NSTA STEM21 - Sessions

Keynote Presentation: Blankets Cover, Teachers Transform: Centering Justice in Science Curriculum

As science educators, what contributions can the disciplines we teach make to ongoing struggles for social and environmental justice? This presentation explains how keeping this question at the center of our work provides opportunities for our students to engage with our disciplines in deeper, more critical, and potentially transformative ways.

Speakers

Daniel Morales-Doyle (University of Illinois Chicago: Chicago, IL)

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly of Writing and Publishing of Cases Studies

To assist our students in understanding theoretical concepts in order to apply them, we have delved into the process of using and writing case studies. This presentation will focus on the successes and failures to write and publish a case study.

Takeaways: 1. Identify a relevant topic that is accessible to your intended audience; 2. Present the problem while being specific and conscious of time; and 3. Research where to publish.

Speakers

Nalini Broadbelt (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Boston, MA), Michelle Young (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Boston, MA), Nevila Jana (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Boston, MA)

Space Physiology: We Have Been Created to Exist Optimally in Our Environment

When astronauts are in space, several detrimental physiological changes occur to their bodies. What countermeasures are needed and will they be enough?

Takeaways: 1. Microgravity causes many changes in the astronaut's body; 2. Countermeasures are utilized while in orbit; and 3. Long-term missions need to overcome the detrimental effects.

Speakers

Cahleen Shrier (Azusa Pacific University: Azusa, CA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Materials are only accessible to NSTA Members)

Informal Science Engagement Through Social Media and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The objective of this study was to assess informal science engagement using social media and examine changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Takeaways: 1. Social media engagement in regards to science-related topics was robust pre-COVID-9 pandemic; 2. During the pandemic, the total number of posts remained at a similar level while post reactions increased over time; and 3. Social media remains an effective platform for informal science engagement even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speakers

Robert Pyatt (Kean University: Union, NJ), Maya Briskin (Kean University: Union, NJ), Esther Choi (Kean University: Union, NJ)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
(Materials are only accessible to NSTA Members)

Featured Presentation: STEM in a Sociocultural Context

The use of socio-scientific issues as contexts for learning science, as well invoking cross-disciplinary connections, is supported in the literature as being both effective and educationally significant. STEM mandates and programs often lack this “Science-in-Context” vision. This talk aims to situate the teaching and learning of science from a sociocultural perspective of STEM, such that the need for learning it is apparent and the content being learned relevant, meaningful,  and useful.

Speakers

Dana Zeidler (University of South Florida: Tampa, FL)

So You Want to Teach? Examining the Upsides, Downsides, and Enticements of Careers in STEM Education

Through research conducted by the Growing Future STEM Teachers in Maine grant, this presentation explores the upsides, downsides, and enticements of secondary STEM teaching.

Takeaways: Participants will: 1. explore perceptions of careers in STEM secondary education; 2. understand factors that influence interest in STEM fields; and 3. identify evidence-based practices for preparation and retention of high-quality secondary STEM teachers.

Speakers

Patricia Waters (Saint Joseph's College of Maine: Standish, ME)

Development and Implementation of an Interprofessional Case Learning Project (ICLP)

Interprofessional collaboration is essential for students' success in their selected program and postgraduate life. These types of experiences have been shown to improve students’ interprofessional competences—communication skills, teamwork abilities, ethical practices, and understanding other team members’ roles and responsibilities—as well as their theoretical knowledge and increase student achievement within their discipline. We developed and tested a unique pedagogical idea—interprofessional case learning project (ICLP)—that encompassed a multidisciplinary approach involving chemistry, biology, and public health. The goal was to provide students and faculty with the opportunity to experience interprofessional collaborative practices that would encourage questioning, discredit misconception, connect concepts and make inferences, generate new ideas, and encourage shared decision making.

Takeaways: 1. Promote multidisciplinary approach involving chemistry, biology, and public health; 2. Foster team building and collaboration; and 3. Change misconceptions about a discipline.

Speakers

Michelle Young (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Boston, MA), Nalini Broadbelt (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Boston, MA)

Featured Presentation: Using the Zoo as a Living Laboratory

Participants will be introduced to the ways you can use your local zoo as a living laboratory to teach STEM content to majors and nonmajors alike. During this interactive session, participants will explore the various ways science is used at the zoo and practice collecting behavioral data.

