Welcome to the 2024 NCSTA Professional Development Institute. The Benton food service bar will be available in the Main Lobby during the lunch break on Thursday and Friday. Grab a quick bite and visit the Exhibit Hall. StemScopes/Accelerated Learning offers a free lunch and learn session on Thursday. Get tickets at Booth 204. Savvas offers a free lunch and learn session on Friday. Get tickets at Booth 101. NCSTA will reimburse up to $15 for parking (total, not per day). Information and form from our website. CEU forms will be emailed to you after the conference. You may earn .6 CEU per day.
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Test measurement specialists from the NC Department of Public Instruction's Office of Accountability and Testing will present on the new state formative and summative assessments for the 2023 science Standard Course of Study for grades 5 and 8 and biology.
Test Measurement Specialist, NCDPI Office of Testing and Accountability
I currently work for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as the State's mathematics and science test measurement specialist. In this role, I coordinate the development of State-produced assessments for mathematics, grades 6 through 12, and science, grades 8 through... Read More →
Discover how to make science education more engaging and effective with "Play to Learn: Integrating Board/Card Games in Science Education." This session explores innovative ways to incorporate board games into your science curriculum, enhancing student participation and comprehension. Learn practical strategies and game-based activities that foster critical thinking, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts, transforming your classroom into a dynamic learning environment. Are you game?
Join us for a hands-on session that shares strategies and lessons which utilize Science and Engineering Practices to engage students in the key concepts of NC’s new standards. Learn how to incorporate models and phenomena to engage and support all students in deeper understanding. Leave with resources for supporting your students as they begin to think and work like scientists!
Resource Development Director, The Center for Inquiry-Based Learning
CIBL's mission is to support K-8 teachers with training and the most engaging, integrated, hands-on STEM curriculum materials that promote creativity, collaboration, and communication. I specialize in writing hands-on K-12 science curricula based on NGSS and individual state standards... Read More →
So you are already doing great science/ STEM teaching in your middle school classes, now what? How can we shift to incorporating more Science and Engineering Practices? Join us for a guided self-reflection time where we work on shifting lessons toward SEP implementation. Participants will experience a traditional lesson and then work through a guided reflection process that demonstrates how to identify areas that can be enhanced to become more student-centered and minds-on.
Assistant Director - Mountain Satellite Office, The Science House of NCSU
Jason Carter, Assistant Director of the Mountain Office for the Science House at NC State University, has over 20 years as an educator in science and math. Along with this experience, Jason is a Fulbright Teacher for Global Classrooms honoree and a Science Ambassador for the National... Read More →
This talk will present an overview of CERN's fully funded programs for middle and high school teachers to travel to Geneva for two weeks to take part in an intensive workshop in particle physics and learn about the experiments running at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Lessons plans and resources will be shared.
Come experience a hands-on model lesson from OpenSciEd for Middle School and discover how the Carolina Certified Edition enhanced these high-quality instructional materials, making them more accessible, user-friendly, and safer for classroom use. Participate in the featured light box model activity from the 6.1: Light & Matter unit and walk away with valuable resources that you can take back to your classroom. The Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd for Middle School received an All-Green rating from EdReports.org.
Explore how Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Science Dimensions series can support your implementation of the new Science Standards! We'll explore HMH resources for both middle and high school Science! Check out both our print and digital resources!
Whether students are learning about renewable or nonrenewable energy resources, the Switch Classroom curriculum clearly and effectively identifies the trade-offs of using each energy resource. Through an unbiased approach to energy literacy, Switch classroom teaches about energy resources, consumption, conservation, and energy use around the world. Switch Classroom offers a wide variety of classroom resources from video lessons, hands-on labs, and data analysis activities that will engage students in thinking critically about energy.
This is a condensed version of the Deep Time Toolbox workshop developed by AppState’s Geology Department which will include alignment to the new standards. Participants will try hands-on activities around geologic time, extinction event clues and fossils (including ID and fossilization methods). Materials are geared towards Gr. 6-8 but 4th grade teachers would also find them useful with some modification. Classroom kits and fossil samples given out on a first come first served basis.
Feeling overwhelmed by the ever-evolving world of science? Dive into the exciting potential of AI tools to transform your K-12 science curriculum! This collaborative session will explore how AI can enhance student engagement, personalize learning, and support the mastery of key science standards. Join us as we explore real-world examples, brainstorm implementation strategies, and share resources to ignite the scientific curiosity of your students!
