ATASC2024: Full Schedule

Are YOU Ready For Door Prizes! Many chances to win some fantastic prizes from our Exhibitors and we will have the Science Themed books that have been review this past year by your fellow teachers. You may even win one of the two custom curated boxes for Indigenous Box in Edmonton.

Draws will happen: Friday Breakfast (7:30AM - 8:45AM), Friday Lunch (11:30AM - 1:00PM), Friday Reception (4:00PM - 6:00PM), Saturday Breakfast (7:30AM - 9:00AM), Conference Wrap-up (2:00PM - 2:15PM)

Elections!!!
Have you ever considered being a part of the Science Council Executive?
AGM & Elections: Friday, November 3rd from 12:15PM - 1:00PM in the Orchid Ballroom

The following positions are up for election:
- Vice President
- Treasurer
So many more draw prizes and we will also draw for a free conference registration at the end of the meeting for our next conference!

Quiz Night!
Join your ATASC Executive Team at our reception for QUIZ NIGHT!!! Come and test your science and indigenous knowledge for great prizes.

Friday, November 8th from 4:00PM - 6:00PM in the Orchid Ballroom
Prizes!
Snacks will be provided
Cash/Debit bar

ATASC Awards presentation during Lunch

Saturday, November 9th from 11:30AM - 1:00PM in the Orchid Ballroom

Science Shirt Saturday!

Wear your best Science shirt for a chance to win a prize!

PD Needs Survey HERE!!!

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9:15am MST

The Power of Scientific Modeling in Elementary Science Education

Saturday November 9, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am MST

Squirrel Room

Spark interest and engagement by using online simulations to model natural phenomena. Support learners in making sense of complex scientific concepts with visual models. Students develop a deeper sense of how a system works by interacting with variables and observing connections within systems. Best practices for teaching with Gizmos are modeled. Access to Gizmos for K-6 teachers has been provided by Alberta Education. Teachers are encouraged to bring a device.

Speakers

Lindsay Beaulieu

Implementation Coordinator, ExploreLearning

Lindsay Beaulieu has previously taught in Alberta and has witnessed the impact of Gizmos on student understanding. She has used Gizmos in the classroom since she began teaching. She enjoys working with educators to provide meaningful professional development for all Alberta educa... Read More →

Saturday November 9, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am MST
Squirrel Room

General

Knowledge & Experience Level All
Grade Level Div II

9:15am MST

From Fake News to Fact Finders: Empowering Student Decision Making. CANCELLED!

Saturday November 9, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am MST

Wolverine Room

With social media, news outlets, and community members chiming in on topics like climate change and the pandemic, it’s no wonder why many students are left trying to piece together what’s true and what’s false, let alone try to make sound decisions based on the information they’re receiving. When it comes to science related topics, educators play a crucial role in providing the necessary tools and skills to bolster their scientific literacy, so that they can feel confident talking about these topics, but also in making crucial decisions in their day to day lives.

Saturday November 9, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am MST
Wolverine Room

THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

Knowledge & Experience Level All
Grade Level Div II, Div III, Div IV

9:15am MST

Bringing STEM to Life in the Classroom

Saturday November 9, 2024 9:15am - 11:45am MST

Caribou Room

How can we enhance Indigenous students' engagement with STEM in meaningful ways? In this session geared to Gr. 4-12, participants will discover how the University of Lethbridge, Red Deer Polytechnic and Actua reach Indigenous youth on a local and national level in different communities. We will explore tools and resources to enhance students’ experiential learning in STEM, as well as the infusion of digital skills and coding within and outside of STEM learning context, offering examples of classroom activities that can be easily incorporated using readily accessible materials.

Speakers

Steph Elder

Director, Youth Outreach, University of Lethbridge

There is nothing better than getting a little messy for the sake of science. Originally from Toronto, I have been living and working in Lethbridge since 2019 and love learning all that Alberta has to offer. I have a degree in Civil Engineering & Management from McMaster and have been... Read More →

Pamela Neumann

Red Hot Science Outreach Coordinator, Red Deer Polytechnic

Pamela Neumann is the Red Hot Science outreach coordinator and a faculty member in science at Red Deer Polytechnic.

Abbey Ramdeo

Program Manager, Actua

Abbey Ramdeo (she/her) is Actua’s National Educator Professional Learning Program Manager. She is an Asian-Caribbean STEM educator with the goal of enhancing representation, empowering diverse learners and creating a positive and impactful experience for all students in STEM fields... Read More →

Saturday November 9, 2024 9:15am - 11:45am MST
Caribou Room

Indigenous Education

Knowledge & Experience Level Beginner
Grade Level Div II, Div III, Div IV

10:45am MST

Teaching New Computer Science - Platforms Options and Strategies

Saturday November 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MST

Cougar Room

This presentation introduces classroom teachers to effective platforms and strategies for teaching computer science to elementary students. We'll explore Code.org for interactive coding tutorials, Scratch for creating stories and games, and Lego Robotics for hands-on learning. Additionally, we'll cover offline, paper-based activities to ensure all students can develop computational thinking skills, regardless of technology access.

