Metroplex Mini-CAST 2014: Full Schedule

10:00am CST

Don't Flip Out: 5 Ways to Easily Integrate Technology in the Classroom

The Flipped Classroom is a very popular model for integrating technology in the classroom. However, this method can be very intimidating to those who aren't "tech-savvy." This session will provide 5 quick and easy ways to integrate technology into your classroom. All grade levels and technology expertise are invited to attend. Participants should bring their own technology device if possible. All techniques can be used simultaneously or integrated one at a time at your comfort level.

Speakers

Karin Busby

Physics Teacher, Lake Highlands High School

Sponsors

Lake Highlands High School

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
615

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Elementary, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

10:00am CST

Teachers as facilitators: Implementing the 5'Rs.

Do you sometimes feel like you are doing more work than the students? Would you like to see them excited about their learning? Do you enjoy energy filled interactive classrooms? Well, this is the session for you. Valuable information shared will help teachers become classroom facilitators. Teacher facilitators plan and organize lessons and the classroom setting based on learning objectives. However, students attain knowledge through inquiry, discovery and discussion. By implementing the 5 R's; Rigor, Richness, Reflection, Relationships and Recursion, your classroom can be transformed into an environment where students: work to reach their full potential; are innovative, creative, use technology and have fun learning; have meaningful dialogue; build collaboration and leadership skills; and, problem solve while making global science connections.

Speakers

Angela Rouse

Science Teacher, Garland ISD

Dr. Bonita Woods

Garland Independent School District

Sponsors

Austin Academy for Excellence

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
805

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Elementary, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

10:00am CST

Global Science Collaboration

The future of the US is moving more and more towards a global perspective. So why doesn’t education do the same thing? An understanding of various cultures from around the world results in students who have knowledge, consideration, and compassion. This creates action oriented students who strive to make a difference in problem solving and change the world to be a better place. This is especially important in science education. For most of the world’s population, the majority of the aspects of living are now influenced by advancements in science and technology. Since it is a common practice for scientists to openly collaborate at the global level, it is likewise imperative for science educators to globally collaborate. After all, it is these science educators who are teaching the future scientists and they must help them develop a world perspective. Come see what global science education is all about!

Speakers

Alisa Slavens

Sponsors

MacArthur High School

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
613

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Elementary, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines | Administrators, General-Across disciplines

10:00am CST

Flipping the Classroom in Science

Teachers will develop a website and learn how to prepare presentations/video lectures and podcasts for students to use in a flipped science classroom. Make quizzes and tests online for your students in Edmodo. Make your own videos with Screencast-o-matic and animoto. Spend less time on lecture and more time on labs by teaching your students how to study at home! Teachers will need to bring a laptop or I-Pad with internet connectivity.

Speakers

Karen Hiller

Sponsors

WHHS

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
611

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

10:00am CST

Podcasting in the Classroom

Presentation will be a hands-on activity of how to use Podcasting in the classroom. NASA's Podcasting DIY lessons will be used.

Participants will need to be able to join a Project Share class which will contain sample lessons, links, and handouts. All teachers in Texas have access to Project Share and presenters will provide assistance signing in. https://www.epsilen.com/Security/Login.aspx?

A laptop computer or internet access device is required.

Speakers

Lourdes Tamez Baker

Nichole Casburn

Bill Huckeba

Physics Teacher, Jack E. Singley Academy

Sponsors

Jack E. Singley Academy

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
619

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

10:00am CST

Terrific Games and Puzzles for High Schools

Teachers will learn to make their own fun and interactive games and puzzles based on the needs of their students, grade levels, types of learners, and TEKS Objectives. These great instructional tools can be used in different ways such as review, assessment, competition, warm -up, exit ticket, etc. Every game can be used individually, by group, or as a whole class activity. They promote deeper learning, better retention, and help to differentiate instruction.

