For the past 12 years, Summer Science Institute (SSI) has been a premier residential program for exceptional 11th-12th graders in Alabama and Georgia. During this week-long experience, SSI Scholars engage in cutting-edge experiments, real-world applications, and collaborate with faculty researchers from Auburn University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics.
Discover how peer tutoring can enhance secondary science learning! This session combines interactive simulated peer tutoring with real-time data to demonstrate its impact. Participants will gain practical insights, explore research on peer tutoring effectiveness in middle and high school science, and leave equipped to implement this strategy in their classrooms.
Although organismal biology receives less attention in science classrooms, it can help establish a strong scientific foundation as well as critical research skills. Dichotomous keys are integral tools to identify species, and this session will cover an exercise where students build dichotomous keys of prehistoric shark species from fossilized teeth.
In this session we will present 10 hands on or data driven CER activities appropriate for Secondary Earth and Space Science students. All of these (ALCOS standards aligned) activities are from free open resources or utilize data that is readily available on the internet. participants will be provided with a usb drive containing activity material and links.
The Alabama Science and Engineering Fair provides an amazing opportunity for your middle and high school students to showcase their independent STEM Research Projects. Students perform research that they choose, collect data, interpret results and then communicate their findings at local, regional, state, and national competitions for top dollar prizes.
Come explore a interactive, hands-on activity that explores the ins and outs of precision medicine, including how diversity, socioeconomic factors, and lifestyle can effect health.
Molly Langston joined Southern Research’s STEM Education Outreach Team as the STEM Education Associate in summer of 2021. She is responsible for assisting with the implementation and development of educational programs that aim to excite Alabama students about science, technology... Read More →
Shon Essex joined Southern Research's STEM Education Outreach team in fall of 2022 as a STEM Education Associate. He is responsible for developing creative ways to assist and engage school districts throughout Alabama to enhance the state's STEM activities, as well as develop and... Read More →
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST
Ballroom A
Teachers will look into the unique Anchored Inquiry Learning Model developed by the team at BSCS and how it can profoundly impact student engagement, skills development, and understanding of scientific processes.
I began my career with a degree in Professional Geology from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. However, met the love of my life and we quickly began the expansion of our family. After staying at home with the little ones until they reached school age, I pursued... Read More →
Monday February 24, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm CST
City Hall - ECR
High school students, especially from underrepresented backgrounds, seek meaningful careers. Therefore, STEM activities that align with their values can boost interest in engineering. Engineering researchers and educators co-developed science labs for rural high schools to broaden participation in engineering by addressing the diverse motivations of Generation Z students.
Dr. Lakin is Professor of Educational Studies at The University of Alabama University. She conducts educational measurement research related to test validity and fairness. She is lead author of the Cognitive Abilities Test (Form 8). Her federally funded research on developing new... Read More →
In this hands-on session, discover how DNA evidence plays a pivotal role in agricultural practices and selective breeding to benefit both farmers and consumers. Determine the genetic profiles of individual cattle available for sale, and assist a farmer in identifying the most promising candidates for creating the ultimate Ca$H Cow.
Explore how the Alabama Data Scholars Program bridges classroom learning with career readiness in the digital age. This session will highlight how science teachers can support student participation, guide students in building portfolios, and prepare them for internships and careers in data-driven industries. Gain insights into the skills employers are seeking and how to help students stand out in the growing digital economy.
Utilizing models in science allows students to visualize chemical phenomena and the conservation of energy. By developing and using models, learners can better grasp complex concepts, predict outcomes, and analyze how energy changes occur. This practice aligns with the 2023 Alabama Course of Study Developing and Using Models Science and Engineering Practices, as well as, Next Generation Science Standards,.
Participants will make and use alginate beads containing algae and alginate beads containing yeast. They will learn how the beads can be used to model the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Join us on this hands-on workshop where we will unlock the secrets of Sickle Cell Disease. We will explore the genetics of sickle cell disease and genetic testing. Extend the narrative by becoming medical geneticists conducting newborn screenings for SCD to determine disease inheritance and susceptibility. We can wrap up with modern therapies now available for SCD.
Here is a fun way to get your students talking about all those fabulous bacteria and viruses that inhabit our surroundings. During this activity students will research several pathogens and share their findings in a fun creative way with each other in class.
