2020 Annual International Conference

Plenary Presentation by Professor Yossi Leshem

Prof. Leshem very kindly recorded a video presentation of his keynote lecture, "Migrating birds know no boundaries: the scientific and educational dimension".

Conference Program Book with Links to Presentations

Over two hundred of the 2020 conference presentations are now available online. At the author's discretion, presentations were deposited in PPT, PDF, or narrated video presentation format. To view presentations, download and open the Conference Program Book with Presentation URLs. Click on any presentation title displayed in blue text.

We thank the contributing authors for their generosity!

Conference Cancellation

The 2020 NARST conference in Portland, OR was cancelled by the NARST Executive Board after much discussion and in light of our primary concern, which is the health and well-being of our members, located in the U.S. and abroad.

We thank you for your patience and understanding.

The Executive Committee,

Tali Tal, President
Eileen Parsons, President-Elect
Gail Richmond, Immediate Past President

Plenary Sessions

Migrating Birds Know No Boundaries: The Scientific and Educational Dimension

Plenary Session 1

Dr. Yossi Leshem

Yossi Leshem is a Professor Emeritus in the School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University, and founder of the International Center for the Study of Bird Migration. In his talk, he will present a unique effort to use the outstanding phenomenon of bird migration for science and peace education.

Making Science Education Matter in a Damaged and Unjust World

Plenary Session 2

Professor Philip Bell

Philip Bell is Professor and Chair of Learning Sciences & Human Development in the College of Education at the University of Washington where he holds the Shauna C. Larson Endowed Chair in Learning Sciences. Through this presentation he continues a conversation in our field about the multiple ways in which science education should engage in justice projects.

Pre-Conference Workshops
March 15, 2020 Early Career Faculty Forum Sponsor: Membership Committee The membership committee hosts an annual Early Career Faculty Forum. This year the forum will use a panel approach to introduce junior faculty members and post-doctoral fellows to peers, recently promoted colleagues, and prominent scholars. The forum will focus on the nuances of succeeding during the early career years as a faculty member. Our discussions will include issues of developing and maintaining a research agenda (e.g., publications & grant writing), adhering to teaching responsibilities, and effective ways for engaging in meaningful service experiences. In addition, the forum will explore many of the challenges of transitioning into new professional roles and maintaining a balance between life and work in the process. The Early Career Faculty forum will provide participants with opportunities to examine many small nuances that impact the successful navigation of early faculty careers in science education. Following the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in round table discussions for more in-depth sharing and questioning. ____________________ March 15, 2020 How to Assess Learners' Connections Across Nature of Science Aspects: Using Card Sorts and Epistemic Network Analysis Sponsor: Research Committee Workshop participants will learn how to assess learners’ connections across nature of science (NOS) concepts. Participants will engage in a series of activities to learn about the use of card sorts and epistemic network analysis (ENA), a methodology that can be used to dig deeper into the connectedness of NOS ideas. This workshop will help us as a research community to make explicit how we think about NOS and how to research it. There is a need to draw more attention to ways to assess connections across NOS ideas. ENA offers a lot of potential, which includes providing metrics and a network model visualization of connections made by a group. While we will present ENA in the context of NOS, this methodology can be applied across any teaching and learning context. ____________________ March 15, 2020 Next Generation Labs for Next Generation Science Standards: Mobile Sensing as an Example Sponsor: Research Committee Participants will interact with a cutting-edge sensing technology that supports science exploration anywhere, anytime. The next generation labs supported by this type of technology can be widely applicable across formal and informal settings to foster integrated learning pathways. Participants will work in small groups and engage in the following three topics: 1) bring innovative technology to schools to facilitate the implementations of the Next Generation Science Standards; 2) create citizen science programs that integrate formal and informal learning; and 3) promote diversity and equality by reducing the barriers of authentic science and engineering practices. We will introduce the exemplar technology, engage the participants in hands-on experiments, showcase crowdsourcing opportunities, and discuss how next generation labs could broaden participation of science and engineering. Participants will have access to free software developed by the organizing team, large-scale data sets collected from hundreds of students, the list of laboratory materials, and the prediction-observation-explanation pedagogical materials. ____________________ March 15, 2020 An Observation Protocol for Integrated STEM Instruction in K-12 Science and Engineering Classes Sponsor: Research Committee This workshop engages attendees from the science and STEM education research community in learning about the development of a STEM Observation Protocol (STEM-OP) for use in K-12 science and engineering classrooms. Participants will be provided with opportunities to learn how to use the protocol by watching and scoring classroom video of integrated STEM lessons. ____________________ March 15, 2020 Clarifying the Role(s) of the Crosscutting Concepts in Science and Engineering Learning Sponsor: Research Committee This workshop engages participants in learning and discussions regarding the role(s) of the crosscutting concepts in strengthening student science teaching and learning. Building off of early research results and key outcomes from a recent NSF-funded summit on the crosscutting concepts, participants will discuss existing work and identify opportunities for future research. This workshop may be particularly appealing to early and mid-career researchers who may have an interest in developing lines of research into the teaching, learning, and nature of the crosscutting concepts. ____________________ March 15, 2020 Writing in Community: NARST Membership Committee Writing Retreat Sponsor: Membership Committee The Writing Retreat organized by the NARST Membership Committee will be a half day event where members come together to write and get feedback on writing projects. The Writing Retreat is a collective space where members write and support each other. Past and current editors of major international journals, such as the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, will be present to answer questions and address challenges you are facing in finalizing (or even getting started) on your writing projects, papers, or manuscripts. International scholars with substantial experience publishing in English language journals will be available for consultation as well. Throughout the annual meeting a central location for consultation with experienced scholars, meeting with your co-authors, and having time to engage in writing will be available. Look for the Writing Retreat Signs, and come in and write! ____________________ March 15, 0020 Addressing Issues of Equity and Justice across Places and Context in Science Sponsor: Equity and Ethics Committee This equity and ethics symposium extends the meaning of accessibility across places and contexts for those marginalized because of gender, ethnicity, Race, medical, economics, and disabilities. This means pushing the margins and boundaries in science to understand what it takes to do science in a wheel chair or what it means to include all the voices of people who have contributed to science. The audience will come away inspired with new understandings and atypical images about where science can happen. This symposium will encourage the audience to think beyond whose science counts and has been privileged. Panel presentations will be followed by interactive discussions and presentations with practical implementation of culturally responsive pedagogy. Topics have implications for what it means to break stereotypes rather than react to disabilities and differences. Issues of equity, social, cultural, historical, and political implications for science learning and practices in higher education and K-12 settings are implicated. ____________________ March 15, 2020 Work at the National Science Foundation as a Rotater/IPA/Program Officer. Is it right for me? Sponsor: National Science Foundation A panel of NSF program officers and former NSF program officers will discuss the following topics: 1. What are the qualifications for these opportunities? Best time to apply, career-wise? 2. What is it like to work at NSF and what contributions can you make to the field? 3. What will your college/university think about this? Advantages? 4. How might the experience benefit you and your career? 5. How does NSF make it possible to move, find housing, match salary, provide training, and allow you to continue your program of research? The formal presentation will last about an hour. Attendees are welcome to stay after for question and answer session. All are welcome at any stage of career, including graduate students, because it helps to plan ahead and learn about options that you may never have imagined. For more information or to arrange a personal appointment during the NARST conference, contact Rob Ochsendorf (rochsend@nsf.gov) or Sharon Lynch (slynch@nsf.gov).	March 15, 2020 Sharing Best STEM Practices with Portland Area K-12 Teachers Date/Time: Sunday, March 15th, 2020 9:45-11:45 am Location: Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, Salmon Room Guest Speakers: Kristin Moon, K-12 Science/STEAM TOSA, Portland Public Schools Stephen Scannell, Physics/Physical Science Instructor, Gresham High School, Gresham-Barlow School District Jessy Chamberlain, Biology Teacher, Southridge High School, Beaverton School District Kristen Harrison, Co-Director, Portland Metro STEM Partnership Andrea Leech, Chemistry Teacher, Benson High School, Portland Public Schools Julia Cannell, Executive Director, Airway Science for Kids, Inc. Vickei Hrdina, Executive Director, SW SA Career Connected Learning Network, Career Readiness & STEM Initiatives, Student & School Success

