WSST Conference 2025

Embark on a hands-on adventure and join marine biologists in their quest to uncover the mystery of Luna's father! Meet Luna, an adorable whale calf, and become part of a passionate team determined to solve this heartwarming puzzle using gel electrophoresis and DNA fingerprinting where you will pour, load, and run a gel, capture gel image, analyze the results, and deduce a probable conclusion for a whale of a forensic mystery.

Harnessing students’ innate curiosity about the natural world and desire to protect it can be done with hands-on classroom activities that build STEM skills, increase environmental literacy and show sustainable paths forward. In this session, the presenter will facilitate a series of interdisciplinary lessons that involve collecting and analyzing data, creating 3D models and working collaboratively on solving authentic problems. Raise environmental literacy while creating a 3-D model of land use, engaging in a simulation of carrying capacity in a habitat, and using engineering skills in experimenting ways to clean up a local river. The presented lessons are designed to deepen students’ understanding of “Earth and Human Activities” (ESS3) and Ecosystems (LS2) with several Cross-cutting Concepts (Patterns; Cause-and-Effect; Scale, Proportion and Quantity; Systems and System Models; Stability and Change). Participants will receive lesson plans, data sets and links to digital tools.

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.

This workshop will explore the intricate balance between agricultural practices and sustainability. We will delve into the fundamental aspects of plant biology, the impact of water on land, the delicate equilibrium of nutrient cycles, and the strategic application of agricultural technologies. Participants will work through four Nourish the Future activities as part of a mini unit which works to answer the question, "How do farmers grow food and keep our waterways clean?"
By examining the similarities and differences between corn and soybean plants, we will gain insights into the underlying principles of plant growth and development. We will then explore the critical role of water in shaping landscapes and the potential for erosion to degrade soil health. Next the workshop will highlight the importance of nutrient management in maintaining healthy ecosystems. We will observe the consequences of nutrient pollution.
Finally, we will examine the latest advancements in precision agriculture, focusing on the use of data-driven technologies to optimize crop yields while minimizing environmental impact. Participants will complete activities which can later be done with their students.

Preparing to meet the challenges ahead for people and the planet requires a solid foundation in understanding the trends that shape our world, how we interact with ecosystems and change the physical landscape. Knowing how to determine good sources of data, how to analyze and think critically about data, make reasonable correlations and use data for designing solutions are all skills emphasized in the Wisconsin Standards for Science.

In this hands-on session, the presenter will use interactive strategies (simulations, games and small-group discussion) to present and interpret data in different formats (statistics, photos/videos, narratives) on several key Disciplinary Core Ideas for grades 9-12, especially in Life Sciences and Earth and Space Sciences. Data-rich lessons will address climate change causes and effects, land and water use, biodiversity, and global demographic trends. The presenter will discuss how to implement these activities as part of broadening students’ understanding of “Earth and Human Activities.”. Participants will receive lesson plans and background materials in an electronic format. Presented activities are relevant to Biology, Earth Science, General Science, and AP Environmental Science.

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.

This interactive workshop introduces the NASA STELLA Q2 Spectrometer, a DIY, handheld tool designed to make scientific exploration accessible to educators, students, and citizen scientists. Participants will learn to build and use the spectrometer for environmental and materials analysis, emphasizing how this technology can support NGSS-aligned learning experiences in Earth and space science.

The session begins with an overview of the spectrometer’s design, components, and capabilities, followed by guided instruction on assembly and calibration. Attendees will then explore real-world applications, such as analyzing light spectra to assess plant growth and monitor environmental pollutants. Activities include hands-on experiments that directly address NGSS practices, like planning investigations (SEP 3) and interpreting data (SEP 4), aligned with performance expectations such as HS-ESS3-6 (Global Climate Change) and MS-PS4-1 (Wave Properties).

Learning objectives for attendees include:
Constructing and calibrating the STELLA Q2 Spectrometer.
Designing NGSS-aligned lessons integrating spectrometry.
Applying spectrometry to engage students in environmental science and critical thinking.
Through collaborative exploration and discussion, participants will leave equipped with tools and strategies to inspire curiosity and STEM engagement in their classrooms or outreach programs.

