NSTA Engage: Fall20

November 13-15, 2020

4/9/2026 12:00PM EST: All sessions added to My Agenda prior to this notice have been exported to the mobile app and will be visible in the app when you login, under your profile. Any sessions added now will also have to be added in the app.
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Rooms and times subject to change.
21 results
Save up to 50 sessions in your agenda.

President's Welcome

Friday, November 13 • 4:00 PM - 4:05 PM

Digital Tools and Online Strategies for Hybrid/Remote/Online Science Instruction

Friday, November 13 • 4:05 PM - 4:50 PM

Show Details

Transitioning to online instruction requires educators to employ new digital tools and strategies. We'll focus on an overview of digital tools and strategies.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Making connections between digital tools and strategies for use in student engagement; 2. Becoming familiar with the shared digital tools and strategies for use; and 3. List of online resources for use in online instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Christine Anne Royce

Muddy Boots and Backpacks

Friday, November 13 • 4:05 PM - 4:50 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Muddy Boots and Backpacks Tips

Show Details

Join us to learn how our district takes over one thousand elementary students into our local wilds and brings the science and technology standards to life. 

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

SPEAKERS:
Heather Tarlton, Dana Letts

NSTA Press Session: Instructional Sequence Matters, Grades 3–5, Explore-Before-Explain

Friday, November 13 • 4:05 PM - 4:50 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17XXXULgsLK9vyIA6DyWuR3CI6smwt8qm/view?usp=sharing
https://tinyurl.com/ISMEngage

Show Details

Find out how to use explore-before-explain learning to flip the traditional teaching script and promote long-lasting understanding in physical, life, and Earth and space science.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Why sequence matters—a concise review of cognitive science and science education research explains why the order in which you structure your lessons is so critical; 2. What you need to do—an overview of important planning considerations covers becoming an “explore-before-explain” teacher and designing POE (Predict, Observe, Explain) and 5E (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) instructional models; and 3. How you do it—ready-to-teach lessons that use an explore-before-explain sequence to provide an experience that meets the Next Generation Science Standards and makes interdisciplinary connections to the Common Core State Standards.

SPEAKERS:
Patrick Brown

Engineering Solutions for Diverse Learners

Friday, November 13 • 4:05 PM - 4:50 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Session Notes and Links

Show Details

How can we support ALL learners as they engage in STEM learning? This interactive session will focus on scaffolding engineering experiences to assist English language learners and other students in need of additional support while enriching the learning for everyone.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore EiE’s considerations for designing fully inclusive engineering experiences; 2. Identify strategies for facilitating accessible STEM activities virtually and in person.

SPEAKERS:
Lorri Coates

Supporting Diverse Students Through Problem-Based Enhanced Language Learning (PBELL)

Friday, November 13 • 4:05 PM - 4:50 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Supporting Diverse Students Through Problem-Based Enhanced Language Learning

Show Details

Educators will be introduced to PBELL and how it can make science accessible and engaging for all levels of special education and English language learners.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Similarities in ELL and Special Education Students; 2. Strategies to support ALL diverse learners; and 3. How to embed language acquisition throughout science content making it accessible to all.

SPEAKERS:
Brittney Oden

Evidence in the Era of NGSS

Friday, November 13 • 4:50 PM - 5:35 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Evidence in the Era of NGSS_AmplifyScience.pdf

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: Amplify

How do we support students to gather a variety of evidence in order to deepen their understanding of phenomena? Join program authors from UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science to experience how a multimodal approach allows students to grapple with phenomena and real-world problems like scientists do. We will unpack structures from the K–8 Amplify Science curriculum and consider how a deep understanding of NGSS can support you in making principled pedagogical decisions.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain a deeper understanding of the role that different sources of evidence play in phenomenon-based teaching and learning; 2. experience an exemplar of how students figuring out investigative phenomena can support their increasing understanding of more complex anchor phenomena; and 3. reflect on how students engage in all three dimensions of NGSS as they gather evidence and grapple with real-world phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie Stenger, Rebecca Abbott

Fueling Success with Students—Win Up to $10k!

