NSTA Engage: Fall20 - Sessions

  Welcome

President's Welcome

Speakers

Elizabeth Allan (University of Central Oklahoma: Edmond, OK)

  Presentation

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

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 (Educational Consultant: Tempe, AZ)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Presentation

Enriching Science Classes with Sustainable Agriculture Concepts and Activities

Join us to discuss how to enhance student learning by incorporating activities that relate to real-world environmental and agricultural challenges in science classes.

Takeaways: 1. Incorporating real-world challenges relating to sustainable agriculture exposes students to meaningful applications of environmental, life, and physical sciences; 2. Communicating that science is not simply abstract concepts, but a way to solve important problems, may increase student engagement in the classroom; and 3. Sustainable agriculture activities lend themselves to adaptation to appropriate grade level or science class.

Speakers

Maud Walsh (Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, LA), Jennifer Irving (Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, LA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Interactive Workshop

Understanding Complex Concepts and Vocabulary for Diverse Learners

Educators who specialize in the teaching of students with dyslexia describe vocabulary modifications, schema development, kinesthetic activities, and methods to modify science content for students with language-based learning differences.

Takeaways: Attendees will learn how to: 1. craft well written vocabulary definitions; 2. use kinesthetic activities to help students gain understanding of vocabulary and complex science concepts; and 3. create a structured word wall that supports students.

Speakers

Christine Zito (Miller School of Albemarle: Charlottesville, VA), Clinton Kittrell (The Summit School: Edgewater, MD)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Interactive Workshop

NESTA Session: Hands-On Weather Unit for Middle Schoolers

Teachers can engage in a three-dimensional lab-driven approach to answer the driving question, Why does hail fall some times, but not at other times?

Takeaways: 1. How to kick off a weather unit with an engaging phenomena; and 2. Hands-on activities for students investigating weather phenomena.

Speakers

Chris Campbell (UTeachTech at Louisiana Tech University: Ruston, LA)

  Presentation

Designing 3-D Classroom Assessment That Promotes Equity Through Co-Designing

Come learn about three-dimensional assessments that support Latinx and ELLs. We’ll share examples of three-dimensional assessments in a chemistry unit, and tools for designing the assessments!

Takeaways: Attendees will: 1. see key features of 3-D assessments by examining a few examples; 2. learn how to design 3-D assessments in the context of high school chemistry; and 3. learn how to use various forms of scaffolds to design 3-D assessments that support students from historically marginalized communities.

Speakers

Alicia Fortier (Tustin High School: Tustin, CA), Lindsay Fay (Tustin High School: Tustin, CA), Abbey Zinsser (Tustin High School: Tustin, CA), Hosun Kang (University of California, Irvine: Irvine, CA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Presentation

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

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 (Fort Zumwalt School District R-II: O'Fallon, MO)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Interactive Workshop

DCIs, CCCs, and SEPs, Oh My! Sweet and Salty Investigations with a 3-D Twist!

Discover how to implement the three-dimensional learning into any science curriculum all while engaging learners to become phenomenal!

Takeaways: 1. How DCIs, CCCs, and SEPs all relate to a phenomena; 2. Data collection to investigate phenomena; and 3. What three-dimensional assessment looks like in the classroom.

Speakers

Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Youngsville, LA), Jessica Kohout (Reservoir High School: Fulton, MD)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Interactive Workshop

The Current Science Classroom

Discussion centers on how to successfully implement current events in science into lessons and curriculum, increasing student engagement in science content and overall science literacy. Participants will read and analyze a blog post on a recent breakthrough on CRISPR, a genetic editing technique.

Takeaways: -How to use blogs, videos, and podcasts on current events in science to engage classroom discussions -How to put use current events in science to put the curriculum into context -How to connect local science researchers to your students and classroom.

Speakers

Chris Anderson (Hamilton County ESC: Cincinnati, OH)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Presentation

Engineering Solutions for Diverse Learners

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 (Museum of Science, Boston: Boston, MA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Interactive Workshop

What Secondary Educators Need to Know About Performance Tasks

Participants will review performance task components and will utilize a task screener tool to evaluate a performance task.

Takeaways: Participants will learn: 1. what a performance task is; 2. key components of a performance task; and 3. how to evaluate a performance task.

