Welcome to My Classroom is a program sponsored by NSTA’s International Advisory Board and is intended primarily for international participants to view science classrooms. This year, trip participants will visit Maple Richmond Heights Elementary School or Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience. Participants will be split into groups where half will visit the elementary school, and the other half will visit the college preparatory school. Time has been set aside for participants to observe and interact with teachers and students at their selected location.
Those with W-1 tickets will visit Maple Richmond Heights Elementary School, a grades 3–6 elementary school in which teaching and learning is focused by using the “School As Museum” metaphor to organize classroom projects. As students take on the role of curator and designer for their own museum exhibits, they are able to go in-depth into science and social studies units. Students and teachers choose the focus questions for their research allowing instruction to be differentiated naturally. The research process extends children’s opportunities for reading and writing across the curriculum. Creating exhibits based on this research and interpreting them for visitors provides an embedded way for students to demonstrate what they know and for teachers to assess their learning. For more information, visit Maple Richmond Heights Elementary School’s website.
Meet your educational trip leader at the Convention Plaza entrance of America’s Center at least 15 minutes before departure time.
Welcome to My Classroom is a program sponsored by NSTA’s International Advisory Board and is intended primarily for international participants to view science classrooms. This year, trip participants will visit Maple Richmond Heights Elementary School or Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience. Participants will be split into groups where half will visit the elementary school, and the other half will visit the college preparatory school. Time has been set aside for participants to observe and interact with teachers and students at their selected location.
Those with W-2 tickets will visit Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience, an innovative, college preparatory school with high expectations of its academic team and student body. With a highly diverse learning community, the grades 9–12 school strives to achieve excellence by engaging in student-centered, experiential learning; integrating effective instructional technology; and using collaborative, real-world learning experiences. For more information, visit Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience.
Meet your educational trip leader at the Convention Plaza entrance of America’s Center at least 15 minutes before departure time.
Room: Regency B, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
By Separate Registration Only
Participants deepen their understanding of three-dimensional teaching and learning by focusing on developing storylines and learning how to use their resources to support broader implementation efforts in their schools and districts. Click here for more information and to register.
The question, “What does STEM look like in the classroom?” typically prompts a wide variety of responses. In their book, Designing Meaningful STEM Lessons, Jackie Speake Dwyer and Milton Huling propose a solution to this question: StEMTify your lessons! Science standards in all states have consistent big ideas—it is how we teach and frame the content that makes a significant difference in student learning and retention of important science concepts. The authors’ goal is to help teachers increase the efficacy of their current science lessons by substituting the StEMT process into already existing lessons to ensure real-world application using mathematics and engineering design. Click here for more details.
Speakers: Jackie Speake Dwyer, Independent Education Consultant, Learning Sciences International Milton Huling, Curriculum Specialist, Polk County Public Schools
Students engaged in authentic three-dimensional learning benefit from teachers who are practitioners of science—curious and reflective individuals participating in their own sense-making as they guide students in doing science. This PLI engages participants in the role of true practitioner, experiencing the feeling of “not-yet-understanding” during the investigation of three Earth systems problems. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to integrate Earth science into an interdisciplinary curriculum and how to mentor students during authentic investigations. Click here for more details.
Speakers: Russell Colson, Professor of Geology, Minnesota State University Moorhead Mary Colson, Science Teacher, Horizon Middle School
Are you planning to adopt new science instructional materials for your district or school? If so, you know this is an important, but challenging process. Claims about the standards alignment are common in materials, but which ones will really help teachers hone their craft? With new science standards, limited resources, and diverse student needs to consider—where do you even begin? NextGen TIME includes a suite of tools and processes designed to guide your deep dive into next generation science and to support you in the evaluation, selection, and implementation of new materials. The full process of NextGen TIME is often spread out over an extended period of time, but this professional learning experience will ground you in the core processes while helping you see through alignment claims. You will learn to identify important qualities necessary in instructional materials that are designed for the NGSS or other standards rooted in A Framework for K–12 Science Education. Click here for more details.
Speakers: Jo Topps, Regional Director, K-12 Alliance/WestEd Jody Bintz, Senior Science Educator, BSCS Matt Krehbiel, Director, Science, Achieve, Inc.
Selecting an anchoring phenomenon that meets standards and is compelling to all students is one of the most challenging aspects of three-dimensional science curriculum and assessment. In this PLI, participants engage in a systematic process of analyzing the standards, brainstorming candidate phenomena, soliciting student input, and developing explanatory models of phenomena in order to select an anchoring phenomenon for a sequence of instruction. Click here for more details.
Speakers: Tara McGill, Curriculum Development Specialist Michael Novak, Senior Curriculum Developer, Northwestern University Allysa Orwig, Teacher, Curriculum Designer, Denver Public Schools William Penuel, Professor, Learning Sciences & Human Development, University of Colorado Boulder Brian Reiser, Professor, Northwestern University Douglas Watkins, HS Science Curriculum Specialist, Denver Public Schools Katie Van Horne, Research Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Boulder
By Registration Through SESD Science educators, special education teachers, parents, and administrators—come learn and share information and strategies for teaching science to students with disabilities. Science Education for Students with Disabilities exists to advance science teaching, curriculum development, and opportunities for inclusion in STEM for students with disabilities. To register, please contact Rachel Zimmerman-Brachman at Rachel.zimmerman-brachman@jpl.nasa.gov. For further information, visit www.sesd.info.
One of the great intellectual achievements of the 20th century was the theory of quantum mechanics, according to which observational results can only be predicted probabilistically rather than with certainty. Yet, after decades in which the theory has been successfully used on an everyday basis, most physicists would agree that we still don’t truly understand what it means. Sean will talk about the source of this puzzlement, and explain why an increasing number of physicists are led to an apparently astonishing conclusion: that the world we experience is constantly branching into different versions, representing the different possible outcome of quantum measurements.
Note: Please join author Sean M. Carroll after his talk, starting at 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM in the Plaza Lobby, where he will be signing copies of his books. The books will be available for purchase while supplies last. There will also be an opportunity for advance purchase of his latest book, Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime (for release September 2019).
NSTA wishes to thank Penguin Random House for sponsoring this speaker.
Speaker: Sean M. Carroll, Research Professor of Physics, California Institute of Technology
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Hear how our district evaluated and improved our K–12 science and engineering curriculum to meet the NGSS and engage 21st-century learners.
Speakers: Samantha Levine, K-8 Instructional Science Coach, South Orangetown Central School District Brian Newburger, Team Leader/Teacher, Tappan Zee High School Brian Culot, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instr., South Orangetown Central School District
Discover how using claim, evidence, and reasoning to construct explanations helps create scientific thinkers, one of the most important practices students can learn.
Speakers: Jessica Lowder, John Thomas School of Discovery Carolynda Peltier, John Thomas School of Discovery Sarah Miesner, Teacher, John Thomas School of Discovery
Student enthusiasm for STEM in early grades is strong, but barriers to implementation are significant. We will share steps taken and lessons learned on how we transformed teacher perceptions and supported their endeavors implementing STEM.
Speaker: Kristy Kidd, STEM Starters+ project director, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Find out how to participate in local watershed monitoring projects for an inherently three-dimensional experience that increases student interest and builds students’ identities as scientists.
Speaker: Holly Hereau, Biology and Environmental Science Teacher/Science, Lee M. Thurston High School
Session Topic:
General Science Education, Informal Science Education
Discussion centers on a curricular unit using meteorology to inform climate patterns and ecosystems through embedded student investigations and a cumulative PBL biome project.
Speaker: Anne Farley Schoeffler, Middle School Science Teacher, Seton Catholic School
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Life Science
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.
Room: Regency E, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
We will use scaffolds to unpack the different dimensions of NGSS and to create learning performances and assessments.
Speakers: Laura Zeller, Graduat Student, The University of Illinois at Chicago Donald Wink, Professor, The University of Illinois at Chicago James Pellegrino, Co-Dir., Learning Sciences Research Institute, The University of Illinois at Chicago Susan Goldman, The University of Illinois at Chicago Mon-Lin Monica Ko, Visiting Research Assistant Professor, The University of Illinois at Chicago Brian Gane, Visiting Research Assistant Professor, The University of Illinois at Chicago
Room: Regency D, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Students design and carry out authentic investigations to learn forces and interactions. The culminating activity asks students to create models and innovate to improve the design.
