Technological Innovations

Helping Students Learn the Thinking Skills in the NGSS Crosscutting Themes

STEM Categorization
Day
Fri

Join the presenters of this session as they consider ways to support deep learning of the NGSS crosscutting themes, starting with examples from EcoXPT, followed by group discussion and sharing of artifacts.

Date/Time
-
Presenters

The crosscutting themes in the NGSS call for forms of thinking that often are contrary to everyday forms of thinking and are not familiar to most students, especially students from underrepresented populations. Within each theme, there are supporting skills and understandings that students must have in order to understand the broader theme. For example, to reason well about cause and effect, students need to know when to attempt to isolate and control for variables and when to look for interactions, multiple contributing causes, and indirect causes.

Designing for Broader Access: Considerations in Providing Opportunities for Students to Create Computational Models

STEM Categorization
Day
Fri

This session explores the kinds of obstacles students encounter when creating computational models and potential approaches for addressing these issues.

Date/Time
-

Students have traditionally faced difficulties in creating their own computational models due to steep learning curves associated with programming, difficulties in formulating mathematical equations, and lack of student-centered tools to facilitate the use of data from real-world phenomena to inform model design. Addressing these issues will make it possible to broaden participation by engaging students in computational thinking and modeling at younger ages, and by providing a pathway for students who struggle with mathematical formulas and data/graph literacy to participate.

The Ongoing Process of Validating and/or Adapting Learning Trajectories Over Time

STEM Categorization
Day
Thu

Hypothetical learning trajectories imply negotiation between teachers and students. In this session, researchers discuss how they validate learning trajectories under variable conditions and anticipate change in practice artifacts.

Date/Time
-

This session contributes to a methodological strand involving experienced researchers on learning trajectories and/or learning progressions (LTs/LPs). All these researchers have empirically demonstrated the potential of LT/LP work to broaden participation by leveraging student ideas and offering engaging task designs. Presenters share new LT research on computational thinking. This topical session asks participants to respond to critical questions on the topics of validity and change followed by audience questions and comments.

Exploring Technological Innovations to Support Practice-based STEM Teacher Education

STEM Categorization
Day
Thu

Learn about technology for teacher education as presenters introduce the work of the LessonSketch R+D Fellows and online tools being used in practice-based teacher education.

Date/Time
-

This topical session (1.5 hours) explores how teacher educators have used technological tools in teacher education to support broader participation by students in STEM classrooms. The session unfolds in four parts.

Engagement in Science Practices in Early Childhood: Discussing Successes and Challenges

STEM Categorization
Day
Thu

This session invites participants to discuss which science practices align with the abilities of young children and what supports young children need to engage in those practices.

Date/Time
-
Presenters

Researchers agree that scientific concepts do not stand alone and are meaningless if they are introduced as isolated facts. Instead, they suggest that science concepts be taught by engaging in the process of science (French, 2004; Gelman & Brenneman; 2004; Yoon & Onchwari; 2006). This science-as-practice approach is especially appropriate in early childhood.

Data Are Everywhere—and Now, So Is Data Science Education. Learn How This Affects You!

STEM Categorization
Day
Thu

Hear from four projects grappling with what it means to engage learners in data science, both integrated into STEM subjects and stand-alone, and discuss the potential challenges.

Date/Time
-

This interactive session helps all participants view their work in an important new light. Through a combination of presentation and active discussion, participants investigate several ways that data science education (DSE) can be integrated into STEM learning, and work together to answer driving questions about how DSE looks and feels in practice. Specifically, presenters (1) increase awareness of the importance of DSE, (2) help participants understand how DSE intersects with their work, and (3) expand views on data use in STEM learning to involve DSE contexts.

NSF Welcome & Nexus of Change: Exploring the Intersections Between Broadening Participation, STEM and Computer Science Disciplines, and Technological Innovations in Education

Day
Wed

The framing plenary presentation addresses the necessity and urgency for the NSF DRK–12 and STEM+C communities to capitalize on intersections or the nexus of the three domains of broadening participation, STEM+C disciplines, and technological innovations.

Date/Time
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The education system is rapidly changing due to three emerging forces: traditional minority groups are now the majority; standards in STEM and computer science are academically rigorous; and technological innovations are advancing fast. The NSF 10 Big Ideas provide the vision for harnessing these emerging forces. This framing plenary presentation will address the necessity and urgency for the NSF DRK–12 and STEM+C communities to capitalize on intersections of the three domains of broadening participation, STEM and computer science disciplines, and technological innovations in education.

Session Types