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)

This workshop looks at Newton’s Laws of Motion in the movement of everyday objects.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with immediate lessons and activities for their classrooms that can be adjusted to their grade level needs.

SPEAKERS:
Krystal Swain (Dutchtown Middle School: Geismar, LA), Dawn Perret (Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School: Baton Rouge, LA)

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 are invited to attend this session to engage in problem-posing, STEM-infused, standards-aligned mathematics and science activities. Learn strategies for helping students make real-world math and science connections, promote positive identities, and relate to real-life situations.

TAKEAWAYS:
The purpose of this session is to provide participants with an opportunity to learn strategies for purposefully infusing STEM in math and science instruction. Participants will explore standards-aligned activities and resources that promote the SEPS, the SMPS, and cross-curricular connections.

SPEAKERS:
Latrenda Knighten (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: Baton Rouge, LA)

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)

Investigating the motion of a pendulum will help your students understand gravity's effect on an object and Newton's First Law of Motion.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to relate pendulums to Newton's first law of motion and determine how the motion of the pendulum is related to its length.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Diane Smith (Wells Academic and Performing Arts Complex: Flowood, MS)

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)

Immerse yourself in two intermediate grade units on Weathering & Erosion and Earth's Systems which integrate algorithmic thinking and student-generated models using block coding. Project {FUTURE} has co-designed CS-integrated curriculum units with teachers in CT and WI, available as OER.

TAKEAWAYS:
Our CS and Science integrated units are ready to use and benefit student learning in both areas. By building algorithms and programs, students model Earth System relationships in novel ways. Likewise, applying CS concepts in the context of science enhances meaning, rigor, and engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Scianni (Milwaukee Public Schools: Milwaukee, WI), Christine Thorp (Teacher: Wallingford, CT), Darcy Ronan (Sacred Heart University: Fairfield, CT)

Do you want a quick and easy activity to foster invention education in your classroom? SCAMPER is a great way to engage learners of all ages (K-12) and encourage creative thinking. Come join us for innovative ways to learn with every day objects.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will walk away with a fun, easy to use, relevant lesson you can teach the next day. This lesson is easily adaptable to any age group.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Lawlor-King (MIT, InventEd, Invention Convention, STEMisED: Manchester, CT), Denise Henggeler (Northeast Nodaway: Parnell, MO)

Physical computing allows students to design and create interactive objects that encourage inquiry investigations and emphasize computational thinking skills. Participants will engage in activities designed for middle school students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Microcontrollers are small computers that come with several integrated sensors making them useful for both investigations and engineering projects. Participants will learn about and experience hands-on various microcontrollers & their use in inquiry investigation tasks & student sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
G. Michael Bowen (Mount Saint Vincent University: Halifax, NS)

In this hands-on workshop, middle school teachers become the students, participating in a shelter design activity that connects their background knowledge and Indigenous ingenuity of America's first people.

TAKEAWAYS:
By the end of the workshop, teachers will be equipped to engage students in hands-on, culturally relevant engineering activities that align to NGSS and SEPs, while fostering critical thinking and an appreciation for Indigenous ingenuity.

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

Use A-I to create a fictional planet in order for students to make connections between settling on a foreign planet and early American civilization of Jamestown. How will you choose where to settle? How will your colony be sustainable? How do you ethically interact with native species?

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees are going to learn how to utilize A-I by exploring settlement on a fictional planet mirroring Jamestown addressing sustainability, ethical interaction with natives, citizen science, robotics, and lessons for Earth's care.

SPEAKERS:
Jesse Wren (Riverfield Country Day School: Tulsa, OK), Lisa Robinson (4/5 Grade Educator: Bixby, OK)

The workshop focuses on best practices in which virtual reality PD program teachers will share what they learn while acting as student participants. Teachers then used the best practices learned and discussed in the PD with their own students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to incorporate virtual reality and AI to make engaging STEM lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Nikita LaCour (Scotlandville Pre-Engineering Magnet Academy: Ventress, LA), Rochelle Darville (West St. John High School: gonzales, LA)

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)

Science education has a key role to play in supporting a just transition to the climate crisis. Participants will learn about 20 priority areas associated with climate and environmental justice—and explore educational approaches, resources, and groups related to these areas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Working towards climate justice involves a multifaceted set of issues and priorities. Teachers will identify which priority areas relate to their goals and context and learn about related resources. A climate justice framework will help teachers learn about different dimensions of climate justice.

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

Explore free existing K12 resources and contribute to the development of new resources through collaborative engagement with three US NSF-funded facilities. Experiment with activities on electromagnetism, light and wave interference.

TAKEAWAYS:
Resources from NSF facilities are useful in connecting the NGSS aligned K-12 classroom to current, cutting-edge science efforts that are implementing Science and Engineering practices in real-time.

SPEAKERS:
Carlos Villa (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory: Tallahassee, FL), Robert Sparks (NSF's NOIRLab: Tucson, AZ), William Katzman (LIGO's Science Education Center: Baton Rouge, LA)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Students explore Newton’s Laws of Motion as a member of an automotive engineering team preparing for the Egg Dash. These collaborative engineers investigate speed and velocity while thinking critically and creatively to design and optimize a model race car capable of beating a rival team’s racer.

TAKEAWAYS:
This hands-on session will present a micro- and macro-look at a dynamic, 21-Century unit in collaborative science. This STEM unit encourages students to communicate their findings, think both critically and creatively, and collaborate to produce a successful racer in a final performance assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Samantha Meehan (Classroom Teacher: Brookline, NH), Gregory Snoke (Brookline School District: Nashua, NH)

Explore the complexities of the electric grid by building series and parallel circuits! This hands-on workshop will provide educators with tools and strategies to help students grasp circuity and energy-related concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
This hands-on, standards-aligned workshop will show the influence of engineering, technology, and science on society and the natural world. Participants will leave the workshop with concepts and strategies to implement a similar lesson with their students.

