Join us to experience how students make decisions and engage in class discussion as part of their sensemaking. Learn how the OpenSciEd Elementary’s instructional approach supports all students in figuring out complex science issues in their world through a coherent storyline.

TAKEAWAYS:
OpenSciEd Elementary units are designed to support students in collaborative sensemaking through use of Science and Engineering Practices and engagement in equitable discussions.

SPEAKERS:
Janna Mahfoud (BSCS Science Learning: Laveen, AZ), Yanira Vazquez (OpenSciEd: Los Alamos, NM), Susan Gomez Zwiep (BSCS Science Learning: Long Beach, CA)

At OpenSciEd, our teams of experts work tirelessly to design materials for the latest research AND we know you can make them even better. In this session we will map your customization “why” to a customization “what” and “how” to support you to make the materials your own.

TAKEAWAYS:
Thoughtful, collaborative customization of high quality materials can result in better materials while simultaneously deepening understanding of how to get the most from both customized and the original high quality materials.

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

What approach can science educators use to create assessment tasks that support instructional practice and students’ three-dimensional learning? Participants will experience an approach for designing 3-D assessment tasks that will help their students build toward the NGSS performance expectations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to construct 3-dimensional assessment tasks that they can use in their classroom to promote student learning of the NGSS performance expectations.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Harris (WestEd: Menlo Park, CA), Joseph Krajcik (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI)

Stop in and take a peek at our mobile manufacturing lab! Learning Undefeated staff will show you around, answer questions, and share how you can bring this unique experience to your classroom.

Calling all yoga enthusiasts! Regardless of whether you’re a newbie or veteran, join yoga teacher, Azra Chughtai, RYT, for a warm-up with breathwork; hatha yoga (gentle stretching exercises to wake up the body); and, of course, meditation for relaxation and de-stressing. Beginner friendly!

TAKEAWAYS:
Recharge: Energizing and Stress Relief

SPEAKERS:
Azra Chughtai (NSTA: McLean, VA)

Help students build empathy and connect science to their lives using a STEM picture book (Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals). Engage in science phenomena embedded in the story and learn how open-sourced interdisciplinary lessons can address literacy, science content, and inquiry skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will engage in student activities that show how NGSS content and inquiry skills can be addressed by investigating real-world phenomena introduced through a STEM picture book. Teachers will leave with the resources and background knowledge to facilitate these activities with students.

SPEAKERS:
Judith Newcomb (Amherst Elementary School: Amherst, MA), Jennifer Welborn (UMass Amherst: Amherst, MA)

This interactive workshop will help teachers develop assessment question clusters that align with NGSS and include all 3 dimensions of the framework, ensuring a holistic evaluation of student knowledge and skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave this session not only with strategies and a framework for designing 3-dimensional assessment question clusters, but also with an assessment they create during the session.

SPEAKERS:
Libbie Haller (Broome Tioga BOCES: Binghamton, NY)

In a learner stance, participants will explore productive talk based on observations and development of a model to explain a phenomenon. Switching to a teacher lens, participants will identify types of talk they used, how it shaped deep learning, and apply these ideas to existing tasks/lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will take away ideas for increasing productive talk when students engage in collaborative science tasks. Considerations include different types of talk students use to share ideas and move toward deep content understanding. Time will include strategizing how to inform existing lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Takumi Sato, PhD (Knowles Teacher Initiative: Moorestown, NJ)

We will share a process for developing middle school science curricula using Two-Eyed Seeing and place-based learning to increase the engagement of Indigenous students. We will sample lessons developed with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, walk through development process, and provide lesson links.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about an approach to developing a culturally relevant STEM curriculum using Two-Eyed Seeing and place-based learning and sample lessons that respectfully include Indigenous knowledges.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Just (Oklahoma State University: Owasso, OK), KIRTIKA PANWAR (Oklahoma State University: Stillwater, OK), Sarah McDowell (Maryville College: Okemah, OK)

Help students see the forest for the trees -- and all its biodiversity -- in this interdisciplinary, hands-on session. Engage in a game inspired by The Lorax, a simulation of biodiversity in temperate and tropical rainforests and a resource management game of strategy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn ways to introduce elementary students to concepts about natural resource use and management and the importance of preserving biodiverse ecosystems through games and 3D simulations that are interdisciplinary and inquiry-based.

SPEAKERS:
Bennett Steidinger (Population Education: Washington, DC), Pam Wasserman (Population Connection: Washington, DC)

Participants will experience Modeling Instruction in Chemistry by planning and conducting data collection and analyzing data to develop models. They will also develop representations (graphs, diagrams, and equations) for their model and present them in white boarding discourse.

TAKEAWAYS:
In student mode participants will experience how the Science and Engineering Practices can be a regular part of student experience in the chemistry classroom as they develop and deploy models. In teacher mode they will reflect on what is required to create this learning environment.

SPEAKERS:
Jesse Braxton (Central High School in Philadelphia: Philadelphia, PA), Raymond Howanski (American Modeling Teachers Association: Gilbert, AZ)

Scientific misinformation, in all forms of media, can negatively impact citizens' health and safety. During this session, attendees will engage in activities to empower all learners to become media-literate consumers of scientific information capable of navigating the information age.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn to apply scientific practices and crosscutting concepts to disciplinary scientific content in the media.

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

Explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can streamline the creation of NGSS-aligned science lessons. Through live demonstrations and guided practice, participants will generate personalized lesson plans, learn to ask effective AI prompts and understand how human expertise makes AI an effective tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
Write effective AI prompts for NGSS-aligned lesson plans Create classroom-ready plans using AI tools Understand how AI can augment lesson planning and evaluate your own AI-generated lesson plans for accuracy and NGSS compliance. Learn to integrate AI with their expertise for more efficient planning.

SPEAKERS:
Ariela Ikezawa (Various: Bellevue, WA)

Students often see science as a static body of knowledge instead of a dynamic human endeavor. Join the author of Notable Notebooks, Exemplary Evidence, and the newly published Wild Wonderings to learn how these books (and the stories of the scientists in them) can illuminate the nature of science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about the lives and work of historical and contemporary scientists, why telling these stories is an important strategy for helping students understand the nature of science, and how they might use these books in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Fries-Gaither (Columbus School for Girls: Hilliard, OH)

This experience provides educators with strategies to shift from the IRE (Initiate-Response-Evaluate) talk pattern to productive classroom discussions. Learn how to foster deeper student engagement, encourage critical thinking, and create a more interactive, collaborative learning environment.

TAKEAWAYS:
This hands-on, immersive experience offers practical strategies to help teachers transition from the IRE (Initiate-Response-Evaluate) pattern to productive talk, promoting deeper student engagement and meaningful dialogue.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Science Teachers Association: Gilbert, AZ)

Discover engaging activities that help students explain the significance of Gregor Mendel’s pea plant experiments. Attendees will use glitter to represent the dominant and recessive traits of two parent plants and their offspring and complete a pompom Punnett square.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to explain that Gregor Mendel’s experiments on pea plants laid the foundation for the study of heredity, Punnett squares are a tool used to predict the traits of an offspring, and Mendelian genetics enables animal and plant breeders to produce new varieties with more accuracy.

SPEAKERS:
Lynn Wallin (National Center for Agricultural Literacy: Providence, UT)

Led by members of NSTA Early Childhood-Elementary Committee, this 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 and engineering practices in classrooms.

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

SPEAKERS:
Simone Nance (University of Southern Indiana: Newburgh, IN), Jennifer Williams (Isidore Newman School: Belle Chasse, LA), Melissa Parks (Stetson University: Deland, FL)

Data collection probes and sensors provide the phenomenon and data to drive 3D student learning. This session will focus on how to utilize this technology to drive instruction. Teachers will experience a lesson using sensors to model photosynthesis, with a focus on sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will experience parts of a model lesson. Additionally, teachers will explore other examples of using probes to drive instruction. Lastly, teachers will have time to work collaboratively with other teachers to modify one of their lesson plans to effectively utilize probes in sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Justin Ingram (Johnston County Public Schools: Wilson, NC)

NSTA provides high-quality digital resources and opportunities—all within a professional community—that supports your personalized professional learning. Just in time, just enough, and just for you! Learn about NSTA’s professional Learning tools. NSTA staff will answer questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will become knowledgeable about the plethora of digital resources available at NSTA’s, about the live events, and professional learning community that can help them enhance their knowledge and manage their personalized professional learning.

