How can we use high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) to design more equitable systems? Join us to consider how leaders rally interest and build internal capacity for the selection and effective implementation of high-quality instructional materials. Work with other leaders to consider strategies to make the case for change toward more equitable systems that support all learners in the system and the role of HQIM in leading ongoing science improvement efforts.
Ticketed event - register here: https://my.nsta.org/event/2024NEW_LEADERSHIP

TAKEAWAYS:
Consider how high-quality instructional materials can be used to design more equitable systems. Discuss how to share the vision, support implementation, and build internal capacity for ongoing support for curriculum implementation.

SPEAKERS:
Janna Mahfoud (BSCS Science Learning: Laveen, AZ), Susan Gomez Zwiep (BSCS Science Learning: Long Beach, CA), Jody Bintz (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Bianca Deliberto (Central Community School System: Baton Rouge, LA), Jim Short (BSCS Science Learning: Ridgefield, NY), Jenine Cotton-Proby (BSCS Science Learning: Waldorf, MD)

Navigate your first National NSTA Conference with ease! Join our session for an orientation to the conference, tips on selecting sessions, and an opportunity to meet other first-time attendees. We will share a few insider tips from experienced conference attendees and give an overview of the conference app. This session is structured so you can learn why you belong at NSTA.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to get the most out of your conference experience in addition to becoming an engaged learner.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Luft (University of Georgia: Athens, GA)

Explore the NSTA website with us and learn how to maximize your member benefits! NSTA provides high-quality digital resources and opportunities—all within a professional community—that supports professional learning and classroom instruction. NSTA staff will be available to answer questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will become knowledgeable about their member benefits, the plethora of digital resources available on NSTA’s website, about the live events, and professional learning community that can help them enhance their knowledge and improve their teaching practices.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Owings Mills, MD)

This new version of the Quick-Reference Guide (aka The Purple Book) is a must-have reference tool for working with NGSS and other Framework-based, 3D standards. This session will review the features of the book and show how to use the tools and resources in it to unpack the crosscutting concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to unpack the three dimensions using the tools and resources in the Quick-Reference Guide and will gain insights into the meaning of the crosscutting concepts.

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

Let’s discuss how to incorporate problem-based learning and build female student’s academic self-efficacy in online STEM learning. Presenters will share barriers to implementing problem-based learning and the factors that relate to female student’s academic self-efficacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with practical applications for incorporating problem-based learning and building students’ academic self-efficacy in online learning to improve engagement and retention in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Lemster (Grand Canyon University: Phoenix, AZ)

Experience the impact of science instruction that directly engages and affirms the student scientists in your classroom. Learn how to ground daily lessons in meaningful community issues without overhauling your curriculum. Enable all students to advocate and create changes in their community.

TAKEAWAYS:
We'll share two strategies for grounding lessons in relevant contexts: (1) Anchor the lesson in a question and (2) Connect daily lessons to meaningful community issues using a three-step process. Participants practice both strategies and leave with an adapted meaningful lesson.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Harrell (UnboundEd: West Orange, NJ), Amber Woods (UnboundEd: Glen Burnie, MD)

Students must use discourse to engage with the Science and Engineering Practices, but what if students do not speak the language of instruction? Learn specific strategies and supports to create a welcoming environment for student language use and acquisition in inquiry-based science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience the instructional practices designed to support language use for newcomer students in inquiry-based science. They will leave with ready-to-use strategies to implement in their classroom or district to support students who do not speak the language of instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Kori Milroy (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL), Chantell Windham (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL), Niranjani Prabhakar (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL), Sarah Millette (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL)

The NGSS requires students work with big datasets. Yet time constraints limit trials during the hands-on labs that excite our students. You needn’t sacrifice one for the other! Join me to generate a robust dataset from a collaborative lab and to craft prompts about it that foster data literacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the importance of having students interact with more robust datasets, how to efficiently pool student-collected data, and how to prompt students to practice skills needed by STEM professionals, such as questioning, describing variability, and identifying relationships.

SPEAKERS:
Jocelyn Foran (Tuva)

Participants will collaboratively engage in a series of model activities to increase discourse in middle school science classrooms. These strategies will help foster regular talk opportunities that honor student voice and increase student engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding and internalize discourse strategies that enhance student talk to increase engagement and instill ownership in their science learning. These strategies can be easily adapted for any content area and topic.

SPEAKERS:
Ryan Gracia (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL), Amy Brady (Dept. of STEM, CPS Bridgeport: Chicago, IL)

This hands-on session explores innovative techniques to incorporate data visualization tools into science curriculum. From artistic graphs to creative infographics, participants will learn fun ways to unleash the power of data, fostering critical thinking and inquiry-based learning among students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will gain confidence in designing data visualizations activities that ignite curiosity and deepen understanding of scientific concepts, and walk away with a toolkit of resources that can be modified to fit a wide range of classes and topics.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Slack (I.S. 223 Montauk Intermediate School: Brooklyn, NY)

In this interactive workshop, participants will learn about creating a culture and instructional strategies to support all students and the assets they bring into the classroom through science sensemaking discourse and notebooking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will first experience an anchor from OpenSciEd 6.4 unit to create their model to describe their thinking in a notebook and then use the discussion diamond to come to a consensus and revise. Educators will review different student samples and discuss how these support all students' ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Christy Krenek (Santa Fe Public Schools: Santa Fe, NM)

When students encounter intriguing phenomena, their innate instincts to question and explore are activated. To truly grasp this concept, you have to experience it! We're going to go through a set of learning experiences (shortened for time) that are based on a phenomenon.

TAKEAWAYS:
This immersive journey into the heart of science education, where phenomena are the gateway to deeper understanding and lifelong curiosity, can be integrated into any science classroom. Invaluable phenomena resources will be shared to enrich lessons and foster a culture of inquiry.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Tolman (SET2Teach, LLC/Idaho Department of Education: Boise, ID)

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)

Experience a variety of engaging STEM activities that can be done in any science content class in 45 minutes or less.

TAKEAWAYS:
Expose your students to STEM skills through short, easy, and engaging STEM activities that can be completed in a single class period.

SPEAKERS:
Brad Posnanski (Comsewogue High School: Port Jefferson Station, NY), Jessica Kohout (Educational Consultant: Ellicott City, MD)

Participants will explore the BioEd Online website’s free STEM+M (medicine) classroom learning resources created and/or curated by Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Educational Outreach, engage in activities from a student lens, then complete a scavenger hunt to identify/organize resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore BioEd Online and leave with free STEM+M (medicine) learning resources ready to be implemented into their classroom instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Jimmie Thomas (Baylor College of Medicine: Houston, TX)

Explore tailored strategies for secondary science teachers to differentiate instruction effectively for emergent bilinguals. Engage in hands-on activities and collaborative planning to enhance student comprehension and engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Differentiation strategies for emergent bilingual students in secondary science

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Borunda (New Caney ISD: Porter, TX), Katherine Meraz (The University of Texas at El Paso: El Paso, TX)

Participants will engage in dynamic, hands-on science and technology activities, merging STEM concepts with popular children's books. Discover how interactive STEM and literacy activities can support and encourage the development of STEM career pathways in young learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will connect impactful STEM activities with children’s literature. They will be shown ways to strengthen equitable learning outcomes and foster excitement for career exploration. Educators will have the opportunity to explore lessons and will leave with materials for their classrooms.