SPEAKERS:
Bahar Pahlevani (The Energy Coalition: Irvine, CA), Tess Hooper (Project Manager: Irvine, CA)

Engage in hands-on learning! Explore wind energy's pros/cons and then design, and test windmills made with recycled materials. Take away a ready-to-use lesson adaptable for grades 4-12.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave equipped with a student-tested wind energy lesson, incorporating hands-on activities and collaborative learning, adaptable for grades 4-12, fostering a deeper understanding of renewable energy concepts aligned with NGSS standards.

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

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)

Learn how to support students in the use of surface temperature data to pinpoint places in their own communities where small-scale mitigation strategies can have the greatest impact on protecting the people and places they care about from the effects of extreme heat.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will explore strategies to engage students in investigations of temperature variation in the area surrounding your school, in the use of data to identify and support neighborhoods at risk, and in the evaluation of the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies.

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

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)

Talk is fundamental to learning. This workshop engages participants in a variety of talk strategies specifically designed for improving classroom equity while engaging in STEM learning experiences. Many supporting resources are shared that teachers can learn from and directly use with students.

TAKEAWAYS:
The goal of this session is to support teachers in understanding how best to meet the needs of all learners by starting from where students are at and drawing on their intuitive ideas and real world experiences to inform instruction. All strategies are framed as equitable 3D formative assessment.

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

We will be sharing activities for a 6-8 aligned unit on force and motion. The activities will include: a hands-on activity with technology to collect and analyze data that will aid in calculating speed and a hands-on activity using technology to graph motion in real time.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will experience physics fun for 6-8 Science as they apply to the new standards. We will use Hot Wheels to collect data to calculate speed and create motion graphs using hands-on technology.

SPEAKERS:
Becky Walker (Hudson Middle School: Lufkin, TX), Amy Rush (Lufkin Middle School: Lufkin, TX)

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)

We show how instructional materials can be adapted for local contexts—and how to elevate issues of climate justice and ethical responses to the climate crisis. Participants will learn about how a high school physics unit from OpenSciEd was adapted to attend to Indigenous land rights and sovereignty.

TAKEAWAYS:
In relation to science and engineering projects in society (e.g., associated with the energy transition, ecological restoration, urban development), teachers will learn how to engage students in exploring moral and ethical dimensions of trade-offs in project approaches.

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

Explore our workshop on AI's classroom impact! Learn how AI boosts creativity, engagement, and streamlines tasks for more impactful teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session promises practical insights into using AI to cultivate a more dynamic, responsive, and creatively enriched teaching environment, ensuring both educators and students thrive.

SPEAKERS:
Nadim Sarhan (Faculty Member: Town and Country, MO), Melanie Shedd (The Principia: St Louis, MO)

Move beyond the need to buy and break eggs and into the world of the digital egg drop. Participants will learn how to program a digital data collection device to measure acceleration, build their egg drop device, and engineer improvements until they can keep their digital egg from cracking!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will employ all aspects of STEM to the egg drop, including the physics of collisions, the technology of data collection, the engineering of their egg device and modifications, and the math used in analyzing collisions—all without the mess and waste of a typical egg drop!

SPEAKERS:
Brad Posnanski (Comsewogue High School: Port Jefferson Station, NY), Todd Graba (Crystal Lake South High School: Crystal Lake, IL)

Learn how the STEM Observation Protocol – a tool that highlights integrated STEM practices – can be used for creating curricula, instructional coaching, and formative assessment on practice. This workshop will address observing lessons, modeling coaching conversations, and reflecting on practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain a better understanding of how to bring integrated STEM education into their current science classrooms. Resources – including access to a set of online learning modules – will be provided to support teacher growth and practice beyond the workshop.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Dare (Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, LA)

We will go through a set of hands-on, physical and digital experiences to learn how objects vibrate and make sound, and how that sound can be turned into music. Participants will get access to free curriculum resources and digital tools created by music neuroscientist and sound artist, Victor Minces

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn how to use everyday objects and free digital tools to explore the science of sound and music. You will create beats and sound compositions, and tune an orchestra made with beakers and water as an anchoring phenomenon to bring to your students.

SPEAKERS:
Alec Barron (UC San Diego)

Explorations provide a strategic and clear to engage students in learning science regardless of the curriculum implemented. Explorations create a framework for student learning and formative assessment that provide streamlined and effective opportunities for scaffolding and student-driven learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the components of the Exploration framework, examine its efficacy, and act as students moving through the exploration framework to learn about its ability to transform classroom learning.

SPEAKERS:
Tyler Miller (Teacher: Tulsa, OK), Jennifer Miller (Tulsa Public Schools: Tulsa, OK)

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)

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 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 tailored to meet diverse students' interests and needs, utilized in practice with students, and shared with colleagues in their school building.

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

Come have fun collecting real data to investigate the relationship between altitude and pressure using a micro:bit and a Grove sensor. We will walk through the Python code, collect the data and investigate the relationship through mathematical models, squeezing as much as we can out of our work.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will experience the marriage of science and mathematics by using the micro:bit and a Grove sensor to collect real pressure data to analyze. We will spend time creating and using mathematical models so that we can better understand the relationship between altitude and pressure.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Pennell (High Point University: High Point, NC, NC)

Use manipulatives and drawings to bring meaning and sense to the world of thermochemistry all while reviewing other topics like VSEPR and Lewis structures along the way.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to get students to "see" the reasoning behind Enthalpy and the structures of molecules.

SPEAKERS:
Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Scott, LA), Chris Coker (Camden Fairview High School: Camden, AR)

We will be sharing activities for a 6 & 8 Force, Motion, and Energy aligned unit using hands-on laboratory investigations, simulations and technology to compare the characteristics of amplitude, frequency, and wavelength in transverse and longitudinal waves, including the electromagnetic spectrum.

TAKEAWAYS:
The activities the participants will experience will include: a hands-on activity with technology to collect and analyze data by comparing the characteristics of amplitude, frequency, and wavelength in transverse and longitudinal waves, including the electromagnetic spectrum.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Rush (Lufkin Middle School: Lufkin, TX), Becky Walker (Hudson Middle School: Lufkin, TX)

Engage in hands-on exploration of a place-based drone curriculum co-developed with tribal communities for elementary students in Alaska. Access the free student and teacher lesson plans and educational videos, and identify place-based drone applications for your community.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will don "student hat" to participate in a hands-on lesson about how drones fly, learn how to access a suite of free resources for teaching about drones, and also learn tips for STEM curriculum co-production by Indigenous and Western institutions.

