ASTA Conference 2025: Full Schedule

8:00am CST

Science and the Science of Reading

Monday February 24, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CST

Calling all elementary school teachers! Join us for an engaging and enlightening workshop that explores the powerful intersection of science education and the Science of Reading initiatives. Discover how teaching science can support and enhance students' reading and writing abilities, creating a comprehensive approach that fosters academic achievement across disciplines.

Speakers

Ramy Mahmoud

Educational Solutions Provider, Savvas Learning Company

Ramy Mahmoud is a lecturer at the University of Texas at Dallas teaching Educational Technology and Curriculum and Instruction in Science, and a National Science Specialist for Savvas Learning Company. As a former high school biology teacher of 16 years, Ramy is passionate about engaging... Read More →

Monday February 24, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CST
City Hall - ECR

Elementary 1-6, General Science

10:00am CST

3D Science Education for a Sustainable World

Monday February 24, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CST

City Hall - ECR

Raise environmental literacy while creating a 3-D model of land use, engaging in a simulation of carrying capacity in a habitat, and participating in an interactive history of a local river. Presented lessons deepen students’ understanding of “Earth and Human Activities” and “Ecosystems. Receive lesson plans, data sets and more.

Speakers

Dr. Almir Smajic

Jennifer Davis

University of Montevallo

Monday February 24, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CST
City Hall - ECR

Elementary 1-6, Earth and Space Science

11:00am CST

Science4Us – It’s Never Too Early to Teach Science

Monday February 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CST

City Hall - ECR

This session will demonstrate how to get teachers started with teaching science in K-2 with Science4Us. Participants will learn how to engage young scientists in learning science using a variety of teaching strategies to support lessons, engage students in online activities, and plan science lessons that build problem-solving skills and support literacy.

Speakers

Tiffany Christian

Vendor, ExploreLearning

Tiffany Christian is an Area Implementation Coordinator with ExploreLearning in the Mid-Atlantic region. She has 17 years of experience in public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, and a district K-12 science instructional lead. She currently lives... Read More →

Monday February 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CST
City Hall - ECR

Early Elementary Pre-K - 3, General Science

1:00pm CST

The Fusion of Science and Language through Smithsonian Science for the Classroom (K-5)

Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST

City Hall - ECR

Join our interactive science workshop where literacy meets
exploration! Immerse yourself in a world of discovery as we blend scientific
concepts with the power of language. Through engaging activities, such as
designing a hand pollinator, students will not only see how to unravel the wonders of
science but also enhance their literacy skills. Leave with classroom resources.
Smithsonian Science for the Classroom (K-2) received an All-Green rating from
EdReports.org.

Speakers

Dr. Carolyn Pistorius

Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST
City Hall - ECR

Elementary 1-6, General Science

2:00pm CST

BSCS: Understanding for Life Biology

Monday February 24, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm CST

City Hall - ECR

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.

Speakers

Teresa Rockwood

Science Curriculum Specialist, Kendall Hunt Publishing

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

Secondary 9-12, Life Science

3:00pm CST

Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration: Teaching Biology Concepts with Alginate Beads

Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CST

City Hall - ECR

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.

Speakers

Crystal Risko

Carolina Biological Supply

Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CST
City Hall - ECR

Secondary 9-12, Life Science

8:00am CST

Unlocking Science Success: Navigating Middle School Learning Progressions (6-8)

Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CST

City Hall - ECR

Take a deeper dive into understanding the importance of
learning progressions in 3-dimensional learning using STC Middle School.
Experience the importance of a coherent storyline in student understanding. In this
session we will explore a learning progression using density and participants will
walk away with classroom resources.

Speakers

Dr. Carolyn Pistorius

Taylor Quinlan

Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:50am CST
City Hall - ECR

Middle School 4-8, Physical Science

10:00am CST

Teaching STEAM Through Hands On Crafts

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CST

City Hall - ECR

Discover the science and creativity behind one of history's greatest inventions—soap! Join our workshop to experience activities that bring chemistry alive in your classroom through a STEAM challenge, led by the authors of "Teaching STEAM Through Hands-On Crafts. Real-World Maker Lessons for Grades 3-8". Turn everyday products into powerful learning tools that deepen students' understanding of chemistry and design!

Speakers

Amanda Haynes

STEM Teacher, Discovery Middle School

I truly love what I do in my classroom as a STEM Teacher. I am very lucky to have as much freedom and support as I do to pursue goals that I have for myself, and take risks, and challenge myself every year. I pride myself in continuing to create new STEM challenges, and I give my... Read More →

Dr. Christine Schnittka

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CST
City Hall - ECR

Middle School 4-8, General Science

11:00am CST

Blasting off on your journey with the NBCT

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CST

City Hall - ECR

This session will provide an overview of the NBCT process, what each component requires and how they are scored. There will be time for in depth questions on how to start, work through, or complete the mission of becoming a NBCT.

Speakers

Amber Emerson

Teacher, Tuscaloosa City Schools- central high

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CST
City Hall - ECR

General Audience, General Science

1:00pm CST

Fluid Shifts in Space! Teaching Space Science using a Digital Video Game

Tuesday February 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST

City Hall - ECR

A digital video game to teach about space science, the human body, and space-focused careers will be demonstrated and used. The goals are to teach how fluid shifts caused by microgravity affect astronauts, how fluid in the body can be measured, and how engineers & doctors keep astronauts healthy.

Speakers

Dr. Todd Freeborn

Tuesday February 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CST
City Hall - ECR

Middle School 4-8, Earth and Space Science

3:00pm CST

Materials Camp for Teachers: Hands-on Learning Opportunities for the Classroom

Tuesday February 25, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CST

City Hall - ECR

Metals, ceramics, and polymers are just some materials that can reinforce STEM topics in chemistry, physics, and physical science classrooms. This session highlights interactive, low-cost means for hands-on demos that excite students that are part of a week-long summer camp for just teachers. https://asmmaterialscamp.ua.edu/

Speakers

Dr. Greg Thompson

Tuesday February 25, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm CST
City Hall - ECR

Secondary 9-12, Physical Science