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Everyone agrees—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 CAST22.
Find their sessions and more in the full conference schedule available here.
Amoeba Sisters | Science Content CreatorsAmoeba Sisters: Exploring 6 Themes of Misconceptions in Biology
Thursday, November 10 | 2:30 PM–3:30 PM
Friday, November 11 | 3:30 PM–4:30 PM
Brianna Rapini is a former high school biology teacher who has worked in Texas public school districts for a total of 12 years. Sarina Peterson is a former program analyst from a large Texas public school district, and she is a self-taught cartoonist. Together, the sisters started the biology cartoon YouTube channel “Amoeba Sisters” in 2013. The channel has grown to more than 1 million subscribers with a cumulative view count of more than 160 million. Their online community has translated their video subtitles into over 22 different languages.
Dr. Kate Biberdorf | Chemist ExtraordinaireBlowing Up Stereotypes!
Friday, November 11 | 2:00 PM–3:00 PM
Dr. Kate Biberdorf is a scientist, a science entertainer, and a professor at the University of Texas. Through her theatrical and hands-on approach to teaching, Dr. Biberdorf is breaking down the image of the stereotypical scientist, while reaching students who might otherwise be intimidated by science. Students' emotional responses, rather than rote memorization of facts, are key to Biberdorf's dynamic approach to her program, as well as science in general. Her exciting and engaging program leaves audiences with a positive, memorable impression of science—all while diminishing the stigma around women in science.
Dr. Stephanie Boyce | EdupreneurThe FRESH Classroom: Best Instructional Practices for Culturally and Racially Diverse Learners
Friday, November 11 | 9:30 AM–10:30 AM & 12:30 PM–1:30 PM
Dr. Stephanie R. Boyce is an edupreneur driven by her passion to reshape the educational landscape by making culturally responsive teaching a way of life. For the last decade, Boyce has focused her studies and work on matters of racial justice and equity for historically marginalized people with a focus on educational spaces. She currently serves as the CEO of Stephanie Boyce & Associates, LLC, and executive director of The FRESH Classroom, and lecturer of African American Studies at the University of Houston.
Alyssa Carson | Astronaut in TrainingAlyssa Carson: Earth to Mars
Thursday, November 10 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM
Alyssa Carson, also known by the call sign Blueberry, is an American student with the goal of training as an astronaut and being selected for future human spaceflight to Mars. She was inspired at age 3 by the Nickelodeon series The Backyardigans and went on to attend U.S. Space Camp in 2008. She has also attended other space camps in Laval, Quebec, and Izmir, Turkey. In 2013, she was recognized by NASA as the first to visit all 14 NASA Visitor Centers in the United States and sat on the NASA Mer 10 panel at age 12 discussing future missions to Mars in the 2030s. In 2019 she enrolled at Florida Institute of Technology studying astrobiology and has also previously attended International Institute for Astronautical Sciences, enrolling in Possum Academy at age 15. Alyssa received her applied astronautics certification at age 17, certifying her to do research missions in suborbital space. She is also known for her appearances in The Mars Generation (2017), Pickler & Ben (2018), Steve Harvey (2014), and El hormiguero (2017). In 2022 Alyssa was selected as only five influencers/ambassadors in the world (only one in U.S.) to work with NATO. Alyssa is a member of the The Explorers Club as the youngest full member accepted. Alyssa also has her rocket license, advance scuba certification (with full face), pilot license, and skydiving class A license, and is a certified aquanaut.
Arlevia Davis | Science Instructional Specialist, TeacherSTAAR Wars
Thursday, November 10 | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Make Learning Stay With Sciyonce
Friday, November 11 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Science Song Sing-Along
Friday, November 11 | 12:30 PM–1:30 PM
Arlevia 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.
Anne Marie Fayen & Amanda Veals | Curriculum Developers, Deep in the HeartDeep in the Heart: The Story of Black Bears in Texas
Friday, November 11 | 3:30 PM–4:30 PM
Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story (Film Screening)
Friday, November 11 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM
Anne 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. Amanda Veals is a post-doctoral research scientist with the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University. Her research focuses on the ecology of carnivores, such as black bears and mountain lions, as well as their interactions with the land, other species, and humans.
Lorin Furlow | Special Education ExpertThe Who, What, When, and Why of All Means ALL
Thursday, November 10 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM
Friday, November 11 | 9:30 AM–10:30 AM
Brazosport ISD Director of Special Services for the last 8 years, Lorin Furlow has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and Masters in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. Her educational career includes Pre-Kindergarten, early childhood special education (ECSE), and being the district's first structured special education classroom teacher. Lorin has also served as a member of the districtwide behavior support team, autism specialist, elementary special education facilitator, and secondary special education coordinator. She is a restorative practices trainer and is the current President-Elect for the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education.
Teresa Francis & Brigette Cardenas | Gifted & Talented Education ExpertsHow Do I Work With This GT Kid in Science?
Thursday, November 10 | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Teresa Francis currently serves as Director of Advanced Academics for Mansfield ISD. She holds lifetime State Board of Educator Certification in History and English and is certified by the State of Texas in Gifted and Talented and as a principal and as a superintendent. Brigette Cardenas has been an educator for 20 years all over the world. She has a degree from Cal Berkeley, her master’s from University of Queensland, and an aAdministrator certificate from Lamar. She is passionate about gifted education and coaching teachers to help students reach their full potential.
