategies to support students in addressing climate change.

SPEAKERS:
Kelleigh Huey (PAST Foundation: Columbus, OH), Jessa Goldner (Assistant Director of Student Experiences: Columbus, OH)

Learn about Educating for Environmental Change, a free Indiana University program that helps educators teach the science and policy of climate change and participate in exemplar activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
This workshop will introduce Indiana University's Educating for Environmental Change (EfEC) project and provide information on how teachers can get involved. The presenter will also facilitate hands-on, exemplar scientific argumentation activities from the EfEC project.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Scribner (Indiana University Bloomington: Bloomington, IN)

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)

Sponsoring Company: Adventerra Games

Come play Global Warning, a cooperative board game from Adventerra Games. Learn how to work together to solve local and global climate problems, and learn strategies to mitigate climate change. Workshop includes results from a new Michigan State study of learning gains associated with this game.

SPEAKERS:
Bryan Mundell (Founder: Paradiso, Switzerland), Peter White (Associate Professor: East Lansing, MI), Sue Mundell (Adventerra Games North America: Boston, MA)

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

Learn how to facilitate simple hands-on photosynthesis experiments with wireless sensors. Help students collect and analyze carbon exchange data from plant leaves in real-time! Dispel student doubts in their understanding of photosynthesis and respiration.

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Company

Participants will examine how models can be used to drive understanding of complex concepts. Tree ring data will be used as an example of a line of evidence to support climate models and a balloon model will be used to support universe expansion.

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

One goal of science HQIM is to engage students in the science and engineering practices in relevant ways. Participants will explore ways to increase student engagement and meet the needs of diverse learners by creating meaningful outdoor learning experiences and integrating them into HQIM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to implement standard aligned lessons that engage students with HQIMs and outdoor learning experiences.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Jimenez (LA Dept of Education/Evergreen Jr High: Gray, LA), Kylie Martin (Bayou Blue Middle School: Raceland, LA), Lindsay Duet (K-12 Assessment Coach: Baton Rouge, LA), Jenni Frick (LDOE: Baton Rouge, LA)

Serious game and simulations provide an engaging strategy for digital students to make decisions about planning for the future in spite of the uncertainties of climate change and extreme weather. Learn ways to use environmental game design as an instructional strategy in any classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn about where to find accurate science-based games and simulations online through national science agencies like NOAA. They will also learn about strategies and resources to help them develop new games with their students.

SPEAKERS:
Peggy Steffen (Ready, Set, STEM: West Liberty, IA)

Researchers at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary have been collecting data through repetitive photographs since the 1970's to evaluate the change in the ecosystem over time. Participants will identify habitat changes in reef monitoring images and infer potential causes of those changes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Environmental monitoring is a challenging activity, especially underwater. This activity will introduce students to the methods used for evaluating underwater habitats and the kinds of information that can be learned from those efforts.

SPEAKERS:
Taylor Galaviz (Constituent Engagement Specialist: Galveston, TX), Sandra Metoyer (Environmental Institute of Houston at University of Houston Clear Lake: Galveston, TX)

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)

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)

Climate change is here. Come explore ways to teach about this that intersect with issues of justice and provide action for the future. This workshop will support educators in all grades and contexts, including those who can’t even say “climate change”!

TAKEAWAYS:
Strategies for engaging in climate change and climate justice learning appropriate to grade band NGSS standards, climate and energy literacy standards, and for both school and community based learning contexts.

SPEAKERS:
Deb Morrison (University of Washington: Salt Spring Island, BC), Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA), Kelsie Fowler (University of Washington: Seattle, WA)

Calling all educators passionate about interdisciplinary learning! Dive deep into the rich waters of Rhode Island's quahogging and fishing industries as we explore the intricate web of stakeholders and its impact on coastal communities and the fragile marine ecosystem.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to facilitate cross-curricular connections by learning how to design interdisciplinary units that integrate content from various subjects to foster deeper understanding and engagement and how to create student investment by focusing on local environmental issues.

