2024 MESTA Conference

Date: Friday, February 2, 2024

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

Hotel Accommodations
These hotels are near the conference facility.
Call for prices and to make your own arrangements:
Comfort Inn Plymouth: (763) 559 -1222
Crown Plaza Minneapolis: (763) 559 -6600
Ramada Plymouth: (763) 553 -1600

Optional Thursday Night Activities
Social Gathering and Presentation at Como Planetarium
Como Park Elementary School
780 W Wheelock Pkwy #1315, St. Paul
$10 - Register for this event with your conference registration.

Location

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

THURSDAY EVENING EVENT

View a planetarium presentation and hear about the upcoming total solar eclipse.
Join us at the Como Planetarium in Saint Paul, a classic Minnesota astronomy destination to learn about the solar eclipse that will occur this April. In addition to time in the planetarium, we will learn about various cultures and their relationship to the skies. Activities will be designed to support professional development for the implementation of the 2019 Minnesota State Science standards. This event starts Thursday night at 5:30. Registration will be limited to the first 55 participants.

Como Park Elementary School
780 W Wheelock Pkwy #1315, St Paul

Participants have the option of meeting colleagues for a social gathering, networking, and dinner at their own expense after the program. More detailed information will be sent to participants at a later date.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Earth and Sky: Connections to the Cosmos
Travis Novitsky, Nature and Wildlife Photographer

A proud citizen and lifelong resident of the Grand Portage Anishinaabe Nation, Travis has been photographing the woods and waters of the north shore of Lake Superior for over 25 years. He is a self-taught nature and wildlife photographer whose work focuses primarily on his native homelands located in northeast Minnesota. His favorite subject to photograph is the night sky.
Mr. Novitsky loves to share his passion for making images after dark with others and he hopes that his images will inspire you and your students to spend more time outside to enjoy all the beauty that mother nature has to offer.
To see some of Mr. Novitsky’s photos, visit his website at https://www.travisnovitsky.com/.
Mr. Novitsky is also a contributor to the documentary, Northern Lights, Starry Skies, co-produced by Hamline University's Center for Global Environmental Education and PBS North. View the collection of resources at https://wdse.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/northern-nights-starry-skies/.
Recently, Travis and Dr. Annette Lee have collaborated on the book, Spirits Dancing: The Night Sky, Indigenous Knowledge and Living Connections to the Cosmos. Find out more abou tthe book at https://shop.mnhs.org/products/spirit-dancing"

CONCURRENT SESSION PRESENTER INFORMATION

Tornado Box
Leanna Bender, Ph.D. student at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Participants will learn how to assemble and use a “Tornado Box,” an enclosed, clear plastic box with a cool vapor mister and small desk fan, which generates a small tornado vortex. With this device, your students will be able to experiment with the strength of storm updrafts and wind shear. The Tornado Box has proven to be an engaging addition to classroom meteorology units.

Minnesota Mining Past, Present, and Future: Looking Towards a Green Future
Julie Lucas, Executive Director, Mining

Minnesota Minnesota’s Iron Range has a long and storied history of iron mining. Today, the region has the potential to provide critical raw materials needed for clean energy and infrastructure. This session will provide information regarding the history of mining and the mineral resources found in Minnesota. Perspectives regarding sustainable mining practices that balance the need for mining raw materials with responsible mining practices will be shared.

Why Groundwater Matters
Dr. Peter Kang, Associate Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Did you know that about 99% of global unfrozen freshwater is stored in groundwater systems? This presentation covers the basics of groundwater and why better understanding groundwater systems is necessary for addressing global water, energy, and climate change issues. In addition, information about a groundwater unit that may be used in your classroom will be shared.

Weaving the Three Dimensions into Earth and Space Science Lessons
Stephanie Erickson, Ph.D. Candidate in STEM education, University of Minnesota

Earth science in Minnesota is experiencing a revolution. Heightened attention to Earth and Space science standards, especially in high school, requires teachers and districts to implement the three dimensions of learning in their classrooms using innovative teaching practices. This session will share a lesson that models how science and engineering practices, cross-cutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas can be woven together to support student learning.

Contact Us

Conference event information:
Christian Waage
[email protected]
Conference registration questions:
Jess Strom
[email protected]