GETCA 2025: Full Schedule

Welcome to GETCA 2025! We are excited to see you soon...

9:00am MST

ATA Science Council presents Oreo Cookies and the Scientific Method

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

Please bring your own device in order to participate fully; this is a very hands on session! With the advent of a new science curriculum, there is a new organization and format to the science curriculum. One of the new Organizing Ideas is the Scientific Method. I will show you how to offer an engaging 2 week unit. Can you let go of sage on the stage and help guide your students through an investigation? Let me show you how with this highly engaging investigation. We will then explore ways that scientific inquiry can be incorporated into other organizing ideas for various grade levels.

Speakers

Michelle Savoie

Secretary (6-9 science teacher), Science Council

Michelle Savoie is a passionate science teacher of grade 6-9 students at Eleanor Hall School in Clyde for the last 17 years. She lives in Edmonton with her husband and son. When not spending time with her family, she enjoys advocating for our colleagues as the local president for... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Centre High - Room 316 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 316 (Centre High, Max capacity for 25 people)
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9:00am MST

Creativity Versus Innovation

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

Centre High - Room 304

Creativity and innovative thinking are extraordinary skills that reflect successful learning in your classroom. Students that learn and possess these skills demonstrate better retention of information and, confidence in their application of knowledge beyond the curriculum and your classroom. This session will focus on how to ignite student curiosity and the innate human desire to learn. Fun, engaging and proven classroom examples will be shared throughout the session. Participants will receive multiple lesson examples, assessment rubrics and online (AI) resources ready to use in the classroom.

Speakers

Paul Bohnert

Lead Teachers -, The Faculty

Innovation in Education has been Paul's passion and focus for the past 30 years. He has shared his classroom and educational experiences with more than 15,000 educators and pre-service teachers across North America speaking at regional, national and international conferences/workshops... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Centre High - Room 304 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Social Studies

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 304 (Centre High, Max capacity for 32 people)
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9:00am MST

Defining Scientific Literacy: A humanistic perspective for every day life.

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

Centre High - Room 315

Can you define scientific literacy? A consensus definition of this term remains highly elusive, despite it being a focus of science instruction in K-12 schools. In recent years due to global events, there have been vocal calls from outside education to improve scientific literacy in students and the general population. Participants will examine different conceptualizations of scientific literacy and see how teaching science as a humanity (Aoki) holds the key to developing an idea of scientific literacy that is relevant and actionable by all people for everyday life. Using Nature of Science, STS, SSI’s from the program of studies, we will discuss an effective way to implement this humanistic view within existing curricula. All students are “science people”, and this will help them realize that.

Speakers

Zachary Patterson

Learning Leader

Zach is an Assistant Principal in the CBE and doctoral candidate at the Werklund School of Education (UCalgary). An emerging scholar in the field of curriculum studies, his research interests include looking at how changing conceptions of scientific literacy can benefit society’s... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Centre High - Room 315 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, General Interest/Wellness

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 315 (Centre High, Max capacity for 32 people)
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9:00am MST

Land Reclamation In The Classroom - Educating Through Game

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

Centre High - Room 312

How do we teach the next generation to reclaim disturbed land, to heal the Earth? With increasing environmental pressures, everyone must understand the importance of land reclamation. Join Valerie Miller, PhD, and Julie Arsenault, science teacher, to explore “Become An Earth Doctor”. This game allows participants to become land reclamation practitioners, walking them through key steps and decisions. Participants will be introduced to land reclamation, explore gameplay, learn how to connect to real life examples including those experienced on Indigenous lands, and gain access to free resources.

Speakers

Julie Arsenault

Science Lead Teacher, Science Council

After receiving her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Microbiology and Biotechnology, Julie entered the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta to pursue her teaching career. She has been teaching with Edmonton Public Schools since 2002 and has developed a passion for incorporating... Read More →

Valerie Miller

Future Energy Systems

Valerie Miller (she/her) is the Outreach and Engagement Lead for Future Energy Systems and has a PhD in land reclamation from the University of Alberta. Valerie supports personnel to share research with audiences through opportunities like tours, videos, books, talks, and in-person/online... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Centre High - Room 312 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Social Studies

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 312 (Centre High, Max capacity for 32 people)
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9:00am MST

Making and Testing Models In Physics 30

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

Centre High - Room 313

It is said that science is the processes that allow us to make models and break them. Many of the models we present in high schools, some expressed as algebraic formulae, are somewhat idealized, and break down under closer scrutiny. In other cases we can build physical models that represent situations in which we can’t use the “real thing”. In this hands-on session, we will look at the modelling ideas involved in three Physics 30 experiments.