SPEAKERS:
Yulie Lee (Moses Brown School: Providence, RI), Caitlin Smith (7th Grade Science Teacher: Tiverton, RI)

Gulf Shores City Schools teachers will share how we teach science to students through a district program called Science by the Shore. This program is an innovative approach to science instruction that inspires students to develop a love for our natural resources through outdoor place based learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how we use our school and surrounding community as a science lab and integrate social, emotional, and cognitive well being into teaching outdoors. We will share strategies and ideas for using their own school grounds as outdoor classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Sampley (Academies and CTE Director: Gulf Shores, AL), Anthony Schaff (Life Science Teacher: Gulf Shores, AL), Krista Fleming (Gulf Shores City Schools: Gulf Shores, AL)

Attendees use acoustic data from marine soundscapes to assess the ecological dynamics, functions, and resilience of coral reef ecosystems. The activities incorporate concepts from physics, technology, and biology enabling learners to address conservation challenges using authentic data.

TAKEAWAYS:
Sounds can be analyzed by frequency and amplitude - measures that serve as a “fingerprint” of a sound’s source including species identification and behavior. Because ecosystem health is entwined with biodiversity, bioacoustic monitoring is especially effective in marine environments.

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

Sponsoring Company: Simulation Curriculum

"Dive into Earth's wonders! Our Earth Science workshop for teachers offers hands-on activities, expert insights, and teaching strategies to inspire curiosity and deepen understanding. Join us in exploring the dynamic systems of our planet!" Geology, Meteorology, Climate, Physical Geography!

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)

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.

Participants will be able to examine several practical (and budget-friendly) models for classroom hydroponics and consider ways to adapt them to fit age-appropriate lesson plans to make this activity suitable for any learning stage.

TAKEAWAYS:
Everything you've ever wanted to know about hydroponics but were too afraid to ask! This session is designed for anyone looking to implement hydroponics into either the formal or informal learning environment, appropriate for all ages of learners.

SPEAKERS:
Caleb Bagby (Senior Director of Engineering, Technology, and Design: Chattanooga, TN), Jessica Dobrin (McCallie School: Chattanooga, TN)

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)

Designed to empower teachers with knowledge and tools to address issues facing coastal communities in the Mississippi Delta, this immersive experience combines place-based exploration and the engineering design process to strategize solutions to foster resiliency and sustainability in the Gulf.

TAKEAWAYS:
This immersive experience combines place-based exploration and the engineering design process to strategize solutions, foster resiliency and sustainability, and empower teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Sanchez (Tulane University: New Orleans, LA), Erica Smith (Tulane University: Addis, LA)

This presentation explores strategies for integrating Indigenous knowledge of thermal energy with NGSS standards of Engineering Design, Conservation of Energy, and Energy Transfer. Focusing on culturally relevant pedagogy and authentic opportunities that value Indigenous contributions to STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will receive lessons and extensions that demonstrate indigenous ingenuity connected to NGSS leading to improved student outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Busch (Ben Steele Middle School: Billings, MT), Jacie Jeffers (Indigenous Education Instructional Coach: Billings, MT), Jessica Felchle (Ben Steele Middle School: Laurel, MT)

Sponsoring Company: NOAA

Join us for a demo of our database of 1,300+ educational resources from NOAA. We host ocean, coast, Great Lakes, weather, and climate resources. Tour our lesson plans and activities and ask us your questions. Learn more at noaa.gov/education/resources. This session is appropriate for K-16 educators.

SPEAKERS:
Bekkah Lampe (NOAA Office of Education: College Park, MD), Kayla Smith (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Silver Spring, MD)

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: Carolina Biological Supply Company

Add excitement to your class with live organisms! Explore how organisms find food and interact. Discuss how these two hands-on activities can be applied to younger students: How creatures find food, and to older students: Social behavior and inter-species interactions.

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

Join our student-led citizen science group dedicated to environmental research and hands-on projects. Together, we innovate solutions for pest control, apiary management, and biodiversity conservation, partnering with researchers to tackle pressing environmental challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Build a new toolbox on how to develop the transformative potential of collaboration between passionate students and experienced scientists in addressing pressing environmental challenges and fostering sustainability, highlighting the pivotal role of young minds as drivers of positive change.

