WSST Conference 2025: Full Schedule

8:00am CDT

Workshop: Engaging Students in the Science and Engineering of Food - IL Ag Ed Apples Storyline

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

Obtaining food to meet our energy and matter needs is a basic requirement of humans, in addition to helping define our cultural practices and ways of life. This presentation will share how to use elements of the three dimensions of the NGSS and Framework to engage students in making sense of phenomena and problems related to the production and consumption of food. Strategies for how to use driving question boards, 3-dimensional learning outcomes, and engagement of all learners will be shared.
Students will ask questions for how perfect apples are mass produced, how nutrients and environmental factors affect the quality of fruit, and how to attain the right balance of sweet-tart flavor. This storyline weaves together concepts such as meiosis and mitosis, pedigrees and probability, plant structure and function, nutrient cycles, and the role of photosynthesis in producing food in order to explain why it took 30 years to produce the Honeycrisp apple.

Speakers

Kathy Van Hoeck

Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science

Chris Embry Mohr

Shane Cullian

Teacher, Badger High School

Sponsors

Illinois Agriculture Education - Agricultural Biology Leadership Team

Thursday April 3, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
BF Carter

9:00am CDT

Engaging Students with Land and Soil Data through Hands-On Lessons and 3D Assessments

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Dixie

In a world where declining water quality threatens ecosystems, food security, and public health it is imperative that we as teachers are prepared to educate the next water leaders. This session will dive into a hands-on lessons from Nourish the Future where students analyze soil, water, and land use data to construct solutions for real-world land management challenges. We will showcase how students engage in science and engineering practices, such as analyzing data and constructing explanations, to tackle a relevant phenomenon, while highlighting student examples.
Through NGSS-aligned strategies, participants will observe how sensemaking guides students in proposing solutions to improve soil and water quality. Teachers will leave better equipped with strategies for using the lesson as an activity or as a 3D assessment, The lesson is great for student engagement, phenomenon/storyline based teaching, and encouraging deep learning across diverse classrooms. Teachers will walk away with an activity that can be easily modified for any classroom or science topic.

Speakers

Megan Sprague

Teacher, Onalaska High School

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Dixie

Biology/Life Science Environmental

9:00am CDT

Workshop: Making Sense of Milk: Unpacking a 3-dimensional Agriculture Biology Storyline on Dairy

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

BF Carter

Milk is an important food product that provides all of the nutrients that young mammals need to survive early in life. Learning from populations that can digest dairy can help provide solutions to humans who choose to consume it into adulthood, despite the inability to do so naturally. Because of this demand, milk and dairy products altogether continue to be an important aspect of agriculture.

Participants will engage in a new storyline that tasks students with constructing and revising explanations based on evidence for why dairy is such an important agricultural product and source of food energy. The Milk storyline is the 7th in a series being developed by a group of 25+ educators from the midwest for science and agriculture teachers that engage students in developing explanations for agricultural phenomena and solving real-world problems. Students utilize the three dimensions of NGSS as they learn about food systems or the production, processing, distribution, and consumption of food products and interactions with the natural environment. Intentional emphasis is placed on developing skills related to the Scientific & Engineering Practices and building Crosscutting Concepts.

Speakers

Kathy Van Hoeck

Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science

Chris Embry Mohr

Shane Cullian

Teacher, Badger High School

Sponsors

Illinois Agriculture Education - Agricultural Biology Leadership Team

Thursday April 3, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
BF Carter

General Biology/Life Science Environmental Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies Workshop

10:00am CDT

Workshop: The Fungus Among Us! Investigating Valley Fever Using MiniOne Gel Electrophoresis to Detect Fungal Hotspots.