Speakers

Sara Torres (Arizona Science Teachers Association: Tucson, AZ), Sarah Sleasman (Arizona Dept. of Education: Phoenix, AZ), Meg Gebert (Arizona Science Teachers Association: Tucson, AZ), Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Dept. of Education: Phoenix, AZ)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Presentation

Muddy Boots and Backpacks

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

Dana Letts (Chillicothe City Schools: Chillicothe, OH), Heather Tarlton (Chillicothe Primary School: Chillicothe, OH)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Interactive Workshop

Ice, Ice, Baby: An Integrated 3-D Storyline Unit for Middle School Science Using Instant Ice Packs

Implement a three-dimensional middle school unit covering nervous system, chemical reactions, and engineering design! Session targets teachers, coaches, and supervisors from novice to advanced. To contact us, please fill out the form here.

Takeaways: 1. Explore an NGSS-designed 3-D middle school integrated unit about instant ice packs; 2. Experience activities designed to model how to implement strategies for integrating 3-D learning; and 3. Reflect on how teachers can facilitate and motivate students to drive instruction .

Speakers

Stephanie Bank (Kentucky Avenue School: Pittsburgh, PA), Arlene Friend (Von Tobel Middle School: Las Vegas, NV)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Interactive Workshop

NGSS-Focused Summative Classroom Assessments of Three-Dimensional Learning

Explore classroom-tested benchmark assessments and scoring guides designed to assess students’ three-dimensional learning related to middle school performance expectations for life, physical, and Earth science.

Takeaways: How to: 1. identify all three dimensions in an assessment item; 2. score for three dimensions in one assessment; and 3. adapt assessment items for classroom use based on their students/classroom.

Speakers

Maia Binding (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Interactive Workshop

NESTA Session: MEL2—Thinking Scientifically in a Changing World

Engage in argument-driven scaffolds for Earth and environmental science topics to critically evaluate connections between evidence and alternative scientific explanations using model-evidence link (MEL) diagrams.

Takeaways: 1. Learn what a MEL diagram is; 2. Practice using a MEL diagram to promote evaluation; and 3. Learn how to access the suite of MEL materials.

Speakers

Janelle Bailey (Temple University: Philadelphia, PA), Doug Lombardi (University of Maryland: College Park, MD), Tim Klavon (Temple University: Philadelphia, PA)

  Interactive Workshop

GMO: What Do You Know? A Breakout Game

Explore misconceptions surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) while participating in one of the hottest trends in innovative science teaching and entertainment. Free teaching materials available.

Takeaways: Participants will: 1. define terms such as transgenic, GMO, and recombinant DNA; 2. sort GMO from non-GMO products; and 3. separate GMO misconceptions from facts.

Speakers

Pamela Petzel Snyder (Teacher-Trainer: Kingston, OH)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Interactive Workshop

NARST-Sponsored Session: STEM for Social Justice—Increasing Representation and Diversity in Classrooms and Curricula

Learn how to leverage community resources and infuse criticality into your science curriculum. Presenters will engage attendees in standards-focused activities.

Takeaways: Attendees will learn how to: 1. embed justice-oriented practices into their classroom teaching; and 2. create transformative curricula and innovative professional learning experiences to develop highly effective science teachers and teacher leaders.

Speakers

Natalie King (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Christine Thomas (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Laura Pena (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Vanessa Grady (Rex Mill Middle School: Rex, GA), Nicholas Collins (Langston Hughes High School: Fairburn, GA), Desmond Lee (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA)

  Hands-On Workshop

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

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 (Shippensburg University: Shippensburg, PA)

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

Using Pivot Interactives for Chemistry Teaching

Come learn how Pivot Interactives helps students learn chemistry concepts and lab skills using our online learning platform. Interactive video allows students to make their own measurements from libraries of thousands of high-resolution videos and interactive measurement tools. Customizable instructions, fast grading tools, and LMS integration make life easier for teachers too!

Takeaways: 1. Learn how Pivot Interactives allows students to start with phenomena and guides them to use their own measurements and observations to build and apply models; 2. see from the student perspective how Pivot Interactives enables online labs; and 3. explore the content library, grading tools, and LMS integration.

