Monday, August 10, 2020 – Online

All workshop recordings can be found on the Greater Austin STEM Ecosystem YouTube Channel.

Schedule


Session 1: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Sarah Jenevein, UTeach Computer Science

Earn Educator Micro-credentials with UTeach Computer Science

Microcredentials are accelerating innovation in education and providing educators with opportunities for just-in-time, job-embedded training. This session will introduce participants to the educational and professional benefits of micro-credentials and will provide participants with more information on how they can master critical computer science instructional strategies while earning micro-credentials from UTeach Computer Science and Digital Promise. Micro-credentials from UTeach CS are freely available to all K-12 educators.

Link to Presentation

Moderator: Nicole Martin, Expanding Pathways in Computing (EPIC), TACC, UT Austin


Session 2: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Ariel Taylor and Jackie Burniske, UTeach, The University of Texas at Austin

Blended Learning Station Rotation with Remote Instruction

Blended learning combines technology-driven learning with teacher-led instruction to maximize personalized learning. Engage in a blended learning simulation to explore active learning and assessment strategies supported by technology. Discuss how to translate to a remote learning context. Learn about job-embedded, just in time, online professional development that helps teachers learn to blend.

Link to Presentation

Moderator: Tricia Berry, Women in Engineering Program, UT Austin


Session 1: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Amber Middlebrook, Director of Education, Science Mill

Inquiry, Engagement and Equity: Build Your Toolbox for 21st Century STEM Learning

We know there’s no substitute for curiosity, even in today’s ever-changing learning landscape. After hearing teachers’ goals for the coming year, the Science Mill designed its new professional development to help you assemble the tools you need to excite and engage students in STEM—whether your teaching is in person, blended or virtual. Bring the wonder and excitement of a museum field trip into your curriculum. In this PD, we will provide an overview of our new series of 6 virtual professional development workshops. Each 3 hour module provides practical, inquiry-based approaches proven to increase students’ excitement for learning and build confidence in their STEM skills. Hear from experts on inclusive and culturally responsive instruction, who will share their approaches to teaching STEM with equity in mind. Each module will provide educators with TEA approved CPE credit hours. This one hour overview will provide insight into how to incorporate resiliency, self care and student care along with tech tools and career integrations to address the needs of the new learning landscape.

Moderator: Lisa Garbrecht, Expanding Pathways in Computing (EPIC), TACC, UT Austin


Session 2: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Emily Weerts, Director of Support, Wildly Supportive

Zoom Tips and Tricks

Explore Zoom’s features and settings to make your sessions more engaging and secure. Get oriented to tools like spotlighting video, co-hosting, non-verbal feedback, annotation, polls, and more to help you host Zoom sessions with ease. Participants will receive valuable resources and information to help prepare to teach in the virtual learning environment.

Moderator: Scott Mann, VentureLab


Session 1: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Brooke Myers and Jessica Snider, STEM Scouts, Capitol Area Council Boy Scouts

Hands-On STEM in a Virtual Era

COViD has changed all of our lives in more ways than we can count, making this season’s summer filled more with the smell of hand sanitizer than sunscreen. Capitol Area Council, BSA served 3200 students virtually from California to Puerto Rico in STEAM Camp this summer. Using flexible learning models, students had options for asynchronized and synchronized learning that kept students actively engaged. We would like to share our success/lessons learned, show each model, and make suggestions for other nonformal STEAM education programs. Learn our favorite tools and techniques for nonformal educators in STEAM to consider as they work to keep their activities hands-on, exciting and engaging during the virtual era.   Objectives:

  • Understanding virtual delivery methods of Hands-on STEAM learning through summer camp and its impact on your students.
  • Applying lessons learned for the future of after-school STEAM delivery in virtual era
  • Learn creative techniques to keep students engaged in everything from class to campfires
  • Review the benefits and drawbacks of virtual learning (and,yes, there are a lot of benefits!)

Link to Presentation

Moderator: Nicole Martin, Expanding Pathways in Computing (EPIC), TACC, UT Austin


Session 2: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Michelle Sedberry, State STEM Coordinator, Texas Education Agency

Texas Education Agency STEM Update

The STEM Coordinator from the Texas Education Agency will share the context for the need of K-12 STEM education in Texas and how the labor market data is driving the vision for how we develop STEM fluency skills in our students to prepare them for future STEM careers.