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

Many high-quality curricula use transfer tasks, phenomenon-based assessments where students demonstrate their three dimensional understanding while exploring a novel scenario. In this session, educators will work through an example of a transfer task and an activity structure that helps students learn.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with an understanding of what transfer tasks are and an activity structure to use with students learning how to engage in this assessment practice.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Henson (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO), William Penuel (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO), Melissa Campanella (University of Colorado Boulder: Baltimore, MD)

This session will explore how a Texas school district implements dual-language instruction in science for PK-8 students. With a focus on fostering biliteracy and bilingualism, we'll be sharing practical strategies to integrate language bridging into science lessons in both English and Spanish.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation offers educators a framework for integrating dual-language instruction into science, based on research and practical strategies from a proven dual-language model. Attendees will gain actionable insights and tools to foster bilingualism and content mastery in their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Merium Valdez (Mark Twain Dual Language Academy (SAISD): San Antonio, TX), Magda Esparza (Teacher: San Antonio, TX), Gisella Calejo (Mark Twain Dual Language Academy (SAISD): San Antonio, TX)

In this session, participants will explore digital notebooks and journals - a means for transferring student learning, practice, and reflection into a multi-media digital environment that allows for differentiation and student choice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to enhance classroom engagement using multimedia resources organized into digital notebooks or journals. Strategies and examples will show how students can and have participated using mini-notebooks, unit notebooks and journals.

SPEAKERS:
Mridula Bajaj (Mount Laurel Schools: Robbinsville, NJ), Shefali Mehta (Princeton High School: Princeton, NJ)

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:
Michelle Tindall (Activate Learning: Troy, MI), Jen Gutierrez (Activate Learning: Chandler, AZ)

Sponsoring Company: LEGO® Education

Together, we can change this by making science more engaging, relevant and meaningful. We’ll explore how hands-on experiences with LEGO® Education spark those 'ah-ha' moments, helping students build knowledge, skills, and excitement for learning.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Sliwinski (LEGO® Education: Boston, MA)

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Unlock student potential in writing and reasoning skills! This session dives deep into Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER), focusing on the crucial link between evidence and reasoning. Explore feedback strategies to empower students to apply their knowledge and construct strong scientific arguments.

SPEAKERS:
Kelsie Stocz (BrainPOP: Garner, NC)

Sponsoring Company: MiniOne Systems

Imagine the excitement of middle schoolers as they learn how to use micropipettes and run their own gel electrophoresis! Come learn how to bring these exciting and fun techniques to your middle school classrooms using the teacher- and student-friendly MiniOne equipment.

SPEAKERS:
Whitney Hagins (MiniOne Systems: San Diego, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Teachers' Curriculum Institute (TCI)

Learn to promote interest and engagement while helping students achieve specific learning objectives with games. Join us as you learn simple and valuable ways to gamify your lessons. We will be sharing a few creative game ideas for building relationships and reviewing and learning content.

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Harness the power of effective questioning to elevate student engagement and understanding. Led by a former middle school science teacher and current science learning designer, this session focuses on crafting questions to foster elaboration, critical thinking, and meaningful connections in science.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Bonville (BrainPOP: New York, NY)

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Are you looking for new ways to excite your classes? This session will showcase labs, demos, and inquiry-based activities to keep your classroom buzzing with excitement. Walk away with tools to engage students and ensure concept understanding. Handouts and door prizes provided!

SPEAKERS:
Jillian Saddler (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL), Mike Marvel, Ph.D. (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Join our interactive science workshop where literacy meets exploration! Immerse yourself in a world of discovery as we blend scientific concepts with the power of language. Through engaging activities see how to unravel the wonders of science but also enhance literacy skills.

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Sarah Glassman (Smithsonian Science Education Center: Washington, DC), Hoover Herrera (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Cranford, NJ)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

3D teaching and learning is a powerful way to engage all students in science, but making the shift in a classroom or district involves fundamental cultural and practical changes at all levels. Engage in examples and take away your own Change Management Playbook for navigating this important work.

SPEAKERS:
Isaac Stauffer (Amplify Science: Chicago, IL), Naz Yaqubie (Amplify Science: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: LEGO® Education

Successfully engaging students in scientific reasoning, discourse, and investigation requires confident educators and reliable tools. Join us to explore hands-on lessons you can use to spark student curiosity, address Pennsylvania’s STEELS standards, and improve outcomes with LEGO® Education classroom solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Tom Taylor (LEGO® Education: Boston, MA), Evangelia Papacostas (LEGO® Education: Boston, MA)

Sponsoring Company: Teachers' Curriculum Institute (TCI)

Join us for an interactive session where engineering meets speed dating! Experience hands-on challenges inspired by TCI's K-5 science programs. Attendees will participate in engineering-focused "speed dates," uncovering valuable insights.

This session will explore using Success Criteria as steps toward mastery in math and science assessments to enhance student understanding and engagement. Participants will learn to create quality open educational resources (OER) that align with standards for effective assessment practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will leave with practical strategies for integrating Success Criteria into assessments, promoting student ownership of learning and improving instructional practices in math and science.

SPEAKERS:
Laura - Ashley Hayes (Marshall Elementary School: Byron Center, MI)

Experience Playdoh as a highly functional three-dimensional tool connecting two-dimensional learning. These STEM strategies engage and promote interactions with all learners across curriculums.

TAKEAWAYS:
Playdoh is a highly functional classroom manipulative that makes three-dimensional learning possible using two- dimensional curriculum

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Erica McNeil (Shelton Public School System: Shelton, CT)

This presentation will share results of my research with a middle school science class on how the online program Classbank boosts student motivation for reassessment in mastery-based learning. It examines how game-like rewards impact students' willingness to improve performance and perceive learning

TAKEAWAYS:
A key takeaway is how Classbank's gamification enhances middle school students' motivation to engage in reassessment, driving improvement in performance.

SPEAKERS:
Alma Fernandez (Robert E. Peary Middle School: Gardena, CA), Cecilia Duenas (Na: Thousand Oaks, CA)

Hexagonal thinking is a collaborative hands-on concept mapping strategy focused on making connections across vocabulary, concepts, and other subject-specific components that can be utilized in any content area including cross-curricular settings. Come learn how to implement it in your own classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
For Upper Elem through HS. Participants will experience the strategy from a student POV, learn the process of implementation, and receive links to templates. Examples of student work will also be shown.

SPEAKERS:
Simone Nance (University of Southern Indiana: Newburgh, IN)

This lesson teaches young children how to use some of the tools they will need when doing science with some simple (but fun!) activities. Tools introduced include: magnifying glasses, tweezers, stopwatches, eyedroppers, and measuring cups and spoons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be look at a few simple (but fun!) activities they can use to introduce basic science tools to their PreK-2 students. How-to posters, basic assessment sheet, and materials lists are included for these tools/activities.

SPEAKERS:
Marie Elaina Zuccaro (Bronx Community Charter School: New York, NY)

How can we make chemistry more interesting, relevant, and exciting to students while maintaining rigor? Hear from different high school chemistry teachers about how they used food-based phenomena aligned to NGSS to teach chemistry concepts like bonding, IMFs, chemical reactions, and properties.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how teachers have used different series of lessons centered around different food-based phenomena and labs and how this has helped student engagement, disposition, their idea about what science is, and the understanding of science concepts.

SPEAKERS:
April Thompson (Westlake High School: Thornwood, NY), Jocelyn Puett (Valley Park High School: Valley Park, MO), Alyssa Wachsman (LDSD: Camp Hill, PA), Makala Woods (Northfield High School: Denver, CO), Kate Strangfeld (Harvard University: Cambridge, MA)

Outdoor education takes many forms and focuses on promoting real-world, inquiry-based learning. Learn how schools in different states have developed camping programs including how to effectively prepare, advocate for, and organize a camp experience integrating NGSS standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Outdoor Ed aligns with NGSS to enhance learning through hands-on, inquiry-based activities. Visitors will gain strategies to create an outdoor education program that fits their school's needs, including lessons and units that foster critical thinking and problem solving.

