Minnesota Earth Science Teachers Association
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2022 MESTA Conference

Date: Friday, February 4, 2022

Time: 7:45am-3:00pm
​
Location: District 287 Conference Center. ​1820 N. Xenium Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441
Keynote Speaker, Break-out Sessions, Activity Share, Free Resources, Breakfast and Lunch included
​

Thursday night activity: CANCELLED


Graduate credit will be available for the conference for an additional fee. More information to come!

Location

District 287 Conference Center
​1820 N. Xenium Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441

Keynote speaker

Exploring Minnesota's Fossil Record & Museum Collections
Dr. Alex Hastings, chair of Paleontology, Science Museum of Minnesota
​
​The paleontological resources of Minnesota extend back more than 2 billion years, with a wide variety of geologic times and life represented. From tiny shelled creatures to massive marine predators to hulking mammoths, there is a lot to learn from Minnesota's ancient past. Plus, Minnesota's museums hold even more impressive records of ancient life from beyond our state, allowing paleontologists to address global issues affecting life and climate change. Join Alex Hastings in the educational potential of Minnesota fossils and an introduction to the Minnesota State Fossil initiative.

​CONCURRENT SESSION PRESENTER INFORMATION

The Minnesota River and the Muddy Water Blues 
Dr. Carrie Jennings, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Research and Policy Director, Freshwater Society
​
Late glacial events primed the Minnesota River watershed to develop rich prairie soils and face a future of river adjustments that continue to this day. The ways we use and drain the land have accelerated those adjustments and exacerbated problems with sediment and nutrients. Nearly every river reach and lake in the basin is impaired and considered un-swimmable or unfishable. Learn how we can reverse the degradation and mimic a more natural state for this key agricultural headwater of the continent.

Breakdown the Three Dimensions to Intentionally Empower Learning
​ - Presentation Link

Alesia Arlandson, Science Teacher and Instructional Coach, Lakeville Area Public Schools

Explore strategies for transforming your instruction through the Three Dimensions of Learning. Practice methods that encourage students to deepen their observations and form curiosity questions. Take away practical strategies that are ready for implementation.

Building the Periodic Table Out of Stardust
Dr. Jennifer Anderson, Associate Professor, Winona State University

Every Hydrogen atom in your body is about 13.8 billion years old, created during the Big Bang when our Universe formed. Every other atom in the Periodic Table was formed in the center of stars as they lived and died. In this session, you will explore how the chemistry of our Universe evolved from the Big Bang to today. Learn how the different types of stars in our Milky Way Galaxy use nucleosynthesis to burn up and create new elements in their cores and how this material, formed deep within these stars, is spread out through the Galaxy to create more stars in this grand cosmic cycle.

Infrared Radiation and the Greenhouse Effect
 - Presentation Link

Rachel Humphrey, Assistant Professor, St. Cloud State University

Learn how to turn everyday objects into a simple model of the greenhouse effect. By using infrared thermometers, sheets of plastic, and water, participants will collect and graph their own data to learn how the concepts of selective absorption, emission, and radiation are visualized in this quick-and-easy simulation. No fancy technology required! This presentation will highlight the application of science and engineering practice 4 and cross-cutting concept 7.

Gallery

Contact Us

Conference event information:
Brian Allison  

brian.allison@delanoschools.org
Conference registration questions:
Jeff Lynum
jefflynum@gmail.com

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