2020 Inaugural Alamo STEM Ecosystem Conference 1 Room Session A 10:15 – 11:10 Session B 11:15 – 12:10 Lunch 12:15 – 1:15 Session C 1:25 – 2:20 Session D 2:25 – 3:30 (evaluations) Room 202 6 Round tables Limit: 36 STEM K – 2 nd Rosie Gonzalez Hannah Norman Castle Hills Elementary NEISD “Tinker Tubs for Early Childhood” Pedagogy MS & HS Celia Ruiz Tracy Cross Lorraine Mena O’Connor High School NISD “Students Should Say Something and Question Everything” STEM All Grades Michelle Sedberry STEM Coordinator Texas Education Agency “Texas Education Agency PK- 20 STEM Education Update” Life Science K – MS Nicole McLeod Education Coordinator City of San Antonio Parks & Recreation “San Antonio Natural Areas: Outdoor Learning” Room 203 4 rows Lecture tables Limit: 32 CTE 3 rd – 5 th Francisco Alderete Academic Technology Coach Darren Smith Science Academic Support Teacher NISD “Connecting STEM Challenges and 3D Printing Solutions” Pedagogy All Grades Dan Dimitriu, PhD, PE Engineering Coordinator San Antonio College “Infusing STEM Subjects in Everyday Teaching Activities” CTE All Grades Sonia Obregon Ed Tech & Design Coordinator Office of 21 st Century Learning “Amplify Student Voice in the 21 st Century Classroom with Flipgrid” *laptop required Community All Grades Engagement Debi Pfitzenmaier Executive Director Youth Code Jam “Coding Camps and Clubs” Room 204 5 Round tables Limit: 30 Life Science MS & HS Valerie Sams, MD Trauma Surgeon Amber Mallory, PhD Research Scientist 59 th Medical Wing US Army “Tying Fundamental Physiology Lessons into Real World Life- Saving Measures” STEM 3 rd – 5 th Molly Ramon Katie Driggers Huebner Elementary School NEISD “STEM in the GYM” STEM 3 rd – 5 th Debbie Vann Science Instructional Specialist NEISD “STEAM Powered Instruction” Pedagogy 3 rd - MS Brittany Smith Moczygemba GT Instructional Specialist SAISD “Limited Creativity”
“How to Have a Successful STEM Night on a Shoestring
Budget”
Community K - MS Engagement
Aspen Meinke STEM Coordinator
Communities in Schools of San Antonio
“Engaging Families in STEM”
Space Science 3rd - MS
Natasha Wilkerson STEM Director
Communities in Schools of San Antonio
“Design a City on the Moon: Using Space to Inspire Youth”
STEM Elementary
Natalie Watts Shawna Moreno
Rebecca Juarez Belinda Walker
Missy Quick Daryn Polanco
Carol Pierce Huebner Elementary School
NEISD
“Recycled Orchestra”
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SESSION A 10:15 – 11:10
Room 105 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Community Engagement
Presenter: Jean Karst
Institution: Science and Engineering Academy, NISD
Workshop Title:
STEM Outreach Development Workshop: Campus, District, and Beyond
Description: In this hands-on workshop, attendees will learn about the types of STEM Outreach our students lead within the campus, district, and community. Attendees will gain knowledge about how to start their own STEM Outreach program and leave this session with several inexpensive activities to add to their STEM toolbox.
Learning Objectives:
• Describe various types of STEM Outreach at the campus, district, and communitylevel
• Develop their own blueprint for STEM Outreach• Develop their own hands-on, fun, and cheap STEM Outreach activities
Room 107 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Community Engagement
Presenter: Brittany Ponton and Janet Crawford Institution: San Antonio College, Scobee Education Center and MVISD
Workshop Title:
How to Have a Successful STEM Night on a Shoestring Budget
Description: This fun, upbeat, and hands-on session will help guide educators in designing a successful STEM night on a tight budget. Teachers will participate and visualize a variety of station examples appropriate for their age level and collaborate with other professionals. Effective logistics and communication techniques for engagement will be presented. Educators will leave with pre-made resources and templates to use for their own STEM night. Join us for some STEM fun and have the opportunity to participate in raffles!