Link to Presentation

Moderator: Sarah Hutcheson, NXP Semiconductors, EB Austin


Session 1: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

George Donev, Founder & CEO,Student Corner

Student Corner, Innovative Project Based Learning

Student Corner is an all-in-one easy to use project learning management solution designed by students and built from the ground up for Project Based Learning.  A learner-centric focus enables teachers and students to be in complete control to build a learning community that gets to the heart of Project Based Learning. Join the presentation for an in-depth demonstration and virtual hands-on workshop using Student Corner. Attendees will receive free access for the coming school year.

Moderator: Lisa Garbrecht, Expanding Pathways in Computing (EPIC), TACC, UT Austin


Session 2: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Shelby Schaefer, Program Manager, Girlstart

Girlstart STEM at Home

In the wake of COVID-19, Girlstart quickly adapted our typically in person summer camps to an at home model. We served over 900 girls through 34 virtual Summer Camp at Home opportunities and plan to offer a similar After School at Home program this fall. In this session, we will share lessons learned, successful participant engagement tips and tools we used with our Summer Camp at Home program.Participants will leave the session with instructional strategies they can implement in their distance learning environment.

Link to Presentation

Moderator: Leena Saleh, CodeMonkey Studios Ltd.


Session 1: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Gustavo Perez, Region One STEM Center

How to Conduct a Virtual STEM Saturday Camp

Informal STEM experiences offer enriched opportunities to support STEM core subjects providing early exposure to STEM skills and career-based activities. Unfortunately, traditional hands-on collaborative activities that depend on face-to-face interactions have been constrained by recent events. The session will showcase innovative organizational structures and delivery mechanisms utilized by the Region One STEM Center in hosting remote regional STEM camps for underprivileged youth in South Texas. The session will feature pedagogical tools, partnership activities, and a model for remote learning and outreach to increase equity, diversity, and minority participation in STEM.

Link to STEM Projects @ Home
Link to UTRGV GEAR UP STEM Camp Overview

Moderator: Brooke Myers, STEM Scouts, Capitol Area Council Boy Scouts


Session 2: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Julia Barraford-Temel, Sr. Director of Program Management, Mouse

Remote Learning Professional Development, a COVID-19 Case Study

Mouse, is a national nonprofit that empowers all youth and educators to engage with computer science and creative technology to solve real problems and make meaningful change in our world. Mouse’s mission is to empower all youth to engage with STEM, creative technology, and computer science to make meaningful change in our world. Teachers are expert classroom instructors but the majority have not been trained to conduct remote learning.  Gaps in technical skills related to remote instruction need to be addressed.  How can schools, teachers, parents, and students collaborate to protect students and educators, and meet the same standards of learning expected in schools?  Learn how Mouse trained 6,000 NYC Department of Education teachers this spring on the foundational tech skills needed to lead remote classes and helped the NYCDOE address the challenges of Inconsistent Technology and Tech Proficiency across the district

Link to Presentation

Moderator: Leena Saleh, CodeMonkey Studios Ltd.


Session 1: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Marnie Richardson, Assistant Principal/Instructional Leader, Prestwick STEM Academy

Role Play Your Way to Success: Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom

Do you want to know what the missing ingredient in education…well then this session is for you.   This session will provide you with the key ingredient to achieving a high level of rigor, relevance, and student engagement by providing research based strategies that focus on the positive effects of social emotional intentional planning.  In 60 minutes you will not only understand the strategies that make it possible for all students to achieve growth at high levels, but will be able to include these strategies into your daily repertoire.   Our interactive session will bring the theories to life  through role play scenarios and daily classroom examples.

Link to Presentation

Moderator: Brooke Myers, STEM Scouts, Capitol Area Council Boy Scouts


Session 2: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Kibbie Jensen, Sycamore Springs Middle School Department Chair, Dripping Springs ISD; Sycamore Springs Middle School

Using the Hero’s Journey to overcome obstacles and develop a growth mindset

By teaching the Hero’s Journey framework and theory, students will discover universal themes and components to stories across all cultures and backgrounds. This theoretical lens will allow students to think and write critically as they create personal and interpersonal connections in their readings, as well as across other content areas. Based on the implementation of a year-long thematic unit curriculum in the secondary classroom, we will share all the pitfalls and successes (including helpful tools!) of this initiative. 

In addition to the academic aspect of the Hero’s Journey, we have included an SEL component. Students learn to see the hero’s journey framework a a metaphor for life and being to use the hero’s journey framework as a guide for overcoming challenges they face.

Link to Presentation

Moderator: Leena Saleh, CodeMonkey Studios Ltd.