NCSTA 2024: Full Schedule

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.

8:30am EST

Cultivating a Science Culture – Extending Science Education through School-wide Science Events

Thursday November 7, 2024 8:30am - 9:20am EST

Salem 1C

This session will present the journey of a Title 1 school in extending students’ exposure to science despite limited budget and resources. Connecting students with scientists from local industries, science organizations, and state agencies ignites curiosity and inspires the next generation of young scientists through engaging presentations and hands-on activities. Aligning presenter topics closely with the NC SCOS for science integrates content knowledge with real-world applications of scientific concepts and practices.

Lead Presenter

Kerry Christian

Science Education Consultant, North Carolina State University

Presenters

Theresa Strong

Creech Road Elementary School

Thursday November 7, 2024 8:30am - 9:20am EST
Salem 1C

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-5, General

8:30am EST

Early Career Science Teachers: Double Session!

Thursday November 7, 2024 8:30am - 10:20am EST

Conference Room 2 - Downstairs

Join experienced science educators to learn about structures, strategies, and supports used in effective science classrooms. This longer session is designed for beginning (or pre-service) teachers and will model topics including: classroom community, instructional strategies, differentiation for diverse learners, as well as effective labs and demos. Teachers will leave with a variety of protocols that they have tried in the session along with lots of ideas to try in their classrooms.

Lead Presenter

Lottie Peppers

Biology, Earth/Environmental Science teacher, (NCSTA Board member group)

Presenters

Kristen Kane

Beginning Teacher Support., NCSTA board

Carie Fugle

Science Teacher, West Cabarrus High School

Adrienne Evans

Apex Friendship High

Jill Francis

Instructional Coach, Rutherford County Schools

Early Career Science Teachers Double Session! pdf

Thursday November 7, 2024 8:30am - 10:20am EST
Conference Room 2 - Downstairs

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Early Career Educators, General Science
Grade Level General

9:30am EST

Play to Learn: Integrating Board Games in Science Education

Thursday November 7, 2024 9:30am - 10:20am EST

Salem 3A

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?

Lead Presenter

Ahura Webb

Reaching All Minds Academy

Thursday November 7, 2024 9:30am - 10:20am EST
Salem 3A

Meeting the needs of our diverse learners

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-2, K-5, K-8, K-12, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, 6-12, College, General

1:30pm EST

Once Upon a Science class... Stories to STEM

Thursday November 7, 2024 1:30pm - 2:20pm EST

Salem 3B

Learning science is an active process that requires both “hands-on” and minds on experiences. Come explore how using simple stories can encourage literacy and provide opportunities for STEM in your science classroom. Activities from different grade levels will be shared.

Lead Presenter

Jessica Croson

Heide Trask High School

Presenters

Michelle Hafey

Program Associate, UNCW Center for Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Thursday November 7, 2024 1:30pm - 2:20pm EST
Salem 3B

Meeting the needs of our diverse learners

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-12, General

1:30pm EST

Inspire Success: Designing Inquiry-Based Classrooms

Thursday November 7, 2024 1:30pm - 2:20pm EST

Salem 1A

Discover CERTL’s instructional design approach to selecting inquiry-based learning cases embedded with hands-on activities. Learn how to deliver science content in a real-world context that develops students’ critical thinking skills and sparks student-led discussions. Participants will experience a hands-on student inquiry and receive takeaways.

Lead Presenter

Stan Hill, PhD

WFUSOM

Presenters

Wake Forest University School of Medicine - Kelsey Canovai

Project Manager, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Leslie Russell

Program Manager, CERTL/Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Thursday November 7, 2024 1:30pm - 2:20pm EST
Salem 1A

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-12, General

1:30pm EST

Unleash the Scientist Within

Thursday November 7, 2024 1:30pm - 2:20pm EST

Winston 3A

This interactive workshop ignites a love of science! Explore the NC Science Standards through hands-on activities that build science identity and inquiry skills. Learn to seamlessly integrate Scientific Engineering Practices (SEPs) like "Asking Questions" and "Analyzing Data" into your curriculum. Leave with resources and strategies to transform your classroom into a hub of scientific exploration!