Speaker: Patrick Brown, Teacher, Fort Zumwalt School District R-II
Room: Regency F, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Through two inexpensive, easily accessible labs, develop a thorough, comprehensive understanding of dynamics from numerical evidence and thought experiments modeled after Galileo and Newton.
Speaker: Maximilian Von Schlehenried, Physics Instructor, Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas
Using hand samples, Google Earth, geologic maps, and data sets, we will evaluate and rank the risk posed by a shield volcano, caldera, stratovolcano, lava dome, and cinder cone.
Speakers: Stephen Mattox, Professor of Geology, Grand Valley State University Tari Mattox, Assistant Professor, Grand Rapids Community College
Learn how the fires of Yellowstone National Park can be used to turn your students into scientific investigators, without ever leaving the classroom.
Speakers: Cara Stephens, 8th Grade Science Teacher, Cimarron Middle School Tanner Bryan, Graduate Student/Assistant, Oklahoma State University Julie Angle, Secondary Science Education Director, Oklahoma State University
Experience how connected storylines encourage students to apply science concepts they’ve learned to engineering challenges related to energy, force, and states of matter.
Speakers: Kate Hallinger, Radio Park Elementary School Kimber Hershberger, Retired, Penn State Colleen McCracken, Easterly Parkway Elementary School Megan Germ, Teacher, Easterly Parkway Elementary School Deana Washell, Intermediate Teacher, Easterly Parkway Elementary School
Review data analysis/collecting techniques to help students young and old to learn the relationships between types of data and analysis of it.
Speakers: G. Michael Bowen, Associate Professor/District XVIII Director, Mount Saint Vincent University Tony Bartley, Science Education Professor, Lakehead University
Full inclusion of students with disabilities in STEM involves both accommodation strategies for students and universal design of instruction that enhances learning for all students.
Speakers: Rachel Zimmerman Brachman, Solar System and Technology Educator, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Lyla Mae Crawford, Counselor/Coordinator, DO-IT, Univesity of Washington
Have you ever wondered what the crosscutting concepts (CCC) are supposed to support in teaching, learning, and assessment? In this session, we will discuss how the CCCs can be used to support students’ confidence and sense-making in instruction and assessment, focusing on practical takeaways that can be implemented with students right now. We will collaboratively design a classroom task that emphasizes how the CCCs can be used with students, and discuss the implications of this approach for supporting diverse students, particularly those who may have been traditionally underserved in science.
Water is a precious resource but certain solutes can threaten that resource. Help students understand the importance of identifying and quantifying solutes in a solution. Using the new Wireless Colorimeter and Wireless Conductivity sensor, your students will get a deeper understanding of water and solutions!
Speaker: Barbara Pugliese, PASCO
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
Develop your own Escape Room by participating in a live-action game, exploring a wide range of tools, and evaluating examples for biology, environmental science, physics, and chemistry.
Speaker: Joseph Helpern, Science Teacher, Brunswick School
We will review each phase of the 5E (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) instructional model and explain how to select trade books to meet literacy strategies to enhance each phase.
Speaker: Julie Jackson, Associate Professor, Texas State University
Oh no, science fair! Are your students working on projects that don’t advance their science or engineering knowledge? Are they copying projects they find online? We will discuss how to inspire students to choose authentic topics and what to do after the project is “done,” as well as eCYBERMISSION—a web-based STEM competition that investigates problems in the community and possible solutions using scientific inquiry and the engineering design process.
Speakers: Alexandra Wakely, NSTA Matthew Hartman, eCYBERMISSION Content Manager, NSTA
Room: Westmoreland/Kingsbury, Marriott St. Louis Grand
Create scientifically literate students by cultivating a classroom culture where students don’t just learn science, but they experience true inquiry across the curriculum.
Speakers: Jessica Sterling, 3rd Grade Teacher, John Thomas School of Discovery Kathryn Martin, John Thomas School of Discovery Josh Bennett, 3rd Grade Teacher, John Thomas School of Discovery
Hear how National High Magnetic Field Laboratory educators are using inquiry activities to teach the topics of magnets and magnetism. You’re guaranteed one new idea using magnets for your classroom!
Speaker: Carlos Villa, Director of K-12 Programs, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Incorporating electronics and robotics into your grades 3–8 science curriculum doesn’t require a huge budget and an advanced degree! littleBits allows students to use engaging, easy-to-use electronic “bits” that can expand the possibilities as they engineer solutions to problems. Learn how simple and exciting incorporating technology into the engineering design process within your classroom can be!
Speaker: Chuck McMillan, National Science Specialist, Pearson
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science
The National Marine Educators Association invites you to engage in hands-on activities and take home resources for your classroom. Join us to discover how you can become involved in both ocean and freshwater initiatives from local and national organizations to promote ocean and climate literacy.
Speakers: Mellie Lewis, Peer Leader, NOAA National Ocean Service Kate Achilles, NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center David Bader, Director of Education, Aquarium of the Pacific Celia Cackowski, Marine Education Specialist, Virginia Institute of Marine Science Kathy Fuller, Environmental Resource Teacher, William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center Linda Chilton, Education Coordinator, USC Sea Grant Sarah Richards, Associate Chair, Saint Ann's School Meghan Marrero, Associate Professor, Secondary Education, Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry Campus David Wehunt, Teacher, Soddy Daisy High School Kate Leavitt, Marine Science Programs Coordinator, Seacoast Science Center
Session Topic:
General Science Education, Informal Science Education
Learn how to plan lessons and units that integrate science, engineering, and other content areas into your reading time by starting with any storybook. Take home a CD with classroom resources.
Speakers: Kevin Hill, Elementary Science/STEM Teacher Specialist, Wicomico County Public Schools Brian Raygor, Supervisor of Science K-12, Wicomico County Public Schools
Science is everywhere! Therefore, any fictional text has Science! Learn to implement an NGSS-focused reading framework to help teachers and students identify science concepts.
Speakers: Sharon Delesbore, Administrator, Fort Bend ISD Omah Williams-Duncan, Assistant Professor, University of Houston-Clear Lake
Learn how to incorporate CRISPR—an exciting gene editing tool—into your classroom. We will review the biology behind CRISPR-Cas technology and examine the use of gene therapy to treat a patient suffering from cystic fibrosis. You’ll design guide RNAs to target a mutation in an essential gene, and then use electrophoresis to analyze pre-prepared DNA after CRISPR treatment.
Use fairy tales to engage students in science concepts! Write an example based on Goldilocks together, then collaborate to develop your own classroom-ready creation!
Speaker: Laura Schisler, Visiting Assistant Professor, Missouri Southern State University
Science backpacks are a fun way to have families to enhance science literacy. Participants will view examples and develop a plan for incorporating backpacks.
Speaker: Patti Taylor, Preschool Teacher, St. Malachy School
Keep animals warm, dry, and safe in the winter in this barn-designing activity. Explore an NGSS-focused engineering unit that engages primary students in evidence-gathering, discussion, and prototype revision as they work to design solutions to a real-world problem.
Speakers: Christine Berman, Teacher, Tarkington School of Excellence Danielle Otto, Teacher, Tarkington School of Excellence Emily Masek, Bilingual Teacher, Tarkington School of Excellence
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science
Investigate the phenomenon of global increase in surface temperatures through the use of a global climate model, EzGCM.
Speakers: Cory Forbes, Associate Professor and Science Literacy Coordinat, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Mark Chandler, Research Scientist, Columbia University Kimberly Carroll Steward, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Devarati Bhattacharya, K-16 Stem Education Fellow, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
See how we collaborated with industry, teachers, students, and our district facilities department to provide real-world learning experiences about geothermal energy for K–12 students.
Speakers: Jennifer Abdel-Azim, Curriculum Coordinator of Elem Math and Science, Parkway Instructional Sevices Center Stephanie Valli, STEM Coordinator, Parkway Instructional Sevices Center Jennifer Proffitt, HIgh School STEM Curriculum Coordinator, Parkway Instructional Sevices Center
Room: Sterling Studio 6, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Engage in activities used in two chemistry classrooms that integrate inclusive pedagogies with 3-D science instruction and examine lessons using a research-based framework.
Speakers: Angela Kolonich, Director of Professional Learning, CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University Kristin Mayer, Teacher, East Kentwood High School Michael Lim, Chemistry Teacher, Gardena High School
Room: Grand Ballroom H, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Learn how to effectively teach and assess misunderstood genetics concepts using free simulations and other learning technologies.
