NSTA National Conference
March 29 – April 1, 2012
Indianapolis, IN
Exhibition Hall Booth
Location: Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN
Dates: Thursday, March 29 – Sunday, April 1
The booth was staffed by a combination of COSEE Center and National COSEE Office staff. Staff greeted passersby and engaged them in conversation to better understand subjects taught by the teachers (including content, for example earth science teachers who are unable to include the ocean in their courses) and where the teachers are located. Based on the information gathered, booth staff attempted to connect teachers with COSEE Centers located near their homes. In cases when that was not feasible, we tried to offer the most productive solutions.
Overall the conference attendance was down this year, approximately 8,278 attendees.
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| Dr. Soyna Dyhrman speaking during the COSEE NSTA Luncheon |
The following print materials were available for teachers in the COSEE Booth:
- COSEE Center one page profiles
- COSEE brochures
- COSEE programs at NSTA flyer
- Ocean Literacy brochures
- Hands-on Physical Oceanography Books (TOS/COSEE publication)
- Hands-on Physical Oceanography CDs (English, Spanish, French, Catalan)
- COSEE Summer Teacher Professional Development and Research Experiences
- Materials from individual COSEE Centers
- Hurricanes and Society
- Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS) CDs
COSEE branded give-aways included:
- 100 Eco tote bags
- 300 Magnetic clips
- 200 Pens
- 200 Post-its
- 200 First aid kits
An attempt was made to track the number of people who stopped by the booth and the number of people engaged in conversations about the COSEE Network. Although all people interfaced with were not recorded, we did speak with over 300 teachers.
On Friday from 11am – 12pm, COSEE participated in the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) Share-a-thon, reaching approximately 50 additional teachers with information about COSEE, classroom resources and information about COSEE Day at NSTA and the luncheon with Dr. Sonya Dyhrman.
The COSEE Network offered a variety of activities for teachers attending the conference, as described below.
COSEE Concurrent Sessions
Location: J.W. Marriott, Indianapolis, IN
Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012
Time: 8:00am – 6:00pm
On Saturday, COSEE sessions highlighted activities and products designed for classroom science teachers. Session participants came away with links to real-time data, relevant scientific resources, lesson plans, information on regional programs, and connections to a nationwide network of scientists and educators who are dedicated to improving ocean literacy. A list of COSEE events follows:
8:00am – 9:00am
The Carbon Cycle Game
Presenters: Katie Gardner and Kate Florio
Description: In this kinetic game, students take on the role of a carbon atom circulating through a variety of carbon reservoirs within the Earth system.
9:00am – 10:00am
Tiny but Toxic! Teaching about Harmful Algal Blooms
Presenter: Pat Harcourt
Description: COSEE-West, a Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence, works to bring classes and an on-line course on harmful algal blooms (HABs) to teachers, students, informal educators, and public audiences.
10:00 – 11:00am
Sea Level Trends
Presenter: Lisa Lawrence
Description: Classroom activity that explores climate change and sea level rise. Access ocean observing data to investigate changes in sea level from locations around the US.
11:00am – 12:00pm
Linking Our Ocean and Climate though Innovative Learning Connections
Presenters: Liesl Hotaling, Chris Knowlton
Description: Participants will interact with scientists and educators, discovering how science and technology can frame the impact of climate change on coasts, ecosystems, and human activities.
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
COSEE Luncheon: The Oceans and Human Health: From Australia to Antarctica the Benefits and Detriments of Marine Microbes and their Linkages to our Daily Lives
Presider: Liesl Hotaling
Presenter: Dr. Sonya Dyhrman, Associate Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Description: Much of the U.S. population lives along the coast and many of us are acutely aware of the importance of the ocean for food, transportation, recreation and more. Often called the “unseen majority”, billions and billions of marine microbes are working behind the scenes to keep the ocean functioning the way it does. The effects of all of those microbes are both beneficial and in some cases detrimental to the oceans and human health. With examples from her research around the globe, Dr. Dyhrman will discuss the benefits and detriments of marine microbes and their linkages to our daily lives.
1:30pm – 2:00pm
Combining Inquiry and Community through Scientist-Educator Partnerships
Presenters: Marilyn Sigman, Laurie Morrow
Description: COSEE Alaska’s scientist-educator professional development workshops and ocean science fairs create collaborations that provide STEM education relevant to Alaska Native and rural students and communities.
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Spice up Your Curriculum with a Little Fresh and Salt
Presenters: Terri Hallesy and Robin Goettel,
Description: Join us to experience a new curriculum, Fresh and Salt, a collection of 14 activities connecting Great Lakes and ocean science topics to enhance teacher capabilities for accessing science information in the Great Lakes.