Thursday April 3, 2025 10:00am - 11:50am CDT

Anna M

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms commonly found in soils and can act as pathogens, leading to diseases in plants, animals, and humans. Valley Fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection prevalent in arid and semi-arid areas. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that the distribution of this fungus may be shifting due to changing environmental conditions.
During this workshop, participants will:
Explore the ecological role of fungi and learn about Valley Fever's genetic links to specific populations.
Engage in a role-playing exercise as researchers conducting a collaborative study to test soil samples for the Coccidioides fungus.
Understand the procedures for extracting and amplifying fungal DNA samples.
Perform agarose gel electrophoresis using MiniOne equipment to check for the presence of Coccidioides in soil samples.
Analyze group data to identify areas with high rates of Valley Fever infections.
Discuss how climate change affects the spread of fungi and the occurrence of Valley Fever.
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of potential solutions to minimize fungal infections.
Discover teaching strategies to inspire students and incorporate an engaging biotechnology narrative

Speakers

Amy Fassler

Sponsors

MiniOne

Thursday April 3, 2025 10:00am - 11:50am CDT
Anna M

Biology/Life Science Environmental Workshop

1:00pm CDT

Monitoring Aquatic Invasive Species Using Environmental DNA (eDNA)

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Thistle

Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is an emerging technology and important conservation tool of natural resource professionals used to monitor the presence or absence of species, such as invasive carp. This session will engage participants in portions of the field and laboratory experience and in the curriculum refinement process for utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect the presence of invasive carp in the Wisconsin River. When finalized, participants will receive the field and laboratory investigation protocols and additional educational materials. The curriculum is designed for middle and high school students. Participant objectives are to experience portions of the curriculum and provide critical feedback for refinement. This session connects to NGSS Science Practices 1 & 4 (Plan, justify, and carry out an investigation & Apply reasoning from evidence to support a claim) and Cross Cutting Concept 1 (Interpret cause and effect relationships.)

This project is a collaborative effort between the UW Madison Division of Extension, UW-Madison Genetics & Biotechnology Center, Freshwater@UW Collaborative, Wisconsin 4-H, Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, and the U.S. Geological Survey, and was made possible by a Wisconsin Sea Grant and Division of Extension Innovation Grant.

Speakers

Amy Workman

Joanna Skluzacek

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Thistle

Biology/Life Science Environmental

1:00pm CDT

Workshop: Forest Measurement: Tools You Can Use

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Evelyn

Forest measurement is beneficial to students as they use tools, apply geometry and accounting, and begin to understand the importance of sustainable forestry and connections to healthy forests of Wisconsin. Participants will practice with a variety of tools used to measure trees and estimate density, make management decisions, and consider what products can come from a harvest. LEAF Field Lessons (grades 5-12) that incorporate measurement will be introduced. Depending on weather and proximity to trees, this workshop may go outside for part of the time.
Wisconsin Science Standards connections:
SCI.ESS3.A: Natural Resources
SCI.ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems
SCI.ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions

Speakers

Steve Schmidt

Sponsors

LEAF/ WCEE/UWSP

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Evelyn

Earth Science Environmental

1:00pm CDT

Collaborative Water Research in the Classroom

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Dixie

Members of the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin invite 8-12th grade educators to learn about university programs that provide middle school and high school students with hands-on opportunities to study freshwater science.

Topics will include high school freshwater camps, aquaculture in the classroom, wild rice in the classroom, water-focused educator workshops, and water-monitoring programs that link educators and students to statewide water experts. Panelists will represent programs led by faculty and staff at UW-Green Bay, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee UW Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point.

Learn how to prepare your students for STEM programs in college and create a network that connects them and you to faculty and undergraduate scientists in the Universities of Wisconsin. Intended outcomes include ideas for bringing hands-on water science activities into your classroom and building skills in students at all levels, an enhanced ability to provide knowledge about water careers to your students, and an increased connection to universities who would like to engage K-12 students and educators in freshwater science activities.

Speakers

Marissa Jablonski

Liz Sutton

Greg Kleinheinz

Sharon Moen

Lynn Terrien

Heidi L Jeter

Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Dixie

Environmental Freshwater Science

1:00pm CDT

Enhancing Science Education Through Data Collection: Innovative Approaches with TI Technology

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Lefevre

In an era where data-driven insights are critical for scientific discovery and understanding, the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data has become a fundamental skill for students. This workshop will explore how you can empower students to
actively engage in data collection across diverse science disciplines, including physics,
chemistry, biology, and environmental science.
Participants will learn hands-on techniques for integrating data collection into their science
curricula using sensors, which provide real-time data and enhance students’
learning experiences. This session will offer insights on inquiry-based learning that develops
students’ scientific literacy and problem-solving skills.