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

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)

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

The DQB is an essential tool used throughout OSE units to generate, keep track of, and revisit student questions around the anchoring and related phenomenon. Join the collaborative fun finding ideas for developing, maintaining, and revisiting this exciting representation of students’ learning.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Klaft (Granger Middle School: Aurora, IL), Tracy Marmolejo (Activate Learning: Richardson, TX)

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: BIOZONE Corporation

Discover BIOZONE’s new platform that combines digital replicas of our highly acclaimed print titles together with Presentation Slides , 3D models, and curated videos - thereby providing powerful options for delivering your high school science programs. Attendees each receive a FREE 1-year licence.

SPEAKERS:
Richard Allan (BIOZONE International Ltd.: Hamilton, New Zealand)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

Energize your science classroom and foster deep scientific thinking! Through exemplar activities and teacher moves, discover actionable strategies for fostering a classroom culture that celebrates student thinking, promotes risk taking, and cultivates student growth.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Cross (Albert Einstein Academy Middle School: SPRING VALLEY, CA)

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)

No curriculum is perfect out of the box. Explore how one district utilized a local frog expert to enhance a newly adopted curriculum. Let hands-on lessons inspire you to find your own Frog Guy, place student inquiry at the center, and go beyond a guest speaker. Extend your storyline and engagement!

TAKEAWAYS:
After a learner-lens experience with frogs, participants will gain insights in identifying areas within a unit storyline and developing customizations aligned to the NGSS and teaching practices to reach all learners. Participants will then have time to apply this process to their own organization.

SPEAKERS:
Samantha Perrelli (STEM Instructional Coach: No City, No State)

Sponsoring Company: LEGO Education

Learn how to inspire elementary and middle school students to see themselves in STEM careers. We’ll explore STEM professionals’ stories and share classroom resources co-created with experts in racing and ocean advocacy to bring hands-on, playful learning to life.

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Classroom communities make sense of what’s being investigated through discussions; it’s key to ensuring all students’ ideas are shared and valued. This session focuses on discussion types used to help draw out student ideas, negotiate and refine them, and support communicating in scientific ways.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Klaft (Granger Middle School: Aurora, IL), Tracy Marmolejo (Activate Learning: Richardson, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Class CrunchLabs

Join us for an exciting dive into Mark Rober's Class CrunchLabs! We'll explore our innovative instructional model with hands-on walkthroughs of cool example lessons. Plus, you'll get to share your thoughts, helping us make sure this model rocks for ALL students and supercharges learning!

Sponsoring Company: TCI

Join our session to learn how to harness the power of three-dimensional Performance Assessments! Beyond evaluating learning, these assessments offer students a meaningful context to demonstrate understanding. Explore the role of performance assessments in teaching core science concepts effectively.

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

How can we ensure the science instructional materials we’re using will lead to learning gains? Get practical tips and ‘look fors’ when evaluating whether or not your science instructional materials will have a positive impact on student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Stenger (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Santa Rosa, CA), Suzanna Loper (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Science Bits

Learn to double student learning gains by increasing fidelity to the 5E instructional model in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Charlene Wetzel (Archbishop Rummel High School: Metairie, LA)

Finding authentic, relevant & engaging phenomena that requires students to use key science ideas to explain them is challenging & timely. Step into prompt engineering to discover how to use AI to help find phenomena to redesign/adapt learning experiences to increase equity & student interest.

TAKEAWAYS:
Use a new phenomenon heuristic and AI to generate ideas of phenomena for your classroom and learn some strategies to help learners use both the phenomenon heuristic and AI as tools for their sense-making.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Cooper (Contextus: Lincoln, NE), Kelley Turner (Winchester Public Schools: Winchester, VA), Dawn Novak (Northwestern University: Grayslake, IL)

Explore the storyline of the newly released OpenSciEd Unit 5.1 How does a nurse log help other things live and grow? and see how students leverage connections to ELA and math as they investigate and make sense of ecosystems and matter cycling.

TAKEAWAYS:
OpenSciEd Elementary units provide significant opportunities for students to explicitly connect with grade-level mathematics, reading, writing, speaking & listening, and language standards in service of their science sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Gen Zoufal (Project Managaer: Chicago, IL), Cathery Yeh (Assistant Professor: Austin, TX), Gail Housman (Northwestern University: Brookfield, IL), Amy Belcastro (Science Educator/Grad Student: Fort Collins, CO)

Many schools need high-quality units to meet their state standards, especially if they vary significantly from the NGSS. BSCS Science Learning has extensive experience with designing, and adapting Storylines units. Come to this session to apply a BSCS design tool that can be used for adaptation.

Please note: space is limited.

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience with a tool to unpack and compare target standards by clarifying key ideas, listing prerequisites and challenges, and considering what students should “figure out” and not just “learn about." Consider and share how to apply tools and processes for adapting HQIM in your local context.

SPEAKERS:
Elaine Klein (BSCS Science Learning: Houston, TX), Jean Flanagan (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO)

The Atlas is a collection of 62 maps of the practices, core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and performance expectations in NGSS and other Framework-based standards. The maps show how goals in science are meant to build upon each other and relate to each other over a student’s K-12 education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to read the maps and use other tools in the Atlas to understand and interpret standards and plan instructional sequences as part of their work in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

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

Discover innovative strategies for creating inclusive, problem-driven learning environments in science education, leveraging antibias principles for student empowerment that integrates students' life experiences into the curriculum, fostering representation and ensuring all voices are valued.

TAKEAWAYS:
Effectively incorporate antibias education strategies into STEM curricula to create more inclusive, engaging, and representative learning environments that empower all students.

SPEAKERS:
Neotha Williams (STEM4Real: Addis, LA), Jennifer Munoz (STEM4Real: Carlsbad, CA)

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

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

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

Reading and writing skills are best developed when students are able to practice these skills across all content areas. Come hear from an experienced science and special education teacher about how to easily add literacy activities to your science curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with multiple examples of in class activities that can help students develop reading comprehension and writing skills within the science content areas. These activities are easy to implement, are low cost, and supported by current research.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Zito (Miller School of Albemarle: Charlottesville, VA)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remix CER to drive inquiry-based learning with the Question, Evidence, Claim, Reasoning (QECR) approach! Use science skills, like analyzing data and arguing with evidence, to solve a mystery in a sample lesson, and access more samples, student work, tools, and resources to design your own lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
A comprehensive toolkit including digital sample lessons, student samples, editable templates, and tips and tricks for QECR lessons that integrate phenomena, SEPs, science ideas, and students’ ideas and critical thinking in engaging and hands-on ways.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Jack (Humble ISD: Humble, TX), Elissa Griffin (Humble ISD: Kingwood, TX)

Educators of all levels will learn how to create equitable STEM opportunities for girls of urban backgrounds. In addition, suggestions will be given on how ensure that urban girls sustain an interest in STEM which will results in them choosing STEM related college/university majors and careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the importance of representation and how to reverse the narrative when it comes to teaching STEM to African American girls.