Speakers

Barry Edgar

Physics

Barry taught general science and physics for Edmonton Public Schools for 40 years before retiring at the end of the 2013 school year . He believes that used properly, hands-on activities foster higher level thinking, cover the skills and attitudes parts of the curricula, and increase... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Centre High - Room 313 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, CTS/CTF

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 313 (Centre High, Max capacity for 32 people)
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9:00am MST

Science on a Budget: Bringing the New K-6 Science Curriculum to Life Indoors and Outdoors!

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

ECC - Salon 2

Join Inside Education for this dynamic interactive workshop for K-6 teachers where we will delve into the environmental science and natural resource components of the new Alberta Science Curriculum. We will share hands-on tools, tricks, and methods to use inexpensive classroom supplies for engaging educational experiences both inside your classroom and in your outdoor classroom space. Not only will we teach you some Monday-morning activities, we will also showcase our new no-cost outdoor-focused toolkit to help scaffold learning through the new Organizing Ideas. Three lucky teachers will walk away with their very own toolkit! Every teacher will leave feeling inspired and prepared with resources and activities to foster inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and environmental stewardship skills within their classrooms.

Speakers

Inside Education

Inside Education is an Alberta-based, environment and natural resource education charitable society. We have been supporting teachers and inspiring students to think critically about natural resource topics since 1985! With our full suite of no-cost teaching resources, youth summits... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
ECC - Salon 2

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Classroom Management

Company English
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Room Details ECC - Salon 2 (Edmonton Convention Centre (ECC), Max capacity for 200 people)
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9:00am MST

Using Assessment to Improve Teaching

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

Centre High - Room 308

Assessments take many forms, from qualitative observations to assignments and tests. All of these are opportunities for feedback not just for students, but also for teachers. So how can you take advantage of that, and improve what you’re doing in your classroom, without adding a bunch more work to your life? This workshop will explore how you can use the results from all types of assessments to improve your teaching. The facilitators, Jason Cooper and Laura Pankratz, have decades of classroom and assessment experience. Participants in this workshop will engage in discussion and exploration of what is currently working in Alberta classrooms.

Speakers

Jason Cooper

Onsite contact: Jason Coooper

Jason Cooper is the creator and owner of SmarterMarks, a tool that helps teachers and students do more with paper and online assessments. Before making the switch to supporting and developing SmarterMarks full-time, he worked as a high school science teacher in Calgary for 9 year... Read More →

Laura Pankratz

Western Canada Teacher Network Coordinator, Perimeter Institute

Laura Pankratz is an educator with more than 30 years of working with students and teachers. One of her principles of education is the learning is messy. Her passion is finding the nugget of value in that mess and then helping the learner to build around it. Laura’s career included... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Centre High - Room 308 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Mathematics

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 308 (Centre High, Max capacity for 80 people)
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10:20am MST

Experiments, Videos, Stories: Explore STEM Resources For All Grades

Thursday February 27, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST

Centre High - Room 312

Energy. Climate change. The environment. The future. All important and of concern for many students. We’re here to help bring them into the classroom! Join Valerie Miller, PhD, of Future Energy Systems to learn about the University of Alberta’s world-leading research that will help Canada transition to a low net carbon economy, and explore educational resources produced by the program, available for free and ranging from kindergarten to high school content. Try some of our demos, explore classroom activities, games, and videos, find connections with our free children’s book series, and more.

Speakers

Charlee Amason

Charlee Amason (he/him) holds a MSc in physics from the University of Alberta, where his thesis project involved simulating light from rapidly rotating neutron stars. As Educational Programming Assistant at Future Energy Systems, Charlee develops resources for K-12 classrooms, including... Read More →

Valerie Miller

Future Energy Systems

Thursday February 27, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Centre High - Room 312 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Social Studies

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 312 (Centre High, Max capacity for 32 people)
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10:20am MST

Finding Home on The Range: Exploring Alberta’s Wildlife and Conservation Agriculture

Thursday February 27, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST

Centre High - Room 306

Join Inside Education for an introduction to agriculture in Alberta's Grasslands region, exploring ecosystem health, impacts on wildlife and agriculture practices addressing climate change. This session covers biodiversity, climate change, and conservation agriculture, aligning with grade 5-6 Earth Systems, grade 6 Living Systems, grade 7 Interactions and Ecosystems, and grade 9 Biological Diversity. In addition, we’ll highlight our full suite of additional support through classroom programming, field trips, youth summits, learning resources and teacher PD. We will showcase 3 interactive low-equipment Monday-morning ready classroom activities, adaptable by grade: -An active reflection game that explores students' connections to agriculture and the food system. -An immersive group game on habitat in the grasslands -A high-energy game show about native grasslands species, innovation in the region, and more!