Room 202 Grade Levels: K – 2nd Strand: STEM
Presenter: Rosie Gonzalez and Hannah Norman
Institution: Castle Hills Elementary, NEISD Workshop Title: Tinker Tubs for Early Childhood
Description: We will present ideas through Tinker Tubs that will help students have inquiry-based learning in the classroom. Our emphasis will be on hands on, interactive STEAM experiences. We will also discuss the importance of learning through play.
Learning Objectives:
• Implement an educational technique in the classroom
• Build ideas for Tinker Tubs• Implement differentiated TEK based learning• Facilitate and encourage social emotional learning in the classroom
• Provide a time where every student is actively involved in their own learning
Room 203 Grade Levels: 3rd – 5th Strand: CTE
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Presenter: Francisco Alderete and Darren Smith Institution: NISD
Workshop Title:
Connecting STEM Challenges and 3D Printing Solutions
Description: Engage elementary students by having them become tomorrow's engineers today. Provide them with STEM challenges and opportunities for 3D printing their solutions. Participants will get the opportunity to design a solution to a STEM challenge.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the importance of providing students with a STEM Challenges• Understand the importance of 3D printing in the engineering and design learning
processes• Work on a STEM Challenge and use a CAD website for designing a solution to the
challenge• Experience a method of gathering student 3D designs and preparing them for
printing• Reflect on how they could implement STEM Challenge and 3D printing into their
science instruction
Room 204 Grade Levels: MS & HS Strand: Life Science
Presenter: Valerie Sams, MD and Amber Mallory, PhD
Institution: US Army
Workshop Title:
Tying fundamental physiology lessons into real world life saving measures
Description: This workshop will give a brief overview of the cardiovascular system and how advancements in fluid mechanics and oxygenation technology are used to save lives in instances of organ failure. The instructors will explain the principles of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as well as demonstrate how it works on a mechanical and physiologic basis.
Learning Objectives:
• Integrate basic cardiovascular physiology with medical applications• Explain how extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation works• Provide examples where basic research overlaps into clinical research and careers
relevant to both
• Describe why blood oxygenation levels are important and how bioengineeringhas advanced to miniaturize technologies to remove impurities and reoxygenateblood as a result of disease or injury
Room 208 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Orlando Graves Bolaños
Institution: The DoSeum, Education Department
Workshop Title:
Visual Literacy Skills: At the Intersection of STEM & Arts
Description: The mainstreaming of 21st Century Skills highlights the educator’s role in balancing content with procedural skills. Critical thinking, creativity, and communication are mastered through Visual Thinking Strategies. Learn how visual culture plays an effective role in STEM. Discover how to choose images and use three easy questions that transform conversations.
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Learning Objectives:
• Use core questions employed in Visual Thinking Strategies• Curate images that complement their lesson plans• Evaluate their progress as facilitators
Room 210 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: STEM
Presenter: Carolyn Luna
Institution: UTSA SAVIG Lab Workshop
Title: Teaching Mathematics with Stuff!
Description: Research supports the use of artifacts in the classroom to maximize student engagement. This presentation will incorporate the mathematics of artifacts and items visible at and around the Institute of Texan Cultures. Participants will participate in a mathematics lesson which can be facilitated by UTSA faculty during a visit to the museum, but which can also be modified for use in their own classrooms. Participants will also be made aware of the resources available to them at the ITC.
Learning Objectives:
• Value the use of artifacts in classroom lessons
• Interact with the artifacts provided during the workshop• Understand the benefit of using artifacts to teach mathematics• Use artifacts to maximize student engagement with mathematics in their own
classrooms
• Describe the resources available to them at the Institute of Texan Cultures
Institution: San Antonio College, Biology Department
Workshop Title:
STEM Study Skills
Description: This session will demonstrate resources and techniques to improve college readiness for freshmen science majors. Many first-year college students lack a fundamental understanding about what it takes to succeed in science courses. We will explore research-based techniques to biohack our way to success in STEM classes by working smarter, not harder. The presentation will provide strategies on how to form study plans, how identify, assess, and use peer reviewed sources to answer scientific questions, and how to take advantage of free tech to stay organized and on task as high school students rise to meet the rigorous demands of college.
