WSST Conference 2025: Full Schedule

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7:00am CDT

Registration

Thursday April 3, 2025 7:00am - 3:00pm CDT

Registration Desk

Thursday April 3, 2025 7:00am - 3:00pm CDT
Registration Desk

General

8:00am CDT

Phenomena-Based Learning in 30 Minutes or Less

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

Herietta

In this session designed for K-5 educators, we will explore the power of phenomenon-based learning through hands-on activities that align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Using the 5E instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate), we’ll demonstrate how authentic science content can be seamlessly incorporated into 30-minute lessons, making science accessible and engaging for students. Participants will actively engage in a real-world, hands-on lesson, gaining practical experience with inquiry-based learning that sparks curiosity and promotes deeper conceptual understanding.

Our session will showcase how these lessons are designed to align with any curriculum goals, providing strategies for integrating authentic science phenomena into your classroom. By the end of the session, participants will walk away with easy-to-implement, NGSS-aligned strategies that can transform their teaching approach and ignite student interest in the world around them. Learning objectives include understanding how to implement the 5E model, exploring ways to integrate phenomena into daily lessons, and gaining tools for delivering engaging, real-world science experiences in under 30 minutes. This session will feature presenter-audience interaction to foster discussion and encourage collaboration, ensuring participants leave with actionable insights.

Speakers

Madison Evans

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Herietta

Elementary General

8:00am CDT

Workshop: Engaging Students in the Science and Engineering of Food - IL Ag Ed Apples Storyline

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

BF Carter

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.

Speakers

Kathy Van Hoeck

Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science

Chris Embry Mohr

Shane Cullian

Teacher, Badger High School

Sponsors

Illinois Agriculture Education - Agricultural Biology Leadership Team

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
BF Carter

8:00am CDT

Building a Science Classroom Culture to Support Student Engagement

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

Thistle

Have you ever posed a scientific question to your students only to hear crickets? Have you ever planned an intriguing investigation only to have it flop because of lack of student engagement? In this session, science teachers will explore practical strategies to cultivate a classroom culture that inspires curiosity, fosters collaboration, and maximizes student engagement. Participants will learn how to create an environment where students feel valued, safe to take risks, and excited to explore the wonders of science. Through guided discussions, case studies, and hands-on activities, teachers will discover techniques to promote active learning, build a sense of community, and develop classroom routines that support inquiry-based and student-centered teaching. By the end of the session, educators will leave with a toolkit of strategies to strengthen student connections, enhance participation, and create a dynamic classroom atmosphere where students are motivated and eager to learn.

Speakers

Elizabeth Mayenschein

Kim Lemberger

Chad Janowski

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Thistle

General Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

8:00am CDT

The OpenSciEd Instructional Model: Routines for Advancing Students Through a Storyline

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

Hutchinson

In the OpenSciEd Instructional Model students are presented with puzzling phenomena that elicit a variety of questions that motivate the learning in the unit. These anchoring phenomena draw students into the storyline by presenting the natural challenge of explaining something or solving a problem. Other phenomena may be introduced at key points in a storyline to maintain interest or push students to delve more deeply. To help teachers and students advance through a unit storyline, the instructional model takes advantage of five routines—activities that play specific roles in advancing the storyline with supports to help students achieve the objectives of those activities. The routines typically follow a pattern as students kick off a unit of study, surface and investigate different questions they have, put the pieces together from those investigations, and then problematize the next set of questions to investigate. In this session participants will engage as “students” with an OSE lesson to experience these routines from both the teacher and student lens. Additional supports and resources will be shared so that teachers can go back to the classroom ready to teach a 3-dimensional lesson.

Speakers

Brian Klaft

Sponsors

Activate Learning

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Hutchinson

General Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

8:00am CDT

Workshop: Simplify NGSS: Adaptable Curriculum to Save Time and Boost Student Success

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 9:50am CDT

Lefevre

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.