Speakers

Grace Fuller (Detroit Zoological Society: Royal Oak, MI)

Creating Inclusive Authentic Assessment Practices in Higher Education

NSTA’s Committee on Postsecondary Science Teaching will examine best practices and the challenges in designing authentic assessments that not only measure learning outcomes, but remain inclusive to all students. A special emphasis will be placed on underserved populations and underprepared students.

Takeaways: Participants will be able to: 1. explain the principles of Inclusive Authentic Assessment; 2. describe how underprepared and underserved students benefit from Inclusive Authentic Assessment; and 3. identify the challenges of using Inclusive Authentic Assessment in higher education.

Speakers

Brian Ogle (Brevard Zoo: No City, No State), David Wojnowski (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Esperanza Zenon (River Parishes Community College: Gonzales, LA)

Engaging in Difference: Preservice Teachers’ Service Learning Reflections

This presentation explores the impact engaging with diverse communities through service learning has on elementary student learning, preservice teacher development, and community-campus partnerships.

Takeaways: Participants will: 1. explore how service learning can be used as a vehicle for building a K–16 STEM pipeline; 2. understand the impact of service learning on preservice teacher development; and 3. identify best practices for community partnerships in STEM education.

Speakers

Patricia Waters (Saint Joseph's College of Maine: Standish, ME)

Successful Mentoring of Student Research

Research is relevant as it plays a key role in transitioning from concepts in basic science into practical application. Basic science research drives progress in clinical and pharmaceutically industries. It is therefore essential that our health care students gain exposure in this arena and expand the analytical, collaborative, and technical skills that will enable them to succeed in their future careers. To assist the students, projects are devised around the students' interest in an area of the selected faculty specialty. The projects culminates with the students presenting their findings at a research symposium.

Takeaways: 1. Establish a method that will get the student interested in driving the project; 2. Be clear about the time frame and commitment to project; and 3. Assist in making the research manageable.

Speakers

Nalini Broadbelt (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Boston, MA), Michelle Young (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Boston, MA)

Partners in Place: Land-Based Pedagogies Informing a STEM Teacher Education Semester

The purpose of our research is to investigate how teacher candidates’ experiences in STEM field studies with community partners can inform our work with an integrated practicum semester based on a curriculum of place. Place-based education is an approach to teaching that is grounded in the context of community and environment and seeks to help participants in solving community problems. Many Indigenous scholars are replacing the term place with land and argue that land-based pedagogies promote the decolonization of education by recognizing the intimate relationship that Indigenous peoples have with the land. One challenge with land-based pedagogies is the role non-Indigenous peoples have in this approach to the decolonization of education. Our research, in a western Canadian context, explores this tension as we come to a deeper and shared understanding of our co-responsibility within Treaty 7 relationships. Our project considers varying perspectives of place as it informs STEM teacher education pedagogy.

Takeaways: 1. Land-based pedagogies;2. Indigenous ways of knowing; and 3. Integration of STEM curriculum and pedagogies.

Speakers

Kevin O'Connor (Mount Royal University: Calgary, AB)

Featured Presentation: Why DIY Cultural Responsiveness: The Science of Effective Cultural Responsiveness

This interactive workshop will demonstrate the pitfalls and barriers to cultural responsiveness. Participants will gain knowledge and applicable skills in cultural responsiveness that are small changes to what they are currently doing in their professional practice.

Speakers

Courtney Plotts (Council for At Risk Student Education and Professional Standards: Parrish, FL)

Postsecondary Unconference

Come join the attendees of the postsecondary strand as we collaborate and confer to share new knowledge, solve issues facing STEM educators, and build on existing practices to enhance our instructional toolkit. Be prepared to discuss, share, and lead through this unique interactive experience. Meet colleagues from around the globe as you network to gain a deeper understanding and share to reach common goals.

Speakers

MiSci Live Exhibit Tour: Space Gallery

Join MiSci’s staff astronomer to learn why space is often regarded as the “gateway science,” as we tour our rocket garden and discuss strategies for engaging students through current scientific research and real-world phenomena.

Speakers