Learning Objectives:
• Introduce effective neuroscience-based study techniques• Provide resources to improve organizational skills
• Deliver content on how to evaluate and utilize scientific resources in STEMclassrooms
Room 213 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Life Science
Presenter: Joseph Roberts and Shannan Hall, DVM
Institution: Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Workshop Title:
Animal Careers in Biomedical Research
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Description: A day in the life of veterinarians and technicians in biomedical research. Making a career of your passion for animal care while contributing to medical advancement.
Learning Objectives:
• Define biomedical research and its importance
• Relate animal research to daily life• Describe what vets and techs do in this field on a daily basis• Tell students how to pursue careers in this exciting and rewarding field• Contact Texas Biomed for future tours and outreach opportunities
Room 215 Grade Levels: 3rd - HS Strand: Space Science
Presenter: Susan Pope
Institution: Southwest Research Institute, Space Instrumentation Department Workshop
Title: Space Science Instrumentation
Description: I'll discuss my experiences designing, building, and managing Space Instrumentation projects for NASA and ESA. I'll focus on what I learned in the last 23 years that I think would be applicable to teachers who specialize in STEM education.
Learning Objectives:
• Determine the skill set to work as an Engineer• Understand what is involved with space instrumentation design at a high level
• Apply experiences from an Engineering perspective to classrooms
Room 217 Grade Levels: HS Strand: CTE
Presenter: Belinda Medellin
Institution: CAST Tech High School Workshop
Title: Teach User Experience at Your High School: A New Addition to CTE
Description: The growing field of User Experience (UX) design is the future and should be taught in your high school. Learn about this field that combines disciplines such as psychology, digital design, information architecture, human computer interaction, usability and accessibility to create positive and memorable experiences for the user of products and services.
Learning Objectives:
• Explain what User Experience is
• Promote UX as a competitive advantage for their CTE students• Describe some of the foundations of user experience• Identify tools and methods to teach UX
Room 219 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Sarah Mendiola and Bryan Bayles, PhD Institution: Witte Museum
Workshop Title:
Calm in the Classroom
Description: We will discuss what cutting-edge science and experiential learning strategies teach us about the mind-body connection and how we can achieve small attainable goals leading to more mindfulness, focus and improved performance (and reduced teacher burnout). We will also discuss how to achieve this in the classroom with students.
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Learning Objectives:
• Determine what the mind-body connection is and how it affects the body• Understand how technology is advancing to aide in the performance of the mind• Focus and improve performance to prevent burnout
• Learn new strategies in creating calm within themselves as wells as in theclassroom
Room 220 Grade Levels: Elementary Strand: CTE
Presenter: Ernest Gonzales
Institution: Tech and Design, SAISD Workshop
Title: Viva La Podcast
Description: In the 21st Century, students will have to learn how to collaborate, create, and publish to a global audience. In this session, we will explore how podcasting can be an avenue for publishing student created projects. Participants will learn how to create podcasts using GarageBand. Bring an iPad/iPhone with GarageBand.
Learning Objectives:
• Explain how podcasting will benefit students• Describe equipment needed to begin podcasting• Help students record and edit a podcast using GarageBand
• Publish student created podcasts to different streaming sites
SESSION B 11:15 – 12:10
Room 105 Grade Levels: MS & HS Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Shannon Withers
Institution: Wagner High School, JISD
Workshop Title:
Necessity: The Mother of Invention
Description: How do you incorporate differentiation, scaffolding, IEP's, 504's, and all the "extra" buzz words into one class period? Prepare for your T-TESS evaluations, standardized tests and still ensure students are learning each day? Find simple necessities to reduce the daily stress you feel while implementing strategies that develop life-long learning.
Learning Objectives:
• Implement simple strategies for daily routines in the classroom
• Share ideas that help simplify keeping up with the paperwork• Network with other teachers and build a working/shareable database of ideas
Room 107 Grade Levels: K - MS Strand: Community Engagement
Presenter: Aspen Meinke
Institution: Communities in Schools of San Antonio, STEM
Workshop Title:
Engaging Families in STEM
Description: Family involvement in STEM programming can be challenging, however it's essential for increasing youth interest and persistence in STEM. In this interactive session, explore best practices to engage families through STEM Nights and afterschool STEM programming.
