Science on the Grand 2024

With all the attention focused on math and ELA, science can sometimes get the short stick. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Come to this fast-paced session to learn 5 practical ways that you can incorporate science into your classroom tomorrow and have your students begging for more!

AI empowers educators to create future-focused STEAM environments that prepare students for an evolving technological landscape. In this session, explore 5 ways to utilize AI in STEAM and unleash creativity, innovation, and problem solving. Leave with practical ideas you can use tomorrow. Let’s spark the future of STEAM together!

Discover innovative STEM activities tailored to popular read-alouds. Participants will experience five engineering challenges inspired by beloved books. This hands-on workshop empowers educators to confidently integrate STEM into their existing curriculum, enriching students’ learning experiences. Leave equipped to inspire young minds with the magic of reading and the excitement of engineering.

Why spend weeks on a project that ultimately finds its way to the Paper Gator when you could be spending time on a project that impacts a real-world need? Develop strategies for hands-on learning projects that create solutions for local, national, and even global needs. From a better understanding of the design process, to social media marketing, challenge-based learning provides practical tools for solving actual problems.

Dive into the world of STEM with an interactive session that transforms classroom crafts into engaging STEM challenges. Examine standards and pacing to deepen understanding and enhance curriculum design. Through hands-on activities, learn to seamlessly integrate STEM principles, fostering a rich learning environment that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

From “Oh Deer” to “Ultimate Hide and Seek”, engage in fun activities designed to not only simulate habitat and animal behaviors, but also come equipped with proven pedagogy to make the learning stick.

Be the teacher that transforms everyday lesson plans into authentic, memorable learning experiences! In this hands-on workshop, dive into an investigation utilizing the Van Andel Institute’s Instructional Model for Inquiry-Based Science, which integrates a process of inquiry, a rich learning environment, and habits of mind. Discover four small, but powerful changes you can make right away to boost student engagement and kick-start science inquiry in your classroom. Come with a mindset ready to inspire and leave with a toolkit of practical strategies to make it happen! Science Investigation: Crime Scene Forensics

In this immersive workshop, learn how to inspire your K-5 students to tackle hands-on challenges within thoughtfully applied constraints. Engage directly in an engineering lesson crafted around Van Andel Institute’s instructional model for engineering design. Walk away with powerful strategies to foster an environment of risk-taking and perseverance, ensuring your students not only face challenges with confidence but also embrace the iterative process of design and problem-solving. Join us for this transformative experience and become a catalyst for the budding engineers in your classroom! Engineering Challenge: Lights Out!

Unlock the power of student talk moves in this interactive session designed to enhance classroom discourse. Learn effective strategies to encourage meaningful conversations and critical thinking among your students. Through hands-on activities, discover how to facilitate rich dialogue and build a vibrant learning community. Transform your classroom into a hub of dynamic and thoughtful communication.

Step into the world of STEM education excellence with our comprehensive professional development workshop designed to equip teachers with the skills and strategies needed to manage dynamic STEM classrooms effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned STEM educator or just starting to integrate STEM into your teaching, this workshop will provide valuable insights, practical tools, and collaborative opportunities to enhance your classroom management skills.

Confidently integrate controversial science topics into your curriculum, fostering critical thinking, and informed citizenship. Participants will explore best practices for creating inclusive learning environments and facilitating respectful discussions on contentious scientific issues.

Be the teacher that transforms everyday lesson plans into authentic, memorable learning experiences! In this hands-on workshop, dive into an investigation utilizing the Van Andel Institute’s Instructional Model for Inquiry-Based Science, which integrates a process of inquiry, a rich learning environment, and habits of mind. Discover four small, but powerful changes you can make right away to boost student engagement and kick-start science inquiry in your classroom. Come with a mindset ready to inspire and leave with a toolkit of practical strategies to make it happen! Science Investigation: Using Model Organisms — Daphnia Investigation.

In this immersive workshop, learn how to inspire your 6-8 students to tackle hands-on challenges within thoughtfully applied constraints. Engage directly with an engineering lesson crafted around Van Andel Institute’s instructional model for engineering design. Walk away with powerful strategies to foster an environment of risk-taking and perseverance, ensuring your students not only face challenges with confidence but also embrace the iterative process of design and problem-solving. Join us for this transformative experience and become a catalyst for the budding engineers in your classroom! Engineering Challenge: Maglev Race-off!