Pre-Conference Workshops

March 15, 2020

Early Career Faculty Forum
Sponsor: Membership Committee

The membership committee hosts an annual Early Career Faculty Forum. This year the forum will use a panel approach to introduce junior faculty members and post-doctoral fellows to peers, recently promoted colleagues, and prominent scholars. The forum will focus on the nuances of succeeding during the early career years as a faculty member. Our discussions will include issues of developing and maintaining a research agenda (e.g., publications & grant writing), adhering to teaching responsibilities, and effective ways for engaging in meaningful service experiences. In addition, the forum will explore many of the challenges of transitioning into new professional roles and maintaining a balance between life and work in the process. The Early Career Faculty forum will provide participants with opportunities to examine many small nuances that impact the successful navigation of early faculty careers in science education. Following the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in round table discussions for more in-depth sharing and questioning.

____________________

March 15, 2020

How to Assess Learners' Connections Across Nature of Science Aspects: Using Card Sorts and Epistemic Network Analysis
Sponsor: Research Committee

Workshop participants will learn how to assess learners’ connections across nature of science (NOS) concepts. Participants will engage in a series of activities to learn about the use of card sorts and epistemic network analysis (ENA), a methodology that can be used to dig deeper into the connectedness of NOS ideas. This workshop will help us as a research community to make explicit how we think about NOS and how to research it. There is a need to draw more attention to ways to assess connections across NOS ideas. ENA offers a lot of potential, which includes providing metrics and a network model visualization of connections made by a group. While we will present ENA in the context of NOS, this methodology can be applied across any teaching and learning context.