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Learning Objectives:
• Learn best practices for engaging families for STEM Nights and afterschool STEMprogramming
• Take home an activity to do with their families
• Learn how to connect STEM careers to an activity
Room 202 Grade Levels: MS & HS Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Celia Ruiz, Tracy Cross, Lorraine Mena Institution: O’Connor High School, NISD
Workshop Title:
Students Should Say Something and Question Everything
Description: Participants will observe and model Say Something Strategy, Stair-Step Questioning, Questioning the Image and Phenomenon in the Science Classroom. These are strategies that focus on integrating higher-order thinking skills that are student-centered and inquiry-based. Find out ways to better engage your students in interactive learning opportunities.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the benefits of allowing time for students to ask purposefulquestions
• Observe simple strategies that allow students to write explanations with depth ofunderstanding
• Use student questioning with science process skills
Room 203 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Pedagogy Presenter: Dan Dimitriu, PhD, PE
Institution: San Antonio College, Engineering Department
Workshop Title:
Infusing STEM Subjects in Everyday Teaching Activities
Description: This workshop will be based on the graduate program "E4E - Engineering for Educators" that I developed at Our Lady of the Lake University for science teachers to help them teach their subjects with real life examples.
Learning Objectives:
• Find examples of STEM applications for classroom courses• Initiate mini research projects to help students understand STEM subjects
• Explain the connections between the classroom subjects and STEM careers
• Motivate and advise students to choose STEM related careers
• Have fun while doing all these activities!
Room 204 Grade Levels: 3rd – 5th Strand: STEM
Presenter: Molly Ramon and Katie Driggers
Institution: Huebner Elementary School, NEISD
Workshop Title:
STEM in the GYM
Description: This workshop will provide knowledge on ways to integrate science, technology, engineering and math concepts using a kinesthetic approach to increase the mind-body connection in academics.
Learning Objectives:
• Introduce physics-based concepts to the kinesthetic learner
• Increase cognition through action-based learning
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• Using a holistic approach and getting back to basics students need to "Learn byDoing"
Room 208 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Chris Navarro
Institution: The DoSeum, Education Department
Workshop Title:
STEM & Literacy
Description: Students cannot engage in STEM without the foundation of literacy. Reading can spark engagement in STEM. Writing can strengthen understanding of STEM. In this workshop, teachers will investigate the connections between STEM and balanced literacy through the lenses of constructivism and inquiry, learning how to embed literacy practice in STEM.
Learning Objectives:
• Describe principles of constructivism and inquiry-based STEM instruction
• Describe the conventions of balanced literacy workshops• Design activities utilizing reading and writing in the service of STEM learning
• Combine reading and writing practice and workshops with STEM activities
Room 210 Grade Levels: K - MS Strand: Space Science
Presenter: Rick Varner
Institution: San Antonio College, Scobee Education Center Workshop
Title: Sun, Earth, Moon: Model in a Meter (OK, a Yard)
Description: The sun, earth, moon relationships appear in Earth and Space Science TEKS from Pre-K through 8th grade. This workshop will introduce teachers to a simple, reusable model made of craft and classroom materials to demonstrate the scale distance from the earth to its moon, solar and lunar eclipses.
Learning Objectives:
• Identify commonly held misconceptions regarding the moon• Use simple division math skills to create a scale earth to moon distance model• Use the model created in the workshop to demonstrate both solar and lunar
eclipses
Room 211 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: CTE
Presenter: Bruce Harris and Drew Harris Institution: Stevens High School, NISD
Workshop Title:
Free ‘Hacks’ for ALL Teachers!
Description: We will provide teachers with free digital tools to help them transform the learning experiences in their classrooms.
Learning Objectives:
• Discover tools for online student journals/portfolios• Find tools to stay organized
• Explore tools to engage students in online activities• Learn about tools for classroom management
• Deliver more engaging presentations
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Room 213 Grade Levels: HS Strand: STEM Presenter: Keegan Gold and Carmen Fies, PhD
Institution: UTSA
Workshop Title:
Wait…You Want Me to Teach WHAT?
Description: Nearly 2/3 educators are required to teach subjects which are not in their specialty area. In this highly interactive and fun workshop, we specifically target high school chemistry educators teaching out of field. We attempt to increase confidence by exploring high school chemistry topics related to reactions, stoichiometry, and more.
