Title: Designing Rain Gardens for Stormwater Solutions: 

Room: 321

Description: The Resilience and Innovation in Nature-based Stormwater Solutions (RAINSS) project partners with schools and communities facing stormwater flooding. Using the RAINSS Curriculum, participants explore stormwater issues, analyze data, and engage students in hands-on rain garden investigations to strengthen local resilience. 

Presenter  Education Specialist- Lauren Brase

Resources: https://www.americangeosciences.org/

Title: Beyond Carbon Dioxide

Room: 300

Description: Carbon Dioxide has received much of the attention as the dominant greenhouse gas, but non-CO2 GHG as a whole contribute more to warming. Where do they come from, and how are we preventing their cumulation in the atmosphere? 

Presenter: Engineer, Scientist, and Associate Director Puneet Chhabra 

Resources: https://carboncontainmentlab.org/ 

Title: Climate Change and its Effects on Forest Preserve of Cook County Management.

Room: 315

Description:  This presentation will focus on the Fisheries and Lake Management section and its annual operations, along with other FPCC Resource Management practices and observations. 

Presenter  Steve Silic

Resources: https://fpdcc.com/

Title Using Phenology to Track the Effects of Climate Change in Illinois 

Room: 319

Description

Presenter: Naturalist Amber Ross

Resources: https://kaneforest.com/

Roomitle: Community Activision and Education

Room: 352

Description: Educators are uniquely skilled to have a significant impact outside of the classroom. We have practiced instilling understanding and knowledge in our students, why not do the same for our communities? The challenges of addressing climate change, sustainability and environmental awareness demand many of the same skills of a successful teacher; creative thinking, innovation, and the passion to see it through. 

Contact: Retired Forester and  extraordinary APES science teacher - Steve Ruffolo 

Resources: https://www.greenergrove.org/

Title  Using BioInteractive Resources To Model Climate Change 

Room: 318

Description: Join us as we engage in the science practices of modeling and data analysis using BioInteractive resources focused on climate change and its impacts. We will discuss integrating climate change as a phenomenon into a variety of life science topics. 

Contact: HHMI Ambassador and teacher Michele Koehler

Resources: https://www.biointeractive.org/

Title: A Climate of Inquiry: The Hidden Mysteries of Ice 

Room: 310

Description: Participants will engage in 2-3 classroom demonstrations using easy to prepare materials.  

Presenter: Golden Apple Teacher John and Mary Lewis

Resources: https://icedrill-education.org/

Title  Feedback Loops and Earth's Energy Balance: Authentic Climate Data Collection and Analysis

Room: 317

Description :This breakout session introduces a new three-part virtual field lab that helps students explore how snow, ice, and sunlight shape Earth’s energy balance—and how climate feedback loops accelerate change. Students examine shrinking Arctic sea ice and the consequences of losing reflective ice to darker ocean water. They then move to the Greenland Ice Sheet, where expanding melt ponds demonstrate how surface changes amplify warming. The final investigation zooms in to the microscopic scale, revealing how tiny shifts in snow grain size and dust can alter reflectivity across huge areas of ice. Students work with real satellite data, take measurements, make calculations, create graphs, to uncover how changes in the cryosphere influence global climate. This series also explores meaningful solutions that offer hope for the future. 

Presenter: Dr. Alden Adolph will be leading this session providing an opportunity to ask questions to the scientist that developed the resource. This resource also involves math making it perfect for math teachers looking to add context to calculations. (Recommended grades 8-12)  

 Resources:  https://icedrill-education.org/

Title  One Month of Classroom Ready Climate Investigations-Overview of 7-Virtural Field Lab Series

