NSTA Conferences on Science Education

NSTA Area Conference, Birmingham, AL

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Thursday, December 6 8:30 AM–1:00 PM

SC-2: Huntington’s Disease: Genes, Brains, and Ethics

McWane Science Center, Offsite



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Ticketed Event: $29 advance; $36 on-site

Purchase tickets when you register online or on the Birmingham Advance Registration Form.

Explore the genetics and ethical issues surrounding Huntington’s Disease. Lab participants will explore the normal structure and function of the brain by performing a sheep brain dissection and several sensory system activities. They’ll discover how a DNA expansion causes disease and affects behavior as they analyze DNA samples from a mock family. Using a family pedigree, they’ll then determine the inheritance pattern of the disease.

Presenter(s): Julie Parker (University of Alabama, Birmingham)

FORMAT: Short course
GRADE LEVEL: High School
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Thursday, December 6 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Using Online Games to Teach Science

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room D



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Learn how to effectively use free online games to teach topics such as the immune system, the digestive system, and drug prevention. Free student magazines and posters.

Presenter(s): Leslie M. Miller (Rice University: Houston, TX); Leslie M. Miller (Rice University: Houston, TX)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: Middle Level
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Thursday, December 6 12:30–1:30 PM

Using Teacher-generated and Free Resources from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to Enrich Your Lessons

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room F



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Join us for free video clips, animations, and virtual labs to enhance and improve your lessons. Topics include stem cells, cloning, obesity, disease, evolution, and DNA chip technology.

Presenter(s): Patricia N. Bertino (Scotia-Glenville High School: Scotia, NY); Anthony Bertino (University at Albany, SUNY: Albany, NY)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: Middle Level-College
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Thursday, December 6 2:00–5:00 PM

SC-5: Teaching Science Concepts and Inquiry Through Outdoor Studies

Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, Medical Forum C



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Ticketed Event: $69 advance; $76 on-site

Purchase tickets when you register online or on the Birmingham Advance Registration Form.

Facilitate the learning of science concepts through hands-on inquiry activities that use microscopes, digital cameras, and computers to study common plants and animals. As students study common organisms, such as bees, aphids, sunflowers, dandelions, and the agricultural products corn, wheat, peanuts, cotton, and rice, questions are raised. Answers are pursued through guided inquiry that uses the methods of observation and investigation to reach conclusions.

Such guided inquiry leads students to recognize that science is part of their everyday lives. The skills gained in the process of learning science will benefit them the rest of their lives as they encounter organisms in the natural world of lawns, gardens, and waters. Digital microscopes, cameras, and computers are effectively incorporated as tools for recording information and PowerPoint presentations communicate information in classroom versions of science academies. Many handouts and a CD will be provided, including labs, teaching strategies, and alternative methods of assessment.

Presenter(s): Bill Klein (Western Iowa Technical Community College, Sioux City)

FORMAT: Short course
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Thursday, December 6 3:30–4:30 PM

The Great Water Odyssey

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room E



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Designed for grades 3–5, The Great Water Odyssey promotes water conservation, watershed education, and basic science concepts through the use of technology and other cross-curricular activities.

Presenter(s): Eileen Tramontana (St. James River Water Management District: Palatka, FL)

FORMAT: Workshop
SUBJECT: Earth Science
GRADE LEVEL: Elementary
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Thursday, December 6 5:00–6:00 PM

George Washington Carver Chemurgy

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room E



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Come experience the revival of biofarming! Learn how to incorporate chemistry and agriculture into your curriculum. Hands-on techniques will include soil testing and plant farming enhanced by the historical chemurgist George Washington Carver.

Presenter(s): Kenna L. Allen (Minor High School: Adamsville, AL); Damita Woolfolk (Parker High School: Birmingham, AL)

FORMAT: Workshop
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: Elementary-High School
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Friday, December 7 8:00–9:00 AM

Pipes, Stadium Horns, and Speeding Sounds

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room C



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Construct a stadium horn from a PVC pipe and a film canister to demonstrate harmonics, fundamentals, and the speed of sound.

