This November, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) will feature a special strand “Revolutionizing Engineering for the Future” at our 2015 Area Conference on Science Education, in Philadelphia, November 12-14. Engineers recognize and define problems posed around human needs and wants. They design solutions that apply disciplinary core ideas (physical, life, Earth/environmental, space, engineering, and technology). Teachers who focus on engineering can help students develop skills in critical thinking, creativity, and science and engineering practices. Developing engineering practices builds on student learning through actual experience and incorporates Problem-Based Learning and/or Project Based Learning activities and connects students to the world around them. This strand give science teachers deep knowledge of the teaching and learning practices for the application of engineering (reflected in both the NGSS and/or state standards), as well as techniques and strategies to better infuse engineering concepts into the classroom.

The featured presentation for this strand will be “Scientific Literacy and the Survival of Our Species,” on Thursday, November 12, at 2:00 PM at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Ballroom B. Presenter Damon Bradley (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: Greenbelt, MD) will share his own experiences growing up in the dangerous neighborhoods of South Philadelphia, and how, through learning discipline and hard work from his family, he became a research engineer at NASA. From these experiences, he will present some ideas for keeping students and adults engaged and helping to raise the overall scientific consciousness of American society…and why this is imperative for our own survival.

Below is a small sampling of other sessions on this topic:

• En-gene-eering: An Engineering Design Challenge for Genetics
• Your Own Space Program: Engineering a Complete Rocket Launch/Flight/Analysis System from First Principles to Apogee
• Building Green: Designing Sustainable Solutions
• Understanding Car Crashes: Engineering Truly Impactful STEM Lessons
• Nanotechnology in the K–12 Classroom
• Whoa! Is It Windy!? Engineering a Wind Detection Device

Want more? Browse the program preview, or check out more sessions and other events with the Philadelpia Session Browser/Personal Scheduler. Follow all our conference tweets using #NSTA15, and if you tweet, please feel free to tag us @NSTA so we see it!

The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.

Future NSTA Conferences

2015 Area Conferences

• Reno, October 22–24
• Philadelphia, November 12–14
• Kansas City, December 3–5

2016 National Conference

• Nashville, March 31–April 3

2016 STEM Forum & Expo

• Denver, July 27–30

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