Schedule

Room 1C
Track: Engaging at the Intersections: Shared Understanding and Convergence of the K-16 STEM Ecosystem

Deeper Dive: Vaccine Research - Development of a Safe and Effective Influenza Vaccine for Newborns

This session will be an extension of the morning keynote presentation and will provide an in-depth look at cutting-edge vaccine research in North Carolina. Participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions about the important role of vaccines in protecting the health and well-being of North Carolinians and citizens across the globe.

Applicable to all audiences

Martha A. Alexander-Miller, Ph.D.- Wake Forest School of Medicine

Room 2
Track: Citizen Science

Candid Critters: Citizen Science Camera Trapping as a Lens to Study Mammal Ecology in Classrooms

Do you ever wonder what animals lurk in your school yard? Now is your chance to discover the secrets of wildlife by participating in a state-wide camera trapping project, North Carolina’s Candid Critters, while conducting real science with students in your classroom. We will present lesson plans and automated data analysis tools freely available and aligned to NC standards in science, math and ELA to make implementing Candid Critters in your classroom seamless. We are looking for K-12 teachers in ALL 100 counties of North Carolina to help us collect mammal photographs by running camera traps with their students. The photos generated turn into real data, allowing students and scientists to map where animals live, and when and where they are most active across the state.

Most applicable to grades 6-12 and Citizen Science Scholars

Stephanie Schuttler, Ph.D.- North Carolina Museum of Natural Science

Room 3
Track: Innovative Hands-On Instructional Practices (50-minute concurrent session)

What's Snot to Like? Explore the Respiratory and Immune Systems through Mucus

This hands-on workshop shows teachers how to use (fake!) mucus and interactive models to help students understand the respiratory and immune systems. Participants receive curriculum guides and supplies for implementing the activities in their classrooms.

Most applicable to grades 6-8 and Other STEM Groups

Daniel Wheeler- Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Amber Vogel- Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

Room 4
Track: Innovative Hands-On Instructional Practices (50-minute concurrent session)

Dive into STEM with Underwater Robots

Participation in the Marine Advanced Technologies Education (MATE) Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) competition is a great way to bring STEM learning and design to your classroom, club or afterschool program. Come learn how you can use ROV design to teach science and engineering, how your group can participate in the Coastal Carolina Regional Competition and try your hand at designing your own ROV.

Most applicable to grades 5-12, Higher Education and Other STEM Groups

Patrick Curley, Ed.D.- The Science House at the North Carolina State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology
Nancy Curley- Onslow County Schools

Room 5
Track: Expanding, Engaging and Sustaining STEM

Reinventing the Field Trip

Bring your lessons to life! Explore strategies for transforming your field trip into a sustained learning experience, instead of a one-off event. Learn about STEM Days, developed by the Museum of Life and Science in partnership with the Durham Public Schools.

Most applicable to grades K-8

Willow Alston-Socha- Durham Public Schools
Trish Lemm- Museum of Life and Science

Room 6
Track: Expanding, Engaging and Sustaining STEM

Deep South Network (Closed Session)

The National Institutes of Health SEPA FoodMASTER Network will meet to introduce network participants and facilitate an agenda for Bridging the Gap participation.

Invitation Only

Melani Duffrin, Ph.D.- East Carolina University

Room 7A
Track: Trending Teaching Technologies

The Science House Presents: Using Makey Makey Devices to Capture STEM Innovation

Use bananas as a keyboard. Make a motion-activated camera. These are possible and more with a simple understanding of circuits and easy programming tools. Come learn about Makey Makeys and open up doors of creative possibilities for your students.

Most applicable to grades 3-12

Michelle Benigno- Mountain Office of The Science House at North Carolina State University
Derek Dennis- The Science House at North Carolina State University

Room 7B
Track: Exhibitor Action Lab

Science Notebooking: Finding What Works

Notebooking in the science classroom can be a valuable tool for both you and your students. You can easily differentiate lessons and promote student organization with interactive notebooks, but even a good notebooking system presents certain challenges. Learn how to overcome these obstacles with a truly unique solution from LearnEd Notebooks. Our curriculum is created for educators by educators and we seek to engage every science learner while simplifying instructional methods for teachers.

