VERMONT science teachING association annual conference
The VSTA is proud to present:
STEAMing Ahead: Equity & Integration in Science Education
A Virtual Conference
Join Us the Week of January 17-21, 2022
Explore how diversity, equity, and inclusion can be central components in
all aspects of STEAM and Science education.
all aspects of STEAM and Science education.
Schedule
(subject to change):
(subject to change):
01/17/22:
Integrating Science and Language with All K-12 Students, including Multilingual Learners
Keynote: OKHEE LEE 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (doors open at 8:30 AM)
A Framework for K-12 Science Education (National Research Council, 2012) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) offer a vision of rigorous standards for all students across K-12 classrooms. As science and engineering practices (e.g., develop models, argue from evidence, construct explanations) are language intensive, engagement in these practices presents both learning opportunities and demands to all students, especially multilingual learners. In recent years, there have been fundamental shifts in thinking about both science and language learning. Using classroom examples, this presentation will address how contemporary approaches to science and language learning are mutually supportive of each other for all students, including multilingual learners.
Integrating Science and Language with All K-12 Students, including Multilingual Learners
Keynote: OKHEE LEE 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (doors open at 8:30 AM)
A Framework for K-12 Science Education (National Research Council, 2012) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) offer a vision of rigorous standards for all students across K-12 classrooms. As science and engineering practices (e.g., develop models, argue from evidence, construct explanations) are language intensive, engagement in these practices presents both learning opportunities and demands to all students, especially multilingual learners. In recent years, there have been fundamental shifts in thinking about both science and language learning. Using classroom examples, this presentation will address how contemporary approaches to science and language learning are mutually supportive of each other for all students, including multilingual learners.
Detect SARS-CoV-2 using Rapid Antibody Tests
Presented by: Ray Cinti, HS Biology Teacher, Green Mountain Valley School 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM
Presented by: Ray Cinti, HS Biology Teacher, Green Mountain Valley School 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM
Teachers will learn and perform rapid antibody, antigen tests to detect COVID 19. Teachers will better understand the biology of SARS-CoV-2 by learning to provide a hands-on investigation focusing on the detection of COVID using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
In this assay teachers will learn how they can have students use real antibodies to determine whether simulated patients are or were infected with SARS-CoV-2 using ELISA. The workshop would also explore home antigen kits.
In this assay teachers will learn how they can have students use real antibodies to determine whether simulated patients are or were infected with SARS-CoV-2 using ELISA. The workshop would also explore home antigen kits.
The Cardboard Brain: A Metacognitive Design Activity
Presented by: Eli Rosenberg, 7/8th Grade Science Teacher, Main St. Middle School 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Presented by: Eli Rosenberg, 7/8th Grade Science Teacher, Main St. Middle School 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
How do your learn best? To answer this question, students at Main Street Middle School used the Universal Design for Learning framework and an engineering design cycle to make literal or metaphorical models of their brains. We will explore this maker-based student experience that helps students engage, explore, and express their own learning preferences. We will discuss teaching and assessment strategies, examine student exemplars, and reaffirm the value of self-knowledge, creativity, and classroom culture-building activities in the 21st century classroom.
01/18/22
Evolution for Elementary School
Presented by: Bertha Vazquez, Director, The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Since its inception in April of 2015, The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science has presented over 300 workshops in 50 US States for middle school science teachers. TIES is a non-profit project whose aim is to help teachers teach evolutionary biology in an engaging, effective manner. Our main goal is to provide teachers with an entire unit of instruction specifically addressing curriculum standards. The unit contains content, hands-on activities, online games, and videos. Our materials are free and available for download from www.tieseducation.org. (Our elementary resources are at: https://tieseducation.org/teacher-materials/)
Presented by: Bertha Vazquez, Director, The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Since its inception in April of 2015, The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science has presented over 300 workshops in 50 US States for middle school science teachers. TIES is a non-profit project whose aim is to help teachers teach evolutionary biology in an engaging, effective manner. Our main goal is to provide teachers with an entire unit of instruction specifically addressing curriculum standards. The unit contains content, hands-on activities, online games, and videos. Our materials are free and available for download from www.tieseducation.org. (Our elementary resources are at: https://tieseducation.org/teacher-materials/)
Because of the resounding success of TIES at the middle school level, the TIES team now aims to provide elementary school teachers with similar support. When you download the Elementary School Ready-to-Go Evolution Unit, you will find that each slide includes friendly teacher notes to guide you through the resources and content. Important terms include species, adaptation, and population, and variation.