Speakers

Peter Bohacek (Pivot Interactives: Minneapolis, MN)

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

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

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 (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Ruth Ruud (Cleveland State University: Cleveland, OH)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

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

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 (NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: Santa Barbara, CA)

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

Strategies to Support English Language Learners in the Science Classroom

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 (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX), Kenneth Heydrick (STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning: Houston, TX)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

Carolina 3D Science: Hands-On Science in Flexible Settings

Teachers will engage in three examples of hands-on investigations, digital investigations, and digital teacher demonstrations from the Carolina 3D® kit lines for biology, chemistry, and Earth and space science. These activities illustrate how in-class hands-on laboratory investigations have been modified by Carolina for use in socially distanced classrooms and remote learning settings.

Takeaways: 1. The modification of a face-to-face investigation to a digital investigation with data collection; 2. How to use live specimen in a remote, digital investigation; and 3. Examples of formative assessment appropriate for remote learning.

Speakers

Crystal Risko (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Burlington, NC), DeeDee Whitaker (Carolina Biological Supply Co.: Burlington, NC)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

Modeling the Introduction of a New Species

Through an online simulation, participants will develop a model for an ecosystem and then introduce a new species to explain how this new component in the system affects the flow of energy and cycling of matter throughout the ecosystem. Learn about Lab-Aids’ new Remote Learning Activities and discover ideas for implementing hands-on curricula into an online platform. The activity provides an opportunity to assess student work related to MS-LS2-3.

Takeaways: 1. Learn about Lab-Aids' new Remote Learning activities while discovering how to implement hands-on curricula into an online platform; 2. Utilize a digital simulation to develop a model of a food web to show the flow of energy and cycling of matter throughout an ecosystem; and 3. Relate core science concepts to the issue of introduced species and their effects on ecosystems.

Speakers

Cindy Lilly (Ocean Bay Middle School: Myrtle Beach, SC)

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

Using HHMI BioInteractive Resources in a Sickle Cell Disease Storyline

Explore an example of a storyline that encompasses evolution, genetics, and protein folding using the relationship between sickle cell disease and malaria as the anchoring phenomenon. A variety of instructional strategies will be demonstrated using activities from HHMI BioInteractive that are research based, free, and classroom ready.

Takeaways: 1. HHMI activities can be bundled together to allow students to make sense of the evolutionary connection between sickle cell and malaria; 2. Storyline Viewer can be used to plan and organize lessons; and 3. A variety of strategies to engage participants as they explore the anchoring phenomenon.

Speakers

Mary Colvard (Retired Educator: Nottingham, NH), Kathy Van Hoeck (Retired Educator: Marion, IA)

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

COVID-19 in Context: Hands-On Laboratory Activities and Real-World Scenarios

Tap into your students' curiosity about COVID-19 to teach key biology concepts in context. In this session, see hands-on classroom activities that use the same laboratory techniques as those used for COVID-19 detection. Walk through a real-world scenario where students determine how COVID-19 spreads at a restaurant.

Takeaways: 1. Learn about new activities to teach ELISA and gel electrophoresis in the context of the science of COVID-19; and 2. walk through a real-world problem-solving case study about the spread of COVID-19 in a restaurant.

Speakers

Damon Tighe (Bio-Rad Laboratories: Hercules, CA)

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

Using Models to Make Connections Between DNA and Chromosomes

In this hands-on interactive workshop, participants will learn how to utilize physical chromosome and DNA models to explore and compare the processes of mitosis and meiosis with students.

Takeaways: Participants will learn how to: 1. use models to teach the organization and structure of DNA; 2. use models to compare mitosis and meiosis; and 3. connect DNA structure to phenotypic expression when teaching genetics.

Speakers

Chris Chou (Longmont High School: Longmont, CO)

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

Engage Students at Home with Vernier's Experiment and Sample Data Library

To help ensure students continue to learn key scientific concepts during this precarious time, Vernier has put together over 300 free experiments with sample data files covering many subjects that you can distribute to students. Your students can analyze real data and answer questions based on their results.

Takeaways: 1. Access a free collection of experiments with sample data that you can distribute to your students at home; 2. students will use the experiment data we've collected to perform their own analysis; and 3. your students will use the sample data to demonstrate understanding of scientific concepts by using built-in tools to analyze results, answer questions, and form conclusions as they follow experiment instructions.