When are we ever going to use this? It’s an important question–but one that we struggle to answer in many traditional classrooms. In this memorable and meaningful session, you’ll discover simple ways to help students behold the awesome powers of math and science to make a difference in their world — today!

As educators, we understand that academic success is only one piece of the puzzle. Join us for a transformative professional development workshop that focuses on harnessing the power of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking to cultivate essential soft skills in your students. This workshop is designed to equip teachers with practical strategies and innovative approaches to integrate these skills seamlessly into their classrooms.

Explore science with a multicultural perspective in this interactive session. Engage in hands-on activities that highlight diverse scientific contributions and worldviews. Discover teaching strategies that integrate cultural awareness, fostering inclusivity and curiosity in your science curriculum. See science education through a new lens, embracing diversity to enrich learning experiences.

Middle School is a critical age. Too often, it’s when students disengage and decide that school isn’t for them. Project-Based Learning (PBL) can be an impactful antidote to this challenge. Explore the power of PBL to reach every student and help them pursue a deeper and more meaningful educational journey.

When we think of Artificial Intelligence, we sometimes think of sterile interactions in a drab computer lab. But what if AI could help your students get engaged, take risks, and have a powerful impact on their communities and the world? In this session, you’ll discover how to leverage the power of AI to make learning memorable, meaningful, and FUN!

Inquiry is at the heart of good teaching and learning. In this session, participants will explore the Van Andel Institute for Education’s model of Inquiry-Based science instruction, and discover the four changes they can make right away to kick-start inquiry in middle-school classrooms. Walk away with ready-to-use inquiry-based strategies and lesson ideas to begin transforming your classrooms!

Discover how nature’s wonders can enhance STEM learning! This hands-on session demonstrates how teachers can use the curiosity sparked by outdoor phenomena to teach scientific principles, foster critical thinking, and connect students more deeply with the world around them. Leave with a practical plan for how YOU can activate engaged learning in real-world contexts.

Teachers want to create memorable, meaningful learning experiences that give an authentic context for learning, but who has the time?! Discover how to save yourself time while implementing project-based learning with cross-curricular content, collaboration opportunities, and authentic real-world connections. Explore specific units that engage students in making the world a better place—without skimping on academic rigor!

Explore how to create relatable and engaging learning experiences that bring relevance and deeper meaning to the elementary or middle school science classroom. Delve into the transformative power of Project-Based Learning (PBL), providing students with active, hands-on, and minds-on experiences that bridge scientific concepts with real-world applications and authentic purposes. Through this workshop, empower your students to become curious about the world and develop the assertiveness to actively engage with it. Foster curiosity and strengthen students’ connection to your content by creating captivating learning experiences that tap into students’ interests and the world around them. When science is this invigorating, students can’t help but become curious about their world and develop the assertiveness to actively make a difference in it!

Join the author of the book “Optimized Learning” as he shares ideas and strategies to cultivate self-directed, collaborative learners who excel independently. Learn strategies to empower students with purpose, resilience, and effective time management. Discover how to foster confidence, capability, and collaboration, guiding students to navigate their educational journey with clarity and drive. Transform your classroom into a hub of self-directed excellence, equipped with practical tools and insights for success!

Unleash the potential of AI in this interactive session to spark curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in students. Discover how AI tools can transform learning experiences, offering innovative ways to challenge and engage your learners. Through practical and easy to implement strategies, learn to integrate AI seamlessly into your teaching practice, fostering a future-ready environment that nurtures these essential skills.

Authentic learning leads to deeper learning. When used with intentionality, technology can help enhance authenticity and give tangible purpose to student work. This session is about how certain technologies can be used to enhance authenticity in the classroom, assist students in meaningful work, and teach them skills they will need the rest of their lives.

Discover innovative, budget-friendly strategies to weave rich STEM learning into elementary and middle-school classrooms. Empower students with essential skills, regardless of financial constraints.

Discover a simple, powerful frame for understanding what motivates the unique students in your classroom. Then, learn practical strategies you can use right away that will help you connect with your kids and get them fired up to learn!

As students walk through your doors, each day brings its own set of challenges and opportunities. Some students arrive eager and ready to tackle new learning experiences, while others may seem less enthusiastic. Join us as we explore practical strategies for creating a classroom culture rooted in perseverance. You’ll gain valuable insights for boosting student motivation and fostering a growth mindset in this dynamic learning environment.