____________________

March 15, 2020

Next Generation Labs for Next Generation Science Standards: Mobile Sensing as an Example
Sponsor: Research Committee

Participants will interact with a cutting-edge sensing technology that supports science exploration anywhere, anytime. The next generation labs supported by this type of technology can be widely applicable across formal and informal settings to foster integrated learning pathways. Participants will work in small groups and engage in the following three topics: 1) bring innovative technology to schools to facilitate the implementations of the Next Generation Science Standards; 2) create citizen science programs that integrate formal and informal learning; and 3) promote diversity and equality by reducing the barriers of authentic science and engineering practices. We will introduce the exemplar technology, engage the participants in hands-on experiments, showcase crowdsourcing opportunities, and discuss how next generation labs could broaden participation of science and engineering. Participants will have access to free software developed by the organizing team, large-scale data sets collected from hundreds of students, the list of laboratory materials, and the prediction-observation-explanation pedagogical materials.

____________________

March 15, 2020

An Observation Protocol for Integrated STEM Instruction in K-12 Science and Engineering Classes
Sponsor: Research Committee

This workshop engages attendees from the science and STEM education research community in learning about the development of a STEM Observation Protocol (STEM-OP) for use in K-12 science and engineering classrooms. Participants will be provided with opportunities to learn how to use the protocol by watching and scoring classroom video of integrated STEM lessons.

____________________

March 15, 2020

Clarifying the Role(s) of the Crosscutting Concepts in Science and Engineering Learning
Sponsor: Research Committee

This workshop engages participants in learning and discussions regarding the role(s) of the crosscutting concepts in strengthening student science teaching and learning. Building off of early research results and key outcomes from a recent NSF-funded summit on the crosscutting concepts, participants will discuss existing work and identify opportunities for future research. This workshop may be particularly appealing to early and mid-career researchers who may have an interest in developing lines of research into the teaching, learning, and nature of the crosscutting concepts.

____________________

March 15, 2020

Writing in Community: NARST Membership Committee Writing Retreat
Sponsor: Membership Committee

The Writing Retreat organized by the NARST Membership Committee will be a half day event where members come together to write and get feedback on writing projects. The Writing Retreat is a collective space where members write and support each other. Past and current editors of major international journals, such as the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, will be present to answer questions and address challenges you are facing in finalizing (or even getting started) on your writing projects, papers, or manuscripts. International scholars with substantial experience publishing in English language journals will be available for consultation as well. Throughout the annual meeting a central location for consultation with experienced scholars, meeting with your co-authors, and having time to engage in writing will be available. Look for the Writing Retreat Signs, and come in and write!

____________________

March 15, 0020

Addressing Issues of Equity and Justice across Places and Context in Science
Sponsor: Equity and Ethics Committee

This equity and ethics symposium extends the meaning of accessibility across places and contexts for those marginalized because of gender, ethnicity, Race, medical, economics, and disabilities. This means pushing the margins and boundaries in science to understand what it takes to do science in a wheel chair or what it means to include all the voices of people who have contributed to science. The audience will come away inspired with new understandings and atypical images about where science can happen. This symposium will encourage the audience to think beyond whose science counts and has been privileged. Panel presentations will be followed by interactive discussions and presentations with practical implementation of culturally responsive pedagogy. Topics have implications for what it means to break stereotypes rather than react to disabilities and differences. Issues of equity, social, cultural, historical, and political implications for science learning and practices in higher education and K-12 settings are implicated.

____________________

March 15, 2020

Work at the National Science Foundation as a Rotater/IPA/Program Officer. Is it right for me?
Sponsor: National Science Foundation

A panel of NSF program officers and former NSF program officers will discuss the following topics:
1. What are the qualifications for these opportunities? Best time to apply, career-wise?
2. What is it like to work at NSF and what contributions can you make to the field?
3. What will your college/university think about this? Advantages?
4. How might the experience benefit you and your career?
5. How does NSF make it possible to move, find housing, match salary, provide training, and allow you to continue your program of research?

The formal presentation will last about an hour. Attendees are welcome to stay after for question and answer session. All are welcome at any stage of career, including graduate students, because it helps to plan ahead and learn about options that you may never have imagined.

For more information or to arrange a personal appointment during the NARST conference, contact Rob Ochsendorf (rochsend@nsf.gov) or Sharon Lynch (slynch@nsf.gov).

March 15, 2020

Sharing Best STEM Practices with Portland Area K-12 Teachers

Date/Time: Sunday, March 15th, 2020 9:45-11:45 am
Location: Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, Salmon Room

Guest Speakers:
Kristin Moon, K-12 Science/STEAM TOSA, Portland Public Schools
Stephen Scannell, Physics/Physical Science Instructor, Gresham High School, Gresham-Barlow School District
Jessy Chamberlain, Biology Teacher, Southridge High School, Beaverton School District
Kristen Harrison, Co-Director, Portland Metro STEM Partnership
Andrea Leech, Chemistry Teacher, Benson High School, Portland Public Schools
Julia Cannell, Executive Director, Airway Science for Kids, Inc.
Vickei Hrdina, Executive Director, SW SA Career Connected Learning Network, Career Readiness & STEM Initiatives, Student & School Success