SPEAKERS:
Myriah Leisher (American Falls School District: American Falls, ID), Pamela Waters (Lower Dauphin School District: Hummelstown, PA)

The Art Institute of Chicago’s Art + Science videos and accompanying lesson plans explore science concepts and STEAM careers through the work of museum conservators and technicians. Each lesson plan details teacher prep and facilitation and is paired with a student resource to aid in learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will explore core science topics and STEM career opportunities featured in the four Art + Science videos and their accompanying lesson plans through engagement with the videos, curricular materials, and hands-on activities.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Compton (Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program: Chicago, IL), Corinne Rose (Associate Director for Learning Partnerships and Resources: Chicago, IL)

Potato aquaponics is a method of growing potatoes in a symbiotic system that combines aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil). Aquaponics reduces the need for various chemical fertilizers and helps to conserve water, making it a promising for urban farming.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn what is needed to be able to successfully grow potatoes in an aquaponics system. They will also, learn about the sustainability and resource efficiency that comes with this type of farming. The information provided will help with optimal growth for the plant.

SPEAKERS:
Emery Breitbarth (Wartburg College: Waverly, IA)

Engage learners in science through exciting hands-on activities, media, and discussions that make complex topics accessible. This lesson showcase offers free, adaptable resources, tools, and strategies to inspire STEM interest in classrooms and spark critical thinking in learners of all ages.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain strategies to engage diverse learners with hands-on STEM lessons that foster inclusion, critical thinking, and community connections, while empowering them to address real-world challenges through science literacy and active participation.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra Roberts (Science Friday: Blairstown, NJ)

It is quite a task to keep teenagers engaged in concepts being taught in the classroom, especially if it is a subject that they are uninterested in. This lesson focuses on one of the ten broad concepts of physics, Light, and provides an opportunity for the students to have hands on learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learning doesn't involve just lecturing for sixty minutes. There are many different learning types, and in a classroom, you may experience different backgrounds, knowledge level, and comfortability. This lesson should remind the attendees how important it is to keep learning interesting.

SPEAKERS:
Ellianna Trilling (Wartburg College: Sun Prairie, WI)

Carbonated beverage containers, juice and fruit drinks, dairy products, and sports beverages all contain sugar. Students better understand quantities and volumes and gain an understanding of serving size. Reading labels is important!

TAKEAWAYS:
One major goal of this activity is to get students to better understand quantities and volumes. What is the difference between a gram and a teaspoon? How much fructose, glucose, and/or sucrose is in the beverage you are drinking? A second goal is to assist students in understanding serving size.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Cunningham (Purdue University: Lafayette, IN)

Learn about research-to-practice applications of an arts-based data visualization project designed to enhance students’ ability to creatively represent contextual data.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will view examples of teacher and student products of arts-based data representation projects and consider applications of the research to their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Rearden (The University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Knoxville, TN)

Discover how 3D printing and modeling can transform STEM education. Come ready learn practical strategies, see student-driven projects, and gain resources to bring hands-on, problem based creative learning into your classroom. Learn how to integrate this into all subject areas to bring STEM to life

TAKEAWAYS:
Whether you're new to 3D printing or want to expand its use, this session will provide ideas, resources, and confidence to integrate 3D technology into your classroom. Learn how to use free software to bring science and engineering concepts to life, engaging students in real world projects

SPEAKERS:
Scott Woodard (Governor's Village STEM Academy Upper Campus: Charlotte, NC), Alicia Yewcic (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: Huntersville, NC)

Do you know Meaningful Integration Strengthens, Supports, and Inspires the Next Generation? This hands-on workshop is designed for middle school instructors to give and share ideas, structures, and strategies to integrate science with math, reading, writing, and critical thinking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants leave ready to collaborate and demonstrate the new found structure and strategies gained from the workshop. The workshop provides attendees with authentic and meaningful ideas that inspire students to read, write, understand mathematics and use critical thinking in science.

SPEAKERS:
Yolanda Williams (Veterans Memorial Middle School: Covington, GA)

How can we introduce even first-grade students to atoms and molecules? Visitors can hold actual teaching materials and models that students will build, view photos and classroom evaluation data, and learn how molecular models can deepen even young students’ scientific understanding of our world.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn a basic plan for younger students who are new to atoms and molecules and for more advanced students who are fed up with reaction formulas. It includes concrete, practical examples to introduce them to the physical images of atoms and molecules in a fun way.

SPEAKERS:
Koji Tsukamoto (Chiba Institute of Science: Chiba, AL), Haruhiko Funahashi (Kyoto University: Kyoto, Japan), Tomoko HASEGWA (Azuma-tachibana municipal junior high school: Tokyo, No State), Taro YAMAMOTO (ASHEC: Kibitani Kaizuka, No State), Mariko Kobayashi (Association for Studies in Hypothesis–Experiment Class: Niiza, NY)

What are the latest and greatest technologies and websites for science instruction? Come learn about them and how they can be used.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with an understanding of a variety of resources for incorporating technology into their science instruction

SPEAKERS:
Patti Duncan (Breakout EDU: Lakeville, PA)

Engage your science classroom with Project Based Learning aligned to NGSS. Explore how AI streamlines creating PBL experiences, build a PBL unit with an AI-powered platform, and refine it with collaborative feedback for actionable classroom ideas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use AI to create Project Based Learning experiences that are aligned with the 3 Dimensions of NGSS

SPEAKERS:
Kristy Lathrop (OpenSciEd: Castle Rock, CO)

Learn equity-focused strategies for centering students and their communities while teaching with NGSS-designed instructional materials. Using a localizing framework, you will explore examples created by teams of K-12 educators and consider how to adapt and apply these strategies in your own context

TAKEAWAYS:
Leave with research-based tools and strategies that incorporate community assets, families, and student’s funds of knowledge into your science units to help your students see how science is relevant in their lives and their communities.

SPEAKERS:
Brad Street (IslandWood: SEATTLE, WA), Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Spark engagement and deepen understanding with BrainPOP Science! This workshop explores phenomena-based learning, investigations, and STEELS-aligned strategies for grades 6-8. Discover how to differentiate instruction and empower students to become confident scientific thinkers and writers.

SPEAKERS:
Hannah Bonville (BrainPOP: New York, NY)

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

This session covers essential safety practices, including hazard analysis, proper PPE, GHS labels, risk management, and communication with administrators. Ideal for all science teachers, science supervisors, administrators and lab supervisors. Leave with actionable tips to prioritize safety! Visit https://www.flinnsci.com/safety/ for more information.

SPEAKERS:
Mike Marvel, Ph.D. (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL)

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

Learn from a panel of educators who have successfully made the shift to 3-D teaching and learning – what steps they took to begin, strengthen, and sustain their implementation journey and how it has impacted classroom culture and student growth.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Stenger (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Santa Rosa, CA), Hilda Aganga-Williams (University of California Berkeley-Lawrence Hall of Science: WASHINGTON, DC)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Come experience a hands-on model lesson from OpenSciEd for Elementary School and discover how the Carolina Certified Version enhanced these high-quality instructional materials, making them more accessible, user-friendly, and safer for classroom use.

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

Sponsoring Company: LEGO® Education

Join LEGO Education for a special presentation/Q&A with Dr. Lisa Carnell from NASA’s Biological and Physical Science Division. Learn how they use space-based research to study phenomena in ways that cannot be done on Earth. Get inspired, be curious, and empower the next generation through science. 

Sponsoring Company: The Wonder of Science

Explore 3-dimensional science instruction through modeling, argument-driven inquiry, and phenomenon-based teaching. Learn to apply the NGSS SEPs and CCCs using best practices and resources from The Wonder of Science. Led by Paul Andersen, this hands-on workshop is inquiry-driven.

SPEAKERS:
Paul Andersen (Bozemanscience.com, Inc.: Bozeman, MT)

Sponsoring Company: Teachers' Curriculum Institute (TCI)

Join us for an interactive session where engineering meets speed dating! Experience hands-on challenges inspired by TCI's middle school science programs. Attendees will participate in engineering-focused "speed dates," uncovering valuable insights.

Teachers can increase equitable instruction by understanding student status and identity. Attendees will reflect on their status and identity as science learners to inform classroom practices by graphing their status, discussing the role of identity and naming strategies to elevate all learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain strategies to positively influence student status and support identity development for an equitable classroom culture. Collaboratively, attendees will raise questions about developing equitable classroom communities and generate strategies to support all learners.

SPEAKERS:
Rosiane Lesperance- Goss (Knowles Teacher Initiative: Roseland, NJ)

In science, differentiation supports inquiry-based instruction and learning. When the teacher takes students' needs into account, investigations and explorations become more engaging and authentic for students as they explore the natural and designed worlds.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with strategies for differentiating instruction by aptitude, outcome, feedback, and resources, including things they can do before, during, and after instruction to meet the needs of each student where they are.