SPEAKERS:
Mariah McNamara (Education Specialist: Fairbanks, AK), Lori Schoening (Geophysical Institute: Fairbanks, AK)

Looking to spice up your STEM classes and help the material come alive? Check out the contributions of historical and current rebel women of STEM to infuse new connections into your units. Align their ideas to your content standards and elevate the ways women shape the world of STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
From this session participants will learn about important historical and current women of STEM and the impact of their contributions along with engaging ways to infuse this information alongside their content standards.

SPEAKERS:
Rachelle Haroldson (University of Wisconsin-River Falls: Edina, MN)

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)

In small groups, participants will design and brainstorm lesson and building ideas for a 4-person, human-powered, amphibious vehicles. Workshop facilitator brings the experience of 5 years of participating and 4 awards (engineering and art) at the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will grow in their confidence to approach large-scale engineering design projects regardless of their experience level.

SPEAKERS:
Mick Scott (CS and Engineering Teacher / Former K-12 STEM Director / Mind Mastery Coach: Reisterstown, MD)

A hands-on beam lab produces graphs critical to understanding properties for engineering.  With focus on making, interpreting, and teaching the graphs, real-world uses and applications of stress-strain curves in engineering will be shared and help to illustrate the importance of this type of graph.

TAKEAWAYS:
Real-world uses and applications of stress-strain curves in engineering will be shared and help to illustrate the importance of these graphs.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Spohler (Global Impact STEM Academy: Springfield, OH)

Students collaborate in small groups to design and develop a sustainable island with a universal theme utilizing various subject areas, seamlessly integrating STEAM standards. It fosters cross-curricular learning and real-world applications through project-based learning activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees learn how to implement project-based learning, cross curricular concepts, and real-world scenarios to actively engage and assess students throughout the year.

SPEAKERS:
Katharine Kintz (Needlessly Nerdy: Allenhurst, GA)

Merge reading and engineering with STEM activities inspired by classic read-alouds, saving time and increasing engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover three engaging read-alouds and three complimentary STEM activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Terra Tarango (Van Andel Education Institute: Grand Rapids, MI)

Collaborating with regional workforce enhances the depth of career-focused education, forging valuable connections for both sides. Explore how the LASTEM initiative seamlessly integrates career exploration across K-20 classrooms, empowering learners with practical skills and real-world insights.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave equipped with the knowledge of key contacts within corporations for effective outreach projects. Additionally, they'll grasp the significance of aligning lesson plans with career exploration to deepen student comprehension.

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

All students have the right to develop a deep understanding of how the world works in ways that support their personal goals and the interests of their community. Come explore how instruction can more equitably support science learning that is consequential to your students and their communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will develop an understanding of an equity project framework for science education for supporting professional learning and implementation projects. They will learn how open education resources (http://stemteachingtools.org/) can help them develop equitable approaches to science teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA), Michal Robinson (Alabama State Department of Education: Hoover, AL)

This immersive and engaging workshop is designed to empower and cultivate teacher leaders in science education. It will provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective leaders in their schools and communities, driving positive change in science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
One key takeaway related to leadership in science is the importance of raising awareness of implicit bias in science education. Implicit bias refers to the unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that influence our perceptions and actions, often leading to inequities in educational settings.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Kay Williams (KEDE Educational Business, LLC: Woodstock, GA)

Participants will: Research and design an Inquiry experiment using appropriate technology to gather and analyze data. Use technology to collect/analyze data and visualize what occurs on the submicroscopic level by employing particulate drawings.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will take part in a “hands on” Inquiry experiment, use technology to collect/analyze data, and visualize what occurs on the submicroscopic level in copper chemical reactions by employing particulate drawings.

SPEAKERS:
Gregory Dodd (George Washington High School: Pennsboro, WV)

For this workshop, you will see how to develop an engineering unit for elementary students where they are challenged to use recyclable materials to build skyscrapers, bridges, and other structures. Try your own skill in building structures using easily accessible materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, participants will learn how to develop an engineering unit for elementary students where they design and build their own skyscrapers and bridges. Relevant videos will be shown and student work will be showcased.

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

Prepare for an exhilarating journey as you work to save the crew of a spacecraft in jeopardy. Work with a team on the ground to communicate a life-saving solution to the crew in space. Come be one of the great minds to save our crew! Ready-to-use lesson and chance to win a prize!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will receive a lesson that encourages communication and teamwork from their students. By participating in the activity, participants will have a first-hand look at how to conduct the lesson.

SPEAKERS:
Sabrina Ketter (Charleston Middle School: Charleston, AR), Missy Stubblefield (Charleston Middle Schoool: Charleston, AR)

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)

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)

Personal narratives bring topics to life. With a booklet available as a free download, engage critical thinking skills with astronaut personal narratives. Compare and contrast rocket designs and basic data. Based on learning that takes place, design a rocket with at least 1 innovative feature.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will examine a set of rockets and data on performance. They will select a feature to design to improve performance and explain why they made the design changes they chose. Through this, they learn how to engage students with engineering design principles.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Boulden (Warner University: Frostproof, FL)

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)

Learn about the Justice-Centered Ambitious Science Teaching framework and practices teachers have developed to be responsive to students' cultures and communities, recognize and build upon expansive forms of student meaning-making, and committed to naming and disrupting injustice in society.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about teaching practices aimed at building a welcoming, joyful, and critical community, planning that is meaningful for youth and advocates for justice, elicits local stories and uses interpretive power, and nurtures revisions of scientific thinking with diverse and local expertise.

SPEAKERS:
April Luehmann (University of Rochester: Rochester, NY), Molly Wilson (Warner School of Education and Human Development), Priya Pugh , Todd Campbell (University of Connecticut: N. Franklin, CT), James Kostka (Warner School: New York, NY), Katrina Robinson (Penfield High School: Rochester, NY), Christina Riccardo (IslandWood: SEATTLE, WA)

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

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

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

The various metals and alloys used in the minting of the US penny over the years will provide for rich explorations. We will share activities that combine some very basic lab activities conducted by some of our chemistry classes with detailed mathematical modeling done by the students in statistics.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will collect and use real data to develop mathematical models and learn how to test our hypothesis by performing an experiment and analyzing the results, combining chemical analysis with statistical sampling for a cross-curricular approach.

