Session #1

Travel to Africa to discover how flags can engage students, promote global awareness, build math skills, and enrich algebra and geometry concepts. Teachers will experience activities involving African flags and technology that involve aspect ratio, linear equations/inequalities, domain/range, triangle classification, area, slope, parallelograms, and coordinate geometry. Technology highlighted will include Google Slides, Google Sheets Pixel Art, Desmos, GeoGebra, & CNC Machining.

Are you looking for a network of Science educators to build your professional learning network? Would you like to submit an article or column to be published in a peer reviewed journal? Would you like to participate in low cost or free professional learning to support your growth of current science practices and earn PDCHs? Are you interested in awards for your students? The Illinois Science Teaching Association is committed to promoting excellence in science teaching and learning throughout Illinois. Join us to learn more about this professional organization.

Physics and engineering pose special challenges for remote learning, but the process of re-inventing a class provides an opportunity for looking at teaching and assessment in a new light. We share some of the techniques we used, including analysis of the physics of YouTube clips, pursuing hands-on projects and labs at home, and submitting videos explaining problems--some of which worked, some of which didn’t, and some of which were good enough to continue even when we’re back in person.

As we continue to navigate a world of remote and hybrid learning options, teachers are continuously seeking new ways to give and receive information from students. In this session, we will explore four unique teaching method/resources that are available through Google G-Suite. Topics include: making and sharing drag and drop activities using Google Slides, using the Document Studio Excel Add-on, creative uses for Google Jamboard, and using Google Slides as an organizational tool.

Chinese antiquities may be readily found for sale on eBay. Ancient coins may be purchased for very reasonable prices. Are these authentic artifacts, or modern forgeries? An investigation will include measurements and calculations to identify the metals involved. Using only inexpensive, school-grade equipment, students are challenged to solve the mystery. Success will hinge on careful technique, thoughtful reasoning, and a considerations of measurement uncertainty.