Objectives:
1. Understand the Role of Data Collection in Science Education
2. Explore TI Technology for Real-Time Data Collection
3. Design and Implement Data-Driven Experiments
4. Integrate Data Collection into Standards-Based Instruction

By the end of this session, participants will:
• Gain confidence in using technology for data collection in science education.
• Acquire practical strategies for designing and implementing data-driven science experiments.
• Understand how to integrate data collection with standards-based instruction to enhance
student engagement and scientific literacy.

Speakers

Michelle Grooms

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Lefevre

General Biology/Life Science Chemistry Earth Science Environmental Physics

1:00pm CDT

Workshop: What's In the Trunk? An Elephant Conservation Expedition to Identify Poaching Hotspots Using MiniOne Gel Electrophoresis.

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Anna M

Elephant populations are facing threats from many sources, including illegal ivory poaching. This workshop introduces participants to the work of scientists who are tracking African elephant populations and identifying factors leading to their decline. The workshop session will integrate concepts of population ecology, biodiversity, ethics, and molecular ecology. The workshop will emphasize integration of NGSS science practices including: asking questions and defining problems, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, and constructing explanations and designing solutions.
Participants will run gel electrophoresis to determine where illegal poaching is occuring, bringing an engaging story and biotechnology skills to their students. In this hands-on session participants will
Examine the role of elephants as a keystone species and reasons for population decline.
Take on the role of Wildlife Crime Scene Investigators to analyze DNA samples from confiscated ivory using gel electrophoresis.
Identify the elephant population the tusks came from by comparing the genotype to an elephant DNA database compiled from dung samples representing various forest and savannah elephant populations.
Compile data to determine the location of ivory poaching hotspots.
Evaluate possible solutions to the elephant poaching crisis

Speakers

Amy Fassler

Sponsors

MiniOne

Thursday April 3, 2025 1:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Anna M

Biology/Life Science Environmental

3:00pm CDT

The Mighty Oak (is no joke)

Thursday April 3, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Dixie

Participants will learn about Wisconsin’s oak forests and why they are ecologically and economically important. Through the phenomenon of growth and development of a single oak tree from acorn to old growth, participants will analyze and interpret its life history to understand the challenges facing oak forests. Questions to be answered include how an acorn survives to become an old oak tree, what ecological and human forces improve the tree’s chances for survival, and how these same forces apply to oak ecosystems. Participants will read brief accounts and review diagrams of oak natural and life history and review maps of presettlement and current oak forests. They will hear from a forest ecologist explaining how oak forests operate and how the sun-loving oak forests face challenges from vegetative competition, invasive plants, deer browsing, and a poor market for small diameter forest products. We will discuss what steps can be taken to insure the future of oak forests. Resources will be shared so teachers can find local data for different kinds of forests. Standards that are addressed include MS ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems, MS & HS LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans and HS LS2.C Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning and Resilience.

Speakers

Karen Mesmer

Colleen Matula

Thursday April 3, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
Dixie

Biology/Life Science Environmental

3:00pm CDT

Workshop: Bring Wisconsin Wildlife Into Your Classroom

Thursday April 3, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

BF Carter

Snapshot Wisconsin is a statewide community science project that utilizes a network of trail cameras to produce wildlife management data. This workshop will discuss ways to bring Wisconsin wildlife to a wide range of grade levels, from grades K-5 to higher education. Snapshot staff will walk you through the various lesson plans and activities available to educators.

Please bring a computer/tablet, if possible. We will also have some print outs, for those unable to bring a computer/tablet.

All Snapshot Wisconsin lesson plans and activities are free. Lesson plans are available for grades K-12 and outline curriculum connections in each educator handout, including NGSS (April 2013), Common Core (2010), AP Biology (2012-2013), IB Biology (2016), Environmental Science (2013), Environmental Systems & Societies, and Wisconsin’s Standards for Science.

Learning Objectives:
- Learn about Snapshot Wisconsin and how to get involved as a community scientist
- Learn about how Snapshot Wisconsin data is used to support management decisions at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Learn about how to access Snapshot Wisconsin’s free lesson plans and activities and incorporate them into your classroom or educational programming
- Learn about how to access and explore the Snapshot Wisconsin Data Dashboard as well as how it can be used to teach about science and math concepts, data literacy, and science communication.