SPEAKERS:
Karlheinz Haas (retired: Tequesta, FL)

You will learn how to use MFLOW, a web-based programming platform that makes it extremely easy to play with sounds and create sound compositions while learning the basics of programming. You will gain access to an NGSS-aligned curriculum to support students with coding and sound engineering.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will learn how to use MFLOW to sound engineer and code your own sound or music composition. Also, you will learn how to engage your students with coding through engineering design challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Alec Barron (UC San Diego)

Discover how the fusion of circuitry and spatial concepts, in illuminating a piece of art, impacts student innovation in STEAM Education. This session will explore the intersection of art and science with practical strategies to promote student accessibility and understanding of STEAM concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will create illuminated artwork using a simple circuit (copper tape, LEDs, coin battery). They will reflect and gain insights on how to make complex concepts accessible, blending STEAM and Maker Education that will foster inclusive learning for all students.

SPEAKERS:
Merinda Baker (Engagement Manager: Atlanta, GA)

Produce a public release image of a supernova remnant using NASA X-ray data both by hand and with Js9 web-based imaging software with this STEAM activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Scientists learn about astronomical objects from the light they produce. Colors in images are based on data from this light and are used to highlight different features.

SPEAKERS:
Pamela Perry (Lewiston High School: Brunswick, ME)

Participants will learn data analysis/collecting techniques to help students young and old to learn the relationships between types of data and analysis of it.

TAKEAWAYS:
Concrete hands on examples linking types of data being collected with types of graphical representations to use. These were developed in response to research which demonstrated that students do not have a conceptual foundation to make decisions about which type of graph to use.

SPEAKERS:
G. Michael Bowen (Mount Saint Vincent University: Halifax, NS)

Strong winds generated by hurricanes and tornadoes can lift the roof off a house. A model for the engineering design process that integrates the NGSS three dimensions will be used to design a better roof.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to address the NGSS student performance expectation: 3-EES3-1 Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard.

SPEAKERS:
Karen Ostlund (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX)

Join us as a young scientist to investigate different sounds and how and why they occur. Using simple tools, engage your curiosity about the phenomena of sound as you delve into sensemaking to figure out what causes sound to occur, and how you can stop, start, and change sound.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engage in teacher play, investigate making sense of how sound is made, how to change sound, how to create your own song with rubber bands and a simple board, plus explain all of it with your own words/drawings. First 50 participants will leave with rubber bands, a simple board, and an investigation idea.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Chizek (Iowa State University: Toledo, IA)

Learn how to create more equitable experiences in the classroom by using the Modern Classroom approach. Coupled with Pear Deck, EdPuzzle, Flip, Screencastify and ClassroomQ, participants will walk away knowing how to create a more blended learning experience for their students and examine strategies

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to create a Pear Deck, EdPuzzle and Screencastify video. Participants will walk away with the knowledge of how to create a product for each one. Attendees will learn how to empower students to be independent life long learners.

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

Encountered something you want to buy? Use a bite-sized approach to literacy to discuss the nature of scientific research. This lesson is designed for a high school science course. You will leave with selected literature and a lesson plan that is all about asking questions and scientific discourse.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be able to engage in asking scientific questions and will be able to participate in discourse using literature and a phenomenon common to people of various backgrounds. They will leave with a lesson plan and associated materials to implement in their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Summer Landreth (educator: Anderson, SC), Brooke Whitworth (Clemson University: Clemson, SC), Ashley Hunter (Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant: Clemson, SC)

Use STEM web-based analysis software and basic physics gravitation and centripetal acceleration equations to determine if a stellar core is a white dwarf or neutron star.

TAKEAWAYS:
Light curves generated from web-based js9 image analysis software can be used to determine the period of rotation and identify objects as white dwarfs or pulsars using Newton’s Universal Law of gravitation and centripetal acceleration calculations.

SPEAKERS:
Pamela Perry (Lewiston High School: Brunswick, ME)

In this workshop teachers will get a hands-on experience using Harvard's Project Zero Thinking Routines, which are routines designed to guide students as they explore and organize their thoughts about a new topic. Teachers will leave with routines and activities they can start implementing ASAP!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain familiarity with and learn how to embed Harvard's Project Zero Thinking Routines into their curriculum, which help them to successfully have all students explore and organize their thoughts around a topic while participating in academic lessons.

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

Dr. Michael Hammond-Todd (Utah Tech University) will be presenting the (STEAM)2 - STEAM Squared model of lesson design for formal and informal K-12 educators that connects the STEM curriculum to inclusive practice by combining STEAM with NASA's Artemis 2 Program in a very interactive workshop.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants and STEM educators will be able to use the (STEAM)2 model to explore NASA's Artemis 2 program within the context of inclusive lesson design based on the contextual factors and diversity of their learners. You will also be able to explore this model within your own educational ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Hammond-Todd (Utah Tech University: Nanaimo, BC)

Force and motion, simple machines & energy transfer are just a few of the science topics that students learn as the build their own interactive roller coaster projects.  Using just paper, tape and scissors, we will show you how to easily include this fun educational hands-on activity in your class.

