Concurrent Sessions

Active Chem and Active Physics- great for all students

The program engages students through real-world challenges and projects that require physics knowledge coupled with student creativity. Students engage in inquiry from start to finish which has students observe and explore before building models and explanations for phenomena. They aren’t physics students, they are student physicists.  (Read the rest of this description)

Fish Stories from Project Based Learning - tales from the classroom

The presentation will review the inaguaration of Project Based Learning (PBL) into a 7th grade science classroom with discussion of what worked and what needs more work. Project based learning, is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges, simultaneously developing cross-curriculum skills while working in small collaborative groups.  (Read the rest of this description)

Global warming: Natural Cycle or Human Induced?

Throughout geologic time, the Earth has witnessed cooling periods and warming periods. There have been times when the Earth was covered with more ice and snow that we have now. And, there have been times when the Earth has had much less ice and snow than we do now.  (Read the rest of this description)

Passing It On

High School students "pass on" their excitement and love of science to local elementary schools. Presentation will indicate how to coordinate such an event, organizing and preparing your students as well documenting the event.   (Read the rest of this description)

Recruitment of Teachers/Students for STEM Research

To enhance the STEM initiative in West Virginia, Glenville State College is offering three workshops during summer 2010. The Summer Institute is a one week workshop for middle and high school science teachers. The major objectives include training on research instrumentation, conducting research, experience with Pasco equipment, and exposure to the NASA instructional modules.  (Read the rest of this description)

What resources can your local watershed organization provide?

What resources can your local watershed association provide? This lecture will give you a sense of the tools, materials, lesson plans, and other resources your local watershed association can provide for you and your students about clean water and the environment. Most watershed associations have people to go into classrooms and teach your students the physical, chemical and biological aspects of your local streams.  (Read the rest of this description)

Get Lift in Your Classroom

Experience the fun of learning with this hands on workshop focused on the principles of aerospace, including the principles of lift. Discover how the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex (MAAC) Aerospace Education Program (AEP), through a NASA grant, can provide experiences to excite both you and your students about aerospace.  (Read the rest of this description)

Time On My Hands

This workshop will consist of activites dealing with latitude, longitude, time, time zones, and topographic maps and will include activies that can be modified for elementary, middle and high school levels. Each participant will receive a packet of ideas to take back to incorporate into their classroom.  (Read the rest of this description)

ACT Science Camp: What Did You Do This Summer?

During a week this past July, Gilmer County High School operated a day camp to prepare students for the science portion of the ACT exam. This presentation will cover how the content areas of biology, chemistry, and physics were integrated along with the Kaplan ACT Testing Methods to increase students’ raw ACT science scores while also studying the Little Kanawha River watershed. Come  (Read the rest of this description)

Calling ALL Elementary Teachers!!

Could you use a free trip to Washington DC for you and a guest where you will be wined and dined by dignitaries? Could you find some use for $10,000? If you are teaching science in your elementary classroom, then this workshop is for YOU!  (Read the rest of this description)

Project Based Inquiry Science- Student Scientist in a STEM Environment

Project-Based Inquiry Science is based on students thinking like and being scientists. Project-Based Inquiry Science was created to provide an atmosphere of deeper, more sustained learning than has traditionally been found in middle-school classrooms. PBIS Units engage students in learning, and instill the respect that students need to learn within a context.  (Read the rest of this description)

Project FOCUS: Fostering Our Communities Understanding of Science

Fostering Our Community’s Understanding of Science (FOCUS) was initiated in 2002 at the University of Georgia in collaboration with local elementary schools. FOCUS was started by a parent volunteer at a local elementary school who felt that elementary students were not given sufficient opportunities for hands-on science in the classroom.  (Read the rest of this description)

Project-Based Learning Using Genuine Science

This presentation demonstrates how three separate professional development programs can be used in a single project-based learning unit to promote student learning and interest in science. Combining G.L.O.B.E. hydrology protocols with iGIS Watershed Analysis from the University of Maryland at Frostburg, and stream analysis from The Mountain Institute enables students to perform a complete study of the health of a local stream’s watershed.  (Read the rest of this description)

Team based learning

Team based learning is an excellent way to engage students, incorporate reading comprehension, increase student responsibility, improve skills for working with a team, and convey information. While every class is not suited to utilize team based learning, it can be modified to accommodate most courses and topics.  (Read the rest of this description)

