In this session I will show you how I use the various DNA Kits in my classroom from 3D Molecular Designs. I will also show you how I tie them together. I use these kits with my students in Project Lead the Way Principles of Biomedical Science when we discuss DNA structure and function and genetics. I use them to demonstrate types of chromosomes, where genes are located and the why behind the letters we use in Punnett Squares. I use these models to show the differences between heterozygous and homozygous alleles to allow the students to see what happens at the DNA level so they understand why we have those differences and how they show up in proteins. I use this kit with the Flow of Genetic Information kit and protein folding when we talk about protein synthesis and the dynamic DNA kit when we talk about genetics and DNA.
Obtaining food to meet our energy and matter needs is a basic requirement of humans, in addition to helping define our cultural practices and ways of life. This presentation will share how to use elements of the three dimensions of the NGSS and Framework to engage students in making sense of phenomena and problems related to the production and consumption of food. Strategies for how to use driving question boards, 3-dimensional learning outcomes, and engagement of all learners will be shared. Students will ask questions for how perfect apples are mass produced, how nutrients and environmental factors affect the quality of fruit, and how to attain the right balance of sweet-tart flavor. This storyline weaves together concepts such as meiosis and mitosis, pedigrees and probability, plant structure and function, nutrient cycles, and the role of photosynthesis in producing food in order to explain why it took 30 years to produce the Honeycrisp apple.
Many science teachers feel overwhelmed by the challenges of implementing NGSS, as local and district demands often make alignment more challenging. To address this, we’ve created free, open-source NGSS-aligned materials through a research-practice partnership. These resources are designed to save time, reduce stress, and adapt to diverse teaching needs.
Grounded in educational research, our instructional design consistently helps students achieve NGSS outcomes. Teachers report reduced workloads, enhanced effectiveness, and greater confidence in meeting standards.
In this workshop, we’ll clarify NGSS goals, showcase ready-to-use curriculum examples, and guide you through examples of engaging classroom activities. You’ll leave with access to free, customizable content to streamline NGSS implementation in your classroom. We will focus on examples in biology, but will also provide access to other subjects, including chemistry, physics, astronomy, and agriscience.
In a world where declining water quality threatens ecosystems, food security, and public health it is imperative that we as teachers are prepared to educate the next water leaders. This session will dive into a hands-on lessons from Nourish the Future where students analyze soil, water, and land use data to construct solutions for real-world land management challenges. We will showcase how students engage in science and engineering practices, such as analyzing data and constructing explanations, to tackle a relevant phenomenon, while highlighting student examples. Through NGSS-aligned strategies, participants will observe how sensemaking guides students in proposing solutions to improve soil and water quality. Teachers will leave better equipped with strategies for using the lesson as an activity or as a 3D assessment, The lesson is great for student engagement, phenomenon/storyline based teaching, and encouraging deep learning across diverse classrooms. Teachers will walk away with an activity that can be easily modified for any classroom or science topic.
Milk is an important food product that provides all of the nutrients that young mammals need to survive early in life. Learning from populations that can digest dairy can help provide solutions to humans who choose to consume it into adulthood, despite the inability to do so naturally. Because of this demand, milk and dairy products altogether continue to be an important aspect of agriculture.
Participants will engage in a new storyline that tasks students with constructing and revising explanations based on evidence for why dairy is such an important agricultural product and source of food energy. The Milk storyline is the 7th in a series being developed by a group of 25+ educators from the midwest for science and agriculture teachers that engage students in developing explanations for agricultural phenomena and solving real-world problems. Students utilize the three dimensions of NGSS as they learn about food systems or the production, processing, distribution, and consumption of food products and interactions with the natural environment. Intentional emphasis is placed on developing skills related to the Scientific & Engineering Practices and building Crosscutting Concepts.
One of the most fundamental concepts in biology is cell membranes. Model with us as we gain a deeper understanding of the structure of phospholipids, their role in the cell membranes, and membrane transport proteins while gaining hands on experience and classroom strategies in modeling to help make abstract concepts tangible. This session will feature the use of our Phospholipid and Membrane Transport Kit and give you a first look at our new Articulated Membrane Model.
I was a classroom teacher for 25 years. I am now the National SMART team coordinator and Science Educator for 3D Molecular designs.In my free time, I am an avid fisherman and obsessive vinyl record collector.