Learning Objectives:
• Be experts in some specific chemistry topics
• Take lessons straight from the workshop to the classroom• Engage their students in new chemistry topics• Gain confidence in traditionally daunting topics
Room 215 Grade Levels: Science HS Strand: Life
Presenter: Whitney Weddel, MSN, RN Institution: East Central High School, East Central ISD
Workshop Title:
There is WHAT in My Body & How Did It Get There
Description: My experience with ASWC over the summer opened the door for myself and my students. I was able to create not only an engaging lesson but an externship-based learning experience. The project was asked to students to create or improve an existing medical innovation for an implantable device. Students externship experience was with InCube labs where many implantable devices are created and perfected here in San Antonio. Students will continue to work on their project with the finale being a competition at the campus level and regional level with HOSA.
Learning Objectives:
• Implement externship-based learning in the classroom• Explore and research career pathways pertaining to the health care industry• Build extended learning experiences for students outside of the classroom
Room 217 Grade Levels: 3rd - MS Strand: CTE
Presenter: Dr. Cynthia Hopkins, NBCT and Jane Lee-Rhodes, NBCT Institution: Kaffie Middle School, CCISD
Workshop Title:
Ozobot: Lots of Learning with a Little Bot
Description: Introduce your students to coding and robotics using Ozobots while still addressing science content and science process skills. No experience necessary. Door prizes!
Learning Objectives:
• Code an Ozobot• Explain how to code an Ozobot to another person
• Differentiate between track generators and hand-drawn codes
Room 219 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: CTE
Presenter: Virena Sampayo
Institution: Nimitz Middle School STEM Academy, Nimitz ISD
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Workshop Title:
Minecraft in the Classroom
Description: This hands-on workshop is a jumpstart on how to bring Minecraft Education Edition into your classroom, regardless of the grade level of your students. Bring your laptop or iPad to leave with new ideas and lessons to use in your classroom.
Learning Objectives:
• Use the basics of Minecraft Education Edition• Apply computational thinking skills in their classrooms• Explore how Minecraft compliments reading, writing, math, and history• Create activities and lessons using Minecraft
• Improve students' spatial reasoning skills
Room 220 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Carol Harle, PhD
Institution: UTSA, College of Education
Workshop Title:
Weaving the ‘Other S’s’ into STEM Learning: Including Social Emotional and Soft Skills
Description: Participants will experience how seamlessly social and emotional (SEL) and "soft skills" can be woven into STEM teaching and application activities. We will address how to develop STEM lesson plans that include SEL and soft skills.
Learning Objectives:
• Successfully incorporate SEL into STEM programs
• Participate in several STEM activities that exemplify SEL and soft skills integration
• Share best practices• Design learning activities that incorporate SEL and soft skills• Describe the value and importance of incorporating SEL and soft skills into STEM
programs
SESSION C 1:25 – 2:20
Room 105 Grade Levels: MS & HS Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Pamela Word
Institution: John Jay Science and Engineering Academy, NISD
Workshop Title:
Teach Your Students How to Learn
Description: Students often don't know how to learn or study effectively when they encounter challenging classes at the high school level. This session will discuss learning and study strategies based on cognitive science research that will support student learning both in and out of the classroom, thus reducing overall student stress.
Learning Objectives:
• Describe the components of effective study and learning strategies• Implement effective study strategies with students• Teach students how to use effective study strategies outside of class time
Room 107 Grade Levels: 3rd - MS Strand: Space Science
Presenter: Natasha Wilkerson
Institution: Communities in Schools of San Antonio, STEM
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Workshop Title:
Design a City on the Moon: Using Space to Inspire Youth
Description: Take your students on a mission to the moon! During an interactive session, participants will learn how to use real-world space exploration to increase interest in STEM careers and pathways. Participants will apply the engineering design process to complete a space-themed STEM challenge along with an overview of an in-depth lunar colony project.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the engineering design process• Describe strategies to use space exploration to motivate students towards STEM
pathways• Implement a space-themed STEM challenge for elementary and middle school
youth• Understand the components of a semester-long project-based STEM challenge
Description: A team from the College, Career, and Military Preparation Division at the Texas Education Agency concluded a listening tour across the state to identify promising practices as well as common barriers in implementing high-quality PK-12 STEM education. This session will provide a brief overview of the information gathered on the tour and share the vision of how to expand STEM instructional practices to all students across Texas.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the national and state landscape of STEM• Describe the Texas definition of STEM education and the vision of the state• Learn about upcoming opportunities for STEM engagement across the state
Room 203 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: CTE
Presenter: Sonia Obregon Institution: Office of 21st Century Learning
Workshop Title:
Amplify Student Voice in the 21st Century Classroom with Flipgrid
Description: Create a 21st century interactive classroom by engaging student voice! Capture student ideas about concepts, reflections about their work, artifacts of learning, or even lab/activity demonstrations quickly and easily using Flipgrid. The pathways to sharing their work to an authentic audience is now more easily attainable and the possibilities for amplifying student voice limitless! Take your STEM classroom to the next level with Flipgrid. *Laptop required
Learning Objectives:
• Describe the importance of student voice
• Learn how to leverage technology to engage every learner• Learn how to leverage technology to amplify student voice
Description: Teachers will participate in a variety of STEAM challenges and learn that STEAM does not have to require expensive equipment.
