JoinShort Course 1
National Conference in Atlanta • March 22-25, 2023
Engaging Students in the Science and Engineering Practices
Preconference • Wednesday, March 22 • 12:30 - 3:30 PM
Facilitators: Holly Hereau, Edel Maeder, Kristin Rademaker, and Kate Soriano
Registration includes
- Access to four NSTA Professional Learning Units
- Access to one or more of the four science and engineering practices mentoring sessions that will be offered during the 2023-2024 school year
See below for details
$75
Conference registration is required to attend.
About the Session
Are you already familiar with the science and engineering practices (SEPs) and looking for more guidance on incorporating them into your teaching?
Understanding the three dimensions of teaching and learning science is the first step toward implementing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and other state standards based on A Framework for K-12 Science Education. This course is designed to provide educators an opportunity to apply that understanding to take another big step forward in implementation —engaging students in the science and engineering practices (SEPs). Through immersion in high-quality instructional materials, classroom video and vignettes, participants will gain strategies including the use of scaffolds, discipline-specific questions, and teacher-moves to support students’ productive struggle in the SEPs. Additionally, educators will deepen their knowledge of how the SEPs work together and with the other dimensions (disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts) to make sense of the world and solve problems.
Participants will experience a deep-dive into one of four targeted SEPs during the face-to-face national conference setting: developing and using models; planning and carrying out investigations; using mathematics and computational thinking; or engaging in argument from evidence. Watch for an email within five days of registration with directions for submitting your top two SEP choices.
Follow-up Professional Learning Opportunities Included with Short Course Registration
Registration in this workshop includes opportunities for ongoing professional learning after the conference concludes.
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Participants will be provided codes to access four NSTA Professional Learning Units (PLUs); each PLU will center on one of the four featured science and engineering practices. Certificates awarded for successful completion of PLUs can be used toward credit hours of professional learning. Learn more on the NSTA Professional Learning Units webpage.
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Drop in on one or more of the four science and engineering practices mentoring sessions that will be offered during the 2023-2024 school year (cycle begins July 2023). All sessions will be hosted by NSTA Professional Learning Facilitators and are open only to short course participants.
Holly Hereau
Holly Hereau is an Instructional Materials and Professional Learning Specialist at the National Science Teaching Association, supporting educators to ensure that ALL students have access to high-quality science learning experiences. Before joining NSTA, she worked on teams at BSCS, Northwestern University, and the University of Colorado Boulder to develop high-quality NGSS-designed High School and Middle School storyline units. She taught high school science in Michigan for 15 years and continues to teach biology and environmental science at Macomb Community College as well as classes for pre-service teachers in the College of Education at Grand Valley State University.
Dr. Edel Maeder
Dr. Edel Maeder is currently the Director of Science for the Rochester City School District, the third largest district in New York State. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Nazareth College, a master's, and a doctorate degree from the University of Rochester. Edel began her career teaching middle school science and has since taught high school biology, Earth science, chemistry, and general science. In her current role, she works with several hundred dedicated educators focused on providing all students with high-quality, standards-aligned, engaging, and meaningful science learning experiences. Edel is passionate about science education and grateful for any opportunity that allows her to work with K 12 students, teachers, administrators, parents, and/or community members.
Kristin Rademaker
Kristin Rademaker currently serves as a Professional Learning Specialist for NSTA. She began her career in education as a classroom teacher and spent the majority of her 20 years teaching science in both general and special education settings. She is a contributing author to the materials found on the InquiryHub and NextGen Storylines websites. Kristin is part of the Illinois Science Assessment Steering Committee and is part of the state’s science assessment design team. In her role as president of the Illinois Science Teaching Association, Kristin continues to work with students and educators to continue to build capacity for science education.
Kate Soriano
Kate Soriano began her career as a geologist for the EPA’s Superfund program. Her work explaining science to affected communities made her realize many people do not have access to a high-quality science education and she wanted to change that. She now has more than 20 years of experience teaching K–12 students science in both formal and informal educational settings. Kate currently works as the Standards Implementation Specialist for NSTA, supporting teachers in implementing the NGSS and other three-dimensional state standards based on A Framework for K-12 Science Education.