TAKEAWAYS:
Hands-on, engaging projects can be done with easily accessible inexpensive supplies. It does not have to cost money to do intereactive experiments

SPEAKERS:
Elaine Sevin (Isidore Newman School: New Orleans, LA), Godwyn Morris (Dazzling Discoveries / Skill Mill NYC: New York, NY)

This session highlights cultural dimensions of meaningful science learning. It showcases a powerful instructional technique for formative assessment called “self-documentation”—where students collect information related to a particular theme or topic in their everyday lives.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers learn how to promote equity by focusing on learning and teaching as an inherently cultural process. They develop a shared understanding of how cultural formative assessment can reveal the interests, experiences, and identities of students.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA), Tiffany Neill (OpenSciEd: New York, NY), Ximena Gallegos Gutierrez (PhD student, Learning Science and Human Development: Seattle, WA)

Come have fun creating data that simulates the flight of a model rocket. Together, we will walk through the Python code and make key coding decisions so that we create data that is representative of the real flight. Both linear and quadratic functions will be used to model and understand the flight.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will experience the marriage of science, coding and mathematics by using Python to create simulated flight data of a model rocket. Participants will get to see how coding and mathematics can be used to understand what is happening in the physical world.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Pennell (High Point University: High Point, NC, NC)

This workshop walks teachers through the design, development, and construction a classwide computational quilting project targeting the middle grades. Using electronic textiles, teachers will explore a model classroom quilt and practice physical computing through paper circuits and microprocessors.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to engage circuits and computing within core content science classrooms as well as how to integrate science into other content areas .

SPEAKERS:
Tyler Hansen (Project Manager: Logan, UT), Tina Yohon (Middle School Teacher: Kamuela, HI), Colby Tofel-Grehl (Utah State University: Salt Lake City, UT)

This workshop will discuss the value of a HFE course to K-12 education and how to adapt HFE to technology education and vocational high school curriculum environments. Workshop activities will reinforce hands-on analysis, decision making and redesign methods, with a Q&A discussion to follow.

TAKEAWAYS:
Consider Human Factors Engineering as a means of adding valuable practical hands-on, project-based, user-centered design, and transferable skill experiences with authentic real-world application.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Tenenbaum (Union County Vocational-Technical Schools: Scotch Plains, NJ)

Connect the human impact of trash pollution to engineering design. Get your students thinking critically and creatively as they collaborate in real-world problem solving.

TAKEAWAYS:
Experience a project that enhances STEM skills in students such as collaboration, curiosity, and creativity.

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

Empower students to take action with an in-depth study of biodiversity and sustainability of urban forests. Use iNaturalist’s Seek App and analyze data from a comprehensive study to examine challenges to urban forests’ sustainability and advocate for communities by developing possible solutions.

TAKEAWAYS:
A lesson that can be used with students to use understanding of biodiversity and sustainability to advocate for their local communities, including use of a free app to collect species data, opportunities to utilize AI tools, and suggestions for community-facing products that students can create.

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

Make the literacy connection to science with fairy tales. Join us as we explore activities that integrate multiple content areas with an emphasis on writing across the curriculum. You will even have a chance to engineer a house for a pig.

TAKEAWAYS:
This workshop has been designed to show educators: -how to become advocates of literacy for elementary science and engineering -to provide connections between science and literacy and -to learn strategies for actively engaging all learners.

SPEAKERS:
John Hutchens (Ruth Patrick Science Education Center: Aiken, SC)

Seaworthy STEM in a Box revolutionizes PreK-12 STEM education with Department of Navy and NGSS aligned activities, fostering science inquiry and engineering skills. Designed for versatility, these kits and curriculum accommodate various grades and settings. Session lead by DON staff/ STEM educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will discover how to seamlessly integrate Navy-aligned STEM activities into diverse educational environments. With expert-led workshops and comprehensive resources, educators can cultivate problem-solving skills in students, empowering them for future success in science and engineering.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Thompson (Department of Defense: Stevensville, MD), Nathan Diehl (Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division: Boyds, MD)

Be a structural engineer for the day! Come design, build & test an earthquake proof structure while learning about Earthquakes. In this session we will review the MS ESS standards related to earthquakes & utilize the Engineering Standards to compete in a tallest earthquake proof tower challenge.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will ignite a love for engineering while focusing on structural engineering as a career. We hope that teachers will be able to turn key this with their own students with these simple materials.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Jessie (Haverstraw-Stony Point CSD: Garnerville, NY)

Feeling phenomena fatigue? Wanting to help students connect their work to the broader community? Hear tips for incorporating community experts into units, including ways to prep your students and guests for an experience that validates student ideas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Localize phenomena/storyline curriculum without having to rewrite the entire unit with a different local phenomena. Community connections and industry partnerships can address questions, ideas for investigations and related phenomena that students generate during the anchoring phenomena routine.

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

Are students struggling to master academic language in Science? Get students listening, speaking, reading, and writing using academic language. Participants will engage in a science-focused Talk Read Talk Write using vocabulary/visuals within the 5E model to support Emergent Bilingual/all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to incorporate Nancy Motley’s Talk Read Talk Write approach within the 5E Model, how to incorporate vocabulary-focused structured conversations based on visuals, and how to differentiate for students to improve Science Literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Gibson (Seidlitz Education: Plano, TX)

Embark on a journey that will engage elementary students in understanding interactions in nature to create inventions and solve problems. A lesson that seamlessly integrates science, math, ELA, and intellectual property concepts, fostering holistic learning experiences for elementary students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Through hands-on activities, participants will gain practical experience applying the principles of nature-inspired invention to their elementary classrooms. They will also discover innovative ways to encourage their students to explore their own creativity and problem-solving abilities.

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

Computational thinking (CT) and engineering offer students problem-solving skills and foster innovation. This session will provide educators with the knowledge and resources needed to integrate CT and engineering into their STEM curriculum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of CT and engineering strategies for integrating these concepts into their STEM classrooms. They will feel empowered to equip their students with the problem-solving skills necessary for success in an increasingly technology-driven world.

SPEAKERS:
Katherine Mathias (John Kerr Elementary School: Winchester, VA), Ch'Loris Clemons (John Kerr Elementary School: Winchester, VA)

Discover the seamless integration of science and literacy by fostering a love for nature and enhancing student learning. Gain practical strategies for engaging young learners and promoting environmental awareness in the classroom while incorporating nature studies and sustainability themes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will leave the session equipped with a toolkit of practical ideas, lessons, and resources to seamlessly integrate environmental science and literacy instruction, fostering a deeper understanding of the natural world and nurturing a lifelong passion for conservation.