Learning Objectives:
• Conduct several STEAM challenges• Put together steam challenges using everyday materials
• Gain strategies to allow productive struggle in students
Room 208 Grade Levels: MS Strand: Life Science
Presenter: John Donley
Institution: New Braunfels Middle School, NBISD
Workshop Title:
Diagnose and Repair: Addressing Student Misconceptions in Life Science
Description: We will dig into the common misconceptions and misunderstandings held by middle school students (6-8) about life science concepts. We will discuss and use strategies to uncover and repair these obstacles to learning.
Learning Objectives:
• Use effective strategies to identify student misconceptions andmisunderstandings
• Effectively address misconceptions and guide students toward conceptual changeand learning.
Room 210 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Amy Kamata
Institution: Stone Oak Elementary, NEISD
Workshop Title:
CORE: Empowering Educators One Ripple at a Time
Description: Come learn about the San Antonio Water System's CORE program for teachers. The program started with 1 location 4 years ago and has rippled out to 3 locations at present. CORE has been designed specifically and purposefully for YOU—a Core Leader of this community! It's a program that meets 9 times a year to support teachers, as a person. It's about passions, dreams, ideas, leadership concepts, and simply sharing a meal together to rest.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the CORE is a movement, not a mission
• List what CORE stands for• List the 4 CORE leadership series themes• List the 3 main benefits of CORE membership
• List the 3 current locations and learn how to join
Room 211 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: CTE
Presenter: Celina Terrones and Mariana Zoll
Institution: San Antonio College, Scobee Education Center
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Workshop Title:
Robitics, Coding, Terrain and 3D Printing
Description: Design and build a 3D model using TinkerCad. Learn to use 3D printers, including proper layering and extrusion for PLA filament. Build an accurate terrain using topographic maps and various materials. Run a 3D printed RC vehicle over your created terrain and learn how to build your own.
Learning Objectives:
• Construct a topographical model
• Construct a 3D model• Take accurate measurements
• Do basic code• Find 3D printing resources to use in the classroom
Room 213 Grade Levels: 3rd – HS Strand: Community Engagement
Presenter: Dr. Stephanie Garcia and Michelle Vega
Institution: Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA)
Workshop Title:
Student Inclusion & Voice in STEM
Description: Who is traditionally included in STEM and whose voice is elevated in STEM? All our students should be! This workshop will provide participants with best practices for increasing student voice in STEM through in school and out of school experiences. Action plans will be made by educators to increase inclusivity and voice in STEM at their campus and in their communities. One or more Chief Science Officers will also be present to share their ideas.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand best practices for increasing student voice and inclusion in STEMlearning experiences
• Create actions plans to increase inclusivity & SS voice in STEM at their campus &in the community
• Interact with one or more Chief Science Officers to hear from the student’sperspective on the topic
Room 215 Grade Levels: Elementary Strand: Life Science
Presenter: Martha Heidari and Denise Willems
Institution: John Glenn Elementary School, NISD Workshop
Title: Ecosystem in a Bottle
Description: Teachers will create a closed ecosystem in a plastic soda bottle to study the water cycle, carbon dioxide/oxygen cycle, and living/nonliving elements of an ecosystem.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand how living things interact with each other within their environment.TEK 4.9
• Understand that there are relationship, system, and cycles within anenvironment. TEK 5.9
• Observe the way organisms live and survive in their ecosystem by interacting withliving and nonliving.