Unwind with “Mindful Scribbles,” an artistic session designed for relaxation and creativity. Delve into meditative doodling to craft your own abstract masterpiece, guided step-by-step in a stress-free environment. No talent required—just let your imagination lead. End the session with a personal piece of art as your own reminder to carry the tranquility back to your classroom and beyond.

Bring your walking shoes to discover evidence of STEAM all around you with a downtown stroll of Grand Rapids. We’ll take you on an insider’s tour of downtown Grand Rapids’ hot spots including La Grande Vitesse, the grand river, and Rosa Park Circle.

Ever wonder what a scientist does throughout their day? Are you interested in sharing those experiences with your students? Discover the ins and outs of life for a biomedical research scientist as you explore the inner workings of Van Andel Institute for Research, a research facility committed to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular, and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson’s, and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies.

Purpose is a powerful motivator, for educators and their students. Using inspirational stories and researched-based strategies, Trevor shares how to use the power of story, brain science, and authentic learning to help teachers achieve true student engagement. Educators leave with proven practices to design authentic learning experiences, motivation to foster deeper student connections, and a compelling reminder of the impact they have on their students’ lives.

Dive into the world of STEM with an interactive session that transforms classroom crafts into engaging STEM challenges. Examine standards and pacing to deepen understanding and enhance curriculum design. Through hands-on activities, learn to seamlessly integrate STEM principles, fostering a rich learning environment that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

As educators, we understand that academic success is only one piece of the puzzle. Join us for a transformative professional development workshop that focuses on harnessing the power of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking to cultivate essential soft skills in your students. This workshop is designed to equip teachers with practical strategies and innovative approaches to integrate these skills seamlessly into their classrooms.

Authentic learning leads to deeper learning. When used with intentionality, technology can help enhance authenticity and give tangible purpose to student work. This session is about how certain technologies can be used to enhance authenticity in the classroom, assist students in meaningful work, and teach them skills they will need the rest of their lives.

With all the attention focused on math and ELA, science can sometimes get the short stick. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Come to this fast-paced session to learn 5 practical ways that you can incorporate science into your classroom tomorrow and have your students begging for more!

When are we ever going to use this? It’s an important question–but one that we struggle to answer in many traditional classrooms. In this memorable and meaningful session, you’ll discover simple ways to help students behold the awesome powers of math and science to make a difference in their world — today!

Unleash the potential of AI in this interactive session to spark curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in students. Discover how AI tools can transform learning experiences, offering innovative ways to challenge and engage your learners. Through practical and easy to implement strategies, learn to integrate AI seamlessly into your teaching practice, fostering a future-ready environment that nurtures these essential skills.

In this immersive workshop, learn how to inspire your K-5 students to tackle hands-on challenges within thoughtfully applied constraints. Engage directly in an engineering lesson crafted around Van Andel Institute’s instructional model for engineering design. Walk away with powerful strategies to foster an environment of risk-taking and perseverance, ensuring your students not only face challenges with confidence but also embrace the iterative process of design and problem-solving. Join us for this transformative experience and become a catalyst for the budding engineers in your classroom! Engineering Challenge: Lights Out!

In this immersive workshop, learn how to inspire your 6-8 students to tackle hands-on challenges within thoughtfully applied constraints. Engage directly with an engineering lesson crafted around Van Andel Institute’s instructional model for engineering design. Walk away with powerful strategies to foster an environment of risk-taking and perseverance, ensuring your students not only face challenges with confidence but also embrace the iterative process of design and problem-solving. Join us for this transformative experience and become a catalyst for the budding engineers in your classroom! Engineering Challenge: Maglev Race-off!

From “Oh Deer” to “Ultimate Hide and Seek”, engage in fun activities designed to not only simulate habitat and animal behaviors, but also come equipped with proven pedagogy to make the learning stick.

Middle School is a critical age. Too often, it’s when students disengage and decide that school isn’t for them. Project-Based Learning (PBL) can be an impactful antidote to this challenge. Explore the power of PBL to reach every student and help them pursue a deeper and more meaningful educational journey.

Join the author of the book “Optimized Learning” as he shares ideas and strategies to cultivate self-directed, collaborative learners who excel independently. Learn strategies to empower students with purpose, resilience, and effective time management. Discover how to foster confidence, capability, and collaboration, guiding students to navigate their educational journey with clarity and drive. Transform your classroom into a hub of self-directed excellence, equipped with practical tools and insights for success!