What's Hot and New in Science Education at WVU

Science education at WVU has expanded faculty expertise, variety of graduate on-line courses, and funded opportunities toward meeting state and national needs. Faculty expertise now includes chemistry and bio/nano-technology education. Our graduate courses improve teachers' PCK in global warming and human-environmental health while focusing on the connections between mathematics/science and science/society/technology.  (Read the rest of this description)

Afterschool Universe

Are you looking for an exciting afterschool program that is free of charge and all ready to engage your learners for 12 sessions. Or are you an educator looking for some kinetic ways to teach concepts such as the life cycle of stars?  (Read the rest of this description)

Fonner's Fabulous Density Demos

Introduce the concept of density to your elementary students through fast-paced, fun activities in an entertaining environment!  (Read the rest of this description)

Hot Bulbs

(Grade 7 - Nature of Energy) Hot Bulbs Activity provides evidence for Energy Transformations If you've touched a light bulb and wondered how much electrical energy is being "lost" as heat you've got to attend this workshop. Gather experimental evidence in this engaging lab in order to support a decision about lighting in your house.  (Read the rest of this description)

Lewis Structures - "90% Rules" for Ages 5 and Up

Drawing Lewis structures for molecules using the full set of electron-counting rules given in typical chemistry textbooks can become a confusing and slow process for students. At Fairmont State University, we have developed a way to approach Lewis structures that uses easy to remember patterns from the periodic table in an engaging, puzzle-like activity called "Even Atoms Have to Obey the Rules."  (Read the rest of this description)

NASA - Field Trip to the Moon

Participants of this workshop will be exposed to the features of the "Field Trip to the Moon" Educator Resource. They will take a virtual field trip to space, investigate the dynamics and components of establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon and compare Earth landforms to Moon landforms.  (Read the rest of this description)

Super Models - Super Scientists

Teachers constantly search for ways to support student interest and involvement in science. We utilize hands-on investigations and problem solving opportunities to support science exploration. We also use models to enable students to understand and visualize phenomena that are too large, too small or too complex.  (Read the rest of this description)

The Bridge between Class-Room Activities and a Deeper Understanding of Physics

As teachers face challenges due to rapid advances in science and technology, online physics classes for physics teaching (re)certification are developed and taught at Fairmont State University. The intent of the courses is to build a bridge between inspiring, low-cost class-room activities and (re)gaining deeper understanding of the physics principles involved.  (Read the rest of this description)

West Virginia Watershed Dynamics

To understand how watersheds function, it is necessary to understand spatial and temporal variability, requiring spatial thinking and the technical skills necessary to frame, explore, and understand interactions. Fortunately, it is becoming easier to teach spatial thinking using technology because GIS, GPS, and remote sensing have become more user-friendly and accessible.  (Read the rest of this description)

Exciting Classroom Physical Science Demonstrations

Come and experience many of the fun and exciting demonstrations and labs I do with my students that reinforce key concepts in physical and earth science, as well as chemistry and physics. There will something for everyone as we cover air pressure, heat, light, bangs, and pops.  (Read the rest of this description)

Home on the Moon

The mysterious "nightly" appearance of the moon ignites interest and curiosity in young students. As teachers, we take this opportunity to engage students in classroom activities that allow the development of deep understandings and memorable experiences. Participants in this session will create lunar "homes" and simulate common activities that present extreme challenges on the moon.  (Read the rest of this description)

Measure Up

See how using different measuring tools help students see the need for using a standard measurement (metric) to be able to compare volume, temperature, mass and linear measurements. Participants will receive free workshop materials.   (Read the rest of this description)

NanoScale PlanetWalk

Join us as we engage participants in activities that demonstrate scale modeling in our solar system. Find out how you can place a NanoScale PlanetWalk in your community. The NASA WV Space Grant Consortium, SMART-Center, and the Near Earth Object Foundation will be constructing a solar system planet walk at the 1 to 1 billionth (nano) scale on the Glen Dale to Moundsville walking trail.  (Read the rest of this description)

Probing Science with the Pasco Xploerer GLX and Spark

This hands-on workshop will focus on incorporating Pasco data loggers, SPARK and Xplorer GLX, into your laboratory activities. You will be given the opportunity to perform at least of the pre-installed guided inquiry labs that are built into the SPARK. The sensitivity of the probes will also be discussed.  (Read the rest of this description)