Join us for lots of free resources, lesson plans, and class set giveaways!

Most applicable to grades 5-8 and Biology

LearnEd Notebooks

Room 1C
Track: STEM Launching Pad: Getting Started in STEM

Creating and Sustaining a K-12 Pipeline

Join us to discuss the STEM journey in Cabarrus County. Learn how our school district built a state-recognized, K-12 STEM pipeline and how we continue to expand and sustain this most in-demand program. We will also explain the N.C. STEM Attribute Rubric process for state recognition for the 2017-2018 school year and beyond.

Applicable to all audiences

Bridget Jones- Cabarrus County Schools
Sam Houston, Ed.D.- North Carolina Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center

Room 3
Track: Innovative Hands-On Instructional Practices (50-minute concurrent session)

Picture Book Engineering

Our session will introduce the engineering design process and engineering projects using children’s literature as a springboard. Teachers will receive a list of literature and ideas for projects. Teachers will have an opportunity to engineer a project from literature.

Most applicable to grades K-3

Janice Rickey- Rachel Freeman School of Engineering
Sarah Copeland- Rachel Freeman School of Engineering

Room 4
Track: Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education

Exploring How Select Predominantly White Institutions Learned to Significantly Increase the Number of African-American Ph.D.s in the Life Sciences

This session will highlight results of a multiple-case study that looked at how select predominantly white institutions learned to significantly increase the number of African-American undergraduates who completed doctoral degrees in the life sciences. Specifically, this session will highlight the activity inventory and learning relationships among academic leaders and faculty.

Most applicable to Higher Education

Shawn Moore- East Carolina University
David Siegel, Ph.D.- East Carolina University

Room 5
Track: STEM Beyond the Classroom: Building Bridges for Continuity and Impact

It Takes a Village: Partnerships and Practices to Make Multigenerational Science Engagement Possible

Come and learn how Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, in partnership with Novozymes, has created STEMville Family Science Nights, a district-wide, engaging science opportunity for the entire family. We will discuss program logistics to inspire similar events at your own school and tips and tricks to make the process as easy as possible. We also will highlight activity ideas and suggestions to make your school’s science night a success.

Most applicable to grades K-8, Industry and Other STEM Groups

Hope Thompson- Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Carla Robinson- Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

Room 6
Track: Engaging at the Intersections: Shared Understanding and Convergence of the K-16 STEM Ecosystem

Pre-K to Grade 12 STEM Educational Resources from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Other Federal Agencies

This interactive workshop will discuss P-12 STEM resources and online resources for teachers, students and families. General topics to be discussed include health-related STEM, citizen science and serious STEM games for learning. This workshop will also showcase the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) website and the NIH curriculum supplement series, teachers’ guides to two weeks of lessons on the science behind selected health topics. They combine cutting-edge biomedical discoveries with state-of-the-art instructional practices.

Most applicable to grades K-12

L. Tony Beck, Ph.D.- National Institute of General Medical Sciences/National Institutes of Health
Liam O’Fallon- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institutes of Health

Room 7A
Track: The Future of Teaching: A Forward Look at Education Policy, Standards and Assessments

What Higher Education Needs to Know about K-12 Curriculum Standards and Their Impact on Student Preparedness for College-Level STEM Courses

Current K-12 curriculum standards continue to make headlines in North Carolina and across the nation. What do these standards mean, and how well will today’s high school seniors be prepared for college-level STEM instruction compared to students taught using the previous curriculum standards?

Most applicable to Higher Education, Industry and Other STEM Groups

Bruce Middleton- STEM East

Room 7B
Track: Exhibitor Action Lab

Using Argumentation: Discussing Phenomena to Increase Student Voice in STEM

Within the STEM science classroom students are asked to explain science knowledge that is often subject to debate and confirmation. Argumentation is the vehicle that utilizes the ELA Skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. English language learners benefit from learning and using the skills of debate and argumentation from evidence as a way to access knowledge from their own experiences and use them as evidence in the debate. Grounded in the National Science Foundation research for How Students Learn Science in the Classroom (2006) being able to justify thinking with evidence is key to successful science achievement.