Speakers

Rodelio Abuan

Sponsors

Houston ISD

Sam Houston MSTC

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
800

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines | Specialists, General-Across disciplines

10:00am CST

Forensic Science: CSI for ELL

Join us at the scene of the crime and explore the tools, techniques, and vocabulary of the forensic scientist. Meet the needs of all learners with special focus on the English Language Learner during this hands-on workshop. Fingerprinting and blood spatter will be explored. Doorprizes from WARD’S!

Speakers

Raul Perez

Sponsors

Frisco ISD

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
423

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

10:00am CST

Teaching Digital Learners

A look into the digital classroom: how to meet students in their world of technology. See an effective way of using the language of today’s student that has been shown to effectively work in the classroom. We look at the various paradigms of education and show you how this hybrid methodology works to increase students participation, engagement and a better, overall understanding of the content. See how the use of a Learning Management System, combined with how students of the digital era process information, can provide maximum gains in classroom instruction.

Speakers

Dani Boepple

Jimmy Tustin

Sponsors

Dallas ISD

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
809

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

10:00am CST

Stand Back!! We’re Using Discovery Education’s Science Techbook

Unless you want to ENGAGE students as they EXPLORE science through digital media in conjunction with hands-on resources don’t bother attending this session. We'll EXPLAIN how digital media can change the way you teach science, ELABORATE on how digital media can be utilized to meet the needs of every student, and EVALUATE student progress through science concepts.

Speakers

Brad Fountain

Director of Instructional Implementation, Discovery Education

Brad is a passionate educator with over 20 years of educational experience. He began his career teaching in a 3-5 multi-age classroom in rural North Carolina where he utilized some of the earliest educational internet based web resources. He served as administrator of the North Carolina... Read More →

Sponsors

Discovery Education

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
617

Vendor Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Elementary, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

10:00am CST

Engaging Students with TI-Nspire Technology & Vernier Probes

Whether a new or experienced teacher, you can learn how to use and integrate TI-Nspire technology in your teaching through hands-on science labs. Learn how to effectively use the latest graphing technology so that students will have a better understanding of the data they collect. After a quick introduction to the TI-Nspire calculators, you will have the opportunity to review classroom-ready labs. Online resources will be available as well as ideas on how to implement them in a variety of classrooms.

Speakers

Donald Tunstall

Technology Adoption Consultant, Texas Instruments

• Recommending the appropriate Texas Instruments products for the classroom. • Assist customers to ensure a successful classroom implementation of TI Products, TI Math Forward and Free Resources. • Recommending the most cost effective way to implement TI technology into instruction... Read More →

Sponsors

Texas Instruments

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
802

Vendor Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

10:00am CST

STEMscopes: A Sneak Peek of Our Enhanced Science Curriculum

Join us for a preview of Rice University's STEMscopes 2.0, a 100% TEKS-aligned online curriculum with an easy to use interface, and 20+ new features for classroom instruction. Samples of the new print items including the TEKS Activity Book STEMscopedia, our Literacy Book, and the EXPLORE Journal Guide will be available to look at, along with the analytics and student management system. From an integrated app creator to engaging multimedia, you and your students will find STEMscopes 2.0 to be your primary choice for science instruction.

Speakers

Gloria Chatelain

Ashley Mathis

Sponsors

STEMscopes / Rice University

Saturday February 1, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am CST
408

Vendor Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

11:15am CST

STAAR-aligned instructional practices

Is it a fair expectation for students to be successful on dual-coded, high-stakes assessment items if they were not provided with dual-coded instructional experiences through-out the year? In this session you will have an opportunity to explore the instructional shifts required by the STAAR assessment model and their implications for your classroom.