SPEAKERS:
Carla Neely (Warrensville Heights Middle School: Lyndhurst, OH)

Elementary teaching can be very busy. This session will have engaging activities and practical strategies for making time for elementary. We will provide examples of long-term investigations, how science can be a foundation for math/literacy, how teachers can utilize science station work, and more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn practical strategies and see examples of making time for science in elementary.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Deanna Taylor (Interactive Learning Solutions LLC: Columbia, SC), Leah Litz (Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium: Omaha, NE), Jesse Wilcox (University of Northern Iowa: Cedar Falls, IA)

Sponsoring Company: Simulation Curriculum

Unlock the cosmos for your classroom with our tailored workshop for teachers! Discover teaching methods, explore resources, and delve into the latest astronomical discoveries. Gain confidence and tools to ignite students' curiosity about the wonders of the universe, fostering a passion for science.

Sponsoring Company: Great Minds

Come along as we undergo a rigorous student experience to work through a complex investigation. Throughout the course of the session, participants will discover the importance of fostering an environment that encourages challenge where students can struggle in a safe space.

SPEAKERS:
Koi Beard (Great Minds: Washington, DC), Nicole Harvey (Zachary High School: Zachary, LA)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply

Immerse yourself in a world of discovery as we blend scientific concepts with the power of language. Through engaging activities, such as designing a hand pollinator, students will not only see how to unravel the wonders of science but also enhance their literacy skills. Get classroom resources.

SPEAKERS:
Hoover Herrera (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Cranford, NJ), Melissa Rogers (Smithsonian Science Education Center: Davis, WV)

Sponsoring Company: LEGO Education

How can we equip students with future-ready skills in a world of evolving technology? This hands-on session with LEGO® SPIKE™ Prime shows how students can analyze data, find patterns, and build evidence-based conclusions to tackle real-world challenges and excel in their future careers.

Department of Defense scientists and engineers are the bedrock of our nation’s most advanced technology and research breakthroughs, including virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, and more! Join us as we explore multiple STEM career pathways supported by DoD STEM’s network of partners in academia, i

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use career resources on DoD STEM’s website to support students in envisioning themselves as future STEM professionals.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Marquis Mason (RTI International: Research Triangle Park, NC), Dr. Whitney White (RTI International: Research Triangle Park, NC), Rebecca Stanley (DoD STEM/RTI International: Durham, NC)

Sensemaking with the three dimensions is the focal construct we want to measure in science assessments - not just the phenomenon or problem or the three-dimensions. Join us for a deep dive into how we center sensemaking in 3D assessment design for more equitable learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with examples of 3D sensemaking in assessment tasks and tools for building better assessments that elicit student sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn Novak (Northwestern University: Grayslake, IL), Sara Cooper (Contextus: Lincoln, NE), Kelley Turner (Winchester Public Schools: Winchester, VA)

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

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

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

You have a coherent phenomenon-based learning plan for your students, and midway through, you get sick or jury duty - now what?!? This session will highlight approaches to substitute plans that are flexible, easy to implement, and support student learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
When students are tasked with sensemaking and figuring out day in and day out, it is easier to have that happen without the teacher present. Utilizing a quality curriculum that supports student coherence and phenomenon-based learning is the best tool to make that a reality.

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

How can we fit student-centered science instruction into the varied schedules of K-5 classrooms? Experience and explore how OpenSciEd Elementary’s free high-quality units are designed to support teachers in making time to engage their students in 3D science.

TAKEAWAYS:
OpenSciEd Elementary lessons are organized in four components: Navigate, Explore, Connect, and Synthesize. These components support teachers in understanding the purpose of each part of a lesson, allow for more flexible timing, and can be implemented in various parts of the school day.

SPEAKERS:
Amber Bismack (Oakland University: Rochester, MI), Gail Housman (Northwestern University: Brookfield, IL), Yanira Vazquez (OpenSciEd: Los Alamos, NM)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bound lab notebooks are excellent records of student growth and their journey in learning the scientific method. But they tend to be difficult to implement in the lab itself, and horrible to grade. We will share our story of how we use (and effectively grade!) lab notebooks in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with proven strategies that reduce the heavy burden of a robust lab program. Participants will gain access to resources to a large collection of physics labs (and rubrics!) that are easy to set up, engaging to students, and easy to grade.

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

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

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

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

During this interactive hour long hybrid between a professional development and research presentation participants will learn about and ideate on how to make STEM learning spaces more equitable through simple changes to classroom organization.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with strategies and resources on how to organize and decorate their classrooms to promote equity and belonging in STEM.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Novelli (PhD student: Cedar Park, TX)

Discover practical strategies for integrating AI in education in this workshop and explore innovative lesson designs to engage students interactively. Resources, tips, and bad puns will be provided to all attendees.

TAKEAWAYS:
Artificial intelligence is here to stay. By experiencing an AI-focussed lesson from the student perspective, educators will leave with a better sense of the potential for this incredible new tool in their own classrooms.

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

Engaging middle school students.

TAKEAWAYS:
PEEPs impact student engagement resulting in increased proficiency results in science and engineering assessments.

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

Unleash their potential! Middle School is an exciting time for trial and error! Students are beginning emerge into the leaders they will one day become. This session is designed to explore teaching moves to improve classroom collaboration and develop future leaders!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will walk away with a few new teaching moves for improving collaboration and discourse among students in the science classroom. The use of these moves will tap into the leadership potential inside each of your learners.

SPEAKERS:
Kat Chamberlain (Ridgetop Middle School: Silverdale, WA)

Through live demonstrations we will teach attendees the strengths and weaknesses of virtual tutors and best practices for LLM-student learning. During the workshop attendees will construct practice exam questions using ChatGPT and other LLM tools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through live demonstrations we will teach attendees the strengths and weaknesses of virtual tutors and best practices for LLM-student learning. During the workshop attendees will construct practice exam questions using ChatGPT and other LLM tools.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Graham (Assistant Professor: Jackson, MS), Hannah Meyer (Student: Jackson, MS), Kristina Stensaas (Millsaps College: Brandon, MS)

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this session, we will examine how to leverage time used to practice and reinforce math and reading skills to also include phenomenon-based science. By using math and ELA standards as a starting point, short units building off of a common science phenomenon are created.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience the process of creating a phenomenon-based, science-focused lesson series to help reinforce and practice the standards in math and ELA, thus leading toward equity for students and subject areas.

