Presentation Title: Challenge Based Learning – Teaching, Assessing, Creating
50-minute breakout session
Abstract: Challenge Based Learning (CBL) is an inductive pedagogy that allows students to identify a real-world problem that interests them and then learn what they need to know in order to solve the problem. Information gained from doing assignments and projects can result in long term retention of the information and make the student feel like their school work has a purpose. A challenge-based learning experience is a learning experience where the learning takes places through the identification, analysis and design of a solution to a sociotechnical problem. The learning experience is typically multidisciplinary in all core subjects, takes place in an international context and aims to find a collaboratively developed solution, which is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. The attendees will learn and identify common and unique characteristics of the surveyed challenge-based learning experiences as well as success factors for their execution. Attendees will describe in more detail one particular challenge-based learning experience that can be adapted for their learning institution. Attendees will discuss what a “challenge” might be in the context of core education. What skills are needed to address a “challenge”? How can these skills be developed?

Presentation Title: TBD
20-minute curriculum burst
Abstract: So you’ve heard a lot about coding these days and want to understand its importance in the classroom; however, you just haven’t quite figured out how it fits into your specific classroom and core curriculum schedule. This session takes you beyond the basics of coding and introduces you to real-life examples of how coding and robotics can become a daily part of almost any classroom and any core subject area. Hands-on demos and a stress-free opportunity to learn best practices.

Biography: David Lockett is a STEM teacher at Bok Academy in Lake Wales, Fl as well as an NSTA Aerospace Advisory Board Member. At Bok Academy, he is responsible for implementing a project-based curriculum for all students as they rotate through the STEM Lab. Mr. Lockett has a distinguished and diverse background in the fields of Astronomy, Biotechnology, and Engineering, and is an advocate and practitioner of S.T.E.M. accessibility for all students. Mr. Lockett has participated in a variety of NSF projects throughout North and South America, including the Astronomy in Chile Ambassadors Educator Program and Innovators Developing Accessible Tools for Astronomy. David believes in building relationships and providing S.T.E.M. equity for all students.

Toni Stith is the STEM Professional Development Coordinator at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA. She works with school districts and educational organizations across the country to improve STEM education through the Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway. She has over 15 years of experience in teaching and coaching math in multiple schools and states. Toni has had the privilege of being a Japanese Teaching Scholar in the summer of 2008 and was awarded the Milken National Educator award in North Dakota that same year.

Biography: Dr. Clay Roan is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Indianapolis. He has 18 years experience teaching mathematics and mathematics education courses across several levels (middle school, high school, community college, and university). Dr. Roan’s current responsibilities at the University of Indianapolis include teaching mathematics courses for pre-service elementary education majors and supervising secondary student teachers. His research interests include curriculum, instruction, and assessment development in K-16 schools, as well as teacher recruitment, evaluation, and retention.

Stephanie Stern-Protz is a STEM Specialist and Coordinator of Experiences for the North Bergen STEM Academy in New Jersey. Stephanie holds a master’s degree in education with a cross-categorical study in special education. In addition, Stephanie holds a STEM Education Certificate (with Leadership Distinction) through the NASA Endeavor Teacher Fellowship from Teachers College at Columbia University. She is a teaching assistant for Endeavor’s Methods of STEM Education online course. In the spring of 2012, Stephanie, through NASA Endeavor, Stephanie was invited to Capitol Hill to present her STEM lessons at a NASA-sponsored Lunch and Learn. Since that time, Stephanie has curated successful learning units featuring NASA’s educational resources. Since 2014, Stephanie has been a teacher-researcher with Goddard Space Flight Center, and in 2015, Stephanie was awarded a teacher internship with Goddard’s CCRI – Climate Change Research Initiative. She works with Dr. Dorothy M. Peteet, a renowned paleoclimatologist and senior scientist. In 2017, Stephanie served as a Grand Award Judge in Earth and Environmental Science for the 2017 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, California. Stephanie is most grateful for the support from  her husband Edward and her daughter Miranda.