Room: 360

Description: Virtual Field Labs (VFL's) are free educational resources designed to engage students in scientific investigations alongside U.S. ice-drilling climate scientists. VFL's engage students in generating, analyzing and interpreting authentic data tied to polar/ice-sheet research and climate science. VFL's are structured inquiry investigations (“labs”) rather than purely videos — students make measurements and calculations, build data tables and graphs, analyze data and interpret trends. VFL's provide climate science connections to glaciology, oceanography, geology, chemistry, physics, remote sensing, mathematics, and other STEM domains. VFL's are meant to bring field-type data and inquiry into the classroom or remote learning settings. The seven virtual field labs explored in this overview session will include: 1. Looking for Hope on our Warming Planet 2. Climate Feedback Loops 3. Vital Signs of Thwaits, the Doomsday Glacier 4. Comparing Climate Change, Past and Present 5. Climate Warnings From Alaska 6. Abrupt Climate Disruptions 7. Ice Sheet Stability in a Warming World: Clues from the Past. The seven VFL series together contain over 20 classroom investigations. (Recommended grades 6-12) 

Presenter: Bill Grosser - Retired Science Teacher and Golden Apple award recipient 

Resources:  https://icedrill-education.org/

Title: Engineering behind ice coring drills

Room: 347

Description designing the right tool for the job. Description: PowerPoint presentation highlighting how science and engineering work together along with a 'choose the right drill' activity based on theoretical field project scenarios. 

Presenter : This session is presented by scientists Krissy Slawny, Elliot Moravec, Jay Johnson for both middle school and high school 

Resources:  https://icedrill-education.org/

Title: Finding Hope in a Warming World: Virtual Arctic Field Labs: 

Room: 301

Description Climate change can feel overwhelming, but this session shows how students can explore solutions and discover hope. In three engaging virtual field lab episodes, students step into the shoes of climate and atmospheric scientists, analyzing real ice core, atmospheric, and ocean data to see how humans have both caused and solved environmental problems. The first investigation follows the story of acid rain as revealed in Greenland ice cores. The second explores how changes in our transportation system have left markers in the atmosphere and Greenland ice sheet that provide hope for the future. The final episode takes a deep dive into the scientific process and uncovers hope for the future through the surprisingly important “phytoplankton farts” of the North Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, students graph data, draw conclusions, and see firsthand how science is done, learning that our choices can truly make a difference. This session gives teachers a way to bring hands-on, hopeful climate science into the classroom and inspire the next generation of problem-solvers who will determine the future of the planet. This session would also be good for math teachers looking for a way to teach some math topics within a climate context. 

Presenter: This session is led by Drew Pronovost, an atmospheric scientist from the University of Washington, and one of the lead facilitators in the virtual field lab series. (Recommended Grades 9-12) 

Resources:  https://icedrill-education.org/

Title: Comparing Climate Change Past and Present. Virtual Field Lab Curriculum 

Room: 307

Description This curriculum directly address the climate myth that the climate is changing now just like it has changed in the past. Students use cosmicgenic dating to explore ancient climate patterns in the first set of explorations. In the final episode students directly compare the rates of carbon dioxide accumulation in the atmosphere, and temperature changes on the planet now, to historical changes. Classroom-ready activities let students analyze real research and explore the connections between historical and current climate trends. 

Presenter: Join Jon Edwards, a former climate scientist, now a high school science teacher in OR for this breakout. (Recommended Grades 9-12)  

 Resources:  https://icedrill-education.org/

Title: Vital Signs of Thwaits, the "Doomsday Glacier" Virtual Field Lab Curriculum 

Room: 303

Description Explore authentic data from Thwaites Glacier—the so‑called “Doomsday Glacier”. Investigate three different vital signs through the virtual field lab series led by Dr. Karen Alley and Dr. Richard Alley. Students will analyze satellite imagery, build data tables and trend graphs, and investigate whether Thwaites Glacier’s rapid changes could reshape the rate of global sea‑level rise. This investigation features glaciology, oceanography, and remote sensing, in classroom‑ready activities that connect real polar science to authentic climate research. J

Presenter: Join Marc VanKeuren for this breakout. Marc is an AP Environmental teacher from Sacramento who plays a key role in developing NSF Ice Drilling Program curriculum including this series. (Recommended grades 7-12)  

Resources:  https://icedrill-education.org/

Title  The Year Science Changed Everything

Room: 320

Description   In 1957, the impossible happened: 60K scientists from 66 nations worked collaboratively to unlock some of Earth's greatest mysteries. It's time to do it again. Join the author to hear about his journey writing how and why the International Geophysical Year continues to be relevant to our daily lives. 

