WSST Conference 2025: Full Schedule

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8:00am CDT

Quantum Physics activities for Chemistry

Friday April 4, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

Both of these activities were developed by a high school teacher in the Teach Quantum fellowship at UW-Madison. Using a bird navigation storyline in chemistry, learn how to incorporate electrons, configurations, and spectrum to understand the Zeeman effect and its role in migratory behaviors of birds and even grazing patterns in cattle. You will also learn how to use quantum physics in an electron escape room using flame tests to explore superposition. I will provide the full lesson plans and list of materials to run activitites. Both activities showcase making chemistry equitable for all learners with basic strategies and promote group discourse and concesus modeling throughout the units. Its a great way to expose students to quantum chemistry in a unit that is difficult to come up with examples for.

Speakers

Jamie Lauer

Friday April 4, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Herietta

Chemistry Physics Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

8:00am CDT

Workshop: Integrating Engineering, Electronics, and Coding into Your Science Labs

Friday April 4, 2025 8:00am - 9:50am CDT

BF Carter

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.

Speakers

Isabel Mendiola

Director, Gearbox Labs, Inc.

Gearbox Labs provides project and problem-based curriculum, kits, and learning experiences that integrate engineering, design, computational thinking, and digital prototyping using C/C++ and physical computing in applied STEM/STEAM contexts for K-12 students.

Peter Haydock

Sponsors

Gearbox Labs

Friday April 4, 2025 8:00am - 9:50am CDT
BF Carter

Biology/Life Science Earth Science Engineering Environmental Physics Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

9:00am CDT

Science Intern

Friday April 4, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Herietta

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.

Speakers

Jamie Lauer

Friday April 4, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Herietta

High Ed General Biology/Life Science Chemistry Earth Science Environmental Physics

10:00am CDT

Workshop: Modeling Instruction in High School Science

Friday April 4, 2025 10:00am - 11:50am CDT

Lefevre

The US Department of Education has recognized the Modeling Instruction program as an exemplary K-12 science program. This pedagogical approach puts students into the role of a scientist planning experiments, gathering and analyzing data, presenting the data and results of an experiment to peers. The participants of this workshop will learn about Modeling Instruction and have an opportunity to experience a number of different aspects of this pedagogical approach. This includes a physics modeling style experiment, a white boarding session and post lab discussion. Participant learning objectives include: gaining a deeper understanding of modeling instruction, participating in a modeling style experiment, learning how modeling instructions aligns with the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices, and learning how modeling instruction can be used with other science content areas.

Speakers

Scott Hertting

Sponsors

Neenah High School

Friday April 4, 2025 10:00am - 11:50am CDT
Lefevre

Physics Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

3:00pm CDT

How to BE an Aerospace Education Member and get Free Stem kits, Lessons, and Flight

Friday April 4, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Lake Poygan

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.

Speakers

Michael A. Bero

Friday April 4, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
Lake Poygan

Elementary High Ed Earth Science Physics Aerospace Education