Speakers

Michael Brinkman

Science Facilitator, Grand Prairie ISD

HUGE Science Nerd! Have you seen the $350 million-dollar-flying-car-prototype? Have you heard about the re-programmed bacteria that are creating inorganic materials with complex nano-structures and amazing new properties? Have you seen the living fossils recently "re-discovered... Read More →

Sponsors

Grand Prairie ISD

Saturday February 1, 2014 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
807

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Elementary, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

11:15am CST

Is it Math or Science? Math Skills in the Science Classroom

Science discoveries rely on basic mathematical principles. Unfortunately, these mathematical skills are difficult for most students. This presentation will demonstrate different techniques on how a science teacher can help his or her students overcome these challenges successfully. Participants will walk-away with hands-on strategies that are easy to implement in a science classroom. There will be particular emphasis on significant figures, balancing equations, and manipulating formulas.

Speakers

Karin Busby

Physics Teacher, Lake Highlands High School

Sponsors

Lake Highlands High School

Saturday February 1, 2014 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
804

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

11:15am CST

Science, Data, and You!

Data collection is a centerpiece of the science classroom, but data analysis if often ignored or, worse, done poorly! Come learn techniques and get hands on experience with analysis of laboratory data to enrich your middle or high school science classroom and help your students--and you--navigate the world of data and error analysis. This session will include tools for any level of technology equipped classroom, from pencil and paper to Excel to iPads! Topics include equation fitting and error analysis, with extension materials provided to include hypothesis testing. Information from this session is also helpful in creating more robust science fair projects! This workshop is best as a continuation of Christine Rittenhouse and Karin Busby's workshop though it is also fine as a standalone experience.

Speakers

Georgia Stuart

Mathematics Graduate Student, The University of Texas at Dallas

georgia.stuart@utdallas.edu

Sponsors

UT Dallas

Saturday February 1, 2014 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
802

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

11:15am CST

New free resources for high school science

The Science Teacher Access to Resources at Southwestern (STARS) Program is the outreach office of UT Southwestern Medical Center. We offer activities and resources at no charge for teachers and students, which will be described and demonstrated in this session. They include new summer workshops in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (focusing on laboratory exercises) as well as a monthly Basic Science Symposium series, small teacher in-services, summer research opportunities for middle- and high-school teachers and HS rising seniors, tours, a Career Exploring Post, and much more. We have Science Suitcases for the biology classroom and tons of on-line resources. Come hear what we can offer you, all at no charge!

Speakers

Kristie Conner

STARS Program Education Coordinator, UT Southwestern Medical Center

Joel Goodman

Professor of Pharmacology, Director of STARS, UT Southwestern Medical Center

I direct a research program at UT Southwestern in cell biology. My research interest is organelles, and I'm currently studying the formation of lipid droplets, the organelles that store fat. I teach pharmacology in medical school, specifically antibiotics and chemotherapy. I also... Read More →

Sponsors

UT Southwestern Medical School

Saturday February 1, 2014 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
809

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines | Administrators, General-Across disciplines

11:15am CST

Using Mindset to Curb Apathy and Expand Potential

Anyone that's been in the classroom for the past decade can attest to the drastically increasing proportion of apathetic, under-motivated students. Rather than blame it on the generation and accept its inevidability, this presentation discusses the effect of two distinct "mindsets" on everyday decision making, how it leads to this level of apathy, and how the problem (fixed) mindset can be corrected! This discussion also highlights a historically forgotten student population, the high-achieving perfectionist, and how the proper mindset could help our brightest students break away from the shackles of perception and reach limitless potential! This honest, direct, and often comical discussion will help to highlight the need for all parties to accept their role in this transformation, and may even open your eyes to how mindset affects your lives outside of the classroom.

Speakers

Ramy Mahmoud

2013 PISD Teacher of the Year/ UTD Lecturer, Plano ISD/ UT-Dallas

I am committed to finding ways to keep learning engaging and intriguing for my students. I have developed this presentation based off of both psychological research and tested strategies in my classrooms. I'm confident that after attending this session you'll be invigorated, inspired... Read More →

Sponsors

Williams High School/ Plano ISD

Saturday February 1, 2014 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
404

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines | Administrators, General-Across disciplines

11:15am CST

Teaching Science with the Tip of Your Finger: Using Discovery Education and the iPad

Love Discovery Education? Love your iPad? Would you like to learn how to use them together? Bring your iPad and an open mind as we explore a variety of apps including new ones from Discovery Education that transform the iPad from a content consumption device into a content creation device. You will leave with a wealth of new ideas for using both your iPad and Discovery Education.