Speakers

Mackenzie McBride

Liv Gripko

Sponsors

Snapshot Wisconsin-Wisconsin DNR

Thursday April 3, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
BF Carter

Elementary High Ed Biology/Life Science Environmental

3:00pm CDT

Using Graphs to Read Real Weather Data

Thursday April 3, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Lake Poygan

Are you looking at making your lessons impactful? Are you struggling to find good graphs to help your students practice? You can generate real world graphs that will paint pictures for students. Using these tools, students can make their own weather predictions, discover real time weather information, and verify weather data after weather events. You will learn how to make your own weather collection tools and have students gather real time weather data to compile over time. Help prepare students for the ACT by having them analyze data from one of the most difficult graphs to read, the SKEW-t. By reading this graph, students can analyze the weather at your school and determine the cloud heights, whether it will precipitate, what kind of precipitation, and whether severe weather is on its way. Students will also be able to explore various climates around the country and around the world by analyzing these graphs and comparing them to other regions. The weather in Wisconsin is drastically different from Saudi Arabia. Come explore how students can read graphs for real.

Speakers

Erik Duhn

Nathan Falkinham

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

High Ed General Earth Science Environmental

8:00am CDT

Who's Baby Luna's Father? Using DNA Fingerprinting to Solve a Mystery

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

Anna M

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.

Speakers

Erika Fong

Sales and Marketing, MiniOne Systems

Biology/Life Science

Molly Wallace

Sponsors

MiniOne Systems

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

Biology/Life Science Environmental

8:00am CDT

3D Science Education for a Sustainable World

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

Thistle

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.

Speakers

Stephanie Ruder

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

Elementary Environmental

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

8:00am CDT

Workshop: Cultivating a Sustainable Future: A Multifaceted Approach to Agriculture

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

Lefevre

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.

Speakers

Kelly Kramer

Sponsors

Nourish the Future/Wausau School District

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

Environmental Middle school

9:00am CDT

People and the Biosphere: Hands-on Activities for Environmental Science

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

Hutchinson

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.

Speakers

Stephanie Ruder

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

Biology/Life Science Environmental

9:00am CDT

Teaching Challenged Topics in Science

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

Thistle

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!

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 →

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

General Biology/Life Science Chemistry Earth Science Environmental 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: Hands-On Environmental Spectroscopy with NASA’s STELLA Q2

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

John Lynch

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.

Speakers

Craig Kohn

Sponsors

Waterford Union High School

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

Biology/Life Science Environmental

10:00am CDT

Workshop: “Green” Careers Education and Science Class: A Mutually Beneficial Connection

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

BF Carter

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.

Speakers

Nicole Filizetti

LEAF K-12 Forestry Education Program Outreach Educator, Wisconsin Center For Environmental Education

Nicole has a B.S. in Biology/Ecology, a secondary science teaching certificate, and an M.S. in Science Education from Northern Michigan University. She has been with the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education since 2013, assisting with professional development for the LEAF... Read More →

Sponsors

LEAF K-12 Forestry Education Program / Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education

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

Biology/Life Science Environmental

10:00am CDT

Workshop: The Science Of Climate Change: Exploring Changing Wildfire Patterns with HHMI Biointeractive Resources

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

Anna M

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.

Speakers

Amy Fassler

Sponsors

HHMI

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

High Ed Environmental

11:00am CDT

I'm Board

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

Hutchinson

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!

Speakers

Jared Schroeder

Curriculum Development Program Manager, Wisconsin Forestry Center at UWSP

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

High Ed Biology/Life Science Environmental

2:00pm CDT

Swallows, Swifts, & 2nd Graders

Friday April 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Herietta

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.

Speakers

Greg Bisbee

Ann Mass

Friday April 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Herietta

Elementary Environmental

2:00pm CDT

Workshop: Become a Building Energy Detective!

Friday April 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Evelyn

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.

Speakers

Wendy Stelzer

Sponsors

Wisconsin's K-12 Energy Education Program - KEEP

Friday April 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Evelyn

General Environmental

8:00am CDT

Integrating Soil and Water Science using Cation Exchange Capacity

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

Thistle

Soil and water are inextricably linked. Negative soil charges, known as cation exchange capacity (CEC), are essential for soil nutrient and contaminant retention, water filtration, and surface and groundwater quality. In this session, we will discuss the basics of how soils get their charge, the impact of CEC on soil and surface water chemistry, and the practical application of CEC to food production and waste management systems. Through easy and visual experiments using ionic dyes and water quality test strips, you will evaluate the CEC of diverse soils and explore the impacts of varying soil CECs on nutrient retention and loss. At the end of the session, you will be able to describe the source of charge in soils, the impact of diverse land management practices on soil CEC, as well as the connection between soil CEC and potential surface and groundwater quality.