Speakers: Dionysius Gnanakkan, Teacher, Baltimore County Public Schools Judith Lederman, Director of Teacher Education, Associate Professor, Illinois Institute of Technology Norman Lederman, Professor, Illinois Institute of Technology
Room: Mills Studio 1, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Journal of Emerging Investigators and EduChange, Inc. have collaborated to provide free materials to students and teachers that support the student research process at all stages, as described by the NGSS science and engineering practices.
Speakers: Catherine Saldutti, EduChange, Inc. Sarah Fankhauser, Oxford College of Emory University
Session Topic:
General Science Education
Session Type:
Presentation
Available Handouts :
Cultivating the Whole Plant, Not Just the STEM***CANCELED***
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Room: Sterling Studio 9, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Attention will be paid to demonstrating how administrators can effectively support and build STEM programs at their schools by evaluating resources, developing and stewarding a vision, and by expanding their focus to all contents supporting critical thinking, problem solving, and collaborative work.
Speaker: Anthony Williams, Executive Director, BEACON House, Inc.
Room: Mills Studio 6, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Give your students a real-world education integrating all content areas through the production and sales of plants, flowers, and health care products.
Speakers: Chris Holmes, Teacher, John Thomas School of Discovery Hannah Bryant, Teacher, Nixa Public Schools Tracy Harris, 6th Grade Teacher, John Thomas School of Discovery
What is pH and why is the scale 0–14? Help students develop and understand the logarithmic pH scale by creating serial dilutions in this hands-on workshop. Using the Wireless pH sensor, SPARKvue software, and universal indicator, your students will be able to analyze and visualize what pH actually means and measures!
Speaker: Shane Kuykendall, Department Chair, Science, Fayette County High School
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
Room: Mills Studio 4, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Are you surprised there is no research to support the existence of learning styles? Join us to learn more and debunk this prevalent neuromyth!
Speakers: Jennifer Maeng, Assistant Professor, University of Virginia Brooke Whitworth, Assistant Professor of Science Education, The University of Mississippi
We evaluated students’ attitudes about their sugar consumption, related to project-based instruction.
Speakers: Michealrose Ravalier, Secondary Science Teacher, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Michele Guannel, Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Associate, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas Campus Nadia Monrose, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas Campus
Do your students struggle with visualizing cellular respiration? Analyzing real-time data for difficult concepts has never been easier. Bring your own device with our Graphical Analysis 4 app installed or use ours during the workshop to investigate common biology experiments. All activities are available as a free download for attendees.
Attend this engaging, hands-on workshop to explore introductory coding using Vernier sensors with the inexpensive Arduino RedBoard. Topics include an introduction to programming Arduino microcontrollers, using the Vernier Arduino library, and sample STEM projects for controlling motors, LEDs, and buzzers based on sensor readings.
Meet the learning needs of a diverse student population with Delta Education’s new ScienceFLEX. Experience how hands-on exploration, four levels of content readers, technology, active scientific writing in student notebooks, and discourse enable all students to master fundamental science concepts and apply them to an engineering challenge. Leave with literacy strategies, a complete lesson plan, and digital tools to try with your diverse learners next week.
Speaker: Mary Anne Feller, Teacher, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School
Attention administrators, coaches, teachers-on-special-assignment and teacher-leaders! Ever wonder why current science technologies have not made more impact on students or how to address access and equity in science classrooms? See how modern science engages students—making deep connections to standards through the lens of 21st-century tools, techniques, and topics!
Speaker: J. Kirk Brown, Director of STEM Programs, San Joaquin County Office of Education
Of the three NGSS dimensions, educators tend to have the least experience effectively using crosscutting concepts to enhance their students’ understanding and skills. Learn how you and your students can expertly use CCCs in coordination with science and engineering practices to dive into phenomena and emerge with deep content understandings.
Speaker: Art Sussman, Senior Project Director, K-12 Alliance/WestEd
Come see Simulation Curriculum’s award-winning Starry Night classroom-ready NGSS lessons for all grade levels that engage students with interactive simulations, as well as current astronomical phenomena. Now running in the browser, use with all platforms including Chromebooks.
Speaker: Herb Koller, Consultant, Simulation Curriculum Corp.
Teach photosynthesis and cellular respiration together in the context of the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Using algae beads together with an algae bloom case study, your students can engage in authentic inquiry investigations to learn about two connected processes and their ecological and economical implications.
Support three-dimensional learning with materials that engage your students in an exploration of the unique chemical and physical properties of water and the phospholipid bilayer that separates cells from their surrounding environment. Construct a model to explain diffusion, osmosis, and active/ passive transport across cell membranes.
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
Seeing is believing! Flinn Scientific presents a variety of easy-to-perform and exciting chemistry and physical science demonstrations. Come see Flinn’s new demonstrations and some of your old favorites—all guaranteed to make your science classroom come alive. Handouts for all demonstrations. Flinn Scientific
Speakers: Megan Leifker, Flinn Scientific, Inc. Alan Downward, Flinn Scientific, Inc.
Students conduct an investigation to identify the presence of carbon dioxide in samples of their own exhaled breath. The function of the respiratory system in excreting carbon dioxide waste is highlighted. This activity is building toward an understanding of human body systems and to the interacting roles of these systems in providing nutrients and oxygen and removing carbon dioxide wastes from the cells throughout the body.
Speaker: Thomas Vlajkov, Middle Grades Science Instructor, Chicago Public Schools
Great Minds, the nonprofit behind Eureka Math/EngageNY, introduces PhD Science to support three-dimensional teaching and learning. In this hands-on workshop, you will use the engineering design process to design a seawall based on established criteria and constraints to reduce the impact of flooding caused by storm surge.
Speakers: Cindy Abel, Robert C. Hill Elementary Kristin Rademaker, Great Minds LLC
Build and code LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0 models while exploring Earth, space, and life science lessons for primary students. Experience hands-on LEGO learning as you build, use block-based coding, and explore WeDo 2.0’s standards-focused lesson plans. Walk away with concrete activities that increase engagement and inspire your students to think creatively about solving real-world problems.
Speaker: Laura Jackson, Retired Science Teacher
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science
Join our quest to solve a real salt marsh die-off mystery and consider evidence that we are heading toward a sixth mass extinction. Participants will use free HHMI BioInteractive resources, quantitative reasoning skills, and data literacy tools to reveal story from evidence and to ascertain mechanisms of environmental impacts.
Speakers: Steven Rogg, Associate Professor of Education-STEM, Carthage College Margaret Holzer, Teacher, Chatham High School
Session Topic:
General Science Education, Life Science
We’ll explore ways to make the most of the natural connections between language and science by integrating active reading and comprehension strategies into the flow of science learning, as well as listening, speaking, and writing. Emphasis will be placed on practices, approaches, and strategies you’ll be able to use tomorrow morning.
Anthropogenic climate change is one of the most important issues facing our students. Join us as we explore the basic science behind climate change and introduce a free classroom resource that will help your students build a better understanding of climate change.
Speakers: Dave Fish, Educational Outreach Consultant, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics Laura Pankratz, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics Tonia Williams, Educational Outreach Program Manager, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Work collaboratively with others to design solutions to real-world challenges by using Ward’s Essentials Kits. These engineering activities reinforce scientific inquiry, teamwork, and NGSS performance expectations that you will be able to bring back to your middle school students.
Speaker: Patty Muscatello, VWR Science Education
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science
Room: Grand Ballroom F, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Find out how to use statewide assessment examples to identify and evaluate the use of three-dimensional components for grades 5, 8, and 11 assessments.
Speakers: Mary Starr, Consultant, Michigan Mathematics and Science Centers Network Tamara Smolek, Science Education Research Consultant, Michigan Dept. of Education
Room: Regency B, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
By Separate Registration Only
Participants deepen their understanding of three-dimensional teaching and learning by focusing on developing storylines and learning how to use their resources to support broader implementation efforts in their schools and districts. Click here for more information and to register.
Get a glimpse into rooftop farming in downtown St. Louis at FOOD ROOF Farm! Not your typical farm, Urban Harvest STL led the collaboration of architects, landscape architects, green roof experts, horticulturalists, structural engineers, agronomists, and urban farmers to create this internationally recognized project. This hourlong tour includes a brief overview of Urban Harvest STL and the history of the FOOD ROOF Farm, followed by a farm walk with in-depth explanations of each component of the farm, from hydroponic towers to the agricultural green roof system to chickens to an edible wall. For more information, visit www.urbanharveststl.org/food-roof-farm-1. Note: Participants must be able to walk up flights of stairs. The rooftop is only accessible by two flights of stairs.