SPEAKERS:
Miranda Orellana (Lincoln Public Schools: Lincoln, NE)

Want to complete rigorous experiments with your multilingual learners? Learn about successful strategies, scaffolds, and structures which can be used for all levels of learners, increasing accessibility and creating an environment where hands-on learning is not only possible, but preferred!

TAKEAWAYS:
English Learners are one of the fastest growing populations in the United States. However, access to quality training in how to teach our ELs is limited. Through this session, educators will explore strategies and structures that can be used to better assist ther ELs in the scientific process.

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

Have you always wanted to try project-based learning… but you aren’t sure how to start? Join the News Literacy Project as we walk attendees through the PBL design process to create an extension for our FREE news and media literacy educator resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Presenters will engage educators in the development of a PBL experience for their students. Attendees will receive a demonstration of “Be Health Informed,” one of NLP’s STEM Checkology® lessons, and explore creating a PBL extension. Attendees will leave with a PBL planning template and project ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Brittney Smith (The University of South Carolina: Cincinnati, OH)

Join members of NSTA’s Professional Learning Committee for a discussion regarding professional learning! We will explore NSTA’s new professional learning statement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave the discussion with a framework for professional learning and strategies to implement professional learning!

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Deanna Taylor (Interactive Learning Solutions LLC: Columbia, SC), Leah Litz (Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium: Omaha, NE), Jesse Wilcox (University of Northern Iowa: Cedar Falls, IA)

Sponsoring Company: Great Minds

Join us as we discover ways to prepare for collaborative conversations with strategies like targeted questioning, talk moves, and instructional routines. In this session, we will also practice applying these strategies to promote effective science discourse in a three-dimensional classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kristi Madden (Success Lead: Iowa, LA), Nicole Harvey (Zachary High School: Zachary, LA)

Sponsoring Company: Kognity

Through this session, you'll gain valuable insights into our development process, from initial concept to final implementation, and discover how Kognity's unique tools can revolutionize your teaching methods. Engage with our experts, ask questions, and explore real-world applications that can enhance your educational practices.

SPEAKERS:
Grace Boersma (Kognity: Stockholm, Sweden), Wayne Wright (Kognity: Stockholm, Sweden)

Sponsoring Company: LEGO Education

Experience hands-on STEAM learning with LEGO® Education! In this session, you'll explore cause-and-effect, model real-world phenomena, and analyze data to solve problems. Discover how our solutions help students understand force, motion, and energy while bringing learning to life through play.

This session on how to use EcoRise tools and your classroom and how to teach students to write successful EcoAudit grants.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use resources available from EcoRise and how to empower their students to write and receive a grant for an environmental issue in their area.

SPEAKERS:
Cecelia Gillam (Benjamin Franklin High School: La Place, LA)

Sponsoring Company: Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Join us and hear from Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) recipients as they share their favorite STEM lessons. These award-winning educators will showcase how they engage their students using innovative and creative techniques.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn best practices and key takeaways from presidential award-winning teachers. They will see examples of lesson plans that have been recognized by the National Science Foundation and White House Office of Science Technology Policy.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Alfred Hall (National Science Foundation: Alexandria, VA)

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Learn how Scientists Circles support equitable and meaningful classroom discussions. Create opportunities in your lessons in which all students’ thinking, experiences, and ideas for further exploration can be leveraged for building a culture where students are positioned as knowers and thinkers.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Klaft (Granger Middle School: Aurora, IL), Tracy Marmolejo (Activate Learning: Richardson, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply

Through a hands-on lesson, we will model instruction and resources that support 3-dimensional teaching and learning and actively engage students in the use of the Science and Engineering Practices. Resources include teacher instructional slides, student-friendly investigation materials.

SPEAKERS:
Hoover Herrera (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Cranford, NJ)

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)

Let’s work together to figure out how to Problematize phenomena in ways that pose productive uncertainties that motivate students toward productive sensemaking throughout a task. Walk away with strategies, example problematized tasks, and tools to use in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Analyze multiple tasks to understand what it means for a task to be problematized. Reflect on how this leads to increased engagement and opportunities for more equitable access for all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Dawn Novak (Northwestern University: Grayslake, IL), Sara Cooper (Contextus: Lincoln, NE), Kelley Turner (Winchester Public Schools: Winchester, VA)

NSTA provides in-person, online, and blended personalized professional learning experiences for cohorts of K–12 educators. All programs engage educators with digital resources, virtual experiences, the larger online community, and expert staff. NSTA membership included.

TAKEAWAYS:
District and school leaders will learn about the variety of professional learning opportunities that NSTA offers, delivered in-person, online, and blended that give their teachers the power to personalize their learning as well as the ability to learn with their peers. Membership is included.

SPEAKERS:
Tricia Shelton (NSTA: Clarksville, TN), Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Owings Mills, MD)

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

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

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

After a year of diving into the implementation of the OpenSciEd curriculum, learn about our experience. We will share reflections on the experience in implementing OpenSciEd through a curriculum-based professional learning model to foster collective efficacy and curriculum implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn pros and cons, and strategies for a “ripping off the Band-Aid” approach to curriculum implementation, including analysis of curriculum-based professional learning for student and teacher growth; partnership and coaching for ongoing implementation support.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Wlodarczyk (Capitol Region Education Council: Wethersfield, CT), Julie Christianson (CREC Magnet Schools: Hartford, CT)

This session will center on cohorts of educators who participated in a series of learning cycles. It will showcase the purpose and outcomes of the learning cycles, which empower teachers to refine their pedagogical approaches to directly address the diverse needs of their students.

TAKEAWAYS:
By implementing learning cycle protocols, teachers refine their pedagogical approaches to better meet the diverse needs of their students. Data collection and reflection processes further enhance instructional strategies, leading to continuous improvement and informed decision-making.

SPEAKERS:
Taissa Lau (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL)

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 session will focus on using multiple types of representations to foster a deeper understanding of physics concepts. More than just math, using graphs, charts, pictures, and more gives students many opportunities to demonstrate their understanding and dive deeper into content.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with engaging classroom strategies that can be used to deepen students' understanding of physics content. In addition to teacher-made classroom resources, teachers will gain the tools to develop their own materials that they can adapt to their own unique needs.

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

During this session, participants will discuss the significance of artificial intelligence, belonging and culture in STEAM learning. Additionally, participants will obtain and practice using a tool to include culturally inclusive practices in STEAM lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Why are culturally inclusive strategies important in STEAM classrooms? How can you use AI and belonging strategies that challenge and engage a diverse group of learners? In this session, we will reveal a planning tool that you can use to support learner success in STEAM classroom settings.