Speakers

David Carter (Vernier Software & Technology: Beaverton, OR)

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

Remote-Ready STEM Labs—Be a Scientist!

Create more “ah-ha!” moments with ExploreLearning Gizmos virtual labs and simulations. Highly interactive and visual, they are as fun as they are effective. Students learn by doing (just like real scientists) as they use Gizmos to explore, discover, and apply new concepts in STEM.

Takeaways: 1. Technology can bring real-world experiences to students; 2. using simulations and animations in science makes science relative; and 3. even if students don't have access to lab materials they can still preform labs.

Speakers

Thom O'Brien (ExploreLearning: Charlottesville, VA)

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

Defining Waves: Building Disciplinary Core Concepts with Bring Science Alive!

Participants will be immersed in an investigation designed to reach all learners and make learning science concepts fun and engaging. Participants will experiment with a variety of materials to make different kinds of waves and come up with a scientific definition of waves.

Takeaways: 1. Attendees will learn how to engage students with phenomenon-based storylines that provide real-world problems for students to connect their learning with their own experiences; 2. through the session immersion and hands-on investigations, they will see how each TCI's Bring Science Alive! lesson incorporates three-dimensional learning in the middle school classroom; and 3. attendees will walk away knowing how to use the TCI's digital platform to bring science alive in the distance and blended learning environment.

Speakers

Brian Thomas (TCI: Mountain View, CA), Deanna Morrow (TCI: Mountain View, CA)

  Marketplace Partner Workshop

Evidence in the Era of NGSS

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 (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA), Rebecca Abbott (The Lawrence Hall of Science: Berkeley, CA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

Greetings from the Phoenix Zoo

Speakers

  Presentation

Three-Dimensional Teaching and Learning in the Virtual Middle and High School Classroom

This session will use a Storyline from the Illinois Science Teachers as an example for 3-D Learning in the middle and high school virtual classroom.

Takeaways: 1. Phenomena are important in helping engage students in a storyline to help to explain something in nature; 2. Developing and using models can be done by students in a virtual environment; and 3. There are many ways to use technology with virtual learners to analyze data and construct explanations and other science and engineering practices, incorporating crosscutting concepts to learn the disciplinary core ideas.

Speakers

Karen Mesmer (Mesmer Science Education Consulting: Baraboo, WI), Brian Bartel (Appleton Area School District: Appleton, WI)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Presentation

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

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 (Glastonbury Public Schools: Glastonbury, CT)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Special Session

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

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

Amanda Glover (Museum of Science, Boston: Boston, MA), Tom Lauwers (Birdbrain Technologies, LLC: Pittsburgh, PA), Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Godwyn Morris (Dazzling Discoveries / Skill Mill NYC: New York, NY), Amanda Souza (Girls Who Code: New York, NY), Kimberly Swan (The NEED Project: Manassas, VA), Rob Wallace (Social Media and Teacher Workshops: Kenner, LA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Special Session

Elementary Science Expo: All Elementary Grades, PreK–5

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

Rebecca Kurson (Collegiate School: New York, NY), Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Katie Morrison (University Child Development School: Seattle, WA), Jennifer Scherzinger (Portland Public Schools: Portland, OR), Geoff Stonecipher (Portland Public Schools: Portland, OR), Ashley Townsend (Oak Grove Primary School: Prairieville, LA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Special Session

Elementary Science Expo: Upper Elementary, Part 2

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

Susan Bickel (The Benjamin School: North Palm Beach, FL), Erin Boyett (Honey Island Elementary School: Slidell, LA), Jennifer LaBombard-Daniels (Winchester Public Schools: Winchester, VA), Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Britt Miller (Winchester Public Schools: Winchester, VA), K. Renae Pullen (Caddo Parish Public Schools: Shreveport, LA), Jennifer Ramsey (Garland R. Quarles Elementary School: Winchester, VA), Julie Smith (Lennox Middle School: Lennox, CA), Amy Thomas (John Kerr Elementary School: Winchester, VA), Rob Wallace (Social Media and Teacher Workshops: Kenner, LA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Interactive Workshop

Energy Efficiency: Making a Difference Can Start Early

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 (The NEED Project: Manassas, VA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Presentation

Teaching Students to Analyze Data

In examining student scientific explanations, one common finding is that understanding how to analyze data is often the missing piece in order for students to construct proficient explanations. However, we often tell students to analyze data, but we don't teach students how to do this. Participants will practice several strategies, acquire resources to share with students, and deepen their understanding of how to teach, not tell, students to analyze data.