Teachers will be encouraged to bring a device to access some of these platforms and to explore how they look from the teachers perspective.

Speakers

LIam McCashin

Educator, University Of Alberta

Quinn McCashin is a Doctoral student in the Faculty of Education, University of Alberta. He previously worked as a high school science and math teacher in Edmonton, Alberta and most recently completed his Master of Education in the field of educational technology.

Saturday November 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MST
Cougar Room

Computer Science

Knowledge & Experience Level All
Grade Level Div I, Div II

10:45am MST

Paper Car Contest: Teaching the Science of Car Safety

Saturday November 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MST

Orchid Ballroom

Are you looking for an engaging, challenging and hands-on building activity for your class to help them understand the scientific concepts related to designing vehicle safety systems like seat belts, crumple zones and air bags? And do you also have basically no budget? Then this session is for you! Let Reuben and Brad, veteran science teachers and ATASC presenters, walk you through the Paper Car Contest, in which students design and build a car from a single sheet of photocopy paper and some simple, 3D printed wheels that can withstand a car crash and protect its egg driver.

Speakers

Brad Langdale

Physics Teacher, Spruce Grove Composite High School

Brad Langdale is a long time physics and general sciences teacher at Spruce Grove Composite High School in Spruce Grove, AB. He is the recipient of the 2019 Canadian Institute of Physics Excellence in High School Teaching Award. Brad is a 20 handicap in golf and rides his bike to... Read More →

Saturday November 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MST
Orchid Ballroom

General

Knowledge & Experience Level All
Grade Level Div II, Div III, Div IV

10:45am MST

STEAM Read Alouds - Weaving Literacy Into Your STEAM Lessons

Saturday November 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MST

Wolverine Room

Come and see how you can enhance literacy skills in your STEAM (Science Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) classes. Teachers are storytellers, we bring together concepts with relatable stories to help make learning more exciting, but also more memorable. In this session, you will learn how to engage your students in active listening exercises while learning a variety of stories about STEAM concepts. This will also include a focus on Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being in STEAM as well as suggestions on a variety of authors and books to fit your curriculum. This session is for all grade levels, although more appropriate for Division 2-4

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 U of A to pursue teaching. She has been with EPS since 2002 and has developed a passion for incorporating authentic, project-based learning experiences... Read More →

Amanda Green

Teacher, Science Council

Amanda's spark for science ignited at an early age exploring nature with her family and grew into a flame for space exploration as she followed Canada's journey skyward. She teaches Jr High STEM classes in both English and French in Beaumont. She thrives through collaboration and... Read More →

Saturday November 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MST
Wolverine Room

Science

Knowledge & Experience Level All
Grade Level Div III, Div II

10:45am MST

The journey towards two-eyed seeing – being a student to get it.

Saturday November 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MST

Squirrel Room

We invite you to explore weaving Indigenous ways of learning and the scientific method together. You’ll experience key strategies that support all students deeply in science. Learn how students and teachers from six rural Indigenous schools taught the values and actions of “two-eyed seeing” to a group of STEM educators during a two-year co-developed project. Insights and teachings from the impact report will be shared, and can be integrated into your classroom. Take your hands-on activity back to share with your class. Don't miss this opportunity to enrich your ways of doing and teaching!

Speakers

Sabina Bauer Lewis

Director, Programs, The MindFuel Foundation

Sabina Bauer Lewis, Programs Director at MindFuel, has 23+ years in education and community collaborations. Passionate about STEAM project-based learning, she co-creates student programs and teacher workshops. Constantly inspired by youth, Sabina truly embodies how we are all students... Read More →

Saturday November 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MST
Squirrel Room

Teacher Education

Knowledge & Experience Level All
Grade Level Div II, Div III, Div IV

10:45am MST

Should I stay or should I go? Creating belonging in a STEM classroom. CANCELLED!

Saturday November 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MST

Wolverine Room

Join WISEST in this session where we’ll talk about how to recognize our own implicit biases, how to address them, and we’ll explore ways educators can challenge long held views that hold a masculine, heteronormative and eurocentric perspective in the effort to help promote equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the classroom. In this session, you will learn tangible strategies for how you can build an inclusive learning space for your 2SLGBTQIA+ students, racialized students, girls, gender-diverse students and more!

Saturday November 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MST
Wolverine Room

THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

Knowledge & Experience Level All
Grade Level Div II, Div III, Div IV