Sounds in Science

In this session elementary teachers will make and take with them their own inexpensive and easy to make tools they can use to teach physical science concepts related to sound. We will explore ways to make sounds and ways to teach the concepts of vibrations, pitch, and volume using cups, rubber bands, cardboard, paper, tape, and other easy to find resources.  (Read the rest of this description)

Technology Binds Math and Science

Partricipants will be provided with detailed handouts. Activities will teach the interconnection between data and graphs by means of multiple representations. Activities will include chemical kinetics, equilibrium, activation enerygy, and radioactive decay. All activities will be "hands-on" and suitable for middle or high school science teachers.  (Read the rest of this description)

Viva La VodCast

Viva La VodCast! In this informational session, techniques and software for using and creating video podcasts, (VodCasts), will be discussed and demonstrated. Come and see how this innovative and inexpensive strategy can help send your instruction streaming into the 21st Century!   (Read the rest of this description)

"Challenging" Science

The science classroom teacher responds to many everyday challenges. Overcrowding, inadequate lab facilities, lack of materials and lack of funds are insurmountable without a positive and encouraging classroom environment. Delivering required content to students that are typically uninterested and unskilled presents more challenges.  (Read the rest of this description)

Active Learning in the Science Classroom

This session will examine the use of interactive notebooks, admit/exit slips as formative assessment, white boards to generate student discourse, and sticky note variables. An interactive notebook can be a powerful instructional tool, allowing students to take control of their learning while processing information and engaging in self-reflection.  (Read the rest of this description)

Cross Curricular Rollercoaster PBL

In the Spring of 2009, working in conjunction with the Pre-Calculus class of Valerie Helmstetter, we (my Physics class) completed a Project Based Learning project. The driving questions were "How Does a Rollercoaster Work?" and "What Makes a Ride Thrilling?" The projects were cross-curricular with different emphasis in each classroom.  (Read the rest of this description)

Earth-Moon-Sun Materials That Really Revolve!

(Grade 6) Having trouble finding motivating and engaging materials that kids actually enjoy? Join us as we delve into the new "Earth in Space" unit that address the 2.26, 27, and 29 CSOs in an issue-oriented way. We'll do a couple of activities that always bring an "Aha" moment for students.  (Read the rest of this description)

Elementary NEED!

Explore foms, sources and conservation of energy for grades K-4, through experiments, skits, songs, and stories. The NEED Project (National Energy Education Development)will also provide freebies for participants!  (Read the rest of this description)

Embedded Formative and Summative Assesment (EFAS)

Participants will take part in formative and summative assessment activities. They will learn how to use formative assessment as a startup activity, to check class roll, and to elicit anonymous responses from all students, even those who would normally be reticent to answer a question in class.  (Read the rest of this description)

Google Flight School

Use new flight simulator feature in Google Earth to explore the earth, the oceans, the moon, Mars, and beyond. Fly around Mt. St. Helens; wind your F-16 up the Colorado River between the sheer cliff walls of the Grand Canyon; and dive into the ocean depths off Hawaii.  (Read the rest of this description)

Hooked on Hydroponics

NASA researchers work to develop plant growth systems for the International Space Station and future stations. In this spirit the NASA ERC at the IV&V center has developed a hydroponics kit for use in science classrooms. Each unit is constructed using readily available materials, costing under $100, and includes nutrient solution and seeds.  (Read the rest of this description)

Inquiring Minds Want To Know

Experience activities that engage students to naturally ask questions, collect data and draw conclusions. Participants will receive free workshop materials.   (Read the rest of this description)

Questions & Answers about Science Policies & Programs

Recent and upcoming changes to science policies and programs will be discussed. How can/will changes affect you and your class? How can you be involved? Time will be provided for participants to ask questions on other topics as well.  (Read the rest of this description)

Diversity of Life

Go from macroscopic to microscopic to use evidence to construct explanations for structures and functions of living organsms, from cell to subsystems and behaviors. Participants will receive free workshop materials.   (Read the rest of this description)

Energy and the Rollercoaster

Where do you scream the loudest on a rollercoaster? Where does it move the fastest? Use an electronic timer to measure the speed. Develop a practical understanding of the Law of Conservation of Energy while applying measurement and math skills.  (Read the rest of this description)

Exploring the Wetlands

Our team of five teachers received a $30,000 grant from HP which included several pieces of technology equipment. As part of receiving the grant we completed a cross-curricular project investigating "Why has the Flora and Fauna recently decreased in the Wetlands of Winfield?"  (Read the rest of this description)

Got Wind?

