NSTA Engage: Spring21 - Sessions

Phenomena to Scenario: Intentionally Moving from Inquiry to STEM Application

Engage in this interactive session to find out how the idea of anchoring to a phenomena to begin a STEM unit lays out a plan for helping students to see how science impacts their community.

Takeaways: 1. Understand why the scenario helps students connect the phenomena to their own community/ global issues; 2. Show how to move from the unit phenomena introduction to the crafting the storyline for the student learning; and 3. Teachers will have a chance to practice developing their own scenario based on a given phenomena.

Speakers

Michael Comer (Savvas Learning Co.: Boston, MA), Jo Anne Vasquez (Rocks to Rainbows, LLC: Gilbert, AZ)

Examining Nature of Science and Standards in a Post-COVID World

Using COVID data and multimedia sources, teachers can elevate students’ understandings of science as a human endeavor, and explore diverse contributions and other nature of science themes.

Takeaways: Attendees will: 1. acquire multiple classroom resources for COVID data, updates, and multimedia; 2. examine connections among pandemic examples and grade level nature of science (NOS) themes in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); and 3. explore opportunities to enhance science lessons with key NGSS NOS themes such as science as a human endeavor, diverse contributions and cultures, using a variety of methods, and knowledge open to revision in light of new evidence.

Speakers

Danny Bergman (Wichita State University: Wichita, KS)

WeatherBlur: Blurring the Lines Between Science, Environmental Literacy, and Civic Action Through Citizen Science

WeatherBlur, an online citizen science platform, links schools in the Gulf of Maine with schools in the Gulf of Mexico to explore local environmental issues.

Takeaways: 1. Empowering students to tackle difficult environmental challenges seen in their communities and get their voices heard; 2. Promoting idea exchanges and collaboration between different communities and cultures from around the country; and 3. Enhancing environmental and data literacy.

Speakers

Rebecca Clark Uchenna (Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance: Augusta, ME), Megan McCall (Bayside Academy: Daphne, AL)

Using Case Studies to Inform and Explore Solutions to Global Hunger Issues

Explore global hunger issues via case studies of sustainable farming practices to understand how the inequity of resources leads to inspired innovation based on sustainable science.

Takeaways: 1. Hunger exists everywhere and impacts everyone; 2. Solutions must be culturally and regionally appropriate; and 3. Long-term food sustainability is achievable with science.

Speakers

Sue Meggers (Interstate 35 Community School District: Truro, IA)

Phenomena to Scenario: Intentionally Moving from Inquiry to STEM Application

Engage in this interactive session to find out how the idea of anchoring to a phenomena to begin a STEM unit lays out a plan for helping students to see how science impacts their community.

Takeaways: 1. Understand why the scenario helps students connect the phenomena to their own community/ global issues; 2. Show how to move from the unit phenomena introduction to the crafting the storyline for the student learning; and 3. Teachers will have a chance to practice developing their own scenario based on a given phenomena.

Speakers

Michael Comer (Savvas Learning Co.: Boston, MA), Jo Anne Vasquez (Rocks to Rainbows, LLC: Gilbert, AZ)

Preservice Day Session: Using Place-Based Education to Teach Beyond the Test

Learn how to incorporate place-based learning within your instruction to allow ALL students to apply their factual knowledge in practical, meaningful ways within a relevant context.

Takeaways: 1. Construct a deeper understanding of the content presented in state curriculum standards; 2. View experiential learning events as a critical aspect of science education in their classrooms; and 3. Discover how investigations of local natural phenomena can serve as the foundation on which investigations of more distant or abstract phenomena can be constructed.

Speakers

Robbie Higdon (James Madison University: Harrisonburg, VA)

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.

Takeaways: 1. Learn how to apply for a Shell-sponsored award; 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), Richard Embrick (Crockett Middle School: Richmond, TX)

Presenter Materials for this Session: