Thursday, October 18 9:15–10:30 AM

General Session: Reach for the Stars

COBO Center, W1-52

Dr. Ride describes her path to becoming an astronaut and her experiences on two space shuttle flights, and shares photographs of our fragile planet taken by astronauts including herself. She will discuss the importance of science to our economy and to our future, and her passion for encouraging young students—particularly girls—to explore their interests in science.

Presenter(s): Sally Ride, President and CEO, Sally Ride Science, and Professor of Physics, University of California, San Diego

Bio: Sally K. Ride, PhD, a former NASA astronaut and the first American woman in space, is the president and CEO of Sally Ride Science and a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego (currently on leave). Sally Ride Science is a company that creates innovative out-of-school science programs and supplementary science materials designed to fuel students' fascination with science. Long an advocate for improved science education, Dr. Ride has written five science books for children, and is passionate about encouraging more girls and young women to pursue science. Dr. Ride has received numerous honors and awards, including her induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the Astronaut Hall of Fame.

FORMAT: Featured Speaker
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: General

Thursday, October 18 2:00–3:00 PM

Science Apprenticeship: Reading, Writing, and Talking Our Way into Scientific Literacy

COBO Center, M2-30

This interactive session asks “How can science teachers help more students than ever before access the discipline?” Participants will explore ways that metacognition, comprehension, discourse, and writing in the science classroom can improve teaching and learning.

Presenter(s): Laura Schiller, Literacy Consultant, Oakland Schools, Waterford, Mich.

Bio: Laura Schiller directs the Oakland, Michigan, Writing Project and is a literacy consultant at the Oakland Intermediate School District (Oakland Schools) in Michigan. A National Board Certified Teacher and a doctoral student in Literacy, Language, and Culture at the University of Michigan, Laura works with elementary and secondary teachers to improve teaching and learning. Part of her work includes facilitating large-scale staff development initiatives in content area literacies. These include Michigan’s Content Literacy Assessments, Standards, and Strategies (MiClass) and High School Content Literacy Assessments, Standards, and Strategies (HiClass).

FORMAT: Featured Speaker
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Science and Literacy

Friday, October 19 9:30–10:30 AM

Students Do It…Will You? (Using Instructional Technology)

COBO Center, M2-30

Instructional technology has poked its nose into schools throughout the decades, often with teacher trepidations and suspicions. This has been the same since “ancient” times when my algebra teacher introduced my class to the abacus and my chemistry teacher introduced us to the slide rule. The focus of instructional technology is to provide tools for educators to use in a variety of classroom environments in order to reach a wider student audience. Through computer applications, authentic data retrieval, and scientific laboratory investigations, science teachers have great opportunities to address learners of all modalities through a variety of approaches, a natural means of differentiated instruction.

Presenter(s): Barry Fried, Principal, John Dewey High School, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Bio: Barry Fried’s enthusiasm for science education started more than 25 years ago. Now principal of John Dewey High School, Barry emphasizes the advancement of science and technology education for all student populations. An SSEP (Solar System Educators Program) teacher trainer for the New Horizons mission, Barry presents workshops for teachers, students, and community events. Barry has been a major force in collaborating with other educators in working with NASA’s Distance Learning Network and schools across the country in engineering and technology projects as well as cultural exchange programs. This venture has given students the chance to engage in technologies to bridge cultural and societal gaps that exist among high school students from diverse backgrounds and academic levels.

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

Friday, October 19 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Strategies for Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Minority Students: The Michigan-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation

COBO Center, M2-30

In an effort to significantly increase the quantity and improve the quality of underrepresented minority students earning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) baccalaureate degrees, the University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University partnered to establish the Michigan-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (MI-LSAMP). This talk will focus on the efficacy of strategies employed by the MI-LSAMP, including student participation in Pre-First Year programs and authentic research projects, and alliance with the Dual Degree in Engineering Program.

Presenter(s): Levi Thompson, Richard E. Balzhiser Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Bio: Levi Thompson, professor of chemical engineering at the University of Michigan, is currently director of the Michigan-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, a $5 million NSF-funded program that teams the University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University in an effort to significantly increase the number of students earning science, technology, engineering and mathematics baccalaureate degrees. Earlier this year Professor Thompson was recognized as one of 12 recipients of the Michiganian of the Year Award for his research and entrepreneurship, and for recruiting and mentoring minority students.

FORMAT: Featured Speaker
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Engineering