8:30am – 11:30am

1:00pm – 3:30pm

Design & Pitch Challenges in STEM 

(MS Math and science teachers)

Real problem solving requires the intersection of multiple fields and disciplines.  Get a quick “Design Thinking 101” tutorial and explore JASON’s Design Thinking Collections including the Design & Pitch Entrepreneurial Challenges where students adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and develop their 21st century skills. These challenges offer real-world problem-based opportunities for students to connect with the world, their communities, and each other. 

ARGO Geometry 

(MS Math and science teachers)

Discover JASON’s Geometry unit ARGO Math titled “Here’s Looking at Euclid” to honor the Greek scholar and the mathematician. Euclidean geometry, the study of plane (two-dimensional) figures and solid (three-dimensional) figures come alive as students solve a real-world challenge of designing a tiny, energy efficient home. 

Early Childhood: STEM & BLOOM 

(PreK – 2 teachers)

STEM is more than understanding subjects. It includes habits of mind that are especially vital in the early childhood years: creativity, observation, communication and persistence. Through the lens of gardening, STEM and Bloom is an interdisciplinary experience, bringing together art and science, math and literature, bounty and beauty. 

Early Childhood: Water, Wind & Weather 

(PreK – 2 teachers)

STEM is more than understanding subjects. It includes habits of mind that are especially vital in the early childhood years: creativity, observation, communication and persistence. Water, Wind, and Weather takes young explorers on an adventure to investigate and experiment with the primal forces that nourish and shape our world as they design a plan to prepare for extreme weather. 

Design Thinking Ambassador Program 

(K – 12 STEM)

The challenges that Houstonians face are increasing in size, frequency and complexity.  How can we work together to create a greater Houston area where all individuals regardless of age, gender, race and socioeconomic status thrive instead of merely surviving?  JASON Learning created the Design Thinking Ambassador Program to support school districts and educators in their efforts to develop STEM literate students who are able to effectively influence decision makers and advocate for themselves and their communities.  Released in the Spring of 2020, the Resilient Houston framework is used as a resource to identify goals and challenge areas for the greater Houston area.

The Great Outdoors Design Thinking Challenge 

(K – 12 STEM)

 JASON Learning, in partnership with Tomball Independent School District (Tomball ISD, TX) created a localized design thinking challenge called “The Great Outdoor Challenge.” Every community has “hidden gems.” These “gems” include places, buildings, experiences, and people that make your community special and a great place to live. In this challenge, students consider the hidden gems in their community. Maybe they’ve discovered some new ones or they have ideas for ones they’d like to create for their community! In this challenge, teams design and create a new walking trail that encourages community members to enjoy The Great Outdoors while exploring the “hidden gems.” This session will help educators understand how to access important online components and resources, and includes opportunities to experience selected challenge stages from the student’s perspective while discussing and sharing implementation strategies and tips.

Space Exploration 

(4th – 8th grade teachers)

Humankind is ready to return to the Moon and eventually go on to Mars. All we need is a new generation of space leaders, entrepreneurs, and explorers willing to take the leap. The first residents of the Moon and Mars may be one of you! You are the next space explorers! We’ll share videos, articles and activities that teach STEM ideas and concepts (with a bit of history) found in our Aldrin Family Foundation collection.

Exploring the Geology of the Earth, Moon and Mars 

(5th – 12th grade teachers)

Explore the varied resources available in the Aldrin Family Foundation: You are the Next Space Explorers, including  videos, articles and activities that teach STEM ideas and concepts (with a bit of history) about the geology of the Earth, Moon and Mars. The focus will be composition and the changes that have occurred over time.

Climate Science (Climate: Seas of Change, Wetlands:Race to Restore) 

(HS Aquatic Science, Environmental Science and Earth Science)

Understanding Climate Change requires that students have a conceptual working model of how climate works in general. While exploring Climate Seas of Change and Wetlands: Race to Restore,  build a systems model of climate  showing causal relationships between the components that impact climate, and predicting the impact of climate modifiers such as mountains and ocean currents on a region.

VIMS: Marine Science & Microplastics 

(HS Aquatic Science, Environmental and Earth Science)

Challenge your students to create a sustainable plan that reduces microplastic pollution in their community through the design thinking process. Plastics have dramatically improved the quality of almost every aspect of our lives but plastic pollution is a widespread problem across the world’s oceans, bays, estuaries and rivers. How might we better manage the end of life stage of plastics products to better protect our health and aquatic environments? Join The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and JASON Learning for Beyond the Water Bottle: Minimizing Microplastic Pollution Challenge. Students will develop research and data analysis skills while designing and communicating their solutions to a real-world problem. This session includes an exploration of the resources and implementation strategies.