SPEAKERS:
Hilary Kahn (The Alexander Dawson School: Las Vegas, NV), Kelly Gooden (The Alexander Dawson School: HENDERSON, NV)

Sponsoring Company: ECA Science Kit Services

In this session we will select 3-4 popular science programs to evaluate using the 15-Questions developed by ECA Science Kit Services. The objective is to have participants walk away with an easy guide to use as they evaluate different programs to adopt. The takeaway will be an understanding of how to set teachers up for success for implementation. This process will share information about alignment, usability and budget, as well as exposing “blindspot” costs. It will cover short-term and long-term goals for implementation. There will also be an activity related to the “usability” portion of the presentation. Participants will have a fun experience and leave with a navigational guide to support their adoption and implementation process.

SPEAKERS:
Heidi Harlan (ECA Science Kit Services: Commerce Charter Township, MI)

Navigate utilizing hydroponics in the classroom to inform plant science concepts to generate a product used by your school lunch program. Teach students about the dynamics from seed to harvest and the scientific practices to manage systems to help feed a growing population in their communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will gain strategies to incorporate standards into a variety of course offerings using hydroponic systems as a view into the world of agriculture and their life science standards to support their learning. Teachers will walk away with lessons ready to implement in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Sprague (Onalaska High School: Onalaska, WI), JESSICA JONES (Olmsted Falls High School: Strongsville, OH)

Discover ASCEND K-5, an initiative that empowers educators, researchers, and leaders to take tangible actions, prioritizing equitable access and transforming K-5 science education in their systems. Join us to explore how it connects to your work in driving change in elementary science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will offer feedback on the ASCEND K–5 project, focused on transforming elementary science education by addressing key challenges. Through collaboration, networking, and shared insights, participants will help shape the strategic direction and contribute to the project's success.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanna Loper (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Daniel Alcazar-Roman (University of California, Berkeley: Belmont, CA)

How can we teach concepts like ions, ionic compounds, & chemical rxns in a fun, meaningful, & rigorous way? Through the phenomenon of popping boba! We will walk through a series of investigations and hands-on labs to explore its properties and how it is made.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a phenomenon-based lesson rooted in core chemistry concepts. They will engage in easy, investigative, and fun hands-on labs and see how we unpack how a gel-encapsulated liquid (popping boba) forms by exploring ions, charges, ionic bonding, and electrostatic attractions.

SPEAKERS:
April Thompson (Westlake High School: Thornwood, NY), Jocelyn Puett (Valley Park High School: Valley Park, MO), Alyssa Wachsman (LDSD: Camp Hill, PA), Makala Woods (Northfield High School: Denver, CO), Megan McCall (Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies: Mobile, AL), Hannah Holt (Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter High School: Philadelphia, PA), Kate Strangfeld (Harvard University: Cambridge, MA)

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), Carla Robinson (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX), Leticia Garza (University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX), Janna Mahfoud (BSCS Science Learning: Laveen, AZ)

Join us for a session on how 3-dimensional, phenomenon-based learning is designed for students with diverse learning needs and how we can ensure their success as we teach using the NGSS. We will explore practical examples of how to ensure your instruction is universally designed and accessible.

TAKEAWAYS:
Incorporating UDL with the NGSS helps all learners be successful. Attendees will gain practical strategies and tools for accessibility and inclusive practices for students in science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Sciacca (Capital Area Intermediate Unit: New Cumberland, PA)

Come learn about Data Puzzles, a free resource co-designed by climate scientists and instructional specialists from the University of Colorado Boulder that combine authentic data with Ambitious Science Teaching instructional practices to help students make sense of phenomena.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore the Data Puzzles instructional framework in the context of the Wind Farms of the Future resource and leave prepared to implement these 2-3 day sensemaking lessons in their own middle and high school classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Ann Marie Dubick (Cherokee County School District: Smyrna, GA), Kerri Wingert (Good Question Research: Boulder, CO)

Join us for an engaging session with the Chief Science Officer (CSO) state coordinator, a high school mentor, and students as they lead a panel on this transformative initiative. Discover how this hands-on program builds workplace skills, amplifies student voices, and shapes future advocates.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to foster student empowerment through the CSO program, support advocacy, and explore its statewide impact. Discover how the program prepares future STEM leaders and change advocates while strengthening your science community, and learn how to bring it to your district!

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Schwab (Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23: Norristown, PA), Dylan Fedell (Palisades High School: Kintnersville, PA)

Performance Learning Instruction shifts from traditional content based teaching to a hands-on approach, where students, like "aspiring MacGyvers," construct knowledge by solving problems and sense-making, rather than simply verifying and recalling information.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this workshop, you will engage in instructional design by viewing performance learning and phenomena from the perspective of students and then teachers. Learning by doing, participants will collaborate to learn how to design instructional units grounded in phenomena and promoting sense-making.

SPEAKERS:
Beth Penney (Amherst School District: Lyndeborough, NH), Heather Wheeler (Portsmouth High School; New Hampshire Learning Initiative: Exeter, NH), Sue Downer (NH Learning Initiative: Bedford, NH)

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 it.

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

Learn how to leverage the power of social media to break down student misconceptions, rather than build them. Teachers will engage in an activity finding fake news on social media, then discussing how to adapt the activity for their own classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will experience an engaging activity designed to help students directly confront misinformation they encounter on social media. By having students confront their own misconceptions about hot topics, we empower them to be more responsible consumers of information in the future.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Dobrin (Mercersburg Academy: Mercersburg, PA)

How can we bring STEM to life by weaving in history? Explore exciting activities that link groundbreaking discoveries and innovations with historical events, helping students connect STEM to the real world and see its role in shaping our past, present, and future!

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover fresh, innovative ways to fuse history with science! Attendees will explore hands-on, interdisciplinary activities that bring science lessons to life, deepening student engagement and making complex concepts more relatable by linking them to historical breakthroughs and events.

SPEAKERS:
Lauren Verdeflor (KIPP NYC College Prep High School: Forest Hills, NY), Yishan Lee (PS/MS 219: Bayside, NY)

Building a strong foundation in working with data is key to students’ long term science interest and success. However, it can be hard to find ways to best help students make sense of data. We will share a research-backed developmental sequence and grade-leveled rubrics for student data literacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a developmental sequence for developing data literacy for students across grades K-12, with particular focus on how to use it for instructional and assessment development for late elementary school.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Jabot (SUNY Fredonia: Fredonia, NY), Kristin Hunter-Thomson (Dataspire Education & Evaluation, LLC: Santa Cruz, CA)

Learn to use some of the standards-based physical activities and "kinesthetic clue" mnemonic devices used at one of New Jersey's top-performing middle schools. See how when you get kids moving, it gets them learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Tired of having your students waste time and energy trying to memorize things? Have them “Get Moving!” Kinesthetic activities help make the shift from memorizing to mastery.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Ciuffreda (Princeton Charter School: Lawrenceville, NJ)

Carbonated beverage containers, juice and fruit drinks, dairy products, and sports beverages all contain sugar. Using sugar packets to visualize amounts, students see the quantity and volume of sugar in various drinks and gain an understanding of serving size. Reading labels is important!

TAKEAWAYS:
Students can easily compare sugar content in containers of the same volume. Similar drinks packaged in different sized containers, or different drinks packaged in different containers makes calculating sugar content a math problem. Students use math to calculate sugar concentrations and totals.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Cunningham (Purdue University: Lafayette, IN)

The American Meteorological Society’s Education Team offers four professional development courses for teachers throughout the year. Learn about these free opportunities to deepen your understanding of Earth Science topics and how to teach them.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will walk away with information about the DataStreme Weather and Ocean, Project Ice, and Project Atmosphere, including the focus and components of each course, types of activities, and how to apply.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Ripollone (Cardinal Gibbons High School: Garner, NC), Erin Smoak (American Meteorological Society: Savannah, GA)

The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) immerses students and educators at all levels for free in STEM programming. Through competitions, summer camps, and comprehensive professional development, AEOP stands at the forefront of educational innovation, preparing participants to excel in life.

TAKEAWAYS:
You’ll discover how AEOP spans a variety of educational stages, offering tailored programs that empower both students and teachers to thrive in STEM. We’ll cover how these initiatives equip participants with crucial skills and experiences, setting the stage for personal and professional success.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Kutsch (National Science Teaching Association, eCYBERMISSION: Maumelle, AR)

I will present an electrical circuit game that uses closed circuits and a switch. This game can be adapted for higher or lower classes and can be used for limitless topics.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how to help students research, design, and build a closed circuit gameboard that uses simple materials.

