WSST Conference 2025: Full Schedule

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8:00am CDT

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

Participants will consider and discuss why student-to-student discourse is essential for making sense of science. Science is the perfect setting for building students' capacity for deep discussions, and the strategies for making those discussions happen are transferable to other subject areas. Consider ways to help students grapple with evidence from multiple sources, make their thinking clear for others, and productively build upon or challenge the ideas of others.

Speakers

Ryan King

K-5 Science Teacher Leader, Madison Metropolitan School District

Elementary Science!

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

Elementary

9:00am CDT

Connecting Students to Their Local Waterways - The Milwaukee Waters Investigation Project A model using collaboration and real-world activities to meet state educational standards

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

Dixie

Wisconsin residents have extensive, high quality water systems and a broad range of individuals and organizations working to understand, protect and enhance them. The Milwaukee Waters Investigation Project (MWI) is a multidisciplinary STEM project focusing on a semester of teacher support, four professional development meetings, and ending with a one day field investigation with over 325 students supported by partners from more than 15 organizations. There is no cost to teachers to participate. The Freshwater Tool Kit.org website, project activities, water systems review, and water quality and water habitat monitoring and the opportunity to reveal and inspire potential career pathways in the water sector connect this project to the NGSS standards.
This presentation includes an overview of the MWI Project, and the experience of a teacher involved in the project. There will also be an exercise for conference attendees to share what they are doing with their students in this space, to identify partners they do or might want to work with, and explore opportunities for collaboration within their community or with peers in other parts of the state to develop real-world projects centered on this vital resource.

Speakers

Joost Allard

Kae DonLevy

Lalitha Murali

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

Biology/Life Science Chemistry Earth Science Environmental Water Systems

10:00am CDT

Exploring STEM Horizons: Career Paths to Your Future

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

Dixie

Learning Blade is an innovative platform designed to inspire students through STEM exploration by connecting academic standards with real-world careers and technologies. This interactive session highlights how Learning Blade introduces students to a diverse range of STEM-related professions, from engineers to environmental scientists, data analysts, and healthcare professionals. By showcasing these opportunities, students can envision future careers and understand pathways to achieve their goals.

Through authentic challenges and projects, Learning Blade equips students with critical skills and knowledge for success in the 21st-century workforce. It fosters accessibility, ensuring students of all backgrounds and experience levels can engage meaningfully with STEM content. By exploring career paths and technologies aligned with their interests, students gain a clearer vision of their potential in STEM fields.

Educators and administrators can discover the transformative power of Learning Blade in preparing the next generation of STEM leaders. This session offers valuable insights into how this platform supports student growth, bridges interdisciplinary standards, and connects education with real-world applications.

Whether you're an educator or simply curious about innovative educational tools, Learning Blade provides resources to inspire and prepare students for future success. Register for a fully funded account at www.LearningBlade.com/WI.

Speakers

Scott Mains

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

Diversity/Equity Career Awareness

11:00am CDT

Science Teachers of the Future Urgently Wanted!

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

Dixie

Wisconsin faces a significant downturn in the number of undergraduate, graduate, and, alternatively certified science teachers. In 2023, only 165.new science teachers were licensed from traditional and alternative teacher preparation programs in Wisconsin, down from an average of 225 between 2014 and 2021. As a middle or high school science teacher, you can play a vital role in helping reverse this trend! In this interactive problem-solving session, we’ll share data on licensure numbers over the past 10 years and share some research and tips on ways you might help your students, paraprofessionals, and others in your orbit consider one of the best jobs in the world: engaging middle and high school students with wonders of our universe! We will share nationwide research on how teachers and schools are working to recruit and prepare science teachers, as well as ways to retain and continue to help develop new science teachers. Participants will get sample activities that teachers can immediately use with their students and friends to help them consider a career in science education. We will also ask for ideas from the participants on strategies to help increase the number of science teachers in Wisconsin.

Speakers

Kevin Anderson

Science Education Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Dr. Anderson currently works as the Science Education Consultant at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). He enjoys helping educators improve science programs and instruction to support all students in making sense of the world and solving problems. Previously, he... Read More →

Joel Donna

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

High Ed