The Science Teachers Association of Texas are thrilled to invite you to the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST) in San Antonio, Texas, on November 14–16, 2024.
The full conference registration includes access to 3 days of in-person workshops, 2-hour extended sessions and the keynote session, the CAST Exhibit Hall, and networking events.
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2021 CAST Affiliate Strand
Thursday, November 11, 2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
ISEA Presents: Teaching with Museum Objects
Speaker: Claudia Martinez gray, international museum of art and science
Description: Looking to connect your classroom to museum resources? Attendees will discover how object-based learning can create stronger connections to STEM concepts by bringing museums into the classroom, both virtually and in-person.
Thursday, November 11, 2021 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
ISEA Presents: Living Laboratories: Creating School Gardens as Outdoor Classrooms
Speaker: Mark Broughton, Dallas isd Stem environmental education center
Description: Engaging students in meaningful, outdoor science learning in a school garden is challenging but also worthwhile. School gardens open a door to scientific inquiry and discovery in the living world as well as nurture curiosity and even joy in young scientists. during this workshop, educators will learn practical gardening skills and explore evidence of academic, physical, and mental benefits of working in a living laboratory with students as they explore important scientific concepts.
Thursday, November 11, 2021 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
ISEA Presents: What to do with a Puddle: A Texas-wide Program Sampler
Speaker: Sarah coles, texas children in nature network
Description: Join Texas Children in Nature as we explore pre-K - High School connections in earth and life science using several environmental education programs. Presenters from Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, Project WET, Texas Aquatic Science, and the Texas Wildlife Association will share information about their statewide resources. Using a puddle as a common theme, this workshop will also include hands-on activities that are easy to replicate in classrooms or on school grounds.
Friday, November 12, 2021 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
ISEA Presents: Creating Learning Experiences in Nature Stations and Outdoor Play
Speaker: Sara Ramirez, Dallas isd Stem environmental education center
Description: Join me to learn about nature play and its academic, health, and social and emotional benefits. Many urban children may miss out on opportunities to explore nature, so why not bring nature to them? Learn ideas to incorporate natural items into academic content, centers, and playtime. Modifications for individual nature play sets and at-home learning will also be addressed. Help foster student curiosity and respect for nature through engaging play!
Friday, November 12, 2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
ISEA Presents: Walking Field Trips: How to Create and Utilize Them in Your Classroom
Speaker: Sarah coles, texas children in nature network
Description: Join presenters from Austin ISD and Austin Parks and Recreation for a discussion about how they pivoted in August 2020 from traditional nature based field trips off campus to walking field trips to parks. Learn how they worked with ISD administration to approve walking field trips, how they created a map resource for teachers on nearby nature, and how you can create this model for your own district.
Saturday, November 13, 2021 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
ISEA Presents: Connect with DFW’s STEM Learning Resources
Speaker: Selena wilson, dallas arboretum
Description: Field trips to informal STEM sites are often the highlights of the year for students. However, these field trips can be the most stressful days for teachers. Given that students love them, how can we maximize their learning benefits? This session will explore what teachers already know about field trips to informal STEM sites, introduce teachers to multiple STEM locations, and provide inside information that will help answer questions teachers have about these organizations.
Saturday, November 13, 2021 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
ISEA Presents: STEM Thinking Outside the Box
Speaker: melissa mullins, baylor university center for resevoir and aquatic systems research, judy york, education service center region 12
Description: Did you know Texas is expected to have the second highest percentage of future STEM jobs in the United States? STEM education focuses on hands-on teaching and learning and applying what students learn in school to solving real-world problems. Join an ESC STEM specialist and an EcosySTEM community team member to engage in a lively and active exploration of STEM that will literally get you and your students thinking outside the (classroom) box.