SPEAKERS:
Deanna Taylor (Interactive Learning Solutions LLC: Columbia, SC)

As long as there have been CER templates, there have been students who struggle. What’s the difference between evidence and reasoning, or an explanation and an argument, exactly? Our Mi-STAR CER lesson and templates help answer these questions and they are open to all - join us to learn more!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with clear and concise definitions of reasoning, explanations, and argumentation, along with a lesson plan, activities, and templates to help students define and construct all three in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Geerer (Mi-STAR: Rochester, MI)

Keep your pets safe from being left in hot cars by using automatic sensors to design an alarm that could save their lives.

TAKEAWAYS:
Solve a real-world problem with coding and engineering design; no prior experience needed.

SPEAKERS:
Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Scott, LA), Jessica Kohout (Educational Consultant: Ellicott City, MD)

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)

Experience how discussion diamonds can help support students’ argumentation skills and Claim Evidence Reasoning writing through peer discourse. This workshop will introduce the discussion diamond protocol and allow participants to engage in the activity from the students’ perspective.

TAKEAWAYS:
The discussion diamond protocol is a versatile tool that can be adapted for students of varying skill levels and across any subject. It provides a supportive environment for students to engage in discourse and develop their argumentation skills.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Ciccarello (Beverly Hills High School: Los Angeles, CA)

The Framework and NGSS called for phenomena-based 3D learning experiences for all students. Unpack WHY this is so important and HOW to make it a reality in your classroom. Take away phenomena and storylines to try in your classroom and strategies for making every student look forward to your class.

TAKEAWAYS:
The shift to phenomena-based 3D learning brings the student to the center of the learning and uses their life experiences and approaches to sensemaking to drive the learning.

SPEAKERS:
Matt Krehbiel (OpenSciEd: Derwood, MD)

Led by members of NSTA Early Childhood-Elementary Committee, the session addresses the relationship between science education & children’s literature by providing an interactive platform for educators to discover how literature can support & enhance science & engineering practices in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore the integration of children's literature with science and engineering practices through cross-disciplinary connections and hands-on activities. Resources provided.

SPEAKERS:
Simone Nance (University of Southern Indiana: Newburgh, IN), Katie Morrison (University Child Development School: Seattle, WA), Jennifer Williams (Isidore Newman School: Belle Chasse, LA), Jenn Brown-Whale (Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE): Randallstown, MD)

Looking for ways to enhance a high-quality curriculum? This session provides teacher-tested strategies that can be used to augment a curriculum without adding more to a teacher’s plate. Come experience these practical, engaging strategies that help bring a curriculum to life!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will engage in a variety of classroom-tested strategies that can expand the menu of options for student-centered learning while covering the same material required within the curriculum used to teach standards.

SPEAKERS:
Missy Wooley (Louisiana Tech University: Ruston, LA), Cathi Cox-Boniol (Louisiana Tech University: Ruston, LA)

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)

This session will introduce teachers to a variety of note-booking techniques that will increase student engagement and excitement for learning. Students will take pride in their notebooks and therefore increase the level of effort they put into their work.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will provide teachers and administrators with various strategies to differentiate learning for English Language Learners, Special Education Students, and General Education Students, and accurately assess student learning through note-booking by tracking student thinking/understanding.

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

Discover how Columbus City Schools has strategically developed and utilized Spruce Run to bridge the gap between urban landscapes and natural environments. Participants will gain insights into the district's commitment to providing all students with equitable access to outdoor learning experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
Highlight the impact of outdoor education field trips and monthly open houses on students from the city, educators, and the community using partnerships and volunteers.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Hamilton (Southland Center CCS: Columbus, OH), Heather Allen (Columbus City Schools: Columbus, OH)

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

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

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Libov (CEO: Chappaqua, NY)

Should we tailor instruction to learning styles? Should we reduce tests to avoid test anxiety? Research shows that some common beliefs we develop about learners are wrong. I will debunk 3 common learning myths and provide concrete research-based guidelines for what to do in classrooms instead.

TAKEAWAYS:
As a former HS teacher, I will detail how to use current research-based strategies to support student learning. Teachers will learn how to present information in multiple ways to help diverse students. Teachers will use desirable difficulties to build equitable instruction in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Tullis (The University of Arizona: Tucson, AZ)

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

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

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

This session will explore how formative assessment tasks can reveal students’ 3D learning as well as students’ ability to use language to demonstrate their learning. Come learn how students’ use of language can be an asset for making sense of science learning and literacy growth for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with new knowledge about how 3D assessments can elicit important information about students’ 3D learning as well as students’ ability to use language to demonstrate their learning. This knowledge is highly valuable for using assessment to support ongoing learning.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Damelin (The Concord Consortium: Bolton, MA), Christopher Harris (WestEd: Menlo Park, CA), David McKinney (Senior Research Associate: Albany, CA)

Immerse yourself in the power of explore-before-explain, even during "notes" days! Discover the magic of student-driven learning as we guide you through a sample lesson featuring an AI chat space and innovative note-making strategies. Transform direct instruction into dynamic, active learning!

TAKEAWAYS:
Toolkit with engaging strategies, intentional chunking, and AI tools, enhancing student sensemaking, particularly during direct instruction. Gain access to digital sample lessons, templates, and implementation tips for maximum impact and effectiveness.

SPEAKERS:
Elissa Griffin (Humble ISD: Kingwood, TX), Laurie Jack (Humble ISD: Humble, TX)

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

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

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

Dialogues are a conversation among two students. There are a number of ways dialogues can be presented. This session will show how dialogues can be used to find student preconceptions, misconceptions, introduce environmental issues, bring in historical events, and introduce concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the different types of dialogues and how to use them in the classroom from introducing a topic or as an assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Ray Scolavino (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: East Troy, WI)

Create large scale models and diagrams on a wide variety of subjects in open spaces both on inside floors and outdoors. Learn how to get the most out of your school building spaces and engage your students’ interests using inexpensive materials and kinesthetic activities!

TAKEAWAYS:
You and your students will learn how to make and use large scale models to explore many scientific topics. Using materials like electrical tape, sidewalk chalk, rope and other simple materials, we will make and use large scale models of an ellipse, heart and body systems, cells, water cycle.

SPEAKERS:
David Ebersole (Greece Athena Middle School: Caledonia, NY)

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)

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)

Explore how Canva sparks creativity in high school science classes. Learn to captivate students with interactive lessons, foster teamwork through collaborative projects, and share resources effortlessly.

TAKEAWAYS:
Transform your science teaching with Canva's creative tools to enhance student engagement, collaboration, and resource sharing.

SPEAKERS:
Misty Lewis (Northside High School: Northport, AL)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Whether you are brand new in education or just not as experienced with teaching science, this workshop is for you. Lifelong educators and science textbook authors Dr. Zipporah Miller and Dr. Mike Padilla will show you how you can be successful teaching Elementary or Middle School Science and love it

SPEAKERS:
Michael Padilla (retired: Athens, GA), Zipporah Miller (Educational Consultant: Bowie, MD)

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: Science Bits

Learn why pre-assessment, summative assessment and formative assessments should form part of your lessons and how to make DQs, retrieval practice and formative assessment work for you and your students. This workshop includes roleplay and an internet enabled device is required.