Lead Presenter

Valerie Sellars

District Science Coach, Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools

Valerie Sellars serves as the Secondary Science District Lead for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. In this role, she provided instructional science support to school administrators and assisted science teachers with building capacity in science teaching through Professional Development... Read More →

The Scientist Within Conference Fall 2024.pptx (Presentation) (1) pdf

Thursday November 7, 2024 1:30pm - 2:20pm EST
Winston 3A

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level General

3:30pm EST

Using Technology to Make North Carolina Zoo Field Trips More Accessible for All

Thursday November 7, 2024 3:30pm - 4:20pm EST

Salem 3A

Each year the North Carolina Zoo welcomes students from a wide range of backgrounds with many different needs. To better reach all audiences and to enhance school fieldtrips we built an app with self-guided experiences (e.g., virtual guides, audio description, and standard aligned content) that allows anyone to experience the Zoo in the way they choose. Join us to explore the app and see how to use it on your free fieldtrip to the Zoo.

Lead Presenter

Beth Folta

Curator Of Education, North Carolina Zoo

Join us as we share tips, tricks, and best practices for making your next free field trip to the Zoo the best one ever. We offer a variety of free and paid experiences including both guided and self-guided options.

Presenters

North Carolina Zoo - Scott Ainsworth

North Carolina Zoo

Project Manager for the new North Carolina Zoo App.

Thursday November 7, 2024 3:30pm - 4:20pm EST
Salem 3A

Meeting the needs of our diverse learners

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-12, College, General

3:30pm EST

Seamless STEM: Vertical Supports for Success in K-5

Thursday November 7, 2024 3:30pm - 4:20pm EST

Salem 1A

Join us for Seamless STEM: Vertical Supports for Success in K-5, an informative professional development session designed to equip elementary educators with the tools and strategies needed to create a cohesive and comprehensive STEM education experience from kindergarten through fifth grade. This session focuses on building a strong, vertically aligned STEM curriculum that supports continuous student growth and achievement.

Lead Presenter

Terrell Bynum

Lakeforest Elementary School

Presenters

Ken Kornegay

Lakeforest Elementary School

Thursday November 7, 2024 3:30pm - 4:20pm EST
Salem 1A

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-5, General

8:00am EST

Fire as Phenomena

Friday November 8, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am EST

Winston 1A

Every Campfire has a master who lights it, keeps it burning, and puts it out. Industrial facilities use boilers to make the things we need, and land managers use fire to protect and rejuvenate the forest. But fire has a dark side of soot, air pollution, and danger. We will look at fire through chemistry, math, and energy using hand-on demonstrations, chemistry and fire.

Lead Presenter

Keith Bamberger

NC Department of Environmental Quality

Presenters

NCDEQ: Air Quality - Janina Millis

NCDEQ: Air Quality

It's Complicated Air Quality Links and Resources docx

elements in xlsx

fire and chemistry pptx

Friday November 8, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am EST
Winston 1A

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Environmental Science
Grade Level 6-12, College, General

10:40am EST

Cafeteria to Compost to Landfill: Student-driven research to enact change

Friday November 8, 2024 10:40am - 11:30am EST

Winston 1B

This session showcases a series of interdisciplinary lessons across multiple grade bands (k-5, 6-8, and 9-12) where students will conduct hands-on research and activities at their school to identify patterns in food waste and examine how food waste impacts our environment and communities. Students will also research landfills in North Carolina and examine solutions such as waste reduction, education, and composting.

Lead Presenter

Abby Riordan

Presenters

Will Hendrick

NC Conservation Network

Debbie French

Wake Forest University

Friday November 8, 2024 10:40am - 11:30am EST
Winston 1B

As the world turns: bringing the spheres together

Subject Area Environmental Science
Grade Level K-12, General

11:40am EST

Creating Professional Development for K-12 educators

Friday November 8, 2024 11:40am - 12:30pm EST

Salem 1C

In this presentation we will talk about an integrated climate change professional development we developed for K-12 educators in our community (Spring 2024). In this session we will talk about the lessons learned and topics covered during this two-day workshop. Additionally, climate change education research indicates many teachers are willing to teach climate change, but are unsure of how it connects to their classroom and where to find high-quality curricular materials

