Session 3

Yes, Learning Science Can Support Creative Thinking - Let's See How

Room: Keystone

Presenter(s): Dr. Brett Allen Criswell, Dr. Peter R. Licona & Jennifer Sciacca

Description: Creativity is a word is not often associated with science. To those who are associated with the field of science, that is a discouraging fact to recognize … and that is why the three presenters are focused on helping the audience see how integral creativity is to science. In this interactive, hands on, and minds on session, participants will be shown examples of the central role creative thinking plays in the pursuit of science. They will also engage in activities that demonstrate how students can be involved in creative undertakings within the science curriculum, especially curriculum that aligns with the new PA STEELS standards. A particular focus will be on analogical thinking, which has been behind so many of the breakthroughs in science, including the development of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and, more recently, the creation of an aerogel that can remove 99% of microplastics from sea water. Come see the creative side of science – and learn how to apply this to your own contexts.

Grade Level Focus: K-12

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Principals, Curriculum Directors/Specialists

Bio: Dr. Brett Criswell was a high-school chemistry teacher for 15 years before finishing his PhD and becoming a teacher educator. During his time in K-12 schools and higher education, he has aspired to design learning experiences that allow students to engage in critical and creative thinking. Currently, he is part of a team (PARSE) supporting the effort in PA to roll out the new STEELS standards. Dr. Criswell sees STEELS as a vehicle for bringing creativity back into the science classroom.

Dr. Peter R. Licona holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary biology education, a master’s degree in biology, and a doctorate in science education. His formal science teaching spans from the elementary to the undergraduate level. He has extensive experience with STEM education outreach to culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Currently, his work focuses on the intersection of culturally and linguistically diverse students and science education reform, including the STEELS standards. 

Jennifer Sciacca is the Educational Consultant for STEM at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit. While working as a special education teacher, she focused on engaging instructional strategies and integrating STEM with students with disabilities. She is currently a member of the CAIU PennSEL team to help facilitate the transition to the STEELS standards with school districts in central Pennsylvania and is working towards her doctorate in educational leadership.

Sparking Curiosity with Discovery Education & Mystery Science

Room: Meadow

Presenter(s): Megan Foster

Description: "How much time do you have to teach science? 15-minutes, an hour, a full unit? Join us to learn about a variety of resources and pathways to spark curiosity and integrate the PA STEELS into your classroom, regardless of how much time you have! 

Discovery Education and Mystery Science have thousands of supplemental and full-curricular resources, all aligned to the PA STEELS. In this session, we will explore ways to engage students and spark curiosity. From anchor-based phenomena, student interactives, ready-to-use lessons, and hands-on activities, we'll demonstrate a variety of tools and resources that will engage students and help you meet the standards. 

Bring your computer, get ready to dive into these resources, and roll up your sleeves with hands-on activities!"

Grade Level Focus: Elementary focus (K-8)

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Specialists, Principals, Superintendents, Curriculum Directors/Specialists

Bio: Megan Foster has been supporting Intermediate Units with Discovery Education since 2018. She previously taught 3rd and 4th grade in Denver Public Schools. She has a passion for elementary education and project-based learning!

#teachersofinstagram: Exploring the Use of Social Media by K-12 Teachers

Room: Juniata

Presenter(s): Dr. Elizabeth Eveler

Description: Instagram, a popular and rapidly evolving social media platform, used by an estimated 67 percent of teachers, requires evaluation regarding its ability to contribute to the professional practice of K–12 educators (Devaney, 2016). While social media platforms have been researched more extensively in the fields of medicine, medical education, teacher education, and higher education, the use of Instagram by K–12 teachers remains largely uncharted territory for educational researchers. This gap in literature prevents educational stakeholders from confidently using Instagram professionally. Based on my research study, participant responses and thematic analysis prove that critical media literacy (CML) is a valuable framework for evaluating K–12 Instagram use. Additionally, participant voices strongly confirmed that the unique features of Instagram make it a worthwhile tool for educators and supports the learning-by-doing mentality in K–12 teacher Instagram use.  

Grade Level Focus: K-12

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Specialists, Librarians/Media Specialists, Technology Directors/Facilitators, Curriculum Directors/Specialists

Bio: Dr. Elizabeth Eveler is an assistant professor of graduate education at Messiah University. Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Eveler was an elementary school teacher in York, PA. Her research interests include social media, online learning, student engagement, and teacher burnout. She is a graduate of Messiah University, Penn State University, and Baylor University. 

Click HERE for session resources.

Creative Ways to Teach Computational Thinking Across the Curriculum

Room: Friendship

Presenter(s): Brent Barge

Description: Computational Thinking is the set of process that is used in computer science and coding to create solutions to problems that can be easily replicated by a computer. However, the four components of Computational Thinking – Decomposition, Pattern Matching, Abstraction, and Algorithm Design – can be applied across all subject areas. This session will lead participants through a few hands-on activities that help to demonstrate the four components of Computational Thinking and how you can apply them across the curriculum.

Grade Level Focus: K-12

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Specialists, Librarians/Media Specialists

Bio: Brent is an Instructional Technology Specialist at Spring Grove Area High School (Spring Grove, PA). Now in his 11th year of education, he previously spent 6 years teaching middle school math and 3 years teaching middle school computational & design thinking as well as computer science. Brent holds a Masters in Instructional Technology from St. Joseph's University, a Bachelor's in Secondary Math Education from Lock Haven University, STEM Endorsement, and K-12 Computer Science certification.

Click HERE for session resources.

Get Creative with Clickview!

Room: Dogwood

Presenter(s): Tim Powers

Description: Discover fresh standards-aligned videos for every grade, subject, and topic in seconds! ClickView is home to curated, standards-aligned videos for every grade, subject and topic. We make it easy for teachers to find the perfect video for any class in seconds. Videos on ClickView are short, fresh and fun to spark curiosity and enhance engagement. Every video comes with classroom-ready interactive quizzes so students can explore, explain and evaluate their learning, all while watching a video. Teachers can see how their students perform through actionable analytics, helping them target gaps in understanding and personalize their teaching. Find out why ClickView is the leading video solution for schools: clickvieweducation.com

Grade Level Focus: K-12

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Librarians/Media Specialists, Technology Directors/Facilitators, Curriculum Directors/Specialists

Bio: Tim has been in the education field for 20 years.  The first five years were in the classroom at both the Middle and High School levels.  While teaching, Tim served as a Technology Integration Specialist, a role which ignited a passion to uncover the best ways technology could help both teachers and students succeed.

This passion has led to 15 years in curriculum consulting, business development, and product development which have offered him a unique perspective on what trends have and have not worked in Educational Technology.

Tim has a Bachelor’s Degree from Union College in Schenectady, NY and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology from Walden University.