Pathway Presenters and Salon Session Presenters
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Presenter Agreement
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Pathway Presenter Information
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Salon Session Presenter Information
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Application Process
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Organizations/Individuals applying to deliver Next Steps Program Pathways or Salon Sessions agree to:
- Promote The Next Step Institute through appropriate media outlets.
- Develop compelling content that is engaging and sufficient for the length of the session.
- Design sessions that actively involve participants, respect their expertise, allow for sharing of ideas, and develop professional networks.
- Cite applicable research and other sources/resources.
- Ensure the safety of participants.
- Provide all materials including handouts, publications, hands-on manipulatives, etc. for all participants.
- Meet deadlines for publication of information and materials.
- Provide all session/presentation supplies not provided by the Next Steps Planning Partners.
- Deliver each session at its scheduled time and for its scheduled duration.
- Refrain from selling products or services.
- Coordinate session evaluation with the Next Steps Planning Partners.
- Submit all session materials electronically for post-Next Steps access.
Pathways include five interactive sessions, over 3 days, totaling 10 hours of instruction based on one of the below themes:
Addressing New Standards through Curriculum and Professional Development
With the advent of new and rigorous standards, how ought educators best address the learning needs of students? How do we interpret new standards? How do we identify new curricula and/or repurpose existing curricula? How do we provide continuous and effective professional learning for teachers as our understanding of the standards increases? This pathway is meant to engage participants in generating site-relevant answers through dialog, discussion and experiences with implementation of curriculum and professional learning through the lenses of the three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards: crosscutting concepts, science/engineering practices, and disciplinary core ideas.
Crossing the “t” in STEM Classrooms
In a cohesive STEM curriculum, teachers and administrators integrate technology in thoughtful and productive ways. This pathway should demonstrate strategies for integration and might include - but is not be limited to - models of successful 1:1 classrooms, ways to employ technology in the classroom for meaningful, research-based learning experiences, tools to enhance student learning, and professional learning for integrating technology successfully in the classroom.
Engaging in Informal and Out-of-School STEM Education
STEM learning is not only taking hold during the school day, it is included in afterschool programs, summer camps and classes, and family visits to museums and science centers. Participants in this pathway should explore ways in which informal learning places and events can engage students and the broader community to strengthen their abilities to achieve, connect with in-school learning, and build awareness of STEM career opportunities. Pathway learning may also include integrating and aligning standards into out of school time programs, cultivating cross-sector partnerships, and strategies for supporting informal educators with limited STEM backgrounds.
The “Nuts & Bolts” of Instructional Materials Support
STEM learning is resource intensive. In order for students to engage in experimentation, project-based, and hands-on learning, they need quality materials and resources. Pathway participants will learn from experts from around the country, as a group they will share tips for efficient, cost effective and equitable distribution and maintenance of instructional materials for STEM studies.
Program Evaluation
What does it mean to be a “STEM school” or to offer a “STEM program” within a school? This pathway should make the case for the importance of STEM program evaluation. Participants dialog and experiences should center on identifying responsibilities for evaluating programs; logic models and standards for program evaluation; and meaningful metrics, tools and best practices for evaluating STEM schools and/or programs.
Building STEM Infrastructure Across your State, District, or Region
This pathway is intended for educational leaders (state, district, school, or classroom-level leaders) dedicated to shifting the culture of their school, district, or education system toward one of inquiry-based science and STEM education. This pathway will provide participants with an initial introduction to the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s LASER model of systemic reform, and begin the awareness-building process that will prepare teams to attend a future Smithsonian Science Education Center program. Those wishing to apply to host this pathway will have the opportunity to collaborate with Smithsonian Science Education Center staff to craft and deliver sessions.
STEM+
Is Science, Technology, Engineering and Math enough? Advocates call for the addition of Arts, Reading, Humanities, Health, Religion, Values, and Education for Sustainable Development. As more letters are added into the “STEM” acronym, what does this mean for student learning, instructional practice and for community support of STEM? This interdisciplinary pathway should encourage participants to roll up their sleeves and participate in experiences that create an understanding of what the future of STEM+ might look like.