Takeaways: 1. Deeper understanding of data analysis as required by the NGSS; 2. Deeper understanding of common student misconceptions about data analysis; and 3. Practical strategies for scaffolding data analysis.

Speakers

Diane Johnson (EKU Partnership Institute for Math and Science Education Reform: Morehead, KY)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

ASTE-Sponsored Session: Supporting Diverse New Teachers

New diverse teachers leave the profession at incredibly high rates. Join us for a discussion of research-based implications on how to better support these educators.

Takeaways: 1. Identify reasons it is critical to support new minority teachers; 2. describe strategies for supporting these educators; and 3. discuss practical tips for retaining diverse teachers in the profession.

Speakers

Meghan Marrero (Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry Campus: Dobbs Ferry, NY), Latanya Brandon (Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry Campus: New Paltz, NY), Amanda Gunning (Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry Campus: Dobbs Ferry, NY)

  Presentation

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

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 (Master Educator, Presenter, and Author: North Falmouth, MA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Presentation

Conducting Labs in the Virtual World

In this session, we will focus on how two science teachers (one hybrid and one virtual) still conduct labs with their students.

Takeaways: 1. Labs are still possible during this pandemic. 2. Labs provide high engagement while students are still learning at home. 3. Simple labs are better than no labs at all.

Speakers

Samantha Ramaswamy (Penn-Trafford High School: Harrison City, PA), Andrew Walton (Upper Moreland High School: Willow Grove, PA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Special Session

Elementary Science Expo: Early Childhood and Lower Elementary

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

Belle Akers (Convent & Stuart Hall's Schools of the Sacred Heart: San Francisco, CA), Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn (Columbus Elementary School: New Rochelle, NY), Anne Lowry (Aleph Academy: Reno, NV), Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Katie Morrison (University Child Development School: Seattle, WA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:

  Special Session

Elementary Science Expo: Upper Elementary, Part 1

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

Judith Boyle (Divide School District #4: Divide, MT), Rebecca Garelli (Arizona Dept. of Education: Phoenix, AZ), Tom Lauwers (Birdbrain Technologies, LLC: Pittsburgh, PA), Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Michelle Sanchez (Tulane University: New Orleans, LA), Erica Smith (Tulane University: New Orleans, LA), Julie Smith (Lennox Middle School: Lennox, CA)

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  Presentation

STEM, Equity, and Leadership

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

Gary Nakagiri (K=12 Science Consultant: El Cerrito, CA), Jerry Valadez (SAM Academy CSW: Sanger, CA)

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  Interactive Workshop

Webcams as Windows into Animal Behavior

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 (Arizona Game and Fish Department: Phoenix, AZ)

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  Presentation

A Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in Meteorology Using an Online Severe Weather Events Archive

We will share a PBL suitable for secondary and postsecondary meteorology students using an online severe weather events database.

Takeaways: 1. Participants will be given an opportunity to explore the Storm Prediction Center's (SPC) online severe weather events database, identifying the most impactful severe weather days (cases) for a sample region and year; 2. Participants will proceed through an example weekly worksheet analyzing the atmospheric parameters conducive for severe weather for a sample severe weather day; and 3. Presenters will share indirect assessment (via pre- vs. post-survey) data revealing the pedagogical impact of the PBL on student learning.

Speakers

Joby Hilliker (West Chester University: West Chester, PA), Shannon Hilliker (Binghamton University, SUNY: Binghamton, NY)

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  Presentation

Strategies in Teaching Cellular Respiration

Engage students in a hands-on cellular respiration activity using handouts and pop-beads that help explain the concept.

Takeaways: 1. Learn the stages of cellular respiration; 2. Discover how to follow glucose through the oxidation steps and track the carbons that are converted to CO2; and 3. Calculate the energy production (ATP) through substrate-level phosphorylation and oxidative phosphorylation.