Speakers

Brad Fountain

Director of Instructional Implementation, Discovery Education

Sponsors

Discovery Education

Saturday February 1, 2014 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
617

Vendor Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Elementary, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

1:30pm CST

Learning from High Performance Athletes

What High Performance Athletes do in their regular training and how we can use it in our classroom and lesson plans.
A review of the work done by different coaches, instructors and monitors from different sports and from different parts of the world. Their methods and procedures can also be applied to our schools and classrooms to achieve such performance. Combining experiences and knowledge from more than 25 years as a former world class figure skater, 15 as a coach for several high performance athletes and 5 as a classroom teacher, can help us achieve the results we all want for our students.

Speakers

Mr. John Ramirez

Bilingual Teacher, Anderson Elementary AISD

Bilingual Science and Math teacher. Previous Conferences: What High performance Athletes do and how we can use it in our classrooms. Comparative Efficiency in Lesson Planning: how is the rest of the world teaching their children. Computer-Games and Education: Statistical Analysis... Read More →

Sponsors

Anderson Elementary

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
802

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Elementary, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

1:30pm CST

Augmented Reality - using this new “wow” tool in classrooms and trainings

Transform your classroom or training to make learning come alive using a highly engaging piece of FREE web-based technology! AUGMENTED REALITY turns static documents and images into short engaging videos or 3D objects using your smartphone or tablet device. Using the free AURASMA app for both iOS and Android, you will see examples of how to “wow” your students or teachers with this technology-led and learner-led brain-friendly tool. Teachers, empower your students to use this tool for enhanced projects, presentations, gallery-walks, word-walls, etc. Administrators, turn stale meetings/trainings into highly effective learning opportunities. Come learn what this powerful tool is all about and how you can begin creating your own dynamic products. Then take it back to your campus to empower your students/teachers to deepen their learning with this free user-friendly tool. Preview at TEKSvideo.com.

Speakers

Paul Eyler

District Science Facilitator, Tyler ISD

check out TEKSvideo.com

Sponsors

Tyler ISD

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
805

1:30pm CST

Plum Pudding and Helix Hijinks

Both biology and chemistry TEKS delve into the history of science. If you’re tired of the usual lecture to introduce these topics, then come check out inquiry based lesson ideas to engage your students with the exciting story of science. Many textbooks either ignore or fictionalize this important narrative. This session will include demonstrations of historical experiments and the use of excerpts of original scientific writings.

Speakers

Jason Brogden

Joshua Sisk

Sponsors

Founders Classical Academy

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
414

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

1:30pm CST

The Science of Google: Using Google Drive in the Classroom

Whether your district is a Google district or not, Google Drive has many free tools that teachers and students can use to create an engaging, collaborative classroom that can extend outside of the school. This session will give you an opportunity to learn how to use just a few of the many Google tools. Bring your technology!

Speakers

Elaine Plybon

Personalized Learning Opportunities Director, Keller ISD

I am Director of Personalized Learning Opportunities in Keller ISD. I have experienced many facets of education, including teaching high school sciences, online speech and Chemistry, serving as an instructional technology specialist and instructional coach, and I consult to develop... Read More →

Sponsors

Keller ISD

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
617

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

1:30pm CST

STEMscopes: A Sneak Peek of Our Enhanced Science Curriculum

Speakers

Gloria Chatelain

Ashley Mathis

Sponsors

STEMscopes / Rice University

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
408

High School, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | Vendor Presentation, General-Across disciplines

1:30pm CST

Spark 101: Engage. Connect. Inspire.