Discover innovative STEM activities tailored to popular read-alouds. Participants will experience five engineering challenges inspired by beloved books. This hands-on workshop empowers educators to confidently integrate STEM into their existing curriculum, enriching students’ learning experiences. Leave equipped to inspire young minds with the magic of reading and the excitement of engineering.

Confidently integrate controversial science topics into your curriculum, fostering critical thinking, and informed citizenship. Participants will explore best practices for creating inclusive learning environments and facilitating respectful discussions on contentious scientific issues.

Explore how to create relatable and engaging learning experiences that bring relevance and deeper meaning to the elementary or middle school science classroom. Delve into the transformative power of Project-Based Learning (PBL), providing students with active, hands-on, and minds-on experiences that bridge scientific concepts with real-world applications and authentic purposes. Through this workshop, empower your students to become curious about the world and develop the assertiveness to actively engage with it. Foster curiosity and strengthen students’ connection to your content by creating captivating learning experiences that tap into students’ interests and the world around them. When science is this invigorating, students can’t help but become curious about their world and develop the assertiveness to actively make a difference in it!

In this immersive workshop, learn how to inspire your K-5 students to tackle hands-on challenges within thoughtfully applied constraints. Engage directly in an engineering lesson crafted around Van Andel Institute’s instructional model for engineering design. Walk away with powerful strategies to foster an environment of risk-taking and perseverance, ensuring your students not only face challenges with confidence but also embrace the iterative process of design and problem-solving. Join us for this transformative experience and become a catalyst for the budding engineers in your classroom! Engineering Challenge: Lights Out!

In this immersive workshop, learn how to inspire your 6-8 students to tackle hands-on challenges within thoughtfully applied constraints. Engage directly with an engineering lesson crafted around Van Andel Institute’s instructional model for engineering design. Walk away with powerful strategies to foster an environment of risk-taking and perseverance, ensuring your students not only face challenges with confidence but also embrace the iterative process of design and problem-solving. Join us for this transformative experience and become a catalyst for the budding engineers in your classroom! Engineering Challenge: Maglev Race-off!

Unwind with “Mindful Scribbles,” an artistic session designed for relaxation and creativity. Delve into meditative doodling to craft your own abstract masterpiece, guided step-by-step in a stress-free environment. No talent required—just let your imagination lead. End the session with a personal piece of art as your own reminder to carry the tranquility back to your classroom and beyond.

Bring your walking shoes to discover evidence of STEAM all around you with a downtown stroll of Grand Rapids. We’ll take you on an insider’s tour of downtown Grand Rapids’ hot spots including La Grande Vitesse, the grand river, and Rosa Park Circle.

Ever wonder what a scientist does throughout their day? Are you interested in sharing those experiences with your students? Discover the ins and outs of life for a biomedical research scientist as you explore the inner workings of Van Andel Institute for Research, a research facility committed to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular, and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson’s, and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies.

We all learned it in high school science class: “Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell.” But what does that mean? And why did we have to memorize it? VAI’s Dr. Sara Nowinski studies how mitochondria provide our bodies with the energy necessary for life, and how mitochondrial function goes awry in disease. Dr. Nowinski will also explain how early classroom experiences sparked her passion for research, and outline her “wishlist” learning objectives for K-12 science students.

Unlock the power of student talk moves in this interactive session designed to enhance classroom discourse. Learn effective strategies to encourage meaningful conversations and critical thinking among your students. Through hands-on activities, discover how to facilitate rich dialogue and build a vibrant learning community. Transform your classroom into a hub of dynamic and thoughtful communication.

Discover how nature’s wonders can enhance STEM learning! This hands-on session demonstrates how teachers can use the curiosity sparked by outdoor phenomena to teach scientific principles, foster critical thinking, and connect students more deeply with the world around them. Leave with a practical plan for how YOU can activate engaged learning in real-world contexts.

Discover a simple, powerful frame for understanding what motivates the unique students in your classroom. Then, learn practical strategies you can use right away that will help you connect with your kids and get them fired up to learn!

Step into the world of STEM education excellence with our comprehensive professional development workshop designed to equip teachers with the skills and strategies needed to manage dynamic STEM classrooms effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned STEM educator or just starting to integrate STEM into your teaching, this workshop will provide valuable insights, practical tools, and collaborative opportunities to enhance your classroom management skills.

