Room: Grand Ballroom 7, Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Every snowflake has a story to tell. Learn how the Desert Research Institute is gathering weather and climate data with the help of local citizen scientists.
Speakers: Mackenzie Peterson, Green Box Administrator, Desert Research Institute Amelia Gulling, K-12 Stem Education Director, Desert Research Institute Meghan Collins, Desert Research Institute
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Informal Science Education
Don’t look now, but the CCSS asks that you teach Earth sciences as early as kindergarten, and the NGSS have specific goals for early primary. No more procrastinating! The good news is that you have your equipment. Come get easy activities, lit basics, and basic teacher background so that you can start right away!
Speaker: Ruth Ruud, Adjunct Instructor, Cleveland State University
Learn methods to overcome common student misconceptions. Take part in a hands-on lab with a chemical equilibrium having a large K value. Handouts.
Speaker: Greg Dodd, Retired Educator
Session Topic:
Physical Science
Session Type:
Hands-On Workshop
STEM in the Summer: Travel Experiences for Teachers***CANCELED***
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Room: E1, Reno-Sparks Convention Center
Make your summer a time to get out and see the world! Come learn of ways to get travel experience and professional development training and get paid to do it! This session provides information on a variety of summer learning opportunities for STEM teachers at all grade levels.
Speaker: Anne Artz, STEM Coordinator, The Preuss School UCSD
Want to teach climate literacy but don’t know where to start? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offers a spectrum of online lesson plans, videos, data sets, webinars, and more that will inform and inspire students to engineer solutions to climate concerns.
Speaker: Jeannine Montgomery, Education Coordinator, NOAA Office of Education
Discover innovative ways to teach middle schoolers about human-environmental interactions, while also building STEM skills through problem solving, mathematical modeling, interactive technology, and more!
Speakers: Sue Gonyou, Trainer, Population Connection Sue Gonyou, Trainer, Population Connection
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Life Science
Session Type:
Hands-On Workshop
Using Unplugged Robotics to Teach Elementary Students About Cybersecurity***CANCELED***
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Room: A19, Reno-Sparks Convention Center
Young students learn a simple programming language to make robots (students role playing with or without game tokens) complete tasks in core subject areas.
Speaker: Keith Rand, Teacher, Washoe County School District
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science
Explore boundaries, components, interactions, and inputs/outputs of a variety of biological systems. Then apply five principles of systems thinking to make sense of the world.
Speakers: Patrick Moyle, Professional Learning Specialist, Making Sense of SCIENCE at WestEd Kirsten Daehler, Director, Making Sense of SCIENCE, Making Sense of SCIENCE at WestEd Lisa Snyder, NGSS Coordinator, Manteca Unified School District
Session Topic:
Life Science
Session Type:
Hands-On Workshop
Beyond Spaceship Earth***CANCELED***
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Room: C2, Reno-Sparks Convention Center
Explore classroom STEM investigations related to the International Space Station. Discover opportunities to apply science practices through designing experiments or engineering solutions for the ISS.
Speaker: Becky Wolfe, Director School Programs and Educational Resources, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Dive into a Project ReCharge hands-on STEM lesson and become energy detectives. Engage students to reduce their school’s carbon footprint while saving energy and money.
Speakers: Vanessa Robertson, Executive Director, Envirolution Todd Markey, Science Teacher, North Valleys High School Terin Kirk, Physical Science Teacher, O'Brien STEM Academy
The Nevada Department of Wildlife can help you achieve your science standards with engaging experiences. Join us for an overview of what we offer.
Speakers: Julie Watson, Nevada Dept. of Wildlife Tricia Dutcher, Nevada Dept. of Wildlife
Session Topic:
Life Science
Session Type:
Presentation
Available Handouts :
Phenomenal Notebooking: Putting the Interaction into Interactive Notebooks***CANCELED***
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Room: D9/10, Reno-Sparks Convention Center
Curious how the science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts translate into a notebook? Resources for SEPs and notebook integration will be provided.
Speakers: Jennifer Weibert, Science Coordinator, Fresno County Office of Education Matthew Carter, Clovis North High School
Feeling overwhelmed by all there is to see and do at an NSTA conference on science education? Join us for an interactive exploration through the program, the conference app, and NSTA’s social media. By the end of the session, you will know just how to get the most from your conference experience in addition to building new networks with science colleagues.
Speaker: David Crowther, NSTA President and Professor of Science Education, University of Nevada, Reno
See how to incorporate STEM content within literacy using Document-Based Questions (DBQs) in science. DBQs guide students in analyzing information from scientific documents.