Most applicable to grades K-12

STEMscopes North Carolina

Room 1C
Track: STEM Launching Pad: Getting Started in STEM

Where Do I Begin with a STEM Classroom?

This session will explore how to start a STEM culture at your school. We will identify the characteristics of STEM, and you will be given resources and ideas. Join us if you are interested in starting STEM at your school.

Most applicable to grades K-5

Judith McDonald, Ph.D.- Belmont Abbey College
Cynthia Dey- Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Room 3
Track: Innovative Hands-On Instructional Practices (50-minute concurrent session)

Brick Math: Using LEGOs to Teach Mathematics

This workshop will give participants hands-on experience using basic LEGO bricks, which can be used to engage students in math concepts.

Most applicable to grades K-6

Shirley Disseler, Ph.D.- High Point University

Room 4
Track: Innovative Hands-On Instructional Practices (50-minute concurrent session)

From Local to Global: Bringing the World into Your Classroom

This session will explore the basics of creating project-based learning units with a focus on making real-world connections. We will investigate ways to connect with people in your community, as well as people around the globe.

Most applicable to grades K-12

Danielle McCaslin- Wake County Public School System

Room 5
Track: Expanding, Engaging and Sustaining STEM

All Teachers are STEM Teachers: STEM Across the Curriculum

We will share ideas and techniques for incorporating STEM in all curricular areas. We will share activities and projects for both STEM and non-STEM subjects as well as collaborative projects for middle school.

Most applicable to grades 6-8

Karen Kingrea- Immaculata Catholic School
Desiree Korelich- Immaculata Catholic School
Cindy Rains- Immaculata Catholic School
Jen Stutz- Immaculata Catholic School
Kathleen Weeks- Immaculata Catholic School

Room 6
Track: STEM Unconference

STEM Unconference

Roger Conner- Coalition for the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS)

Room 7A
Track: Engaging at the Intersections: Shared Understanding and Convergence of the K-16 STEM Ecosystem

NC STEM Alliance (NCSA) – Preparing High School Students for a Successful Transition into College STEM Course

With NSF funding, the NCSA exists to increase the number of students that earn bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields. Join us as we share details on our award-winning STEM Prep Program. STEM Prep is an academic enrichment program designed to prepare high school students for college level STEM courses. Participants are enrolled in non-credit courses that provide them with project-based experiences in science, technology, engineering and math.

Most applicable to grades 9-12 and Higher Education

Michelle Bilodeau- Central Piedmont Community College
Amber Griffin- Central Piedmont Community College
Aloysius Jones-  Guilford Technical Community College
Matthew Lee-  Davidson County Community College

Room 7B
Track: Exhibitor Action Lab

"Why Do I Have to Learn This?": Connecting STEM to the Real World with Standards-Aligned, No Cost, Online Resources from EVERFI

As technology begins to play a larger role in the classroom, educators are being asked to connect the dots between STEM topics and their real world applications. The future of manufacturing and design, conservation of energy of a falling hockey puck, and related STEM career paths in Entrepreneurship and Sports are just a few topics covered in EVERFI’s Future Goals-Hockey Scholar, Endeavor-STEM Literacy, Venture: Entrepreneurial Expedition, and Ignition-Digital Literacy and Responsibility resources. To help teachers address these important topics, these 4 resources use animation, videos, interactive simulations and real world scenarios to teach students to become sophisticated, responsible and safe users of technology with the strong ability to navigate through a STEM filled world.

Most applicable to grades 6-12

EVERFI

Room 1C
Track: STEM Launching Pad: Getting Started in STEM

Starting Slim with STEM

The competition is tough for STEM grants and state and local funding can only go so far. This session will give participants solid strategies to start or enhance their STEM programs. Participants will gain insight as to how to expand or start a school-wide STEM program on a budget. They will leave the session with strategies they can implement immediately to start or enhance their STEM programs.