Speakers

Deborah Cardenas (Collin College, Plano Campus (Spring Creek): Plano, TX)

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  Interactive Workshop

Dissecting Leaf Packs to Assess Watershed Health

Learn to dissect a leaf pack and identify macroinvertebrates to infer water quality. Engaging hands-on activity for all grade levels.

Takeaways: 1. Discover how to use this student- or teacher-driven investigation to learn about your local watershed; 2. Learn to identify macroinvertebrates and discover what they can tell you about water quality; and 3. Learn how data can be entered in a global database as part of a citizen science project.

Speakers

Susan Brown (Northland Preparatory Academy: Flagstaff, AZ), Carrie Jenkins (Sinagua Middle School: Flagstaff, AZ)

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  Featured Presentation

Featured Presentation: Ask Dr. Wen!

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 (The George Washington University: Washington, DC), Kenneth Roy (Glastonbury Public Schools: Glastonbury, CT), Elizabeth Allan (University of Central Oklahoma: Edmond, OK)

  Featured Presentation

The Kavli Foundation Keynote Presentation: The Story of Pluto and the Kuiper Belt: How Science Progresses

Soon after Pluto's discovery in 1930, astronomers noticed that it did not behave much like a planet: its orbit was highly inclined and so elliptical it even crossed the orbit of Neptune. Pluto’s image as an oddball persisted until the 1990s, when it was found to be part of the Kuiper Belt, a large population of icy bodies beyond Neptune consisting of material left over from the planet formation process. The discovery of the Kuiper Belt permanently changed our view of how the solar system formed, and showed that Pluto was not so odd after all. The Pluto–Kuiper Belt story is the quintessential example of how science works: change—whether we like it or not—is the only way science goes forward. 

NSTA wishes to thank The Kavli Foundation for sponsoring this speaker.

Speakers

Jane Luu (Draper Laboratory: Cambridge, MA)

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  Saturday Lightning Chat

Distance Learning

This chat will provide an opportunity for educators to share their success and challenges around distance learning. They will be met with two facilitators who have experience regarding digital technology and supporting sensemaking in a remote setting. Educators will be given the opportunity to meet and network with others while having discourse around distance learning and five common missteps when using technology in the classroom.

Conversation Based Around 5 Traps Article:

• Even in virtual learning, making sense of phenomena should be the goal of science educators. What strategies are you using to avoid the content trap?
• Having the opportunity to share ideas and negotiate their thinking is an essential part of sensemaking. How are you avoiding the isolation trap with your students?
• A trusting environment and strong classroom community is necessary for students to collaboratively build their ideas. How are you avoiding the learning-is-serious trap?

Speakers

Jessica Holman (Boone County High School: Florence, KY), Brianna Reilly (Great Minds: Washington, DC)

  Saturday Lightning Chat

The Resilience Challenge: People Living with Changing Land and Moving Water

The Mississippi River drains two-thirds of the conterminous United States at a rate of 16,000 cubic meters of water per second per day, generates a half trillion dollars of economic revenue annually, and accounts for more than one million US jobs. In addition to the forces from the river, there are forces from the Gulf of Mexico itself that bring to the Gulf Coast unwelcome coastal surge, sea level rise, harmful algal blooms, and the costliest storms in the country. All the while, the region boasts some of the fastest growing cities in the country. These forces and stressors set up a challenge—how do we maintain the economy of the region, the safety of the people, and the rich, diverse cultures of the Gulf Coast communities over the long term? There is a role for science to improve prediction capabilities, a role for engineering to improve our built environment, and a role for social science to help interpret these inputs for better decision making. This talk will discuss efforts on going in these spaces to position the Gulf Coast for a sustainable and resilient future.

Speakers

Lauren Alexander Augustine (The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Washington, DC)

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  Saturday Lightning Chat

COVID-19: Questions and Answers

Join Michael as he addresses questions you may have on the science, spread, therapies, and prevention of COVID-19. At the beginning of this lightning chat, you can post your own question, which will be queued with unaddressed questions from his previous session entitled “The Science of COVID-19—From Virus Basics to Vaccinations” (Friday, 5:45–6:30 PM).

Speakers

Michael DiSpezio (Master Educator, Presenter, and Author: North Falmouth, MA)

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  Saturday Lightning Chat

Engaging Students in Sensemaking—Together, at a Distance