SPEAKERS:
Alexis Tharpe (ODU Research Foundation TCEP: Norfolk, VA 23508, VA), Venicia Ferrell (Research Assistant Professor: Norfolk, VA)

This workshop will engage participants in a hands-on exploration of phenomena and practices to support teaching and learning in middle school. We will investigate how educators can use Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts to help students make sense of the world around them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave this session equipped with practical strategies, specific examples, and valuable resources to effectively use Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts to support phenomena-based learning in middle level classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Aimee Spahos (Waunakee Intermediate School: Madison, WI), Jessica North (Waunakee Community Middle School: Waunakee, WI)

This session will explore acid base chemistry. Hands-on, data collection, simulations, and card sorts will be utilized to encourage participants to have fun with the complex chemistry topic of acid base chemistry.

TAKEAWAYS:
Acid base chemistry and buffers are difficult concepts for students to grasp. This session will help teachers create and modify traditional lecture activities to be student-centered, hands-on learning opportunities.

SPEAKERS:
Chris Coker (Camden Fairview High School: Camden, AR), Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Scott, LA)

Participants will explore hands-on stations as they use inquiry analysis tools to dive into phenomena, primary sources, and discovery boxes about the coast. Participants will share, engage, and connect with multiple strategies and PreK-2 resources to use to analyze coastal phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Inquiry-based teaching focuses on moving students beyond general curiosity into the realms of critical thinking and understanding. We must encourage our students to ask questions and support them through the investigation process, understanding when to begin and how to structure an inquiry activity.

SPEAKERS:
Noelle Carter (Chief Curriculum Officer: Orem, UT), Betsy Glisson (Studies Weekly: Dublin, GA)

This session will engage participants in an engineering task using a project management approach called Scrum. Embedded throughout the experience, we will demonstrate how we explicitly teach students SEL. We will share our classroom experiences and strategies to promote SEL and engineering design.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how they can embed an agile project management approach called Scrum and SEL into Engineering Design. We will show strategies we have used to teach SEL and Scrum that have resulted in much more productive group work.

SPEAKERS:
Kathryn Borton (Science Teacher and Ed.D Student: Nevada, IA), Jesse Wilcox (University of Northern Iowa: Cedar Falls, IA)

NSF’s NOIRLab’s Teen Astronomy Café – To Go! program brings students the excitement of scientific discovery by exploring astronomical data. Learn how students can hunt for brown dwarfs and planets in the outer solar system using the citizen science project Backyward Worlds. Laptops are encouraged.

TAKEAWAYS:
By exploring the Teen Astronomy Café – To Go! program designed to support the NGSS, participants will learn about the resources available to introduce astronomical data analysis their classrooms and help students develop critical thinking and data literacy skills.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Sparks (NSF's NOIRLab: Tucson, AZ)

Learning and practicing data literacy skills creates a literacy-science crosswalk. Using the Checkology® lesson “Making Sense of Data,” and with the support of NLP experts, participants will develop a cross-curricular lesson.

TAKEAWAYS:
Presenters will support attendees as they develop an ELA and STEM cross-curricular lesson extension. Presenters will give attendees a live lesson demonstration and facilitate a QFT (question, formulation, technique) session to crowd-source the development of the lesson extension.

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

Join Girls Who Code for strategies and tools on how to a) recruit and retain girls and BIPOC students in STEM, b) design inclusive holistic programs that build life skills, c) keep your curricula relevant with emerging tech and ai, and d) access free resources for 3-12th graders of all genders.

TAKEAWAYS:
Join Girls Who Code for strategies and tools on how to a) recruit and retain girls and BIPOC students in STEM, b) design inclusive holistic programs that build life skills, c) keep your curricula relevant with emerging tech and ai, and d) access free resources for 3-12th graders of all genders.

SPEAKERS:
Kibret Yebetit (Girls Who Code: New York, NY)

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

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

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

Test some heat-treated metal samples; practice your math skills and artistry with a STEAM activity; work in groups for an engineering challenge! There’s a little something for everyone and we won’t judge you for wanting to be hot and cheap in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with at least 3 useful lab activities giving opportunities for measurement, math, engineering, collaborative work, and an understanding of the materials around us. All of the activities use easy to find and household materials that are available at low cost.

SPEAKERS:
Briana Richardson (Washington High School: Columbus, OH)

Join Louisiana teachers and state leaders in an immersive science experience that will unlock strategies for nurturing the brilliance and strengths of K-2 students and cultivate a strong science foundation.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, teachers will experience an anchor phenomenon as a student and will consider practical strategies for how phenomenon-based, three-dimensional instruction can support K-2 students sensemaking in science. Participants will receive tips on how to advocate for more time on science in K-2.

SPEAKERS:
Garelyn Adam-Dinet (Teacher: Marrero, LA), Molly Talbot (Louisiana Dept. of Education: New Roads, LA)

In this workshop you will learn how to incorporate the world of STEM into any discipline from ELA and Social Studies to Art. You will get a hands-on experience along with ideas ready to use in the classroom. You will see how one idea can be used in multiple academic and non-academic classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will leave the workshop with ready to use materials and ideas of how to incorporate hands-on STEM ideas into your classroom

SPEAKERS:
Cynthia Messina (Teacher: West Haven, CT)

Students often struggle with connecting STEM concepts to their everyday experiences such as deciding on healthy food options in the cafeteria. Teachers will participate in a model lesson incorporating STEM and social justice pedagogy ultimately advocating for their stance on an issue.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to merge STEM with social justice in teaching, empowering students to critically assess the complexities of healthy eating and school nutrition through diverse perspectives including health experts, students, parents, and food vendors.

SPEAKERS:
Augusto Macalalag, Jr. (Arcadia University: Wyncote, PA), Joseph Johnson (Mercyhurst University: Erie, PA), Dylan Fedell (Palisades High School: Kintnersville, PA)

Students bring amazing intellectual resources to make sense of science phenomena based on their personal and community experiences—including language, perspectives, gestures, and knowledge, interests, and values. Come learn how to notice and leverage those intellectual gifts in your teaching!

TAKEAWAYS:
Culturally responsive education supports student sensemaking and learning in science. Inclusive science strategies help teachers learn to see and leverage students’ diverse sense-making resources. These methods help us create and adapt curriculum that is equitable and centered on justice.

