ME by the SEa - June 13, 2025

[Pre-K, Elementary]

It Takes a Village to Teach Young Minds! 

A discussion of important and significant impacts that working with a team of educators has on teaching students. 

Miss Katherine Mendoza

CI 102

[All Levels]

Inner NATURALIST: Nature Connection and Mental Health

A discussion of important and significant impacts that working with a team of educators has on teaching students. 

Ms. Lari Jo Wallace Edwards & Mr. Jason Edwards

CI 109

[Elementary, Middle School]

Wild About Science: Using Classroom Animals to Enhance Learning

Studies have shown that classroom animals have many positive effects on students of all ages. Come meet a few of my ambassadors and learn about ways you can incorporate animals into your lessons.

Ms. Chelsea Watson

CI 126

[Elementary, Middle School, High School]

Science Fair! Can You Do It? Yes, You Can!

Learn about science fair in and outs, the meaning of "safety and display", and basics for getting students interested, motivated, and excited about their science projects. 

Special guests Linda Chisholm, science fair expert, and Sharmada Palakurthi, 10^th grader and two-time International Science & Engineering Fair winner, will be co-presenting.

Dr. Debra Plowman, Mrs. Linda Chisholm, & Ms. Sharmada Palakurthi

CI 127

[Middle School, High School]

Extending the Lesson – Shark Tank: Theme Park Edition

This highly-adaptable project model was used as a year-long G/T project. Beginning stages include selecting topics, park planning and design, and budgeting. This project includes a culminating presentation competition at the end of the school year - Shark Tank style. Come build a framework for a STEM-focused, multidisciplinary project to extend your students' learning.

Dr. Stephanie Medina

CI 106

[Middle School, High School, University]

Engineering Design Process for Problem Solving

This the PLTW  Engineering Design process that is a problem solving model for middle and high school students.

Mr. Christopher Cavazos

CI 107

[University]

Peer Tutoring and Dynamics of Peer Interactions on Mathematics Learning 

A discussion of the peer tutoring programs, including their impact in improving student involvement, comprehension, and attitudes toward math instruction. Undergraduate tutors, teaching assistants, and students from different math classes participated in the research. Results from questionnaires, interviews, and observation data point to favorable attitudes and impactful peer interactions for learning math.

Mr. Habeed Ur Rehman & Dr. Celil Ekici

CI 112

[Elementary, Middle School]

Accelerate Learning - Is Anyone Ever Going to Understand Fractions?#

Fractions are often misunderstood. We will explore the relationship among multiple representations, talk about the importance of sequencing to develop conceptual understanding, and look at ways to utilize concrete representations and how they apply to other topics.

Dr. Julie Merrill

CI 126

[Elementary, Middle School, High School]

Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program^© Biomimicry Inquiry & Exploration

Biomimicry - nature-inspired innovation - serves as the model for design in materials
science, product development, technology, and engineering solutions. Let's explore
strategies and resources to get your students inspired to problem solve while developing their inquiry skills.

Ms. Kimberly Ogden

CI 127

[Middle School]

4 Pillars to Middle School STAAR Growth

Learn about four components that have helped teachers receive up to 93% growth on the 7th grade Math STAAR:

• Reporting Category Word Wall
• Wall of Proportions
• Understanding Answer Choices
• Teacher Mistakes

Mr. Daniel Castro

CI 102

[Middle School]

DESMOS is Awesome! Using Online Graphing Program with Students

DESMOS Studio is a Public Benefit Corporation with a goal of helping everyone "learn math, love math, and grow with math." DESMOS is a free platform which allows learners to explore and interact with mathematics in a dynamic environment. Participants will experience two modes of DESMOS: Graphing Calculator and Classroom Mode to see how it can be used in their classrooms.

Dr. Debra Plowman, Dr. Mahtob Aqazade, & Ms. Brielle Duchesneau

CI Lab 222

[Middle School, High School, University]

Integrating Data-Driven Research and Education in Renewable Energy Across Disciplines

Ten middle and high school teachers participated in a National Science Foundation funded Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The teachers completed a 6-week summer research program and created learning modules based on their research projects. They also implemented the learning modules in their classroom. They will present the RET program and experience.

