STEM20: Virtual Event

12:05–12:15 PM

Adapting to Isolation

Join Astronaut Mike Massimino as he relates his time in space with the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many of our teachers and students are experiencing in this distance/virtual learning environment. Mike’s message is a reminder to all of us, that in spite of the physical distancing, we can (and, should!) stay “connected” to one another.

Mike Massimino

12:20–1:00 PM

A Peek into Remote STEM Learning

When schools closed in the spring of 2020, many educators felt as though they could only be reactive instead of proactive, with many pieces constantly in flux. As we consider the 2020–2021 school year, many questions remain. Join us as we process what remote learning looked like and provide a space to process what the upcoming year may look like (remote, hybrid, or in-person). Through a Q&A moderated by Denver Public Schools science team lead Renee Belisle, the panelists will describe their approaches to STEM learning in a remote environment, describing how teachers facilitate learning in traditionally hands-on subjects during the spring, as well as discussing ideas for the fall.

Panelists:

Phil Kim, National Senior Director of STEM Achievement, KIPP Schools

Stephanie A. Hervey, K–8 STEM Program Manager, Denver Public Schools

Meghan Gardner, Director, Guard Up's Guardian Adventures, Burlington, Massachusetts

Moderator:

Reneé Belisle

Team Lead and K–8 Science Curriculum Specialist, Denver Public Schools

12:20–1:00 PM

Tools with Tim & Rob @ 12:20

So great, we got through this year: Now what? As we prepare for next school year, what digital tools are out there to support us in blended learning situations that will put us in the classroom, in the home, and back? Join us for a select list of flexible, easy-to-use tools that have the potential of opening up new possibilities for teaching and learning. We’ll keep it lively and engaging and along the way as we share a host of digital resources for middle level education and classrooms.

Speakers:

Robert Payo and Tim Blesse

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

1:58–2:38 PM

Girls in STEM

Studies continue to show a low representation of women in STEM careers, even though the number of jobs available grows year after year. A key component to combat this growing gap involves providing young women in middle school and high school with opportunities to connect with role models and mentors so that they can see themselves in these STEM careers. Moderated by Mellisa Blankenship, Kentucky Science Center programs director, this panel will explore how programs that inspire and reengage students with hands-on STEM concepts and career mentorship can help young women build confidence and encourage them to pursue STEM subjects academically, as well as elevate them through the STEM career pipeline.

Panelists:

Patrick Burton, STEM Coordinator, Mercy STEM Academy, Louisville, Kentucky

Stacey Hubbard, Westport Middle School, Louisville, Kentucky

Kathleen Riley, Tates Creek Middle School, Lexington, Kentucky

Moderator:

Mellisa Blankenship

Director of Education, Kentucky Science Center, Louisville

4:25–5:05 PM

Distance Learning Through the Educational Journey

Join us to explore a holistic view of the challenges, as well as learn tips and strategies to successfully implement distance learning in your middle school classrooms. Moderated by Kavita Gupta, panelists will share experiences and wisdom gained toward driving equity across learning styles, changing assessments, and addressing interventions. Participants will walk away equipped with best practices in distance learning, including a new educational context.

Panelists:

Tara Krishnan, Student, Tierra Linda Middle School, San Carlos, California

Charu Gulati, Teacher, Tierra Linda Middle School, San Carlos, California

Jessica Holman, Teacher, Boone County High School, Florence, Kentucky

J. T. Hardin, Senior Manager of Youth Initiatives, National Geographic Society

Moderator:

Kavita Gupta

Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, California

4:25–5:05 PM

CDC’s Support on Teaching Through COVID-19

Join an interview with Dr. Brook Belay, medical officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as we navigate through the challenges of how to best educate our students around COVID-19 and its impact on their daily lives and the classroom.

Speaker:

Brook Belay

Medical Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Robot Roundup!

See robots in action as educators from around the world bring their robots to virtually demonstrate their uses in a showcase format. This is an interactive event where attendees wanting to know about robots can ask questions and collect ideas for their own classrooms. Together, we'll establish a professional learning network of educators using robots to engage students. 

Please note that you must be registered for the STEM20: Virtual Event to attend or demonstrate your robot at the Robot Roundup. Robots attend free!

Kentucky Science Center Demo

Each day of programming will conclude with a sponsored demo show by the Kentucky Science Center. You won't want to miss this display of favorite science demonstrations that are brought to students and families everywhere!

12:05–12:15 PM

Adapting to Isolation

Join Astronaut Mike Massimino as he relates his time in space with the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many of our teachers and students are experiencing in this distance/virtual learning environment. Mike’s message is a reminder to all of us, that in spite of the physical distancing, we can (and, should!) stay “connected” to one another.