Lead Presenter

Brian Calhoun

Wake Forest University

Presenters

Debbie French

Wake Forest University

Friday November 8, 2024 11:40am - 12:30pm EST
Salem 1C

As the world turns: bringing the spheres together

Subject Area Environmental Science
Grade Level K-12, College, General

11:40am EST

In AWE with DEQ (Air, Water and Earth)

Friday November 8, 2024 11:40am - 12:30pm EST

Winston 1A

NC Department of Environmental Quality uses science to protect human and environmental health in North Carolina. Educators from DEQ have the mission of supporting teachers and students and developing both knowledge and teaching skills. In this workshop educators from the DAQ, DWR, DEMLR, and Geological Survey will share how some of their resources support the new Essential Standards in Science and how the student’s knowledge can lead to good employment opportunities in the student’s future.

Lead Presenter

Keith Bamberger

NC Department of Environmental Quality

Presenters

Lauren Daniel

NC Division of Water Resources

North Carolina Geological Survey - Amy Pitts

North Carolina Geological Survey

NC DEQ - DEMLR - E&SC Program - Rebecca Coppa

Sediment Education Engineer, NC DEQ - DEMLR - E&SC Program

It's Complicated Air Quality Links and Resources docx

hold your breath activity1 docx

EENC and the NCSCOS Science and Social Studies 2023 cheat sheet docx

2023 Education Standards air quality 6 7 8 xlsx

NCDEQ We Got The Science final pdf

NCDEQ We Got The Science (2) pptx

Friday November 8, 2024 11:40am - 12:30pm EST
Winston 1A

As the world turns: bringing the spheres together

Subject Area Environmental Science
Grade Level K-12, College, General

11:40am EST

Break the Code of the New NC Science Standards - Escape Room

Friday November 8, 2024 11:40am - 12:30pm EST

Salem 3C

Join us for an interactive and engaging session designed to unravel the mysteries of the new North Carolina Science Standards. In this immersive Escape Room experience, participants will dive deep into the instructional shifts and key elements of the updated standards. Through hands-on activities and collaborative problem-solving, attendees will race against the clock to decode clues, solve puzzles, and ultimately escape to the "FUNomenal" side of science education.

Lead Presenter

Cynthia Goodman

Director-Curriculum and Content, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Hello! I am a Director of Curriculum and Content with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. At HMH, we are a company full of teachers! Prior to joining HMH, I was an elementary teacher for many years before serving as the Intervention Coordinator for my school district. The best part... Read More →

Presenters

Rachel Hester

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Michael Wagner

National Content Specialist, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Friday November 8, 2024 11:40am - 12:30pm EST
Salem 3C

Commercial

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-8, General

1:40pm EST

Building STEM Leaders for the Future

Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST

Winston 3B

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.

Lead Presenter

Alisa Wickliff

UNC-Charlotte

Presenters

Pat Shane

Professor, cntr for Math/Science Educ, UNC Chapel Hill (retired)

Adam Haas

STEM Teacher, Rocky River Elementary School

Jennifer Redfearn

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.

Ahura Webb

Reaching All Minds Academy

Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST
Winston 3B

Other, General

Subject Area Leadership Skills Development
Grade Level K-2, K-5, K-8, K-12, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, 6-12, College, General

1:40pm EST

Crush Critical Thinking with AI-Infused Lessons

Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST

Winston 3C

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.

Lead Presenter

Stacy Lovdahl

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

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-5, K-8, K-12, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, 6-12, College, General

1:40pm EST

Leveraging New Science Standards to Increase Environmental Literacy: Data and Strategies

Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST

Winston 1B

How can we drive the greatest impact from the new science standards to boost environmental literacy for students? A multi-year survey of environmental education (EE) in the Southeast drew data from 1400+ stakeholders to identify gaps and barriers to outdoor and EE access. The analysis highlights specific challenges as well as opportunities to enhance place-based learning across the curriculum. In this session, discover ways to integrate EE across the standards, include SEP, and make the most of local EE resources for student success PK-12.