Friday, November 13 • 4:50 PM - 5:35 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Instructional Method and Teaching Philosophy questions
Shell Programs flyer
Shell Programs presentation
Learn about the two Shell Teaching Awards and the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge competition.

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: NSTA, Shell Teacher Awards and Competitions

Do you impact your school and community with STEM? If you teach K–12, come learn how to apply to win one of eight Shell-supported awards through this teacher competition.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to apply for a Shell-sponsored award or competition; 2. begin your application or nomination of a Shell-sponsored program and receive a prize; and 3. collaborate with past winners and judges to learn how to strengthen your application.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton, Ruth Ruud

Sanctuaries 360°: Immersive Experiences in America's Underwater Parks

Friday, November 13 • 4:50 PM - 5:35 PM

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is introducing a collection of immersive underwater experiences to bring these exceptional places to viewers everywhere. Join us on a virtual tour of our underwater parks. Learn what national marine sanctuaries are and dive below the surface to virtually interact with sanctuary sea life.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Take a visual tour of America's national marine sanctuaries and learn more about the conservation of these underwater parks; 2. Immerse and explore these underwater treasures through free virtual reality dives and 360 degree underwater photos; and 3. Walk through at least one NGSS-focused lesson plan for grades 6–8 that complements the underwater VR dives.

SPEAKERS:
Claire Fackler

Strategies to Support English Language Learners in the Science Classroom

Friday, November 13 • 4:50 PM - 5:35 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA-2020-Strategies to Support ELLs in the Science Classroom-BURNETT.pdf

Show Details

Sponsoring Company: STEMscopes

Engage in strategies to help your ELL population make sense of science concepts and apply their science knowledge to real-world applications. In this session, we will explore a variety of strategies for differentiating instruction so that ELLs within the classroom can build their ability to communicate science concepts effectively.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn strategies to support English Learners; 2. Participate in activities that help scaffold reading and writing for ELs; and 3. Learn how to differentiation ideas

SPEAKERS:
Veronica Burnett, Dr. Kenneth Heydrick

Elementary Science Expo: Early Childhood and Lower Elementary

Friday, November 13 • 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
2020 NSTA Engage_ Fall20 Elementary Science Showcase Akers.pdf
Example recording sheets
Lab Notebooks in the Preschool and Elementary Classroom
Recording Sheet examples

Show Details

The Elementary Science Expo has adapted the exciting, quick-fire format of the popular Pecha Kucha presentations for the NSTA Engage: Fall20 virtual conference. This "social show-and-tell event" brings together leaders in lower elementary science and STEM education as presenters offer 15 slides for 20 seconds each for a total of 5 minutes. Each five-minute presentation will offer teaching strategies and resources in the best practices in science and STEM education for our youngest learners. Featured materials come from celebrated classroom educators, authors of NSTA Press books and award-winning books, as well as strategies from the NSTA preK–5 journal Science & Children.

NGSS connections to student experiences will be highlighted during each Pecha Kucha presentation. Participants will interact with presenters about science and STEM investigations and resources through a Q&A session at the end of the time block. Presentations will be passionate, funny, informative, and inspirational. Join us for this new format and learn from this fast paced, energy-filled experience and leave with ideas to use with your students and colleagues.

This event is organized by Jennifer Williams, Department Chair, Lower School Science, Isidore Newman School, New Orleans, LA.