3:30pm – 4:30pm
Teaching Physical Science Using Underwater Sound
Presenters: , Holly Morin, Celia Cackowski, Christopher Knowlton
Description: This hands-on workshop will help participants incorporate the natural world phenomena of underwater sound into classroom physical science activities. Free CD-ROMS will be distributed.
4:30pm – 5:30pm
Teaching the Facts About Hurricanes and Climate Change
Presenters: Christopher Knowlton, Celia Cackowski, Holly Morin
Description: Workshop participants will engage in activities related to hurricane science and climate change. New middle and high school activities will be shared.
5:30pm – 6:00pm
COSEE: NASA Aquarius New Global Salinity Data: Spicing up STEM in the Classroom
Presenters: Christy Herren and Phoebe Jekielek
Description: Come see salt in action! COSEE-Ocean Systems will unveil global salinity data from the NASA Aquarius satellite in conjunction with scientist-inspired activities and educator-vetted resources.
The Conference Strands for the NSTA 2012 conference included:
Strand One: Mapping Our Way to Success Through the New Core Standards
Science education standards ensure that all students have access and opportunity to experience success in science. Education is a partnership that requires support and dialogue among administrators, teachers, students, and the community. To achieve student success, science teachers must be knowledgeable about the strategies, tools, resources, and assessments available to them.
Goals: To provide workshops and presentations focusing on one or more of the following:
- Providing educators with a foundation on which they can base instructional decisions.
- The strategies, tools, and resources needed to support the new core standards.
- Facilitating broader conversations leading to the implementation of the new core standards or framework.
- Strategies for effective assessment using the new core standards for teachers and learners.
- Engaging administrators in supporting educators as they implement the new core standards or framework.
Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated on the extent that they:
- Align with one or more strand goals.
- Align with national science education standards (NSES and Benchmarks).
- Are based on current and available research and issues in science and science education.
- Involve participants through activities and/or discussion.
- Correlate to the new core standards or framework.
Strand Two: Pathways to a Sustainable Planet
The global community relies on science to understand the world around them. With the current issues in science (e.g., global disasters and shrinking resources) affecting us locally, nationally, and internationally, science teachers must know how to build partnerships and implement research-based practices in science education. It is imperative that we educate our students to be knowledgeable and active citizens for a sustainable planet.
Goals: To provide workshops and presentations focusing on one or more of the following:
- Providing educators with a foundation and awareness about sustainability on which they can base instructional decisions.
- The strategies, tools, and resources needed to support environmental awareness.
- Facilitating community partnerships that lead to innovations in science teaching.
- Promoting service learning for environmental change.
Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated on the extent that they:
- Align with one or more strand goals.
- Align with national science education standards (NSES and Benchmarks).
- Are based on current and available research and issues in science.
- Involve participants through activities and/or discussion.
- Promote active involvement for global awareness and environmental change.
Strand Three: Merging Inquiry, Creativity, and Innovation Through STEM
Inquiry provides the platform for educators and learners to explore STEM content. The resulting innovations lead to understanding and learning. The blending of creativity, innovation, and inquiry fosters the growth of human understanding. This provides educators with the foundation, tools, and resources to facilitate community conversations, promote STEM education, and generate effective assessments.
Goals: To provide workshops and presentations focusing on one or more of the following:
- Providing educators with an understanding of inquiry and creativity using STEM innovations on which they can base instructional decisions.
- The strategies, tools, and resources needed to implement inquiry through STEM.
- Facilitating community conversations that lead to implementation of inquiry-based instruction.
- Promoting a culture that supports STEM education.
- Assessment strategies that demonstrate evidence of student learning.
Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated on the extent that they:
- Align with one or more strand goals.
- Align with national science education standards (NSES and Benchmarks).
- Are based on current and available research and issues in science and science education.
- Involve participants through activities and/or discussion.
- Show evidence of creative problem-solving methods and pedagogy.
Strand Four: Traveling New Instructional Roads Through Technology
The global learning community grows daily through the use of technology. As educators we must prepare all learners for a future we can only imagine. It is imperative that students and educators be fluent in how the nature of science is supported through the use of strategies and technological tools. Facilitating alternative community partnerships will lead to innovations in science teaching. Engaging learners in creative partnerships will foster innovation in science teaching and learning.
Goals: To provide workshops and presentations focusing on one or more of the following:
- Providing teachers with a foundation and understanding of innovative technologies on which they can base instructional decisions.
- The strategies, tools, and resources needed to build global learning communities.
- Facilitating alternative community partnerships leading to innovations in science teaching.
- Promoting the use of technology to support all learners.
- Emerging technologies that impact science learning.
Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated on the extent that they:
- Align with one or more strand goals.
- Align with national science education standards (NSES and Benchmarks).
- Are based on current and available research and issues in science and technology education.
- Involve participants through activities and/or discussion.
- Show evidence of using technology to engage diverse learners.
