Mi-STAR Presentations Featured at 2022 MSTA Conference

 

Mi-STAR professionals will lead three talks at the 69th MSTA Conference, providing an opportunity for teachers to dig deeper into the​ curriculum and network with Mi-STAR staff. In addition, several Mi-STAR educators will be giving presentations independently at the conference. Their talks are listed below; all will be held Saturday, March 5, at the Lansing Center and Radisson Hotel at the Capitol.

 

Mi-STAR presentations

Title: Explore Forces and Energy with Mi-STAR’s Fidget Spinner Generators
Presenters: Tony Matthys, Mi-STAR curriculum development associate; Zach Freeman, Marshall Greene Middle School, MTP Noyce Fellow 
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Summary: Participants use hand-held DIY electrical generators to model concepts like energy, forces, and electricity. These models can be used to investigate phenomena related to energy transformations. Participants will learn to build their own generators from readily available, low-cost materials. Student handouts will be provided, and model generators will be raffled.

Title: Mi-STAR CER Lesson: Scaffolds for Student Reasoning in Explanations and Arguments
Presenters: Chris Geerer, professional learning coordinator; Kevin Knack, Milwood Magnet Middle School, MTP Noyce Fellow
Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Summary: Participants engage in an every-day scenario that requires evidence, reasoning, and argumentation, and then apply what they’ve learned to a scientific scenario. They explore how adding a “frame the claim” step can enrich student reasoning and move students towards successful argumentation. A lesson plan is included.

Title: System Models with Mi-STAR: Supporting Students to Develop and Share System Models
Presenters: Monica Harvey, Hart Middle School, Mi-STAR professional learning facilitator (PLF);  Stephanie Tubman, Mi-STAR coordinator of curriculum development and implementation; and Lorie Hurley, Willie E. Thompson Middle School, MTP Noyce Fellow
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Summary: Participants will learn to make system models related to real-world problems and acquire pedagogical tools for supporting students to develop and share system models. A lesson plan is included.

Additional presentations by Mi-STAR educators

Presentation: 3P Science Learning: More Than Just Buzzwords
Presenter: Linnea Gibson, Northern Michigan Learning Consortium, Mi-STAR PLF
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Presentation: Problem-Based Learning in the Advanced Science Classroom
Presenter: Tia Hohler, Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center, MTP Noyce Fellow
Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Presentation: Moosewatch for Educators
Presenters: Chris Geerer, Mi-STAR professional learning coordinator; Dakota Bahlau; and Karen Bacula
Time: 4:00-5:00 p.m.