WSST Conference 2025

This presentation will explore how the Growing Beyond Earth (GBE) citizen science project has been integrated into a middle school science classroom. GBE, a collaborative effort between NASA and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, offers students a unique opportunity to engage in authentic scientific research by growing plants in controlled environments. By participating in this project, students are exposed to real-world science practices, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Through a series of hands-on activities, students learn about plant biology, environmental factors, and the challenges of growing plants in space. The project aligns with NGSS by addressing core ideas in life science, earth and space science, and engineering design.

This session will delve into the specific activities and lessons implemented to engage students in the GBE project, including:
--Plant Growth Experiments
--Data Collection and Analysis
--Scientific Inquiry
Student Learning Objectives
--Understand the basic principles of plant growth and development.
--Develop data collection and analysis skills.
--Apply scientific inquiry to investigate real-world problems.
--Appreciate the challenges of growing plants in space.
--Develop a deeper understanding of the role of science in society.

Through this project, students have been able to contribute to real NASA research while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Abstract: Unearthing Fossil Discoveries: Engaging Students with Interactive Science Notebooking and a Fossil Museum Project
Dive into an interactive journey of paleontological discovery as I share how a generous donation of fossils from the Pit 11 Mazon Creek Formation transformed my classroom into a hub of hands-on scientific exploration. This session will detail how I integrated an original 1970s fossil hunter’s journal—complete with detailed sketches and field notes—into lessons that introduced students to scientific sketching, fossil identification, and museum curation.
Participants will learn how students:
Reflected on a non-scientist’s authentic field journal to connect with the documentation process.
Created detailed scientific sketches of fossils, then engaged in peer-matching activities to hone observational skills.
Identified, sorted, and selected fossils to design and curate a school library fossil museum, including 3D-printed models and student-created exhibits.
Explored the process of uncovering unopened concretions using the freeze-thaw-bake method, resulting in exciting discoveries like additional Tully Monsters.
Attendees will engage in hands-on activities adapted from these lessons, including scientific sketching and fossil identification, and discuss connections to the NGSS, including:
MS-LS4-1: Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record.
MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and refinement.
This session emphasizes presenter-audience interaction, sharing adaptable strategies for classroom implementation, and fostering inquiry-based learning that inspires students to think like scientists.

You will build a soil moisture sensing system using the Arduino UNO. First you will design and code the project in Tinkercad using the Arduino simulator. Then you will build and code the project using an Arduino UNO and a soil moisture sensor. You will wire your projects and code in C++. You will learn the basics of the electronics behind Arduino connected sensors and the limitless possibilities for your science labs, fairs and national competitions. The workshop will demonstrate 3D learning and how to spark innovation and creativity using the Arduino platform.

Kevin will share NGSS-aligned resources for teaching climate change, vaccines, and evolution. We'll discuss strategies to teach them to students in ways that will be approachable for all. We'll also discuss how to support general media literacy for students - weeding out the fuzzy from the evidence-based. Finally, we'll discuss the psychological barriers that make people want to believe certain things and keep them believing it despite the evidence. It's important to note that private school teachers also teach these topics!

We have a 0.5 credit Science Intern Course at Hartford Union High School which allows students the opportunity to learn alongside a science teacher. They are responsible for laboraory set up, preparation and clean-up for our department in addition to being a teaching assistant during labs or activities in our introductory level courses. We have an application and interview process along with a reflection document that is filled out during their internship. Several former students have secured lab interns jobs as freshman at their respective universities. Learn how to propose and execute this course to help develop students as leaders in science.

We will explain how educators can sign up and become a Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Member. We will explain all the benefits of being a member. We will also explain all the free things you are entitled to as a member. After the first year you renew as a member for free annually. There are stem kits, Lessons for your classroom, free teacher orientation flights.

Lessons have NSSG objectives and areas listed. Our goal is to get teachers teaching aerospace education lessons to give students a taste for learning more about aviation. We have frees stem kits and lessons for their classrooms. We try to show them how they can maximize their efforts in getting stem kits. We also demonstrate the ease in which you can get free materials and a flight in a Civil Air Patrol plane.

We explain how you pay only once, and can then sign up annually free of charge every year after the first year. We also like to give Teachers Airplane rides. When you get a chance to fly it becomes an experience you want to share with your students.