Student Assessment for New Standards
What we assess is perhaps the strongest indicator of what we value as outcomes of STEM learning. This pathway should promote thinking about assessment beyond the recall of discipline specific facts. How do we assess the crosscutting concepts, problem solving practices, career skills, and disciplinary core ideas that ought all be components of a well integrated STEM learning experience? In what ways might we balance required high-stakes testing with formative assessments and student credentialing opportunities?
Wild Card: Make a case for what you have to offer.
Next Steps participants most always vary in their level of expertise. Be prepared to differentiate learning opportunities such that all participants are engaged and able to contribute to the learning experience of others.
Pathway Presenter applicants should be prepared to provide the following when completing the online application:
Presenter Benefits:
Addressing New Standards through Curriculum and Professional Development
With the advent of new and rigorous standards, how ought educators best address the learning needs of students? How do we interpret new standards? How do we identify new curricula and/or repurpose existing curricula? How do we provide continuous and effective professional learning for teachers as our understanding of the standards increases? This pathway is meant to engage participants in generating site-relevant answers through dialog, discussion and experiences with implementation of curriculum and professional learning through the lenses of the three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards: crosscutting concepts, science/engineering practices, and disciplinary core ideas.
Crossing the “t” in STEM Classrooms
In a cohesive STEM curriculum, teachers and administrators integrate technology in thoughtful and productive ways. This pathway should demonstrate strategies for integration and might include - but is not be limited to - models of successful 1:1 classrooms, ways to employ technology in the classroom for meaningful, research-based learning experiences, tools to enhance student learning, and professional learning for integrating technology successfully in the classroom.
Engaging in Informal and Out-of-School STEM Education
STEM learning is not only taking hold during the school day, it is included in afterschool programs, summer camps and classes, and family visits to museums and science centers. Participants in this pathway should explore ways in which informal learning places and events can engage students and the broader community to strengthen their abilities to achieve, connect with in-school learning, and build awareness of STEM career opportunities. Pathway learning may also include integrating and aligning standards into out of school time programs, cultivating cross-sector partnerships, and strategies for supporting informal educators with limited STEM backgrounds.
The “Nuts & Bolts” of Instructional Materials Support
STEM learning is resource intensive. In order for students to engage in experimentation, project-based, and hands-on learning, they need quality materials and resources. Pathway participants will learn from experts from around the country, as a group they will share tips for efficient, cost effective and equitable distribution and maintenance of instructional materials for STEM studies.
Program Evaluation
What does it mean to be a “STEM school” or to offer a “STEM program” within a school? This pathway should make the case for the importance of STEM program evaluation. Participants dialog and experiences should center on identifying responsibilities for evaluating programs; logic models and standards for program evaluation; and meaningful metrics, tools and best practices for evaluating STEM schools and/or programs.
Building STEM Infrastructure Across your State, District, or Region
This pathway is intended for educational leaders (state, district, school, or classroom-level leaders) dedicated to shifting the culture of their school, district, or education system toward one of inquiry-based science and STEM education. This pathway will provide participants with an initial introduction to the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s LASER model of systemic reform, and begin the awareness-building process that will prepare teams to attend a future Smithsonian Science Education Center program. Those wishing to apply to host this pathway will have the opportunity to collaborate with Smithsonian Science Education Center staff to craft and deliver sessions.
STEM+
Is Science, Technology, Engineering and Math enough? Advocates call for the addition of Arts, Reading, Humanities, Health, Religion, Values, and Education for Sustainable Development. As more letters are added into the “STEM” acronym, what does this mean for student learning, instructional practice and for community support of STEM? This interdisciplinary pathway should encourage participants to roll up their sleeves and participate in experiences that create an understanding of what the future of STEM+ might look like.
Student Assessment for New Standards
What we assess is perhaps the strongest indicator of what we value as outcomes of STEM learning. This pathway should promote thinking about assessment beyond the recall of discipline specific facts. How do we assess the crosscutting concepts, problem solving practices, career skills, and disciplinary core ideas that ought all be components of a well integrated STEM learning experience? In what ways might we balance required high-stakes testing with formative assessments and student credentialing opportunities?
