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

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

Exploring Phospholipids and Membrane Transport

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

BF Carter

One of the most fundamental concepts in biology is cell membranes. Model with us as we gain a deeper understanding of the structure of phospholipids, their role in the cell membranes, and membrane transport proteins while gaining hands on experience and classroom strategies in modeling to help make abstract concepts tangible. This session will feature the use of our Phospholipid and Membrane Transport Kit and give you a first look at our new Articulated Membrane Model.

Speakers

Mark Arnholt

Science Educator, 3D Molecular Designs

I was a classroom teacher for 25 years. I am now the National SMART team coordinator and Science Educator for 3D Molecular designs.In my free time, I am an avid fisherman and obsessive vinyl record collector.

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

Biology/Life Science

1:00pm CDT

Workshop: 3D Learning Unleashed: Integrating Simulations for Captivating Science Experiences

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

BF Carter

Join this session to discover how incorporating simulations into your 3D learning experiences can revolutionize Grades 3-12 science lessons. Join this session to discover how incorporating simulations into your 3D learning experiences can revolutionize science lessons for Grades 3-12. We'll create an environment where students become inquisitive explorers, tackling challenging concepts and phenomena through engaging discourse, modeling, and designing solutions to real-world science problems.

This interactive session will demonstrate how simulations can enhance conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. We will reflect on how the experiences connect to the 3-dimensions of NGSS. Don't forget to bring your device to make the most of this hands-on experience!

Speakers

Cassie Harrelson

Sponsors

ExploreLearning

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

General Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

2:00pm CDT

Workshop: Ignite Curiosity and Cultivate Tomorrow's Scientists

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

BF Carter

Ignite the natural curiosity of young minds as they explore the wonders of the living world, the principles that govern it, and the secrets of our planet. Join us for an exciting session where we dive into literacy-infused science lessons designed to build essential foundational skills for our future scientists.
Experience a variety of captivating activities, including interactive games, catchy songs, virtual notebooks, and hands-on experiments. These tools are crafted to make science seriously fun for Kinder through Grade 2 students.
Let’s transform your classroom into a vibrant hub of exploration and discovery!

Speakers

Cassie Harrelson

Sponsors

ExploreLearning

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

Elementary

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

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

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

2:00pm CDT

Workshop: Science Education Tech Slam

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

BF Carter

Feedback Survey

Step into the future of science education! This collaborative workshop will provide a treasure trove of effective technologies designed to transform your high school science classroom. From simulations to simple data analysis tools, discover how to ignite your students' passion for science like never before. Join us for an interactive session where you'll gain hands-on experience with some educational technology, share current technologies you use, learn from peers, and walk away with practical strategies to implement immediately. Whether you're a tech novice or a digital guru, this workshop will equip you with the tools to make your science lessons more engaging and effective. So, bring your charged device and your list of go-to tech. Let's collaborate and share the technologies that revolutionize our teaching to inspire the next generation of scientists!

Speakers

Sarah Klingbile

Sponsors

Seymour Community High School

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

General

3:00pm CDT

Workshop: Bright Lights, Bright Minds! Exploring Energy Phenomena in Elementary Classrooms

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

BF Carter

This session will introduce participants to engaging activities from KEEP—Wisconsin’s K-12 Energy Education Program—that are included in the Elementary Energy Explorations kit and lesson series. These activities delve into the science and processes behind the phenomenon of flipping a light switch and the complex energy systems that make it possible. The presentation will address essential questions, including: How does electrical energy reach our homes? How do circuits function? How are energy fuel resources obtained? What are the environmental impacts of energy resource extraction? What alternatives are available?

Participants will actively engage in the following KEEP lessons: Evidence of Energy, Digging for Coal, and Renewable Energy Resources. Each lesson is designed to align with NGSS standards and utilizes the 5E model of experiential learning, fostering a hands-on, inquiry-driven approach to understanding energy concepts. Participants will also be introduced to the Elementary Energy Explorations kit, available for checkout from KEEP to any Wisconsin educator.

Speakers

Laureanna Raymond-Duvernell

Sponsors

KEEP - Wisconsin's K-12 Energy Education Program

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

Elementary

8:00am CDT

Workshop: Let's Learn Together! Exploring Productive Teaching Tools and Practices as a Community

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:50am CDT

BF Carter

There is a folder on my desktop with way too many activities saved in it. I know that I will never implement them all, but occasionally I will discover a new “tool” for my “teacher toolkit.” What I really want is to hear what “tools” other folks like to use. For this reason (and many others), I am happy to have found a community of practice of other science teachers with whom I can chat about stuff I want to try in my classroom. I have learned a lot from our times together and hope teachers at any stage of their career are able to find a similar support network. In this workshop, we will act as a small community of practice for the day. First, we will get into a classroom mindset by making sense of an “everyday phenomenon”. Afterwards, we will open space for folks to share experiences and resources that they find productive for meeting similar goals or could help improve the learning experience. Come to have some fun doing a kitchen-safe lab activity and chat with others about productive experiences teaching and learning science.

Speakers

Adam Schafer

Sponsors

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Saturday April 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:50am CDT
BF Carter

General Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies

10:00am CDT

Creating a Food Forest

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

BF Carter

I will teach participants about how we created a self sustaining permaculture food forest that mimics nature with the movement of animals to maintain and sustain the forest. The food forest is self-watered through a series of swales and berms to retain nearly 100% of the water that falls on the property, and is projected to make the school roughly $50,000 each year. I will utilize a Powerpoint style presentation and handouts. This is connected to NGSS standard: MS-ESS3-3 Earth and Human Activity
Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
and
5-ESS3-1 Earth and Human Activity
Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.

Speakers

Joshua Gonzalez

David Zimmerman

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

General

11:00am CDT

A Hands on approach to effectively teaching anatomy using clay on a skeletal model

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

BF Carter

In this workshop, attendees will build replicas of human anatomy using clay and a specially designed skeletal model in a classroom setting. Educators will learn how to implement a unique curriculum system which helps students create a kinesthetic map of the human anatomy. They will acquire the knowledge to engage science students with immediate, hands-on learning using a proven method that is nationally recognized to increase student retention and test scores.

This workshop will emphasize directional terms, planes, cavities and landmarks on the skeletal model and then build several skeletal muscles. Emphasis will be placed on building the rotator cuff showing their origin and insertion, their movement and discuss exercises to strengthen these muscles.

Speakers

John-Paul Theriault

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

Pedagogy/Teaching Strategies Anatomy & Body Systems