Enhance your Earth and Space Science teaching and student learning with free instructional resources from Windows to the Universe! Bundle high-quality materials for effective lessons related to any Earth and space science topic.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will access the Windows to the Universe web resource filled with high quality instructional resources that can be used to enhance Earth and Space Science lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Margaret Holzer (none: Somerset, NJ)

Air Camp is a hands-on educational adventure in aviation and aeronautics for students in grades 4-12 and K-12 STEM educators. Aiming to connect, inspire, and provide STEM learning opportunities while offering teachers professional development, valuable resources, classroom materials, and much more.

TAKEAWAYS:
Access to teacher resources and professional development opportunities designed to integrate aviation-focused STEM lessons and real-world applications into the middle school classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Stormer (3-6 STEM Teacher/ Elementary and Teacher Curriculum Specialist, Air Camp USA: Union, OH), Christina Davis (Air Camp USA, Inc.: Dayton, OH)

These materials have been compiled by the NSTA Middle Level Teaching Committee working in conjunction with our affiliate the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association (NMLSTA). They include a comprehensive document that displays resources linked to NGSS PEs.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will walk away with a set of online resources that they can use immediately!

SPEAKERS:
Anne Schoeffler (Seton Catholic School: Macedonia, OH)

NGSS inquiry based lessons about food and energy, as well as energy transfer will be shared. All lessons are OER.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with an understanding and blueprint of how to incorporate these lessons into their classroom, as well as make necessary modifications.

SPEAKERS:
Liz Martinez (Indepedent: Escondido, CA)

You will learn how the Dimensions of Success for Middle Grades Learning Engineering and Science (DoS-MiddLES) classroom observation system can help teachers reflect and discuss with peers about their strengths & areas for growth as they integrate resilience with science and engineering learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Do you want to identify strategies to support your students' building resilience and thriving skills, such as perseverance, voice, reflection, or positive relationships, through engaging in authentic science and engineering experiences in grade 6 to 8 classrooms?

SPEAKERS:
Virginia Andrews (Institute for the Study of Resilience in Youth)

Using free or low-cost resources in the middle school classroom, you can get your students excited about earthquake science. IRIS and EarthScope resources will be shared, explained, and demonstrated.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be able to have their classrooms and students monitor local, regional, and global seismic events even before they make national news stations. Authentic seismic data in the classroom will make your science classes more relevant and interesting for all students.

SPEAKERS:
David Curry (Newtown Middle School: Pipersville, PA)

Collaboration is essential in science. This session covers groupwork challenges, introduces "groupworthy" tasks, and shares strategies for fostering effective collaboration. Come gain the tools to improve collaboration and inspire curiosity-driven learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will identifying common challenges in designing and implementing groupwork and learn strategies to improve collaborative learning experiences for students while engaging in science group tasks.

SPEAKERS:
Anna Monteiro (Knowles Teacher Initiative: Moorestown, NJ)

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)

Don't miss this informative presentation on integrating Minecraft into science education. Discover innovative strategies to enhance student engagement, promote collaboration, and inspire critical thinking. Leave with actionable strategies to bring the power of Minecraft into your classroom!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with ideas to empower students to explore scientific concepts creatively through Minecraft, enhancing engagement and fostering a deeper understanding of the material.

SPEAKERS:
Erik Wade (Maine Department of Education: Troy, ME)

Join us as we simulate a mini unit on sound which integrates 1st grade reading, math, and science standards through an engineering task assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience a project based learning task which integrates standards from multiple content areas.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bay (Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy: North Windham, CT), Margaret Strehle (Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy: North Windham, CT), Alyssa Larkham (Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy: North Windham, CT)

Explore how NSTA's formative assessment probes from the popular Uncovering Student Ideas series are used in an instructional sequence to understand the ideas your K-5 students bring to their learning, inform next steps for responsive instruction, and build a powerful thinking classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
A key takeaway is how to use formative assessment probes to uncover and understand the prior knowledge that K-5 students bring to their learning in order to tailor next steps where student thinking is valued, misconceptions are addressed, and deeper conceptual understanding is cultivated.

SPEAKERS:
Page Keeley (NSTA Past President: Fort Myers, FL)

Join us to explore strategies for providing feedback to science teachers utilizing framework aligned standards and the Danielson Framework. Participants will engage in authentic practice and will leave with resources to implement these strategies in their schools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies for providing feedback to the teachers they supervise.

SPEAKERS:
Andy Weatherhead (National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA): Downingtown, PA), Kammas Kersch (Chester County Intermediate Unit: Downingtown, PA)

Discover how to design and use rubrics that help create assessments that build and practice science skills. Learn how cognitive demand theory can elevate assessments and engage students in deeper learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using universal backwards design and rubrics can help to create assessments that not only assess content knowledge but also promote critical thinking, skill mastery, and deeper learning by integrating cognitive demand principles into science skill building.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Stindt (Nekoosa High School: Nekoosa, WI)

Writing is an essential skill for students to communicate scientific reasoning. Students can develop and use scientific models to organize the evidence for effective writing. This session provides educators with strategies, tools, and lesson plans to improve student writing skills and sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants receive a set of lessons aligned to the NGSS and STEELS standards that use strategies to engage students in writing scientific explanations and arguments. Participants learn how to use models to support student writing and how to apply these strategies to their instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Brett Moulding (Partnership for Effective Science Teaching and Learning: Ogden, UT), Candace Penrod (Salt Lake City School District: MURRAY, UT)

Should you text and drive? Let’s find out with fun, easy-to-do, hands-on, and content-rich activities from the Exploratorium. Open your eyes to your eye-brain system and how clearly you see the world. Explore your visual perception while engaging with three dimensions of the NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Find out why you need to “Keep your eyes on the road!” Participants will engage in hands-on activities. They will collect, analyze, and interpret data about their own eyes and visual systems. Discover the “Structure and Function” and how “Information Processing” works in the eye-brain system.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Muller (Exploratorium: San Rafael, CA)

Discover how PBS LearningMedia, a free and trusted resource for PreK-12 classrooms, utilizes media-rich resources from PBS shows like NOVA, NATURE, Weathered, and PBS Eons to spark students' curiosity, facilitate student sense-making, and support 3D learning frameworks.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn strategies for seamlessly incorporating multimedia content from PBS LearningMedia into curriculum and learn new methods to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving as students learn about and discuss challenges posed by environmental issues and the potential solutions.

SPEAKERS:
Merek Chang (Hacienda La Puenta Unified School District: City of Industry, CA), Lori Brittain (VP, PBS LearningMedia: Arlington, VA)

In today’s fast-paced world, chronic stress is common, but your mind and body can pay a high price. Learn to recognize overwhelming stress—and what you can do about it. Most importantly, learn how to use the power of your senses to relieve stress on the spot and stay calm, productive, and focused

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with tips on how to manage stress.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Azra Chughtai (NSTA: McLean, VA)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Join this hands-on workshop to explore three engaging experiments about how light, gravity & nutrients impact plant growth. Each participant receives Fast Plants seeds flown in space with Emily Calandrelli on a Blue Origin rocket, plus fun lesson plans for all experiments.

SPEAKERS:
Hedi Lauffer (Wisconsin Fast Plants Program: Larkspur, CO)

Sponsoring Company: ExploreLearning

Discover how to empower students to do all the science sensemaking practices with far less prep for you. You’ll get practical strategies for using simulations to add more SEPs into your teaching and go hands-on with Gizmos and upcoming new Gizmos lessons that fully engage students in the practices.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Kehret (Abilene ISD: Abilene, TX)

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:
Robert Ingram (GREAT MINDS PBC: Baltimore, MD)

Sponsoring Company: PASCO Scientific

Discover how PASCO's innovative equipment seamlessly integrates with OpenSciEd's standards-based curriculum. Engage in hands-on Middle School investigations. See how sensor-based data transforms traditional labs into dynamic learning experiences, empowering students to think like scientists.

Sponsoring Company: Teachers' Curriculum Institute (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.

In today’s diverse classrooms, student engagement and a sense of belonging are essential to academic success. This session explores the value and implementation of high-quality instructional practices that foster both active engagement and a deeper sense of belonging among students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with actionable strategies in collaborative learning, tech integration, and culturally responsive instruction which they can implement immediately to enhance student motivation, class cohesion, and overall academic achievement.

SPEAKERS:
Tanya MacMartin, Ed.D. (Twin Peaks Middle School: Poway, CA)

Join us for an interactive workshop on promoting resilience in students through STEM education. Discover strategies such as hands-on problem-solving projects, fostering a growth mindset, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engage students in hands-on STEM projects that encourage them to persist through challenges and setbacks, developing resilience when faced with complex tasks.

