2018 MESTA Conference
To sign up for the conference through the mail, click this link.
To sign up for the conference online, click this link.
To sign up for the conference online, click this link.
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Date: Friday, February 2, 2018
Time: 7:45am-3:00pm Location: District 287 Conference Center 1820 N. Xenium Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441 Optional Thursday night activity: Thursday, February 1, 2018 Social Gathering 5:00-6:30pm: Granite City (Dinner at your expense.) 1595 Highway 36W, Roseville, 55113 651-209-3500 7:00-8:00pm: University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus Greenhouse Tour Plant Growth Facility 1538 Gortner Ave., Falcon Heights MN 55108 Keynote Speaker, Break-out Sessions, Activity Share, Free Resources, Breakfast and Lunch included |
THURSDAY EVENING EVENT
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Tour of the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus Greenhouses
Led by Dr. Mohamed Yakub |
The greenhouses at the university are prime examples of engineered environments in Life and Earth Sciences. These spaces have very carefully controlled temperatures, humidity levels and soil mineralogy to optimize plant growth. Come to experience both the familiar and cutting edge technologies that keep these engineered spaces running smoothly.
Participants have the option of meeting colleagues for a social gathering and dinner at their own expense at Granite City in Roseville before the tour. |
FRIDAY DAYTIME EVENTS
Keynote Speaker
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Addressing Climate Change: The Role of Earth Science Educators
Resources Climate Central Skeptical Science Kristen Poppleton, Director of Education for Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy |
Ms. Poppleton will discuss the critical role that Earth Science teachers play in providing a comprehensive
climate change education, how schools can be living laboratories in studying climate change, and the importance of building action competent students. Earth Science teachers play an important role in providing students with a foundation in peer reviewed, consensus based science. An understanding of Earth systems and how they interact is essential in building climate literate students and citizens. However, with an issue as wide ranging as climate change, attaining climate literacy involves all scientific disciplines, as well as a grounding in the social, economic and political forces at play. Climate change is a global issue, with local implications. The Paris Climate Agreement offered an opportunity and road map for climate change education that laid the foundation for a climate-resilient future, while elevating the importance of preparing today’s students to implement the policies and develop the innovations needed to realize that future. Minnesota recently reaffirmed its support of the Paris Agreement by joining the U.S. Climate Alliance, providing further impetus and need for us to provide a comprehensive climate change education for all students. |
Concurrent Session Presenter information:
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Utilizing Visualizations to Support Inquiry-Based Learning
Tom Smith, Retired Teacher, Alexandria Schools The Geology of Mars Interactive Map of Mars NASA: For Educators David Falkner, Minnesota Astronomical Society Geology of the Mississippi River Gorge in the Twin Cities Dr. Randy Strobel, Metropolitan State University, St. Paul Citizen Science: Good Question! Sarah Weaver and Katie-Lyn Bunney, University of Minnesota Monarch Lab |
Scientific visualizations are the representation of data graphically - through images, animations, and videos. Visualizations allow us to explore data, phenomena and behavior; they are particularly effective for showing large scales of time and space, and "invisible" processes as integral parts of models that communicate our understanding of earth systems. So...how can we locate and make use of visualizations in ways that allow our lessons to be more relevant and inquiry-based?
For centuries, humans have been fascinated by the prospect of finding life on Mars. Before the advent of interplanetary spacecraft, our observations of Mars seem to indicate not only was there life on Mars, but that the life was intelligent. Our investigation of Mars with robotic spacecraft has determined there is currently no life on the surface of Mars. Is it possible life once existed on Mars? Do the rocks on Mars tell us anything about the planet’s history? Is there any evidence that life exists today in areas we can’t easily explore, such as subsurface aquifers? This presentation presents the findings of spacecraft we have sent to Mars to study its geology and will explore possible answers to these intriguing questions. Stretching between St. Anthony Falls and the Lafayette Bridge is the only true gorge on the Mississippi River. The waterpower from St. Anthony Falls once powered the saw and flour mills that led to the birth of Minneapolis as a major metropolitan area. This talk will review the geological formation of the gorge from River Warren and St. Anthony Falls. Getting students to arrive at a ‘good investigable question’ is no small feat. Explore a framework that helps a teacher to guide students’ interests, while also progressing their understanding of science concepts. This technique can be used on a variety of subjects and implemented in a variety of ways in the classroom. Take the opportunity to try it out with a group of colleagues and discuss how to refine the questioning technique for your classroom. |