Presenter(s): Roy D. Unruh (University of Northern Iowa: Cedar Falls, IA); Lawrence Escalada (University of Northern Iowa: Cedar Falls, IA)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Physics
GRADE LEVEL: High School
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Friday, December 7 9:30–10:30 AM

Teaching and Learning in a Science-centric Classroom

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room C



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Students are fascinated with weather. Learn how using technology to teach weather can incorporate science across the curriculum bringing real-world experiences to the classroom.

Presenter(s): Kim Morris (Priceville High School: Decatur, AL)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Physics
GRADE LEVEL: Preschool-Middle Level
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Friday, December 7 9:30–10:30 AM

Computers in Science Teaching—Thirty Years of History and a Look at the Future

BJCC, East Ballroom A



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I started using computers in my science classrooms 30 years ago. We will take a look at some early examples of data collection; graphing programs; and simulations on Apple, MS-DOS, and early Mac and Windows operating systems. The technology and the user interfaces have improved tremendously over the years. We will look at some of the exciting new products and try to predict trends for future products for science teachers.

Presenter(s): David L. Vernier, CEO, Vernier Software & Technology, Beaverton, Ore.

Bio: Dave Vernier has been involved with science education for the last four decades. He was a physics teacher for 12 years and is now the CEO of Vernier Software & Technology, which makes sensors, interfaces, software, and related equipment for science teachers. Vernier Software & Technology has received numerous growth awards and has been named "One of the Best 100 Places to Work in Oregon" for the last eight years. Dave is also involved in working with LEGO and National Instruments to promote STEM education, using robotics as an enticement for middle school students, and is working on new products for use in engineering education.

FORMAT: Featured Speaker
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Friday, December 7 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Society of Women Engineers (SWE): Technology Tool Skills and Careers for Underrepresented Populations by Women Engineers

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room C



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Society of Women Engineer members use their technology tool skills to lead interactions for diverse populations and gain insight into nontraditional careers.

Presenter(s): Betty Preece (Society of Women Engineers: Indialantic, FL)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Friday, December 7 12:30–1:30 PM

It's a Zoo in Here

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room E



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Participants will observe the behavior of earthworms at different temperatures measured with probeware. Handouts will relate to zoology.

Presenter(s): Judith H. Mabry (Rehobeth High School: Dothan, AL); Michelle L. Sturm (Rehobeth High School: Dothan, AL)

FORMAT: Workshop
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: High School
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Friday, December 7 3:30–4:30 PM

Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America: An Award-winning Documentary

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room C



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Kilowatt Ours illustrates how small, individual actions add up to make a profound impact. Learn how to help transform America into a clean energy nation.

Presenter(s): Jennifer J. Barrie (Kilowatt Ours: Nashville, TN)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Friday, December 7 5:00–6:00 PM

21st-Century Science: Using Technology in Inquiry-based Physics Classes

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room E



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Experience how coupling technology with guided inquiry in your physics and physical science classes will engage students of all ability levels and improve student learning.

Presenter(s): Becky Reynolds (Sonoraville High School: Calhoun, GA); Amy Stewart (Sonoraville High School: Calhoun, GA)

FORMAT: Workshop
SUBJECT: Physics
GRADE LEVEL: Middle Level-High School/Supv.
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Saturday, December 8 9:30–10:30 AM

Using Guided Inquiry and Technology to Promote Scientific Literacy

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room E



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Experience how technology and inquiry combine to create a literacy portfolio including lab experiences that follow a student from middle to high school and beyond.

Presenter(s): Stephen M. Waters (Sonoraville High School: Calhoun, GA)

FORMAT: Workshop
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: Middle Level-High School
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement


Saturday, December 8 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Inquiry Matters: Incorporating Inquiry into Elementary and Middle School Physical Science

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, North Meeting Room E



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Participate in hands-on activities that explore physical properties, physical change, and dissolving using a guided inquiry approach. Participants will receive a handout of all activities.

Presenter(s): Patricia M. Galvan (American Chemical Society: Washington, DC)

FORMAT: Workshop
SUBJECT: Chemistry
GRADE LEVEL: Elementary-Middle Level
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science + Technology = Achievement

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