SPEAKERS:
Stephen Bowen (Lyford Cay International School: No City, No State), Ashish Gilbert Bowen (St Andrews International School: Nassau, 0)

Sponsoring Company: Stile Education

What if you could easily tailor your science curriculum to reflect the world your students live in? In this interactive workshop, educators will discover how to use Stile’s Prepare Mode to seamlessly integrate local phenomena into their science lessons. We’ll explore how making local connections boosts engagement and learning outcomes, and you’ll collaborate with fellow teachers to build a custom lesson featuring New York- and New Jersey-specific science phenomena in real time. Whether it’s a case study on Hurricane Sandy, an analysis of water levels in the Manasquan Reservoir, or an exploration of genetically diverse cockroaches in Manhattan, you’ll leave with a personalized lesson ready to spark dynamic, student-led discussions in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Julianna Jimenez (Stile Education: Los Angeles, CA)

Using the science classroom for language development empowers all students, specifically multi-language learners, to build their confidence with communication needed for all academic areas. Learn strategies to incorporate language activities, movement, and song into your science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with instructional strategies that support elementary students, specifically multi-language learners, with academic language development within the science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Houle (The University of Rhode Island: Wakefield, RI), Sarah Reis (University of Rhode Island: Cranston, RI), Catherine Knasas (University of Rhode Island: Attleboo, MA)

Do your students think copying notes is learning? Join this interactive workshop to discover how we can elevate our students' learning experiences through active note-taking practices. Let’s explore a variety of strategies that empower students to take ownership of their sense-making.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a toolkit of versatile note-taking strategies to transform students from passive recipients into active knowledge-seekers.

SPEAKERS:
Cathy Xiong (Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Secondary School for Arts and Technology: Long Island City, NY), Evonnia Smith (NYC DOE: Brooklyn, NY), Yishan Lee (PS/MS 219: Bayside, NY)

High quality curriculum materials like OpenSciEd can be overwhelming! Join us to learn how to use the lesson unpacking protocol to get ready to teach with OpenSciEd.

TAKEAWAYS:
Prticpants will leave with a step-by-step protocol for unpacking OpenSciEd lessons in 30 minutes.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Henson (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO)

Looking to amplify your elementary students’ sensemaking? 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 curriculum supports students in critical thinking about phenomena and adjust their lesson activities and assessments to better support student engagement, sensemaking, and academic vocabulary.

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

This workshop will expand teachers’ attunement to the diverse communicative resources that can support multilingual learners’ (MLLs) sense-making in science classrooms, how teachers can integrate these resources into their practice, and the role of personal narratives in enhancing student engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore and leave with actionable strategies they can use in their classrooms to leverage students’ diverse semiotic resources for supporting MLLs’ productive engagement in science investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Eve Manz (Boston University: Boston, MA), Diana Garity (Somerville Public Schools: Somerville, MA), Souhaila Nassar (Boston University: Brighton, MA)

This workshop will explore the impact of the NGSS, 13 years after their inception. It will provide an opportunity to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses and how they can be improved to meet the needs of all future citizens and not privilege just those who will pursue scientific careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science standards must evolve to meet the needs of young people in a changed society. Current standards overemphasize college and professional career preparedness and do not do enough to address the needs of the majority as citizens and consumers. There are simple things that teachers can do now.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Osborne (Stanford Graduate School of Education: Stanford, CA), Daniel Pimentel (University of Alabama: Birmingham, AL), DOUGLAS ALLCHIN (SHiPS Resource Network: St Paul, MN), Andrew Zucker (Independent Scholar: Cambridge, MA)

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

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:
Susan German (Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Hallsville, MO), G. Michael Bowen (Mount Saint Vincent University: Halifax, NS)

This session will present the findings of a NARST committee on the potential and issues of AI in facilitating meaningful and equitable science learning in classrooms. We will engage teachers in discussions of the practice of AI-based science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain insights into the potential and challenges of AI in creating equitable science education, explore a framework for addressing these concerns, and receive recommendations for using AI to foster inclusive and meaningful science learning for diverse student populations.

SPEAKERS:
Juan-Carlos Aguilar (Georgia Dept. of Education: Atlanta, GA), Xiaoming Zhai (University of Georgia: Athens, GA)

Explore the storyline of the newly released OpenSciEd Unit K.2 How Can We Be Prepared for the Weather? and see how students leverage connections to ELA and math as they investigate and make sense of their local weather conditions.

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:
Gail Housman (Northwestern University: Brookfield, IL)

Looking for strategies that improve student questioning skills? Are your students struggling with developing questions for a Driving Question Board? The Question Formulation Technique empowers students to develop critical thinking by asking better, more insightful questions.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this hands-on experience, educators will discover how to utilize an effective instructional strategy, the Question Formulation Technique (QFT), to customize OpenSciEd lessons and support students with developing questions for a Driving Question Board (DQB) about the causes of a phenomenon.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Science Teachers Association: Gilbert, AZ)

MSELA and CREATE4STEM share their story on how they partner with other state organizations to advance K-5 science in Michigan. Both a vision for elementary science and resources to support system change are used to empower leaders to ensure all students have access to high quality science.

TAKEAWAYS:
Support state and local systems with an advocacy model for K-5 science education by highlighting Michigan’s efforts to network statewide support systems, provide professional learning, and prepare district leaders with resources to remove barriers and shift mindsets to advance science instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Wendi Vogel (Kent Intermediate School District: Lowell, MI), Cory Miller (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University: Charlotte, MI), Amber Richmond (Oakland Schools: Farmington Hills, MI), Elizabeth Reinhold (Macomb Intermediate School District: Washington Twp, MI)

Struggling with student engagement in your science classroom? Incorporating the use of phenomena will spark student interest and engagement. Learn how to incorporate phenomena, and the Ambitious Science Teaching practices of student discourse and student created models in your elementary classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will utilize the Ambitious Science Teaching practices of Eliciting student ideas and developing models. In this session we will use a phenomenon to spark interest and work through getting students to engage in science discourse and develop a science model to explain their understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Sauder (Northern State University: Bryant, SD)

Let's DO Science and increase our language development! Come investigate plants as we walk through a Science talk protocol, ask questions, make comparisons and predictions, and document and share our results from five plant exploration stations.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science talk protocols will help develop understanding of science concepts, academic vocabulary, and oral language skills. Learn discussion and questioning techniques, ways to engage and communicate, how to use inquiry to spark curiosity, and strategies that build speaking, listening and writing.

SPEAKERS:
Betsy Glisson (Studies Weekly: Dublin, GA)

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. Learn how your groups of teachers can participate.

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.

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

Win up to $20,000! Are you making a difference in your school and community with STEM? If you teach K–12, come join us to begin your application for one of three programs sponsored by Shell USA, Inc. We’ll guide you through the application process step by step, starting your application live!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn key tips regarding how to complete a strong application for the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton (NSTA: Fresno, TX)

In this session, participants will use the Generate, Sort, Connect, Elaborate thinking routine to unpack science performance expectations of a sample unit. Leaders will be equipped to replicate this process with their teachers, supporting them in connecting and breaking down performance expectations

TAKEAWAYS:
Leaders will learn how to use the “Generate, Sort, Connect, Elaborate” routine to unpack science performance expectations, enabling them to guide teachers in connecting expectations across units and breaking down their components, ultimately supporting deeper student understanding.

SPEAKERS:
Allison Porzillo (Mastery Charter Schools: Elkins Park, PA)

An NGSS classroom promises Science for All, but sometimes students have different needs. See how classroom teachers build a culture of choice, create differentiated literacy and assessment products, and help students meet differentiated goals for 3D learning within an inclusive classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with ideas and routines for fostering a differentiated classroom culture, samples of high-quality, scaffolded guides for scientific readings and assessments, and strategies to allow students to set their own goals for meeting or exceeding standards.

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

Are your students actively making sense of the instruction you're delivering in the classroom? Driving Questions Boards help students generate questions, increasing engagement, maximizing learning, and deepening understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators attending this workshop will understand how Driving Question Boards increase engagement, amplify student voice and choice, deliver more equitable instruction, and help students make sense of phenomena through inquiry based practice. Participants will develop a plan to implement a DBQ.