Speakers: Megan Conley, 21st Century Coach/3rd Grade Teacher, Kate Smith Elementary School Megan Tilton, 3rd Grade Teacher/21st Century, Kate Smith Elementary School Jillian Welch, Science Teacher, Kate Smith Elementary School Marie Scilacci, Teacher, Kate Smith Elementary School
Session Topic:
General Science Education
Session Type:
Presentation
Track:
Developing Persistence: The Power of Experience
Explore how the Uncovering Student Ideas in Science probes can be modified for three-dimensional formative assessment and learn how to develop your own 3-D probe.
Speaker: Page Keeley, 2008-2009 NSTA President, The Keeley Group
Explore several NGSS-focused lessons investigating plant structure and learn how these relate to current scientific research.
Speakers: Cynthia Scholl, University of Nevada, Reno Anne Espeset, University of Nevada, Reno Julie Stoughton, Lecturer, University of Nevada, Reno Elizabeth Leger, University of Nevada, Reno Elizabeth De los Santos, Assistant Professor, University of Nevada, Reno
What makes it rain? M&Ms vs. Skittles? Baking soda vs. baking powder? Hands-on activities with free animations help your elementary students build foundational concepts in chemistry.
Speaker: James Kessler, Manager, Office of K-8 Science, American Chemical Society
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Teachers know their students have many misconceptions about respiration. In this activity from the SEPUP middle level life science program, participants use an acid-base indicator to determine the relative amount of carbon dioxide gas in a sample of their exhaled breath. They consider differences in individual response, explore qualitative vs. quantitative measures, and examine the structure of the lungs and their role in the process of respiration.
Explore genetics with our “out of this world” workshop! Imagine being the first scientist to explore Mars and discovering extraterrestrials. How would you use biotechnology to learn about the Martians? Learn how to explore the relationship between genotype and phenotype and how to see DNA in your middle school classroom.We will cover both DNA extraction using spooling and the separation of simulated DNA fragments using electrophoresis.
Go on a journey to the center of Earth and explore its layers through digital modeling. Seamlessly blend hands-on experiences, technology, leveled readers, and science notebooks with Delta Education’s new ScienceFLEX modules. Leave with readers, equipment, and a lesson you can try with your students next week.
Speaker: Mary Anne Feller, Teacher, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School
The word “assessment” can strike fear into the hearts of teachers and students. Join FOSS developers to learn how assessment can be transformed into an integrated teaching tool that both grades 3–8 teachers and students can embrace to create a classroom culture that motivates effort and growth mind-set to improve learning.
Speaker: Ann Moriarty, Curriculum Developer, The Lawrence Hall of Science
Your quest, should you choose to accept it, is to explore cell structure in 3-D with new CPO Science Link Cell Quest! Go on a cell structure and function adventure using cutting-edge Augmented Reality, and then use your knowledge to complete a quest in one of eight different cell types.
Investigate enzyme structure/function and the role water plays in protein folding using 5E instructional design. Engage students with molecular phenomena by exploring and explaining the properties of water and enzyme structure and function using hands-on/minds-on materials. Elaborate and evaluate with an insecticide enzyme inhibition model.
Speakers: Tim Herman, Director, MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling Gina Vogt, Secondary Education Program Manager, 3D Molecular Designs
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science, Physical Science
Experience how students investigate why the sky looks different in various parts of the world while figuring out Earth’s place in the universe. Get a hands-on dive into Amplify Science for Grades K–1, engaging with this new NGSS-designed curriculum from The Lawrence Hall of Science.
Speakers: Sophia Lambertsen, The Lawrence Hall of Science Rebecca Abbott, Professional Development Specialist, The Lawrence Hall of Science
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
Over the last few years, Conservify has built open-source conservation technologies for use in the field on National Geographic expeditions and through our network of scientists and conservationists. This has taken us to places like Peru's Boiling River, Botswana's Okavango Delta, Canada's Banff National Park, Congo's lowland gorilla reserves, and many more. Shah will discuss some of our experiences in building open-source sensors/IoT, drones, and other tools to help better protect and understand the planet we live in. Shah will cover how leveraging engineering and technology has allowed him to go on expeditions helping wildlife species all over the world.
NSTA wishes to thank National Geographic Learning | Cengage for sponsoring this speaker.
Speaker: Shah Selbe, Founder and National Geographic Explorer & Fellow, Conservify
Rockets zoom and race cars zip through hands-on activities that engage your middle school and high school students. Apply creative problem-solving skills and engineering practices to chemistry and physical science challenges. Experience how Carolina makes it easy to incorporate STEM and three-dimensional learning into your classroom.
