Boston, MA
April 3–6, 2014
Conference Website
Every year the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) hosts a national conference on science education open to member and nonmember science educators. NSTA is committed “to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.” Explore ideas and practices that enhance teaching and learning driven by the Next Generation Science Standards and championed by educators who are “Leading a Science Revolution.”
Thursday, April 3
Powerful and Free Simulations for Biology Teaching
2:00–3:00 PM, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 257B
Come discover how free NSF-funded molecular, genetics, and evolution simulations and curricula from the Concord Consortium can add a new dimension to your biology teaching. All participants will receive free software and resources. Participants are encouraged to bring laptops.
More Than Dragon Genetics—BYOL (Bring Your Own Laptop)
Frieda Reichsman and Lisa Marchi (Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance)
5:00–6:00 PM, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 205B
Immerse yourself in Geniverse! Explore game-like genetics software and learning strategies for engaging students in science practices such as arguing from evidence.
Saturday, April 5
Sensing Science: Temperature Readiness for K–2
Carolyn Staudt and George Forman (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)
8:00–9:00 AM, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 158
Children learn by exploring their world through everyday activities and developing intuitive understandings. Testing representations using data collection helps us learn about temperature preconceptions.
High-Adventure Science: Free Simulations Exploring Earth’s Systems and Sustainability
9:30–10:30 AM, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 261
Explore a free classroom-tested secondary school curriculum on climate change science, water sustainability, and hydraulic fracking while exploring uncertainty as part of scientific argumentation.
The Stories of Graphs
11:00AM–12:00 PM, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 255
SmartGraphs activities “know” what graphs mean and scaffold students as they tell their understanding of the concepts conveyed in graphs.