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

Level up your OpenSciEd materials (or any engineering design challenge) to include digital notebooks, smartphone sensors as data collectors, and computer aided design (CAD) applications to develop tech skills with students while solving engineering problems for our future!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with resources and experiences using technologies that provide an on-ramp or will strengthen their journey of integrating powerful tech tools into their classroom as well as an increased capacity to integrate engineering design challenges within their curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Cari Williams (OpenSciEd: Yorba Linda, CA)

How can we create a visual representation of sound waves? This session will explore a cross curricular PBL unit that takes students through the process of creating visual art from a sound recording.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore an overview of a cross-curricular PBL unit on creating art from sound waves created in the Audacity app. Attendees will practice creating and exporting a sound wave and then using a graphic design app to create an art piece. Student samples of 3D artwork will be displayed.

SPEAKERS:
Cheryl Szurkowski (Ursuline Academy: Aston, PA), Eileen Koenig (Ursuline Academy: Cochranville, PA)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Through this workshop, participants will learn what is necessary to establish, organize, and facilitate an interactive, hands-on environment for elementary students, whether in the STEM lab setting or the general education classroom while participating in engaging standards-based activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
STEM instruction is vital to the elementary experience, and students at this level should be engaged in hands-on, standards-based activities to be prepared for their future.

SPEAKERS:
Troy Russell (E. R. Dickson Elementary School: Irvington, AL), Maegan Gayle (Mobile County Public School System: Mobile, AL)

Participants will: Undertake a “hands on” equilibrium Inquiry with a large K value. Use Inquiry to resolve equilibrium misconceptions. Use appropriate technology for data collection/analysis.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to use Inquiry to overcome student misconceptions about chemical equilibrium.

SPEAKERS:
Gregory Dodd (George Washington High School: Pennsboro, WV)

Explore how student self-assessment can transform STEM learning by empowering learners to reflect on and take charge of their educational journey. Gain practical strategies and tools to implement this effective approach in your classroom, enhancing engagement and understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn to implement student self-assessment techniques that boost independence, deepen understanding, and increase engagement in STEM subjects.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Mawn (Roxbury High School: Succasunna, NJ)

In the presentation, we will be sharing performance assessments and various examples that can be incorporated to all science concepts for grades 6-8. The activities the participants will experience will include hands-on activities using innovation, creativity, and technology.

TAKEAWAYS:
Get ready to learn, be involved, and have ready-made activities and performance assessments to bring back and use to engage your students and share with your colleagues!

SPEAKERS:
Amy Rush (Lufkin Middle School: Lufkin, TX), Becky Walker (Hudson Middle School: Lufkin, TX)

Increase student engagement in analysis and evaluation of real data. Engage students of different ability levels in mathematical models with measurements not previously accessible in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Collect and use real data to develop mathematical models and learn how to test your hypothesis by performing an experiment and analyzing your results, combining graphing calculators with several wireless sensors to maximize instructional time.

SPEAKERS:
Karlheinz Haas (retired: Tequesta, FL)

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

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

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

Explore how students can change a metal’s properties through alloying, heat-treating, and/or cold-working. Classroom activities that will enhance chemistry understanding of atomic structure and real world engineering relevance. Deepen understanding of binary phase diagrams.

TAKEAWAYS:
How do architects and manufacturers manipulate common metal properties to get the metals to behave in the desired way for a specific use? Participants will make a simple low-melt tin-based alloy and explore a binary phase diagram. Heat-treating of steel and cold-working of copper is also explored.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Spohler (Global Impact STEM Academy: Springfield, OH)

Immerse yourself in a captivating learning experience as you critically analyze the environmental and social issues surrounding a coal ash landfill located in a small, rural town in Alabama. Join others as you explore how to help students analyze and solve community issues through Design Thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science educators will learn how to create and implement Design Thinking lessons centered around local community issues.

SPEAKERS:
Malysa Chandler (Clinical Instructor/Doc Student: Marion, AL)

We will explore the processes of a STEM project following the Engineering Design Process (EDP) by using data collected by sensors to help teams evaluate the effectiveness of their project.

TAKEAWAYS:
How can we encourage teams to use sensors in their STEM project so that they will better understand the impact of their plan.

SPEAKERS:
David Young (Enter confirmation #: Fayetteville, AR)

Full inclusion of students with disabilities in STEM involves both accommodation strategies for students and universal design of instruction that enhances learning for all students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Universal design of instruction makes science lessons accessible to students with special needs as well as mainstream learners.

SPEAKERS:
Lyla Mae Crawford (University of Washington: Spokane, WA)

Students bring a range of intellectual resources—based on their unique life experiences—into the classroom as they learn science. These resources can be considered different “facets” of thinking. Teachers explore a protocol for identifying and attending to facets through formative assessments.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will help participants: analyze cognitive formative assessment responses to surface the range of student thinking about science topics and concepts, guide instruction based on that diversity of student ideas, and design formative assessment tasks to support equitable 3D instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA), Tiffany Neill (OpenSciEd: New York, NY)

We encourage and sometimes require teachers to differentiate in the classroom; however, we rarely consider the importance of differentiating professional learning for teachers. But, teachers need it too! In this session, several strategies for differentiating professional learning will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Differentiation is not just for the classroom; it is also a component of designing effective professional learning.

SPEAKERS:
Brooke Whitworth (Clemson University: Clemson, SC)

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

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

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

Forrest Bird is the inventor of the first convenient and reliable, low cost, mass-produced medical respirator. Join us in this workshop as we model hands on activities to get your students excited to learn more about respiratory system basics as well as invention education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students are less likely to be what they cannot see. Everyone can be an inventor and diverse inventor stories and activities with a transdisciplinary approach can aid elementary educators in creating high-quality, equitable learning experiences even with constraints to "Science time."

SPEAKERS:
Kathy Hoppe (STEMisED, Inc: Rio Rico, AZ), Christine Lawlor-King (MIT, InventEd, Invention Convention, STEMisED: Manchester, CT)

BYOD to explore CODAP, a free web-based data exploration tool designed for engaging students in inquiry with data. Import data from anywhere, create multiple linked visualizations through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, and move your students beyond spreadsheets into the realm of data inquiry.

