STLinATL

In this session, educators will engage in a brief simulation that highlights the role of cognitive frameworks and the power of neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and form new neurons and synapses in response to new experiences. Understanding these processes is essential for educating students and making the shift toward a sustainable future. We will explore and discuss an article that uses the SCARF model by Dr. David Rock to understand how to educate for sustainability without putting students and other adults in a “threat state”.

The hands-on workshop (concurrent session) “Beyond the Books: Creating Engaging STEAM Activities, 2.0” will provide attendees with the opportunity to experience a variety of activities that can be used in the Makerspace or STEAM classroom. Presenters will share teaching strategies and classroom practices that foster critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity in elementary students. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to explore various technologies including coding and robotics (Root Robot, Ozobots, Sphero Indie, and Spike Prime.). This will be an engaging experience that reflects best practices of STEAM instruction and creative ways to incorporate literature.

In this session participants will explore the EfS Framework, Enduring Understandings, Standards and Performance Indicators, and practice aligning and integrating at least one Enduring Understanding and one or two EfS performance indicators into a lesson/group of lessons in a chosen unit. Additionally, participants will receive a DIY EfS toolkit, providing practical resources to support the seamless integration of sustainability concepts into their teaching.