Wild Card: Make a case for what you have to offer.
Next Steps participants most always vary in their level of expertise. Be prepared to differentiate learning opportunities such that all participants are engaged and able to contribute to the learning experience of others.
Pathway Presenter applicants should be prepared to provide the following when completing the online application:
- Presentation Abstract: A brief description of your pathway (no more than 50 words). This description should be appropriate to include in the Next Steps program and should attract participants to your session.
- Session Descriptions: A brief description of the activities and intended learning outcomes for each of the five session blocks.
- Block I: Wednesday, October 10, 2018, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Block II: Wednesday, October 10, 2018, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
- Block III: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
- Block IV: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 1:45 pm – 3:45 pm
- Block V: Friday, October 12, 2018, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
- Presenter and Co-Presenter Qualifications: A brief (no more than 150 words) description of your qualifications to present this session. We suggest that you include at least TWO co-presenters.
Presenter Benefits:
- Registration Fee ($375): Waivers available for up to three presenters.
- Financial Assistance: May apply for up to $5,000 in financial assistance.
- Technology / Equipment: Rooms will be equipped with a LCD projector, chart paper and markers. HDMI adapters for LCD projectors are the responsibility of the presenter. There is not guarantee that the LCD projector in use will be HDMI compatible. Other specialized presentation technology or materials, laptops or other computers and proprietary cables for Apple or other computers are the responsibility of presenters.
Salons are individual, interactive 75-minute sessions. We encourage proposals that take on a journey of exploration that is intense and impactful. Themes may be related to those identified as possible pathways, or may encourage exploration on the wilder side of STEM learning. Help us think beyond our idea of next steps. Salon presenters may apply to deliver more than one session, so please preference time slots on your application.
Next Steps participants most always vary in their level of expertise. Be prepared to differentiate learning opportunities such that all participants are engaged and able to contribute to the learning experience of others.
Applicants should be prepared to provide the following when completing the online application:
Next Steps participants most always vary in their level of expertise. Be prepared to differentiate learning opportunities such that all participants are engaged and able to contribute to the learning experience of others.
Applicants should be prepared to provide the following when completing the online application:
- Presentation Abstract: A brief description of your session (no more than 50 words). This description should be appropriate to include in the Next Steps program and should attract participants to your session.
- Presenter and Co-Presenter Qualifications: A brief (no more than 150 words) description of your qualifications to present this session.
- Date and Time Preferences. Three options are available:
Salon Session A: Wednesday, October 10, 2018 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Salon Session B: Thursday, October 11, 2018 11:15 am – 12:30 pm Salon Session C: Friday, October 12, 2018 11:15 am – 12:30 pm |
Presenter Benefits
- Registration Fee ($375): Waived for one presenter per approved session.
- Technology / Equipment: Rooms will be equipped with a LCD projector, chart paper and markers. HDMI adapters for LCD projectors are the responsibility of the presenter. There is not guarantee that the LCD projector in use will be HDMI compatible. Other specialized presentation technology or materials, laptops or other computers and proprietary cables for Apple or other computers are the responsibility of presenters.
Applicants for both Pathways and Salon Session are required to submit an online application by April 13, 2018 at 11:59 pm (EST).
Next Steps Planning Partners will review all Request for Program Partners Applications received by the deadline and select presenters by April 23, 2018. Selection criteria will include but are not limited to:
NOTE: Selection decisions of the Next Steps Planning Partners are final and not subject to reconsideration.
Next Steps Planning Partners will review all Request for Program Partners Applications received by the deadline and select presenters by April 23, 2018. Selection criteria will include but are not limited to:
- Alignment with Goals and Program Themes
- Potential interest to participants
- Balance of theoretical and practical experiences for participants
- Research-based content supported by appropriate resources
- Geographic representation
- Preference will be given to Not-For-Profit organizations. All presenting partners must agree to refrain from selling products or services during the Next Steps Institute.
- For-Profit organizations or Not-For-Profit organizations that intend to sell products or services may participate as Exhibitors.
NOTE: Selection decisions of the Next Steps Planning Partners are final and not subject to reconsideration.
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