Spark 101: Engage. Connect. Inspire. Looking for free ways to engage your students in real-world problem solving and build 21st century skills? Spark 101’s inquiry-based, active-learning videos empower you to ignite your students’ interest through project based challenges presented by diverse industry experts. This free online resource embeds skills and knowledge into “real world” problems, allowing students to build critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication skills critical to long-term success. Spark 101 connects classrooms to real-world experts—and saves you time. Our 10-minute videos are aligned to proven national secondary STEM-focused curriculum. The easy to use videos are designed in a consistent, three-segment format, with pauses for student interactions. Visit www.spark101.org. Contact our regional affiliate, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science at spark101@perotmuseum.org.

Speakers

Lisa Dwinal

Amy Gow

Spark 101 Coordinator, Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Inspiring minds through nature and science. Bridging the skills and STEM gap through real-world applicaitons; Exposing students to STEM fields; STEM Equity.

Sponsors

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
613

Informal Science Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

1:30pm CST

McGraw Hill Advanced Placement: Technology for Today and Tomorrow

Explore exciting new ways to administer, teach and excite AP science students. Diagnostic and adaptive technologies pinpoint student weakness and personalize learning. The goal is a 5, and technology in our AP classrooms can help us acheive this goal. Participants will resources and information to help bring their AP classrooms into 21st century.

Speakers

Jason Marshall

Sponsors

McGraw Hill Education

Saturday February 1, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
405

Vendor Presentation, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

2:45pm CST

Setting Learning Goals by Deconstructing Standards

Driving questions can be a useful tool in project-based learning for focusing students in on the idea or purpose of a project. However, it is easy to get caught up in the idea of a project, rather than providing learning experiences that lead to the understanding of the content that will be assessed. When constructing learning opportunities such as PBL it is important to begin by setting learning-appropriate goals. This presentation will highlight the importance of deconstructing standards as a way to identify these goals. Once we understand what the standards actually want the student to be able to do with their knowledge, we can more easily come up with a driving question or identify authentic teaching approaches that will lead to the desired project outcomes.

Speakers

Dillon Chevalier

Professional Development Associate, Center for STEM Education and Research at UT-Dallas

Sponsors

Center for STEM Education and Research

UT-Dallas

Saturday February 1, 2014 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
804

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Elementary, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

2:45pm CST

Wordpress and the Classroom: Creating and Managing Your Personal, Academic Website in a Web 2.0 World

Is your district’s website ugly? Hard to navigate? Difficult for making your class materials available for student and parents? Tired of reloading your content year after year? Want a website that extends your classroom into cyberspace? Learn to host and manage your own customizable website. This workshop will show you what to do, and how to personalize your pages while optimizing communication features on your website. No coding experience needed. Free web hosting will be discussed as well as premium options. Static webpages will be contrasted with dynamic (blog) style web design. We will also investigate integrating social networking options, like twitter, into your site and in your classroom.

Speakers

John Boehringer

Student

Sponsors

Prosper High School

Saturday February 1, 2014 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
615

Educator Presentation, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines

2:45pm CST

Equip Your Tablet for Science with SPARKvue HD – A Full-Featured Science Application for Tablets!

iPad/tablet technology is providing educators with even more options to provide their students with 21st-century inquiry-based hands-on learning! Come explore "SPARKvue HD", PASCO’s latest application for the iPad and Android tablets. "SPARKvue HD" offers a full suite of display and analytical tools, all within an integrated learning environment—including reflection prompts, journaling and more. Come see how easy it is to collect real-time data with your tablet and a sensor!

Speakers

Scott Fields

South Central US Consultant, PASCO scientific

I am beyond excited to be back as PASCO's "local" DFW rep! We have the wireless sensors and data-collection solutions to make your labs hands-on, efficient, and engaging! With our latest "Essential Physics" & "Essential Chemistry" textbook offerings and lab manuals, PASCO is poised... Read More →

Sponsors

PASCO scientific

Saturday February 1, 2014 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
423

Vendor Presentation, General-Across disciplines | Elementary, General-Across disciplines | Middle School, General-Across disciplines | High School, General-Across disciplines