Science and Literacy: Science Doesn't Stand Alone
Presented by: Kathy Renfrew, Science Education Specialist & Coach, NMS and WADE Institute 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Presented by: Kathy Renfrew, Science Education Specialist & Coach, NMS and WADE Institute 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
This presentation will address issues of equity in multiple ways. First is making time for science because quality science instruction is the right of every child. Equity is also addressed through the shared experience of engaging with phenomena. Equity will be embedded in the presentation with the use of online books, the creation of Padlets and/or Jamboards. Participants will learn to make time for science and engineering through an interdisciplinary approach, engage in part of an anchoring phenomenon routine, use a science notebook to record their thinking and see how both fiction and nonfiction can be part of a connected component of science and engineering investigations.
01/19/22:
An Introduction to Developing a Science Research Program
Presented by: Pamela Dixon Kuhn, President, Science Research for All, Inc. 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Science research programs are prevalent in many high-achieving STEM specialized schools; however, we believe ALL students can participate in the scientific method by doing original research. In this session, we will outline the process for incorporating a science research program in any high school or middle school. Through this process, instructors will be able to engage their students in independent and original research with the support of mentors from the STEM community. By empowering teachers to implement science research programs, we hope to shift STEM education from traditional instruction to open inquiry where students decide what and how they will study.
Participants will leave the workshop with an understanding of the framework in implementing a science research program in their school. Additionally, participants will gain an awareness of the benefits of a science research program to the school, the teachers and the students.
Three Dimensional Classroom Assessment - Assessing Classroom Performances
Evening Keynote: PETER MCLAREN 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM)
As educators continue to embrace the implementation of the Next Gen Science Standards (NGSS) and incorporate three-dimensional science teaching and learning in their lessons a common question emerges; what does three-dimensional classroom science assessment look like?
This workshop is designed to provide educators with a collaborative process to create three-dimensional, lesson-focused, science assessments. Participants will build upon the phenomena they use in their lessons by designing lesson-based assessments “individual student performances” (ISPs) and accompanying rubrics using analogous phenomena. These ISPs flow directly from the lesson and provide the teacher with assessment information that can be used formatively and summatively yet the student see them as extensions of their lesson experience. This workshop is designed provide participants with a simple and easy-to-use protocol to create ISPs. Participants will collaborate in the assessment design process using resources and templates provided in the workshop.
Participants are encouraged to bring along lessons and laptops which they will use to create three-dimensional science assessments.
01/20/22:
Sustainability and Action in the Elementary Classroom
Presented by: Laura MacLachlan, Program Manager at VEEP 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Presented by: Laura MacLachlan, Program Manager at VEEP 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Using the Vermont Energy Education Program’s (VEEP) Energy and Climate Action Pathway as a roadmap to engage teachers in relevant and authentic learning experiences, this workshop will review past energy projects and begin to brainstorm as a group how they could incorporate project based learning into their curriculum. We will explore how the big ideas related to content areas could connect to real world context and tie them into learning goals using the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Even our youngest learners can be empowered to learn, take action and engage their school and/or community in conservation and healthy and active lifestyles. VEEP’s educators are available to support teachers, especially elementary teachers with our hands on/minds on science learning model to engage students to be curious about our world. This approach supports making the invisible visible for all learners that is designed by the teachers to incorporate student voice and action to support a learning model that helps students make sense of our world, Considerations for age appropriate content for climate science will be included. Take home tools such as planning form and abridged storyline tool will be introduced and shared.
Dinner Break
VSTA Networking/Resource Sharing Event
Presented by: The VSTA, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
The VSTA will be hosting an hour long networking event where educators from around the state are encouraged to come and share successful practices in their classrooms. The VSTA is specifically looking for strategies and practices to engage learners in today's school climate- both online, in person and hybrid classroom models. Bring a glass of wine, relax and learn about others across our state!
01/21/22:
Science and Language (working title)
Ending Keynote: BRYAN BROWN 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
We will update this page when times are solidified.
SAVE THE DATE
The VSTA will be hosting its annual fall conference on OCTOBER 14, 2022 at the Basin Harbor Club, in Vergennes, VT.
More Information Will Follow!
Vendors and Sponsors
The Vermont Science Teachers association is looking to provide its conference attendees some great equipment, instructional and curriculum resources from a variety of places and vendors.
With a $250 sponsorship, each vendor will be provided a standard size display table to promote themselves and their product, as well as lunch for one representative.
For more exposure, the VSTA also offers a $900 sponsorship for vendors, which will include a standard size display table to promote themselves and their product, lunch for one representative, a area to display a banner behind our keynote speaker and advertisement on the VSTA webpage for one year.
For more information, reach out to the board liaison.