Saturday/Sunday

Saturday, 9:30–10:30 AM
9:30–10:30 AM Presentations
SESSION 1
Engineer Design Challenge: Spacecraft Structures
(Gen)
(Middle Level–High School/Informal) 111/112, Conv. Center
Kristy Hill (kristy.hill@nasa.gov), NASA Marshall Space
Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
Come learn about a student challenge that involves building
a model thrust structure (the portion of the structure
that attaches the engine to the rest of the spacecraft) that
is as light as possible, yet strong enough to withstand the
load of a “launch to orbit” three times. As a culmination,
students compile their results onto a poster and present it
to their class.
SESSION 2
Get Technology Down to a Science (Gen)
(General)
120, Convention Center
Merri K. Herndon (mherndon@sdale.org), Helen Tyson
Middle School, Springdale, Ark.
Jo Anne Waldrip, Springdale (Ark.) Public Schools
Walk away with classroom-tested techniques that infuse
English language learner strategies and technology into
inquiry-based science units. Door prizes and classroom-ready
activities provided.
SESSION 3
Differentiating Content, Process, and Product via
Strategies to Promote Understanding of Science
Among Students with Special Needs (Gen)
(Elementary–High School)
121, Convention Center
Gregory Borman (gborman@ccny.cuny.edu), The City College
of New York, N.Y.
Derek Ramdass (dramdas@schools.nyc.gov), New York City
Dept. of Education, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Lionel Callender (lcallen4@schools.nyc.gov), New York City
Dept. of Education, Floral Park, N.Y.
Presider: Compton Mahase, Fieldston High School, Bronx,
N.Y.
Incorporating nine elements of differentiated instruction for
content, process, and product leads to deeper understanding
of science concepts and process for students with disabilities.
SESSION 4
Catch a Wave!
(Phys)
(Middle Level–High School)
125, Convention Center
Elaine Gwinn (jegwinn@hotmail.com), Shenandoah High
School, Middletown, Ind.
Engage and explore the world of waves, sound, and light—
demos and activities will be shown that use inquiry methods
that can energize your classroom.
SESSION 5
The 50 Best Physics Demos to Do Before You Die
(Phys)
(Informal Education)
126, Convention Center
Peter Hopkinson (phopkinson@shaw.ca), Vancouver Community
College, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Well, maybe not quite 50, but we’ll get to as many as we
can, and they’re certainly the best!
SESSION 6
“I Actually Feel Like a Scientist!” Student Perceptions of
a Research-based Chemistry Experience (Chem)
(High School)
127, Convention Center
Kim S. Kingery (kkingery@purdue.edu), Gabriela C.
Weaver (gweaver@purdue.edu), and Matthew Pilarz
(mpilarz@purdue.edu), Purdue University, West Lafayette,
Ind.
Learn about high school students’ research-based laboratory
experience and how their discourse and self-confidence in
the lab progressed.
SESSION 7
Adaptations and Improbable Foundations: Evolution
Misconceptions Uncovered and Assessed (Bio)
(Elementary–Middle Level)
204, Convention Center
Jaimie L. Miller-Friedmann (jlmiller@cfa.harvard.edu)
and Philip M. Sadler (psadler@cfa.harvard.edu), Harvard-
Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Mass.
Students hold alternative conceptions in every subject, including
evolution. What do students truly believe Which concepts in
evolution are the most controversial Learn about our newly
developed item inventory in elementary and middle school life
science.
SESSION 8
Teaching an Integrated Unit on the Cell (Bio)
(Elementary–High School)
209, Convention Center
David Purvis (david.purvis@marist.edu), Marist College,
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Learn how to design interesting classes for a unit on cells,
and how to create a meaningful learning environment where
students complete integrated activities.
NSTA Indianapolis National Conference on Science Education
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