SPEAKERS:
Jaime Camero (Walter Douglas Elementary School: Tucson, AZ)

Participants will gain first-hand experience in designing a virtual field trip. They will learn how to use Tour It, a free tool available through the NASA Infiniscope project, to create immersive virtual experiences that make the benefits of place-based education more broadly accessible.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this workshop, participants will begin creating an immersive student field experience using Tour It. They will learn how to capture media, design for place-based learning, and accommodate the needs of diverse learners.

SPEAKERS:
Melanie Narish (Arizona State University: Mesa, AZ), Sina Kirk (ASU: Tempe, AZ)

Students feel capable of taking risks and challenging themselves when they feel a sense of community in class.You will learn how to use community circles and metacognitive reflections to promote belonging in the classroom, while helping students to make authentic, intentional connections to content.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about using metacognitive reflections and community circles to build community and connection to content. Participants will review examples of these reflections and plan how to implement them, and engage in a circle and receive resources on how to build a circle practice.

SPEAKERS:
Casey Nolan (Hillsdale High School: San Mateo, CA)

Inspire your students to think like scientists and engineers with this hands-on STEM approach. Test variables, make predictions, and design the perfect plane—a new twist on straw rockets! Engage in reverse engineering to analyze existing designs. Get resources to elevate your STEM lessons today!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn hands-on strategies to help students develop measurement, data collection, and analysis skills they can apply in engineering design lessons. You will learn methods to differentiate this in any K-12 setting and leave with free resources to implement this in your classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Stormer (3-6 STEM Teacher/ Elementary and Teacher Curriculum Specialist, Air Camp USA: Union, OH), Christina Davis (Air Camp USA, Inc.: Dayton, OH)

Reading proficiency is tied to academic success. Teaching various reading and testing strategies while using high quality instructional materials (HQIM) and innovative technology can help students overcome their challenges with comprehension and vocabulary acquisition.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to use reading strategies coupled with technology to help all students develop ways to navigate grade-level, challenging text. How creating a classroom culture can cultivate an environment conducive for welcoming and increasing literacy in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie White-Keuchler (The School District of Philadelphia: Philadelphia, PA)

With a declining workforce population, NSF & others have PreK12 opportunities to promote STEM identity and potential future careers in a growing national STEM workforce. Tap into large-scale grants that bring authentic pK12 STEM experiences to a learning setting near you through NSF Broader Impacts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants explore the "Ah Ha" insights that a "retired" 35-year STEM teacher learned in an encore career as a Broader Impacts professional at an R1 research institution. Get an inside scoop on taking PreK-12 students on paid authentic STEM journeys! The ultimate STEM opportunity playbook!

SPEAKERS:
Jeff Remington (Penn State University: State College, PA)

Today, teachers face challenges around engagement, widening achievement gaps, and the need to prepare students for an ever evolving future. Game-Based Learning (GBL) paired with multimodal instruction provides an innovative solution, fostering engagement, deeper understanding, and long-term success.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how teachers are able to provide a captivating experience for students to acquire knowledge, develop essential skills, and apply their understanding in meaningful contexts through this pairing of methodologies.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Gerlach (Legends of Learning: Laurel, MD)

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Come learn more about the OSE elementary curriculum! We’ll look at shifting to a classroom where students' natural curiosities about the world are leveraged to motivate their learning in science. Meaningful conversations and ideas about what that might look like with your teaching and learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jen Gutierrez (Activate Learning: Chandler, AZ)

Sponsoring Company: BrainPOP

Move from teacher-led to student-driven learning with Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER)! Explore a variety of resources and questioning strategies that promote authentic practice. Learn how the CER process and science and engineering practices can be part of a scaffolded and low-stakes journey.

SPEAKERS:
Kelsie Stocz (BrainPOP: Garner, NC)

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)

Sponsoring Company: Great Minds

Explore a 5th grade module to figure out how Balinese Rice farming has endured for 1,000 years. Through exploration, participants uncover a new process for developing models in science and see how the communication of ideas through models and sketches increases opportunities for student engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Robert Ingram (GREAT MINDS PBC: Baltimore, MD)

Sponsoring Company: LEGO® Education

Walk away with powerful insights from real classroom on how to better engage students in science with hands-on playful learning. A panel of educators will share how they use hands-on, inquiry-based methods and tools to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and improve long-term learning outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Joshua Johnson (LEGO® Education: Boston, MA), JoEllen Schuleman (P.S. 199 Jessie Isador Straus: New York, NY), Paula Don (Education Consultant: Philadelphia, PA), Jenny Nash (LEGO® Education: Billund, Jylland, Denmark), Theresa Goltermann (Tabb Middle School: Hayes, VA)

Experience learning opportunities designed for early elementary students and reflect on strategies used to build instruction around students’ ideas and questions and support students in figuring out phenomena. Explore free, NGSS-aligned, research-based, resources for your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Children are naturally curious; let’s use that curiosity to foster and facilitate students’ questioning and discourse about phenomena in an elementary classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Amber Richmond (Oakland Schools: Farmington Hills, MI), Chiara Kirkland (Detroit Public Schools Community District: Detroit, MI), Cory Miller (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University: Charlotte, MI)

This workshop guides science leaders in assessing district-specific needs and refining a K-20 science vision. Participants will explore national trends, collaborate on strategies, and design sustainable professional learning frameworks to enhance three-dimensional science learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will refine or define their K-20 science vision using National Academies research, identifying strategies to drive improvement in three-dimensional science teaching and learning across their schools.

SPEAKERS:
Betsy Barent (Lincoln Public Schools: Lincoln, NE), Matthew Christiansen (Oceanside High School #7: Oceanside, NY)

Want to create 3D assessment tasks that students enjoy completing and leave wanting to learn more? Join us for this session where we will explore three different approaches to choosing phenomena and problems for assessments that align to standards and connect to students’ interests and identities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will leave with a plan for learning about your students’ interests and the priorities of their communities pertaining to a 3D standard you are teaching and assessing next semester.

SPEAKERS:
William Penuel (University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO), Abraham Lo (BSCS Science Learning: Ambler, PA)

Come learn about “language-expansive noticing” - a practice that enables teachers to recognize multilingual students’ brilliant ideas in addition to the various ways these students might draw from linguistic and multimodal resources to develop and communicate their scientific sensemaking!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will understand why developing their practice of language-expansive noticing is critical for ensuring equitable science learning experiences for multilingual students. They will leave with strategies and resources to help them continue to develop and use this practice in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Sage Andersen (The University of Texas at Austin: Buda, TX), María González-Howard (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX)

This session will showcase NSTA's outstanding science trade books and lessons that can support and strengthen K-5 elementary science programs. Information will be shared about the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching and the impacts that it can have professionally and personally.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will get lessons for NSTA’s outstanding trade books from nationally recognized elementary educators. Members from the Society of Elementary Presidential Awardees (SEPA) will share about the PAEMST application process and the benefits that come from networking with this learning community.

SPEAKERS:
Crystal Brown (Hunter Elementary School: Dexter, MI), Katie Stevenson (South Redford School District: Livonia, MI)

Benefits of Flipped Classroom models to foster Student-Centered Learning in Middle and Upper School Life Sciences courses. Learn about tools, strategies, implementations, and resources to use when creating a course using Flipped Classroom models. Use literacy content and skills as enrichments tools.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn to use a Flipped Classroom model and Literacy tools to foster a more robust Student-Centered learning experience. Attendees will also be able to brainstorm the design of a lesson using flipped classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Fernando Azcona (The Out-of-Door Academy: Sarasota, FL)

Learn about a Science Education Fellowship program that helps science teachers become leaders without leaving the classroom. The SEF program has transformed the lives of hundreds of Fellows and thousands of students. The collaborative effort includes teachers, science coordinators, and administrators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about how to foster K-12 vertical articulation of science curriculum, an in-depth means to learn about science and engineering practices and how to be a teacher leader without leaving the classroom. Teacher leadership can lead to school district transformation.

SPEAKERS:
Arthur Eisenkraft (University of Massachusetts Boston: Quincy, MA)

Educators will engage as student learners to experience an anchoring phenomenon from a middle school OpenSciEd lesson to discover an effective, 5-step modeling routine for helping students make sense of phenomena adapted from the text, Ambitious Science Teaching.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will gain an understanding of an effective, 5-step instructional, collaborative routine for developing student’s proficiency with the Science and Engineering Practice of Developing and Using models and discover how it supports sensemaking and phenomena-based instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Science Teachers Association: Gilbert, AZ)

Attention diverse and experienced educators making a meaningful impact! Join us to learn how you can win up to $10,000 through the Shell-sponsored teacher awards. This is a great opportunity to celebrate your contributions and enhance your teaching initiatives!

TAKEAWAYS:
During the session, you’ll learn about the different award categories, eligibility criteria, and tips for crafting a compelling application. You’ll connect with fellow educators, share ideas, and learn best practices. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your work and make an even greater impact!

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton (NSTA: Fresno, TX)

Place-based science teaching positions aspects of place–geographic location, geologic time, identity and community–at the forefront of science practices. This session will focus on the opportunities for place-based learning and teaching to explore our own locations: schoolyards and communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Place-based learning honors the lived experiences of students and the living beings that form a community. Participants will learn how to implement a NGSS-aligned, place-based science lesson in their own space: schoolyard or community.

SPEAKERS:
Kirstin Milks (Bloomington High School South: Bloomington, IN), Whitney Aragaki (Waiakea High School: Hilo, HI)

Explore a hands-on lesson answering utilization of soil, water, and land use data to make decisions. Put on your student hat and see how they will analyze data to construct a solution for a relevant land use concern. Then, switch over to teacher mode and discuss ways to apply in our classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with experience in a versatile lesson that can be applied as an assessment tool, an engagement tool, or both. These tools are phenomenon based and use science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Sprague (Onalaska High School: Onalaska, WI), JESSICA JONES (Olmsted Falls High School: Strongsville, OH)

In Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula, a teacher leadership model has enabled an effective system of teacher-led elementary science support where teachers learn from and support one another. Learn from two teacher leaders who have helped develop a sustainable professional learning community!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how a teacher leadership model can benefit schools by ensuring high quality science learning for all elementary students and providing professional development for teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin St. Onge (MiSTEM Network / EUPISD: Sault Sainte Marie, MI), Megan Dell (Brimley Area Schools: Sault Ste Marie, MI), Jessica Krueger (Rudyard Area Schools: Rudyard, MI)

Join staff from Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago Public Schools as they discuss their innovative partnership, which has evolved from logistical support to collaborative teacher PL and a classroom-ready activity developed with zoo scientists. Participants will have the chance to try the activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
A creative partnership between Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago Public Schools has led to multiple opportunities for innovative collaborations and engaging, NGSS-aligned student activities.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Compton (Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program: Chicago, IL), Rosie Arnold (Lincoln Park Zoo: Chicago, IL)

Get in the groove and make a real working record player! Investigate sound and wave properties with an easy-to-build homemade record player. Learn how music is encoded and played back. Understand the difference between digital and analog information transfer with this DIY device.

TAKEAWAYS:
Discover how to play the biggest hits of the NGSS: Learn about sound, waves, and the difference between digital and analog encoding with a DIY vinyl record player.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Muller (Exploratorium: San Rafael, CA)

Modeling Instruction has transformed science classrooms, making research-backed practices such as student generation of concepts, multiple representations, and teamwork an integral part of the learning process. Experience a “modeling cycle”: lab investigation, development of a model, and deployment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to describe Modeling Instruction and will know where to go for support in implementing this practice in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Gary Pritts (Bishop Chatard High School: Fishers, IN), Amanda Horan (Bishop Chatard Hs: Indianapolis, IN)

Through discussions and workshopping, participants consider ways to leverage the curriculum adoption process, including setting an instructional vision, developing criteria, and evaluating materials, to develop teacher understanding of rigorous science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn strategies for using K-12 curriculum adoptions to support deep professional learning around the NGSS/Framework, particularly sensemaking with the three-dimensions and phenomenon and problem based instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Wachowski (EdReports.org: Lander, WY)

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

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will appreciate how having students make sense of phenomena leads to greater engagement and better understanding.

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

This session offers simple, practical activities to explicitly teach the Nature of Science (NOS), promoting scientific literacy and understanding. Participants will leave with ready-to-use resources that foster student engagement with NOS concepts in accessible and meaningful ways.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use straightforward activities to teach NOS explicitly, making science accessible to all students and promoting critical understanding of scientific inquiry and literacy in the classroom.

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

Pre-service teachers (currently student teaching) had some hands-on experience preparing and presenting an environmentally themed field trip for high school students. Challenges faced included sudden change of venue and preparing for the unexpected when doing field trips.

TAKEAWAYS:
Field trips should continue to be a FEATURE of any science curriculum, but the messaging must be clear.

SPEAKERS:
Kathleen Jones (Juniata College: Huntingdon, PA), Jalen Steiner (Juniata College: Selinsgrove, PA)

Innovation Configuration maps help educators focus on concrete aspects of teacher and student actions that lead to deep conceptual science understanding. Participants will analyze classroom videos, using the maps to practice reflecting on classroom actions and set goals for continuous improvement.

TAKEAWAYS:
IC Maps—frameworks of effective teaching and learning strategies and evidence-based practices—can be used as part of reflective practice and continuous improvement by allowing educators to identify where their current practice falls in the map and set actionable goals to move their practice forward.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Ewing (The Charles A. Dana Center: Austin, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Flinn Scientific

Boost student curiosity with quick, impactful demos for teaching force, motion, waves, energy, and more! Ideal for middle and high school physical science teachers, this is a "can't miss" session! Handouts for all activities included! Visit www.flinnsci.com.

SPEAKERS:
Jonnathan Medina Ramos, Ph.D. (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL), Mike Marvel, Ph.D. (Flinn Scientific, Inc.: Batavia, IL)

Sponsoring Company: Ward's Science

Take the guesswork out of science inquiry at the elementary level. We will explore activities that engage students' curiosity and ignite their passion for science through Science Olympiad. Discover some great activities for the classroom, after school programs, family events and STEM programs.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Bogan (Ward's Science: Fairport, NY), Patty Muscatello (Wards Science: Niagara Falls, NY), Norman Marshall (Ward's Science: West Henrietta, NY)

This year’s OSTB award books will be available for participants to peruse and enjoy. Learn about connections you can make to your instruction using these books and our experiences serving on the committee.

TAKEAWAYS:
NSTA and The Children’s Book Council have given awards for the best science trade books for over the past fifty years – At this share-a-thon table, learn more about this year’s selection and peruse some potential instructional connections.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Geary (Val Verde U.S.D.: Temecula, CA), Ana Houseal (University of Wyoming: Laramie, WY)

What do young learners know about how the brain works? Brain-based research and mindfulness can have a profound impact on young learners. Foster a growth mindset in your young students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learning about the brain in elementary school supports lifelong achievement and development.

Become part of the Science and Children team as an author or reviewer.  Science and Children is the premier journal for educators working with children in early childhood and elementary. We share classroom-tested ideas and innovative practices for all educators, including preservice teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Expand your leadership pathway by becoming an author or reviewer for NSTA's ECE Journal, Science and Children.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn (National Science Teaching Association: Chester, NY)

Check out and learn how to access free ML-PBL integrated science curricular units for Grades K-5. See how the features of PBL support sensemaking, check out examples of unit overviews, literacy integration and recommended trade books, and research supporting the Multiple Literacies in PBL Project.

TAKEAWAYS:
After viewing examples from multiple units within the ML-PBL K-5 unit sequence, participants will learn how to access the free K-5 curricular resources on the Sprocket site. Handouts provide information for accessing and implementing the resources, or for adapting current units.

SPEAKERS:
Susan Codere (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University, Retired: Lansing, MI)

Tumble is a science podcast for kids that aims to enhance science literacy for children aged 3 to 13. We have developed several accessible resources for teachers, parents, and others that we are excited to share.

TAKEAWAYS:
There are lots of ways Tumble can help your students engage with (and create!) podcast content to enhance science learning at home and at school.

SPEAKERS:
Marshall Escamilla (Tumble Media Production: Greenfield, MA)

Air Camp is a hands-on educational adventure in aviation and aeronautics for students in grades 4-12 and K-12 STEM educators. Aiming to connect, inspire, and provide STEM learning opportunities while offering teachers professional development, valuable resources, classroom materials, and much more.

TAKEAWAYS:
Access to teacher resources and professional development opportunities designed to integrate aviation-focused STEM lessons and real-world applications into the elementary school classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Stormer (3-6 STEM Teacher/ Elementary and Teacher Curriculum Specialist, Air Camp USA: Union, OH), Christina Davis (Air Camp USA, Inc.: Dayton, OH)

This hands on session shows a range of play activities which can be used to teach science concepts

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with ideas for teaching specific science concepts through play

SPEAKERS:
Anne Lowry (Aleph Academy: Reno, NV)