Speakers

Inside Education

Thursday February 27, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Centre High - Room 306 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Social Studies

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 306 (Centre High, Max capacity for 35 people)
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10:20am MST

My Students Drive Their Learning - Keeping Up to My Students'!

Thursday February 27, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST

Centre High - Room 304

Design a new environmental sustainable tourist destination, that engages public involvement, considers water and energy consumption, land use, and waste production, while covering content from grade 5-9 science curriculum. This is just one example of how to create new and engaging lessons that cross multiple concepts within your grade 5 - 9 science and social studies classes. that reinforce skill, knowledge and abilities through practical, meaningful projects. The projects are designed to draw from past experiences and knowledge, and ignite creative and practical approaches to connecting the science curriculum between grade levels and curricular topics.

Speakers

Paul Bohnert

Lead Teachers -, The Faculty

Thursday February 27, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Centre High - Room 304 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Social Studies

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 304 (Centre High, Max capacity for 32 people)
Tags English

10:20am MST

Science Stories: Engaging Science Curriculum with Public Health to Improve Health Outcomes

Thursday February 27, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST

Centre High - Room 315

Public health and the school system share a symbiotic relationship. Food and mental health programs and others connect the two outside the classroom, while Physical Education and Health connect in a curricular way. This session explores another potential curricular link between the two entities geared towards improving health literacy. We will examine current research that is seeking to show connections between biology and similar curricula with public health stories as a way to help students understand the impacts of health decisions on populations. Stories such as Henrietta Lacks and HeLa cells help students learn science and help them understand and improve their public health decision making as adults. Come and learn how this and other stories can help improve science learning and public health.

Speakers

Zachary Patterson

Learning Leader

Thursday February 27, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Centre High - Room 315 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, General Interest/Wellness

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 315 (Centre High, Max capacity for 32 people)
Tags English

10:20am MST

Using Data to Build Better Assessments

Thursday February 27, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST

Centre High - Room 308

So, you have just finished scoring your students’ tests. You have a bunch of data! What do you do with that data? This workshop will explore some key tools for interpreting assessment data and discuss how they can be used to build assessments that are fair, reflect a range of student understanding, and provide meaningful feedback to students. The facilitators, Jason Cooper and Laura Pankratz, have decades of classroom and assessment experience. Participants in this workshop will engage in discussion and exploration of what is currently working in Alberta classrooms.

Speakers

Jason Cooper

Onsite contact: Jason Coooper

Laura Pankratz

Western Canada Teacher Network Coordinator, Perimeter Institute

Thursday February 27, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Centre High - Room 308 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Mathematics

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 308 (Centre High, Max capacity for 80 people)
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1:00pm MST

Growing Native PLANTs?! in your School Garden!

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Centre High - Room 305

From kindergarten to grade 6 the new science curriculum has an organizing idea studying plant and animal life. Growing native plants can help preserve local wildlife populations, provide pollen/food/shelter for natural wildlife, are more likely to thrive in our climate and require less maintenance and resources to grow. We can also use them to teach about our natural ecology and the history of the many different group’s who call Canada home. We will talk about raising Painted Lady Butterflies and Darkling Beetles with local company Wings N’ Wishes. We will also learn about the AMA School Garden Studio site that can connect gardeners to curriculum plans, grant opportunities, planting guides and to a teacher-exclusive community forum.