Presenter: Author - Mark O'Connell

Resources: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/year-science-changed-everything-mark-oconnell/1145809477

Title  Fire and Ice: Exploring Ancient Wildfires Through Ice Cores

Room: 312

Description  Explore the new NSF interactive science kit where students become glaciologists investigating how glaciers record evidence of ancient wildfires and climate change. The kit uses a glacier model, “snowball” layers, and a UV flashlight to allow students to uncover traces of black carbon from wildfires and volcanic ash trapped in the ice. With a model soot photometer, students measure and graph black carbon concentrations, then compare their results to global temperature trends to explore how wildfire activity connects to a warming climate. Along the way, they examine how volcanic eruptions, natural climate cycles (like ENSO and the solar cycle), and feedback loops shape Earth’s changing environment. Key Themes: Ice cores as climate records, wildfire and volcanic impacts on the atmosphere, data collection, graphing, and interpretation, climate feedbacks and natural cycles. You’ll leave with ready-to-use ideas and easy to use classroom resources.

Presenter:  Dom Winski will be leading the session providing an opportunity to interact and ask questions to the scientist that collected the data and developed the kit. (Recommended grades 6-8) 

Resources: https://icedrill-education.org/

Title:  Building Climate Proxy Models

Room: 304

Description  Take a deep dive into how climate proxy mathematical models are built. In this hands-on session, teachers will work together to develop their own proxy models using authentic sulfate data sets from Greenland ice cores. Participants will explore how ice core chemistry reflects past atmospheric conditions, compare historical sulfate records with known emission timelines, and see how volcanic eruptions and industrialization show up in the ice cores and data. Working in small groups, teachers will use their own computers to generate scatterplots, build and refine regression models, and evaluate how well low-cost conductivity measurements can substitute for more expensive sulfate analyses. By the end, participants will leave with a classroom-ready investigation that blends NGSS-aligned data analysis, environmental chemistry, and real-world climate science. 

Presenter:  The session will be led by Dr. Erich Osterberg and Jacob Chalif, who will prioritize answering all your climate-proxy questions as they guide you through the activity. (Recommended grades 9-12) 

Resources: https://icedrill-education.org/

Title: Evolution in Action: Pathogens and Vaccines

Room: 306

Description: A common misconception is that evolution happens too slowly to observe, but microorganisms tell a different story. In this session, explore a NGSS-aligned Story Short that uses pathogens and vaccines to uncover how rapid changes in viruses like influenza reveal evolution in action. You’ll also learn how to use our free flexible, phenomenon-based resources to support student-centered instruction in your classroom.

Presenters: Education Specialists and science teachers - Britt Miller and Wendy Johnson

Resources: https://ncse.ngo/ncse-story-shorts

Title The Future is Green - Green Careers and Resources for your Students

Room: 309

Description: There are fields of opportunity for the next generation within the green industry, but horticulture and plant jobs are often considered "found" careers paths. Many students are unaware, when they are thinking about their next steps after high school, that the green industry has a number of diverse job types and opportunities for students to work outdoors to solve the problems of tomorrow with plants. From floral design and greenhouse management to food production and tree conservation, there are so many unique paths with plants. Learn about a number of resources to support your students' career choices from podcasts and graphic novels to other nonprofits (Seed Your Future) dedicated to inspiring and supporting the next generation of green career professionals. 