TAKEAWAYS:
CODAP moves data exploration from cumbersome graph wizards to inquiry-based discovery. As students make data moves—using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface to create graphs, maps, and more—they are able to find patterns and make sense of data in unique ways not possible with other tools.

SPEAKERS:
Jacob Sagrans (Senior Research Associate: Weston, MA), Zac Opps (Data Science Education Project Manager: Concord, MA), Daniel Damelin (The Concord Consortium: Bolton, MA)

Phenomenon-based instruction can make learning experiences more relevant and equitable for students. Come learn how to foster student sense-making after you introduce a phenomenon today, and then leave with a library of high-quality instructional materials that you can use for years to come.

TAKEAWAYS:
Introducing meaningful phenomena is necessary but not sufficient for fostering sense-making. Students must also have opportunities to use DCIs, CCs, and SEPs during the learning experience and the experience must be structured in ways that make the process of sense-making useful and inclusive.

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

How can we effectively prepare the next generation of scientists when science instruction is so vastly different from actual science practice? In this session, you’ll learn how research scientists work in a lab environment and how you can transfer those practices directly to your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand 6 practices of lab researchers that differ from science instruction in most classrooms. They’ll learn how to incorporate these practices into their classroom to better prepare the next generation of scientists.

SPEAKERS:
Terra Tarango (Van Andel Education Institute: Grand Rapids, MI)

Learn to apply some cool technology to the old calculations of wavelength, energy, and frequency. We will apply some vertical whiteboarding with some calculator technology and a dab of coding to engage students in the classification of the electromagnetic spectrum with lights, sounds, and pictures.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to enhance the rudimentary calculations of energy, frequency, and wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum with hands on activities and ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Scott, LA), Chris Coker (Camden Fairview High School: Camden, AR)

Wanna go fast? Really fast? Maglev trains have superior acceleration, lower maintenance, and provide a smooth ride but there are also some challenges. Designing a model allows students to learn about magnetic fields, superconductors which provides a means to connect to the exciting world of quantum.

TAKEAWAYS:
Real world applications for quantum information science and engineering STEM project appropriate for the classroom Content on maglev, magnetic fields, superconductors, levitation

SPEAKERS:
Karen Matsler (University of Texas Arlington: Arlington, TX)

Students will explore the wonders of STEM skills using various genres of books! A cross-disciplinary approach to learning STEM is also an excellent way to build students' literacy skills. Participants will engage in hands-on activities that incorporate science and literacy skills into their lesson.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to incorporate more reading, writing and creativity into STEM lessons/activities which will support and build students’ literacy cross disciplines.

SPEAKERS:
Katrin Smith (East Baton Rouge Parish School System: Baton Rouge, LA), Nikita LaCour (Scotlandville Pre-Engineering Magnet Academy: Ventress, LA), Rochelle Darville (West St. John High School: gonzales, LA)

Experience the free Verizon Innovative Learning Lab VR app - Visceral Science - along with hands-on supportive learning activities about space science. Discover strategies to incorporate VR as a teaching tool in limited-resource classroom settings with students of diverse backgrounds.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn to use the Visceral Science app as an opportunity for novel learning of space science. Discover how to effectively use limited virtual reality resources in a large classroom setting.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Bundas (Senior Planetarium Educator: TOLEDO, OH), Mariam Khella (STEM Educator: Jersey City, NJ), Brandon Daniels (Liberty Science Center: Jersey City, NJ)

Poll results are in the news during an election year. We will discuss the science and math behind polling and sampling, and engage in an inquiry activity in which small groups will design a procedure based on random sampling, collect data, and draw inferences about a population.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to confidently facilitate an inquiry investigation with their own students that teaches the statistical concepts behind random sampling/sample size and the applications to polling and experimental design.

SPEAKERS:
Ellen Schiller (Grand Valley State University, Robert C. Pew Campus: Nunica, MI)

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

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

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

Inspire students to lead energy action and design a campus microgrid system. This hands-on workshop equips educators with practical knowledge to engage students in energy-related concepts, including microgrids and energy analysis, fostering energy literacy and sustainability awareness.

TAKEAWAYS:
This hands-on session will cover the United States’ energy system, energy resilience, transitions toward a decentralized energy generation, and how to solve problems like energy managers. Participants will leave the workshop with concepts and strategies to implement this lesson with their students.

SPEAKERS:
Bahar Pahlevani (The Energy Coalition: Irvine, CA), Tess Hooper (Project Manager: Irvine, CA)

Discover NASA's Astro Camp Program: free STEM resources and lessons on space exploration. See how one school created a week-long, community-building STEM Challenge for Pre-K to 5th grade, reinforcing the S.E.P.s and sparking interest in NASA careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
NASA’s ASTRO CAMP Community Partners Program provides collaboration opportunities for youth service organizations, museums, libraries, and schools interested in presenting NASA’s ASTRO CAMP activities in their community with training and resources provided by NASA ACCP specialists. Free resources.

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

Guiding instruction based on the assessment of student’s developing proficiencies is a key feature of powerful learning experiences. This session focuses how to design assessments that gauge student understanding of justice-related phenomena and topics that are deeply consequential.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about a detailed 9-step process for conceiving, developing, testing, refining, and using 3D science assessments focused on social justice phenomena and topics. Open education resources that support this assessment development process will also be shared. #NSFfunded

SPEAKERS:
William Penuel (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO), Philip Bell (University of Washington: Seattle, WA)

Find out how to leverage opportunities in your-day-to-day science teaching to get students excitedly picturing themselves in STEM careers! We’ll show you how to use high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) to intentionally support students’ development of Career Readiness Competencies.

TAKEAWAYS:
Become familiar with Career Readiness Competencies and how to use HQIM to create opportunities for students to develop these competencies.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Rob Wallace (: Houma, LA)

Inquiry-based learning is fundamental to student success but for teachers new to science or inquiry, the commotion this style of learning creates can be a little scary!! Learn how to implement IBL in every step of the 5E process from driving questions to project-based assessments!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn best practices for inquiry-based learning in science including introducing driving questions, facilitating effective classroom discussion, student-led inquiry, and incorporating literacy in the inquiry process.

SPEAKERS:
Leah Pinto (Director of professional development: Gilmer, TX)