Meet your educational trip leader at the Convention Plaza entrance of America’s Center at least 15 minutes before departure time. Group will walk together to the farm from America’s Center.
Come put some tools in your tool box and learn some techniques to help your coaching skills and improve your relationships with teachers.
Speakers: Brian Newburger, Team Leader/Teacher, Tappan Zee High School Samantha Levine, K-8 Instructional Science Coach, South Orangetown Central School District Brian Culot, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instr., South Orangetown Central School District
Room: Sterling Studio 1, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Find out how to use the hit podcast Serial and its follow-up companion, Undisclosed to hook forensic science students into a case that explores many types of forensic evidence as well as the intersections of science, the law, race, and social justice.
Speaker: Jacqueline Gnant, Teacher, New Trier High School, Winnetka Campus
“Try on” a variety of tools to engage students in a game-based environment including interactive scavenger hunts, Amazing Race games, and even student-created video games.
Speaker: Jennifer Walter, Antonia Middle School
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science
Find out how to use the 5E (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) model with a PBL activity. We will review how to better assess scientific understanding using PBL activities such as building towers.
Speakers: Kelle Sumrall, Teacher, Lafayette Middle School William Sumrall, Professor, Science Education, The University of Mississippi
Activate your high school students to engage in their community by taking action for the environmental, while they put 21st-century skills into action.
Students from underserved backgrounds may benefit from supports they receive through visiting museums. In a recent grant funded study, approximately 100 grade 5 students in a Title I school on the U.S.-Mexico border visited a science museum to support STEM learning. Student-participants took pre/post surveys to assess learning through informal museum visits, with mixed results.
Speaker: Jane Casey, Associate Professor, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Room: Sterling Studio 3, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Explore different strategies to improve females’ enrollment in advanced physics classes through a classroom cultural shift that reduces the detrimental impact of negative gender stereotypes.
Speaker: Ghada Nehmeh, Teacher, The Bronx High School of Science
Green Homes is a culturally responsive, interdisciplinary, project-based unit for middle school motivated by interest in combating the local and global effects of climate change.
Speakers: Chris Plyley, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas Campus Anne Wilkins, John H. Woodson Junior High School
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science
Can K–2 students work to solve real-world problems? Yes! Check out examples of students digging into authentic problems through the engineering design process and cross-curricular integration.
Speakers: Patricia Bricker, Associate Dean, Western Carolina University Melissa Faetz, Instructor, Western Carolina University Kimberly Sanders, Teacher, South Macon Elementary School Delaney Smith, Hayesville Elementary School
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science
Room: Lafayette Boardroom, Marriott St. Louis Grand
By Invitation Only
Session Type:
Meeting
T-2: Space Mission and “Stellar” Elementary Workshop at the Challenger Learning Center***CANCELED***
9:00 AM - 2:45 PM
Room: Challenger Learning Center
T-2 Is CANCELED.
Launch new learning with a trip to Challenger Learning Center. Participants start off spending two hours as “Jr. Astronauts,” going on a simulated space mission and making compressed-air rockets. Then they will take part in a hands-on workshop that integrates reading, writing, and math into astronomy by doing standards-based activities that take the unreachable and make it hands on. Junior Astronauts programs are geared toward students ages 6 to 11. Strategies will be shared for imbedding STEM throughout the curriculum. Leave with at least three classroom-ready lesson plans and a renewed excitement for the wonders of space exploration. Box lunch is included.
Meet your educational trip leader at the Convention Plaza entrance of America’s Center at least 15 minutes before departure time.
During his record-breaking Year in Space, U.S. astronaut Scott Kelly captivated the world while laying the groundwork for the future of space travel and exploration. And while science was at the core of his groundbreaking expedition—it is his life lessons and personal stories from 229 miles above Earth and the path that led him there that provide such unique and valuable perspective on embracing risk and discovering one’s true potential to achieve the impossible. With a journey that exemplifies the power and resilience of the human spirit, from U.S. Navy fighter pilot to record-holding astronaut, astronaut Kelly reveals the choices and life events that paved his way. An American hero whose contribution to humanity is as far reaching as his epic story, he reflects on his journey with his trademark candor, humor, and humility. From the leadership and teamwork required in such demanding conditions, to the long-term deprivation from loved ones and planet Earth itself, he delivers a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Note: A limited number of tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis for a post-talk book signing by Scott Kelly. Tickets will be handed out prior to his keynote presentation.
NSTA wishes to thank Knopf Doubleday and Random House Children’s Books for sponsoring this speaker.
Speaker: Scott Kelly, Retired Astronaut and Retired U.S. Navy Captain
Graphs of position, speed, and velocity often confuse students attempting to describe motion. In this hands-on workshop from PASCO, you will create and compare these graphs and discuss their meaning. This lesson helps students understand the distinction between positive and negative position, and velocity. Enter the workshop raffle for a chance to win a free Smart Cart!
Speaker: Dan Burns, Science, Los Gatos High School
Immerse yourself in investigations linking engineering and marine science. Design ocean animal prosthetics, explore engineering solutions based on ocean animals, and investigate aquaculture best practices.
Speakers: Kathy Zagzebski, President & Executive Director, National Marine Life Center Linda McIntosh, Director of Education, The Wade Institute for Science Education Sandra Ryack-Bell, Executive Director, The Wade Institute for Science Education
Much of the public continues to demonstrate a surprising unwillingness to embrace scientific consensus on issues affecting our country and the world. The roots of this problem relate to popular perceptions of science and scientists. Discussion centers on how science education can reclaim the cultural high ground in American society.
Speaker: Kenneth Miller, Professor of Biology, Brown University
Help! The principal has been murdered in the art room! Your students become crime scene investigators as they walk into a murder scene. Inspect the location of the murder using blood spatter analysis and then catch the criminal with DNA fingerprinting. This exciting workshop will include ways to incorporate biotechnology and gel electrophoresis into your classroom.
How can you make a global phenomenon tangible so students can better understand the local impacts of climate change? Through hands-on, sensor-based investigations, we will monitor local CO2 levels, model ocean acidification, and use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to explore (and create) global data sets with free classroom-ready resources.
Speaker: Ryan Reardon, Biology Teacher, Shades Valley High School
Join us for a guided tour at the Missouri Botanical Garden focusing on botanical engineering. Survival for plants often means finding innovative ways to overcome challenges in the environment! In this fascinating tour, we’ll explore the adaptations that plants have devised that enable them to survive in some of our planet’s most extreme environments. We’ll venture into the Garden for a look at the solutions humans have developed to replicate these environments so that these plants can thrive in St. Louis. This tour includes the Climatron, Temperate House, and Linnean House. Be sure to bring your NSTA conference badge as this will serve as your entrance credentials.
NSTA wishes to thank Missouri Botanical Garden for providing complimentary admission for participants.
Meet your educational trip leader at the Convention Plaza entrance of America’s Center at least 15 minutes before departure time.
Students need academic language to comprehend, think about, and express scientific concepts and ideas. But how does one actually integrate language learning with 3-D science instruction in a real-world classroom? Come learn about a novel approach for implementing technology-assisted academic language learning with NGSS core ideas, concepts, and practices.
Speakers: Benjamin Grimley, Speak Agent Dan LaFountain, CMO, Speak Agent
Learn the basics of collecting and analyzing experimental data with a focus on biology and chemistry. Bring your own device with our Graphical Analysis 4 app installed or use ours during the workshop. All activities are available as a free download for attendees.
Speaker: Rick Rutland, Consultant, Five Star Education Solutions
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science, Physical Science
Collecting and analyzing experimental data has never been easier using Vernier technology in your lab. Bring your own device with our Graphical Analysis 4 app installed or use ours during the workshop. All activities are available as a free download for attendees.
Speaker: David Carter, Vernier Software & Technology
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
Explore how instructional sequences designed around real-world problems can lead students to figure out phenomena using the three dimensions of science and engineering. Leaders from UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science will deliver this interactive presentation to showcase an example from the Hall’s research-based pedagogy and curriculum.
Speakers: Rebecca Abbott, Professional Development Specialist, The Lawrence Hall of Science Sophia Lambertsen, The Lawrence Hall of Science
How can we integrate engineering activities into existing lessons? In this workshop, we’ll share best practices to balance engineering challenges in your classroom—ensuring they are authentic, inspiring, and time-efficient. Leave with sample engineering lessons across all disciplines.
