Are you an educator eager to use podcasts in your classroom but aren’t sure where to start? Tinkercast will present practical tips on why and how to include podcasts in your science curriculum, including an introduction to TinkerClass, our FREE, easy-to-use NGSS-aligned Project-based learning tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how and why podcasts are so engaging, to ask questions about using podcasts in the classroom, and to leave the session feeling empowered to incorporate podcast learning into their classrooms right away.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Caban (Educational Producer: Brooklyn, NY)

Join a STEM Town Hall Meeting session leveraging two decades of data to explore sustainable strategies for fostering teachers' growth. Discover evidence-based approaches applicable across schools, districts, and states, with a particular focus on culturally relevant and responsive teaching in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
This event promises to equip you with actionable insights drawn from research, offering valuable guidance for advancing teaching practices and promoting equitable access to quality STEM education.

SPEAKERS:
Luria Young (Southern University and A&M College: Baton Rouge, LA), Katrin Smith (East Baton Rouge Parish School System: Baton Rouge, LA)

What is in a definition? The Louisiana STEM Advisory Council (LASTEM) recently adopted a statewide definition for STEM that drives the work of the Regional STEM Centers. Learn how the LASTEM network leverages its education-workforce connections to drive meaningful impact around the state.

TAKEAWAYS:
No matter what acronym you use (STEM, STEAM, STEMM, etc.) you are doing STEM as defined by the LASTEM council. Attendees will also learn how the LASTEM network utilizes the newly adopted definition of STEM to support our outreach.

SPEAKERS:
Clint Coleman (Louisiana Board of Regents: New Orleans, LA)

Learn how one school implemented a science-based, service learning program that takes elementary students into our local wetlands and brings the Science and Engineering Practices to life. Discover how to encourage students to problem-solve local issues and take action in their communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
1.) Learn how to establish mutually beneficial local partnerships that support science instruction; 2.) Discover how to encourage students to problem-solve local issues and take action in their communities; and 3.) Walk away with ideas and strategies for taking learning beyond the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Elaine Sevin (Isidore Newman School: New Orleans, LA), Lucy Krause (Isidore Newman School: New Orleans, LA), Jennifer Williams (Isidore Newman School: Belle Chasse, LA)

Can service learning opportunities for students enhance your science content? Yes, it can make it relevant, interesting, and impactful for the student experience! Creating essential questions is the foundation to linking science content with service Learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will create broad essential questions that will link their science content with service learning opportunities in their respective geographic regions.

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

Come experience the wonder of our universe through the lens of a young learner while taking the abstract out of astrophysics! Join AMNH Educators as they present astrophysics lessons for young audiences, try activities that combat common misconceptions in space science, and receive lesson resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session aims to break down the barriers of intimidation that come with teaching an abstract concept like astrophysics and address common misconceptions in space science. Attendees will practice techniques for teaching astrophysics to elementary-aged students using AMNH lessons and activities.

SPEAKERS:
Ilana April (American Museum of Natural History: New York, NY), Kate Schmidt (Museum Educator: New York, NY)

As our classrooms grow into beautiful, diverse places, students benefit from peer bonding experiences that build a collaborative classroom. Learn an array of ready-to-use strategies from Background Speed Dating to nominating the Phenomenal Physicist to unite your student scientists.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn an array of tools and resources to build, maintain, and reinforce their classroom science community to engage students, strengthen peer feedback, and unify the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Alperstein (Science Teacher: Lincolnshire, IL), Laura Paynter (Stevenson High School: Chicago, IL)

Living With Water is the Louisiana Children’s Museum’s place-based environmental education program for 3rd graders in New Orleans. Through classroom visits, outdoor experiences, bespoke museum field trips, and interactive design challenges, we illustrate the student’s role in our unique ecosystem.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation will detail Living With Water, an environmental education initiative undertaken by the Louisiana Children’s Museum. This program teaches 3rd graders in New Orleans about the importance of wetlands and how both humans and animals have adapted to survive in coastal landscapes.

SPEAKERS:
Alahna Moore (Education Outreach Coordinator: New Orleans, LA)

Explore all the ways TinkerClass’s FREE, audio-based framework brings the “WOW” to science curricula. We’ll show you how to get your K-5 students excited about hands-on, scientific inquiry and engineering design using TinkerClass’ modular LISTEN, WONDER, TINKER, and MAKE experience.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with practical ideas for how to ignite Curiosity, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking in their classrooms and leave the session feeling empowered to incorporate podcast learning into their curriculum right away.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Caban (Educational Producer: Brooklyn, NY)

Can play-based learning improve critical thinking in the classroom? Teaching can be tough and disruptive students can cause burnout. Research shows that incorporating fun, interactive activities into lessons can increase student engagement and encourage curiosity.

TAKEAWAYS:
By researching modern teaching methods like playing in any subject, educators can design stimulating lessons that appeal to students' natural curiosity and desire for play.

SPEAKERS:
Brooke Garza (St. Rose of Lima Catholic School: Houston, TX)

I will review the process, give tips and advice, and answer questions about the Fund for Teachers Fellowship. I have received three Fund for Teachers Fellowship grants (2012, 2018, and 2023). I've also scored grants in years that I haven't applied.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will feel confident writing and submitting their Fund for Teachers grant proposal. This is still highly selective, so no promises can be made about people getting awarded the grants, but they will be able to make a strong application.

SPEAKERS:
Kristen Maier (Skinner North Classical School: Chicago, IL)

Cultivating Sustainability: Integrating locally-based environmental education curriculum through the Everglades Literacy Foundation Presented by: Martha Bjorklund and Emily Griffith Integrating Locally Based Environmental Education Curriculum into your school science program

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to work with local organizations in your community to design a science curriculum for your students that protects local ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Griffith (Lower School Science and Innovation Teacher: West Palm Beach, FL), Martha Bjorklund (Palm Beach Day Academy: Palm Beach, FL)

Improve the effectiveness and efficacy of your classroom demonstrations, by using research-based methods of engagement within the demonstrations. Hear in students’ own voices what they think about demonstrations. Small changes DO make a big difference!

TAKEAWAYS:
Engaging students through questioning and physical interactions help students build positive mental models and associate these models with the practice of doing science. Second takeaway: In building a series of demos, the more complex anchoring phenomena should go first to decrease misconceptions.

SPEAKERS:
William Katzman (LIGO's Science Education Center: Baton Rouge, LA)