2015
Illuminate Science
Your Conference Committee
3
Colorado Science Organizations
4
Our Appreciation
5
Conference Schedule
6
Conference Sessions
8
Keynote Speaker
14
Awards Recipients
27
Resources
33
Illuminate Science: Get Switched On!
The Colorado Science Conference Committee would like to
welcome you to the 2015 Colorado Science Conference. We
are pleased that you have decided to join us today in an effort
to continue to build your knowledge as science educators.
We have worked to bring you a day of learning filled with more
than 100 sessions on science education and a featured speaker
who will share his thoughts connected to our theme of helping
students flip their science switches to the ON position! We hope
the ideas and discussions you learn can shape the learning in
your science classrooms to reach innovators of the future.
At the end of the day, please take time to provide feedback
about your experience at the conference. Your comments and
feedback are essential for helping us create beneficial and
worthwhile professional development opportunities in the future.
We hope that you find new and exciting ideas that make
science work for you and your students. Again, we are honored
that you have chosen to spend your time at the conference
and hope that this professional development day reignites your
passion and excitement for the field of science education!
2
Conference Committee
Leaders
Patricia Palko
Conference Co-Chair
Peter J. Modreski
Conference Co-Chair
Program book photos courtesy
of Adobe Stock.
Your 2015 Conference Planning Committee
Co-Chairs
Peter Modreski & Patricia Palko
Awards
DeLene Hoffner and Danielle Snelson
Communications
Katie Navin
Evaluation
Patricia Palko
Exhibits
Theresa Hemming
Presenter Liaison
Dan Toberman
Program Book
Tracy Gripp
Registration/Secretary
Cherie Wyatt
Social Events
Elnore Grow
Technology
Steve Iona
Treasurer
Teresa Higgins
Volunteers
Greta Glugoski-Sharp
Website
Bobby Nathan
Members At Large
Brian Hostetler, Chris DeKay, Cynthia Lewis,
Emily Glenn, Emily Meyer, Chris DeKay,
Violeta Garcia
Science Organization
Representatives
Cherie Wyatt, DeLene Hoffner, Elnore Grow,
Glenn Peterson, Greta Glugoski-Sharp
Katie Navin, Pete Modreski, Steve Iona,
Marilyn Schmidt, Mike Sipes
3
Your Colorado Science
Organizations
American Association of
Physics Teachers
Section Rep.
President
Past President
President Elect
Vice Presidents
Colorado Biology Teachers
Association
Vincent Kuo
Bethany Wilcox
Christine Vadovszki
Zach Armstrong
Wendy Adams & Adam
Pearlstein
Richard Krantz
Adam Francis
Kristine Callan
Courtney Willis
Adam Pearlstein
Secretary/Treasurer
At Large Member
At Large Member
At Large Member
Webmaster
Past Presidents
President
President-Elect
Vice-President
Treasurer
Secretary
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
OBTA Director
Program Coordinator
NABT Region VIII Coord.
Web Page
Newsletter Editor
www.cowyaapt.org
Colorado Association of
Science Teachers
President
Past President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
Webinator
Historian
Glenn Peterson
DeLene Hoffner
Caren Kershner
Sandy Lamb
Elnore Grow
Lindsey Doherty
Brittany Peterson
Michelle Gallagher
Marilyn Schmidt
Cindy Gay
Tamara Pennington
Marguerite Yowell
Robin Walters
Cindy Gibson
vacant
Paul Strode
vacant
Will Mallory
Dori Walker
vacant
Vania Nameth
vacant
Mike Sipes
Marilyn Schmidt
Warren Buss
vacant
www.colobiota.org
Colorado Earth/Space
Science Network
www.coloradocast.org
President
Past President
Vice-President
Treasurer
CSC Representative
Colorado Chemistry Teachers
Association
CSM Credit
Treasurer & Newsletter
ACS Exams
Program
ACS Awards
Marti Maguire-Rosemas
Elnore Grow
Lisa Johnson
Tom Bindel
Greta Glugoski-Sharp
Open
Kerry Adams
Jane Dianich
Sharon Stroud
Pete Modreski
cesn.tripod.com
Association Meetings will occur during lunch this year.
CAST
CESN
CCTA
AAPT
CBTA
K41-47
Booth 321
G39-45
J35-39
J40-46
4
We would like to thank…
PAEMST and Joanna Bruno (CDE)
For their generous donation
supporting the Awards and Dessert Reception
The Colorado Science Conference Committee would also like to
acknowledge and thank the following sponsors for their support and
door prize donations for the
2015 Colorado Science Conference
A+ Microscope
Friends of Dinosaur Ridge
Adams State University/Extended Studies
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Activate Learning
Keystone Science School
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Metallurgy & Exploration
Boys & Girls Club of Larimer County
Minerals Education Coalition, Colorado
Section, Society for Mining,
Ardusat
National Geographic Learning/Cengage
Learning
BSCS
Colorado Mining Association Education
Foundation
NSTA Press
Ocean First Education
Colorado State University Warner College of
Natural Resources
PACE
Carolina Biological
Pearson
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Texas Instruments, Inc.
CPO Science
University of Denver
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
Usborne Books and More
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
U.S. Geological Survey
Denver Zoo
Vernier Software & Technology
Environment for the Americas
5
Your Conference Schedule
8:00-8:55
Session 1
9:10-10:05
Session 2
10:20-11:20
Keynote Speaker in the Plaza
11:20-12:15
Lunch & Networking
12:15-1:10
Session 3
1:10-1:55
Awards, Dessert, & Exhibition Hall
1:55-2:50
Session 4
3:05-4:00
Session 5
4:00
Drawings for Door Prizes and
Distribution of Participation
Certificates
Free Wi-Fi
for today’s conference has been sponsored by:
6
CDE Recertification Credit
5 Clock Hours of Professional Development Credit
will be available at the end of the conference day.
Participants MUST be present at 4:00 pm to
receive a certificate of completion of 5 hours of
professional development credit. Certificates will not be
available before 4:00 pm, and they will not be issued to
anyone other than the person receiving the credit.
Please note, certificates will not be mailed to
participants after the Conference.
Plan out your day at the
Session 1: ____________________________________________________________
Room: _________________ Presenter: _________________________
Session 2: ____________________________________________________________
Room: _________________ Presenter: _________________________
Keynote Session: The Power of Place: Children, Education, and Nature in the 21st Century
Room: The Plaza
Presenter: Scott D. Sampson, Ph.D.
Session 3: ____________________________________________________________
Room: _________________ Presenter: _________________________
Session 4: ____________________________________________________________
Room: _________________ Presenter: _________________________
Session 5: ____________________________________________________________
Room: _________________ Presenter: _________________________
7
Session 1
8:00-8:55
Bring the Large Hadron Collider
into Your Classroom!
Cherie Bornhorst
Focus: Physics
Description: Most noted for the discovery of the Higgs Boson in 2012, the
LHC is making news again with its recent power up, colliding protons at
an unprecedented 13TeV. There is
much excitement surrounding the
new science to be uncovered at the
LHC in years to come. In this workshop we will guide you through activities designed for an introductory
Physics course, that will allow you to
seamlessly integrate the science behind the LHC into your existing Physics
curriculum. Copies provided!
Audience: HS/College
Room: F46-52
will also be invited to attend a complementary soils workshop in spring
2016.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: J41-47
El Niño and La Niña:
The Implications for Colorado
Weather
Clark Grouse
Focus: Earth/Space Science
Description: El Niño refers to a largescale increase in sea-surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific which can cause a disturbance
in the ocean/atmosphere system. A
large El Niño ( predicted for this winter) can accompany major shifts in
planetary-scale atmospheric and
oceanic circulations and create extreme weather events. This hands-on
Can You Design the Most Efficient activity is an easy way to investigate
and compare ocean and atmosWind Turbine?
pheric conditions during El Niño and
Jesse Herman
La Niño with long-term average
Focus: General
Description: Participants use a unique (Neutral) conditions.
Wind Turbine to explore the concepts Audience: MS/HS
Room: G39-45
of engineering design, energy transformations, electricity, and forces.
Design and test several variables
(number of blades, blade shape,
blade angle, number of magnets
and orientation) with the wind turbine Engaging Students and Partnering
and measure the voltage output of
with Parents: Taking Science
different design configurations. If the
Home
voltage output is high enough, the
wind turbine will light a bulb! Raffle for Mark Paricio
Focus: Phys Sci
free Wind Turbine kit!
Description: Have you ever considAudience: General, MS/HS
ered sending experiments and sciRoom: G30-36
ence games home with your chemistry and physics students as a way to
Dirt Diversity: What's in our Soil?
engage your students and partner
Jennifer Taylor
with parents beyond your classroom?
Focus: Enviro Sci
Description: Scientists' understanding We have a growing collection of
of the diversity and importance of soil home labs and science-based
games that allows students to further
microbes is exploding as research
methods advance. Put in the context investigate the principles they see in
your classroom at their own homes.
of emerging science, this hands-on
workshop explores the invisible life of The students becomes the teachers;
soil ecology. Making and using Wino- their parents become your partners in
helping students learn to explain
gradsky columns, participants will
identify the major bacterial communi- these activities at home!
Audience: HS
ties in soil samples through visual
analysis of soil microbes. Participants Room: J31-39
8
Enhancing the Elementary Curriculum Through STEM Integration
Dr. Violeta Garcia
Focus: General
Description: Come explore how science, technology, engineering, and
math (STEM) practices can be a natural
way to integrate and connect learning
in the elementary classroom. Take
home the design process, integration
templates, and a sample plan ready
for use in the classroom.
Audience: General (K-6)
Room: F35-47
Go Virtual! Enhancing Instruction
with Technology in Environmental
Science, Physical Geology,
Chemistry
Lionel Thomas Hinojosa
Focus: General
Description: An interactive "test drive"
of online tools to support environmental
science, chemistry, and more. See an
interactive map tool to investigate environmental parameters for anywhere
in the world; See virtual field trips to National Parks featuring geologic concepts for Physical Geology or Environmental Science. See how a "mastery"
approach to chemistry problems leads
to increased learning, not just assignment completion. Attendees will leave
with access to demonstrated technology.
Audience: HS
Room: G47-53
HYDROGEnergy!