NSTA is grateful to Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision for sponsoring the Elementary Science Expo.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Lowry, Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn, Katie Morrison, Jennifer Williams, Acacia McKenna, Belle Akers

Elementary Science Expo: Upper Elementary, Part 1

Friday, November 13 • 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Center for K-12 STEM Education - Activity and Program Resources
Girls Who Code Clubs Flyer
Resource Page for 5E Instructional Model Science Notebooks
Three ways to make a remote robot

Show Details

The Elementary Science Expo has adapted the exciting, quick-fire format of the popular Pecha Kucha presentations for the NSTA Engage: Fall20 virtual conference. This "social show-and-tell event" brings together leaders in upper elementary science and STEM education as presenters offer 15 slides for 20 seconds each for a total of 5 minutes. Each five-minute presentation will offer teaching strategies and resources in the best practices in science and STEM education for our youngest learners. Featured materials come from celebrated classroom educators, authors of NSTA Press books and award-winning books, as well as strategies from the NSTA preK–5 journal Science & Children.

NGSS connections to student experiences will be highlighted during each Pecha Kucha presentation. Participants will interact with presenters about science and STEM investigations and resources through a Q&A session at the end of the time block. Presentations will be passionate, funny, informative, and inspirational. Join us for this new format and learn from this fast paced, energy-filled experience and leave with ideas to use with your students and colleagues.

This event is organized by Jennifer Williams, Department Chair, Lower School Science, Isidore Newman School, New Orleans, LA.

NSTA is grateful to Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision for sponsoring the Elementary Science Expo.

SPEAKERS:
Michelle Sanchez, Erica Smith, Julie A. Smith, Rebecca Garelli, Jennifer Williams, Judith Boyle, Acacia McKenna, Tom Lauwers

Elementary Science Expo: All Elementary Grades, PreK–5

Friday, November 13 • 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Distance Learning Unit Links NSTA 2020.pdf
Free Elementary Energy Curriculum
NEED's free elementary level guides all available as a PDF download or e-publication! Fun, hands-on and engaging! Aligned to NGSS.

Show Details

The Elementary Science Expo has adapted the exciting, quick-fire format of the popular Pecha Kucha presentations for the NSTA Engage: Fall20 virtual conference. This "social show-and-tell event" brings together leaders in upper elementary science and STEM education as presenters offer 15 slides for 20 seconds each for a total of 5 minutes. Each five-minute presentation will offer teaching strategies and resources in the best practices in science and STEM education for our youngest learners. Featured materials come from celebrated classroom educators, authors of NSTA Press books and award-winning books, as well as strategies from the NSTA preK–5 journal Science & Children.

NGSS connections to student experiences will be highlighted during each Pecha Kucha presentation. Participants will interact with presenters about science and STEM investigations and resources through a Q&A session at the end of the time block. Presentations will be passionate, funny, informative, and inspirational. Join us for this new format and learn from this fast paced, energy-filled experience and leave with ideas to use with your students and colleagues.

This event is organized by Jennifer Williams, Department Chair, Lower School Science, Isidore Newman School, New Orleans, LA.

NSTA is grateful to Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision for sponsoring the Elementary Science Expo.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Scherzinger, Geoff Stonecipher, Rebecca Kurson, Katie Morrison, Jennifer Williams, Ashley Townsend, Acacia McKenna

Elementary Science Expo: Upper Elementary, Part 2

Friday, November 13 • 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Elementary Chemistry.pdf
METRICS: Maximizing Engagement Through Regular Immersion in Computer Science
Maximizing Engagement Through Regular Immersion in Computer Science (METRICS), is a five-year U.S. Department of Education (US ED) Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant awarded to Winchester Public Schools (WPS) in October 2019. Working collaboratively with community partners, WPS is implementing a whole-school immersion computer science (CS) initiative. Project activities are integrated across the daily classroom curriculum and real-world experiences boost traditionally underrepresented
The Write Stuff: Elevate Your Students' Writing Resources

Show Details

The Elementary Science Expo has adapted the exciting, quick-fire format of the popular Pecha Kucha presentations for the NSTA Engage: Fall20 virtual conference. This "social show-and-tell event" brings together leaders in upper elementary science and STEM education as presenters offer 15 slides for 20 seconds each for a total of 5 minutes. Each five-minute presentation will offer teaching strategies and resources in the best practices in science and STEM education for our youngest learners. Featured materials come from celebrated classroom educators, authors of NSTA Press books and award-winning books, as well as strategies from the NSTA preK–5 journal Science & Children.