Speakers

Nathan Bell

Teacher, Edmonton Catholic Schools

I am passionate about incorporating gardening into my instructional practices as I have been witness to how this practice can transform the school atmosphere. Students love to watch their plants grow and are even more excited to eat what they have grown. Fostering students' natural... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Centre High - Room 305 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, General Interest/Wellness

Company English
format csv
Room Details Centre High - Room 305 (Centre High, Max capacity for 35 people)
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1:00pm MST

Hands-on Minds On: The Intersection of Trades and STEM in K-12 Education

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Centre High - Room 302

Dive into an Alberta-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) initiative in partnership with Lethbridge Polytechnic that enriches K-12 education with practical trades experience. The session features an interactive opportunity for you to be in your students’ shoes to explore and engage with our free digital and hands-on resources. We'll start with a brief overview of the project and its connections to the mathematics and science curricula and industry. You will then spend the majority of the session interacting with the activities and resources that can be immediately implemented into your practice. We will seek your feedback on classroom application and potential resources. You’ll leave better equipped to answer the question of “Why do I need to learn this?” by connecting mathematics and science concepts to students’ everyday lives.

Speakers

Lethbridge College - STEM Project

Lethbridge College

Kiri Stolz is a passionate advocate for the intersection of trades and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects in K-12 education. She plays pivotal roles in developing and implementing an innovative STEM initiative in collaboration with Lethbridge Polytechnic... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Centre High - Room 302 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Mathematics

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 302 (Centre High, Max capacity for 35 people)
Tags English

1:00pm MST

Making the Most of Outcomes in Assessment

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Centre High - Room 308

You are a great teacher! You engage your students in rich learning tasks, and your students are successfully learning. How do you make sure your assessments reflect the breadth of student learning, and that feedback to students, parents and school administration helps them make informed choices moving forward? Blueprinting assessments (and class time) can help you. This workshop will explore the ideas of intentionally addressing mandated curriculum outcomes and cognitive load through blueprinting. The facilitators, Jason Cooper and Laura Pankratz, have decades of classroom and assessment experience. Participants in this workshop will engage in discussion and exploration of what is currently working in Alberta classrooms.

Speakers

Jason Cooper

Onsite contact: Jason Coooper

Laura Pankratz

Western Canada Teacher Network Coordinator, Perimeter Institute

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Centre High - Room 308 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Mathematics

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 308 (Centre High, Max capacity for 80 people)
Tags English

1:00pm MST

Manipulating Biology, making the science real.

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Centre High - Room 315

Biology is engaging and filled with amazing content but tends to be heavily focused on delivery of knowledge instead of fostering deeper understandings. In our session we will share some of the manipulative activities we use to help students construct their own understanding; shifting away from the memorizing of facts and towards explaining the 'why'. Concepts covered include: plants, classification/taxonomy, cells, evolution, biochemistry/cell processes, protein synthesis, mitosis and meiosis and more. All activities will be shared; come explore and take away a new activity to use in class!

Speakers

perdeep dhillon

David Rojas

Katie Teeuwsen

Katie is a high school biology teacher at Harry Ainlay with over 15 years experience teaching all levels, including AP and IB. Of particular interest are incorporating visuals and manipulatives into the note heavy course; allowing students to discover the 'why' and not just the... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Centre High - Room 315 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 315 (Centre High, Max capacity for 32 people)
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1:00pm MST

Mastering Online Tools for Any Science and Math Learner

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Centre High - Room 307

Learn all the ins and outs of certain technology tools (Desmos Classroom, EdPuzzle, CK12 and so much more...ten more to be exact) that will enhance your classroom learning style to engage learners in Science and math instruction. Do join us regardless if you teach online, blended or F2F as these tools will be discussed for all kinds of delivery. You will leave with the slides and a document with additional tools that will help you use at least one for Monday morning.

Speakers

Angelo Delli Santi

Mastering Online Tools for Any Science and Math Learner

Angelo Delli Santi has completed his Master of Distance Education from Athabasca University in 2022 and is continuing to learn more skills of the teaching profession as a life-long learner. He resides in Red Deer, Alberta, and teaches high school online science courses (Biology, Chemistry... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Centre High - Room 307 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Mathematics

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 307 (Centre High, Max capacity for 35 people)
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1:00pm MST

Micro:bit Playground: From Sensors to Classroom Solutions

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Centre High - Room 313

Unleash the power of micro:bit sensors in your classroom! This interactive workshop will equip teachers with the skills to create engaging and practical projects using the micro:bit's temperature, light, accelerometer, compass, and button sensors. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced educator, this workshop will inspire you to transform your classroom into a dynamic learning space and teach key STEM and computational thinking outcomes along the way. **A supply of Micro:bits will be provided -- please bring your own if you have one!**

Speakers

Meagan Alfano

Meagan brings a decade of educational experience, most recently igniting middle schoolers' passion for STEM in Alberta, Canada. A Google Certified Innovator, she uses design thinking to create real-world, community-driven STEM experiences. Coding, Micro:bit, Makey Makey, 3D modeling... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Centre High - Room 313 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 313 (Centre High, Max capacity for 32 people)
Tags English

