We are excited to see you in Atlanta this spring. Make sure to stop by our Booth #723 and participate in our hands-on workshops in Georgia World Congress Center B305.
Get our full schedule here
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
NGSS Waves: Making an Abstract Concept Visible!
8:00 am - 9:30 am
Experience two exemplary NGSS-focused activities from SEPUP that build up to Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer (MS-PS4-2). Anchored in the context of health issues around various types and levels of wave exposure, these activities model seamless integration of the three dimensions, ELA, and math standards. We will explore the relationship between visible light frequency and energy through the use of a phosphorescent material and use light boxes to explore reflection and refraction. Middle School Physical Science
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NGSS Ecology: Modeling the Introduction of a New Species
10:00 am - 11:30 am
How does a new species affect the flow of matter and energy in an ecosystem? This card sort-style activity models the introduction of a new species with special attention to the effect on existing predators and producers. From the new SEPUP middle level ecology unit, revised and updated for the NGSS and published by Lab-Aids. Take home free samples of the activity. Middle School Life Science
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NGSS Cliff Model
12:00 am - 1:30 pm
The relentless action of waves breaking on the shoreline can pose special problems for coastal homeowners. Use new tools to model the effect of ocean waves on a cliff as you design and test breakwater structures to prevent beach erosion. Strong support for middle level NGSS engineering practices provided. Supports Developing a Model, Designing Solutions, Engaging in Argument from Evidence, and CCSS ELA. From the SEPUP Third Edition Middle School Land, Water and Human Interactions unit—redesigned for NGSS. Middle School Life Science
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Chemical Batteries
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Although we live a battery-powered lifestyle, most of us (middle school and high school students included) have no idea how batteries actually work. Engage in an activity from Issues and Physical Science from Lab-Aids. Make a wet cell battery, explore the effect of using different metal electrodes on battery output, and consider ways to reduce the number of discarded batteries in the waste stream. Middle School Life Science
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NGSS Reproduction: Breeding Critters-More Traits
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Students model and explain additional patterns of inheritance as they explore cause-and-effect relationships for additional traits of the critters. These patterns help them model and explain the wide variation that can result from sexual reproduction. The activity provides an opportunity to assess student work related to Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits (MS-LS3-2). Middle School Physical Science
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FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018
Photosynthesis and Respiration Shuffle
8:00 am - 9:30 am
Students have major misconceptions about photosynthesis and cellular respiration, but this content is essential for understanding how matter and energy flows, both at the micro (cellular) and macro (ecosystem) levels. Using a computer simulation, a hands-on activity, and notebooking and discussion strategies, expose student thinking—all from SEPUP's new Science and Global Issues: Biology program from Lab-Aids. High School Biology
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Cell Differentiation and Gene Expression
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Students often have trouble conceptualizing how selective gene expression works. We will use manipulatives to teach this concept and explain how it is connected to genetic engineering. Innovative activities are selected from the new Science and Global Issues: Biology program from SEPUP and Lab-Aids. Activities focus on ways to integrate selective gene expression as a relevant and engaging sustainability issue. High School Biology
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What Is a Species?
12:00 am - 1:30 pm
In this activity from the SEPUP high school biology program, participants learn about conditions that lead to speciation, including isolation due to temporal, geographical, and behavioral factors, and more. They then apply this knowledge to determine whether selected animal or plant pairs are in the early, mid, or late stages of speciation. High School Biology
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Chemical Formula and Amino Acids
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
What is the difference between subscripts and coefficients? What does "balancing" a chemical equation mean? Many students have trouble with these fundamental concepts in chemistry. If a student does not fully understand the chemical formula, then moles, reactions, and stoichiometry are hopelessly confusing. Join us for some elegant, intuitive, and well-differentiated lessons that allow students of all levels to master the chemical formula and thereby move confidently into a deeper understanding of chemistry.High School Chemistry
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pH Scale
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
What does pH actually measure? In this investigation, you will measure pH indirectly using indicators and absorption using the Lab-Master. Using their data, participants generate a graph of absorbance versus pH. This graph can be used to determine the pH of solutions, within the measured pH range. Join us for this activity from The Natural Approach to Chemistry program. High School Chemistry
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SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2018
Calling All Carbons
8:00 am - 9:30 am
The element of carbon is critical to life on Earth. All living organisms contain different and essential carbon-based molecules. Several Earth processes work together to cycle carbon from one carbon reservoir to another and to keep the amount in each reservoir stable. Participants will model learn about and model different carbon transfer processes.. High School Earth Science
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Prospecting for Mineral Ore
10:00 am - 11:30 am
How do geologists look for mineral ore? In this activity from EDC Earth Science, participants search for a layer of rock that contains a valuable mineral called molybdenum by testing sediments collected in strategic spots along river systems gathering data to decide where the deposit is located. This is no cookie mining activity! High School Earth Science
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Using Climate Proxies to Learn about Earth's Climate History
12:00 am - 1:30 pm
How can scientists tell what Earth’s climate was like thousands of years before human measurements? This activity simulates the use of fossil ocean foraminifera, tiny organisms whose growth patterns are different in warm or cold water. Analyze and graph samples of replicas of these organisms and then determine relative warm and cold periods in the past 200,000 years. This activity is from EDC Earth Science, a new NSF-supported high school Earth science program from Lab-Aids. High School Earth Science
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NGSS Biomedical Engineering: Get a Grip!
2:00 am - 3:30 pm
Use the approach of biomimicry to design, test, evaluate, and redesign a mechanical gripping device to meet criteria. An iterative process is used to optimize the device by investigating the relationship between structure and function and applicable technology. Middle School Life Science
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NGSS Energy: Follow the Energy
4:00 am - 5:30 pm
Most of the energy we use every day needs to be "changed" before it is useful, i.e., batteries (chemical energy to electrical energy) and coffee makers (electrical energy to thermal energy). Explore new tools focused on the conservation of energy by analyzing common, and uncommon, energy transfers. Supports MS-PS3.A and MS-PS3.B, Engaging in Argument from Evidence, and CCSS ELA. From the SEPUP Middle School Energy unit, redesigned for NGSS. Middle School Physical Science