Speakers

Tim Miland

Area Resource Soil Scientist, USDA-NRCS

I've been a soil scientist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for 32 years. I started my career mapping soils and collected soil data in northern and western Wisconsin. I now help soil survey users interpret soils and their properties. I also enjoy hydric soils... Read More →

Jamie Patton

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

Chemistry Environmental

8:00am CDT

Freshwater Science and Connections to Higher Ed

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

John Lynch

The School of Freshwater Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is the first academic institution in the nation solely dedicated to the study and advancement of freshwater sciences.
This session provides a brief overview of current freshwater research initiatives and opportunities to engage with the School’s outreach efforts, which connect teachers and students with educational experiences. The session will also feature collaborative discussions to encourage your input. How can universities best support your work bringing freshwater science to students? What can we do to empower you to provide students with real-world applications which enhance engagement and learning outcomes.
Learning objectives for this session include:
1. Enhancing participants’ understanding of the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences.
2. Building connections between participants and the School’s outreach efforts to create ongoing opportunities for collaboration, internships, and student engagement.
3. Identifying opportunities for university support, with a focus on accessing resources, fostering collaborative partnerships, and integrating real-world applications of freshwater science into student learning experiences.
This session will serve as a platform to share ideas and suggestions for new activities and resources to strengthen community-university connections.

Speakers

Liz Sutton

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

General Environmental

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

9:00am CDT

Connecting the Classroom to Diverse Careers in Natural Resource Conservation

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

Thistle

Many students aren’t aware of the breadth of jobs in natural resource conservation. From scientists to artists and GIS specialists to bloggers, conservation agencies and organizations are seeking passionate individuals with a wide variety of skills to help address growing soil, water, air, and wildlife challenges. In this session, we will introduce various educational resources, case study materials, and practical classroom demonstrations to integrate into your current curriculums to highlight potential natural resource career paths. At the end of the session, you will be able to identify diverse examples of natural resource conservation professionals and describe their general qualifications and job duties, as well as discuss how the knowledge and skills learned in your courses are applicable to a career in conservation.

Speakers

Jamie Patton

Ricardo Costa

Associate Director Ag Strategies, The Nature Conservancy

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

Earth Science Environmental

9:00am CDT

School Air Quality Project: Teaching Air Pollution Through Surveying Your School Building

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

John Lynch

Performing environmental surveys on your school building and campus is a way to make science content relevant to students and to discover and address environmental problems at your school. This presentation reviews a case study where students learned about air pollution through school air quality surveys. Four different surveys will be covered: an indoor carbon dioxide survey, an indoor particulate survey, an outdoor PM 2.5 survey, and an outdoor lichen survey. You will come away with knowing what supplies you need for each survey, how to evaluate the data, recommendations for scaffolding skills and content, and possible summative options, including a presentation to administration on environmental problems students discovered.

Standards:
HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

Science & Engineering Practices: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solution

Speakers

Ted Snyder

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

Environmental Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

10:00am CDT

Life Beyond the Big 3: Unique electives to spark curiosity!

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

John Lynch

Think outside the box! As we continue to face decreasing levels of student engagement, can we design new course offerings to captivate students in a variety of ways?

Science electives offer high school students a unique opportunity to explore their passions and delve deeper into specific scientific fields. Beyond meeting graduation requirements, these courses provide invaluable benefits, such as gaining in-depth understanding of a specialized science area, developing practical skills through laboratory work, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, exploring potential career paths, and simply satisfying a natural curiosity about the world!

Attendees will hear about the development process for three unique electives including: Cultivating student interest, encouraging exploration and interest-based course selection, and providing opportunities for students to contribute to curriculum development.

Presenters will share reflections on the preliminary offerings, including successes, challenges, and the need for cultural shift in order to maximize the benefit of these courses.

Speakers

Sedate Kohler

Katie Kammerdiener

Katie Huber

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

Biology/Life Science Chemistry Earth Science Environmental Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies Diversity/Equity

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