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.
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.
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.
Discover how to engage students in scientific inquiry and coding by designing a digital mood ring! This hands-on session will guide participants through the process of creating a “mood ring” that changes color based on temperature readings from a sensor. With simple coding teachers will explore foundational science concepts—such as temperature sensing, data collection, and thermodynamics—while introducing students to basic coding and data visualization skills. No coding or advanced technical experience is needed; this session is designed to equip all teachers with the tools and confidence to bring this interactive project into their classrooms. Teachers will leave with a project outline, sample code, and step-by-step instructions, making it easy to replicate in a science or STEM curriculum.
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.
