Instructional Leader Training Session 1: Supporting Strong Instruction in Math and Science Classrooms

Presenter: Jessica Proffitt, TNTP

Location:  GHS 155 (Lecture Hall)

This is a required session for control school administrators and new treatment school administrators. This session will begin with a brief overview of STEM.LD grant and their school's role in the research. Next, administrators will build on their understanding of strong instruction in math and science by practicing with the TN IPG for math and TNTP's science observation tool.

Audience: New STEM.LD Administrators, School and District Leaders

BuildSMART: Integrating Engineering & Computational Thinking

Presenters: Dr. Greg Strimel, Dr. Jake Roark, Chauntée Pitts, and Christine Mills, Purdue University and STEM Education Works

Location: GHS 153

Max. Participants: 20     

We will kickstart our exploration by introducing you to micro:bit, a pocket-sized computer that will revolutionize the way you approach coding. We’ll uncover how easy it is to complete tasks and interact with a variety of sensors. Then we’ll look at ways that technology impacts agriculture by constructing smart planters, transforming plants into interactive companions. With micro:bit as our sidekick, our plants will cleverly communicate their watering needs, ensuring they receive just the right amount of care. 

The knowledge and inspiration gained from this project will seamlessly align with the exciting realm of digital agriculture. We'll explore how technology can revolutionize farming practices, fostering sustainable and efficient solutions for the future. By intertwining computational thinking and engineering design with the agricultural domain, you'll equip your students with skills that transcend traditional boundaries, preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow. This session is about practical implementation. Discover how you can integrate micro:bit into your own classroom. From developing critical thinking to fostering problem-solving skills, computational thinking and engineering design will become integral parts of your lessons, empowering your students to thrive in our ever-evolving digital landscape.

To support your journey, each participant will receive a micro:bit, a smart agriculture kit, and a working plant “pal” to take home. Please note that this exclusive session will be limited to 20 participants to ensure an optimal learning environment. To fully engage in the activities, all participants will need to bring a laptop equipped with a USB port.

Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to revolutionize your teaching and empower your students with cutting-edge technology. 

Audience: 6-12      

Spark Student Curiosity with Phenomenon-Based Instruction 

Presenters: Jerry Graham and Grace McKinney, Greeneville Middle School

Location: GHS 150

Teachers will have the opportunity to learn how to implement phenomenon based instruction, notice/wonder, and scientist circles. 

Audience: K-8

Putting the Puzzle Together: Resources for Teaching Cybersecurity 

Presenter: Anna Rodgers, University of Alabama in Huntsville

Location: GHS 154

Cybersecurity instruction and planning can be a daunting task. This session will explore several free cybersecurity instructional resources for teachers looking to add cyber instruction to an existing course or teach a cybersecurity course. Participants will identify resources best suited for their individual classroom and leave the session with tools, plans, and ideas to take into the 2023-2024 school year. 

Audience: 6-12

Starting a Robotics Club in Your School

Presenters: Billy Carrier, Cameron Buck, and Students, Volunteer High School

Location: GHS 152

Coming Soon!

Audience: K-12   

Exploring Math Dual Enrollment Courses at ETSU

Presenters: Dr. Anant Godbole, Dr. Ariel Cintrón-Arias, and Dr. John Hicks, East Tennessee State University

Location:  GHS 148

Led by Dr. Anant Godbole, Dr. Ariel Cintrón-Arias, and Dr. John Hicks, this session will give teachers and leaders the opportunity to preview two dual enrollment classes, Mathematical Computing (MATH 2090/2989) and Probability and Statistics (MATH 1530), that ETSU will offer asynchronously in Fall 2023. Dr. Cintrón will focus on Mathematical Computing, first reviewing how to inject high school and college mathematics curriculum with cloud and data science skills. He will employ implementations in Precalculus, Calculus, and Linear Algebra as case studies, where open-and-affordable tools can easily be deployed for K-12 mathematics curriculum. Lastly, we will revisit best practices and standards from the Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA) and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The latter portion of the presentation will focus on Statistics with Technology, which will touch on several aspects including the nearly finished book Statistics with Technology for High School, which is being authored by Dr. Hicks and Maria Emilia Alfaro for the STEM-LD project. Dr. Hicks will also share the syllabus and provide concrete examples of analyses of data sets using technology. Dr. Anant Godbole will be available to discuss technical aspects of the dual enrollment course, including questions about course credit.

Audience: 9-12      

Getting Started with Coding in K-2

Presenters: Dr. Alissa Lange and Amie Craven, Center for Excellence in STEM Education and the Early Childhood STEM Lab and Kim Bradley, Kingsport City Schools

Location:  GHS 147

Join this session to play around with robots, learn the basics of how to incorporate them into your classroom, and work together to plan integrated learning experiences that infuse coding across the curriculum for young learners.

Audience: K-2

High-Dosage/Low Ratio Math Tutoring: Scaffolding Academic Content That Leads to Increased Achievement 

Presenter: Dr. Debra Bentley and Jennifer Carter, Project On-Track

Location:  GHS 151

Participants will learn how high-dosage tutoring is a different model from informal and infrequent tutoring. Attendees will learn how student learning goals are established, how tutors use quality instructional materials, and how relationship building is an intentional component of the program. 

Audience: 1- 8

Teacher Externships and the Student Experience: How Work-Based Learning for Teachers Impacts Students 

Presenter: Law Loving, Niswonger Foundation and Olivia Kuhens, Clinton Middle School

Location:  GHS 146  

Teacher externships are structured professional development opportunities that allow teachers to gain real-world experience by spending time in a workplace outside of the traditional classroom setting. Beyond providing teachers with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a workplace outside of the classroom, externships can help teachers better understand the skills and knowledge that their students will need to succeed in the workforce. During this session, STEM.LD Workforce Coordinator Law Loving and Clinton Middle School teacher Olivia Kuhens will share about the 2023 STEM.LD Externship experience, the key takeaways for classroom teachers, and how externships can be developed in other settings.

Audience: 6-12

Synthetic Biology for High School Classrooms 

Presenter: Jo-Anne Purdy, Westborough High School and BioBuilder

Location:  GHS 312 

Max. Participants: 20     

Synthetic biology is poised to reshape our future by creating new industries, driving economies, and improving our foods, medicines, and climate. BioBuilder teaches synthetic biology using real-world engineering challenges. This workshop will be led by a Master BioBuilder educator who has integrated BioBuilder into their teaching for over a decade. Their presentation will include a brief introduction to BioBuilder’s curriculum, some tips for incorporating the content into existing classroom lessons, and a sample laboratory experiment that can help students make scientific predictions and compare their predictions to experimental results. Examples of student work will be provided to illustrate how synthetic biology experiments help students to learn about the rapidly advancing field of synthetic biology and develop the skills and knowledge necessary for them to pursue careers in this exciting area.

Audience: 9-12