Danielle Ladd
Focus: Chemistry
Description: Bring chemistry to life by
taking your students on a full-circle ride
around the cause and effect of fossil
fuel usage and introduce them to current hydrogen fuel cell research. Interactive demonstrations help students
understand the big picture by exploring
environmental impacts including acid
rain and acid mine drainage, initiating
the very real conversation about alternative fuel sources and environmental
clean up. Engage students in the
chemistry of a relevant issue and proposed solutions!
Audience: MS/HS
Room: K35-39
Session 1
8:00-8:55
Integrative STEM Learning
Susan Dewberry
Focus: Phys Sci
Description: Engage in disciplinary
core ideas from the Next Generation
Science Standards and learn how to
incorporate Science and Engineering
Practices and Crosscutting Concepts.
Learn how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can be
integrated as part of your STEM
school model.
Audience: Elementary (K-2)
Room: J48-52
cludes communication with students
and parents,
starting the year
off right, managing homework,
classwork, feedback/grading
practices, utilizing
technology for
instructional videos, and managing lab activities.
Audience: HS
Room: H30-38
Outstanding Science Tradebooks
DeLene Hoffner
Focus: General
Description: Browse the latest and
greatest science trade books published this year! The Childrens' Book
Chris Schaumberg
Council and National Science
Focus: Life Sci/Bio
Description: This presentation will dis- Teacher Association join together to
cuss the use of hands on experiments select the OUTSTANDING Science
with the aid of computer simulations Trade books for 2015 (as published
in a Life Science classroom. Included each March in Science and Children
magazine). Come see the awarded
will be participants' perceptions of
books! Meet a member of the selecthese models and a
tion committee and learn ideas for
partnership with CSU
lessons using these books in your eleon Netlogo. Students
mentary classroom.
gained a firsthand
Audience: Elem (K-6)
experience of the
Room: G46-52/H47-53
scientific method, by
creating, observing,
and comparing an ecosystem to a
Playing with Climate and Weather
computer model. This experience will
Randy Russell
provide tips on how and why you
Focus: Earth/Space Sci
can flip your life science classroom
Description: Attendees will play variusing tools such as Netlogo models.
ous games covering climate,
Audience: MS/HS
weather, and related Earth science
Room: F38-44
topics. You will also have the opportunity to "test drive" several simulations and virtual labs related to cliNuts and Bolts of a
mate, weather, and Earth science
Mastery-Based Chemistry
topics. Most of the items are comClass
puter-based, but some are traditional
Jennifer Maze
card or board games and similar forFocus: Chemistry
mats. Some of the items also touch
Description: Managing a masteryupon "computational thinking" and
based class can be a challenge.
the use of computer models in
Learn some strategies to challenge
weather, climate, and Earth system
your top students while still meeting
the needs of those who struggle (and science.
Audience: General
everyone in between). I will share
day-to-day practical approaches to Room: J49-53
Life Science Project Ecosystem in
a Bottle Flipped with Netlogo
Computer Simulations
manage a lab-based class. This in9
Program or Be Programmed:
Integrating Code into the Science
Classroom
Brian Huang
Focus: Computer Sci
Description: Programming used to
require learning arcane commands,
precise syntax, and decoding cryptic
error messages - not easy for anyone,
and especially tough on younger
students. Not anymore! Join the
education team at Sparkfun
Electronics as we introduce you to
some new and exciting visual
programming languages based on
drag-and-drop puzzle pieces. We'll
show you how these can be an
integral tool in your technology,
mathematics, and physical science
classrooms.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: G38-44
Spectral Imaging in Physics and
Chemistry Using a Smart Phone
Spectrophotometer
Emily Haynes
Focus: Phys Sci
Description: The use of students' own
technology in the classroom can
increase engagement and interest in
science learning. In this session,
participants will use a smart phone
spectrophotometer app to learn
about the EM spectrum, spectral
analysis, and to identify various substances. This is part of the training
developed for the NASA/JPL Rover
High School Imaging Project. An
overview of the goals
and content of the
NASA/JPL Project will also
be discussed.
Audience: HS
Room: H40-46
Session 1
8:00-8:55
STEMming The Zombie Rush
Judy Hicks
Focus: Other
Description: Use the popularity of
Zombies to make STEM become "undead" in your math or science classroom! Make sure to bring your brains
to this hands-on workshop. In recent
years, very few trends have been as
wildly or widely popular as Zombies.
In this session, Zombies will be used to
model brain anatomy and physiology
and then develop a model for the
spread of a "Zombie Virus" in a population of humans. If time permits,
other STEM activities will be done.
Audience: HS
Room: G31-37
Stoichiometry: Multi-tiered
Approaches to Learning
Harvey Gendreau
Focus: Chemistry
Description: Stoichiometry is a stumbling block to learning chemistry. HS
students vary in their ability to conceptualize this basic construct, they
come to us with a variety of math
skills & ability to understand theoretical concepts. The authors (over 70
years of HS chemistry experience)
present some of their ideas, the usual
approaches & some unusual ones
(including a UNIQUE one that EVERY
student can learn) on teaching
stoichiometry. We will also examine
the advantages and disadvantages
of each method.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: H31-37
Strategies for Young Teachers
Learned through Experiences
Teaching in an Inner-City School
Jason Kopanke
Focus: General
Description: Between lesson planning,
grading, and classroom management - the first years of teaching are
tough. As a Mississippi Teacher Corps
member I struggled my first year in
the class. I thought I was ready; however, a lab involving flaming marshmallows flying at my head said other-
wise. Since this disaster I focused on
classroom management and it is now
an area of strength. This interactive
presentation will help teachers by
providing participants with practical
strategies for classroom management.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: J40-46
Taking Inquiry Outdoors
Tabbi Kinion
Focus: Life Sci/Bio
Description: Student-led inquiry is a
valuable approach to learning about
the world. However, how can teachers be sure that students are learning
what they need to know? How can
teachers be sure that students are
engaged and how can they manage a class when students are working on different ideas? Explore effective descriptive, comparative, and
correlative questions and discuss
ways that you can incorporate these
powerful, memorable experiences
into your class.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: H39-45
notebooks to support K-6 students'
understanding of the NGSS Science
and Engineering Practices, development of scientific explanations from
data during inquiry, and production
of informational writing pieces. Student samples and assessment rubrics
will be shared, and we will discuss
how to integrate more science and
writing instruction into the elementary
classroom within a climate that emphasizes mathematics and reading.
Audience: Elem (K-6)
Room: K49-53
What's New from the Perimeter
Institute?
Christine Nichols
Focus: Physics
Description: Fresh from EinsteinPlus '15
is a full suite of materials developed
at PI and available to teachers by
download or kit purchase. From Mystery of Dark Matter to Challenge of
Quantum Reality, GPS & Relativity,
Beyond the Atom: Remodeling Particle Physics, The Expanding Universe,
explore resources that provide the
most up-to-date inquiry activities to
support introduction of modern physUsing a Summer RET Experience to ics concepts into your curriculum.
Teach Claims, Evidence and
Find out how to acquire your own
Reasoning
copies of all Perimeter Institute reNicole McWright
sources.
Focus: General
Audience: HS
Description: Getting kids excited
Room: H48-52
about writing can be difficult. Enjoy a
hands-on experience using an authentic biomedical theme to teach
claims, evidence and reasoning. This
lesson will teach kids about ELISA's,
food allergies, interpreting graphs,
and involve argumentative writing in
science.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: F30-36
Using Science Notebooks to
Promote Writing in the K-6
Classroom
Ingrid Weiland Carter
Focus: General
Description: This interactive presentation will explore the use of science
10
Congratulations to all of our
outstanding awardees!
Nominate a teacher for an
award for next year by
going to
www.coloradocast.org
Session 2
9:10-10:05
30 Demos in 50 Minutes
Rob Reinsvold
Focus: General
Description: Come see Rob Reinsvold's Teacher Candidates from the
University of Northern Colorado present over 30 science demos in 50 minutes. These demos help illustrate scientific concepts from numerous disciplines. These simple demos can easily
be incorporating into your own
teaching to engage your students.
This presentation continues the tradition started by Dr. Courtney Willis over
two decades ago.
Audience: General
Room: G46-52/H47-53
Activities with Light
Marilyn Kemp
Focus: Phys Sci
Description: In this session we will present a
number of hands on activities involving an understanding of phenomena
of light. There will be both short activities demonstrations as well as longer
activities suitable for laboratory work.
Come and enjoy learning about the
properties of light as well as humans'
perception of it along with a number
of fun way to teach about light.
Audience: General
Room: G47-53
AP Chemistry Teaching Materials
for the New Curriculum
Ed Waterman
Focus: Chemistry
Description: Receive free materials to
improve your teaching of the new AP
Chemistry curriculum. Concise content summary of the 6 Big Ideas and
117 Learning Objectives. Expanded
content for photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), mass spectrometry, chromatography and UV-VIS. Hundreds of
updated multiple choice and free
response practice questions focus on
analysis of graphical and tabular
data and atomic-molecular particle
representations.
Audience: HS
Room: J49-53
BSCS: Next Generation Curriculum Waves and Information Transfer. The
Smithsonian Science Education CenMaterials that Promote 3ter has written this unit explicitly for
Dimensional Learning
Paul Numedahl
Focus: General
Description: During this interactive
session participants will get a glimpse
of next generation curriculum materials using the BSCS 5E Instructional
Model. Participants will also be able
to provide feedback and ideas regarding features and characteristics
of next generation curriculum materials that support their students' learning of science.
Audience: General
Room: H39-45
the topic arrangement of the Next
Generation Science Standards.
Audience: MS
Room: J48-52
Connecting to a Bigger Picture:
Lesson Planning in Light of the
NGSS and STEM
Cheryl Manning
Focus: General
Description: The Next Generation Science Standards were created by the
states for the states. While the NGSS
have not been adopted in Colorado,
they remain an important touchpoint
nationwide for science literacy and
Build Student Engagement in
integrating technology, mathematMiddle School by Increasing
ics, and engineering. In this presentaCapacity and Attitudes through
tion, teachers will be introduced to a
STEM
hands-on technique to
Amanda Hewitt
assess their own lessons
Focus: General
Description: Change the equation by in light of the NGSS.
Using flashcards they
increasing underrepresented stuget to keep, teachers
dents; minorities and females, attitudes toward their abilities in science will be able to identify
and mathematics. Research demon- NGSS alignment of a
variety of science
strates that underrepresented stuactivities.
dents self-efficacy toward science
Audience:
MS/HS
and math undergoes a decrease
Room:
F38-44
through the middle school years. The
presentation will provide an overview
of STEM Attitudes metric for classroom CU Teach Engineering: Putting the
"E" into STEM for All Students
use along with specific interventions
Maureen Craig
and ideas to engage underrepreFocus: General
sented students and grow their selfDescription: Want to inspire students
efficacy toward STEM.
to explore real-world applications of
Audience: MS
STEM topics through hands-on, mindsRoom: H30-38
on engineering design? Have
Communicating Information from students who love the idea of
combining both engineering and
Waves
teaching as a career? Wondering
Susan Dewberry
how to incorporate the content and
Focus: Phys Sci
Description: Participants in this hands- practice-rich engineering aspects of
the Next Generation Science
on workshop will design, build and
Standards (NGSS) framework into the
test prototypes of information communication systems that incorporate learning of primary and secondary
students?
electricity and waves. This lesson is
from the new middle school STC Pro- Audience: General
Room: K41-47
gram: MYGEN Edition of Electricity,
11
Session 2
9:10-10:05
Developing STEM Literacy Through Next Generation module. However,
these ideas can be applied to other
the Practices
Integrating iPad® with Vernier
Technology
Jen Gutierrez
Focus: Other
Description: With the global demand
for 21st Century literate students STEM
teaching and learning is gaining momentum. Learning is most effective
when it is cognitively engaging and
students make connections across
the disciplines. When considering an
interdisciplinary approach to STEM
teaching and learning, connections
between the disciplines can be supported by engaging students in the
Practices. This workshop will provide
relevant experiences demonstrating
how the Practices hold STEM together.
Audience: Elem (3-6)
Room: G31-37
Angie Harr
Focus: Tech Ed
Description: Collecting and analyzing
data helps students learn critical science concepts that increase test
scores and promote science inquiry.
This workshop will address data collection with iPads and Vernier technology, including the new Go Wireless Temp. Experiments from Vernier
lab books will be covered, including
"Boyle's Law" and "Grip Strength Comparison."
Audience: General
Room: J41-47
Electrolytic MoM: Two Chemistry
Demos Illustrate Multiple
Concepts
Harvey Gendreau
Focus: Chemistry
Description: The electrolysis of a KI
solution illustrates many concepts:
dG>0, redox, gas production, complex ions, reversible reactions, polarnonpolar interactions, solubility, coupled reactions, identification of products, and spontaneous disproportionation reaction. Neutralization of
milk of magnesia (MoM) relates the
topics of bonding, alkaline earth hydroxides, weak & strong acids, indicators, thermodynamics, colloids, solubility, and free energy.
Audience will NOT handle any chemicals; safety first.
Audience: HS/College
Room: H31-37
situations as well. Experience how the
three dimensions of the NGSS - core
disciplinary ideas, cross cutting concepts and science and engineering
practices can be rolled into one or a
series of interrelated lessons.
Audience: Elem (K-6)
Room: H40-46
Engineering with Photo Origami:
Energy, Design and Change
Eric Carpenter
Focus: Phys Sci
Description: This short-course will explore classroom tested engineering
and physical science activities using
thermo and shape-memory polymers,
focused on creating geometrical
shapes using Photo Origami and opportunities for 3D and 4D printing in
classroom settings.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: K49-53
Implementing
Geospatial
Technologies
Across Grades and
Disciplines
Christine Nichols
Focus: Life Sci/Enviro Sci
Description: With Esri grant support,
we offered a summer-long, flex-time
workshop for teachers in CO, hoping
to reach more students by expanding
spatial thinking among educators of
all grades and contents. With introductory instruction, summertime to
get accounts in place and improve
skills, and final meetings to collaborate, 20 teachers became skilled, preEngineering Design in the FOSS
pared and implemented lessons at
Science Program
the start of the new school year.
Eileen Patrick
Come view their work and see if a
Focus: General
similar experience might be worthDescription: Do you see yourself as an while for you!
engineer? Come and engineer with
Audience: MS/HS
us! Learn about the engineering
Room: H48-52
model by doing some engineering
yourself. We will work with a new FOSS
12
Integrating Literacy and Science:
The Wow Factor
Marilyn Schmidt
Focus: General
Description: Come engage in a
hands on investigation where your
students explore, read, write, talk and
think critically about science. Address
reading, writing and math through
science investigations. Create data
tables, argue from evidence, they
have a reason to write that's not just
"fill in the blank".
Audience: Elem (K-6)
Room: G39-45
Learn More About Teaching
Climate Change
Katya Hafich
Focus: Enviro Sci
Description: Join us to engage in a
discussion to identify barriers to
teaching climate change in the secondary science classroom, exchange
ideas about solutions, and learn
about classroom ready resources
through CU-Boulder’s Learn More
About Climate. Learn More About
Climate is an initiative of the CU Office for Outreach and Engagement
that opens the door to teachers for
face-to-face interactions with world
leaders in climate change research,
who live and work here in our own
backyard.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: J30-38
Session 2
9:10-10:05
Paper Clips, Pom Poms, and Pizza
Boxes...Bringing STEM to Life on a
Shoestring budget
edge of space. Join the education
team at Sparkfun Electronics in this
hands-on session, where we'll build
inexpensive instrumentation
Emily Heinrich
packages that radio temperature
Focus: Other
Description: Sure, everyone wants to and pressure data back to a ground
incorporate more STEM practices into station.
Audience: MS/HS
their classroom, but we all have limRoom: G38-44
ited budgets of both time and
money. This workshop will help you
SciGirls: Strategies and Resources
bring STEM into your classroom utilizto Engage Girls in STEM
ing the time and materials you alStacey Forsyth
ready have ...or can easily and I exFocus: General
pensively get your hands on. Teachers will have the opportunity to com- Description: SciGirls is an Emmy
plete a grade-level appropriate STEM award-winning PBS Kids TV show,
website and outreach program deproject and plan for future STEM insigned to change how millions of girls
corporation into their own classthink about STEM. Videos and handsrooms.
on activities work together to spark
Audience: Elem (K-6)
excitement and inspire STEM learning
Room: F46-52
and participation for all girls (ages 8Preparing Students for Science in 13). Participants will experience the
SciGirls Seven, research-based stratethe Face of Social Controversy
gies to engage girls in STEM, as they
Terry Bramschreiber
complete team-based challenges
Focus: General
and explore SciGirls' extensive free
Description: Science educators often
resources for classroom and informal
teach topics that are largely resolved
settings.
in the scientific community yet reAudience: General
main controversial in broader society.
Room: G30-36
In such cases, students may perceive
the teacher as biased. In this presentation, teachers will learn exercises
that foster more objective learning
about the scientific underpinnings of STEM Career and Self Discovery
That Works
socially controversial topics.
Audience: MS/HS
Melissa Risteff
Room: J40-46
Focus: Tech Ed
Description: If STEM occupations are
growing faster, pay more, and have
Remote Sensing from Highlower unemployment, then why are
Altitude Balloons
so few pursuing them? We believe
Brian Huang
career exploration with real role and
Focus: Earth/Space Sci
accessible models, engaging educaDescription: Turn your
tional experiences, and expansive
earth science unit into
possibility creation is the first step.
one that your students
Come learn how Couragion's unique
will never forget!
innovation inspires students to pursue
Balloons are an
STEM careers in order to attract, enengaging project that
gage, and retain a diverse STEM
clearly illustrate many
workforce.
physical principles,
introduce your students to real world Audience: MS/HS
Room: F30-36
science and data collection, and
can even take pictures from the
13
Tectonic Motions of the Western
United States
Shelley Olds
Focus: Earth/Space Sci
Description: The land
beneath your feet is
moving. It's also
crumpling, squishing,
and stretching. Join us in
a workshop to infuse
high precision GPS ground motion
data to explore plate tectonics
available from www.unavco.org.
The data in the lessons demonstrated
in this workshop will allow students to
visualize the tectonic movements of
California, the Basin and Range,
Cascadia, and the world while
practicing NGSS concepts, scientific
practice, and cross-cutting skills.
Free poster and learning materials.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: J31-39
The Sun and Its Energy
Susan Prieto
Focus: Earth/Space Sci
Description: The land beneath your
feet is moving. It's also crumpling,
squishing, and stretching. Join us in a
workshop to infuse high precision GPS
ground motion data to explore plate
tectonics available from
www.unavco.org. The data in the
lessons demonstrated in this workshop
will allow students to visualize the
tectonic movements of California,
the Basin and Range, Cascadia, and
the world while
practicing NGSS
concepts,
scientific
practice, and
cross-cutting
skills. Free poster
and learning
materials.
Audience: Elem (K-2)
Room: K35-39
The Power of Place: Children,
Education, and Nature in the
21st Century
Keynote
10:2011:20
In the Plaza
Scott D. Sampson Ph.D
Scott Sampson
is a dinosaur paleontologist, science communicator, and passionate advocate for connecting people
with nature. Born and raised in Vancouver,
B.C., he serves as vice president of research and collections and chief curator at
the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
He is best known as “Dr. Scott,” host and
science advisor of the Emmy-nominated
PBS KIDS television series Dinosaur Train, produced by the Jim Henson Company. He
has published numerous scientific and
popular articles, and he regularly speaks to
audiences of all ages on a range of topics.
Sampson is author of Dinosaur
Odyssey: Fossil Threads in the Web
of Life (University of California Press,
2009) and, mostly recently, How to
Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015).
14
BOOK
Immed SIGNING!
Dr. Sam iately followin
g
pson’s
presen
tation
Save the Date!
Join us next year
November 18th
for
2016
Are You Connected?
We send out periodic updates about the
conference throughout the year. If you are not
currently receiving these emails and would like
to, please stop by on-site registration this
afternoon to sign up!
www.facebook.com/ColoradoScienceConference
@COSciConference
Conference Materials Available Online!
Miss a session that you wanted to attend?
Lose your handouts from a session?
Need the presentation PowerPoint?
www.coloradoscienceconference.org/presentations
15
Join us for lunch and
networking at the Mart!
11:20-12:15
Food can be purchased at the Mart. Items will
include hot/cold sandwiches, salads, sides,
and beverages.
Don’t forget, we will be serving
dessert during our award
ceremony following Session 3
at 1:10 in the back of the
Exhibition Hall!
Association Meetings will occur
during lunch this year.
CAST
K41-47
CESN
Booth 321
CCTA
G39-45
AAPT
J35-39
CBTA
J40-46
16
Session 3
12:15-1:10
21st Century Literacy in Science
Erin Coker
Focus: General
Description: A big shift in literacy instruction written in the Common Core
standards is the integration of literacy
standards in the content area. In this
session we will provide tips that will
help teachers fit technology into their
Science classroom to seamlessly support literacy while also teaching content.
Audience: General
Room: H40-46
A Technology-Rich Approach to
Environmental Science
Roger Felch
Focus: Enviro Sci
Description: Environmental science
classes benefit from integration of
spatial analysis using free GIS software from Esri. Our course provides a
model: progressing from scripted skill
development to problem-based projects, culminating in student-defined
final projects. Critical thinking skills are
clearly enhanced, empowering students to tackle relevant real-world
problems. Through a rigorous inquiry
approach, students explore local and
global environmental issues. How can
GIS enrich your course?
Audience: MS/HS
Room: H48-52
Art, Science, Simple Machines,
and Standards
Chris DeKay
Focus: Phys Sci
Description: Originally developed by
the Exploratorium's PIE Institute, Cardboard Automata are a playful way to
learn about simple machine elements while creating art that actually
spins and moves. This is a great example of integrating art, science and
engineering. In this workshop you will
learn about the mechanics of simple
machines by building moving art. After the automata are brought to life
we will spend some time exploring
the plethora of standards this activity
meets.
Audience: General
Room: J41-47
ples to better understand the natural
world. In this session University of
Northern Colorado student teachers
will share easy activities that demonCommunicating Scistrate principles of science using baentific
sic materials and clever demonstrations. Participants will be able to try
Information
out activities and take sample materiCindy Gay
als back to their classroom.
Focus: General
Description: Do your students struggle Audience: Elem (K-6)
Room: G46-52/H47-53
with interpreting data, graphs and
visual representations? Designing
thoughtful inquiry experiments? Com- F.L.A.R.E. - The Best Science Club
municating their thinking? In this work- You Will Ever Sponsor
Julie Otis
shop, you'll practice instructional
Focus: General
strategies designed to improve student understanding while simultane- Description: FLARE stands for Field
Laboratory And Research Expedition
ously providing you with formative
and is the science club that you will
assessment data. While biological
actually want to sponsor. This club
examples will be used, these strategies are applicable to any discipline takes students on field expeditions
and will improve student understand- throughout Colorado. We will describe how to set up FLARE, get ading and communication of science
ministrative buy-in, do student appliprinciples.
cations, promote student accountAudience: MS/HS
ability and responsibility, and build
Room: J40-46
relationships with organizations
Design Thinking in the STEM
throughout Colorado. Our students
love this club so much they are workClassroom
ing to create a similar club in High
Dr. Violeta Garcia
School.
Focus: General
Description: Don't know where to start Audience: MS/HS
Room: K49-53
with design thinking? Come learn
how to incorporate design thinking
into your instruction to promote rigor, Follow that S.T.E.M!
Shatta Mejia
creativity, and access to STEM. ParFocus: General
ticipants will understand the phases
Description: Join me as we investiinvolved in the design thinking procgate S.T.E.M. philosophy and content
ess, be exposed to examples from
the classroom, and identify personal starting in ECE and ending at the 5th
next steps for how to get started with grade level. We'll start with an
overview of S.T.E.M. foundations and
using design thinking in the classtrends, hen we will use hands-on and
room.
and digital activities to explore
Audience: General
content at various grade
Room: F35-47
levels. Careful! You may
find yourself dancing,
Elementary Science Make and
smiling, and leaving with
Take
something you didn't
Dr. Teresa Higgins
come with - yes, this is for
Focus: General
Elementary folk!
Description: Make a balancing butAudience: Elem (K-6)
terfly, model Bernoulli's principle or
explore Ooblek....activities like these Room: F30-36
engage learners with science princi17
Session 3
12:15-1:10
Internal Reflection-
ties and discussion on the brain,
memory and learning. This session is
The Cosmic Year of good for teachers of any grade level
Light: There's an App or subject area--find out what you
for That! -Tristan Wolfe need to know in order to become a
neuro-savvy teacher!
* Combined Sessions
Audience: General
Focus: Physics/
Room: J30-38
General
Description: Internal Reflection:Open Source Lab Equipment for
Experienced any internal reflection
Teaching Physics and Physical
lately? This session will illuminate a lab
Science
activity in which you and your students can investigate the bending of Brian Huang
light, trapping of light, and escape of Focus: Chemistry
Description: Learn how to teach your
light. Students will determine indices
own students to program an Arduino
of refraction and calculate critical
microcontroller to blink LEDs, read
angles, see light going and coming,
sensor values, and display values
and explore how water can free a
laser beam from the bonds of internal back to your computer. We will demo
a few open-source lab equipment
reflection.
ideas built around Arduino and lowThe Cosmic Year of Light: There’s an
App for That! Students seem welded cost parts and materials that you can
use immediately in your class.
to their smart phones these days, so
Examples include: a reaction timer, a
why not encourage independent,
photogate timer, a voltmeter, a conoutside of classroom utilization with
some science apps dealing with light ductivity sensor, and a digital thermometer. All the parts necessary to
and color? We will demonstrate a
variety of existing and planned apps build these projects will be included.
that deal with topics as diverse as star Audience: HS
-finding, the colors of stars, measuring Room: G38-44
Mark Mayer
brightnesses, spectroscopy, astrophotography and solicit your ideas
for additional apps that could be developed. The purpose here is to engage students in observing and
measuring the world around them
with tools already in their hands, as a
way of expanding their conversation
with science teachers at each stage
of their learning.
Audience: General
Room: K35-39
Opportunities and Challenges for
Bilinguals in the Elementary
Science Classroom
Chris Carson
Focus: General
Description: How can we develop
bilingual learners' language and literacy through elementary science
instruction? Through a combination
of discussion and activities, we'll explore opportunities and challenges
for bilingual learners embedded in
May I Have Your Attention?: Mind the Next Generation Science StanMatters
dards (NGSS) and ways to support
Robert Payo
elementary teachers through online
Focus: General
professional development modules.
Description: Discover more of what
Both teachers and science instrucneuroscience is teaching us about
tional leaders are encouraged to athow the brain works. How does mem- tend.
ory and attention work in the brain?
Audience: Elem (3-6)
How can we use that to support what Room: G31-37
works in the classroom? Join us for a
fun hour of hands-on, minds on activi18
Reaching the Common Core
Standards through Environmental
Education in the
K-8 Classroom
Laura Olson
Focus: General
Description: This interactive session
will introduce K-8 teachers to Project
Learning Tree's environmental education resources and practices that support the teaching shifts brought by
Common Core standards. Participants will engage in activities that
expose students to complex text with
its academic language and promote
critical thinking. You will leave this session excited to apply PLT's free and
low-cost resources to your multidisciplinary, differentiated instruction in
the 21st century classroom!
Audience: Elem (K-6)
Room: H31-37
Teaching and Learning Inquiry in
Chemistry Using Bonding
Cassandra Weason
Focus: Chemistry
Description: Participants in this workshop will experience the structures
that support the implementation of
inquiry-based lessons in their chemistry classrooms by engaging in a lesson on chemical bonding. The inquiry
strategies that will be illustrated in this
workshop include aspects of the scientific process such as making simple
observations, developing models,
data collection, making evidencebased claims, and refining models
and defending claims in a classroom
discussion.
Audience: HS
Room: J48-52
Session 3
12:15-1:10
Teaching Controversial Topics:
Hunting, Ethics, and Conservation
Mary McCormac
Focus: Enviro Sci
Description: Human-wildlife conflicts
are increasing due to people and
animals growing need to share habitat. Hunting is a wildlife agency's
main tool in managing populations
but as license sales decrease and
support diminishes in our everurbanizing world, managers are concerned about the future of wildlife
conservation. Join us to learn more
about wildlife conservation in Colorado and how to introduce the conversation of hunting as a tool to manage animal populations.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: F38-44
Teaching Controversial Topics:
Seeing the Big Picture Without All
the Pieces
Becky Shorey
Focus: General
Description: Topics like evolution and
climate change can be a bit challenging to teach at times because
students will often ask "how do you
know when there are still gaps in the
information?" I will demonstrate how
to get students to realize that while
scientists don't have all the pieces of
evidence for some of these more
controversial topics, scientists are
able to paint a fairly complete picture of how things happen.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: J31-39
nities, and global climate. Middle
and high school science teachers will
present classroom activities that they
developed with the help of researchers at CU Boulder and UCAR. All materials are aligned to the NGSS and
Common Core standards and are
freely available online.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: G30-36
Tools That Support Students' Use of
Explanation and Argumentation in
the Classroom (NGSS Practices 6)
Paul Numedahl
Focus: General
Description: This session will deepen
participant understanding of tools
that support students' use of NGSS
Practices 6 & 7. Participants will be
engaged in an inquiry-based activity
that models the use of student tools
that support the construction of evidence-based explanations and engagement in scientific argumentation. Participants will receive a copy
of the students tools that are used.
Audience: General
Room: G30-36
What You Talkin 'bout Standards?
Emily Heinrich
Focus: General
Description: The Colorado Academic
Standards are the lighthouse guiding
teachers through the rocky seas of
science instruction. However, even
with the direction provided by the
standards, it is easy to lose your way
or be pulled off course. In this workThe Science of Fracking:
shop teachers will have the opportuActivities Developed by
nity to look deeply at he CAS and pull
Colorado Teachers and Scientists out the content and skills encomKatya Hafich
passed by the CAS. Academic voFocus: Earth/Space Sci
cabulary, key ideas, and nature of
Description: Join us to learn the sciscience will become the marker
ence and engineering of hydraulic
buoys that guide your journey for a
fracturing and explore activities that safe passage.
get students to consider the benefits Audience: Elem (K-6)
and tradeoffs of oil and gas develop- Room: F46-52
ment on local environments, commu19
Miss a session that
you wanted to
attend?
Lose your handouts
from a session?
Need the
presentation power
point?
Conference
Materials
Available Online!
www.coloradoscience
conference.org/
presentations
Like Us!
www.facebook.com/
ColoradoScienceConference
@COSciConference
Session 4
1:55-2:50
10 Things to Do with
Tech in Your First (or
30th) Year
Sandra Weeks
Focus: Tech Ed
Description: Bring your
laptop and walk away
with 10 simple easy-to-implement
tools for any classroom. This class is a
must for anyone who wishes to enjoy
the simple benefits an online environment has to offer - better assignment
completion, quicker and more effective grading, and less money (and
trees) spent on copies. I returned to
the classroom after 9 years as an
educational consultant - this session is
designed to setup your technology in
one hour and you will reap the benefits all year long.
Audience: General
Room: F35-47
Authentic Integration of Math
within STEM using a
Simple Mixture
Experiment
Karl Topper
Focus: Other
Description: This session
will explore how to
deeply integrate math
principles within STEM
investigations using a
5th-6th grade lesson. Participants will
quantitatively deconstruct (separate)
a mixture of objects and then reconstruct it mathematically. They will
learn how to do an error analyses
through comparing the original mixture to the reconstructed mixture.
They will also explore potential errors
students encounter within this inquiry
and how to get students to identify
experimental errors.
Audience: Elem (3-6)
Room: F38-44
archaeology from classroom to field.
Archaeology enhances student
learning through use of cooperative
skills, inquiry, hands-on learning, and
community connections. In this hands
-on workshop you will experience
how to connect archaeology to your
curriculum within the classroom
through use of self-created kits, public resources, and standards aligned
curriculum.
Audience: Elem (3-6)
Room: K35-39
in Colorado and Costa Rica. We will
cover the proven benefits to students, academic goals reached, and
how you can participate in the program.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: F30-36
Field Data Collection and
Mapping Using Mobile Devices
Roger Felch
Focus: General
Description: With free access to AGO
Engineering Colorado History
org accounts, K-12 teachers in CO
Liz Cook
can crowdsource field data using
Focus: Tech Ed
students' cell phones and other moDescription: Technology has always
bile devices. Maps prepared in adplayed an important role in Colovance allow students to collect data
rado's history, and can be an engag- in real time, outside of class, allocating entry point to understand engiing class time to using spatial analysis
neering and social studies. See how
tools to explore patterns in the data.
History Colorado's museums use prob- Students can find connections with
lem-based learning to help students
other online data and develop stuexplore basic engineering principles, dent-generated, content-relevant,
history, geography, environmental
dynamic presentations of their analyscience and more. We'll sample stan- ses with live maps. See how it can be
dards-based activities, workshop an
done!
engineering challenge from your loAudience: MS/HS
cal history, and discuss how to inspire Room: H48-52
students in cross-disciplinary learning.
Audience: General
Room: G46-52/H47-53
Full STEAM Ahead with Design
Experiential Education: Student
Research Expeditions in Rocky
Mountain National Park
and Costa Rica
Michael O’Toole
Focus: Life Sci/Bio
Description: Experiential education is a
proven strategy for
helping students to
apply concepts
learned in the
classroom to realworld projects. The
Source to Sea and
Dig into Learning
Plains to the Park programs connect
Lindsey Mieras
students with scientists in the field.
Focus: General
Students assist with data acquisition in
Description: An interdisciplinary prosupport of research designed to
ject for intermediate students proposes to coordinate an integration of inform land management strategies
20
Build Challenges
Chris DeKay
Focus: General
Description: Getting students to think
creatively and contextually is easy;
just give them a challenge. The right
challenge will take the students
through the design process while
forcing them to work together. Scaffolding play through challenges
gives them structure and you an opportunity to reinforce learning. Come
play and learn as you rise to the
challenges and find ways to overcome them with STEAM.
Audience: General
Room: J41-47
Session 4
1:55-2:50
"GOT GAS?" Demos for your
Classroom Science Program
and PC, and classroom activities.
Based on current research and written by scientists and master teachers,
Sue Anne Berger
these highly engaging resources are
Focus: Phys Sci
Description: Enhance your curriculum suitable for MS-undergraduate students in life and environmental sciwith exciting, inexpensive, and easy
science demonstrations. Demo topics ence.
Audience: MS/HS
will use gases for the main concept
Room: J40-46
and relate issues that can include
solids and liquids. Demos can
Integrating Science and Literacy
integrate writing, mathematics, and
Eileen Patrick
art. The activities can be used for
Focus: General
STEM concepts and incorporate the
Description: There
scientific method. Never forget,
aren't enough hours
"Science is Fun!"
in the day to separate content and
Audience: Elem (K-6)
literacy. Using evidence to
Room: J31-39
support your thinking is an expectation, even a requirement for profiHere We Go - Turn the Page
ciency, in both arenas. Learn and
Emily Heinrich
practice some strategies to
Focus: Tech Ed
strengthen the use of evidence in
Description: Performance tasks and
both science and language arts. We
field experience are invaluable in every science will do an integrated science/literacy
classroom, but they don't lesson to cover the four domains of
translate into a traditional literacy.
Audience: Elem (K-6)
science notebooks very
Room: H40-46
well. Apps and programs
Investigating Environmental Issues
and Decisions
Katie Navin
Focus: Enviro Sci
Description: Join us to explore your
role in facilitating the investigation
and evaluation of environmental issues and decisions with learners. Take
home a 5 step process that will ensure active engagement and participate in activities that assist learners to
analyze issues and seek courses of
responsible action toward the resolution of issues. Get the tools you need
to design investigations that are relevant and meet your learning goals!
Audience: General
Room: J48-52
Make the Zoo Work for You!
Middle School and High School
Teachers Needed
Karen Hays
Focus: General
Description: Denver Zoo needs you!
We are looking for innovative middle
and high school teachers that are
willing to sit down with us to provide
to help preserve student
feedback about how our programIntroducing the NGSS Scientific
work have flooded the
ming can best reach your students.
and Engineering Practices to
marketplace in recent
Meet an animal while we host small
Young Learners
years. Why put yourself through the
group discussions to solicit your input
rigors of figuring out what works and
Donna Gardner
related to field trip logistics, curricuwhat doesn't. Learn from my misFocus: General
lum delivery and structure, and stutakes, and then go bravely make
Description: Young learners intuitively dent learning outcomes. As thanks
your own. I'll show you how to turn
utilize the Scientific and Engineering
participation, teachers will receive
the page in 21st Century science
Practices when exploring new contickets to Zoolights and be eligible for
notebooks.
cepts and building a knowledge
a drawing for other awesome zoo
Audience: Elem (K-6)
base. How do we help students unprizes.
Room: F46-52
derstand what they are intuitively do- Audience: MS/HS
ing and formalize the process so they Room: G47-53
can consciously replicate the process
Improve Student Understanding
when faced with new challenges?
with FREE Resources from HHMI
Making Critical Thinking More
In
a
hands-on
collaborative
workshop
BioInteractive
Than Just a Cliche Using 3design and conduct a simple exploCindy Gay
Dimensional Learning
ration and engage in science disFocus: Life Sci/Bio
Marilyn Schmidt
Description: Teach ahead of the text- course using the I Wonder Circle tool Focus: General
to identify the NGSS Practices in the
book with the latest FREE resources
Description: Come engage in a seexploration.
from the Howard Hughes Medical
quence of investigations where midAudience: Elem (K-6)
Institute. In this hands-on session exdle-school students experience pheplore the newest award-winning Bio- Room: K49-53
nomena, construct explanations, and
Interactive resources including: short
argue from evidence. Teach students
films, virtual labs, animations, interacto think like a scientist as they apply a
tive Click-and-Learn, apps for I-pad
21
Session 4
1:55-2:50
claim, evidence, reasoning framework to make sense of investigations.
Audience: MS
Room: G39-45
Math Magic
Claudia Wallace
Focus: General
Description: Math is the
language of science.
Manipulating numbers and
variables in formulas are
necessary skills that students
must have. However, solving for
variables is a skill that some students
struggle with. Students have become
so dependent on their calculator that
they lack the ability to perform calculations without a calculator. The
strategies presented will help students
manipulate the math required in science by using fractions, dimensional
analysis and Fermi Equations.
Audience: HS
Room: K41-47
Opportunities and Challenges for
Bilinguals in the Secondary
Science Classroom
Chris Carson
Focus: General
Description: How can we develop
bilingual learners' language and literacy in the secondary science classroom? Through a combination of discussion and activities, we'll explore
opportunities and challenges for bilingual learners embedded in the Next
Generation Science Standards
(NGSS) and ways to support science
teachers through online professional
development modules. Both teachers
and science instructional leaders are
encouraged to attend.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: G31-37
Physics and Open-Source
Robotics: The Opera of
Math and Science
Safety and differentiation are built in.
Teach core content while fostering
problem solving, creativity and invention. Students design original experiBrian Huang
ments not possible with traditional
Focus: Physics
methods. Receive many classroom
Description: Position, velocity,
tested experiments.
acceleration, torque, and
rotation--these are all key concepts in Audience: HS
Room: J49-53
both physics and robotics. Why not
integrate these things together? We
The CU-Boulder Museum's Fossils
use arduino, a simple robotics platin the Classroom Project: The
form, and a little math to introduce
Hands-on Study of Fossils
students to kinematics concepts in
Jim Hakala
physics. Integrate STEM and engiFocus: Earth/Space Sci
neering into your physics class!
Description: Learn about the CUAudience: HS/College
Boulder Museum's Fossils in the ClassRoom: G38-44
room Project: hands-on teaching kits
and lessons for 4th grade and inSmooth Move: How the Brain
district training for teachers on how
Controls Movement
best to use the kits in the classroom.
Tammy Maldonado
The hands-on teaching kits directly
Focus: Life Sci/Bio
address the Colorado Department of
Description:
Education's Academic Standard on
Humans have an
the study of fossils and connects the
amazing ability to move
precisely but the ease with which we scientific work of CU paleontologists
with teachers and students in commove masks its complexity.
munities throughout Colorado. Learn
For example, we can build a
how you can receive a kit free for
computer to beat a chess
grandmaster, yet can't build a robot your school.
Audience: Elem (K-6)
that can manipulate a chess piece
Room: H39-45
with the dexterity of a 6-year old.
Why is this? This workshop will provide
Using Project-Based Service
an introduction to neuroanatomy
and sensorimotor systems controlling Learning to Transform your
Teaching
movement. Hands-on activities will
Laura Olson
demonstrate movement physiology
and factors making movement con- Focus: General
Description: Service learning projects
trol so difficult.
improve academic performance,
Audience: MS/HS
enhance critical thinking, and grow
Room: G30-36
student leaders. Learn how to facilitate student-led investigations into
STEM and NGS Inquiry in
energy use, water, waste & recycling
Chemistry: Effective, Efficient,
and more; inspire your students to
Economical
take personal responsibility for creatEd Waterman
ing healthier communities while conFocus: Chemistry
Description: Learn how to transition to ducting authentic scientific investigations! Participants can register as a
a STEM and NGS student centered
chemistry classroom by implementing PLT GreenSchool (it's free!) and have
immediate access to the resources to
safe, simple, easy to use, materialconserving, time-efficient and effec- start an investigation.
Audience: MS/HS
tive inquiry activities in chemistry.
Room: H31-37
22
Session 4
1:55-2:50
What's Up in the Atmosphere?
Exploring Colors in the Sky
Lisa Gardner
Focus: Earth/Space Sci
Description: Get your K-4 students to
make observations of the sky while
homing their understanding of science and engineering practices with
the new Elementary GLOBE book and
activities. The book, "What's Up in the
Atmosphere? Exploring Colors in the
Sky," gets students thinking about
aerosols - tiny particles in the sky and how they impact sky color. The
book, developed at UCAR with support from NASA, and the activities,
developed at NASA, are all freely
available online.
Audience: Elem (K-6)
Room: H30-38
CDE Recertification
Credit
Just a reminder, certificates will
be available at 4:00 p.m.
Certificates will not be mailed to
participants after the Conference.
Things you want to remember:
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Post Pics and Comments from the Conference!
www.facebook.com/ColoradoScienceConference
@COSciConference
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Session 5
3:05-4:00
21st Century Science: A Colorado Come and find out more about this
versatile plant and have a firsthand
High School's Journey
Dr. Violeta Garcia
Focus: General
Description: Failure rates for first year
high school science are at an all time
high. What fundamental science
ideas should every high school student experience and master whether
they pursue a career in STEM or not?
This question sparked a conversation
leading to the creation of a 21st Century Science course. Come learn
about the journey, explore preliminary modules, and provide your own
insight for the potential for this type of
course in other districts.
Audience: HS
Room: F35-47
Beyond STEM: Coordinating
Conceptual Ideas and Science
Practices through Crosscutting
Concepts
Jami Seabolt
Focus: Earth/Space Sci
Description: A hands-on workshop
where we share our AGI/ExxonMobil
K-5 Earth Science Teacher Leadership
Academy knowledge and ideas. We
will integrate the seven Crosscutting
Concepts with Earth Science Standards. The interactive session involves
five take-away Earth Science activities. Educators will go beyond the investigation into higher level conceptual knowledge such as patterning
and systems. Research based practices and cross curricular connections
will be emphasized.
Audience: Elem (K-6)
Room: H48-52
Can Industrial Hemp
Help Save the Planet?
Caren Kershner
Focus: General
Description: Industrial hemp is the latest crop to take Colorado by storm.
What is the potential of this crop for
our state? What are some of its uses
and how is it being processed? How
does it differ from marijuana? Is it
really the 'wonder crop' of the future?
look at some of its many uses. Your
students will want to know....
Audience: MS/HS
Room: K35-39
Creating Digital Lab Reports
Kevin Murray
Focus: General
Description: Students today live in a
media rich world. Let's learn how to
harness this reality in the classroom.
Use a variety of free, browser-based
tech tools to create alternative lab
reports. Learn how to make video lab
reports, infographic lab reports, or
interactive images/video of lab
equipment/setup and to create
more attractive visualizations.
Participants are asked to bring a
laptop or tablet device. Some classroom technology experience suggested.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: J48-52
Data-Sharing and BYOD with
PASCO Scientific Technologies,
Featuring SPARKvue® for
Chromebook
Tara Stout
Focus: General
Description: SPARKvue software goes
beyond data collection and analysis
by introducing an integrated
science learning environment with
sharing capability. SPARKvue sharing
does more than just share data: it
shares the entire lab experience, no
matter where your students are, or
what platform they are using.
Download the free app today!
Audience: General
Room: J40-46
Ewwwwwww - That Smell! Using
Nanosceince and Techology to
Detect Obnoxious and Noxious
Vapors
Christine Morrow
Focus: Chemistry
Description: This session addresses
24
issues of vapor containments and
their concentrations, and how leading-edge nanoscience engineering
research is developing vapor detection technology. Alongside scientists
and science educators, participants
will collaboratively engage in handon and critical reasoning activities in
the context of the real-world air pollution issues.
Audience: MS/HS
Room: K49-53
"GOT GAS?" Demos for your
Classroom Science Program
Sue Anne Berger
Focus: Phys Sci
Description: Enhance your curriculum
with exciting, inexpensive, and easy
science demonstrations. Demo topics
will use gases for the main concept
and relate issues that can include
solids and liquids. Demos can
integrate writing, mathematics, and
art. The activities can be used for
STEM concepts and incorporate the
scientific method. Never forget,
"Science is Fun!"
Audience: MS
Room: J31-39
How Do I Improve My Students'
Learning?: Researching Effective
Teaching Practices
Shannon Wachowski
Focus: Other
Description: Join the Streamline to
Mastery professional development
group as they guide teachers on how
to develop a valid research question
that can be used to explore problems of practice in the classroom.
Data collection and the making of
data-driven decisions to implement
effective change and improve student learning will also be modeled.
Teachers will leave the workshop with
tools on how to create and put into
action their own research plan based
on personal education visions and
values.
Audience: General
Room: K41-47
Session 5
3:05-4:00
Inspire Students with Experiments
on High Altitude Balloons
Jon Pierce
Focus: General
Description: Join us as we discuss
gathering data from High Altitude
Balloons as a model for learning in all
grades. With 24 launches scheduled
this year, we'll share previous student
experiments as well as our experience launching balloons with students using live data from Ardusat's
Experiment Platform.
Audience: General
Room: J30-38
Kids Teaching Kids
Nadene Klein
Focus: General
Description: Join us as we share an
amazing project based learning opportunity. This 21st century project,
which allows a student-centered format that is self-differentiated, is
steeped in STEM and NGSS crosscutting themes. We'll show you how
to provide an authentic audience
through community collaboration.
You'll be thoroughly impressed by
your students' creativity and problem
solving abilities. You'll walk away with
sample documents and be ready to
start TOMORROW!
Audience: MS/HS
Room: H30-38
Integrating Nanotechnology in the Mathematical Modeling of
High School Chemistry Classroom Scientific Data
Cheryl Paricio
Focus: Chemistry
Description: The sometimes unexpected behavior of materials at the
nano scale, where electrostatic
forces dominate, will fascinate you
and your students. Come explore
nanotechnology connections to
chemistry in a unit on atomic structure. Student engagement and realworld applications are emphasized.
Audience: HS
Room: H40-46
Integration of Technology into
High School Science
Damon Smerchek
Focus: Tech Ed
Description: HMH's High school science series, "back in black," moves
you into the future with integrated
technology to engage 21st century
learners. Please bring a device that
can access the internet to follow
along as we go through How to implement technology into the classroom to engage and enrich your students.
Audience: HS
Room: H31-37
Patrick Mara
Focus: General
Description: Using a loaner set of calculators from Texas Instruments, we
will model the wolf population in Yellowstone, the solar system, sunspots,
and generation of electricity by the
wind.
Audience: HS/College
Room: F30-36
Nature in the Classroom: Turning
your Classroom Inside OUT!
DeLene Hoffner
Focus: General
Description: School in the Wood staff
presents...how to bring outdoor education into your curriculum and ways
to get your students OUTSIDE for their
learning! Meet Colorado standards
across the curriculum while inspiring
your students through the WONDERS
of nature. Join the staff from this
public school as they share tips, lesson, and curricular connections.
Audience: General
Room: G46-52/H47-53
25
NOAA SOS Explorer: Earth Science
Data Visualizations in the
Classroom
Hilary Peddicord
Focus: Enviro Sci
Description: In this
session we will be
demonstrating the
educational use of
NOAA data
visualizations within a new interactive
Earth display for a flat screen
personal computer coming out of the
NOAA Science On a Sphere project
(SOS), SOS Explorer. The visualizations
show information provided by
satellites, ground observations and
computer models and rapidly
animate through real-time global
data. Participants may choose to
bring a laptop, download the
application and play along with us as
we go.
Audience: General
Room: J41-47
NSTA Learning Center: Teacher
Learning Journeys: Learn Today...
Your Way!
Jen Gutierrez
Focus: General
Description: Come learn more about
creating a personalized learning journey based on your own unique learning needs and preferences where
you can plan, track, and assess your
progress over time. I'll share with you
how you can begin to explore, for
FREE, the great learning resources
and opportunities available through
NSTA as well as some of the other incredible value-added benefits of becoming a member.
Audience: HS/College
Room: G31-37
Session 5
3:05-4:00
Practical Strategies for Teaching
with PhET's Free Interactive
Simulations
designed to teach students how archaeologists use sampling strategies
to learn about past cultures. It is modeled after Roy's Ruin, an ancestral
Amy Rouinfar
Pueblo Indian site located in southFocus: General
western Colorado. It dates to the
Description: Explore ways to use
1100's. The site was excavated by
PhET's free interactive simulations to
Crow Canyon
address all three dimensions of the
Archaeological
NGSS, with an emphasis on the
Science Practices. Engage in discus- Center as a part of
sions about successful classroom ac- a larger excavation
tivity design and facilitation strategies project, which
involved sampling
for creating student-centered environments and reflect on an exemplar 14 sites. The paper
activity. Take away resources includ- excavation is
ing examples of NGSS alignment and closely patterned after the actual
excavation findings.
strategies for activity design and faAudience: MS/HS
cilitation. This session is designed for
Room: G38-44
teachers who are new to PhET and/
or NGSS.
Thermochemistry with Legos
Audience: MS/HS
Claudia Wallace
Room: F38-44
Focus: General
Description: Energy is an important
Rocks Made Simple!
concept when explaining chemical
Peter Modreski
changes in matter. Sometimes stuFocus: Earth/Space Sci
dents have difficulty understanding
Description: A review of--or an introwhy a substance/system gets 'cold'
duction to--the basics of what the
most common types of rocks are and or 'hot' during this process. This session
shows a way to illustrate these
what they look like, using hands-on
changes and relate them to potenexamination and activities. We'll
make this useful for educators who-- tial energy diagrams even before
chemical reactions are taught. Parperhaps without too
ticipants will use bags of Legos to
much past experibuild reactants and change them
ence--may be
into products.
teaching about
Audience: MS/HS
rocks and minerals
Room: J49-53
as part of their science courses, at any
grade level. Given
by two co-presenters geologist, and
science teacher) who think that
learning about "rocks" is easy, fun,
exciting, and useful!
Audience: General
Room: F46-52
The Archaeology of Cactus Ruin:
A Paper Excavation
Kathleen Stemmler
Focus: General
Description: The
Archaeology of Cactus Ruin is a lesson
How can warm water vapor "hold"
more moisture?, & What makes a gas
a greenhouse gas? Leave with lesson
plans & a Little Shop surprise!
Audience: General
Room: F39-45
What's Up with the Clouds?
Eileen Carpenter
Focus: Earth/Space Sci
Description: Join staff from the UCAR
Center for Science Education to
learn cool ways to teach your students about the clouds in our
atmosphere. Scientists at UCAR use
weather instruments and observations to study clouds. In this session we
will share hands-on
activities that teach young children
about different types of clouds and
demonstrate how to look for those
clouds in the sky. These activities
provide great opportunities for your
students to engage in the
process of science!
Audience: Elem (K-2)
Room: G47-53
When Plants Can't Breathe: Seeing
Ozone Damage in Nature
Danica Lombardozzi
Focus: Enviro Sci
Description: As ground-level ("bad")
ozone levels rise throughout the
summer, some plants can show
visible signs of damage, providing a
great learning opportunity for
students to understand how the
atmosphere is connected to biology.
Using Kinesthetic Activities to
You'll learn how to identify ozone
Teach Abstract Concepts
damage on plants by playing an
Sheila Ferguson
identification game.
Focus: Physics
We'll also share data
Description: Join the Little Shop of
collection sheets and
Physics crew for this exciting, active,
information about instruand cost-saving session using
ments that can be used
kinesthetic lessons to teach students to collect data from an
abstract physics & atmospheric
ozone garden, and tips
science concepts. We'll explore mion how to plant your own ozone
croscopic models that lead to
garden at your school.
macroscopic consequences. Act out Audience: General
phase changes, the Greenhouse
Room: G30-36
Effect, & more! Answer intriguing
questions such as: What is pressure?
26
Please join us at 1:10 following
Session 3 for the Awards
Reception in the Exhibition Hall
2015 Awards
AVS Awards: Excellence in
Science Teaching
Tom Bindel
Presidential Award for Excellence in
Mathematics and Science Teaching
National Awardee 2013
Mark Paricio
(High School Level)
Katie Hobbs
Presidential Award for Excellence in
Mathematics and Science Teaching
Colorado Finalists 2015
Mark Little
Jessica Noffsinger
Tamara Pennington
(Middle School Level)
Barb Colby
(Elementary School Level)
CAST Pre-Service Awardee
Nathan Geroche
CAST Excellence in
Science Education
Roger N. Felch
CAST Distinguished Service Award
Nancy Gettman
(High School Level)
CBTA Outstanding Biology Teacher
Award
Robin Walters
Meg Zaranek
(Middle School Level)
Karin Pacot
Friend of Science:
Peter Modreski
(Elementary School Level)
27
2015 Award Recipients
Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching: Science Awardee
Presented by: Joanna Bruno, Science Specialist, Colorado Department of Education (CDE)
Awarded by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House office of Science and Technology
Mark Paircio, Smokey Hill High School | Aurora, CO
Mark Paricio has taught science in the Cherry Creek School District for 28 years, spending the
last 12 years at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, CO. He currently teaches Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Honors physics.
Mark’s current emphasis is to provide his students with the opportunity to integrate engineering practices and projects in his physics classroom, as well as making connections with community members working in STEM fields.
For 8 years, Mark has partnered with the ACE Mentor Program to give his students the opportunity to work with professional engineers, architects, and construction managers to design
solutions for development projects in the Denver area. Through this program, students gain
direct insights to the business world.
Mark spent the 2012 summer in Siberia, working with a team of international scientists with the
Polaris Project as a PolarTREC teacher, blogging to his students about the processes and challenges of climate change research in the Russian arctic.
Through his career, Mark has been recognized as a past Colorado Physical Science Teacher of the Year and has
been awarded the Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence, and the Presidential Award for Excellence in
Math and Science Teaching.
Mark has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Colorado State University, a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from
Colorado School of Mines, and a M.A. in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado. Mark
is a National Board Certified Teacher and holds a Colorado Master Teacher certification in secondary science.
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
2015 Colorado Secondary Science Finalist
Presented by: Joanna Bruno, Science Specialist, Colorado Department of Education (CDE)
Awarded by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House office of Science and Technology
Mark Little, Broomfield High School | Boulder, CO
Mark Little has been a science teacher at Broomfield High School for over 25 years and
taught most classes during that time. He has been very involved with the AP Biology redesign, including field-testing some of the laboratory investigations. He has been an AP
Reader for twelve years and a Table Leader for 3 years at the reading along with being an
item writer for the AP Biology Exam. He saw a need at his school and also started the AP
Environmental Science program at his school six years ago. The course continues to grow
today with over 120 students in 4 sections.
Mark is National Board Certified and has been recognized for his teaching by receiving
various awards, including the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for the state of Colorado
in 2005. He works for National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) and the Colorado Science Initiative, helping students and teachers prepare for AP science exams. Mark was
President of the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) in 2013 and currently works
the College Board as an AP Biology Consultant.
28
2015 Award Recipients
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
2015 Colorado Secondary Science Finalist
Presented by: Joanna Bruno, Science Specialist, Colorado Department of Education (CDE)
Awarded by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House office of Science and Technology
Jessica Noffsinger, STEM Magnet School | Thornton, CO
Jess Noffsinger teaches 8th grade Science and Engineering at the STEM Magnet Lab School in
Adams 12. She has taught for the past 15 years and uses a problem based learning model to
engage students. Jess has served on numerous committees at the district and state level and
presents regularly at a variety of conferences.
Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence in Math and Science:
2015 Colorado Secondary Science Finalist
Tamara Pennington, Windsor High School | Windsor, CO
Tamara holds a BA in Biology from the University of Northern Colorado and a MA in Biology
from the University of Colorado. She has been teaching for 23 years. She is currently teaching Pre-AP Biology and AP Biology at Windsor High School. She has previously taught Earth
Science, Physical Science, Chemistry and General Biology. Tamara is the recipient of numerous awards including the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award in Colorado (2014), the Colorado Association of Science Teachers - Distinguished Biology Teacher Award (2008) Jefferson
Country Distinguished Teacher Award (2000).
Tamara's favorite topic to teach in biology: "Molecular Genetics! Biology is challenging and
always changing. I love learning new things and getting answers to questions I have always
had about our lives and those around us."
CAST Excellence in Science Education: High School
Presented by: Colorado Association of Science Teachers
Roger Felch is currently the AP Chemistry, Chemistry, and Geospatial Technologies and
the Environment teacher at Castle View High School. He has also taught Chemistry in the
Community, Honors Physics, Forensic Science, Physical Science, Global Science, Earth
Systems and Resources (using the LATE curriculum with an integrated GIS based environmental emphasis) as well as A+ Computer Repair for ACC at Englewood High School. He
has worked on several grants incorporating technology into high school curricula
(Techlinks) as well as geospatial and nano-technologies (LATE, EYE-POD, T3G, NanoLeap
and NanoTeach). Each cutting-edge effort at incorporating new technology in his science classroom was presented at a Colorado Science Conference; he has been a presenter, year after year, for both Chemistry and GIS topics. He served as a member of the
Colorado Academic Standards State Stakeholder’s Committee, urging members to insist on increasing rigorous expectations rather than reducing them. He has sought to encourage students to engage in cosmic ray research
through his involvement with Quarknet. Roger finds rigorous connections to real-world opportunities for students, especially in the GIS realm. The Town of Castle Rock GIS Department has indicated a desire to offer a prospective GIS
student an internship in their office; NEON (in Boulder) also hopes to liaison with the GIS program to sponsor students
to gather and analyze data on climate. He has been recognized repeatedly by his students and colleagues for outstanding efforts on their behalf. While accomplishing all this in the interests of his students, he maintains, raises, and
cares for 25 - 30 Morgan horses and manages the family-owned 750 acre ranch in North Park which “puts up” 150300 tons of grass hay each year. He then has the joy of hauling it (ten tons at a time) to an eager clientele in the
Denver area.
29
2015 Award Recipients
CAST Excellence in Science Education: Middle School
Presented by: Colorado Association of Science Teachers
Meg Zaranek is a 7th grade Life science in the Academic Arts Academy, District 20 Colorado Springs.
She grew up in Michigan spending substantial time playing and exploring outside with her family. Her interest in science was sparked at a young age when her 6 th grade science teacher
taught lessons of tree identification around the school campus, bird nesting and territorial patterns, invertebrate identification in pond water and growth patterns of tulips and dandelions.
Meg ventured to Colorado College, in Colorado Springs, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Colorado College’s unique block plan provided opportunities for class work in
Pike National Forest, the Garden of the Gods, on Hoosier Pass, in Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce
National Parks, and in the Patagonian Region of Argentina. She holds a Masters degree in
teaching secondary science and in 2014, Meg was nominated for the “Educator of the Year
Award” at Eagleview Middle School. In her 3rd year as her team lead, she actively participates
in and organizes AAA events, and coaches track and field at Eagleview. She also coaches
both cross country and track and field at her alma mater, Colorado College.
She writes Green Grants, manages the school garden and engages students in a school-wide recycling initiative.