Digital Teaching & Learning Regional Consultant, Piedmont-Triad, NC Department of Public Instruction
Brian Whitson is a Digital Teaching & Learning Consultant with the Office of Digital Teaching & Learning at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). He proudly covers the Piedmont-Triad Region where he supports public schools units with the implementation and integration... Read More →
Come and discover how Science and Engineering Practices are integrated with the process of student research! Resources and activities will be shared with teachers that can be used in their classrooms. Topics discussed include steps of all stages of conducting student research, guiding students to decide on topics, building time management skills, advancing student understanding and critical thinking, reviewing and grading student presentations, and providing information for opportunities for students to share their research.
Having students able to analyze data is important. Using authentic data and computational thinking are important skills for students of all grade levels. This session will focus on creating data sets and using them in meaningful ways.
I have been an educator since 1995. Currently I teach 7th grade Science at Weddington MIddle School in the Union County Public Schools system. My passion is to inspire students to get excited about learning and to cultivate their natural curiosity about the world around them... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 3:30pm - 4:20pm EST
Winston 3C
How do you get our STEM kids motivated while desiring to pursue STEM careers? MMS is crafting a robust STEM program that merges with outdoor engagement. Discover innovative approaches to integrating outdoor classrooms, field trips, and adventure clubs, fostering a deeper connection with nature while nurturing mental well-being. Learn how these initiatives not only enhance STEM education, but also address the pressing mental health challenges facing today's youth. Be part of the movement reshaping STEM education for a brighter, healthier future.
Experience how the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) framework, aligned with the revised NC Science Standards' emphasis on inquiry, empowers students to make sense of the world. Gain practical strategies for fostering critical thinking and constructing explanations and leave with ready-to-implement techniques to transform your science instruction.
This workshop will help support teachers teaching the new science standards with the implementation of Gizmos. Teachers will be a part of a modeled lesson and debrief on best practices while using Gizmos in the science classroom.
Hands-on experiments and background info that allow students to explore the different forms of energy and how they are transformed using items encountered in our everyday life. Motion, sound, thermal, radiant, electrical, and chemical energy transformations are explored. You’ll be able to confidently explain energy transformations to 3-12 grade students, differentiate between forms of energy, and describe how energy is stored or used in major energy sources!
NEED specializes in energy education providing state-aligned FREE curriculum materials, teacher training, and student leadership development that engage students in learning about energy authentically across disciplines. NEED classrooms can be STEM classrooms or social science and... Read More →
Friday November 8, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am EST
Salem 1C
The new NC science standards leverage science and engineering practices (SEPs). Modeling is the central practice of the SEPs and the process of incorporating them into courses can feel rather daunting. Where to start? What are the expectations for students? Join us to learn how to take one of your lessons and make it even more engaging using our shared strategies. Participants will leave with ready-to-go lessons they can implement into their classrooms.
A quick look at the geologic history of North Carolina and how our landforms, landscapes, and resources were created through plate tectonic processes. A variety of hands-on activities and resources will be provided for use in your classrooms.
The purpose of this interactive session is to provide an overview of the new support documents for the 2023 Science Standards. Participants will engage in conversations highlighting how the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI), Science & Engineering Practices (SEP), and Crosscutting Concepts (CCC) connect to unpacking the standards. We will also discuss how the proficiency statements and academic language support student learning. This session will focus on 6-8 Science.
Secondary Science Consultant, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Gavin Fradel is a science consultant in the K-12 Standards, Curriculum and Instruction section in the Office of Academic Standards at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Gavin obtained his Undergraduate teaching degree in Middle Grades Education with a concentration... Read More →
K-5 Science Consultant, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Debra works as an Elementary Science Consultant in the Division of Academic Standards at NCDPI. She has a Ph.D in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on STEM Education. Prior to joining NCDPI, Debra worked as a classroom teacher and science specialist. During this time she... Read More →
Secondary Science Consultant, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Benita Tipton works as a Secondary Science Consultant with the NC Department of Public Instruction. Prior to coming to the Department in 2003, she taught high school science and college-entry biology at a community college. She earned a master’s degree in Education with a concentration... Read More →
Secondary Science Consultant, NC Department of Public Instruction
Alexis Wood joined the NCDPI Office of Academic Standards after teaching high school for 20 years in Lenoir and Wake Counties. Her primary job as a member of the Office of Academic Standards Science Team is to provide support to PSUs at the secondary science level that ensures the... Read More →
Experience the thrill of game-based learning with Sci-Ops: Global Defense! Transform your classroom with our NSF award-winning video game that teaches 6th-12th grade chemistry and physical science standards and exposes your students to STEM career paths and real world technologies. You will engage and excite your students by incorporating our video game and curricular resources into your classroom. Leave with an all inclusive access code to our 3D game-based platform.