SPEAKERS:
Paul Banti (Learning Bits Inc.: Miami, FL)

There are many topics included in required course content that student view as irrelevant. Come learn about ways to make these topics more meaningful for students and then leave with access to a digital library of some high-quality instructional materials that you can use to teach them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Meaningful phenomena and authentic problems can make topics not only more meaningful for students but can also make instruction more rigorous and equitable.

SPEAKERS:
Victor Sampson (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX)

Sponsoring Company: LEGO Education

How can we equip students with future-ready skills in a world of evolving technology? This hands-on session with LEGO® SPIKE™ Prime shows how students can analyze data, find patterns, and build evidence-based conclusions to tackle real-world challenges and excel in their future careers.

Recognizing and valuing the assets students bring to assessment tasks is critical for understanding how to move their thinking forward and support continued sensemaking. Use a new tool to see student work through an asset-based lens that recognizes what students are using to make sense of phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with tools you can use in your classroom to tend to student work in ways that change the culture of assessment in ways that are more caring and supportive and can make assessment a joyful experience.

SPEAKERS:
Kelley Turner (Winchester Public Schools: Winchester, VA), Dawn Novak (Northwestern University: Grayslake, IL), Sara Cooper (Contextus: Lincoln, NE)

The NSTA Sensemaking Tool can help educators be critical consumers of instructional materials and create/revise lessons that reflect the shifts required by new standards (sensemaking). Gain experience using the tool and facilitating criteria-based consensus conversations with your colleagues!

TAKEAWAYS:
Recognize the critical aspects of sensemaking in science lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Mathews (NSTA: Skokie, IL), Patrice Scinta (NSTA: Brooklyn, NY)

Practice three structured talk routines while engaging in collaborative sensemaking around research that centers how students acquire the language of science and develop their science identity. (K-12th Grades)

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with insight into educational research and resources for planning and implementing well structured student talk as a tool to support science language acquisition and foster the development of students' science identity.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Johnston (Denver Public Schools: Denver, CO)

Engage with resources that cultivate nine Learning Conditions which support students’ identity development, engagement, and academic growth. Produced by the Chicago Public Schools Office of Student Voice and Engagement and informed by the University of Chicago’s Cultivate Survey and Framework.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will receive a resource guide for each Learning Condition, which provides the definition and rationale, along with specific teacher-ready, student-friendly resources that foster enhanced student sensemaking in the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Niranjani Prabhakar (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL), Kori Milroy (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL), Sarah Millette (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL), Chantell Windham (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL)

Science Club is an equity-based innovative approach to science professional learning that fosters hands-on, minds-on science engagement in preschool classrooms. Our approach embraces young children’s natural curiosity to engage in science as well as integrates children’s local context and culture.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn from project staff and teachers how to leverage young children’s interests, local context, and local culture to support engagement through intentional, flexible science experiences using our equity-based early childhood adaptation of the 3-D Framework for K-12 Science Education.

SPEAKERS:
Daryl Greenfield (University of Miami: Miami, FL), Cynthia Parker (consultant - coach: Woburn, MA)

In this session participants will examine and discuss the Teacher Leader Model Standards. Digging into the standards they will describe key actions and practices for each of the seven domains. Participants will be asked to reflect on their role as a teacher leader in science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through participant dialogue, each attendee will walk away with a list of the Teacher Leader Model Standards, as well as ways to become an effective leader improving science instruction for all students.

SPEAKERS:
Jenne VandePanne (Michigan Technological University/Newaygo Public Schools: Newaygo, MI), Jessica Wagenmaker (Holton Middle School: Twin Lake, MI)

Join us for a hands-on session tailored for educators/coaches to discover what inquiry-based learning SHOULD look like in the classroom! Discover how to recognize best practices and evaluate 3D learning in action. Equip yourself with tools and insights needed to conduct exceptional investigations!

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will evaluate their own teach practices in the context of inquiry-based learning to determine what exception science instruction looks like, sounds like, and feels like for students in a 3D learning environment.

SPEAKERS:
Leah Pinto (EduSmart)

Chat GPT is a powerful language model that can be used to create background knowledge for lessons. By using Chat GPT, educators can help students get a starting point for their research and provide them with the necessary information to explore various topics such as periodic table, environment issu

TAKEAWAYS:
One takeaway from this session is that you will understand that ChatGPT is a powerful tool for teachers. This application will allow you to answer questions or ideas you have and improve research activities that might be difficult for students.

SPEAKERS:
Ricardo Padilla (Brookhurst Jr HIgh School: Placentia, CA)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Immersing educators in a locally relevant context is a powerful way to foster professional learning, enhance curriculum, and boost student engagement. This session will present successful examples of immersive professional learning that have impacted hundreds of educators across the country.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the benefits of immersive and place-based learning and how it can bring the sensemaking process to life. We will explore how immersive professional learning can surface local phenomena that can be leveraged to support curricular modifications and enhance relevance.

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

Looking to add rigor to your elementary science lessons? Come learn how slight tweaks to how you use phenomena might be the answer for you. We’ll explore how to use phenomena to make science relevant to students, support sensemaking talk routines, and ground the development of academic vocabulary.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be able to improve how their lessons engage students with phenomena and adjust their curriculum to better support student engagement, sensemaking, and vocabulary development with phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Forsythe (Texas State University: San Marcos, TX)

Sponsoring Company: BIOZONE Corporation

BIOZONE's innovative worktext approach delivers flexible, engaging, student-centred resources. Learn how our titles integrate into our digital platform and how the Teacher Toolkit helps teachers plan, deliver, and assess. Attendees each receive a FREE print title & 1-year digital access to a title.

SPEAKERS:
Richard Allan (BIOZONE International Ltd.: Hamilton, New Zealand)

Sponsoring Company: LEGO Education

Experience hands-on STEAM learning with LEGO® Education! In this session, you'll explore cause-and-effect, model real-world phenomena, and analyze data to solve problems. Discover how our solutions help students understand force, motion, and energy while bringing learning to life through play.

Students’ notebooks should be more than just piles of papers! In this session we’ll discuss the multiple ways available to organize students’ science notebooks, ultimately making it students' go-to tool for sensemaking, evolving their use from more than just papers, into their daily essential tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with specific strategies and ideas to help students manage and use their science notebooks as resources for sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Tonya Brainsky (OSE Massachusetts Community: Rehoboth, MA), Ann Guglielmo (Taunton Public Schools: Taunton, MA)

We know that a 3D aligned classroom looks different than classrooms of the past, so why shouldn’t the way we provide feedback and grades to our students change? If you want to begin changing your grading practices, join us in rethinking shifts in feedback & grading to support equitable practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engage with authentic student work and consider different ways of providing feedback to identify features that support students in sharing where they are in their sensemaking process. Participants will leave with some ‘tools’ they can use in their classroom to provide caring, collaborative feedback.