Thursday April 3, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
BF Carter
This presentation highlights the journey of the Wauwatosa School District Biology team as they transformed from a fragmented collection of experts to a strong, mission and vision-aligned force. The Wauwatosa Biology team has become a lighthouse within the district and across the state as they are deeply committed to continuous improvement and providing a rigorous, 3-dimensional, storyline experience for all students, through the use of OpenSciEd curricular resources.
In this session, we will discuss the importance of a strong vision, sound process for selecting curriculum, ongoing instructional coaching, teamwork, and strategies for building system-wide capacity in building a movement and driving change. We will share ideas and tools, including grading practices, for districts or departments interested in transforming the student experience in science to be more coherent, impactful, rigorous, and equitable.
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms commonly found in soils and can act as pathogens, leading to diseases in plants, animals, and humans. Valley Fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection prevalent in arid and semi-arid areas. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that the distribution of this fungus may be shifting due to changing environmental conditions. During this workshop, participants will: Explore the ecological role of fungi and learn about Valley Fever's genetic links to specific populations. Engage in a role-playing exercise as researchers conducting a collaborative study to test soil samples for the Coccidioides fungus. Understand the procedures for extracting and amplifying fungal DNA samples. Perform agarose gel electrophoresis using MiniOne equipment to check for the presence of Coccidioides in soil samples. Analyze group data to identify areas with high rates of Valley Fever infections. Discuss how climate change affects the spread of fungi and the occurrence of Valley Fever. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of potential solutions to minimize fungal infections. Discover teaching strategies to inspire students and incorporate an engaging biotechnology narrative
The IL Biology Storylines provide a free, complete curricular replacement for any introductory biology course. 3-D learning incorporates the disciplinary core ideas, the science practices and the crosscutting concepts and is the driving force of the Next Generation Science Standards. In order to better integrate the different topics typically taught in the high school biology classroom, storyline units that are coherent and phenomenon-driven have been created so that students can make sense of how science works in real world situations. This workshop serves to introduce attendees to how the IL Biology Storylines have proven to be incredible models for sensemaking opportunities, equitable instruction, and how to lead to students becoming self-directed learners and critical thinkers in an ever-changing world.
This roundtable invites educators to share strategies, curriculum resources, and innovative teaching ideas for anatomy and physiology. Discuss challenges, exchange effective practices, and help to create a shared drive with valuable teaching materials.
Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is an emerging technology and important conservation tool of natural resource professionals used to monitor the presence or absence of species, such as invasive carp. This session will engage participants in portions of the field and laboratory experience and in the curriculum refinement process for utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect the presence of invasive carp in the Wisconsin River. When finalized, participants will receive the field and laboratory investigation protocols and additional educational materials. The curriculum is designed for middle and high school students. Participant objectives are to experience portions of the curriculum and provide critical feedback for refinement. This session connects to NGSS Science Practices 1 & 4 (Plan, justify, and carry out an investigation & Apply reasoning from evidence to support a claim) and Cross Cutting Concept 1 (Interpret cause and effect relationships.)
This project is a collaborative effort between the UW Madison Division of Extension, UW-Madison Genetics & Biotechnology Center, Freshwater@UW Collaborative, Wisconsin 4-H, Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, and the U.S. Geological Survey, and was made possible by a Wisconsin Sea Grant and Division of Extension Innovation Grant.
In an era where data-driven insights are critical for scientific discovery and understanding, the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data has become a fundamental skill for students. This workshop will explore how you can empower students to actively engage in data collection across diverse science disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science. Participants will learn hands-on techniques for integrating data collection into their science curricula using sensors, which provide real-time data and enhance students’ learning experiences. This session will offer insights on inquiry-based learning that develops students’ scientific literacy and problem-solving skills.
Objectives: 1. Understand the Role of Data Collection in Science Education 2. Explore TI Technology for Real-Time Data Collection 3. Design and Implement Data-Driven Experiments 4. Integrate Data Collection into Standards-Based Instruction
By the end of this session, participants will: • Gain confidence in using technology for data collection in science education. • Acquire practical strategies for designing and implementing data-driven science experiments. • Understand how to integrate data collection with standards-based instruction to enhance student engagement and scientific literacy.