Speakers

Craig Kohn

Sponsors

Waterford Union High School

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 9:50am CDT
Lefevre

General Biology/Life Science

9:00am CDT

Newcomers Meeting

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Lake Poygan

Are you new to the WSST Conference? We’re excited to have you join us! To help you make the most of your experience, we invite you to a special Newcomers’ Welcome session where you can learn the ins and outs of the conference.
This session is designed to help you:

Navigate the conference schedule and key events
Connect with fellow educators and network with ease
Discover tips for maximizing your professional development experience
Get answers to any questions you may have

Whether it’s your first time attending or you’re returning after a while, we’re here to ensure you feel welcomed and well-prepared. We look forward to meeting you and making your WSST experience unforgettable!

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Lake Poygan

General

9:00am CDT

Workshop: Making Sense of Milk: Unpacking a 3-dimensional Agriculture Biology Storyline on Dairy

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

BF Carter

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.

Speakers

Kathy Van Hoeck

Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science

Chris Embry Mohr

Shane Cullian

Teacher, Badger High School

Sponsors

Illinois Agriculture Education - Agricultural Biology Leadership Team

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
BF Carter

General Biology/Life Science Environmental Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies Workshop

9:00am CDT

Making Student Thinking Visible through Notebooking

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Thistle

In this professional learning session, participants will explore the power of science notebooks as tools to deepen student sensemaking and engagement in the science classroom. Science notebooks offer students opportunities to document their observations, make connections, and reflect on their learning in ways that support critical thinking and collaboration.
Through interactive activities and real-world examples, you’ll leave with ideas and resources to make science notebooking a meaningful part of your students’ learning journey. This session is ideal for educators seeking to empower their students as independent thinkers and problem solvers in the science classroom.

Speakers

Kim Lemberger

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Thistle

General Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

9:00am CDT

Reach New Heights with Activate Learning’s Interactive Digital Edition of OpenSciEd

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Hutchinson

Activate Learning has partnered with OpenSciEd to create a digital learning platform where students can benefit from an interactive, engaging online experience when using the OpenSciEd curriculum. Students can record their observations and reasoning and receive feedback from teachers. Students benefit from modeling supports like drawing tools and stamps, as well as writing supports with sentence starters and reading supports through recorded audio, highlighting, and annotations. The OSE lessons are designed and aligned to the Framework and the NGSS. They are based on research regarding how students learn, what motivates learning, and the implications for teaching. Participants will experience first-hand our intuitive digital platform with features that enhance the OSE curriculum and help make science teaching and learning more accessible.

Speakers

Brian Klaft

Sponsors

Activate Learning

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Hutchinson

General Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

10:00am CDT

Retirees Meeting

Thursday April 3, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Lake Poygan

We’re excited to invite you to the WSST Retirees Meet & Greet, a special gathering to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the lasting impact of science educators like you!
Come enjoy a relaxed atmosphere where you can:

Reconnect with fellow retired educators
Share your experiences and wisdom with current members
Learn about opportunities to stay involved with WSST

Let’s celebrate the incredible community you’ve helped build and continue inspiring the next generation of science educators. We can’t wait to see you there!

Speakers

Kristin Michalski

Online App Chair, East Troy High School

Karyl Rosenberg

Historian, WSST

I am Historian of WSST, which means that I am responsible for keeping the archives of the organization. This includes newsletters, lists of officers, long term conference records and anything else that the Board of Directors deem worthy of saving for the good of the organization... Read More →

Thursday April 3, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Lake Poygan

General

10:00am CDT

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a Cloud!

Thursday April 3, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Thistle

In this hands-on presentation, we will model the amount of water content in a cloud, formation of clouds in a container, and identify clouds in the sky. You’ll walk away with activities and resources you can use in your classroom. These lessons and activities can be used from the elementary grades to high school. Closely tied to the Wisconsin Science Standards, students make predictions, carry out investigations, use models, and construct explanations. I have used these activities in Earth and Space Science classes during the meteorology unit and in Weather & Climate classes while we are investigating the formation of clouds and precipitation. Time permitting, we will look into how reading the clouds in the sky and their movement can help in the weather prediction process and give us an idea of future weather patterns.

Speakers

Tony DeGrand

Thursday April 3, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Thistle

General Earth Science

10:00am CDT

Workshop: Using the IL Biology Storylines for Coherent Instruction - Melanin Updates

Thursday April 3, 2025 10:00am - 11:50am CDT

Lefevre

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.

