Session V

Beyond text: Using Hands-On Inquiry to Drive ELL Success in Science

This session highlights how hands-on, project-based inquiry can improve learning for English Language Learners (ELLs) in environmental biology, physical science, and Earth science. Text-heavy instruction can limit access to content, but experiential learning allows students to demonstrate understanding through investigation and collaboration.

Participants will view sample activities such as ecosystem field investigations, physical science design challenges, and Earth science modeling tasks. These activities support both content mastery and language development by promoting discussion, visual learning, and multiple entry points for students.

The session will also share strategies for structuring group work, using visual supports, and assessing student understanding beyond written responses. Attendees will leave with practical, adaptable ideas to create inclusive classrooms where ELL students can engage, build confidence, and succeed in science.

From Overwhelmed to Organized: Planning a STEM Event

Hosting a school-wide STEM experience can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this session, you’ll learn how to plan a hands-on STEM event for K–5 students that is engaging, organized, and accessible to all. We’ll dive into practical tips for selecting activities, organizing materials, creating schedules, and managing logistics, including how to structure stations that are developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and skill-building. From engineering challenges to science experiments to problem-solving tasks, there will be something for every learner.

Whether it’s your first STEM event or your tenth, you’ll leave with actionable ideas and a clear plan for hosting a day that sparks excitement, fosters problem-solving, and celebrates hands-on discovery. Get ready to inspire your students and make STEM unforgettable!

3D Science Activities for Environmental Awareness and Action

Engage in inquiry-based activities that build students’ environmental awareness, data skills, and problem-solving abilities around phenomena related Earth and Human Activities (ESS3). Explore natural resource use, population trends, food and agriculture and climate with simulations, modeling, and other strategies to support student discovery.

Water Characteristics: Fun Activities that Complement Water’s Nature

The presentation’s focus is to demonstrate the adventures of water. Water is able to sustain its impact on how it restores itself as its molecular form remains the same. Gravity exerts force on liquid water in maintaining its flow as it moves from mountain tops to the oceans. The forces that are exerted by liquid water is explored and the strategies to work with them is explained and demonstrated.

Creating Virtual Science Labs and Activities with AI

Discover how to create interactive virtual science labs and activities using AI—no coding required! Learn a simple method for generating single HTML file simulations ready for immediate use. We will use non-technical prompts to build custom activities for any science subject, from chemistry to biology. Empower your teaching with AI simulations tailored to your curriculum and student needs.

AI for Everything

Explore 10 practical ways to use AI for lesson planning, differentiation, assessment, and student engagement. Learn how AI can support inquiry, feedback, and efficiency while maintaining academic integrity. Walk away with ready-to-use strategies and prompts you can apply immediately.

Aviation Safety & Human Factors: Applying HFACS and SMS to Improve Lab Safety​

This professional development session helps 6–12 science teachers apply aviation safety frameworks—HFACS and Safety Management Systems (SMS)—to everyday lab instruction. Participants will learn age-appropriate strategies to prevent lab accidents, analyze near misses, and build a proactive, student-centered culture of safety in their classrooms.

Participatory Science in Action: How to use FieldScope’s ready-to-use, free materials to bring data explorations into your classroom 

Want to help students analyze community and citizen science data? FieldScope and BSCS Science Learning offer "Invitations to Inquiry," free instructional activities designed to connect learners with real-world environmental data. These lessons build student confidence in using scientific evidence to answer critical questions about our planet and the natural world.