1:00pm MST

Teaching Science and Health Through a Lens of Curiosity and Wonder: FREE Lessons and Resources Linked To Curriculum

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Centre High - Room 314

Having a sense of curiosity and activating the ability to wonder about the world around you is at the heart of any discovery and invention that happens in STEM and health related fields. Curriculum-linked lessons and support resources made by teachers in partnership with health and research scientists, are available free on Kids Boost Immunity (KBI). Lessons cover a broad range of science and health curriculum topics such as using a critical inquiry lens to evaluate science sources and information, diversity of living things, environment and climate change, the body’s immune system and germs, antibiotics, evolution and natural selection, inspiring women in STEM, social and emotional learning, and more. In this interactive workshop, teachers become students and experience the engaging learning format that includes audio, images, videos, and quizzes where scores of 80% or higher earn life-saving vaccines (polio, diphtheria, tetanus and measles) for others in need around the world through UNICEF. There is also a teacher-led option where the class can earn vaccines to help others without students being online. Teachers will leave the session with all they need to use the adaptable resources in a way that best meets their classroom needs.

Speakers

Kathy Miller

Educational Curriculum Specialist, Kids Boost Immunity

I have 30+ experience as a classroom teacher (grades 4-12) and have post-graduate training in curriculum (UVic) and technology education (SFU). Currently, I am an educational coordinator for the online program Kids Boost Immunity (KBI) working with specialist teachers who over the... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Centre High - Room 314 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, CALM/Health/Life Skills

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 314 (Centre High, Max capacity for 32 people)
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1:00pm MST

Tree Teachings: Combining Indigenous Earth Science & Western Science

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Centre High - Room 312

Join Valerie Miller to be introduced to Tree Teachings, Indigenous partnered and authored science resources that combine Indigenous science and western science. Six resources have been (or are soon to be) developed looking at trees that span Canada: Wáhta (Sugar Maple), Azaadi (Aspen), Giizhik (Cedar), Mitigomizh (Oak), Wiiskaak (Ash) and Tarons (Birch). Explore the virtual resources and hands-on components developed by Indigenous educators and a collective of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous academics, scientists and educators

Speakers

Valerie Miller

Future Energy Systems

Thursday February 27, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Centre High - Room 312 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Indigenous

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 312 (Centre High, Max capacity for 32 people)
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2:20pm MST

Active Minds: Enhancing Learning and Dialogue in Science Classrooms

Thursday February 27, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST

Westin - Centennial

In this one-hour session, we will delve into practical techniques tailored to foster deeper understanding and engagement among high school science students. Special focus will be given to addressing the needs of English Language Learners, ensuring all students can thrive as complexity in the curriculum increases. Walk away with ready-to-implement strategies that will transform your classroom into a vibrant learning community where every student’s voice is heard, and thinking, dialogue, and metacognition are at the forefront.

Speakers

Jennifer Espejo-Harasimiuk

Science Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Jennifer Espejo Harasimiuk has 18 years of experience teaching high school math and science, and 7 years as a consultant in adolescent literacy, assessment, reporting, and high school science. Passionate about fostering engaged, self-directed learners, she believes learning results... Read More →

Monica Posteraro

Science Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Monica is Edmonton Catholic School Division's Secondary Science Consultant with over 15 years of experience teaching Chemistry 20-30. Her multimodal teaching strategies boost student engagement, understanding and achievement; a catalyst for scientific curiosity!

Thursday February 27, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
Westin - Centennial Westin Hotel

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science

Company English
format Tables
Room Details Westin - Centennial (Westin Hotel, Tables Max capacity for 140 people)
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2:20pm MST

Growing PLANTs in Class?!

Thursday February 27, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST

Centre High - Room 305

Want a relatively low cost, easy to do, ongoing class project that can be used in multiple classes? There are many ways of growing plants for use at school. Some are more expensive and/or labor intensive than others. In this session, I want to talk to you about the cheapest and easiest ways that you can grow houseplants with your class. Join us in this session to learn ways to challenge students, grow plants and teach environmental stewardship!

