WSST Conference 2025: Full Schedule

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8:00am CDT

Developing NGSS-Aligned Assessments and Curriculum Across Schools

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

This session will explore our district’s journey of adopting a new high school science curricular resource and developing curriculum aligned with the NGSS standards. Attendees will gain insights into how we collaboratively established learning targets, designed cohesive units, and developed shared assessments used across three high schools. The presentation will also share challenges and successes from multiple perspectives—administrators, teachers, and students—providing a comprehensive view of the process.

Interactive components will include opportunities to analyze sample rubrics and discuss strategies for applying similar processes in attendees’ districts. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with actionable ideas for fostering alignment and consistency in their own curriculum and assessments.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the steps for adopting and implementing NGSS-aligned curriculum and assessments.
2. Explore the importance of cross-school collaboration in creating consistent learning experiences.
3. Develop strategies to adapt the process for use in their own districts or schools.

Speakers

Kirsten Wiesneski

High School Science Teacher, School District of Waukesha

This is my 12th year as a high school science teacher (Chemistry and Physics). I am an inveterate user of Blackboard and Google apps to facilitate instruction both virtually and face-to-face. I enjoy testing the capabilities and limits of what a program can offer me because my... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Anna M

General Curriculum

9:00am CDT

Professional Development Round Table

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Anna M

Join the WSST Professional Development Committee for a round table discussion about professional development opportunities you want to see from the committee.

Speakers

Jamie Groark

Saturday April 5, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Anna M

General Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

10:00am CDT

WINGS 2024 Bookstudy

Saturday April 5, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Anna M

A concluding meeting to discuss the books "Planning to Stay", "Ambitious Science Teaching" and "Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Secondary Science." We will also reflect on our journeys so far.

Speakers

Jamie Groark

Saturday April 5, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Anna M

WINGS

11:00am CDT

Engage students while learning outdoors using transects

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Anna M

I will present for 30 minutes on how I use transects to get kids outside collecting data along a stream corridor. I have found transects are engaging for students without the expectation that they are an expert on identifying plant or animal species. Transects are often the building blocks for our field observations within an outdoor freshwater ecology course I teach and useful to build skills required for the rest of the semester. I will share several different transects that I have found to be effective for mapping, analyzing and collecting field data all within a 45 minute class period (so quick turn around). I will talk about common barriers and future connections with transects as well. The last 15 minutes will be open discussion or time for any questions you may have for me.

HS LS2- 2 Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on
evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of
different scales.HS LS2-7 Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.

Speakers

Angela Schmit

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Anna M

General Biology/Life Science Earth Science Environmental