NGSS connections to student experiences will be highlighted during each Pecha Kucha presentation. Participants will interact with presenters about science and STEM investigations and resources through a Q&A session at the end of the time block. Presentations will be passionate, funny, informative, and inspirational. Join us for this new format and learn from this fast paced, energy-filled experience and leave with ideas to use with your students and colleagues.

This event is organized by Jennifer Williams, Department Chair, Lower School Science, Isidore Newman School, New Orleans, LA.

NSTA is grateful to Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision for sponsoring the Elementary Science Expo.

SPEAKERS:
K. Renae Pullen, Susan Bickel, Erin Boyett, Julie A. Smith, Acacia McKenna, Britt Miller, Amy Thomas, Jennifer Ramsey, Jennifer LaBombard-Daniels, Rob Wallace, Jennifer Williams

Elementary Science Expo: Informal Education Resources for Early Childhood and Elementary Grades

Friday, November 13 • 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
EiE NSTA Engage 20 Survey
Please complete this survey to provide feedback and preference for which FREE engineering design challenge you would like to receive!
EiE Product Portfolio (via Padlet)
View this overview of the Engineering and Computer Science solutions from PreK-G8 for teaching in-school, virtually, or during flexible-time settings.
EiE Virtual STEM Solutions
Curiosity. Imagination. Collaboration. Bring STEM Learning to Life. Solving food scarcity. Preventing viral outbreaks. Designing eco-friendly cities. How do you prepare future -ready learners to think, design, build and solve for the real-world challenges ahead? New flexible learning solutions to accelerate STEM. Anytime. Anywhere. In uncertain times, you need maximum flexibility. Students need experiences that engage them in hands-on, minds-on learning, even virtually. We know your decis
STEM Books Beyond Become a Maker!
STEM challenges, book lists & teaching resources
Three ways to make a remote robot

Show Details

The Elementary Science Expo has adapted the exciting, quick-fire format of the popular Pecha Kucha presentations for the NSTA Engage: Fall20 virtual conference. This "social show-and-tell event" brings together leaders in upper elementary science and STEM education as presenters offer 15 slides for 20 seconds each for a total of 5 minutes. Each five-minute presentation will offer teaching strategies and resources in the best practices in science and STEM education for our youngest learners. Featured materials come from celebrated classroom educators, authors of NSTA Press books and award-winning books, as well as strategies from the NSTA preK–5 journal Science & Children.

NGSS connections to student experiences will be highlighted during each Pecha Kucha presentation. Participants will interact with presenters about science and STEM investigations and resources through a Q&A session at the end of the time block. Presentations will be passionate, funny, informative, and inspirational. Join us for this new format and learn from this fast paced, energy-filled experience and leave with ideas to use with your students and colleagues.

This event is organized by Jennifer Williams, Department Chair, Lower School Science, Isidore Newman School, New Orleans, LA.

NSTA is grateful to Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision for sponsoring the Elementary Science Expo.

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Swan, Tom Lauwers, Rob Wallace, Godwyn Morris, Jennifer Williams, Acacia McKenna, Amanda Souza, Amanda Glover

Energy Efficiency: Making a Difference Can Start Early

Friday, November 13 • 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
School Energy Inspectors
Elementary students are introduced to the basic concepts of energy use and energy efficiency. Free PDF download or e-publication! Please note there is a Teacher Guide and a Student Guide. Can be adapted to teach virtually!

Show Details

Introduce students to ways we use energy—exploring thermal energy transfer, electricity, lighting, and more! Learn great investigation activities for both the home and school!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to use energy management tools to measure energy use in the school and at home; 2. Describe efficiency and conservation, and categorize an energy-saving measure as either efficiency or conservation; and 3. Teach students how to measure and calculate which devices use more electricity than others and which cost more than others.