Dr. Yasmeen Hossain | Trauma & Resilience ExpertFundamentals of Trauma-Informed Education
Thursday, November 10 | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Trauma-Informed Tools and Strategies for Educators
Thursday, November 10 | 4:00 PM–5:00 PM
Yasmeen Hossain, Ph.D., has been combining her experience in the mental health field with her background in environmental science for more than 15 years, serving as an executive director, trauma practitioner, program manager, educator, and teacher-trainer throughout the U.S. and internationally. Yasmeen earned an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in sustainable development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is currently professional faculty at Oregon State University Extension with the Oregon Natural Resources Education Program (ONREP).
Dr. Julie Jackson | Science Education ResearcherThe Specialized Language of Science
Thursday, November 10 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM
Interactive Word Walls in K–2 Classrooms
Friday, November 11 | 8:00 AM–10:00 AM
Unpacking the New TEKS Through the Lens of Investigation
Friday, November 11 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Interactive Word Walls in 3–5 Classrooms
Saturday, November 12 | 9:30 AM–11:30 AM
Julie 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.
Dr. Okhee Lee | Award-Winning National SpeakerAsset-Oriented Framing of Science and Language Integration With Multilingual Learners
Saturday, November 12 | 9:30 AM–10:30 AM
Justice-Centered STEM Education to Address Pressing Societal Challenges
Saturday, November 12 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Page Keeley | Author, Speaker, ConsultantPendulums and Porch Swings: Connecting Scientific and Engineering Practices
Thursday, November 10 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM
Phenomena Do Not Need to Be Phenomenal! Using Familiar, Everyday Phenomena to Develop Conceptual Understanding
Friday, November 11 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Why Students' Ideas Matter
Friday, November 11 | 2:00 PM–3:00 PM
Get the FACTs: Formative Assessment Classroom Techniques
Saturday, November 12 | 9:30 AM–10:30 AM
Page 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.
Tom McFadden | Veteran Science Teacher & YouTuberWriting a Verse and Making a Claim
Friday, November 11 | 3:30 PM–4:30 PM
Make Your Own 'Rhymequiz'
Saturday, November 12 | 9:30 AM–10:30 AM
Tom McFadden is in his 10th year teaching eighth-grade science at The Nueva School (Hillsborough, CA) and his 15th year making educational science music videos with and for students. His YouTube channel, “Science With Tom," features rap battles between Rosalind Franklin and Watson & Crick, lyrical odes to cellular respiration, the “Fossil Rock Anthem,” and dozens of professional-grade student-produced music videos. He first combined his passion for music, video, science, and education while TAing biology classes at Stanford University. He then received a Masters of Science Communication to study the impact of music in the science classroom. In addition to running “Science Storytelling” workshops for science PhDs and Postdocs, Tom has recently launched “Rhymewit,” an Ed Tech tool that brings lyrics, music, and interactivity to K–12 science and history standards.
Dr. Karen Ostlund | Assistant Professor of Instruction, NSTA Past PresidentUnmasking Engineering Practices
Thursday, November 10 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM
Dr. Karen Ostlund is past president of the National Science Teaching Association and the Council of Elementary Science International. She is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the College of Natural Sciences UTeach Program at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Ostlund has authored numerous science textbook series, books, articles, and activities.
Andrés Ruzo | Geothermal Scientist & ConservationistA Critical Focus: Classrooms as a Frontline Priority for Conservation
Thursday, November 10 | 2:30 PM–3:30 PM
Andrés Ruzo is a geothermal scientist, conservationist, educator, and communicator, working to connect people with nature. He is best known for his work on Peru’s Boiling River of the Amazon, where in 2011 he became the first geoscientist to receive the shamanic blessing to study this sacred site. He is the founder and director of the Boiling River Project, a nonprofit whose mission is to understand, protect, and advocate for the Boiling River and geothermal sites across the globe. His team of over 50 collaborators brings together science, art, traditional knowledge, and interdisciplinary education. Andrés is a NatGeo Explorer and host, and a TED main stage speaker and author. He holds degrees in geology and finance, and is currently finishing his Ph.D. (focus: geothermal systems).
Dr. Erinn Wilcots, Kimberly Ferguson, & Tamika Stevenson | Culturally Responsive Teaching ExpertsCulturally Relevant Classrooms and You
Friday, November 11 | 2:00 PM–3:00 PM
Saturday, November 12 | 9:30 AM–10:30 AM
Erinn Wilcots, Ph.D., began her career in education after 11 years in telecommunication. The move to education was eagerly embraced, and challenges faced with the knowledge that she had always been teaching in one form or another. Kimberly Ferguson spent 20 years as a classroom teacher in Dallas where she taught Honors/AP science. She was named 2006 Teacher of the Year and 2011 Teacher of the Year at Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School. Tamika Stevenson supports campuses throughout the district with implementing best instructional practices schoolwide. She has served in several education leadership positions including department lead, campus coordinator, and AVID District coordinator.
Stephanie Shackleford | Digital Learning CoachRobots and Minecraft in Science, Oh My!
Thursday, November 10 | 2:30 PM–3:30 PM
Stephanie Shackleford is a Digital Learning Coach for Mansfield ISD and supports the Advanced Academics department. She has been in education for more than 20 years and has taught in the English, technology, and leadership classrooms.