Explore a variety of hands-on/minds-on instructional materials that introduce students to DNA as a double-stranded helical molecule, as information (a sequence of A’s, T’s, G’s and C’s) that encodes proteins, and as a 3.2 billion base-pair genome. Analyze the ß-globin gene to discover the anatomy of a gene.
Speakers: Tim Herman, Director, MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling Gina Vogt, Secondary Education Program Manager, 3D Molecular Designs
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science
Providing equitable learning opportunities for all students requires knowing the curriculum, understanding the diverse needs of students, and responding effectively to those needs. Join us for a closer look at how the FOSS program provides both universal access and targeted instruction for your most vulnerable elementary students.
Speaker: Ann Moriarty, Curriculum Developer, The Lawrence Hall of Science
Get ENERGIZED about teaching energy pathways with the CPO Science Link Energy Quest module—featuring cutting-edge Augmented Reality. Through collaborative game board play and manipulating 3D imagery with a swipe of a finger, students will be clamoring to earn 32 ATP and synthesize glucose molecules.
Transforming bacteria with plasmids that express brightly colored or fluorescent proteins is an unforgettable way to teach the central dogma of molecular biology. Why not take it a step further and see the art your students can create using their transformed bacteria? We will review tips and tricks to maximize classroom success and also ask you to dust off your paintings skills! Artistic? Our favorite design will win a free kit.
Help students develop scientific argumentation skills by making claims based on observable evidence. Put these skills into practice with lessons from ScienceFLEX, as we prove (or disprove) fundamental science concepts. Leave with readers, equipment, and a lesson you can try with your students next week.
Speaker: Mary Anne Feller, Teacher, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School
Students analyze and interpret skeletal and embryological images to identify patterns of similarities and differences across species that look very different as mature animals. Students identify patterns of similarities throughout developmental time to infer evolutionary relationships not obvious in the mature animals. Relates to MS-LS4-3 (Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity).
Experience how students investigate how to breed spiders whose silk can be used for medical purposes, while figuring out principles of genes, traits, and reproduction. Get a hands-on dive into the newest curriculum from The Lawrence Hall of Science, designed from the ground up for NGSS.
Speakers: Sophia Lambertsen, The Lawrence Hall of Science Rebecca Abbott, Professional Development Specialist, The Lawrence Hall of Science
Join Flinn as we share AP chemistry demonstrations, labs, inquiry activities, and digital courseware! Come learn about new ways to engage your advanced students. Our activities meet the learning objectives and skills your students need to be successful.
Speaker: Mike Marvel, Senior Chemist, Flinn Scientific, Inc.
Take a hands-on journey through engineering tasks that follow a learning progression from primary to intermediate that builds knowledge that will be applied throughout the journey. The integration of 3-D learning, specifically the science and engineering practices, make this immediately applicable to your K–5 classroom. Participants need to come ready to interact, create, and, most importantly, have fun.
Speaker: Damon Smerchek, National Content Specialist, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Explore the pedagogy changes inherent to NGSS 3-D teaching as you apply them to activities in both science and engineering. From constructing a model backbone that illustrates systems and models, to exploring the engineering of a simple paper clip wheel-and-axle, you will experience understanding through the facilitation of process experiences.
Speaker: Michael DiSpezio, HMH Author, Broadcast Host, and Global Educator
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science, Physical Science
With shows like CSI and NCIS, forensics is very popular with students these days. Come experience hands-on forensic activities that you can take back to your science classroom. Don’t commit the crime of letting this workshop pass you by! Also, learn about the AEOP GEMS and UNITE programs that give students the chance to experience STEM enrichment over the summer!
Speakers: Sue Whitsett, NSTA Director of AEOP, NSTA Matthew Hartman, eCYBERMISSION Content Manager, NSTA
Session Topic:
General Science Education, Informal Science Education
Can we make thermal energy concepts real and understandable for middle school students? Absolutely! Come preview our Thermal Energy unit, which makes tough concepts tangible and gives students a chance to design their own new and improved solar cookers!
Speaker: Ladie Malek, President, Impact Science Education, Inc.
You’ve probably heard about phenomenon-based instruction. Figure out what this actually means and how it’s embodied in an NGSS-designed curriculum. Leaders from The Lawrence Hall of Science will deliver this interactive presentation to unpack the meaning of phenomenon-based instruction through sharing the Hall’s research-based pedagogy.