SPEAKERS:
Tyler Cvitkovic

Environmental and Instructional Strategies for Safer Lab Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic!

Friday, November 13 • 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTAENGAGEConfDrRoy13Nov2020.pdf

Show Details

Environmental/instructional strategies will be addressed to help teachers reduce risk and provide for safer lab activities in on-site school science labs and virtual formats.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Five effective ways of reducing health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2. Facility environmental concerns and ways to make them safer; and 3. Instructional strategies to reduce risk for safer lab activities.

SPEAKERS:
Kenneth Roy

STEM, Equity, and Leadership

Friday, November 13 • 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
*Equity Resource List.docx
For NSTA Engage 2020 presentations
Handout 2
Handout 3
Handout 4
Handout 4a
Handout 5
Handout 6
Handout 7
REVISED List of Handouts

Show Details

Concerned about the STEM achievement gap? Learn about the latest data, as well as experience a strategy for facilitating equity conversations and its use with students or colleagues to develop equity leaders.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. To obtain the latest national data on the STEM achievement gap; 2. To experience a strategy for facilitating discussion of difficult equity issues; and 3. To be invited to become an equity leader, given the need and resources available.

SPEAKERS:
JERRY VALADEZ, Gary Nakagiri

The Science of COVID-19—From Virus Basics to Vaccinations

Friday, November 13 • 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Share COVID19 Webinar - Michael D.pptx

Show Details

In this engaging and informative online session, Michael will offer a conceptual landscape on which you'll construct a valid understanding of COVID-19. Using a PowerPoint deck populated with richly illustrated and animated slides, Michael will facilitate this essential experience in a manner that's engaging and not intimidating. Through this understanding, you'll become empowered to teach the applicable concepts of COVID-19 literacy, resulting in a student population that is better informed to make critical decisions, especially those that impact their health.

TAKEAWAYS:
After attending this session, attendees will be empowered with an understanding of COVID-19 on which to: 1. increase classroom effectiveness in teaching appropriate disciplinary core ideas of life sciences; 2. apply 3-D learning to understanding the biology COVID-19 virus and the resultant pandemic; and 3. apply crosscutting concepts along with science and engineering practices to an understanding of COVID-19.

SPEAKERS:
Michael DiSpezio

Webcams as Windows into Animal Behavior

Friday, November 13 • 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM


(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Presentation Jamboard
The link to the Jamboard that will be used during the presentation. Editing capability will be turned on during the presentation. It will then be changed to view only afterwards.
Presentation Resource Guide (with Links)
This handout provides all of the links and follow-up resources related to the presentation.

Show Details

Live webcams provide easy access to wildlife around the world…without leaving the classroom. Find out how these webcams can help students better understand animal behavior.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. define ethology and ethograms and provide at least two real-world examples; 2. demonstrate how to develop grade-level appropriate ethograms and use these tools to study animal behavior in the classroom; and 3. identify at least two free webcams that can be used to address grade level–specific DCIs related to ecology and/or adaptations.

SPEAKERS:
Eric Proctor

Featured Presentation: Ask Dr. Wen!

Friday, November 13 • 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM

Show Details

Join NSTA President Dr. Elizabeth Allan as she interviews Dr. Leana Wen, a practicing physician who has been a leading expert on health policy and public health during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
 
In the wake of COVID-19, educators are facing unique challenges. At the top of that long list are problems associated with the interruption of established in-classroom practices and routines to remote learning, the emotional toll of physical separation due to social distancing, and, as they face the inevitable challenges associated with returning to in-person instruction, the concern and unpredictability about personal safety and health.
 
During this interview, Dr. Wen will respond to questions on how to best support teachers’ well-being as they simultaneously create positive learning environments for their students.

NSTA’s Chief Safety Compliance Adviser Dr. Kenneth Roy will join Dr. Allan immediately following Dr. Wen’s interview to discuss lab safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SPEAKERS:
Leana Wen, Elizabeth Allan, Kenneth Roy

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