SPEAKERS:
Stuart Fleischer (Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel: Even Yehuda, 0)

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)

Connecting Classrooms and Colleges showcases how to cultivate successful partnerships between the K-12 setting and higher education to improve science education for all level learners, from kindergarten to graduate school and beyond. A genetics lesson based on that collaboration will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how educators can find opportunities to cultivate partnerships with colleges that benefit all that seek to learn and improve science education. A decade long partnership between a University of Georgia Genetics Department and a middle school teacher will be featured.

SPEAKERS:
Audrey Hughes (Clarke Middle School: Athens, GA)

Come explore teaching strategies and instructional supports for helping youth learn about climate justice-centered phenomena and issues. Youth are seeking out this type of socio-ecological learning opportunity! Help them learn how to engage in collective action!

TAKEAWAYS:
Our climate tools contain rich examples of climate justice instruction, strategies for engaging youth, and to support climate change learning and communication among educators. These open education resources (OER) include video overviews, valuable guidance, and tons of background resources!

SPEAKERS:
Deb Morrison (University of Washington: Salt Spring Island, BC), Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA), Kelsie Fowler (University of Washington: Seattle, WA)

Sponsoring Company: Gardyn

Hydroponics is the future of food production! Come learn the basics of hydroponics and how Gardyn towers can enhance your classroom experience, while being on the cutting edge of technological trends. Most importantly, learn how to integrate hydroponic gardening into your curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Alicia Kuntz (Niles Community Schools: Buchanan, MI), Renee Egan (Gardyn Workshop Presenter/ 7th Grade Science: ACWORTH, GA)

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

Learn how to facilitate simple hands-on photosynthesis experiments with wireless sensors. Help students collect and analyze carbon exchange data from plant leaves in real-time! Dispel student doubts in their understanding of photosynthesis and respiration.

Looking to incorporate local phenomena into your curriculum? Hear how a diverse group of Louisiana teachers working with subject matter experts engaged in a NOAA BWET funded project to examine environmental indicators through place-based learning. Gain access to the lessons these teachers created.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain an overview of the Louisiana phenomenon, environmental proxies and scientific concepts teachers examined as well as themes that emerged throughout the project while gaining access to the LSSS and NGSS aligned lessons these teachers created.

SPEAKERS:
Dani DiIullo (Louisiana Sea Grant: Baton Rouge, LA), Alvera McMillan (Louisiana Sea Grant: Saint Francisville, LA)

Get ready to be inspired as we showcase a culture that empowers students in advancing science education. We equipped teachers to integrate immersive field experiences with state standards to foster meaningful connections and promote community stewardship among marginalized populations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Walk away from the session with hands-on activities and engaging professional learning strategies that promote student engagement, creating connections with students, and examples of student centered environmental stewardship projects.

SPEAKERS:
Venicia Ferrell (Research Assistant Professor: Norfolk, VA), Alexis Tharpe (ODU Research Foundation TCEP: Norfolk, VA 23508, VA), Kelley Turner (Winchester Public Schools: Winchester, VA)

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)

How can science learning experiences help students develop ecological caring approaches to the living world? Come explore educational approaches to multispecies justice with us! Expanding how students connect to and care for the living world around them is vital at this time of climate crisis.

TAKEAWAYS:
People’s relationships to nature are culturally and historically rooted and are embedded in approaches to science teaching and learning. Science can be used to guide ecological caring responses and support the thriving of species.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA), Nancy Price (University of Washington: Seattle, WA), Kelsie Fowler (University of Washington: Seattle, WA)

Looking to get involved with community partners? Learn how school districts partner with Louisiana Sea Grant to co-create customized place-based explorations in community wetland areas where students apply scientific principles to locally relevant phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Hear from formal and nonformal educators about how to co-create place-based learning experiences for students which enhance K-8 curriculums, explore hands on learning with a locally relevant context, and take away resources, tips for success, and lessons learned.

SPEAKERS:
Nathan Cotten (Terrebonne Parish School District: Houma, LA), Vanessa Van Heerden (Engagement Specialist: Baton Rouge, LA), Cheyenne Autin (Education and Outreach Coordinator | AmeriCorps: Baton Rouge, LA), Alvera McMillan (Louisiana Sea Grant: Saint Francisville, LA)

NOAA's Science on a Sphere team will demo an AI chatbot using Large Language Models to enhance access. This chatbot recommends datasets based on teachers' needs, aligns them with goals, and suggests classroom applications. Discussion will address democratizing access vs. perpetuating disparities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Large Language Models are great tools to find correlations between large pools of content, thus its use as a virtual assistant could greatly improve access to large data and visualization content and while minimizing time and effort for this task.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Hackathorn (NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory: Boulder, CO), Juan Pablo Hurtado Padilla (NOAA Office of Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Explore two museum-school partnership models that integrate best practices in outdoor and environmental education to connect urban K - 8 students to place-based learning through teacher professional development and direct student engagement both in the classroom and outdoors.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will dive deeper into the ways these programs allow schools to partner with cultural institutions, connecting them to resources and building teacher capacity through supported outdoor experiences, to connect K-8 students with the nature in their neighborhood and city.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Siska (Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Chicago, IL)

From seeds to sprouts to leafy greens we've got you covered to help you "grow" a middle school program. Using hydroponics to boost student engagement and belonging in middle school.

TAKEAWAYS:
Takeaways include: Hydroponics 101; an example of a hydroponics model as well as ideas on how to adapt it for your school program; alignment to NGSS; and ideas of how to go beyond the classroom and help your community (e.g. foodbank, cafeteria, restaurants, zoo).

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Hartings (Indian Hill Middle School: CINCINNATI, OH), Vera Hayslip (7th grade Science: Cincinnati, OH)

Looking for engaging, practical, and FREE strategies and resources for teaching ecological succession? Participants will explore diverse instructional methods to engage students and deepen their understanding of ecosystem dynamics. NGSS MS-LS2, HS-LS2; TEKS 8.12B, Env Sys 9C

TAKEAWAYS:
Dynamic, engaging, publicly available resources to teach ecological session!

SPEAKERS:
Cheryl Trepagnier (Retired: Castroville, TX)

Learn how one graduate student transformed a Humane Education course project into engaging field experiences for students, fostering environmental stewardship, animal protection, and social justice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover practical strategies for implementing humane education through field experiences, integrating experiential learning theory and data analysis techniques into your curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Hulings (Stephen F. Austin State University: Nacogdoches, TX), Shelly Pugh (Graduate Student: Hallsville, TX)

WaterMarks360 virtual field trips and curriculum/activity guides are free, open-source materials that support middle school NGSS standards and STEM education by highlighting Louisiana's coastal crisis and wetland restoration efforts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave this session with tools to virtually explore Louisiana's coastal landscape and to investigate the general geologic and regionally specific anthropogenic factors that have influenced positive and negative land change through history, including restoration strategies.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Leonpacher (Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration: Sunset, LA)

Educators agree that interdisciplinary projects benefit students, but enthusiasm wanes when confronted with inadequate meeting time and differing assessment strategies. We will show you how to increase the efficiency and efficacy of interdisciplinary learning through distinct models of collaboration

TAKEAWAYS:
Applying knowledge across disciplines encourages authentic learning, but teachers must facilitate these opportunities through strategic collaboration and curricular design.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren De Beer (8th Grade English Teacher: Lexington, KY), Jason Hurst (The Lexington School: Lexington, KY)

Engaging students in your classroom with citizen science experiments can be difficult. Come learn about how an entire grade level of science teachers developed, implemented, and evaluated a series of citizen science place-based (aina-based) lessons involving the watersheds and ocean of the area.

TAKEAWAYS:
Many teachers believe citizen science experiments can only be done outside of classrooms. This project supports the idea that citizen science and place-based learning experiences CAN be done in the classroom, and that these experiences are exceptionally motivating and engaging for students.

SPEAKERS:
Pascale Pinner (Hilo Intermediate School: Hilo, HI)

Precipitating Change with Alaskan Schools is a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project with Alaskan Native communities, multiple universities, and the Concord Consortium. Together, we are exploring approaches to designing, testing, and refining multi-perspective for middle school students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers and students investigate coasts and coastal change involving both Indigenous and Western science approaches, as well as diving into related areas, including history, culture, and community decision-making.