Speakers: Sophia Lambertsen, The Lawrence Hall of Science Rebecca Abbott, Professional Development Specialist, The Lawrence Hall of Science
Students investigate how chemical energy can be transformed via a chemical process into electrical energy. After building a prototype wet cell, students brainstorm improvements and build, test, and evaluate new prototypes to meet a set of predetermined criteria within specified constraints.
Speaker: Toby Chou, The Waverly School
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
Glowing cats? Designer babies! Empower students to be independent thinkers. Learn from a leader in biotechnology teaching how to build your lab program step-by-step with equipment, supplies, and student credentials.
Speaker: Damon Tighe, Curriculum Training Specialist, Bio-Rad Laboratories
Encourage inquisitiveness and unlock your students’ inner inventor with Cubelets—blocks that magnetically connect to make robots. Use the robotic operations THINK, SENSE, and ACT to solve problems, create, and then design solutions. Answer questions like “What sensory input is needed to solve my design challenge?” with Cubelets!
Speaker: Vincent Zaccardi, District Sales Consultant, School Specialty Science
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science
Explore genetic diversity using forensic science! Your students become crime scene investigators as they analyze biological evidence using blood typing and DNA fingerprinting. An agglutination test is used to conclusively identify crime scene samples as “blood” and to preliminarily screen suspects by ABO type. Next, gel electrophoresis is used to create DNA profiles from crime scene and suspect samples.
Find out how to unleash the power of these two dimensions. Come be a student and experience ScienceFLEX lessons that give the crosscutting concepts and science and engineering practices the attention they deserve. Leave with materials and strategies you can use in your classroom next week.
Speaker: Mary Anne Feller, Teacher, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School
Investigate phenomena and experience how elementary students create models, construct explanations, and engage in argumentation from evidence in FOSS lessons. Explore how these NGSS science and engineering practices complement and reinforce each other to enhance student learning. Leave with instructional strategies to support student sensemaking.
Speaker: Ann Moriarty, Curriculum Developer, The Lawrence Hall of Science
Uncover students’ conceptual understanding of atoms, molecules, and compounds using NGSS science and engineering modeling practices. Explore chemistry topics in polarity, pH, density, solubility, bonding, and much more with three-dimensional teaching and learning manipulatives! Make learner thinking visible through student-centered simulations of dissociation and neutralization. Great formative assessment probes provided!
Speakers: Tim Herman, Director, MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling Gina Vogt, Secondary Education Program Manager, 3D Molecular Designs
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Life Science, Physical Science
Make sense of density with the Smithsonian’s STCMS™ Matter and Its Interactions unit. Experience three-dimensional learning with this unit that uses a density phenomenon at its core. Leave with a better understanding of how student-planned investigations enhance their understanding.
Add action and excitement to your science class with live organisms! Discover fun, simple, hands-on, three-dimensional activities that use a variety of insects and arthropods. Learn about care and handling, as well as easy ways to introduce phenomena. Additional resources available online for your classroom.
Drill down into several tools for engaging students to explore factors contributing to climate change. The key activity allows teams to model albedo in the classroom and measure changes in carbon dioxide gas and using different colored substrates. You will be able to facilitate student data collection of changes in the Earth system model. Seeing is believing.
Speakers: Susan Kaiser, Life ScienceTeacher, Pine Middle School Athena Klock, Science Teacher, Pine Middle School
Learn about Argument-Driven Inquiry and how it can help students use disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices to explain natural phenomena.
Speaker: Victor Sampson, Associate Professor of STEM Education, The University of Texas at Austin
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Life Science, Physical Science
Come examine samples of student responses and explore how to design cognitive assessments of three-dimensional learning and engage in sense-making to interpret student responses.
Speakers: Ellen Ebert, Director of Science, Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Philip Bell, Professor, University of Washington
The right phenomena are key ingredients in successful three-dimensional teaching and learning. Emphasis will be placed on what makes some phenomena better than others and how to use them successfully in the classroom.
Guide your students in the development and use of models as tools for “making sense” of phenomena. Learn how to help your students “think with models” to explain the cellular processes of transcription and translation as they relate to a genome-sequencing molecular story. Handouts!
Speakers: Tim Herman, Director, MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling Gina Vogt, Secondary Education Program Manager, 3D Molecular Designs
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science
Show off your inner-reading-teacher in a hands-on science setting! Come be a student and experience ScienceFLEX lessons that integrate informational text and notebooking alongside hands-on science. Leave with readers, strategies, equipment, and a lesson you can try with your students next week.
Speaker: Mary Anne Feller, Teacher, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School