Most applicable to grades K-5 and Other STEM Groups

Dana Griffin- Perry Harrison Elementary School
Erin Boecke- Perry Harrison Elementary School

Room 2
Track: Citizen Science

Implementing Argumentation and Debate in Your Science Classroom

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) call for students to engage in scientific argumentation as a scientific practice. Research shows that debate exercises can provide authentic situations for learning to engage in argument from evidence. In this session, we will demonstrate how debate exercises can be easily implemented in any classroom. Participants will leave with materials and topic ideas that they can implement with their students.

Most applicable to grades 6-12 and Citizen Science Scholars

Jean Goodwin, Ph.D.- North Carolina State University
KC Busch, Ph.D.- North Carolina State University

Room 3
Track: STEM Beyond the Classroom: Building Bridges for Continuity and Impact

FoodMASTER Summer Science Education Experience

Presenters will review the development of the FoodMASTER Summer Science Experience. Discussion will include attendee recruitment, activity development, safety and training, as well as an overview of the 2016 experience. Participants also will engage in a camp activity during the presentation.

Most applicable to grades 6-8

Jacqueline De Chabert-Rios- FoodMASTER Summer Experience
Allender Lynch- East Carolina University

Room 4
Track: STEM Beyond the Classroom: Building Bridges for Continuity and Impact

Hands-On Experiences that Transformed My Teaching

Join us for a panel discussion about how working at a technology company for the summer transformed the teaching practices of Wake County Public School System educators. You’ll hear about real-world experiences, occupations and processes that can have a big impact on your classroom.

Most applicable to grades K-12, Higher Education, Industry and Other STEM Groups

Lucy Kosturko, Ph.D.- Curriculum Pathways at SAS
Sean Russell- Wake County Public School System
Allie Boyd- Wake County Public School System

Room 5
Track: Engaging at the Intersections: Shared Understanding and Convergence of the K-16 STEM Ecosystem

Building a STEM Ecosystem to Support Economic Development in Rural North Carolina

Attracting industry to rural North Carolina requires a well-coordinated effort to prepare students with appropriate skills and knowledge. The mission of STEM East is to weave together robust partnerships supporting equitable access to quality STEM education for students in eastern North Carolina. Participants will hear the story of how STEM East has utilized the STEM Ecosystem model to strengthen community connections that support career preparation and how that model might work to connect their local ecosystem members.

Most applicable to grades K-12, Higher Education, Industry and Other STEM Groups

Bruce Middleton- STEM East

Room 6
Track: STEM Unconference

STEM Unconference

Roger Conner- Coalition for the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS)

Room 7A
Track: Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education

Undergraduate Student Research: A Powerful, Engaged Instruction Tool

The learning benefits of conducting research (deeper knowledge of subject, problem-solving skills, developing an inquisitive mind) inspired the North Carolina Community College System office to investigate the current state of undergraduate research at cooperative innovative high schools or early college high schools and at community colleges. The results have led to a collaborative initiative to help more K-12 and community college teachers support student research.

Most applicable to grades 6-12, Higher Education, Industry, Government and Other STEM Groups

Matthew Meyer, Ph.D.- North Carolina Community College System
Lisa Rhoades- Burroughs Wellcome Fund

Room 7B
Track: Exhibitor Action Lab

STEM at 200 MPH

Discover how problem-based STEM engagement coupled with standards of learning come to life through the backdrop of the sport of NASCAR with NASCAR Hall of Fame experiential learning opportunities.

Applicable to all audiences

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Room 1C
Track: Expanding, Engaging and Sustaining STEM

Scaffolding Skill-Based Learning

One of the goals of Research Triangle High School is building the critical thinking skills of its students. This presentation will discuss how this is done in the classroom through scaffolding, skill-based grading and project-based learning.

Most applicable to grades 8-12

Cinnamon Frame- Research Triangle High School
Ben Laptad- Research Triangle High School

Room 2
Track: Citizen Science

Citizen Science: Creating Authentic Learning Opportunities for Students While Providing Valuable Data for Wildlife Scientists

K-12 teachers incorporate engaging, authentic research opportunities into their lessons while complying with state standards and providing valuable data for wildlife scientists. Teachers will learn how to participate in a variety of citizen science projects, including eMammal, Ant Picnic and the first-ever, statewide educator bioblitz!