Speakers

Kathy Van Hoeck

Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science

Kristin Rademaker

Consultant, All Species Education Consulting

Shane Cullian

Teacher, Badger High School

Sponsors

All Species Education Consulting

Thursday April 3, 2025 10:00am - 11:50am CDT
Lefevre

High Ed General Biology/Life Science Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

11:00am CDT

Fermenters of WSST Unite

Thursday April 3, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Lake Poygan

Discuss and share samples of various fermented beverages/foods and smoked meats. Designed to be a social gathering for those to share samples and ideas with fellow fermenters and meat smokers.

Speakers

Ray Scalavino

Thursday April 3, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Lake Poygan

General

11:00am CDT

Workshop: From Farm to Form: Creating and Comparing Bioplastics from Everyday Resources

Thursday April 3, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

John Lynch

As concerns about plastic pollution grow, educators are uniquely positioned to inspire students with innovative solutions like bioplastics. This workshop delves into the science and engineering behind biodegradable materials derived from renewable resources, focusing on bioplastics made from milk and soybean oil. Participants will engage in hands-on activities to create these bioplastics, gaining insight into their properties, production processes, and applications.

Aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the session will emphasize key practices such as constructing explanations, analyzing data, and exploring the crosscutting concepts of sustainability and resource management. Participants will leave equipped with classroom-ready resources, lesson plans, and access to food and agriculture education kits. They will also discover grants, training opportunities, and student engagement programs to deepen agricultural literacy.

Participants will actively make bioplastics from milk and soybean oil during the session, work collaboratively to explore the material properties, and discuss ways to adapt the lesson for various grade levels. A dedicated Q&A and resource-sharing segment will provide further opportunities for interaction and feedback.

Speakers

Kathy Biernat

Curriculum Designer, Instructional Coach, Zanilu Educational Services, LLC

#ScientistMakerI am an award-winning educator with over 18 years of teaching experience and 30 years of curriculum design expertise. I am passionate about integrating real-world problems into the curriculum, fostering authentic learning experiences, and connecting students with professionals... Read More →

Beth Schaefer

Coordinator, Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom - Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation

I am passionate about food, farming, and people. For the past 22 years I have worked in both formal and informal roles related to agriculture literacy and education. I spent five years as an Agriculture Educator and Biology teacher in both rural and urban schools and for the past... Read More →

Sponsors

Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom

Thursday April 3, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
John Lynch

General

11:00am CDT

Fueling Curiosity and Engagement: Building a Dynamic Driving Question Board

Thursday April 3, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Hutchinson

This presentation will explore the development and implementation of Driving Question Boards (DQB) to foster student-led scientific inquiry. Attendees will gain insight into how DQBs serve as a powerful tool to inspire curiosity and drive learning through real-world phenomena that connect to students’ cultural resources. The session will feature classroom examples of student-created DBQs and practical strategies and procedures for guiding students in the question development process.

Participants will engage actively by stepping into the shoes of students and experiencing the DQB process firsthand as I model the teacher’s facilitation techniques and preparation. Through this interactive approach, attendees will observe how DQBs align with the Next Generation Science Standards by emphasizing student-centered inquiry, phenomenon-based learning, and three-dimensional teaching practices.

By the end of the session, participants will leave with practical knowledge, sample student work, and ready-to-use resources for implementing DQBs in their own classrooms. This session is designed to equip educators with the tools and confidence to harness the power of student questions in driving deeper scientific understanding.

Speakers

Stacey Balbach

Chemistry, Biology, Physics, AP Chemistry, and CAPP Dual Credit Chemistry 105/106, Cuba City High School

Chemistry, Dual Credit Chemistry UWO, Physics, and Biology TeacherI am passionate about creating space for student sense-making through strategic planning and student wondering.

Thursday April 3, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Hutchinson

General Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

11:00am CDT

Lab Safety in the K-8 Classroom

Thursday April 3, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Thistle

Facilitators will bring their 15+ years of background in science to help lead discussion in lab and investigation safety. In this session attendees will share ideas for science investigation facilitation. This will include informal exploration activities as well as formal and multiple day investigations. Ideas will be shared as to how to make classroom safety student centered. Attendees will also test their knowledge on best practices and apply new understanding of best practices to their science classroom by exploring science classroom safety plans.