Lead Presenter

Cynthia Peedin

Board Member, EENC

My name is Cynthia Peedin and I am ecstatic to be joining the work of SEEA!I grew up in Eastern NC running through corn fields and spending summers at the beach trying my best to become a mermaid. I thought going to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington studying Marine Biology... Read More →

NCSTA Conference Landscape Analysis Presentation pptx

Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST
Winston 1B

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Environmental Science
Grade Level General

1:40pm EST

Sensemaking with Concept Maps

Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST

Salem 1C

Presentation
With the integration of NGSS, students take ownership of their learning by sharing ideas to apply NGSS and crosscutting concepts needed to explain how or why the phenomenon occurs. Utilizing concept maps, students can collaborate and construct meaningful claims, evidence and reasoning to connect what they have learned. In this session, participants will learn different methods and strategies to apply to concept maps to increase student engagement and understanding. We also create sample concept maps at different intervals as students anchor phenomena.

Lead Presenter

Peter Panico

Teacher, Steele Creek Elementary

Peter Panico, is a masterful and enthusiastic lead teacher from Charlotte, NC. He specializes in making experiences meaningful for every student. He is a Discovery Star Educator and Leadership Council member. Peter is an expert in the art of technology, maker spaces, and breakout... Read More →

Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST
Salem 1C

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-12, General

1:40pm EST

Taking the Plunge into the Science & Engineering Practices

Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST

Salem 1A

In this session, we will examine the skills that scientists and engineers utilize in their work and explore ways to incorporate these with our students. Participants will move through the SEP Circus from the California Academy of Sciences. In each station participants will experience a different science and engineering practice. After reflecting on the stations, there will be time for collaboration and discussion regarding adjustments to make when lesson planning to incorporate the SEPs.

Lead Presenter

Kayla Boykin

K-8 Science Specialist, Johnston County Public Schools

Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST
Salem 1A

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-12, General

1:40pm EST

Utilizing a district-level PLC model to build capacity for teaching SEPs

Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST

Winston 3A

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.

Lead Presenter

Dillon Crockett

AIG/Science Coordinator, Lee County Schools

2024 Using a District Level PLC Model to Build Capacity pdf

Friday November 8, 2024 1:40pm - 2:30pm EST
Winston 3A

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-2, K-5, K-8, K-12, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, 6-12, General

2:40pm EST

Improved -- & Improving -- Climate Modeling

Friday November 8, 2024 2:40pm - 3:30pm EST

Winston 1A

Appropriate to any audience, this is not-your-usual presentation; recommended read/review ahead, from a not-your-usual blog: (2023) Climate Uncertainty and Risk: Table of Contents https://judithcurry.com/2023/03/11/ “This book is for people that are willing to think and challenge their preconceived notions about climate change.” You’re right: it’s complex. But we’ll nug it down to some basics with plenty of time for questions & discussion. (Handouts, too)

Lead Presenter

John White

US Gov't

Friday November 8, 2024 2:40pm - 3:30pm EST
Winston 1A

As the world turns: bringing the spheres together

Subject Area Inter-disciplinary science
Grade Level K-12, College, General

2:40pm EST

A Whole Bunch of EdTech that will make you say WOW! 5.0

Friday November 8, 2024 2:40pm - 3:30pm EST

Salem 3C

Presentation
Back again for even more tools to increase student engagement, productivity and creativity. There are new standards, new methods of instruction, and we need new tools or new ideas to meet the needs of our students. In this session, we will delve into many EdTech tools and ideas to support the NGSS standards and 3d learning. We will explore, play and share tools and how they can make your classroom more awesome and for you to say WOW!

Lead Presenter

Peter Panico

Teacher, Steele Creek Elementary

Friday November 8, 2024 2:40pm - 3:30pm EST
Salem 3C

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Integrated/General Science
Grade Level K-12, General

2:40pm EST

Using Algae Models & Assays to Illuminate the Interplay between Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration for Students!

Friday November 8, 2024 2:40pm - 3:30pm EST

Winston 1C

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.

Lead Presenter

Beverly Cea

Retired

Friday November 8, 2024 2:40pm - 3:30pm EST
Winston 1C

Strategies for engaging learners to meet the new science standards

Subject Area Biology/Life Science
Grade Level 6-8, 9-12, 6-12, College, General