Dr. Hua Li & Teachers

CI 107

[High School]

Ingredients to Algebra 1 STAAR

Learn from a mastery high school math teacher about a variety of strategies that have positively impelled one school's student data in STAAR testing. Some strategies might seem unorthodox, but they can help support student success.

Mr. John Pinon

CI 106

[High School, University]

Learning Trajectories in Mathematical Modeling of Dynamics of Homelessness

Homelessness as a societal problem impacts the quality of life around the nation. Based on the available data, students modeled dynamics of homelessness for different cities considering housing supply as a factor to develop projections and policies to address it. Emerging mathematical and interdisciplinary learning trajectories will be discussed with the relevant modeling tasks for high schools and college.

Dr. Celil Ekici

CI 112

[Pre-K, Elementary]

Problem Solving in the Early Grades: The Math Genius of Inventing Strategies

Observe and discuss young students solving word problems using their own thinking and understanding. Learn how to get started presenting word problems and how to involve student strategies during discussion.

Dr. Debra Plowman & Mahtob Aqazade

CI 106

[Pre-K, Elementary]

Canva for the Classroom (Bring your charged laptop!)

Canva is a free-to-use, online (cloud-based), graphic design tool; and even allows for collaboration. Come learn how to use this tool in your classroom - ideas for the teacher, and your students. Includes setting up your Canva for Education account, school page, and creating classes. From lesson planning to grading - you're covered.

Dr. Stephanie Medina

CI 109

[Elementary, Middle School]

Using Books for Budding Bilinguals

New research has suggested using children's literature to teach content knowledge benefits emergent bilingual students, as it contextualizes the content in real world scenarios. This present will display this research, along with two lessons based around the concept of teaching math using children's literature. Teachers will also be directed to more free resources and lesson plans to support these students.

Ms. Alison McEwin

CI 126

[Middle School, High School, University]

Integrating Data-Driven Research and Education in Renewable Energy Across Disciplines

Ten middle and high school teachers participated in a National Science Foundation funded Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The teachers completed a 6-week summer research program and created learning modules based on their research projects. They also implemented the learning modules in their classroom. They will present the RET program and experience.

Dr. Hua Li & Teachers

CI 107

[High School]

Fostering Discussions in a Mathematics Classroom

Educators will have the opportunity to engage in strategies for fostering discourse in a mathematics classroom. The focus will be on empowering students to effectively communicate and engage in productive discussions. Through collaboration, teachers will explore the mathematical tasks to support student discourse. They will also examine student work, share insights, and explore practices for math classes.

Mrs. Daniela Garza & Dr. Celil Ekici

CI 102

[All Levels]

Gimkit Live Learning Game Show

Gimkit is a game show for the classroom that requires knowledge, collaboration, and strategy to win. It can be used for any subject and any grade level to increase engagement in the classroom and make learning fun. Students may join in on the fun on any mobile device or computer!

Ms. Brielle Duchesneau

CI 222 Computer Lab

[Any Participants]

Rest, Renew, Restore: Yoga for Teachers and Students (Wear comfortable clothes!)

Mrs. Yalanda Salone

CI 138

[All Levels]

Using Humor to Bounce back from Burnout: STEM Teacher Stories to Inspire, Motivate, and Make Us Laugh

Laughter has many positive effects on your body and your brain. When you laugh, your brain releases chemicals and hormones that help lift your mood and make you feel great. In this session, we explore the benefits of humorous teacher stories that may counteract burnout and anxiety. We invite you to join us for this highly interactive session where we investigate the science of laughter. Get ready to LOL!

