Mi-STAR Featured at MSTA Conference

 

The 68th Annual Michigan Science Teachers Association Conference will be virtual this year, giving teachers a chance to find out the latest from Mi-STAR from the comfort and safety of their homes. The online conference will be held on two Saturdays, February 27 and March 6. You can register at the MSTA website. 

 Participants can attend the following sessions by teachers with ties to Mi-STAR,as well as the preview of what’s next in Mi-STAR.




 

• February 27, 9:15–10 a.m.: “Mi-STAR Information Session: Navigating 2021 and Beyond.”  Headlined by Chris Geerer, Tony Matthys, and Lindsey Watch of Mi-STAR, this information storm will get you up to speed with the Mi-STAR program for 2021 and 2022. Topics include: new investigations coming to the curriculum next school year, professional learning offerings for middle school science teachers in a post-pandemic world, and remote learning resources to help teachers navigate the transition to a post-pandemic classroom. We’re here for you; join us to see what will be going on in 2021-2022.
• February 27, 10:15–11 a.m.: “Developing Language for English Learners.” Presenters are Wendi Vogel and Christi Gilbert, both of the Kent Intermediate School District. Vogel is a professional learning facilitator (PLF).
• March 6, 9–10 a.m.: “Science Idea Slam!” The presenter is PLF Linnea Gibson of the Northern Michigan Learning Consortium.
• March 6, 1:45–2:30 p.m.: “The Science Crisis: How Did We Get Here and What Do We Do Now?” Presenters are PLFs Linnea Gibson of the Northern Michigan Learning Consortium and Wendi Vogel of the Kent Intermediate School District.
• March 6, 2:45–3:30 p.m.: “A COVID Computational Thinking Model.” Presenters are Linnea Gibson of the Northern Michigan Learning Consortium and Wendi Vogel of Kent Intermediate School District. Both are PLFs.
• March 6, 3:45–4:30 p.m.:  “Making Connections and Celebrating Students Virtually.” Presenters are Darci Merillat of Bay City Public Schools and Lorie Hurley of Saginaw City Schools. Both are Fellows in Mi-STAR’s Master Teacher Program.

Scholarships are available for teachers and pre-service teachers and will cover one or two days of conference registration, along with a one-year MSTA membership. The MSTA Conference Scholarship application is now available for a stipend for up to $100 to attend the virtual Annual Conference. Applications will be accepted until February 10, and all scholarship winners will be notified by February 12.

For more information, visit the MSTA Conference website.