Everyone agrees—now more than ever, the magic of CAST is found in the variety and quality of its outstanding workshops and featured sessions. STAT is thrilled to showcase well-known science and education thought leaders from across the country as featured speakers at CAST 24/7.
Arlevia Davis | Public Educator, Science SpecialistArlevia Davis is a public educator, and her experience includes grades K–12 in the subjects of biology, chemistry, and physics. She has served as a teacher, teacher-mentor, team lead, department chair, and science specialist, and has taught a variety of students with various backgrounds and of various demographics, including at-risk, low socioeconomic, English language learners, and special education. Her teaching methods are the product of her passion to teach science in an engaging yet effective manner; the curriculum and activities she created are research-based and proven to help all learners retain information.
Uchenna Emenaha | Professor, Researcher of Culturally Relevant Teaching PracticesUchenna Emenaha is a former public school science teacher and is currently an Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at San Antonio in the Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching. Her research focuses on the use of culturally relevant teaching practices and the development of students science/STEM identities.
Anne Marie Fayen | Curriculum Developer, Deep in the HeartAnne Marie Fayen is the curriculum developer for the film Deep in the Heart. She is working to create the narration for four Deep in the Heart video clips designed for a K–12 audience and creating 16 lessons that guide students to take a closer look at four species: American bison, black bear, redfish, and Guadalupe bass. She also supports curriculum development, professional development, and program management at the Dallas Arboretum. Previous experiences include teaching third grade in Fort Worth and working as an educator and program coordinator at the Perot Museum in Dallas and The Field Museum in Chicago.
Dr. Julie Jackson | Science Education ResearcherJulie Jackson, Ph.D., (aka The Science Toolkit) is an associate professor at Texas State University, where she is actively involved in science education research. She has broad classroom teaching experience and has published research articles in international and national peer-reviewed journals. Her main research interest is the seamless integration of research-based practices into day-to-day planning and execution of highly effective, TEKS-aligned science instruction that benefits diverse population. She developed "interactive word walls," which have transformed K–12 science and vocabulary instruction, and has a record of sustained and powerful site-based interventions that have improved teachers' attitudes toward teaching science and teaching practices.
Page Keeley | Author, NSTA Past PresidentPage Keeley is a nationally recognized leader in science formative assessment and understanding of students’ thinking. She is a prolific author of 22 books, including several award-winning titles on uncovering students' ideas, and has authored over 60 journal articles, contributed to several book chapters, and developed formative assessment probes for McGraw-Hill's Inspire Science program. She is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and consults with school districts (including several Texas districts), universities, and organizations to build capacity for science formative assessment and teaching science for conceptual understanding.
Andi McNair | Digital Innovation and G/T SpecialistAndi McNair was a classroom teacher for 16 years before pursuing her passion to change education by sharing practical ways to engage and empower today’s learners. She was named one of the Top People in Education to Watch in 2016 by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences. She is currently a digital innovation and gifted/talented specialist at ESC Region 12 in Waco, Texas. Andi is passionate about utilizing meaningful technology in the classroom and finding innovative ways to engage and empower today’s learners. She has published Genius Hour: Passion Projects that Ignite Innovation and Student Inquiry, A Meaningful Mess: A Teacher's Guide to Student-Driven Classrooms, Authentic Learning, Student Empowerment, and Keeping It All Together Without Losing Your Mind, and Ready-to-Use Resources for Genius Hour in the Classroom: Taking Passion Projects to the Next Level.
Joe Paneitz | Robotics and Drone Education TeacherJoe Paneitz, an 18-year teacher veteran, has committed his life to helping kids find their practical pathway to success. He has served more than 160,000 students and trained more than 3,000 teachers through his All-Earth Ecobot Challenge in addition to his full-time position as a robotics and drone education teacher. Among other accomplishments, Joe has been District Teacher of the Year twice in two different districts. His primary focus for the last 4 years has been connecting students to a booming and promising pathway into commercial drone piloting. In his free time, Joe is the founder and CEO of Aha Education, LLC, where his focus is providing districts across the country his Iconic Drone Education program.
Steven Smith | NASA STEM Education SpecialistSteven Smith is an education specialist working with NASA EPDC at Johnson Space Center in Houston. His primary work supports educators inspiring the next generation from historically disenfranchised groups, helping create culturally responsive lessons that engage students previously left out of the work NASA does.