8:30am – 10:40am

11:00am – 1:00pm

ARGO Algebra: Linear, Quadratic, & Exponential 

(MS & HS math teachers)

Discover the opportunities for students to develop their understanding of mathematical concepts and engage in math practices through some of JASON’s interdisciplinary curricula with math connections. We will highlight ARGO Algebra where students explore proportional relationships, linear graphing, slope, equations, and inequalities while designing an amusement park. 

Design and Pitch Challenges in STEM Round 2 

(MS & HS math teachers)

In these Challenges, you will need to think like an entrepreneur as you create real solutions to messy STEM problems. You will need to use your knowledge and expertise in creative ways to invent new products that meet customers’ needs. You will need to be able to recognize when you need to learn something new about STEM, your customers, or the situation, and be willing to work to learn it. Challenges include bringing new life to an old product, apply Active Noise Canceling technology and dive into the world of navigation apps.

Staying in the Comfort Zone: Energy Transfer & Air Quality in your home 

(6th – 12th grade STEM)

Join us for an overview of JASON’s recently launched Career and Technical Education Module: Keeping You in the Comfort Zone (HVAC). Featured STEM professionals bring relevancy and connect students to real-world experiences. The module ends in a culminating design challenge where students put their knowledge to the test while applying design thinking principles and using science and engineering practices.

Design Thinking Ambassador Program

(K – 12 STEM)

The challenges that Houstonians face are increasing in size, frequency and complexity.  How can we work together to create a greater Houston area where all individuals regardless of age, gender, race and socioeconomic status thrive instead of merely surviving?  JASON Learning created the Design Thinking Ambassador Program to support school districts and educators in their efforts to develop STEM literate students who are able to effectively influence decision makers and advocate for themselves and their communities.  Released in the Spring of 2020, the Resilient Houston framework is used as a resource to identify goals and challenge areas for the greater Houston area.

Immersion Learning Sampler 

(4th – 8th grade science)

Immersion Learning is a collection of 8 Adventure Series designed to help youth succeed in science, math, and literacy while using technology and engineering to explore real world phenomena. Immersion Learning takes students around the world from Monterey Bay’s National Marine Sanctuary to the polar extremes of the Arctic and Antarctica to explore the world’s natural resources and the tools and technology scientists use to understand them. Each series includes an expedition overview, hands-on activities, articles, videos, games, and career connections to real scientists and their research. We’ll explore some of the lessons and activities particularly suited for elementary.

4th – 8th  Life Science Sampler 

(4th – 8th grade science)

Life Science comes alive through JASON’s investigations, articles, videos, games, photo galleries and more. Join us for a basic overview of JASON’s life science curricula with Interdisciplinarity connections. These collections explore ecology, environmental science, and biology while connecting with engaging STEM role models in the field and career pathways. This session will include navigation, a sampling of activities to illustrate the multi-media approaches, time to explore collections,  and discussion and Q&A around implementation.

Early Childhood: Physics Fair 

(PreK – 2nd grade teachers)

STEM is more than understanding subjects. It includes habits of mind that are especially vital in the early childhood years: creativity, observation, communication and persistence. The Physics Fair takes young explorers on an adventure to observe and test their environment with Isaac Newton. Young learners explore light and forces and interactions through the lens of theme parks and playgrounds! 

ISRI and the Contest Challenge 

(PreK – 12 teachers)

Designed in partnership with The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), this collection invites students to explore the benefits and challenges of sustainable recycling through a variety of activities ranging from physics and chemistry to engineering and human impacts, while becoming informed citizens and careful consumers. Educators will sample selected activities and share ideas around implementation. Come and learn about the exciting new contest for the year 2022.

Earth Science Sampler 

(8th – 12th grade science)

Geology, weather, and climate all come alive through JASON’s investigations, articles, videos, games, photo galleries and more. Survey JASON’s earth science collections that explore earth’s systems and processes and human activity and impact – and access standard alignments to locate resources you can integrate into your units this year. Participants will engage in a sampling of activities from these collections and discuss implementation strategies.

Physical Science Sampler  

(8th – 12the grade science)

Forces & motion, energy, waves, and how we define standards of measurement across disciplines all come alive through JASON’s investigations, articles, videos, games, photo galleries and more. Survey JASON’s physical science collections: Terminal Velocity, World of Waves, Infinite Potential, and Universal Constants and access standard alignments to locate resources you can integrate into your units this year. Participants will engage in selected activities from these collections