We are thrilled to have our new Science Educators along with our other 3DMD staff presenting at the Chicago National Conference on Science Education | NSTA! Our sessions will be sure to give you much to think about while having fun with what we all love – SCIENCE! All of our sessions will be held in Room W475b McCormick Place.

Thursday, July 21^st

11:00am - 6:00pm

Come visit us at our exhibit booth in the Exhibit Hall at booth #527!

8:20 - 9:20am

Session: Coronavirus: From Genome Sequencing to mRNA Vaccine Production, in Less than One Year!

Presenter: Tim Herman, Ph.D., MSOE/CBM

Session Description: This workshop explores the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of the CoV-2 virus. Participants use physical models – enhanced by Augmented Reality – to explore these topics. Featured Kits/Models: Coronavirus Models.

9:40 - 10:40am

Session: Inside and Out: Making Membranes Memorable with Models

Presenter: Kim Parfitt, 3DMD

Session Description: Use hands-on models while investigating how things get into, and out of, cells. Discover phenomenal stories that go beyond transport for year-round connections. Featured Kits/Models: Phospholipid & Membrane Transport Kit©.

1:00 - 2:00pm

Session: When Cells Talk, Things Happen: Cell Signaling 

Presenter: Kim Parfitt, 3DMD

Session Description: Model synapses and molecules signaling cellular activity then extend your model to reflect the disturbance in the biochemical events caused by drugs and toxins. Featured Kits/Models: Synapse Construction Kit©.

2:20 - 3:20pm

Session: Making Sense of Genetic Information Through Modeling: Replication, Transcription, and Translation

Presenter: Tim Herman, Ph.D., MSOE/CBM

Session Description: Teachers explore strategies that make student thinking visible while engaging all students with models to investigate the elegance of the Central Dogma of biology. Featured Kits/Models: Flow of Genetic Information Kit©.

3:40 - 4:40pm

Session: Demystifying Protein Dimensionality & Exploring Enzymes

Presenter: Ruth Hutson, 3DMD

Session Description: Explore how proteins get their dimensionality; focus on enzymes, their active sites, and which factors limit enzyme activity. End with tips to help students interpret results from the catalase lab. Featured Kits/Models: Enzymes in Action Kit©.

Friday, July 22^nd

9:00am - 5:00pm

Come visit us at our exhibit booth in the Exhibit Hall at booth #527!

8:00 - 9:00am

Session: In the Tube Where it Happens: Using Models to Support Understanding in Biotechnology

Presenter: Mark Arnholt, 3DMD

Session Description: Educators use models to engage students in making sense of patterns in molecular structures and functions that have led to advances in biotechnology. Featured Kits/Models: Biotechnology Kit©.

10:40 - 11:40am

Session: Discovering Dynamic DNA: More than Just As, Ts, Gs, and Cs

Presenter: Mark Arnholt, 3DMD

Session Description: Transition between an assortment of physical DNA models and discover student-centered activities that explore the structure and function of this amazing biomolecule. Featured Kits/Models: Dynamic DNA Kit©.

1:00 - 2:00pm

Session: CRISPR: Introducing a New Era in Molecular Biology

Presenter: Tim Herman, Ph.D., MSOE/CBM

Session Description: Delve into the CRISPR discovery as you manipulate the Adaptive Immunity Kit to explore its functions. Learn how to connect CRISPR to what you teach. Featured Kits/Models: CRISPR Adaptive Immunity Kit©, CRISPR-Cas9 Mini Model.

2:20 - 3:20pm

Session: CRISPR II: Using Cas9 as a Genome Editing Tool

Presenter: Tim Herman, Ph.D., MSOE/CBM

Session Description: Model the molecular mechanism of CRISPR Cas9 with Making the Cut kit. Also explore how Cas9 is engineered as a more powerful genome editing tool. Featured Kits/Models: Making the Cut with CRISPR-Cas9©.

3:40 - 4:40pm

Session: Making the Invisible Visible through Engineering Design: A Focus Group

Presenter: Kim Parfitt, 3DMD

Session Description: Experience engineering design in action! Share your teacher insights as you evaluate competing design solutions for actual products. A $50 Thank you gift certificate for the first 20 participants.

Saturday, July 23^rd

9:00am - 3:00pm

Come visit us at our exhibit booth in the Exhibit Hall at booth #527!

8:00 - 9:00am

Session: Get to Know H2O with Hands on Models

Presenter: Kim Parfitt, 3DMD

Session Description: Learn how students can explore complex properties of water while manipulating magnetic molecules that also teach model literacy for learning all year long. