1. science

STEM Educators Summit
at the University of New Hampshire
May 30, 2015
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Katherine L. McNeill
Sponsored by the UNH
Joan and James Leitzel Center
for Mathematics, Science, and
Engineering Education.
Register for the Summit at:
www. leitzelcenter.unh.edu
Leitzel Center Contacts
Annette Schloss
Faculty Fellow / Summit Organizer
[email protected]
Ruth K. Varner
Director
[email protected]
Lara Gengarelly
Extension Assoc. Professor
Specialist, Science Literacy
[email protected]
Steve Hale
Research Associate
[email protected]
Erik Froburg
Education & Outreach Specialist
[email protected]
Sandy Coit
Program Support Assistant
[email protected]
www.leitzelcenter.unh.edu
603 862-0718
Designing classrooms for science practices:
Strategies from research on scientific argumentation
An Associate Professor of science education at Boston College and a
former middle school science teacher, Dr. McNeill received her doctorate
in science education from the University of Michigan. Her research
focuses on engaging students with diverse backgrounds in science
practices, with a particular focus on scientific argumentation. Through the generous
funding of the National Science Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of NY, she
has worked on a number of projects focused on the design of curriculum, assessments
and other resources to support students, teachers and instructional leaders in science
practices. Her publications include multiple journal articles and two books: What’s Your
Evidence?: Engaging K-5 Children in Constructing Explanations in Science; and Supporting
Grade 5-8 Students in Constructing Explanations in Science: The Claim, Evidence, and
Reasoning Framework for Talk and Writing. Co-sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension.
Panel Discussion led by Leitzel Center staff and UNH faculty.
Workshops (sign up when you register):
SPIRALS, Engaging Youth in Sustainability Science
Gr. 5-8. Bring research and community-based knowledge to your classroom using case studies
on topics like ice fishing and climate change, gardening and nutrient cycling.
Mathematics and Computational Thinking through Scientific Inquiry
Gr. 3-12. Explore data, organize and use mathematical representations to make sense of that
data, recognize patterns, generate conjectures, and make predictions. Think NGSS practice 5.
Science and Literacy: Classroom Scientists in Action and at Storytime
Gr. K-4. Follow a class of students using GLOBE K-4 storybooks to explore a creek near their
school, the soil in their town, clouds, and more. Includes related activities for your classroom.
Marine Plankton and NGSS
Gr. 4-12. Explore marine plankton and their natural environment in the context of
developing lesson plans to meet the NGSS call for students to “do science to learn science.”
Investigating the World with Digital Cameras
Gr. 5-10. Use your digital camera and simple colored filters as scientific tools to explore
vegetation health. Learn to set up a Picture Post long-term monitoring site at your school.
Exploring Spatial Patterns with Maps Using GIS
Gr. 7-12. Use free spatial analysis software (ArcGIS Online) to discover, analyze, and share
scientific data as maps.
Using Earth-observing Data: Engaging Students in The Science of Climate Change
Gr. 7-12. Access a variety of climate data and related learning sequences with this studentfriendly web portal. Topics include carbon storage, albedo, and shifting vegetation patterns.
You Go Girl!: Supporting Female Learning and Identity Formation in STEM
Gr. K-12. Instructional practices and classroom cultures can impact female learning and
attitudes toward STEM. Discuss research findings, video case studies, and ideas for change.
Resources at the UNH STEM Discovery Lab
Gr. K-12. Mini-demonstrations of standards-based STEM learning experiences, resources, and
technology tools for your classroom— from littleBits© to Google Fashion Design.
Resource Tables will include materials from a variety of UNH STEM programs.
Lunch will be provided. CEUs are available upon request. Afternoon raffle.