Speaker: Maafi Gueye, Mosa Mack Science
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science
Incorporate NGSS science and engineering practices into your biology class by engaging students to define the problem of world hunger. Considering constraints, students will design a treatment plan (solution) for protein-energy malnutrition, in the form of an evidence-based argument.
Speaker: James Allison, Biotechnology Teacher
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science
Experience innovative models of key life science concepts (cell structure and function, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration) with CPO Science LINK: Energy Quest and Cell Quest. Use cutting-edge Augmented Reality and game-based modeling strategies plus elements of cooperation and competition to differentiate for ALL students. Chance to win door prizes.
Illuminate the dark corners of your students curiosity by teaching them about proteins. This simple classroom exercise allows your students to isolate the green fluorescent protein (GFP) found in jellyfish. Show them that protein science can be tangible and engaging but not overwhelming with this beginner’s activity. Now presented with Carolina’s digital enhancements.
Transform your students into young scientists when you bring these simple hands-on dissections to your classroom! We will guide you through the dissections of a squid and a frog, promoting classroom discussions of easily observable adaptations and the relationship between structure and function.
How can you be sure you’re addressing both sides of the coin—providing 3-D learning and 3-D assessment? Experience new investigations from Smithsonian Science for the Classroom as both learner and teacher. Develop student artifacts and apply formative assessment strategies to student work in science and engineering.
Join us as we use Simulation Curriculum’s The Layered Earth Geology and Meteorology to investigate plate tectonics, weather, and climate. Classroom-ready NGSS lessons engage students with interactive simulations and thought-provoking exercises using an interactive Earth model. Now running in the browser, use with all platforms, including Chromebooks.
Speaker: Herb Koller, Consultant, Simulation Curriculum Corp.
Do you have students ask, “What do I have to remember about this?” or clearly not understand the big concept behind the activity that you prepared? See how to design a series of activities that help students make connections and build a deep understanding of the major concepts being conveyed.
Speaker: J. Kirk Brown, Director of STEM Programs, San Joaquin County Office of Education
Successfully implement your high school NGSS program with BIOZONE’s award-winning series: Biology, Earth, Space Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Strongly focused on student inquiry and written from first principles to address the three dimensions of the NGSS Framework. Attendees receive free review copies, access to e-book trial, plus sample packets.
Speaker: Richard Allan, Ceo, BIOZONE International Ltd.
Discover how to combine art and STEM principles into engaging classroom activities for students of all ages. Join in to learn about the fun world of conductive paper crafts, wearable circuits featuring conductive thread, junk circuits and robots, and how to combine LEGO® with circuitry.
Speaker: Jordan Nelson, Director of Science Education, Nasco
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
Use vibrant watercolor landscapes to explore the molecular world in the cellular context within which proteins function. David Goodsell’s Tour of the Human Cell Panorama traces the production and secretion of antibodies. His Flu Fight: Immunity & Infection Panorama illustrates how antibodies work to block the influenza infection cycle.
Speakers: Tim Herman, Director, MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling Gina Vogt, Secondary Education Program Manager, 3D Molecular Designs
What relationships across different animal species can you see in embryological data that you cannot observe by comparing mature animals? Identify patterns in embryological images from different species to provide evidence of closer evolutionary relationships.
Speaker: Thomas Vlajkov, Middle Grades Science Instructor, Chicago Public Schools
Students learn better and faster when they are actively involved in hands-on activities that are not only fun, but also create learning opportunities. We’ll share some inquiry-based labs, interactive demonstrations, and collaborative games, focusing on core topics like evolution, genetics, biochemistry, and more. You’re sure to find a Flinn Favorite that works for you! Handouts. Flinn Scientific
Are you looking to bring STEAM learning to your classroom or school but not sure where to start? Learn how to create a STEAM program in your classroom, school, or even district that is impactful for all students and learning abilities. Hear from educators who have implemented successful STEAM programs and developed active learning environments that spark their students’ curiosity.
Explore how an early career and experienced teacher have used free HHMI BioInteractive resources, “The Biology of Skin Color” and “Sex Verification of Athletes” to create a safe, inclusive environment to discuss social issues, such as race and biological sex/gender in the context of science ideas and practices.
Speakers: Jamie Gay, Longmont High School Cindy Gay, Science Educator, BSCS
Explore a kinesthetic approach for anatomy, health science, and bio-med courses! This interactive learning system promotes innovation and critical thinking of form and function while reaching students of all learning styles. Come build muscles of the head and arm, as well as the cardiovascular system and the different lobes of the brain. Come to this amazing workshop to learn how to engage your students with immediate hands-on learning!
Speaker: Chuck Roney, Biology/anatomy teacher, ANATOMY IN CLAY® Learning System
NGSS content instruction moves away from separate silos of information to connected content in coherent storylines. Learn about the types of and easy ways to use phenomena as you experience instruction using anchoring, investigative, and everyday phenomena.
Great Minds, the nonprofit behind Eureka Math/EngageNY, introduces PhD Science to support three-dimensional teaching and learning. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll build a windmill and observe energy transfer, create an anchor model to record how windmills work, and then develop a driving question board to guide learning.
Speakers: Kelli Schatzle, Mamou Elementary school Chris Cook, Burns Elementary School Isaac Stauffer, Great Minds LLC
What does effective media allow you and students to do, see, or explore? How can we use media to convey key weather and climate concepts and enhance curriculum? Explore digital resources and strategies for engaging students with media about weather and climate concepts for grades 6–12.
Speakers: Frank Niepold, Climate Education Coordinator, NOAA Climate Program Office Nancy Gifford, Educator - WGBH Teacher Advisor, Monomoy Regional Middle School Shawn Stevens, PBS LearningMedia/WGBH
An emerging disease has been identified in the owl community. You will work as a forensic zoologist to determine where this disease originated by dissecting owl pellets from different regions. Take home some creative ways to use these versatile owl pellets in any grade level.
Are you looking for ways to help your students understand the latest developments in physics? Join us as we describe some of the recent developments and explore ways to bring the latest results into your classroom. This year we will look at lasers, quantum computers, exoplanets, astronomy, and more.
Speakers: Dave Fish, Educational Outreach Consultant, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics Laura Pankratz, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics Tonia Williams, Educational Outreach Program Manager, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics Kelly Foyle, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
We will bring science and coding together as participants learn to do some basic coding (no experience necessary) while developing a mood ring! The science of color mixing is explored while determining the right body temperature thresholds. Is fuchsia flirty? Should green be groovy? It’s up to you!
Speaker: Fred Fotsch, Texas Instruments
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
Room: Outside Entrance to NSTA Exhibit Hall, America's Center
Join us as we celebrate 75 years of support to science teaching and learning, and hear a special announcement about exciting changes to come! The Exhibit Hall will open at 11:00 AM, immediately following the celebration. Special performance by the Hazelwood West High School Orchestra under the direction of Elizabeth Schmiedeke.
Room: Grand Ballroom D/Group 3, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
As a novice and then experienced teacher, teacher research is what kept me in the classroom. Because of that experience, I have strived to share and cultivate teacher research groups. Come share your stories of teacher research!
Speaker: Deborah Roberts-Harris, Associate Professor, The University of New Mexico
Room: Grand Ballroom D/Group 4, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
The shift toward CER (Claims, Evidence and Reasoning) has served our students well as we transition toward 3-D learning. But could student learning be shaped to an even greater extent if the shift were ECR? Initial findings of such an approach will be share as well as offering participant classroom implementation ideas.
Speaker: Michael Jabot, Professsor, Science Education, SUNY Fredonia
Give your students a real-world engineering challenge! Explore the relationship between momentum and impact forces with real-time measurement of collisions in this PASCO workshop. You will design your own crash barrier to minimize the maximum collision force of a moving cart colliding into your barrier. Next, analyze your results to iterate and improve on your design. Enter raffle for a chance to win a free Smart Cart!
Speaker: Dan Burns, Science, Los Gatos High School
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
Human activity is the most powerful driver of global change, affecting sea level, rainfall, seasonality, and vital ecosystem functions. Explore different kinds of system models, relate climate system structure and function, and appreciate the importance of time and scale in understanding stability and change. This complex, interdisciplinary field is NGSS-ready!
Neuroscience is one of the fastest growing fields in science today. Bring it directly into your classroom and make your students neuroscientists for the day! We will explore Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s disorders by running a genetic analysis on a family that may carry the Huntington gene with PCR and gel electrophoresis. Then, we’ll run an ELISA to explore the biology behind Alzheimer’s disease.