Fulfilling a dream, she has brought 90 Academy 20 students to Grand Teton National Park, to participate in a multiday program. She continually works to inspire curiosity, wonder and understanding of place to establish awareness
of and appreciation for local and global communities.
CAST Excellence in Science Education: Elementary School
Presented by: Colorado Association of Science Teachers
Karin Pacot homeschooled her own 5 children for 9 years and then began working at Ellicott Elementary School as a para before she decided to get her teacher’s
license. She has been a kindergarten teacher since 2008 at Ellicott Elementary
School. Karin earned her masters’ in curriculum and instruction in 2009 and in 2015
added an endorsement as a gifted specialist. She is the gifted representative at her
school. “It’s a real joy for me to introduce my kindergarten students to science and
to get them excited about it. In my class I teach units on senses, motion, plants,
animal classification, and space.” She teaches summer camps at the Challenger
Learning Center of Colorado Springs in the following areas: Toys in Space,
Robonauts, Space Adventures, Lego We Do, Moonbase Crisis, Jr. Astrobiology, Advanced Astrobiology, Lego Robotics (Mindstorm), Mars, Rocketeers, and Aerospace Innovation. She is involved in Lego Simple Machines kits and
started holding Lego Clubs for students K-3, is the recipient of many different grants, and offers STEM programs for
students K-12 including Sea Perch, Lego, aerospace, and most recently astrobiology.
AVS Award: Excellence in Science
Presented by: American Vacuum Society
Outstanding Physical Science Teacher-Elementary
Barb Colby is a third grade teacher at Odyssey Elementary School in Colorado Springs.
She loves teaching science, bringing as many hands-on experiences as possible to her students especially those with special needs. She feels “There’s a true joy watching Downs
Syndrome, autistic and children with various needs jump up and down with excitement as
they investigate and explore like the rest of the class. How can one not be touched after
seeing the confidence and enthusiasm that such activities bring?” Her goal is to ensure
that every child leaves her classroom with a love for science and an inquisitive mind that
wants to know more about life, earth, and physical sciences.
30
2015 Award Recipients
AVS Award: Excellence in Science
Outstanding Physical Science Teacher-Middle School-Katie Hobbs
Katie is a 7th grade science at Lewis Palmer Middle School. It is because of a love and
passion for teaching science and S.T.E.M. that drives Katie Hobbs to continuously learn,
teach others and be involved with the many S.T.E.M. activities in area. “In 2010, she attended a S.T.E.M. boot camp workshop and was hooked. Not only was it a great way to
hook kids into science and math but it was relevant, engaging and interactive, not to
mention a blast to teach! Science and S.T.E.M. are in my opinion the way we can change
the world.” She is an Instructor for Challenger Learning Center of Colorado Springs, Lego
Mindstorm camps , Afterschool rocket club, a Science Olympiads coordinator and
Teacher for other STEM programs: Sea Perch program, Girls’ S.T.E.M. club, Lego WeDos
and Lego Simple Machine club. She is also a Lead EleSTEMary team member, copresenter of S.T.E.M. workshops for other elementary school teachers from a variety of local school districts, a GAFE trainer conducting mini professional development classes for
her staff, Teacher Envoy for the Teacher Flight Program through the Wings Over the Rockies museum in Parker Colorado, Mickleson ExxonMobile Teachers Academy participant, BSCS STEM Leadership
Academy, selected participant, and S.T.E.M. Think Tank committee- Colorado Department of Education.
AVS Award: Excellence in Science
Outstanding Physical Science Teacher-High School-Tom Bindel
Thomas Bindel teaches AP chemistry and chemistry at Pomona High School in Arvada,
CO. His awards include the AMGEN Award for Science Teaching Excellence, the ACS
Rocky Mountain Region Award for Excellence in High School Teaching, and the ACS
Colorado High School Teaching Award. Bindel has authored more than 16 publications
dealing with chemical education. He is a presenter at the Colorado Science Conference (2000-2014). He has also presented a number of workshops for teachers, including
“Entropy Analysis” for Weird Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago (2006). And
lastly, he is a member of the Colorado Association of Science Teachers (CAST) and the
Colorado Chemistry Teachers Association( CAST).
Preservice Teacher Award -Nate Geroche
Presented by: CAST (Colorado Association of Science Teachers)
Nate grew up here in Colorado and loves his home state. He is a recent and proud
graduate of the University of Colorado - go Buffs! He enjoys traveling and has recently
booked plane tickets to backpack through Europe next summer. Other than education his two greatest passions are pugs and Colorado sports teams. He now works at
Ralston Valley and teaches chemistry.
31
2015 Award Recipients
2014 CAST Distinguished Service Award-Nancy Gettman
Presented by: Colorado Association of Science Teachers
Nancy Gettman, Science Instructor, has over twenty five years experience of teaching
Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Science Research, College Biology, Earth, Life, and Physical
Science for grades 7-12. A teacher of a small, rural school in Northeastern Colorado with
an enrollment of around 100 students K-12, Nancy had many finalists participate and/or
place at the Regional Science Fair, the Colorado Science & Engineering Fair (CSEF), the
International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF), the Colorado Wyoming Junior Academy
of Science (C-WJAS) and the American Junior Academy of Science. During the summers,
under the leadership of Sue Anne Berger, Nancy co-taught Science & Art to elementary
teachers and Physical Science for Middle School Teachers though the Colorado School
of Mines and the Jefferson Foundation. An intricate part of her career included
presenting at state and national science conferences and facilitating teacher workshops
at different BOCES throughout Colorado. Nancy has been president of both CAST and
the Colorado Biology Teachers Association (CBTA) and serves on the Scientific Review Committee Board and CAST
judge at the CSEF. For the past ten years, she has been co-director of C-WJAS. Nancy’s passion for teaching is apparent in her being a lifetime learner and instilling that in her students
Colorado Outstanding Biology Teacher for 2014 Award-Robin Walters
Presented by: National Association of Biology Teachers and Colorado Association of Biology Teachers
Robin Walters is currently in her 25th year of teaching, begins her 5 th year at Sand Creek High
School in Colorado Springs as instructor of Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and AP
Biology. Previously she taught at Harrison High School for 18 years. She earned her BA in
Biology and MAT in Secondary Science Teaching from Colorado College. Robin feels growing up in the small town of Salida shaped who she is as a person and a teacher. “My high
school teachers taught me the importance of relationships, high expectations, and unwavering support and encouragement. These “small town” elements now are being passed on
to my students.” One of the highlights of her career has been being part of the BSCS AP Biology Leadership Academy where it’s been a joy for her to work with many passionate and
inspiring teachers! She has previously been honored as Teacher of the Year at Harrison and
Sand Creek High Schools and as a CAST Secondary Science Teacher Award winner. She is
an active member of CBTA and currently serves as treasurer .
Friend of Science-Peter Modreski
Presented by: CAST (Colorado Association of Science Teachers)
Dr. Peter J. Modreski has been a geochemist since 1979 with the U.S. Geological Survey,
Lakewood, Colorado. He has a B.A. in Chemistry from Rutgers College and an M.S. and
Ph.D. in Geochemistry from Penn State. He is responsible for public and educational
outreach for the USGS and volunteers with numerous earth science organizations,
including the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Friends of Dinosaur Ridge, and the
Colorado Science Conference. Pete’s work with students, educators, and the general
public throughout Colorado has included earth science courses, workshops, field trips,
symposia, classroom presentations, mentorships, science fairs, water festivals, Science
Olympiad, and gem and mineral shows. Currently Pete co-chairs the Colorado Science
Conference committee .
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Did You Know? 2015 is the International Year of Light!
In proclaiming an International Year focusing on the topic of light science and its
applications, the UN has recognized the importance of raising global awareness
about how light-based technologies promote sustainable development and provide
solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health. Light
plays a vital role in our daily lives
and is an imperative cross-cutting
discipline of science in the 21st
century. It has revolutionized medicine,
opened
up
international
communication via the Internet,
and continues to be central to linking cultural, economic and political
aspects of the global society.
34
Sessions Map
Exhibitors Area
The
Plaza
35
Exhibitor Map
123
124
223
224
323
324
423
CAEE
AAPT
CCTA
Resource
121
122
221
222
117
118
217
CPO Science
US Geological
Survey
Denver Museum
of Nature &
Science
218
115
116
215
216
CPO Science
University of Colorado Boulder,
College of Engineering & Applied
Science
PACE
Pearson
113
114
213
214
Colorado
Parks and
Wildlife
University of
Colorado
Native Plant
Society
Keystone
Science
School
111
112
211
BCSC
CU Science
Discovery
Carolina Biological
107
Downtown Aquarium
108
AirWaterGas
Sustainability
Research Network
105
It’s About Time
321
322
421
CESN
CBTA
CAST
317
318
417
Swap
418
NSTA
316
415
416
Ardustat
Cooperative
Institute for
Research in
Environmental
Science
NSTA Press
313
314
413
414
Activate Learning
Colorado School
of Mines Geology
Museum
Texas Instruments, Inc.
Project Learning Tree
212
311
312
411
412
Ocean First
Education
University of
Northern Colorado-MAST
Institute
Usborne Books
and More
Minerals Education
Coalition, Colorado
Section, Society for
Mining, Metallurgy &
Exploration
Nancy Larson
Science
207
National Geographic Learning/
Cengage Learnining
208
National Network
of Libraries of
Medicine
307
Boys & Girls Club
of Larimer
County
308
College of Natural
Sciences Education & Outreach
Center
407
Vernier Software
& Technology
408
Colorado
Foundation for
Agriculture
106
Learn More
About Climate
205
National Geographic Learning/
Cengage Learnining
206
Colorado State
University Warner College of
Natural Resources
305
Crow Canyon
Archaelogical
Center
306
Environment for
the Americas
405
Adams State
University/
Extended Studies
406
Colorado
Foundation for
Agriculture
103
Friends of Dinosaur Ridge
104
PhET Interactive
Simulations
203
Metro
Wastewater
Reclamation
District
304
PASCO
Scientific
403
Rocky
Mountain BEST
404
Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt
101
Denver Zoo
102
McGraw-Hill
Education
201
A+ Microscope
Coffee
Cart
401
Colorado Mining
Association
Education
Foundation
402
Bird
Conservancy of
the Rockies
Colorado Museum of Natural
History
315
Exhibitor
Locations
Main Lobby
2015
36