Most applicable to grades 4-8 and Citizen Science Scholars

Lena Deskins- Durham Public Schools
Rachel Polmanteer- Wake County Public School System

Room 3
Track: Engaging at the Intersections: Shared Understanding and Convergence of the K-16 STEM Ecosystem

Deeper Dive: Artificial Intelligence, Algorithms and Agnotology in the Classroom

In the world of artificial intelligence and algorithms, truth is not what it once was. Educators face unprecedented challenges in battling scientific misinformation on numerous fronts in the classroom. This interactive session continues the discussion from the morning keynote session on the concept of agnotology (the study of culturally induced ignorance or doubt, particularly the publication of inaccurate or misleading scientific data) and provides additional information about classroom resources and lesson plans, advanced technologies, free websites and proven strategies that aid educators in the battle for science literacy in a new era of misinformation and misunderstandings.

Applicable to all audiences

Roger Conner– Coalition for the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS)

Room 4
Track: Diversity and Difference: Transformative STEM Learning

Inventing Success for Students with Disabilities

Many of the most famous scientists and inventors, including Edison and Einstein, had disabilities. Why do less than 7 percent of students with disabilities who attend college go on to STEM careers? This session will discuss tools to increase success in STEM for students with disabilities. Lessons on how to use the invention process to teach STEM in an effective and engaging way will be shared as well as how to have your students come up with inventions that solve real-world problems. Lessons learned from the Catalyst InvenTeam Lemelson-MIT winners (the first winning team composed entirely of students with disabilities) will be discussed. This session will include hands-on activities and ideas that are applicable for all students and grade levels.

Most applicable to grades K-12

Joann Blumenfeld- Broughton High School

Room 5
Track: Engaging at the Intersections: Shared Understanding and Convergence of the K-16 STEM Ecosystem

Filling the Gap

Participants attending this session will interact with teachers who created and implemented project based learning (PBL) units after working with business partners in local STEM industries in their communities. The PBL units that will be showcased in this session are based on real-world problems and issues identified by the industry partners. These units can spark ideas for your classroom and school!

Most applicable to grades 6-12 and Industry

Carol Moore, Ph.D.- STEM West
Gina M. Barrier- The Science House at North Carolina State University
Denise Allen- Caldwell County Schools
Ed Hallyburton- Burke County Schools
Janet Johnson- Hickory Public Schools
Jennifer Luper- Lincoln County Schools
Tricia Rushing- Catawba County Schools

Room 6
Track: STEM Unconference

STEM Unconference

Roger Conner- Coalition for the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS)

Room 7A
Track: Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education

Find Your Place in the Scheme of Things: Using the Big History Project to Think More Clearly

If you use the 13.7 billion-year timeline since the Big Bang as a guide, students can see how various STEM disciplines map to different epochs of deep time. For example, mathematics imagines the early universe. Physics quantifies the early forces and matter. Chemistry reveals the evolution of stars and the interactions of the elements. Geology describes the inner workings of planets. Biology shines light on the emergence of life. Ecology lets us see how biomes flourish. Anthropology examines the emergence of humanity. Archaeology uncovers antiquity. History narrates human achievement. A free online course, funded by Bill Gates, encourages students to use all of these disciplines to understand the Anthropocene — the period of great acceleration that we are experiencing now.

Most applicable to grades 9-12, Higher Education, Industry, Government and Other STEM Groups

Lucy Laffitte- International Big History Association

Room 1C
Track: Expanding, Engaging and Sustaining STEM

The Science House Presents: Enhancing Your STEM Program with Data Collection Technology

At the heart of any STEM program, there should be an attention to data, both collecting data and analyzing data. Once you create something that works, how do you optimize efficiency, use less energy, make it faster? When someone invents a widget, someone else will capitalize on that device to improve it or adapt it for different audiences. Teach your students to look for continual improvement using Vernier data collection devices.

Most applicable to grades K-12

Gina M. Barrier- Northwest Office of The Science House at North Carolina State University

Room 2
Track: Citizen Science

Students Discover: ANTS – Citizen Science in the Classroom

We will showcase a suite of teaching resources that were co-developed by scientists & teachers and are based on citizen science projects. Together these resources are a great way to introduce students to the scientific method and cover several other middle and high school teaching standards while collecting data for real science projects.