Come explore wind turbine blade design and how it affects the production of electricity by designing your own blades and learn how to build a PVC wind turbine for your classroom.  (Read the rest of this description)

HSTA Offers Hands-On Activities and Classroom Resources

HSTA – Health Sciences & Technology Academy: Have fun with HSTA and conduct several hands-on activities to take back to your classroom (handouts available). We will have fun doing activities on Digital Ocean, Strawberry DNA, Survivor Game, and a Jeopardy Game. All these activities cover the WV Learning Outcomes.  (Read the rest of this description)

Integrating Engineering into the Primary Classroom

This session will introduce ways that elementary teachers can integrate engineering into their curriculum using LEGO. Come and explore ways to challenge kids in engaging, hands-on engineering activities that build skills and confidence in science skills.   (Read the rest of this description)

Periodic Table - Classifying Elements

(Grade 8) What does the manufacture of a drink container have to do with the periodic table? This real life issue is explored as students choose a material and justify a course of action with evidence. The tie-in comes in because material properties are a result of each element having specific properties.  (Read the rest of this description)

Safe Foods? A Five Minute-A-Day Long-Term Science Experiment

Students in a pre-service science methods class engaged in a semester long study involving long-term data collection using Hydroponics and Aquaponics systems. Students utilized a webquest to determine existing system requirements and designed experiments around the growth cycle of plants. Several experimental designs were devised including: 1) comparisons of growth rates in a Hydroponics system and an Aquaponics system, 2) comparison of growth rates between various Hydroponics systems and 3) comparison of growth rates of a variety of plants.  (Read the rest of this description)

Students Use Distributed Computing to Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Perhaps some of your students were inspired by the movie version of Carl Sagan's book, Contact, but wouldn't participating in a real search for extraterrestrial intelligence be even more exciting? As fantastic as this seems, it is possible to join in the search.  (Read the rest of this description)

Teaching Reading in the Content Area of Science

With the push for literacy in reading and writing scientific literacy is often ignored. Reading strategies will be presented that can be used with passages pertaining to a multitude of science topics. Activities for prereading, vocabulary development, during reading, and post reading will be shared and practiced.  (Read the rest of this description)

Crash Course in LEGO Robotics

Working with robots enables students to apply science, technology, engineering, and math skills to real world challenges. Students also gain valuable experience in teamwork and in time and materials management. Students apply ratios to move their robots desired distances and build simple machines to manipulate objects as they work through various issues involved in using robots to solve problems.  (Read the rest of this description)

Google Excel for Collecting & Sharing Data

Learn how students can acquire, share, and use large amounts of student driven data to make conclusions in spite of the time and equipment limitations in the typical classroom?   (Read the rest of this description)

Interdisciplinary Place Based Projects

In this session, participants will develop a model project that integrates content areas within the context of student experiences and surroundings. Teachers will learn how to use student projects with place data (from a GPS), image data (from a digital camera) and recorded text data.  (Read the rest of this description)

Learning About the Universe Using Electromagnetic Radiation

Because astronomers cannot travel to the stars and obtain a sample for analysis, they must learn about the stars by more indirect techniques. One method that has proved exceedingly useful is the analysis of the radiation we receive from the stars. This electromagnetic radiation includes both the light we can see as well as a large range of other types of radiation that are invisible to our eyes.  (Read the rest of this description)

NASA - "On the Moon" Design Challenges

Get your kids excited about what’s involved in living and working on the moon by presenting hands-on challenges that bring engineering and NASA’s moon missions to life! The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite will help NASA put together a comprehensive understanding of the moon’s features and resources.  (Read the rest of this description)

Chemical Interactions

Participants will engage in active inquiries to use evidence to determine what a mystery substance is in an investigation and how this leads to specific language used to describe chemical properties. Participants will receive free workshop materials.   (Read the rest of this description)

Energy Transformation

Grades 5-8, Learn how using Project NEED 'Science of Energy' stations help students learn about energy transformations through hands-on experiments.  (Read the rest of this description)

Genetics Made Easy, Interesting and Fun? No Way

Grade - 8 Okay, maybe not easy, but interesting and fun? Definitely. "Joe may have Marfan's syndrome" is an example of one of the many engaging activities from the Genetics unit in SEPUP's, Issues and Life Science program. Students are asked to advise Joe after building concepts of heritability, nature v.  (Read the rest of this description)

