JoinPLI #4
National Conference in Anaheim • April 15, 2026
Full-Day Workshop
Sensemaking Supports All! Empowering Multilingual Learners through Science
Preconference • Wednesday, April 15 • 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM
All participants will receive breakfast and lunch.
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
$150
Conference registration is NOT required to attend.
About the Session
Every student deserves access to high-quality, meaningful science instruction designed to leverage and support students' linguistic resources. Join professional learning leaders from BSCS Science Learning and NSTA for a full-day deep dive into classroom instruction that supports multilingual learners through rich, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences.
In this immersive session, we’ll explore the specific approaches using lesson examples and video footage to see how intentional strategies and routines promote language and science understanding. You’ll learn how high-quality science curricula foster opportunities for multilingual learners to interact with the classroom community to share their ideas, deepen their ability to engage in science, and make sense of the natural world.
Key Takeaways
- How intentional instructional design supports multilingual learners
- Strategies that promote language-rich, collaborative science classrooms
- Real-world video examples and specific strategies from classrooms
Presented by NSTA and BSCS
Presenters
Janna Mahfoud
Janna Mahfoud is a BSCS Science Educator working across professional learning and leadership development, with a focus on transforming science teaching and learning for historically marginalized populations. Janna is co-chair of the BSCS Equity and Social Justice Collaborative. Prior to BSCS, Janna taught elementary and middle school science, and served as a K-8 District Science & Engineering Specialist supporting curriculum implementation through strategic planning, professional learning, and coaching services.
Dr. Susan Gomez Zwiep
Susan Gomez Zwiep is the Program Area Director for Teacher Learning and a Senior Science Educator at BSCS Science Learning. She began her career in science education as a middle school science teacher in Los Angeles, where she spent over 12 years working with English learners in urban schools. From 2005-2020, Susan served as faculty in the Science Education Department at California State University, Long Beach where she taught courses in the undergraduate STEM pathway, teacher preparation and the graduate program in Science Education. Susan was also a Regional Director for the K-2 Alliance@WestEd, where she contributed to high-quality professional development programs that supported K12 educators in the areas of science and mathematics, including the CA NGSS Early Implementer Initiative.