Most applicable to grades 6-12 and Citizen Science Scholars

D. Magdalena Sorger, Ph.D.- North Carolina Museum of Natural Science
Paige Derouin- Cardinal Gibbons High School
Eleanor Spicer-Rice, Ph.D.- Verdant Word

Room 3
Track: Expanding, Engaging and Sustaining STEM

Cross-Curricular STEM Projects that Encourage Student Creativity

Businesses want to become more involved in local schools and foster partnerships that grow STEM students. Teachers should attend this session to learn about summer employment opportunities provided by business communities and to hear about innovative STEM PBL projects that incorporate ideas that the teachers gained from summer externship experiences. Each participant will learn about acquiring teacher externships and how these business partnerships and learning opportunities can be transformed into authentic learning experiences for students. Participants can expect to leave the session with a list of resources and a model for how teacher externships can be acquired. Teachers also will leave with digital access to PBL lesson resources that involve cross-curricular projects.

Most applicable to grades 8-12

Evelyn Baldwin- Wake STEM Early College

Room 4
Track: Innovative Hands-On Instructional Practices (50-minute concurrent session)

Flipping the STEM Class to Include More Projects

Come learn about the philosophy behind flipping, the many ways to flip your classroom, and the benefits that we have experienced from flipping our classroom, including giving students more access to meaningful learning experiences that we now have time to complete. This will be applicable to all subjects but will focus on the science classroom. It will include topics such as methods to manage student viewing of flipped videos and what to do if they don’t watch, how to make a good video, and ideas for inquiry- and project-based learning activities that are an option with more class time freed up from students watching lectures at home.

Participants can expect an information-packed session of ready-to-use classroom strategies, and they will obtain a solid idea of how they can implement a version of a flipped classroom even if their students don’t have reliable access to technology. Participants will learn how to use several video-making platforms, and if time allows, they will make a video to use in a flipped classroom of their own.

Participants should attend our session because flipping your instruction (any way you do it) frees up teacher planning time (in the long run), increases consistency of information taught to students, allows students to self-pace their learning, can allow for increased social creative learning and collaboration among students, and can allow for more time for laboratory-, inquiry-, or project-based learning, which research shows benefits students more than lectures.

Most applicable to grades 6-12

Jessie Howington- Research Triangle High School
Sarah Reid- Research Triangle High School

Room 5
Track: STEM Beyond the Classroom: Building Bridges for Continuity and Impact

Scientific Literacy and Community Awareness: A Farm-to-Table PBL

Learn about dynamic PBL strategies and free online resources that can support them. Create tightly designed projects driven by compelling questions, student-centered research and creative outcomes. In this farm-to-table themed project-based lesson, students consider the journey food takes before it gets to their plate.

Most applicable to grades 6-12

Ada Lopez- SAS
Molly Farrow- SAS
Terry Hardison- SAS

Room 6
Track: STEM Unconference

STEM Unconference

Roger Conner- Coalition for Public Understanding of Science (COPUS)

Room 7A
Track: Expanding, Engaging and Sustaining STEM

Grantsmanship Skills: Tips for Successful Grant Applications

Are you interested in bringing a STEM activity or resource to your classroom but are unsure how to secure funding to cover the costs? Have you received a denial for your STEM-related grant proposal? If your answer to these questions is “yes,” then this session is for you. This session will provide an overview of best practices in developing exceptional grant proposals to secure funding for STEM activities and programs. The presenter will review opportunities for grant seekers and will discuss how to identify and develop sound ideas for competitive grants. Participants will learn how to write winning objective summaries and how to avoid common pitfalls in the grant preparation process. This session will include an interactive discussion where participants will have an opportunity to ask and receive answers to all of their questions.

Most applicable to grades K-12

Chris Duffrin, Ph.D.- East Carolina University

Room 7B
Track: Exhibitor Action Lab

Nonprofit NC GreenPower Offers a Solar Schools Matching Grant

The NC GreenPower Solar Schools grant (applications accepted starting January 2, 2018) is open to all North Carolina K-12 schools. It provides a 50% matching grant, up to $10,000, for a 3-5 kilowatt educational solar photovoltaic installation. Schools will also receive a weather station, real-time monitoring equipment, teacher training, grade-appropriate curriculum and lesson plans for educators, providing a hands-on experience for their students.