Elephant populations are facing threats from many sources, including illegal ivory poaching. This workshop introduces participants to the work of scientists who are tracking African elephant populations and identifying factors leading to their decline. The workshop session will integrate concepts of population ecology, biodiversity, ethics, and molecular ecology. The workshop will emphasize integration of NGSS science practices including: asking questions and defining problems, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, and constructing explanations and designing solutions. Participants will run gel electrophoresis to determine where illegal poaching is occuring, bringing an engaging story and biotechnology skills to their students. In this hands-on session participants will Examine the role of elephants as a keystone species and reasons for population decline. Take on the role of Wildlife Crime Scene Investigators to analyze DNA samples from confiscated ivory using gel electrophoresis. Identify the elephant population the tusks came from by comparing the genotype to an elephant DNA database compiled from dung samples representing various forest and savannah elephant populations. Compile data to determine the location of ivory poaching hotspots. Evaluate possible solutions to the elephant poaching crisis
Time tends to be the limiting factor on how well a teacher can truly dive into using the NGSS standards. A flipped classroom can give time back to the class period and allow for more student collaboration in their learning. In my presentation, I will go over the key elements of managing a flipped classroom. These elements include: the pre-class learning and the technological logistics involved, how to hold students accountable for the pre-class learning, the way a teacher's role is shifted from direct instruction to facilitator, and how to fully utilize the freed up class time for group work, case studies, review activities, and hands-on learning. I will make sure to address the difficulties that also come with a flipped classroom. To keep this session interactive I will have audience members model numerous examples of the interactive review activities that I have used over the years.
Discover how DNA evidence plays a pivotal role in optimizing agricultural practices and selective breeding to benefit both farmers and consumers. Use agarose electrophoresis to determine genotypes for bulls and cows for a gene responsible for a key milk protein needed for quality cheese production. After genotyping, use Punnett Squares to see the possible outcomes after crossing, then make a recommendation to a dairy farmer which bulls and cows to invest in to increase the chances of having the ultimate Ca$h Cows!
Participants will learn about Wisconsin’s oak forests and why they are ecologically and economically important. Through the phenomenon of growth and development of a single oak tree from acorn to old growth, participants will analyze and interpret its life history to understand the challenges facing oak forests. Questions to be answered include how an acorn survives to become an old oak tree, what ecological and human forces improve the tree’s chances for survival, and how these same forces apply to oak ecosystems. Participants will read brief accounts and review diagrams of oak natural and life history and review maps of presettlement and current oak forests. They will hear from a forest ecologist explaining how oak forests operate and how the sun-loving oak forests face challenges from vegetative competition, invasive plants, deer browsing, and a poor market for small diameter forest products. We will discuss what steps can be taken to insure the future of oak forests. Resources will be shared so teachers can find local data for different kinds of forests. Standards that are addressed include MS ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems, MS & HS LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans and HS LS2.C Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning and Resilience.
Snapshot Wisconsin is a statewide community science project that utilizes a network of trail cameras to produce wildlife management data. This workshop will discuss ways to bring Wisconsin wildlife to a wide range of grade levels, from grades K-5 to higher education. Snapshot staff will walk you through the various lesson plans and activities available to educators.
Please bring a computer/tablet, if possible. We will also have some print outs, for those unable to bring a computer/tablet.
All Snapshot Wisconsin lesson plans and activities are free. Lesson plans are available for grades K-12 and outline curriculum connections in each educator handout, including NGSS (April 2013), Common Core (2010), AP Biology (2012-2013), IB Biology (2016), Environmental Science (2013), Environmental Systems & Societies, and Wisconsin’s Standards for Science.
Learning Objectives: - Learn about Snapshot Wisconsin and how to get involved as a community scientist - Learn about how Snapshot Wisconsin data is used to support management decisions at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Learn about how to access Snapshot Wisconsin’s free lesson plans and activities and incorporate them into your classroom or educational programming - Learn about how to access and explore the Snapshot Wisconsin Data Dashboard as well as how it can be used to teach about science and math concepts, data literacy, and science communication.
Case studies are a great tool to engage and spark students' interest in learning about the human body systems and to learn about different diseases and conditions that affect those body systems. I will present the advantages and reasons for using case studies in a biology or anatomy class. Several case studies from different body systems will be shared and one case study will be conducted in the session. Teachers will also be given directions on a project for students to create their own case study and solve another student’s case.
Learning objectives include Attendees will learn why case studies are a good way to teach human body systems and diseases associated with those body systems. Attendees will learn how to incorporate case studies as a way to introduce a body system or as a way to review a specific body system. Attendees will solve a case study. Attendees will learn how to have students create their own case study for classmates to solve.