Mike Massimino

12:20–1:00 PM

STEM for Good

Moderated by Doug Scott, engineering and robotics teacher at Hopkinton High School, the panel will share how the Shield Team 2020 took to action and built a scalable and sustainable personal protective equipment–producing team of educators and students that became a national effort. The team has produced over 43,000 face shields. The team not only provided essential equipment to those on the front lines battling COVID-19, but also purpose to The Shield Team 2020 members who were sheltered in place.

Panelists:

Michael Looney, Director of Career and Technical Education, Mashpee Public Schools, Mashpee, Massachusetts

Shishir Sudhaman, Hopkinton High School, Hopkinton, Massachusetts

Sucheta Sunder, Hopkinton High School, Hopkinton, Massachusetts

Moderator:

Doug Scott

Hopkinton Public Schools, Hopkinton, Massachusetts

1:58–2:38 PM

The Silent Pandemic Behind the Digital Divide

Find out how equitable access to digital learning is only part of the puzzle when addressing access to a quality education. Moderated by Tiffany Besse, the panel will explore the dynamics of how technology further exposed the divide that exists in classrooms, both virtual and in-person, during the pandemic and in the planning that comes after as everyone prepares to return to school in the fall. Attendees will have an opportunity to self-reflect on how their discretionary space and practices impact students and their success regardless of the conditions under which they are educated. The question at hand is how do we do better in creating equitable access to learning for children furthest from opportunity, without a pandemic forcing us to do so?

Moderator:

Tiffany Besse

Regional Manager, Studies Weekly, Orem, Utah

1:58–2:38 PM

Distance Learning Through the Educational Journey

Join us to explore a holistic view of the challenges, as well as learn tips and strategies to successfully implement distance learning in your high school classrooms. Moderated by Kavita Gupta, panelists will share experiences and wisdom gained toward driving equity across learning styles, changing assessments, and addressing interventions. Participants will walk away equipped with best practices in distance learning, including a new educational context.

Panelists:

Ritu Karivaradasamy, Student, Fremont Union High School District, Sunnyvale, California

Jessica Holman, Teacher, Boone County High School, Florence, Kentucky

Zenas Lee, Fremont Union High School District, Sunnyvale, California

Moderator:

Kavita Gupta

Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, California

4:25–5:10 PM

#EmotiCon2020—Designing a Meaningful and Engaging Virtual Project Fair

How might we leverage the affordances of virtual spaces and communities to design an engaging digital project fair experience for teens learning remotely? The Emoti-Con NYC Youth Digital Media and Tech Challenge, now in its 12th year, is an annual spring project fair celebrating teen innovation in formal and informal programs around the city, serving primarily low income students of color. Moderated by Meredith Summs, the panel will include representatives from the Emoti-Con steering committee, led by the national nonprofit organization, Mouse, and a small team of young event alumni with collaboration from Global Kids, Parsons School of Design, and the New York Public Library. The panelists will share how they quickly pivoted to redesign the event as a fun, interactive virtual experience after COVID-19, created scaffolded resources for preparing and demoing digital work, and increased student engagement by 47%.

Panelists:

Gigi Polo, Part-Time Associate Teaching Professor, Parsons School of Design, The New School, New York, N.Y.

Luna Ramirez, CTE Teacher and Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Information Technology High School, Long Island City, N.Y.

Marcus Del Valle, Creative Writer and Activist, Global Kids, New York, N.Y.

Mickell Ford II, Emoti-Con Aluminati Member, New York, N.Y.

Moderator:

Meredith Summs

Senior Director, After School & Informal Learning, Mouse, New York, N.Y.

4:25–5:10 PM

Proactive College Readiness for Neurodiverse Students…Tough Transitions in a Virtual Environment and How Best to Support Students Who Learn Differently

Students with learning challenges can be particularly impacted by the transition out of high school and for some, the transition to online learning has compounded the struggle toward college readiness. This presentation will review Navigator PREP, a virtual transition program that works with students and their parents up to nine months before entering college. This proactive college readiness counseling initiative at Beacon College helps to increase success and decrease attrition for neurodiverse students entering the postsecondary environment. The results of the program also have important implications for ways educators can support students who learn differently in their transition out of high school. We will discuss ideas for educators on methods of social instruction, increasing self-awareness, building executive functioning and identifying strategies to enhance emotional awareness and regulation in a virtual learning environment.

Speakers:

Alex Morris-Wood and Mary-Anne Primack

Beacon College, Leesburg, Florida

Computer Science Education Roundtable

Computer Science education is growing and CS teachers are often singletons in their districts. Join us for an edcamp/unconference–style session to discuss topics of your choice in small groups and build your network!

