GCSN 2020 Mini Conference

Picture
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for GCSN's 2020 Mini Conference for STEM Education. 
Special Thanks to our Premier Sponsor
Picture
Special Thanks also to all of the workshop presenters
​who took the time to share their expertise...
  • Phenomena 101: Making Learning Relevant and Engaging for Students
    presented by     Melissa Franco and Kristin Majda
    When it comes to phenomena, one size does not fit all. The CA Science Framework encourages teachers to swap out generic phenomena for local phenomena. In this fun, hands-on workshop, participants learned what makes a good phenomenon  and how to  customize lessons to their students regardless of what curriculum is being used. Everyday, investigative, and anchoring phenomena were covered. 
  • Local Phenomena, Environmental Literacy and Our Community Partners
    Presented by     Sarah Raskin
    Participants learned more about what’s going on in our local environment to get ideas for local phenomena, including some of the many non-profit groups, community partners, and free resources that are available to teachers to help them integrate the local environment into their teaching.
  • Get Outside for NGSS: Find Phenomena at Your School Site 
    Presented by Kurt Holland
    Participants enjoyed an outdoor exploration of exciting local phenomena using The Beatles Program, a three dimensional tool from the Lawrence Hall of Science. 
  • Phenomena 102: Using Guiding Questions to Help Connect Phenomena to the NGSS Standards
    Presented by     Kristin Majda and Melissa Franco
    Participants learned about using literature, photos, videos, and hands-on discrepant events to introduce phenomena and practices framing guiding questions using crosscutting concepts in this fun, hands-on workshop.
  • PEAK Student Curiosity with Free Energy Curricula
    Presented by     Vanida Ngeam
    Participants explored Motor Lab and Grid Games, part of the free, standards-aligned PEAK Student Energy Actions curricula, to help teach students about environmental education, conservation, and energy efficiency.  
  • Phenomenal Birds Bring Science to Life
    Presented by     Paul Grindrod
    Using specimens from the Western Foundation for Vertebrate Zoology, a museum right in our own backyard, participants observes, sketched, compared, contrasted, and identified birds from Southern California using field guides. They learned techniques for using birds to engage students in practicing skills like carrying out investigations, looking for patterns, and analyzing and interpreting data while learning more about anatomy, taxonomy, ecology, and evolution.