Room 217 Grade Levels: 3rd – MS Strand: CTE
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Presenter: Amber Middlebrook and Mary Ruggles Institution: Science Mill
Workshop Title:
Math, Science, and Microbits
Description: An introduction to integrating Microbit technology into the classroom through coding basic math games and science applications. We will learn to code the Mircobit for speed, velocity and acceleration experiments. Throughout the workshop we will explore how to discuss STEM careers in coding, programming and technology with students.
Learning Objectives:
• Implement the Microbit in their classroom
• Understand the basic coding and use of the Microbit• Introduce meaningful discussions on STEM Careers in the classroom
Room 219 Grade Levels: MS & HS Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Verna Lister and Mike Salomon
Institution: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Workshop Title:
NAMI: Ending the Silence
Description: Who is traditionally included in STEM and whose voice is elevated in STEM? All our students should be! This workshop will provide participants with best practices for increasing student voice in STEM through in school and out of school experiences. Action plans will be made by educators to increase inclusivity and voice in STEM at their campus and in their communities. One or more Chief Science Officers will also be present to share their ideas.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand best practices for increasing student voice and inclusion in STEMlearning experiences
• Create actions plans to increase inclusivity & SS voice in STEM at their campus &in the community
• Interact with one or more Chief Science Officers to hear from the student’sperspective on the topic
Room 220 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: STEM
Presenter: Jeff Wheatcraft Institution: Alamo Heights Junior High, AHISD
Workshop Title:
Building Engaging, Research Focused STEM Lessons and Programs
Description: Engage with the 2019 Texas Teacher of the Year and start building STEM lessons or programs that places students at the center of learning by having them design, build and execute cutting edge research. Concepts and materials will be provided and developed.
Learning Objectives:
• Design engaging STEM research lessons for students• Identify partners in which students can conduct research experiments
• Connect with other teachers, building a network to share ideas andaccomplishments
Create a classroom environment conducive to in-depth learning, questioning and exploration
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SESSION D 2:25 – 3:30
Room 105 Grade Levels: K – 2nd Strand: STEM
Presenter: Ellen White
Institution: Scobee Education Center, San Antonio College Workshop
Title: STEM Engagement through Parachute Play
Description: Participants will construct parachutes from three different materials and three different shapes. While experimenting they will collect data and evaluate their results to determine which parachutes was best and think about why it performed better than the others. Discussion will follow about the purpose of parachutes and the science behind the two forces that affect parachutes: gravity and drag.
Learning Objectives:
• Implement the parachute activity in the classroom
• Evaluate data to determine best shape for a parachute
• Explain the forces which affect parachutes: gravity and drag
Description: An overview of Project Based Learning fully integrating core content areas and all components of STEAM. Participants will walk through the design process beginning with the integration of literature, physical and earth sciences, moving into engineering, and ending with musical composition and performance. Real life application led to a campus wide change in communication and recycling procedures leaving a positive impact on our environment.
Learning Objectives:
• Implement cross-curricular collaboration
• Make connections to resources in the community• Implement the lesson sequence in their classroom• Describe the impact of Project Based Learning on the school community
Room 202 Grade Levels: K – MS Strand: Life Science
Presenter: Nicole McLeod
Institution: City of San Antonio Parks & Recreation, Education Workshop
Title: San Antonio Natural Areas: Outdoor Learning
Description: Studies show access to nature decrease stress levels of students and teachers while also supporting emotional, behavioral and intellectual development. In this workshop, teachers will learn about community resources that connect with classroom curriculum, learn the benefits of nature, and how to book a Master Naturalist-led guided hike.
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Learning Objectives:
• Develop an awareness of nature-based resources available to students• Connect nature-based learning to classroom curriculum• Understand why outdoor learning is important for cognitive development in
children
Room 203 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Community Engagement
Presenter: Debi Pfitzenmaier Institution: Youth Code Jam
Workshop Title:
Coding Camps and Clubs
Description: A strong after school program in computer science can generate interest in STEM and build a pipeline of students into your schools’ computer science coursework. But how do you create a high quality, sustainable coding club or summer camp without breaking your back or busting the bank? In this workshop, we will cover best practices, tips and tricks from the front lines and activities you can use right away to generate excitement and energy around your program.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand how to broaden participation in computer science through codingcamps and clubs
• Develop a logic model to define students’ work• Create a budget, define the logistics required and market the camps and clubs
• Name at least five free and low-cost resources for materials and curriculum
• Understand how to intentionally design for equity
Room 204 Grade Levels: 3rd - MS Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Brittany Smith Moczygemba
Institution: SAISD, GT
Workshop Title:
Limited Creativity
Description: How are creative people limited? Do limitations affect creativity? Take a journey through limitations. Discuss material, physical, and mental limitations students may encounter in the classroom. Discover how to use limited materials in an interesting way. Practice applying strategic limitations in your own classroom. Will it affect your outcome?