Help students explore and understand the environment outside the lab in this hands-on workshop. Using modern sensors and a smartphone collecting data for water quality, weather, and field ecology has never been easier. See how easy it can be to build a long-term data set and look at nutrient cycling, energy flow, and environmental monitoring.
Speaker: Ryan Reardon, Biology Teacher, Shades Valley High School
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Life Science
The practices included in the NGSS are based on exploring and solving problems. The act of engaging students in this problem-solving can often be a problem in itself. Join in to work on and solve some puzzles to take back to the classroom. We will share how the online STEM competition, eCYBERMISSION, gives students a chance to explore and solve problems using science and engineering and how you and your students can participate at no cost.
Speaker: Matthew Hartman, eCYBERMISSION Content Manager, NSTA
Participate in fun, engaging, hands-on STEM activities using Vernier digital tools to study temperature, light, friction, and grip strength. See how age-appropriate, sensor-based experiments teach students about data collection and analysis—practices that promote science inquiry, improve science literacy, and boost test scores.
Speaker: David Carter, Vernier Software & Technology
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
Get active and participate in hands-on experiments. Explore limb position and grip strength, balance, and EKGs/EMGs experiments designed to encourage students to think about the physiology of various human organ systems. Walk away with valuable information including sample labs and teaching tips.
Don’t think you have the nerves for physiology? Learn about easy, hands-on activities you can use to explore homeostasis, reflexes and reactions, and responses to stimuli. The activities are suitable for all grade levels.
This Smithsonian Science for the Classroom unit asks students to investigate ways to move water, where to find water, and determine how to provide fresh water to those in need. Using resources from the Smithsonian and various state and national agencies, this module models NGSS at the highest level.
Go on a journey to the center of the Earth, explore the flow of energy in an ecosystem, or design a playground. Experience all forms of models (including augmented reality) as we seamlessly blend hands-on investigations, technology, leveled student books, and science notebooks with Delta Education’s new ScienceFLEX modules. Leave with an integrated lesson and digital tools you can try with your students next week.
Speaker: Mary Anne Feller, Teacher, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science, Physical Science
Learn how to build meaningful performance assessments and analyze ways students can demonstrate their knowledge. Participants will be able to access a unique online tool that breaks down performance assessments into each dimension of learning. Take home free example assessments.
Experience how students investigate the cause of the high rate of skin cancer in Australia, while figuring out how light waves interact with different materials. Join a hands-on dive into Amplify Science for Grades 6–8, a new NGSS-designed curriculum from UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science.
Speakers: Rebecca Abbott, Professional Development Specialist, The Lawrence Hall of Science Sophia Lambertsen, The Lawrence Hall of Science
Experience the versatility of Wisconsin Fast Plants®. These quick-growing plants engage students and are ideal for all grade levels. Easily integrate disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and practices in life cycle; heredity and inheritance; variation and evolution; and environmental science lessons. Learn to plant, pollinate, and teach with Fast Plants®.
Come see Simulation Curriculum’s award-winning Starry Night classroom-ready NGSS lessons for all grade levels that engage students with interactive simulations, as well as current astronomical phenomena. Now running in the browser, use with all platforms including Chromebooks.
Speaker: Herb Koller, Consultant, Simulation Curriculum Corp.
Learn how to encourage the development of student skills in analyzing and interpreting authentic scientific data with free digital media tools and resources from PBS LearningMedia, produced by WGBH in collaboration with NASA and other partners. In addition to videos, images, and interactives, the project features an innovative approach to incorporating data visualizations and computer simulations into instructional experiences.
Speakers: Rachel Connolly, PBS LearningMedia/WGBH Javier Montiel, Brazosport ISD
Hands-on explorations with engineering tasks that follow a learning progression, building on applied knowledge. The integration of 3-D learning, specifically the SEPs, make this immediately applicable to your K–8 classroom. Participants to need to come ready to interact, create, and most importantly, have fun! Make it—Take it!
We will highlight creating, maintaining, and sustaining strong class culture using HHMI BioInteractive resources. The science and engineering practices require students take risks by making questions and thinking public. This necessitates a strong class ethos. Join us to engage with strategies/activities designed to strengthen ethos that you can immediately implement.
Speakers: James Clark, Retired Educator Samantha Johnson, Science Teacher, Arroyo High School
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Life Science
Learn about Flinn’s new blended labs designed to save you time and help your students score higher on the AP® exam. Each experiment is available digitally and includes videos that help students perform experiments independently and relate the procedures and concepts to exam questions. Each experiment includes practice AP® exam questions. AP® is a trademark of the College Board. www.flinnsci.comwww.flinnprep.com
Speakers: Joan Berry, Flinn Scientific, Inc. Alan Downward, Flinn Scientific, Inc.
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: Thomas Vlajkov, Middle Grades Science Instructor, Chicago Public Schools
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
Engage students by exploring response to neuronal stimuli by incorporating three-dimensional learning and hands-on/minds-on models. Construct a neuronal synapse model with sodium potassium pump, calcium, sodium, and potassium channels. Model resting and action potentials and neurotransmitter release. Develop explanations of the ways drugs and toxins disturb neuronal communication. 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
Find out all about the world of conductive tape circuitry in this fun and interactive workshop! Turn simple circuitry lessons into fun STEAM lessons through the fun and inexpensive work of Paper Circuits. Great for all ages and free materials provided for attendees.
Speaker: Jordan Nelson, Director of Science Education, Nasco
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
Teachers say they need grant writing skills. Join us and unlock the gateway to grant skills using a tried-and-true set of keys that will open doors to increase your resources and funding. Takeaways include materials, websites, worksheets, and practice that will fuel your optimism and prepare you to win!
Speaker: Rusti Berent, Funding and Grants Consultant, Ward's Science
No one exemplifies a positive science-linked image than National Geographic with its diverse group of National Geographic Explorers. National Geographic Learning invites you to view our Exploring Science program and discover how students make connections with our National Geographic Explorers, building opportunities for students to see themselves in science.
Speaker: Pam Caffery, National Engagement Consultant, National Geographic Learning | Cengage
As a global enterprise in the life science fields of health care and agriculture, Bayer is committed to improving people’s lives—with its defining purpose: Science for a better life. Bayer extends a special invite to science teachers to tour their world-class Crop Science research facility in Chesterfield, Missouri. Modern agriculture is about evolving agricultural innovations and farming practices to help farmers increase efficiency and reduce the amount of natural resources necessary to meet the world’s food, fuel, and fiber needs. Participants will see how scientists are collaborating with farmers and partners to develop innovative solutions to address these challenges. Visitors will learn the importance of genetics to increase the speed, accuracy and efficiency of breeding efforts, explore how we search for sustainable solutions that prevent damage from destructive pests without harming beneficial insects, and see the benefits of soil microbes as a seed treatment that can complement or replace agricultural chemical products for improving nutrient uptake, promoting growth and yield, insect control and disease protection. A visit to a Growth Chamber and Greenhouses will show how researchers test variables in controlled and semi-controlled environments to ensure we are creating safe and improved products. The Technical Discovery Center, staffed by a team specializing in machine technology, metrology, and instrumentation, will feature some of the innovative creations designed in-house in collaboration with researchers. You will also learn about Climate FieldView, an integrated digital platform that helps farmers optimize resources and maximize yield with simple data collection and storage, easy-to-use digital tools, and science-driven insights.
Special Notes: Global Security Policy Requirements are that all visitors 18+ provide full first and last legal name, country of citizenship, home country residential address, phone number, and e-mail address. Minors under the age of 18 must provide full first and last legal name and country of citizenship. Minimum age for tours is 12 years old.
Meet your educational trip leader at the Convention Plaza entrance of America’s Center at least 15 minutes before departure time.
Room: Sterling Studio 1, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Want students to become successful independent learners? Encounter an action planning protocol that will help students to explicitly build skills to become independent learners.
Speakers: Ellie Williamson, Science Teacher, Urban Assembly School of Design and Construction Jessica Gladkevitch, Science Teacher - Special Education Specialist
Get tools to implement standards-based grading principles in order to effectively assess student learning and instruction in a traditional percentage-based grading system.
Speakers: William Janshego, Biology / Teacher, Prairie Ridge High School Matthew Senese, Teacher, Prairie Ridge High School
We have conducted makerspace activities in diverse settings. Discussion centers on philosophy, logistics, and resources to promote effective makerspace programs.