SPEAKERS:
Texas Raymond (Concord Consortium: Chugiak, AK), Carolyn Staudt (The Concord Consortium: Concord, MA)

Join a discussion about successes, challenges and lessons learned while implementing place-based watershed outdoor learning in New Orleans public charter schools. We will share ideas for best practices for outdoor science inquiry, while meeting science standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain insight from lessons learned during the past several years implementing NOAA Gulf BWET and NAS Gulf Research Program K-8 Place-Based Education grant projects aimed at supporting teachers in outdoor watershed STEM education and incorporating into Louisiana science curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Marshall (International School of Louisiana: New Orleans, LA), Diane Maygarden (University of New Orleans: Jefferson, LA)

Explore global, environmental challenges with hands-on lessons that build skills in science, math and social sciences, while applying learning to authentic problems. Engage in collaborative problem solving, simulation and 3D modeling related to Human Impacts on Earth’s Systems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with interdisciplinary strategies for addressing ecology topics in the middle school classroom, with an emphasis on 3D learning, data literacy and student inquiry. They will also be able to align the presented activities to NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Chantal Correll (Ascension Parish Schools: Prairieville, LA)

Students must build understanding of pressing environmental issues yet remain hopeful about their future. Place-based education empowers students to engage as active and knowledgeable members of their communities who have agency in identifying local environmental issues and developing solutions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will build an understanding of how placed-based education creates student agency to drive learning.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Hereau (NSTA: Lake Angelus, MI)

Hands-on activities to help introduce students to the ways in which we use energy in buildings. Explore thermal energy transfer, electricity, lighting, and learn how to use the school as a living laboratory to conduct an educational energy audit with your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the difference between energy efficiency and energy conservation and be provided with free curriculum to help their students understand these concepts and be able to save energy at school and at home.

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Swan (The NEED Project: Manassas, VA)

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)

Each year, over 150 oil and chemical spills occur in U.S. waters, and they can be devastating to our environment. We will examine where oil spills occur, look at the techniques scientists use to clean up oil spills, and participants will experience an oil spill cleanup simulation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Cleaning up an oil spill can be very challenging. For this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to work as a team to eliminate oil from a simulated oil spill. Sand, feathers, seashells, and vegetable oil will be used in this demonstration.

SPEAKERS:
Joan Gillman (The Browning School: Teaneck, NJ)

In Project VOICE, students identify real world problems impacting the community and propose possible solutions/actions that can address these problems. We will share lesson resources and planning templates for creating community-driven, justice-centered science learning experiences for students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Classroom learning experiences that center local issues impacting students and their communities are more engaging and meaningful for students, and require transdisciplinary learning approaches to develop innovative solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Stacy Meyer (Educational Service District 112: Vancouver, WA)

The Water Replenishment District (WRD) manages and protects the local groundwater resources for a little over four million residents. WRD's free Education Programs allow residents and educators to learn and familiarize themselves about the importance of water in our region.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will be able to learn how to contact their local water agency for free resources and/or field trips that educate students about the importance of water.

SPEAKERS:
Monica Sijder (Water Replenishment District: Huntington Park, CA)

Interested in new ways to teach science process skills and the nature of science? Consider visiting this poster that showcases an elementary after-school club where third-grade students learn and explore birding on their school grounds.

TAKEAWAYS:
The research will highlight aspects of birding relevant to all grade levels and include creative ways to utilize place-based learning that is applicable within the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Ann Catherine Cox (Carrollton Elementary School: Carrollton, VA), Rachel Gisewhite (The University of Southern Mississippi: Long Beach, MS), Stacey Britton (University of West Georgia: Roopville, GA)

This poster presentation will showcase best practices to address that “all forms of energy production” have “risks as well as benefits.” The free, online Switch Classroom provides non-partisan content in this critical area of NGSS instruction. Adaptable for grades 4-12.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn practical strategies to teach energy source pros/cons aligned with NGSS, fostering equity and inclusion in STEM classrooms while empowering students as informed decision-makers for a sustainable future.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Kistler (Switch Classroom: Pittsburgh, PA)

In NYC, a nonprofit offers Science education for underserved communities, integrating Spanish language. They engage students in hands-on activities through afterschool programs, fostering cultural pride and preparing them for future careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science education combined with Spanish language instruction in NYC's out-of-school programs for underserved communities boosts academic achievement and cultural pride, preparing students for future success in STEM fields.

SPEAKERS:
Luz Angelica Velasco Vela (BioBus: new york, NY)