 Presenter: Senior Manager of Camp and School Programs - Meghan Wiesbrock

Resources: https://mortonarb.org/ 

Title - Bur oaks in a nutshell

Room: 308

Description:  The future of our forests and savannas depends in large part on ability of the oaks that dominate in local ecosystems to adapt. This lecture provides an ecological and evolutionary perspective on how one of our most iconic and ecologically important oaks, the bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), migrates, exchanges genes with other oaks, shapes insect and fungal communities, and evolves in response to climate. From ancient acorns to future forests, the story of how oaks evolved and the many ways they shape our world.

Presenter: Herbarium Director and Senior Scientist Dr. Andrew Hipp - Author of  "Oak Origins"

Resources: https://mortonarb.org/science/staff/andrew-l-hipp/

Title: How can we integrate computer science to support designing solutions for a changing Earth? Introducing OpenSciEd Middle School + Computer Science Unit 7.6 Earth’s Resources & Human Impact

Room: 319

Description How does computer science integration deepen student’s use of engineering design to solve water problems for the local community? Discover what is different in a free, upcoming OpenSciEd 7th grade middle school science + computer science unit on Earth’s Resources & Human Impact. Students investigate case studies of several communities throughout the United States facing water problems such as increased flooding or drought. Hear how students engage with micro:bit devices and sensors to collect and analyze data around water, climate, and atmospheric changes, which supports the development of related Earth and Space Science disciplinary core ideas. The program behind the micro:bit and sensors, MakeCode, is explored and edited as students design devices that can be used as solutions to address water problems and carbon imbalances

Takeaway: Students' investigations into changing Earth systems (e.g., temperature, water, atmosphere) are enhanced through the use of computing devices which also allow for the development of computer science and engineering ideas embedded throughout the unit. 

Presenters Chemistry lead Nicole Vick and  Associate Director at Northwestern Michael Novak 

Resources: https://openscied.org/ 

Title  Teaching for Climate Resilience: K–12 Resources for Illinois Classrooms 

Room: 354

Description: This interactive workshop is designed for K–12 educators who want to bring relevant, accessible climate education into their classrooms. The session will highlight SubjectToClimate’s Illinois Climate Education Hub, which feature curated, place-based materials that connect climate science to issues in the local communities.

Contact : Education Coordinator and Science Teacher Katie Nahrwold 

Resource: https://subjecttoclimate.org/ 

Title: EARTH Workshop  

Room: 356

Description:  Connecting teachers with ocean researchers, curriculum, resources and experiences that puts real-time data and current issues in the hands of teachers to make their lessons more relevant and engaging. Resources such as the Argo floats that can be adopted and personalized by classes, databases and interactive maps that are used in the EARTH lesson plans. Curriculum from the EARTH website that uses these tools and a list of free presentations, workshops, webinars, video tours etc. that allow teachers to converse with/learn from research scientists and/or tour the technology and labs used to conduct the research

Presenter: Science teacher and EARTH ambassador Laurie Nannini  

Resources https://www.mbari.org/education/education-research-testing-hypotheses-earth/workshops/

Title:  Research and best practices for communicating and teaching about climate change

Room: 364

Description This session is led by University of Illinois Extension who will present on research from communications and psychology that provide the evidence basis for tips and tricks for how to most effectively teach and communicate about climate change. Research shows that storytelling, action-oriented and hope-inspired messaging, and meaningful metaphors are the most effective ways to communicate about climate change; leave the graphs, numbers about atmospheric CO2 concentration, and atmospheric chemistry for later, and first draw audiences in to care and get activated through using these communication best practices. These best practices are easy to integrate into climate change lesson planning and build curriculum that inspires students to be climate communication leaders in their own communities and then follow inquiry-based approaches to have students explore what climate action looks like in their own lives.

Presenter: Environmental Social Scientist -Jessica Rudnick 

Resource: https://extension.illinois.edu/staff/jessica-rudnick