Race into Physics with the new CPO Energy Car

Explore the concepts of velocity, acceleration, and more with this exciting equipment module from our new learning system. Friction and momentum are made simple for middle and high school students with our inquiry-based investigations integrated with a unique photogate and timer system.  (Read the rest of this description)

A Natural Apporach to Chemistry

New CORE Chemistry Course - A Natural Approach to Chemistry Dr. Tom Hsu and his team are developing an inquiry-based, small scale chemistry course, that emphasizes real world applications and the laboratory experience to build the key concepts in chemistry. The course integrates the LAB-MASTER Station (which includes a built-in spectrophotometer and heater).  (Read the rest of this description)

Crazy Traits

Have you ever wondered why no two people (with the exception of identical twins) are exactly alike? The CPO Science Crazy Traits Game set models how chance influences heredity. In this workshop, you will flip coins that represent genes from each parent.  (Read the rest of this description)

It's Electric!

Participants in this workshop will learn about the science behind electric circuits and how this content can be taught through inquiry. The workshop will help teachers gain a better understanding of electricity and circuits, including open and closed circuits, and series and parallel circuits.  (Read the rest of this description)

Trout in the Classroom

I will present Trout in the Classroom (TIC) project based on my third grade classroom experiences. Trout in the Classroom is an environmental education program in which students in grades k-12 . . .
-raise trout from eggs to fry.
-monitor tank water quality.
-engage  (Read the rest of this description)

Using Everyday News to Foster Ethical Decision-Making About Bio-Nanotechnology

Discoveries in nano-biotechnology have produced much media attention. These stories provide an excellent opportunity for teachers to inspire students’ thinking about the societal, ethical implications of novel science. This presentation will illustrate a classroom teaching method that elicits students’ prior beliefs about the risks and benefits of novel science and demonstrates a methodology to use these beliefs for classroom problem-solving.  (Read the rest of this description)

From Bridges to Baking: Engineering in the K-12 Classroom and Beyond!

The workshop will open with participants being presented with a real world problem pulled straight from one of our favorite TIME (Tools for Integrating Math and Engineering) Kits and led through the unit to get a closer look at what these units provide. The  (Read the rest of this description)

Lunar Nautics

NASA is going back to live and work on the moon! Come and learn about the Lunar Nautics program with 40 hands-on activities that engage and inform students about space mission preparation, geography and geology of the moon, and what is necessary to live and work on the moon in the next decade.  (Read the rest of this description)

Online Learning with Moodle

See how Moodle, an on-line course management system, is used in a science classroom to enhance student learning. Moodle allows students to interact with science content online and at their own pace. The instruction can be differentiated to better meet individual needs and is great for collaboration.  (Read the rest of this description)

Radio Science News LIVE!

Come and join Richard Pollack and Robert Strong streaming live to the internet for another exciting episode of Radio Science News. Join in, comment in person, or call in to the radio show covering all things science.  (Read the rest of this description)

Science Carnival

The "Big Idea" in this presentation is to make science fun for students in hopes of inspiring extra enthusiasm for class. The carnival can also be used as a fundraiser and/or a community outreach opportunity. Participants will experience each carnival activity including water bottle rockets, catapult launches, balloon car races, team board racing, eggbert shuttle launches, bubble shaping and more.  (Read the rest of this description)

The Mountain Institute Education Programs

The Mountain Institute (TMI) is offering two grant-funded, CSO aligned (grades 5 – 12), educational programs for teachers and their classes. The programs are “Reading the Landscape” (RTL) and “Appalachian Watershed & Stream Monitors” (AWSM). Both programs include a professional development workshop, a pre-trip visit, and a field trip to TMI.  (Read the rest of this description)

WESTEST 2 Science

Participants will develop classroom assessment items which mirror WESTEST 2 items using content standards and objectives along with Depth of Knowledge levels.  (Read the rest of this description)

NASA's DIY Podcast

Join the NASA IV&V ERC for a presentation on podcasting in the classroom including creation of student podcasts using NASA's new Do It Yourself Podcast online resources. Now your students can integrate audio and video multimedia from NASA directly into their own projects making them 'out of this world'!  (Read the rest of this description)

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Science through Elementary GLOBE

At West Virginia University, we are using Elementary GLOBE to introduce science education methods to preservice elementary teachers and incorporating practicum experiences that utilize this instructional resource in cooperating professional development schools. Elementary GLOBE integrates mathematics, literacy, social studies, and creative arts with earth science instruction through the use of children's storybooks and hands on investigations.  (Read the rest of this description)