SPEAKERS:
Sara Cooper (Contextus: Lincoln, NE), Kelley Turner (Winchester Public Schools: Winchester, VA), Dawn Novak (Northwestern University: Grayslake, IL)

Experience how classroom agreements can create productive and safe spaces for elementary students to share their ideas, let those ideas change and grow, and engage with each other as a community of learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Elementary students can co-construct classroom agreements that support an environment where they recognize that science can be done in many ways, feel safe and compelled to share their ideas and questions, listen/look/respond to others' ideas, and let their ideas change and grow.

SPEAKERS:
María González-Howard (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX), Amy Belcastro (Science Educator/Grad Student: Fort Collins, CO), Janna Mahfoud (BSCS Science Learning: Laveen, AZ)

Wondering how to customize your curriculum to be more relevant for your students? Using examples from OpenSciEd as a context, we’ll share tools and strategies for customizing curriculum to increase relevance. Come ready to work! 90 minute session

TAKEAWAYS:
If curriculum enactment pairs great materials with support for teachers to make those materials even better, amazing things can happen. Customizing the use of phenomena in quality materials to support relevance for students is a great way to increase engagement.

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

How can we shift the culture of science teaching and learning in an elementary school or district? Explore how transformative leadership practices can build the capacity of teacher leaders and create the conditions for equitable opportunities for 3D phenomena-based science in K-5 classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will take away ideas and next steps for building the capacity of educators in their own school or district context, including how teacher leadership fits within a broader set of conditions that support the teaching and learning of science in that context.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Leslie Stenger (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Santa Rosa, CA), Matthew Christiansen (Oceanside High School #7: Oceanside, NY)

University/College instructors talk about how they integrate NSTA resources in their courses. Come and listen to their stories and ask them questions! Find out the benefits that this opportunity provides you and your teacher candidates.

TAKEAWAYS:
Many university/college instructors are using NSTA resources in lieu of a textbook when teaching preservice teacher courses. Participants will meet some of these instructors to learn how they integrate NSTA resources in their courses and about the benefits of the program.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Owings Mills, MD)

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

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

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

Unlocking the Power of Integration: Enhancing Scientific Writing Through a Hybrid Approach. Learn how merging innovative AI tools like ChatGPT with traditional methods such as Thinking Maps and rough drafts enriches students' scientific writing skills, fostering critical thinking and creativity.

TAKEAWAYS:
One takeaway from this session is that you will discover a template for integrating ChatGPT into scientific writing instruction, preserving traditional methods while enhancing student outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Ricardo Padilla (Brookhurst Jr HIgh School: Placentia, CA)

This session will explore a process for creating NGSS aligned IEP science goals using the Science & Engineering Practices. Attendees will be presented with a prototype tool for collecting data, writing goals, and monitoring progress that has been created for use across Chicago Public Schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore a process for writing science IEP goals that goes beyond simply recreating math and literacy based goals.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Brady (Dept. of STEM, CPS Bridgeport: Chicago, IL), Joseph Seabloom (Chicago Public Schools: Chicago, IL)

Still confused about the basics of the NGSS? Need a refresher about what it is and why it matters? Come learn from the experts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with a basic understanding of the structures of the Next Generation Science Standards and how they inform 3-dimensional standards and 3-dimensional science teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Katy Fattaleh (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: Chicago, IL), Tara Flett (Sr. Educator IQST: Chicago, IL), Karin Klein (Museum of Science and Industry: CHICAGO, IL)

In this session, attendees will practice and create a lesson using one of 5 AI tech tools that empower educators to craft personalized science classrooms. Each tool will be presented along with classroom strategies tailored to maximize their potential for scientific literacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be able to create personalized learning experiences, enhance student engagement, and improve academic outcomes by utilizing AI tools for tailored curricula.

SPEAKERS:
Stefany Palomba (Choices High School: canton, OH)

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

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

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

Models are essential resources for encouraging deeper knowledge, simplifying challenging concepts, and encouraging critical thinking in students. This workshop explores how effective development and utilization of models can enhance learning outcomes by offering specific classroom strategies.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave the session with applicable and useful knowledge and strategies for developing and using models in the classroom. Resources will be provided at the conclusion of the session.

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

Introducing Sprocket: Powered by Educurious! Sprocket is a free platform with OER project-based learning science courses for educators everywhere. Created by researchers, experts, and educators, Sprocket is now part of Educurious. Join us for a guided tour of Sprocket’s courses and online community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Sprocket is the world’s only OER platform providing access to evidence-based, full-year, project-based learning courses at no cost. Participants will learn how to navigate Sprocket, access the curriculum, and connect with an online community of colleagues and collaborators.

SPEAKERS:
Adrian Baez-Alicea (Educurious Partners: Portland, OR), Hanna Jaramillo (Educurious Partners: Kirkland, WA)

Students are given questions to answer about a scientific phenomenon. They must dig through research and investigations to find their evidence for a group seminar. Students come to the circle prepared to discuss their CER and their own questions. Peers agree or disagree, with evidence of their own.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will participate in a Seminar that teaches the process of how to facilitate. They will also get to participate in one first hand as a demonstration. Attendees will have access to editable google slide presentations, self and peer assessments, and a rubric.

SPEAKERS:
Jodie Landry (STEM Lab K-5: Lafayette, LA)

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)

Integrating authentic and meaningful hands-on maker projects into science classes can be challenging, but rewarding for both students and teachers. These types of projects offer us the opportunity to alternatively assess student learning, infuse creativity, and focus on student choice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will participate in the engineering and design process and will leave with successful example projects, a working knowledge of the project-design process and can utilize the various strategies for implementation of maker projects in their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Catherine Bischoff (Rye Country Day School: Rye, NY)

In this session, we review the importance of exit tickets as tools for guiding instruction. Assessments should inform teaching, not just evaluate students. Learn to adjust daily instruction by making learning visible.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use formative assessments to adjust daily instruction, ensuring it meets the specific learning needs of students in grades 3-12 science, math, and engineering courses.

SPEAKERS:
Victor Sampson (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX)

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.)

Sponsoring Company: Kognity

Join Kognity for an impactful session dedicated to empowering historically underserved populations in the field of science. We will explore strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity and equity in science education.

SPEAKERS:
Grace Boersma (Kognity: Stockholm, Sweden)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Join us to learn practical ways to help students make sense of phenomena and how to authentically integrate phenomena into your curriculum! Participants will learn principles for effectively using phenomena and experience examples of how phenomena can be integrated into the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jesse Wilcox (University of Northern Iowa: Cedar Falls, IA)

Sponsoring Company: Texas Instruments

You found some Vernier sensors in your storage room but you have no idea how to use them. Sound familiar? This session will give you a thorough but easy to understand breakdown of how to use those probes and how they can make collecting and analyzing data much faster and easier for students.