Speaker: David Vernot, Curriculum Consultant, Butler County Educational Service Center
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science
Authentic learning starts with real-world phenomena which motivates and sparks curiosity. Unpack and implement this NGSS innovation into your K–12 classroom.
Speakers: Meng-Ping Tu, Teacher, Stuyvesant High School JoEllen Schuleman, Teacher/Science Coach, P.S. 199 Jessie Isador Straus Jean Hourihane, Teacher, P.S. 092 Harry T. Stewart Sr.
Room: Sterling Studio 3, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Rural students are often limited in science course choices, but these limitations can be overcome through engaging, place-based online science courses available to learners.
Speaker: Renee Clary, Professor, Mississippi State University
Room: Grand Ballroom A, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
This collaborative PBL experience challenges students to understand the process and ecosystem effects of re-introducing an extinct species while answering the question of “should we?”
Speaker: Heather Berry, Science Teacher, District Sustainability Learning
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science
Room: Mills Studio 3, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Learn how to STEP-UP your interactive notebooks or how to start using them in your classes to enhance any level of science course. It's not just cutting and pasting! You will see why upper level anatomy students are taking their INB's to college with them!
Speakers: Tanya Hallett Sanchez, Science Teacher, Manhattan Beach Middle School Leila Warren, Science Teacher, Chamblee Charter High School
Join in for a lesson on teaching optics, covering the basics of lenses, reflection, refraction, color, and also showing fun optics demonstrations to wow your students! Enter raffle for a chance to win a free optics kit!
Speaker: Jeffrey Plank, PASCO
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Physical Science
This tool kit features NASA resources for grades K–12 that can support and frame student investigations with NASA data and content. The tool kit includes a QuickStart Guide, Key Features, and an Online Interactive Guide. The session will feature hurricanes as a phenomenon that can be investigated using NASA Earth Observatory (NEO), Precipitation Measurement Missions, and NASA Worldview.
Speaker: Cassie Soeffing, Senior Science Educator, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
Room: Grand Ballroom D/Group 3, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Discussion centers on an approach to helping preservice teachers understand and plan a lesson using the three strands of the NGSS. Please come share your experiences as well!
Speaker: Deborah Roberts-Harris, Associate Professor, The University of New Mexico
Session Topic:
General Science Education
Session Type:
Presentation
ASTC-Sponsored Session: The Brain and Learning—Motivation, Attention, and Connections to Three-Dimensional Learning***CANCELED***
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room: Room 224, America's Center
How does what we know about motivation and attention and the brain tie into how we learn using the three dimensions of NGSS?
Speakers: Robert Payo, Teacher Programs Coordinator, Denver Museum of Nature & Science Tim Blesse, Teacher Professional Development Coordinator, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Come to this hands-on workshop to learn how to encourage women in physics by joining a national movement to STEP UP 4 Women.
Speakers: Kathryne Woodle, Education & Diversity Programs Manager, American Physical Society Beth Cunningham, American Association of Physics Teachers Laird Kramer, Assoc. Prof., Florida International University Zahra Hazari, Florida International University John Metzler, Teacher, Niles West High School Theodore Hodapp, Director of Education and Outreach, American Physical Society
In 1989, AAAS Project 2061 published Science for All Americans, a description of what all adults needed to know to be scientifically literate. And for the last three decades, all work on standards in science, including Benchmarks for Science Literacy, the National Science Education Standards, the NRC Framework, NGSS, and dozens of state standards, have been influenced by this seminal vision of science literacy. We will reflect upon its impact and how it is still plays a role in science education.
Speakers: Linda Froschauer, 2006-2007 NSTA President Michael Novak, Senior Curriculum Developer, Northwestern University Joseph Krajcik, Director, CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University Ted Willard, Director, NGSS@NSTA, NSTA Page Keeley, 2008-2009 NSTA President, The Keeley Group
So you have this great idea! Now what? Learn from present and past STEM Forum & Expo steering committee members on how to take a successful classroom activity, strategy, or lesson and turn that into a successful proposal and presentation worthy of being presented at a future NSTA conference.
Speakers: Dedric McGhee, STEM Manager, Shelby County Schools Jennifer Williams, Lower School Science Department Chair, Isidore Newman School Kavita Gupta, NSTA La Conference Planning Committee Member, Monta Vista High School Adriana Guerra, Teacher, E.P. Foster STEM Academy
Room: Regency D, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Equip yourself to mentor students as they discover, plan, and fund science-based travel excursions through research, grant writing, sponsorships, and authentic fund-raising.
Speaker: Sondra Stieber, Science Teacher, Haysville Middle School
Room: Regency F, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Come play together and investigate Newton’s laws of motion. Investigate the motion of a car on a track to illustrate the 1st and 2nd laws of motion. Then play at a series of over15 stations to illustrate Newton’s laws with easy-to-find toys to help students better understand these concepts.
Speaker: David Beier, Science Instructor, The Barstow School
Room: Grand Ballroom D/Group 1, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Change the roles of elementary teachers and students during classroom conversations while developing an equitable and respectful classroom environment. Leave with templates, techniques, and videos for use during professional development.
Speaker: Laura Chambless, Science Consultant, St. Clair County RESA
Experience ways to promote deep meaning-making by infusing early elementary science activities with literacy strategies for speaking, listening, and digital notebooking.
Speakers: Lauren Shea, Education Lecturer, American University Beth Daniels, STEM Content and Education Manager, Twin Cities Public Television Therese Shanahan, Lecturer, University of California, Irvine
Session Topic:
General Science Education
Session Type:
Hands-On Workshop
Track:
Jazzing Up Science with Cross-Curricular Connections
Room: Westmoreland/Kingsbury, Marriott St. Louis Grand
Journals provide support for students to make claims based on evidence. They record data through technical drawings, charts and by taking pictures of investigations. We will model how our students would create claims based on evidence and ask participants to record the information.
Speakers: Kate Hallinger, Radio Park Elementary School Kimber Hershberger, Retired, Penn State Colleen McCracken, Easterly Parkway Elementary School Megan Germ, Teacher, Easterly Parkway Elementary School Deana Washell, Intermediate Teacher, Easterly Parkway Elementary School
Astronomy for the youngest learners: How stories combined with activities work together to deepen science learning. We will explore two storybooks and their related activities.
Speaker: Anna Hurst, Director of Museum,Park, & Library Programs, Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Explore an engineering unit in which students learn about animal structures/functions, conduct hands-on investigations, and engage in discussions as they work to design a snow-gear outfit.
Speakers: Christine Berman, Teacher, Tarkington School of Excellence Danielle Otto, Teacher, Tarkington School of Excellence
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science, Physical Science
Take part in lessons linking nonfiction historical trade books (Ada Byron Lovelace and The Thinking Machine and Grace Hopper: Queen of The Computer Code) and science and engineering practices for the Eureka! series for grades 3–5.
Speakers: Donna Farland-Smith, Professor, The Ohio State University at Mansfield Laurie Wallmark, Author
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science
Room: Grand Ballroom D/Group 2, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Emphasis will be placed on ideas and examples of outdoor education activities that integrate across content areas to provide hands-on science learning experiences.
Speaker: Christina Fanning, Teacher - Grade 5, Atlanta Public Schools - Bolton Academy
Session Topic:
General Science Education, Physical Science
For decades, we’ve been hearing the terms “global warming” or “global climate change,” but what do those terms mean to each of us? How is our world changing and why? This lesson is designed as an introductory activity exploring one facet of global climate change. Students access real scientific data to investigate and compare long-term changes in sea level from different coastal locations around the U.S.
Speaker: Celia Cackowski, Marine Education Specialist, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Session Topic:
General Science Education, Informal Science Education
Engage in a hands-on science lesson integrated with writing instruction. Designed for teachers prepared in science who are looking for specific literacy integration strategies.
Speakers: Zachary Orefice, Teacher-in-Residence, The University of Rhode Island Sara Sweetman, Assistant Professor, The University of Rhode Island Kelly Shea, Educational Specialist, The University of Rhode Island Caroline Stabile, Science Education Specialist, The University of Rhode Island
Explore biotechnology with this fun and interactive workshop. Unlock the color of candies by extracting their food dye and separating them using agarose gel electrophoresis. In addition, we’ll learn about how to separate complex color combinations using TLC paper chromatography. By separating out the different colors, students will learn about complicated mixtures, charges on molecules, and incorporating science into their everyday lives.
Speaker: Kelly Barford, Edvotek Inc.