Robot Roundup!

See robots in action as educators from around the world bring their robots to virtually demonstrate their uses in a showcase format. This is an interactive event where attendees wanting to know about robots can ask questions and collect ideas for their own classrooms. Together, we'll establish a professional learning network of educators using robots to engage students. 

Please note that you must be registered for the STEM20: Virtual Event to attend or demonstrate your robot at the Robot Roundup. Robots attend free!

Kentucky Science Center Demo

Each day of programming will conclude with a sponsored demo show by the Kentucky Science Center. You won't want to miss this display of favorite science demonstrations that are brought to students and families everywhere!

12:05–12:15 PM

Adapting to Isolation

Join Astronaut Mike Massimino as he relates his time in space with the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many of our teachers and students are experiencing in this distance/virtual learning environment. Mike’s message is a reminder to all of us, that in spite of the physical distancing, we can (and, should!) stay “connected” to one another.

Mike Massimino

12:20–1:00 PM

Inclusive Practices in STEM Education for Students with a Learning Disability

Implementation of evidence-supported instructional techniques has demonstrated the potential to increase student performance while increasing student engagement. Moderated by Brian Ogle, this panel will highlight strategies for implementing best practices in the math and science classrooms to better serve students with a learning disability. Participants will examine the unique challenges to teaching STEM content and the challenges that students with a learning disability face.

Panelists:

Jodi Brubaker, Mathematics Instructor, Beacon College, Leesburg, Florida

Matthew Epp, Tavares Middle School, Tavares, Florida 

Moderator:

Brian Ogle

Assistant Professor & Department Chair, Beacon College, Leesburg, Florida

2:00–2:40 PM

Teaching About Social Justice Science Issues in a Time of Protest and Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed gaps in U.S. science education. Our curricula have not been prioritizing learning about the relationships between issues of social justice and scientific phenomena, like the inequitable impact of the pandemic or environmental degradation. Meanwhile, powerful protests against anti-blackness have made more and more science educators aware of the need to enact anti-racist science teaching. Discussion centers on principles and examples of teaching about Social Justice Science Issues (SJSI) in high school science courses, introductory college science courses, and in preservice science teacher education.

Presenter:

Daniel Morales-Doyle

Assistant Professor, The University of Illinois at Chicago

2:20–2:40 PM

Feeding the Zoo—A Practical Use of All Things STEM

Every day a small number of zoo nutritionists around the world apply any and every gram of knowledge they can find to ensure the nutritional welfare of the animals in our care. This isn’t just simply “STEM-ming the heck out of it,” but often taking it the next step to ensure all of those disciplines effectively collaborate to come up with practical solutions to help feed some of the rarest animals on the planet. We’ll share how we approach diet design for everything from ants to zebras, the true meaning of “comparative nutrition,” and how every component of STEM is engaged daily to help save species through appropriate nutrition.

Presenter:

Mike Maslanka

Head, Dept. of Nutrition Science, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C.

3:40–4:20 PM

Distance Learning Through the Educational Journey

Join us to explore a holistic view of the challenges, as well as learn tips and strategies to successfully implement distance learning in your postsecondary classrooms. Moderated by Kavita Gupta, panelists will share experiences and wisdom gained toward driving equity across learning styles, changing assessments, and addressing interventions. Participants will walk away equipped with best practices in distance learning, including a new educational context.

Panelists:

Leslie Ligier, Student, Washington University in St. Louis

Teodora Rutar Shuman, Professor and Chair, Mechanical Engineering Dept., Seattle University

Katherine Shirey, STEAM Education Consultant, Knowles Teacher, Initiative, Washington, D.C.

Moderator:

Kavita Gupta

Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, California

6:05 PM - 6:45 PM

Interview with Rebecca Skloot, Author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Highly acclaimed author Rebecca Skloot spent more than 10 years doggedly uncovering the truth about the life, death, and ultimate “immortality” of a poor black tobacco farmer named Henrietta Lacks. Part detective story, part scientific odyssey, and part family saga, her phenomenal book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is inspired by the life of Henrietta Lacks, whose cancer cells—code named HeLa—were taken without her knowledge in 1951. 

Rebecca is currently writing a new book on the often controversial topic of animal research and ethics through a deeply personal story about our complex relationships with animals—their roles in our lives, and in science—and the humans who battle over their fates, and as a result, our own.

Presenters:

Rebecca Skloot

Journalist, Teacher, and Author: Chicago, IL

Brian Ogle

Beacon College: Leesburg, FL

Kentucky Science Center Demo

Each day of programming will conclude with a sponsored demo show by the Kentucky Science Center. You won't want to miss this display of favorite science demonstrations that are brought to students and families everywhere!