Project Learning Tree’s “Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers” guide includes background information and resources related to forest-focused STEM careers, as well as four learning activities designed to give students a taste of a wide range of jobs. In this session, we will work in small groups to do one indoor and one outdoor activity from the guide, practicing skills like data collection and analysis, tree measurement and identification, and scientific discourse. We will have a large group discussion to identify how these skills and activities connect to NGSS SEPs. Participants will then work with a partner to make connections between the activities and the biology, environmental science and/or earth science concepts they teach, then use some individual work time to plan how these activities and other careers education can fit into their existing curriculum. Participants will leave prepared to teach “green” careers education alongside their content. Participants will receive a free copy of the book.

Although wildfires can be caused by natural events and provide many valuable ecological services, changes in the environment related to climate change are fueling the growth of large, destructive megafires. In this workshop, participants will explore how the HHMI Resources The Science of Climate Change film and the activity The Impacts of Wildfires can help students understand these changes. We will share how to use increases in megafires as a phenomenon to guide student inquiry into the causes and impacts of climate change. The workshop will emphasize integration of NGSS practices including: asking questions and defining problems, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations, and designing solutions.

In this hands on workshop participants will
Discover how to use the phenomena to engage students in the science of climate change
Explore evidence to support human causes of climate change
Evaluate various lines of evidence for which factors influence wildfire dynamics using a jigsaw strategy.
Analyze and interpret scientific figures, such as graphs and maps.
Utilize the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) approach to develop scientific claims supported by evidence and reasoning for why recent wildfires are burning more forest area.
Evaluate strategies to reduce the area burned by wildfire and minimize the impacts.

Do you get bored thinking about boards? What if I told you that even a simple board has an interesting story to tell? A tree’s history of experiences is locked away in its wood, every stress and every time of plenty is documented in its rings. Looking at boards and tree cookies, learn how to decode the ecological story of trees from sapling to harvest. The humble board can provide a rich story to enhance cell biology to community ecology. Come get board with me!

Approximately 30-35% of Americans self-identify as birders. Birds are amazing...and they are EVERYWHERE!!! While many elementary students can identify dozens of species of fictitious or long-extinct organisms, most cannot correctly identify even a handful of local birds. Birding is recognized as a gateway activity for caring about nature; because birds are so diverse, they are present in every possible habitat. Using a WSST Milton Pella grant, we were able to purchase a classroom set of binoculars, field guides, and a heavy-duty carrying case. Students learned about binoculars beginning with classroom and paper activities. We then practiced using our equipment safely and properly in the classroom and in the gym. Once students were comfortable with the equipment, we learned about basic bird anatomy and bird identification. We spent a couple classroom periods out in the school grounds finding and identifying our resident birds. These activities can easily extend over several weeks and were very enthusiastically received by our students. This presentation will provide an outline of our activities as well as paper copies of all lessons. This is a great way to get students outdoors and active in nature while (hopefully) encouraging interest in our local birds.

Participants will explore Wisconsin’s K-12 Energy Education Program’s BRAND NEW, inquiry -based Building Energy Detectives Lessons. Lessons follow a 5E structure, include a career connection, and provide opportunities for climate change conversations. Participants will work hands-on with tools from KEEP’s Energy Audit Kit exploring the anchor phenomenon: What energy actions can I take at school, at home, and in my community to create a more sustainable future? The presentation will guide participants through the following essential questions: How much energy is used by appliances in the classroom when turned on and off? How can I reduce energy consumption of appliances at school? What can I do to help my school’s HVAC system operate well and conserve energy? How can we achieve recommended light levels throughout the school while decreasing the amount of electricity used for lighting? What does an energy bill look like and how can actions we take to conserve energy at school impact it? How can actions we take to conserve energy at school affect our carbon dioxide emissions? All lessons are designed to align with NGSS standards, WI Standards for Science, and WI Standards for Environmental Literacy and Sustainability.

WI Standards for Science/NGSS
CC2: Cause and Effect
CC4: Systems and System Models
SEP1.A: Asking Questions
SEP1.B: Defining Problems
SEP3: Planning and Conducting Investigations
SEP4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
SEP5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
SEP6.A: Constructing an Explanation
SEP6.B: Designing Solutions
SEP7: Arguing from Evidence
SEP8: Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
SCI.ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems
SCI.ESS3.D: Global Climate Change
SCI.ETS2.B Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World

WI Standards for Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
Strand 1: Connect, Standard 1: Students develop and connect with their sense of place and well-being through observation, exploration and questioning.