If you want to improve your leadership skills, this is the session for you! Learn how the NCSLA Science Leadership Fellows Program builds individuals' leadership skills in its two-year program. This session is appropriate for all STEM educators regardless of position, including informal educators. Graduates of this program are better leaders in their workplaces and in professional associations. The program is generously funded by the NC SMT Center and the BWF.
Senior STEM Specialist, North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching
Jennifer currently serves as the STEM Specialist for NCCAT. Her previous roles include STEM Coordinator for Guilford County Schools and high school science teacher.
Crush critical thinking and creativity with personalized chatbots that you create for your students. In this hands-on session, you will explore and learn how to create custom bots aligned with the new science standards using SchoolAI and MagicSchool. Drawing from science-based playful approaches, this session connects the newest genAI tools to the new science standards and combines it with sound, age-appropriate pedagogy to empower your students with the skills they need to be successful humans.
Western Region DTL Consultant, NCDPI Digital Teaching and Learning
Stacy Lovdahl has 24 years of experience as a state and district-level education technologist. She is an AI literacy trainer, the Western DTL Consultant for NCDPI, an Instructional Technology Facilitator and a middle school science teacher. Stacy has dedicated significant efforts... Read More →
Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST
Winston 3C
Suggestions and feedback from district leaders and teachers after implementing a year-long, district-wide professional development on teaching through the Science and Engineering Practices. Includes strategies for district leaders and teacher leaders to build a district-wide culture of community and collaboration among science teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Includes a tailored menu of instructional strategies and resources for understanding and teaching each SEP.
What can BioNetwork do for you and your classroom? The BioNetwork STEM Outreach division provides STEM resources, programs, and more for teachers and students across North Carolina. Join us as we provide an overview of what BioNetwork is, what programs and events we offer, and answer your questions.
I am the new Western STEM Outreach Coordinator for BioNetwork, the life-science training initiative of the NC Community College System. Our outreach team strives to serve K-12 and community college educators and students in all 100 counties through community STEM events, classroom... Read More →
In the presentation, I will describe how I use the Modern Classroom Project to promote a differentiated learning environment for multilingual learners.
Conquering the new science standards might seem like moving mountains but it doesn't have to be. Discover how to use free AI tools to design inquiry-based lessons that engage learners and align with the new North Carolina standards, in less time than you ever thought possible. Join us to transform your teaching with cutting-edge AI tools like MagicSchool, AIs like ChatGPT and more.
Western Region DTL Consultant, NCDPI Digital Teaching and Learning
Stacy Lovdahl has 24 years of experience as a state and district-level education technologist. She is an AI literacy trainer, the Western DTL Consultant for NCDPI, an Instructional Technology Facilitator and a middle school science teacher. Stacy has dedicated significant efforts... Read More →
Friday November 8, 2024 2:40pm - 3:30pm EST
Winston 3A
Are you ready to take your teaching outside the classroom? Join us to explore various approaches to outdoor education! Discover strategies to tackle the unique challenges of teaching outdoors, best practices and considerations. In this workshop, you'll have the opportunity to transform one of your indoor lessons into an engaging outdoor activity. Bring a lesson that you'd like to adapt for an outdoor setting and SEP’s. We'll also provide sample lessons tailored for outdoor learning.
In this session, instructors will use 2D models of photosynthesis and cellular respiration to conduct tracking of carbon molecules and apply this information to a hands-on assay using freshwater algae to indirectly qualify carbon movement. They will then develop protocols that quantifies the qualitative changes witnessed (via carbon dioxide tracking) under a variety of environmental conditions. Collectively, participants will use the sum of their experiences to develop and explain an ecological model of carbon cycling.