When we think of Artificial Intelligence, we sometimes think of sterile interactions in a drab computer lab. But what if AI could help your students get engaged, take risks, and have a powerful impact on their communities and the world? In this session, you’ll discover how to leverage the power of AI to make learning memorable, meaningful, and FUN!

As students walk through your doors, each day brings its own set of challenges and opportunities. Some students arrive eager and ready to tackle new learning experiences, while others may seem less enthusiastic. Join us as we explore practical strategies for creating a classroom culture rooted in perseverance. You’ll gain valuable insights for boosting student motivation and fostering a growth mindset in this dynamic learning environment.

Be the teacher that transforms everyday lesson plans into authentic, memorable learning experiences! In this hands-on workshop, dive into an investigation utilizing the Van Andel Institute’s Instructional Model for Inquiry-Based Science, which integrates a process of inquiry, a rich learning environment, and habits of mind. Discover four small, but powerful changes you can make right away to boost student engagement and kick-start science inquiry in your classroom. Come with a mindset ready to inspire and leave with a toolkit of practical strategies to make it happen! Science Investigation: Crime Scene Forensics

Be the teacher that transforms everyday lesson plans into authentic, memorable learning experiences! In this hands-on workshop, dive into an investigation utilizing the Van Andel Institute’s Instructional Model for Inquiry-Based Science, which integrates a process of inquiry, a rich learning environment, and habits of mind. Discover four small, but powerful changes you can make right away to boost student engagement and kick-start science inquiry in your classroom. Come with a mindset ready to inspire and leave with a toolkit of practical strategies to make it happen! Science Investigation: Using Model Organisms — Daphnia Investigation.

Why spend weeks on a project that ultimately finds its way to the Paper Gator when you could be spending time on a project that impacts a real-world need? Develop strategies for hands-on learning projects that create solutions for local, national, and even global needs. From a better understanding of the design process, to social media marketing, challenge-based learning provides practical tools for solving actual problems.

Explore science with a multicultural perspective in this interactive session. Engage in hands-on activities that highlight diverse scientific contributions and worldviews. Discover teaching strategies that integrate cultural awareness, fostering inclusivity and curiosity in your science curriculum. See science education through a new lens, embracing diversity to enrich learning experiences.

Teachers want to create memorable, meaningful learning experiences that give an authentic context for learning, but who has the time?! Discover how to save yourself time while implementing project-based learning with cross-curricular content, collaboration opportunities, and authentic real-world connections. Explore specific units that engage students in making the world a better place—without skimping on academic rigor!

AI empowers educators to create future-focused STEAM environments that prepare students for an evolving technological landscape. In this session, explore 5 ways to utilize AI in STEAM and unleash creativity, innovation, and problem solving. Leave with practical ideas you can use tomorrow. Let’s spark the future of STEAM together!

Inquiry is at the heart of good teaching and learning. In this session, participants will explore the Van Andel Institute for Education’s model of Inquiry-Based science instruction, and discover the four changes they can make right away to kick-start inquiry in middle-school classrooms. Walk away with ready-to-use inquiry-based strategies and lesson ideas to begin transforming your classrooms!

Discover innovative, budget-friendly strategies to weave rich STEM learning into elementary and middle-school classrooms. Empower students with essential skills, regardless of financial constraints.

Be the teacher that transforms everyday lesson plans into authentic, memorable learning experiences! In this hands-on workshop, dive into an investigation utilizing the Van Andel Institute’s Instructional Model for Inquiry-Based Science, which integrates a process of inquiry, a rich learning environment, and habits of mind. Discover four small, but powerful changes you can make right away to boost student engagement and kick-start science inquiry in your classroom. Come with a mindset ready to inspire and leave with a toolkit of practical strategies to make it happen! Science Investigation: Crime Scene Forensics

Be the teacher that transforms everyday lesson plans into authentic, memorable learning experiences! In this hands-on workshop, dive into an investigation utilizing the Van Andel Institute’s Instructional Model for Inquiry-Based Science, which integrates a process of inquiry, a rich learning environment, and habits of mind. Discover four small, but powerful changes you can make right away to boost student engagement and kick-start science inquiry in your classroom. Come with a mindset ready to inspire and leave with a toolkit of practical strategies to make it happen! Science Investigation: Using Model Organisms — Daphnia Investigation.