Science Educators and Neuroscientists:
A Collaborative Agenda

Dr. Janet M. Dubinsky
Professor, Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota
Director, BrainU Professional Development

Dr. Dubinsky's presentation will explore the relationship between Neuroscience and Education. Why is Neuroscience Relevant to Education? How does education alter brains? How can neuroscience be used to increase the motivation of teachers and students?

Creating An Impact School

Dr. Jim Knight
Research Associate, The University of Kansas

This workshop describes high-leverage activities that educational leaders can employ to design professional learning which has an unmistakable impact on teaching. The content draws from ideas described in Jim Knight’s Unmistakable Impact, based on more than 18-years of research. Topics include: focusing professional learning on easy-to-understand professional learning targets; designing workshops, professional learning communities and other professional learning that support implementation of school improvement targets; employing principals, coaches, and central office staff to accelerate professional learning.

State of Mathematics & Science Education

Dr. Everly Broadway
Director of Mathematics, Texas Education Agency

Dr. Kenn Heydrick
Director of Science, Texas Education Agency

The past year has witnessed many exciting changes in mathematics and science education. Rigorous curriculum standards in mathematics are currently being developed. Teachers implemented new science curriculum standards. The new STAAR assessment program will measure student progress. Come hear about how you can join forces with TEA to help students prosper in a global community.

Developing Mathematical Ideas

Kristi Bracewell
Teacher, Anderson-Shiro CISD

Developing Mathematical Ideas (DMI) is a professional development curriculum designed to help teachers think through the major ideas of K-8 mathematics and examine how children develop those ideas. At the heart of the materials are sets of classroom episodes (cases) illustrating student thinking as described by their teachers. In this session, teachers will share their experiences and leaders will outline how to provide a successful DMI institute for your collaborative.

SECO (State Energy Conservation Office) Activities

Sara Flusche
Project Director, North Central Texas College

Sara and teachers from NCTC will offer four different breakout sessions this year, each focusing on a different type of energy: wind, water, biomass, and solar. All the presentations will be in the Sabine room. Seating will be limited to 30 participants for each session; each attendee will walk away from the presentation with materials and equipment used in the session.

Using math to fight infectious diseases

Dr. Lauren Meyers
Associate Professor, College of Natural Sciences,
The University of Texas at Austin

As public health officials face the challenge of controlling the spread of infectious diseases around the globe, they are increasingly using math and computational methods to help understand and design effective intervention strategies. In this presentation, I will describe how simple mathematical concepts have helped the fight against diseases such as flu, SARS and HIV.

Engineering New Biotechnology at NASA

Dr. Marguerite Sognier
Senior Research Scientist, NASA Johnson Space Center

The Biomedical Engineering for Exploration Space Technology Lab (BEST) at NASA Johnson Space Center is unique as it is the only biomedical/cell biology laboratory integrated into an engineering environment. The focus of our team is to invent new biomedical technology to be used in future manned space exploration and also here on Earth. Learn how we integrate science, math, and engineering to create new, innovative, out of this world technologies! Includes a hands-on activity.