Atlanta, GA
Mar. 15–18, 2018
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."
Thursday, March 15
Sensing Science Through Modeling Matter for Kindergarten Students
Carolyn Staudt, Nathan Kimball, Jamie Broadhead (Videatives, Inc.: Amherst, MA), Lynn Bryan (Purdue University: West Lafayette, IN)
8:00–9:00 AM, Georgia World Congress Center, A401
Participate in Sensing Science and uncover your children’s ability to reason about the states of matter
using visualizations including models, probes, and online interactive stories.
Argumentation and Modeling in Earth Science Using Free Online Modules
Amy Pallant, Stephanie Harmon
12:30-1:00 PM, Georgia World Congress Center, A410
Discover free Earth system and environmental science simulations and curricula that focus on scientific
argumentation when teaching topics such as plate tectonics, climate change, and hydraulic fracturing.
SC-1: If You Can Think It, You Can Model It (Short Course)
Steven Roderick, Daniel Damelin, Consuelo Morales (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI), Tom Farmer
3:00–6:00 PM, Westin Peachtree Plaza, Chastain C
Purchase tickets when you register online or on the Atlanta National Registration Form.
This short course will introduce participants to SageModeler, a simple and engaging tool for modeling complexity and examining behavior in complex systems and a variety of contexts. Through explorations and activities using this free web-based software, participants will expand their knowledge of systems and systems thinking, build and simulate visualizations of their own mental models, and explore ways to incorporate computer modeling into curricular activities and units appropriate to both middle school and high school students. Note: Bring a laptop computer or Chromebook with Google Chrome installed. For more information, visit learn.concord.org/building-models.
Using Models to Support STEM Learning in Grades K–5: Examples and Insights from NSF’s DRK–12 Program
Sara Lacy (TERC: Cambridge, MA), Cory Forbes (University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Lincoln, NE), Brian Reiser (Northwestern University: Evanston, IL), Carolyn Staudt
5:00 PM–6:00 PM, Georgia World Congress Center, A408
Discussion centers on research-based examples of how students can engage in modeling in the elementary grades.
Friday, March 16
Precipitating Change: Embedding Weather into the Middle School Science Classroom
Carolyn Staudt, Nanette Marcum-Dietrich (Dallastown Area High School: Millersville, PA), Nathan Kimball, Chad Dorsey, Meridith Bruozas (Argonne National Laboratory: Chicago, IL), Tom Moher (The University of Illinois at Chicago: Chicago, IL)
8:00–9:00 AM, Georgia World Congress Center, A301
The universal interest in the weather, combined with the use of computational methods in meteorology, make weather forecasting promising in the integration of STEM learning.
Using Models to Support STEM Learning in Grades 6–12: Examples and Insights from NSF’s DRK–12 Program
Daniel Damelin, Joseph Krajcik (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI), Irene Lee (Project GUTS: Cambridge, MA), Susan Yoon (University of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, PA)
8:00–9:00 AM, Georgia World Congress Center, A402
Discussion centers on research-based examples of how secondary students can engage in modeling practice.
Powerful Free Simulations for Three-Dimensional NGSS Teaching
9:30–10:30 AM, Georgia World Congress Center, C213
Come discover how free NSF-funded molecular simulations and curricula from the Concord Consortium can add all three dimensions of the NGSS to your physics, physical science, and chemistry teaching, with a special emphasis on the science practices. Take away free tips and resources that you can use immediately to bring NGSS to life in your classroom!
Teaching Environmental Sustainability Using a Free Place-Based Watershed Model
Carolyn Staudt, Nanette Marcum-Dietrich (Dallastown Area High School: Millersville, PA), Steve Kerlin (Stroud Water Research Center: Avondale, PA), Melinda Daniels (Stroud Water Research Center: Avondale, PA), Tara Muenz (Stroud Water Research Center: Avondale, PA)
9:30–10:30 AM, Georgia World Congress Center, A301
Model My Watershed is a free, web-based application that invites students to explore the condition of their local watershed with a scientifically valid watershed model.
NGSS@NSTA Forum Session: Interactions: A Free 3-D Science Curriculum for Ninth-Grade Physical Science
Angela Kolonich (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI), Kristin Mayer (East Kentwood High School: Grand Rapids, MI), Leonora Kaldaras (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI), Daniel Damelin, Joseph Krajcik (CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI)
2:00–3:00 PM, Georgia World Congress Center, B102
Explore how the emergent properties of atoms and molecules provide a foundation for explaining various scientific and everyday phenomena. Using Interactions materials, students observe phenomena, engage in hands-on activities, and use online simulations to construct scientific explanations and build explanatory models. Participants will engage in activities and discussions that support the three-dimensional approach of the Interactions curriculum.
Data Science Education Meetup
4:00 PM, Dantanna’s Downtown
Join our informal Data Science Education Meetup. Get a bite to eat and talk with others about how to empower students with data science skills. RSVP Now
Model My Watershed: Using Real Data to Make Watershed Decisions
Nanette Marcum-Dietrich (Millersville University of Pennsylvania: Millersville, PA), Carolyn Staudt, Steve Kerlin (Stroud Water Research Center: Avondale, PA)
5:00 PM–6:00 PM, Georgia World Congress Center, A301
Come learn about an exciting free online modeling application that gives anyone (age 8+) the ability to use STEM practices to explore their local watershed.
Saturday, March 17
Introducing Students to Data Science with Simulations and Interactive Graphing
Frieda Reichsman, Tim Erickson (eeps Media: Oakland, CA)
9:30–10:30 AM, Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center, Dogwood A
What’s data science? Can we teach it—without coding? Come learn about CODAP, a free online data analysis tool, in various science contexts. Bring laptops!
Systems Thinking, Modeling, and Climate Change
Dan Damelin, Pendred Noyce (Tumblehome Learning, Inc.: Boston, MA)
12:30–1:30 PM, Georgia World Congress Center, A313
Climate science thrives on systems thinking and understanding feedback. Explore a free, open-source
modeling tool for engaging with climate change. Bring computers! Free e-book.
Liven Up Your Labs with Free 3-D Learning Tools and Resources
Chad Dorsey, Tom Farmer, Dan Damelin
2:00–3:00 PM, Georgia World Congress Center, C206
Students should learn science by "doing" science, but how can you find rich open 3-D learning approaches to support them? Come get access to free research-based tools and curricular supports that meet the NGSS approach to STEM. Through open-ended tools and approaches, you can adapt to all your favorite labs!