By intertwining the principles of inquiry with the interdisciplinary nature of science and social studies, students will develop a holistic understanding of the world around them, its scientific underpinnings, and its societal implications.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will have the opportunity to start creating inquiry based interdisciplinary units in STE and H/SS, to maximize their time on learning in a culturally aware, critical thinking and sensemaking lens.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Orlinski (H-SS Dept Chair 6-12: Norwood, MA), Elizabeth Warren (Framingham Public Schools: Milford, MA)

Participants will use patterns seen through the use of red, green, and violet lasers being shown at copper wires and strands of hair to learn about diffraction of light. Briefly learn how technology-mediated lesson study has helped rural science teachers collaborate to design 3 dimensional lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
During the session, participants will shine lasers at copper wire and strands of hair to construct an explanation for how diffraction patterns can be used to make sense of the phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Sansom (Texas A&M University: College Station, TX), Douglas Morris (Carbon High School: Price, UT)

By 2025, it’s estimated that 463 exabytes of data will be created daily; that’s like 212,765,957 DVDs/day! How can our students know if the information they receive is credible? Generation Skeptics teaches the necessary skills with lessons and guest speakers. (www.generationskeptics.org)

TAKEAWAYS:
Generation Skeptics arms educators with free resources to instill skepticism in students. Recognizing the proliferation of misinformation, GenSkeps seeks to equip the next generation with the enduring principles of the scientific method and the importance of substantiating claims with evidence.

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

Empower your teaching with Scientist Circles! Discover research-backed strategies to foster collaborative learning, critical thinking skills and ignite curiosity in the classroom. Engage in hands-on-activities, share best practices and leave empowered to implement Scientist Circles effectively.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave equipped with proven methods and practical implementation tips to enhance student engagement and communication skills in the middle school classroom. Elevate your classroom experience and inspire lifelong learners.

SPEAKERS:
Ann Guglielmo (Taunton Public Schools: Taunton, MA), Tonya Brainsky (OSE Massachusetts Community: Rehoboth, MA)

Discover how the ALL for Science curriculum framework seamlessly integrates hands-on science with science literacy as learners work as part of a science investigation team to elevate science competency and communication. Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionize your science teaching!

TAKEAWAYS:
Immerse yourself in the ALL for Science curriculum framework, where structured science exploration meets specialized literacy as learners take on the roles of actual scientists engaged in an investigation.

SPEAKERS:
Jimmie Thomas (Baylor College of Medicine: Houston, TX)

In this session you will learn learn about two real world engineering projects happening on opposite sides of our world, and how students can draw inspiration from cultures that may be different than their own.

TAKEAWAYS:
After this session you will be able to take away two engineering lessons, and a rejuvenated enthusiasm for real life problem solving with science and engineering.

SPEAKERS:
Christina Smith (Tri-Village Schools: New Madison, OH), Justin Stout (Teacher: Xenia, OH)

This poster explores strategies for teachers to ensure ALL students – including SWD, ASD and other II -can actively share their science knowledge. Learn how to leverage students' unique experiences and differentiate instruction to meet their needs and support students to share their learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will take away strategies and resources that can be utilized by teachers to support students to share their background knowledge about science and communicate their learning. Student work samples, videos and QR codes will be incorporated to create an interactive experience for visitors.

SPEAKERS:
Theresa Lee (Boston Public Schools: Boston, MA)

We have created lab report templates tailored for kindergarten through fifth-grade students. By providing a structured progression of lab report templates, we aim to empower educators to cultivate scientific inquiry skills in students at an early age, laying a solid foundation for their future.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with a template for k-5 lab reports. Each template is flexible and can be adapted to any experiment question, allowing for exploration across various scientific disciplines.

SPEAKERS:
Alyssa Macaluso (STEM Teacher: Pinecrest, FL)

We will share examples of how educators can incorporate Social Emotional Learning into their science lessons. Specifically, we will address the emotional impact of climate change discussions, and will share strategies for incorporating SEL to foster hope amongst students.

TAKEAWAYS:
We aim to illustrate ways that science educators can provide a basis for hope around climate change, in order to empower and inspire their students to pursue STEM careers and tackle environmental challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Rogers (SubjectToClimate: Harahan, LA)

Connecting children's books and STEM is an easy way to increase student interest in STEM studies. In this session we will explore children's books and see how we can connect hands on STEM activities to broaden the learning. Ideas and activities that have been used in classrooms will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will receive a resource of over 30 books and their STEAM connection will be provided so teachers can use them in classrooms immediately. Additionally, lesson planning forms and Crowdsourcing tools will be shared to make planning for future lessons will be shared.

SPEAKERS:
Nancy Penchev (Scheck Hillel Community School: Hollywood, FL)

Want to learn how LSTA is representing science educators in our state? Interested in being involved in science education in your region and/or at the state level? Join us for the annual LSTA meeting! Hosted by BrainPOP Science, LSTA members will mix and mingle with regional representatives, other members of the board and network with both formal and informal science educators to get the inside scoop on upcoming LSTA events, science opportunities and much more. During the meeting we will also take a closer look at the BrainPOP Science platform and get a peek at the new engineering projects. You don’t want to miss this special LSTA members only event. If you aren’t an LSTA member, you can join at the door! See you there!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will mix and mingle with regional representatives, other members of the board and network with both formal and informal science educators to get the inside scoop on upcoming LSTA events, science opportunities and get a sneak peek of the new BrainPop engineering projects.

SPEAKERS:
Bianca Deliberto (Central Community School System: Baton Rouge, LA)

Engage in a new OpenSciEd Elementary unit and see how classroom discussions can support ALL students’ in using their ideas, experiences, and evidence for collective sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about how to engage elementary students in classroom discussion to share initial ideas, build understanding and come to consensus about the phenomenon they are trying to collectively figure out.

SPEAKERS:
Janna Mahfoud (BSCS Science Learning: Laveen, AZ), Susan Gomez Zwiep (BSCS Science Learning: Long Beach, CA)

Inspire students' ingenuity and encourage sensemaking. Leverage learners’ STEM and engineering skills to foster a sense of wonder and inquiry about the world around them. Elevate best practices while engaging students to design, build and find joy in nature. Place-based + engineering = best day ever.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with creative ideas to integrate design thinking and engineering skills in the classroom and natural world, instilling a sense of curiosity, awe and wonder for the great outdoors. This project encompasses several of the sensemaking pillars for best teaching practices.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Morgan (Detroit Country Day School: Bloomfield hills, MI), Diana Matthews (Detroit Country Day School: Farmington Hills, MI)

Looking to help your elementary students connect and apply what they learn across content areas? Come learn how to use phenomena to launch interdisciplinary learning journeys. We’ll explore practical ways to integrate science, social studies, and literacy using anchoring and everyday phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be equipped to improve how they engage students with phenomena and adjust their lessons to better support interdisciplinary learning in science, social studies, and literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Forsythe (Texas State University: San Marcos, TX)