Speakers

Nathan Bell

Teacher, Edmonton Catholic Schools

Thursday February 27, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
Centre High - Room 305 Centre High

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, General Interest/Wellness

Company English
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Room Details Centre High - Room 305 (Centre High, Max capacity for 35 people)
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2:20pm MST

Incorporation du concept de la Première Nation en Physique 20 et 30

Thursday February 27, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST

ECC - Salon 15/16

Apprenez comment incorporer le concept de la première nation au secondaire dans les classes de physique 20 et 30. Vous allez apprendre: • Comment le concept de la première nation peut-être appliqué dans votre leçon que ça soit dans l’introduction, le travail en groupe ou la conclusion. • Des suggestions pour trouver des idées et accès aux ressources que j’ai préparées • Avoir accès au Padlet, ressources pour différent niveau et matière où les RAS sont énoncés avec l'enchaînement de l’activité. Ces expériences ne nécessitent pas l'utilisation d'équipement coûteux et ne nécessitent pas nécessairement d'impliquer des procédures complexes. L'objectif de cette séance est de fournir aux enseignants des idées pour plus de 20 activités et expériences de laboratoire couvrant le 2e cycle de secondaire et surtout la physique 20 et 30, afin d'amener les participants à engager une discussion sur les attentes du programme concernant ces expériences et sur la manière dont la première nation avait son point de vue. Ces activités améliorent l'apprentissage des élèves et motivent les élèves à faire une réflexion.

Speakers

Sally Saliba

Math & Science teacher

Je m’appelle Sally Saliba , j’ai un baccalauréat en mathématiques et un diplôme en éducation secondaire ( majeur maths et mieur science ). Je suis un enseignant qualifié expérimenté avec des années d'expérience partout au Canada et à l'international. J'ai travaill... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
ECC - Salon 15/16

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Indigenous

Company French
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Room Details ECC - Salon 15/16 (Edmonton Convention Centre (ECC), Max capacity for 50 people)
Tags French

9:00am MST

Mythbusting New Science

Friday February 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

ECC - Salon 5/6

Join us for an engaging and enlightening session where we demystify the new elementary science curriculum! Designed specifically for elementary science teachers, we'll tackle common misconceptions in earth systems, matter, energy, computer science, scientific methods, living systems, and space. Discover innovative ways to teach these concepts, equip your students with critical thinking skills, and inspire a love for science. Let’s break down the barriers and ignite curiosity in our young learners

Speakers

Katerina Campbell

Elementary Science Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Katerina is an elementary Science consultant at Edmonton Catholic Schools. She loves all things Science, exploring natural phenomena and will never stop asking “why?” Katerina is a self proclaimed maker and cardboard collector. She is a proud promoter of inquiry based learning... Read More →

Natalie Zuberbuhler

Elementary Science Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Natalie Zuberbuhler: Elementary Science Curriculum and Assessment Consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools lives for Science and supporting her teacher colleagues. Natalie always has great recommendations on books, tips for catching fish, and how to incorporate computer science to... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
ECC - Salon 5/6

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science

Company English
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Room Details ECC - Salon 5/6 (Edmonton Convention Centre (ECC), Max capacity for 144 people)
Tags English

9:00am MST

Resources for Implementing the K-6 Elementary Science Curriculum

Friday February 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

ECC - Salon 10

Are you an elementary teacher looking for resources to support implementation of the new Alberta K-6 science curriculum? In this session, we will share free resources developed by the Centre for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education at the University of Alberta. Resources include teacher guides for each learning outcome, integrated year/unit plans, and a searchable database of lesson resources aligned with the new Alberta K-6 science curriculum. For more information visit sciencecurriculumwayfinder.ca

Speakers

Melissa LaRue

Melissa LaRue is an elementary teacher with Edmonton Public Schools. For the past two years she has worked as a research assistant at the University of Alberta on elementary science and literacy projects.

Emile Moacdieh

Emile Moacdieh is a former grade 6-12 teacher, university geology instructor, and paleontology researcher. He is currently a PhD student at the University of Alberta focusing on elementary science education.

Dr. Jerine Pegg

University of Alberta

Dr. Jerine Pegg is a science education professor at the University of Alberta.

Friday February 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
ECC - Salon 10

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science

Company English
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Room Details ECC - Salon 10 (Edmonton Convention Centre (ECC), Max capacity for 240 people)
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10:20am MST

Let's Talk Like Scientists: Building Scientific Discourse

Friday February 28, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST

ECC - Salon 5/6

Dive deeper into the connection between scientific discourse and visible learning in this engaging session. Discover how oracy in the classroom serves as a powerful assessment tool. We will backward plan using action verbs across organizing ideas and explore the significance of "Inquiry" and "High Impact Questions" to foster increased student talk and engagement. Join us to enhance your strategies and create a more interactive and thoughtful learning environment.