Speakers

Amy Baranowski

Kristin Kyde

Thursday April 3, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Thistle

General Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

1:00pm CDT

Workshop: Empowering Students to Lead: A Green Team Toolkit for Energy Savings

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

John Lynch

Green teams empower schools to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, resulting in cost savings, reduced environmental impact, and enriched educational opportunities. By engaging students and staff, these teams cultivate responsibility and foster a culture of sustainability within the school community.

FOCUS ON ENERGY® developed the Green Team Toolkit to support these efforts. This comprehensive resource empowers K-12 students as sustainability leaders, offering step-by-step guidance for forming and managing green teams, practical energy-saving strategies, and tips for competitions like Renew Our Schools. The toolkit highlights low-cost, no-cost measures with quick paybacks, enabling schools to optimize building performance while providing meaningful learning experiences for students.

Wisconsin’s K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) complements these efforts with Green Team Mini-Grants designed to fund energy education and efficiency projects, offering schools tangible support to turn ideas into action.

In this session, Focus on Energy, KEEP, and the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District will showcase the benefits of green teams, the impact of the toolkit, and how these mini-grants can amplify these initiatives. Attendees will be equipped with actionable strategies, real-world examples, and the inspiration to transform students into sustainability champions, benefiting facilities, education, and the broader community.

Speakers

Nick Gagnon

Teacher, Chippewa Falls High School

I've been teaching Physics, Chemistry and Remote Pilot classes at Chippewa Falls High School for 20+ years. Over the past 5 years I've been advising our Green Team. These students have accomplished more than I ever could have imagined!

Heather Feigum

Heather oversees Focus on Energy's Agriculture and Schools/Government programs. With a background in energy and project management, she previously served as an Energy Advisor for schools and government facilities. Heather's educational experience includes being a Renewable Energy... Read More →

Laura Lane

Heather Phelps

Student Resource Specialist, Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education

Sponsors

Focus on Energy

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
John Lynch

Elementary High Ed General Energy Savings and Sustainability

1:00pm CDT

Enhancing Science Education Through Data Collection: Innovative Approaches with TI Technology

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Lefevre

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.

Speakers

Michelle Grooms

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Lefevre

General Biology/Life Science Chemistry Earth Science Environmental Physics

1:00pm CDT

Skills Based Grading

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Hutchinson

By combining the best of NGSS and Ambitious Science Teaching, we will show you how our department revolutionized our assessments to grading to the skills. We will share sample activities, grading rubrics, gradebook set-up, and stories along the way.

Speakers

Brad Roost

Tanya Monet-Bakken

Rachel Stindt

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Hutchinson

General Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

1:00pm CDT

Workshop: 3D Learning Unleashed: Integrating Simulations for Captivating Science Experiences

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

BF Carter

Join this session to discover how incorporating simulations into your 3D learning experiences can revolutionize Grades 3-12 science lessons. Join this session to discover how incorporating simulations into your 3D learning experiences can revolutionize science lessons for Grades 3-12. We'll create an environment where students become inquisitive explorers, tackling challenging concepts and phenomena through engaging discourse, modeling, and designing solutions to real-world science problems.

This interactive session will demonstrate how simulations can enhance conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. We will reflect on how the experiences connect to the 3-dimensions of NGSS. Don't forget to bring your device to make the most of this hands-on experience!

Speakers

Cassie Harrelson

Sponsors

ExploreLearning

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
BF Carter

General Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

2:00pm CDT

Navigating OpenSciEd Implementation

Thursday April 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Dixie

Transitioning to NGSS is a huge cultural shift. Fully aligned NGSS instruction looks and feels very different from traditional science instruction. In this session, one or more current science teachers from Cameron Middle School will share, and answer questions about their journey into NGSS via the OpenSciEd Curriculum. This session will include information on the following:
1. Why OpenSciEd (OSE)?
2. Accessing OSE and using the resources to discuss the remaining topics.
3. Aligning curriculum sequence, including discussion on following OSE sequencing vs maintaining your current curricular sequencing.
4. Strengths and challenges of OSE.
a. Planning and Prep
b. Classroom instruction time
c. Transitioning from tradition to NGSS-aligned curriculum
d. Assessment
5. How we each adapt OSE to make it ours:
a. 6th grade: science and social studies time is shared; only teach science half of the year
b. 7th grade: "I am a teacher of Science not a Science teacher".
c. 8th grade: "I hate being tethered to the front of the room!"
Question and Answer time!

