Michigan Science Teachers Association Conference 2020 (MSTA)

Do you want to develop scientifically literate students? This session will utilize FREE resources from HHMI BioInteractive to model several instructional strategies to improve data literacy skills and enhance the implementation of the science practices. Using a scaffolded approach, you will investigate the “Asking Scientific Questions” activity, Biointeractive Data Points, and Science in the Classroom annotated papers to practice writing scientific questions, identifying key experimental design components, and writing evidence-based claims supported with statistical analysis. The session will focus on the NGSS science practices and the new AP Science practices.

Easily transform traditional lectures into student-centered notes that require inquiry, analysis, and conversation. Tips will be given on how to modify old lectures to create an environment where students are actively learning and engaging in scientific discourse. Biology lessons on the cell cycle and gene expression will be the focus, but the overall technique can be applied across science disciplines.

MABT established a PLC for AP Biology teachers and held our first workshop this past August. This session is intended to be a follow-up workshop to our first meeting. Now that many of us have had the opportunity to work the new CED and the new online resources we anticipate there will be much to discuss and share. In addition, we will identify areas of the greatest concern and set up a third workshop date for the spring or summer of 2020. If you did not make the first workshop in August, you are welcome to join MABT for this second meeting. All Michigan AP Biology teachers are encouraged to attend!

Let’s face it, it can be difficult to know how to start an effective unit using NGSS! In this session, you will learn how to successfully implement student-created Driving Question Boards to tackle engaging phenomena. Teachers will learn and practice an effective questioning protocol and leave with sample Phenomenon Unit Starter ideas for multiple introductory Biology and Chemistry units, as well as bridging new AP Biology units.

Join us as we share how we are using natural selection, structure and function for students to engineer a new organism, using variations present to fit a new niche after a mass extinction type impact event. We will share our unit plan, as well as the previous unit that leads up to this three-dimensional assessment. Free resources provided!

Biology, Botany and AP Biology inquiry based units and lessons using PLANTS as the main focal point for labs and activities. Hands on modeling, labs, activities on Photosynthesis, Respiration, Homeostasis, Systems, Char of Life, Carbon Cycle, Genetics, Evolution Ecology and more! You can change these for non-plant examples but why would you NOT teach with plants more? Interactive, Engaging session from a veteran teacher you will not want to miss!

Come explore hands-on evolution resources developed in conjunction with the National Center for Science Education and the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science aimed at engaging students in making sense of evolutionary concepts.

We will share a storyline (unit plan) we developed for 9th grade biology that helps students figure out what happens when a person gains or loses weight. Participants will experience how we launch the unit and we will share our phenomena-driven storyline and the resources we developed/adapted for teaching how food is used for growth and for energy in cellular respiration.

This interactive workshop will feature student models created by 3D Molecular Designs in Milwaukee. Participants will work with models that explore protein folding and emphasize how the sequence of the amino acids influences the folding pattern of the protein that determines its shape that in turn determines the protein’s function. Participants will then work with a second set of models, which focuses on the central dogma including both transcription and translation. The activities culminates when both these models come together to help students make the connection between DNA and RNA sequences and how they can impact protein functions. Examples of a variety of student-created products that can be used to document student learning will be presented and discussed.