Most applicable to grades K-12

Katie Lebrato- NC GreenPower

Room 1C
Track: Innovative Hands-On Instructional Practices (50-minute concurrent session)

Mobile Nanotechnology Education Laboratory (“Nanobus”) Demonstration Expo

This session will showcase multiple, engaging, hands-on demonstrations that illustrate important scientific and engineering principles through the use of accessible technology. Each of the demonstration stations in this session will feature explanatory posters, and they all will use safe, household products that can be used in classroom instruction with students.

The demonstrations showcased in this session are part of a much larger suite of activities available through UNC Greensboro and N.C. A&T State University Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) Mobile Nanotechnology Education Laboratory (“Nanobus”) STEM outreach program. The Nanobus program, now in its third year, travels to schools in the Triad region to perform science and engineering demonstrations.

Most applicable to grades K-10

James G. Ryan, Ph.D.- The Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) of North Carolina A&T State University and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Elie Azzi- The Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) of North Carolina A&T State University and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Room 3
Track: Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education

Using STEM Student Mentoring and Interdisciplinary Research to Increase Student Achievement

Literature has shown that STEM students who are engaged during their studies do better in their courses and in their jobs after graduation. Mentoring STEM students provides a rewarding experience to the faculty mentors while resulting in higher retention and excellent performance for students. Often mentoring takes a significant amount of instruction time from the faculty, and it often is challenging to train students to work on research projects. To address these issues, students serve as peer-mentors to train their peers, which, in turn, provides continuity of the efforts and addresses the needs of the research projects. This presentation will provide a perspective on the benefits and positive outcomes of student mentoring programs while highlighting faculty experience working with STEM students on various interdisciplinary projects.

Most applicable to Higher Education

Rahman Tashakkori, Ph.D.- Appalachian State University

Room 4
Track: Expanding, Engaging and Sustaining STEM

Beyond Science: Using Inquiry Practices to Extend Learning in the Classroom

Ever wonder what the curious minds in your classroom are actually thinking? Join us to explore inquiry teaching strategies that reveal student understanding through the framework of NGSS practices. This session will provide tools that are transferable in the extension of learning across content areas.

Most applicable to grades K-8

Akua Carraway- North Carolina Inquiry Collaborative Network

Room 5
Track: Expanding, Engaging and Sustaining STEM

A Learning Lab on Wheels Initiative to Expand Access to K-12 STEM Education

The presentation will discuss a “Learning Lab-on-Wheels” initiative to expand STEM literacy in underserved counties in northeastern North Carolina. The initiative is expected to serve more than 200 schools located within the 21 counties surrounding Elizabeth City State University throughout a 3-year period.

Most applicable to grades K-12 and Other STEM Groups

Kuldeep Rawat, Ph.D.- Elizabeth City State University
Aron Bechiom- Elizabeth City State University
Pakhi Gupta- Elizabeth City State University

Room 6
Track: Expanding, Engaging and Sustaining STEM

Creating an Inquiry-Based Classroom for Student Success

Discover an engaging, inquiry-based approach that motivates students to achieve. Participants are introduced to instructional standards capable of transforming any classroom. These standards, along with PBL cases, help develop critical thinking skills. Participants will experience hands-on student inquiry.

Most applicable to grades K-12

Tarona Hollingsworth- Wake Forest School of Medicine
Kelsey Doolittle- Wake Forest School of Medicine

Room 7A
Track: Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education

STEM Retention Strategies at Winston Salem State University

Panelists will discuss exciting initiatives at WSSU to recruit, engage, prepare and retain under-represented minority students in STEM disciplines. The audience will be informed of activities that have proven to be successful and obstacles that interfered with desired outcomes.

Most applicable to Higher Education

Naomi M. Hall-Byers, PhD, MPH- Winston-Salem State University
Jill Keith, Ph.D.- Winston-Salem State University
Tennille Presley- Winston-Salem State University