Speakers

Jake Ebner

Anna Roherty

Valerie Pumala

8th grade Science Teacher, Cameron Middle School

Thursday April 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Dixie

General

2:00pm CDT

Workshop: Rural Schools Talk Science

Thursday April 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

John Lynch

This session brings together science educators from small rural schools to explore shared challenges and solutions, focusing on best science practices for grades 6-12, school day scheduling issues with limited content teachers, variety of electives/preps taught, and standards-based grading implementation in small schools. Participants will engage in collaborative discussions to share strategies and experiences while addressing unique aspects of rural education. Connections to the NGSS will emphasize practical implementation of standard based grading. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas, enhanced understanding of NGSS integration, and strategies for fostering collaboration within their schools. Interactive elements will include brainstorming sessions and guided resource-sharing.

Speakers

Nick Wall

Teacher, Cashton High School

ScienceHOSABaseball

Julie Lundeen

Science Teacher, Cashton High School

Science teacher for 16 years-Teach in a small, rural school-Has been implementing and "tweaking" flipped classroom for several years-Implements flipped in chem and bio classes. Has developed new curriculum for Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Physics, Environmental Ed and... Read More →

Sponsors

Cashton High School

Thursday April 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
John Lynch

General

3:00pm CDT

Workshop: New Teacher Network

Thursday April 3, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

John Lynch

This workshop offers new teachers an opportunity to connect with peers, share challenges, and explore solutions. Participants will engage in discussions, build a supportive network, and learn about valuable resources to enhance their teaching practice. Gain insights, share experiences, and leave with tools to navigate the early years of your career with confidence.

Speakers

Stephanie Ruder

Megan Sprague

Teacher, Onalaska High School

Sponsors

New Teacher Network/ Onalaska High School

Thursday April 3, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
John Lynch

General

3:00pm CDT

Workshop: Stress Free Differentiation - Utilizing AI for planning and teaching

Thursday April 3, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Evelyn

This program, Stress-Free Differentiation: Utilizing AI for Planning and Teaching, equips science teachers with the tools and knowledge to simplify differentiation using innovative AI solutions. Participants will explore DiffIT and Brisk AI, two user-friendly platforms designed to streamline lesson planning, instructional delivery, and assessment. By incorporating these tools, teachers can efficiently tailor their instruction to meet the diverse needs of students, aligning with NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)** by promoting inquiry-based learning and real-world application.

Additionally, this program integrates MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) principles by providing strategies for differentiated instruction across all tiers, ensuring equitable access to high-quality learning experiences. Educators will learn how to create personalized tasks, scaffold instruction, and design formative assessments that address both academic and social-emotional needs. By leveraging AI, science teachers can spend less time on planning and more time fostering student engagement, growth, and success in the classroom.

Speakers

Mary Caucutt

Sponsors

Templeton Middle School

Thursday April 3, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
Evelyn

General elementary -high school

3:00pm CDT

Using Graphs to Read Real Weather Data

Thursday April 3, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Lake Poygan

Are you looking at making your lessons impactful? Are you struggling to find good graphs to help your students practice? You can generate real world graphs that will paint pictures for students. Using these tools, students can make their own weather predictions, discover real time weather information, and verify weather data after weather events. You will learn how to make your own weather collection tools and have students gather real time weather data to compile over time. Help prepare students for the ACT by having them analyze data from one of the most difficult graphs to read, the SKEW-t. By reading this graph, students can analyze the weather at your school and determine the cloud heights, whether it will precipitate, what kind of precipitation, and whether severe weather is on its way. Students will also be able to explore various climates around the country and around the world by analyzing these graphs and comparing them to other regions. The weather in Wisconsin is drastically different from Saudi Arabia. Come explore how students can read graphs for real.

Speakers

Erik Duhn

Nathan Falkinham

Thursday April 3, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
Lake Poygan

High Ed General Earth Science Environmental