Dr. Andrea Foster & Ms. Lola Grundy

CI 112

[Elementary, Middle School, High School, University]

Building Scholarship of Teaching & Learning through Collaborative Action Research

As teachers gain knowledge & experience in teaching their content each year, they can build scholarship on their practice by collective reflection, planning, and enacting to improve student learning. Mathematics and science teachers will have opportunity to build collaborative action research projects with a growing local mentoring & support network. Joint work and dissemination plans will be developed.

Dr. Celil Ekici

CI 107

[Middle School]

STEM-ulating Activities for Environmental Problem Solving

Engage in small-group problem solving, data analysis, models, and simulations that cover a range of environmental topics including human population and natural resource use trends and their resulting impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, climate, and the availability of fresh water. Receive lesson plans matched to TEKS.

Dr. Cynthia Hopkins

CI 102

[Middle School, High School]

From Labs to Learning: Ocean Acidification Using Phenomenon Based Learning

Teaching ocean acidification through phenomenon-based learning in K-12 classrooms can be an engaging and effective approach to help students understand this complex environmental issue. Phenomenon-based learning on ocean acidification not only deepens students' understanding of a critical environmental issue but also empowers them to become informed, environmentally conscious citizens.

Mrs. Adriana Reza

CI 106

[Middle School, High School]

Carnegie Learning© #

Learn how MATHstream can be used to re-engage students in learning and deliver Tier 1, 2, & 3 supports in your math classroom.

Ms. Shelly Mitchell

CI Lab 222

[Early Childhood]

Integration of Bodily Systems in Early Preschool and Implications for Sex Ed Discourses

Although integrated curricula are gaining popularity in schools, existing integrated curricula in the early elementary education field rarely center on science (French, 2004). Moreover, there is a scarcity of research that analyzes how a component of sex education* - with anatomy and physiology components - can be taught as a component of a science integrated curricula. Filling in this gap, this exploratory research study investigated how a science-centered integrated curriculum with a component of anatomy and physiology was developed in a Chinese preschool setting. Focus group interviews and lesson plans for an integrated unit were collected and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. The study has important implications for researchers who study curriculum and instruction, day-care center administrators, and curriculum coordinators in preschool and elementary schools. This study can also help strengthen existing national and international guidelines for sex/sexuality education with anatomy and physiology and systems of the body at the early preschool level.

Dr. Puneet Gill & Dr. Xuesong Wang

CI 107

[All Levels]

Texas Children in Nature Network©: A Texas Approach to Systematic Change in Nature Access and Outdoor Learning #

Texas is facing an outdoor space crisis, with only 5% public land, there is a need to enhance access to nature. Initiatives like Green Schoolyards are leading efforts to address this issue. Delve into systems change for outdoor spaces on school campuses, including community involvement, education specifications, and teacher training.

Ms. Sarah Coles

CI 109

[Elementary, Middle School, High School]

Just STEMing

Empowering Education: Harnessing STEM Tools for Tailored Learning in Alternative Education Programs for Students with Low Incidence Disabilities

Mr. Jesus Moncada

CI 127

[Middle School, High School]

Building Multi-Subject Knowledge Using a School Garden

We will go over how we used the school garden to enhance students' knowledge in both biology and food science, and how we changed some students' answer to the question "Where does food come from?."

Mr. Gary Leary & Ms. Angelique Fernandez-Leary

CI 106

[Middle School, High School]

Cultivating Character through Science: Cases of Integrating Values into the Classroom 

This presentation will explore the importance, tools, and strategies of intentionally integrating character values into science instruction. By embedding values such as curiosity, perseverance, and collaboration into lessons, educators can foster a positive learning environment where students will gain scientific knowledge, and also develop essential life skills.

Dr. Goshgar Maharramov

CI 126

[High School, University]

Flipped Learning in Engaging and Differentiating Student Learning of Mathematics

Discussion of the features of flipped learning will allow participants to share and reflect collectively on their experiences with flipped learning. Further, participants will be given opportunities to reflect on the practices with video embedded tasks for supporting student engagement and differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of students.

Dr. Celil Ekici & Mr. Michael Okone

CI 112