Speakers

Katerina Campbell

Elementary Science Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Natalie Zuberbuhler

Elementary Science Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Friday February 28, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
ECC - Salon 5/6

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, English Language Arts

Company English
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Room Details ECC - Salon 5/6 (Edmonton Convention Centre (ECC), Max capacity for 144 people)
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1:00pm MST

Brain Break Activities for Chemistry 20/30

Friday February 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Westin - Athabasca

Michael Ng shares several short activities that can provide students with a mental reset while incorporating fun and interactive learning. Emphasis will look at the pedagogical research studies behind Brain Break activities and how it can be a valuable tool for high school chemistry educators to help enhance focus; encourage engagement; improve retention; promote community building; and reduce stress. TQS #1-4 AND LQS #1-6.

Speakers

Michael Ng

Science

Michael Ng, M.Ed. who teaches Chemistry 20/30 and AP Chemistry. Accomplished concert pianist and artist since age 5. The world of science can be an enjoyable part of daily life. Dedicated and innovative in making "Science fun". A fan of transformative leadership, culturally responsive... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Westin - Athabasca Westin Hotel

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Classroom Management

Company English
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Room Details Westin - Athabasca (Westin Hotel, Chairs Max capacity for 30 people)
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1:00pm MST

Classroom Assessment Techniques

Friday February 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Westin - Chancellor

Are you looking for strategies to use in your classroom that will enhance student learning and provide you valuable feedback about your teaching practice? Formative assessment provides information on what, how much and how well students are learning. This information can guide instructional practice and will benefit all students; however, it will particularly have a positive impact on low-achievers. This would be a valuable session for you because it will introduce you to a range of formative classroom assessment techniques, how to use them, how to analyze the data that they gather, and how to share that data with students. The takeaways from this session are very practical and could be smoothly incorporated into your classroom regardless of teaching situation or teaching style.

Speakers

Tyler Buchan

Tyler Buchan is a teacher at Salisbury Composite High School in Sherwood Park, Alberta. He has taught science for over 15 years at schools in Alberta, Burkina Faso and Jamaica. He has degrees in Education and Arts from the University of Alberta, and a Master’s of Science in Science... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Westin - Chancellor Westin Hotel

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science

Company English
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Room Details Westin - Chancellor (Westin Hotel, Chairs Max capacity for 50 people)
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2:20pm MST

Lab Skills Performance Assesments

Friday February 28, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST

Westin - Chancellor

The use of performance assessments in the chemistry laboratory present unique opportunities for formative assessment. They are authentic ways for students to demonstrate their abilities and can positively affect students’ attitudes toward the lab, their academic achievement, and upon the overall environment of the classroom. When used in conjunction with student self-assessment checklists performance assessments can also promote metacognitive activity. This session will present how to administer performance assessments of five basic lab skills and the benefits to the classroom that result. The lab skills that will be discussed are measuring mass using an electronic balance, measuring volume using a graduated cylinder, lighting a Bunsen burner, measuring volume using a pipet, and completing one trial of a titration. Although this session focuses on high school chemistry, the ideas discussed could easily be adapted to the physics, biology or general science classroom.

Speakers

Tyler Buchan

Friday February 28, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
Westin - Chancellor Westin Hotel

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science

Company English
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Room Details Westin - Chancellor (Westin Hotel, Chairs Max capacity for 50 people)
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2:20pm MST

Usi(NG) Reflective Journalism in Chemistry

Friday February 28, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST

Westin - Athabasca

Reflective journals are one example of formative assessments that could improve academic outcomes for all students. Michael Ng reflects its use as a classroom ritual whose practices, when applied effectively with students, could help teachers maintain the high intellectual expectations required by students. It also supports student growth development for better self-awareness into what they are learning too and how to self-improve. Connecting back to TQS #1-5 AND LQS #1-6, this instructional improvement practice found that when students were prompted to address and reflect on certain topics imposed by the teacher, students benefited more academically.

Speakers

Michael Ng

Science

Friday February 28, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
Westin - Athabasca Westin Hotel

Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Science, Classroom Management

Company English
format Chairs
Room Details Westin - Athabasca (Westin Hotel, Chairs Max capacity for 30 people)
Tags English