Learning Objectives:
• Increase understanding of creativity
• Challenge traditional use of materials• Increase engagement of gifted and creative learners in the classroom
• Practice critical thinking skills and problem solving in STEAM scenarios
Room 208 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Cathy Wells
Institution: Churchill High School, NEISD
Workshop Title:
BYOB-L (Bring Your Own Boring Lesson)
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Description: This is a facilitated collaboration session to breathe excitement in to that lesson you dread. Bring a lesson that needs a face lift!
Learning Objectives:
• Collaborate with peers to improve lesson
• Discover new resources for their lesson• Design/discover one new activity for their lesson
Room 211 Grade Levels: HS Strand: Space Science Presenter: Chris Packman, PhD and Carmen Fies, PhD
Institution: UTSA
Workshop Title:
Astronomy in the Classroom
Description: Including astronomy in secondary classrooms is challenging. This workshop offers insights into a summer program for teachers (the San Antonio Teacher Training Astronomy Academy, or SATTAA), and includes a hands-on experience. The session is facilitated by UTSA and SwRI faculty and researchers.
Learning Objectives:
• Learn about an existing summer program
• Be part of a hands-on exploration of astronomy topics• Engage students in new astronomy topics• Gain confidence in traditionally daunting topics
Ask, Observe, Test and then Illustrate! Present Your Findings with Comics using Google Suite Tools!
Description: Pack personality and creativity into your STEM lessons by having your students tailoring their findings to a particular subject, audience or curriculum unit by creating original graphic novels/comics using available Google Suite Tools, such as Google Slides, Drive, Drawings and AutoDraw.
Learning Objectives:
• Create a comic using Google Suite Tools
• Understand the importance of student voice and choice with digital storytelling
• Tie the creation of the product to STEM lessons and development of studentreading and writing skills
• Leave with lesson plans, templates and other resources
Room 215 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Hector Carillo and Rosemary Hickman
Institution: HXH Solutions, Inc. and McNay Art Museum
Workshop Title:
Learning to Fail: Preparing Ourselves for Breakthroughs and Innovation
Description: Too often we dismiss failure and yet failure that is what provides the greatest opportunities for learning and growth. Twenty years of experience delivering technology solutions has shown that innovative companies apply user-centric
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design, iterative development processes and have a growth mindset, which accepts failure as a desired outcome.
Learning Objectives:
• Gain insights from various examples of applied design thinking in classrooms andin the industry
• Learn to identify growth opportunities when failure happens
• Share examples of their own to encourage the acceptance of failure as part of thelearning process
Room 217 Grade Levels: MS & HS Strand: Pedagogy
Presenter: Eva Reyna, Ashley Balagia, Jeri-Ashley Bremmer, and Javier Uribe Institution: STEAM Academy, EISD
Workshop Title:
Development and Design of a STEAM School of Innovation
Description: The workshop will provide teachers and administration insight to the development and opening of a new school of innovation. The developing of a model from within the district using district resources and talent. The schools ongoing development based on data and community need.
Learning Objectives:
• Gain insight into the school development process• Receive modeling information to modify to best meet their own district needs
Room 219 Grade Levels: All Grades Strand: CTE Presenter: Kevin Rasco
Institution: SAISD, AP
Workshop Title:
Lights, Camera, Action!
Description: Learn how to become a movie director utilizing iPads and/or iPhones/ In this session you will learn to storyboard, shoot footage, import images, and compile your video segments into top-notch short films. You must bring either an iPad or iPhone with the iMovie Application.
Learning Objectives:
• Assist students with storyboarding
• Understand the pros and cons for using video in the classroom
• Upload videos for public viewing• Train students to shoot great videos
