In today’s diverse classrooms, science teachers must support students learning English as an additional language while fostering their scientific curiosity. This interactive presentation, designed for middle and high school science teachers and support staff, offers a practical approach to meeting this need. Through empathy-building activities, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges multilingual students face, and they’ll leave with actionable tools, resources, and strategies to create a more inclusive learning environment.
Instead of an abstract discussion on ideal solutions, this session is grounded in reality—focused on changes you can implement in your classroom next week. Participants will explore targeted methods for making science and engineering practices accessible, build a network of like-minded educators, and engage in a sample lesson designed to show how phenomena-based teaching can naturally support multilingual learners. Join this session at the 2025 Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers convention to enrich your teaching toolkit and inspire your multilingual students to thrive in science!
We will share the research trajectory of a program developed to support multilingual learners to demonstrate their evolving learning in science and spend time looking at examples of the assessments we developed. Participants will discuss the design principles involved in accessible assessments and how to leverage them to develop more robust academic language over time. Participants will leave with 3D assessments and grading rubrics ready for their middle school classrooms, as well as research-based strategies for adapting their existing assessments for struggling readers and English Learners.
Many science educators are using existing High Quality Instructional Materials developed outside of Wisconsin and want to adapt them to be more relevant for our students. Finding the time and resources to make adaptations that do not change the trajectory of the existing storyline can be challenging. During this presentation we will consider the rationale for changing storylines, examine cautions of equating “local” with “relevant” phenomena, and discuss options for the most realistic places to spend our efforts to adapt existing materials to make them more relevant for our students. Suggestions are research-based with recommendations from professional developers.
Join us this July at the 1200-acre property at Lowenwood in Land O' Lakes, WI. Fuel your drive to deliver high-quality science learning experiences. Dig deeper into what three-dimensional, phenomenon-based instruction looks and feels like. Experience first-hand the type of sense-making intended with the Next Generation Science Standards. Most importantly, recharge your passion by reflecting on the impact that you are having and connect with like-minded science educators from around the state.
Join us for a collaborative session designed specifically for teachers new to AP Biology (less than five years of experience). This discussion-based session will provide an opportunity to share resources, strategies, and insights while reflecting on what has worked well and what challenges you’ve faced in teaching AP Biology. Topics will include navigating the course framework, engaging students in challenging content, managing labs, and preparing for the AP exam. Bring your questions, ideas, and experiences to contribute to a supportive community of educators eager to grow together. Whether you're refining your approach or looking for new tools, this session is an opportunity to connect with and learn from and with your peers.
With 22 years of experience teaching science, including a mix of Chemistry and Biology, I am dedicated to continuously enhancing my teaching approach. I thrive on exploring new, engaging ideas for the classroom, particularly through innovative labs and activities that keep students... Read More →
Friday April 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm 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.