Session Topic:
Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science, Life Science
Session Type:
Exhibitor Workshop
Sounds Like Fun***CANCELED***
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room: Majestic B, Marriott St. Louis Grand
Concepts such as longitudinal waves, frequency, amplitude, and wavelength will be introduced and then explored through inexpensive, easy, and fun hands-on activities.
Speakers: Katrina Brown, Associate Professor of Physics, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Todd Brown, Associate Professor of Physics, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
Join Kenosha Public Museum educators to learn the science behind a mysterious mammoth site from the Ice Age as we share hands-on activities and free lessons.
Speakers: Nick Wiersum, Director, Kenosha Public Museum Jennifer Edginton, Kenosha Public Museum
Crunched for time? This three-dimensional learning session will feature how coding and robotics can be used to maximize teachers’ instructional time and elevate student engagement.
Speakers: Ann Iott, Science Specialist, AMSTI-University of Alabama, Huntsville Kathy Colburn, The University of Alabama Seth House, K-2 Science Specialist, AMSTI-Auburn University
Supported by 100Kin10—the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education, D.C. Public Schools, and the National Air and Space Museum have partnered to improve active STEM learning in the early grades by providing rich professional development for teachers and connecting young learners to STEM in their community. We will share the program’s progress and will lead participants through a hands-on inquiry STEM experience focused on early learners.
Speakers: Sharon Delesbore, Administrator, Fort Bend ISD Sarah Massie, Teacher, Plummer Elementary School Katina Kearney-Edwards, Assistant Professor, Salisbury University Lauren Allen, STEM Management Analyst, STEM Integration, D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Chemistry is everywhere…but do we really understand it? Chemistry should be relevant, engaging, and hands on. Come experience easy-to-implement Problem-Based Learning strategies in this interactive workshop.
Hear how quality inquiry-based science teaching aligns with research findings of how children learn, science ideas, classroom practices of learning through science inquiry, and how scientists work.
NSTA’s new position statement on Teaching Climate Science offers guidance for evidence-based science teaching and how to support it. Learn how it works for you.
Speakers: Frank Niepold, Climate Education Coordinator, NOAA Climate Program Office Michael Wysession, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis Eric Pyle, Professor, James Madison University Don Duggan-Haas, Director of Teacher Programs, Paleontological Research Institution Nancy Kellogg, Retired Educator David Evans, Executive Director, NSTA
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science
Session Type:
Presentation
STEM for REAL!***CANCELED***
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room: Majestic A, Marriott St. Louis Grand
STEM is all the rage but how to teach it? Join us for ideas on teaching elementary students science and math integrated STEM lessons.
Speaker: Selina Bartels, Assistant Professor, Valparaiso University
Looking for fun and engaging ways to integrate algebra into forensics through bones? Then this session is for you! Walk away with classroom-ready activities.
Speaker: Beth Guzzetta, Science/Math, Global Science Research Coordinator, Allendale Columbia School
Session Topic:
Life Science
Session Type:
Hands-On Workshop
Available Handouts :
The Journey: Real-World, Three-Dimensional Environmental Science and Sustainability Education***CANCELED***
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room: Room 150, America's Center
Explore three-dimensional environmental science learning, phenomena, and problem-solving to enrich Project-, Place-based, and citizen science learning experiences in formal and informal programs.
Speaker: Ben Smith, Environmental Science Teacher, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
New to NGSS and not sure what three-dimensional science looks like? Learn how to dissect and make sense of the NGSS to build your own curriculum that you and your students will love as we help you 3-Define NGSS.
Speakers: Briana Rodgers, John Thomas School of Discovery Lori Elliott, teacher, John Thomas School of Discovery
Get introduced to the NEW SciGirls Strategies! Participants will discuss and apply research-based strategies for engaging girls in STEM with a hands-on activity.
Speakers: Brenda Britsch, Senior Research Scientist, National Girls Collaborative Project Sarah Carter, Manager, STEM Media and Education, Twin Cities Public Television Alicia Santiago, National Girls Collaborative Project
Space science ignites students’ curiosity and invites them to be explorers. Learn a process for identifying and evaluating resources for student investigations.
Speakers: Bradford Davey, Senior Researcher, Technology for Learning Consortium, Inc. Hilarie Davis, President, Technology for Learning Consortium, Inc.
Discover how astrobiologists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory are searching for signs of life on icy moons and planets in our solar system and beyond.
Speaker: Rachel Zimmerman Brachman, Solar System and Technology Educator, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Life Science
Room: Sterling Studio 9, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
So you want new science facilities? Does your curriculum define your science teaching facility? With more than 20 years of conducting visits and presentations of new/renovated school science facilities, the author team of the NSTA Guide to Planning School Science Facilities (2nd. Ed.) will present the “basics” of science facility planning for safe, ergonomically-designed, and sustainable facilities.
Speaker: LaMoine Motz, Science Education Consultant/Facilities, The Motz Consulting Group
Room: Sterling Studio 6, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Find out how we have successfully capitalized on a student’s interest in an area of STEM to encourage their participation in such high-stakes science fairs that may inspire them toward a future career in STEM.
Speakers: Mary Hedenstrom, Science Specialist Michele Hollingsworth Koomen, Lind Professor of Education, Gustavus Adolphus College Cynthia Welsh, Science Teacher, Cloquet Middle School
Room: Grand Ballroom G, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Find out how to create engaging lessons that help students recognize and understand the science and natural phenomena that surround us. Leave with strategies to engage K–6 students in explorations, helping them understand real-world science. Handouts.
Drought. Flooding. Water Pollution. Algal Blooms. Freshwater is the lifeblood of our planet, and our future depends on the next generation of environmental stewards to preserve the health of our watersheds. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service have a wealth of online lesson plans, videos, data sets, webinars, and more to help you inform and inspire students to action in research, stewardship, and resource management for our vital freshwater ecosystems.
Speakers: Jeannine Montgomery, Education Coordinator, NOAA Office of Education Lindsay Smith, Mooresville High School
Room: Mills Studio 6, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Add some fire to your genetics teaching with Geniverse and Geniventure, two game-based units on dragons, genetics and DNA. These research-based genetics curricula from the Concord Consortium deepens students learning and engages them with all three dimensions of the NGSS. Bring cutting-edge technology and fun to your biology teaching with this and many other biology simulations. Leave with a free login and class account.
Speaker: Chad Dorsey, President & CEO, The Concord Consortium
Room: Mills Studio 1, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Have intense learners within a general class? Experience hands-on strategies for nested honors implementation from a teacher who has both failed and succeeded at it.
Speaker: Johanna Brown, Chemistry Teacher, Pullman High School
We will investigate the science of laboratory-grade juices, beverages, and olive oil using a spectrometer and pH sensor. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore beverage acidity, concentration, color, and relate this to our knowledge of taste and flavor. This is a laboratory investigation—no eating or drinking permitted in the room.
Speaker: J.P. Keener, Teacher, Florida Dept. of Education
Session Topic:
Earth and Space Science, Engineering-Technology-and the Application of Science
Room: Grand Ballroom H, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Experience challenges that students face when engaging in an NGSS-focused model-based curriculum, and practice the types of scaffolds needed to support them in the task.
Speaker: Consuelo Morales, Research Associate, CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University
Room: Mills Studio 4, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
We will highlight studies and practices demonstrating the importance of students as well as parent efficacy in the development of STEM competence in underserved youth.
Speakers: Florentia Spires, STEM Instructional Leader, Texas Tech University Joseph Isaac, Education Curriculum Writer/Graduate Student, Texas Tech University
Room: Grand Ballroom B, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
Hear from teachers how to use citizen science wildlife cam projects to develop inquiry tasks, analyze data sets, and create scientific research posters.
Speakers: Lacey Huffling, Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University Britt Gantt, Georgia Southern University Melissa Weeks, Teacher, Pickens High School Regina Collins, Teacher, Trinity Christian School
Session Topic:
Informal Science Education, Life Science
Receive instructional tools to equip yourself for the development of three-dimensional lessons that promote student engagement and increase student achievement.
Speakers: Ann Williams-Brown, Coordinator, Science - MS/HS, Houston County School District Tonya Woolfolk, Coordinator of Science, K-5, Houston County School District Nicole Page, Instructional Specialist, Houston County School District
Room: Regency E, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch
When students struggle, is the material or the pacing to blame? Customizing the pace allows for early intervention and remediation, which leads to greater success.
Speaker: Jeffrey George, Science Instructor, UNC School of the Arts
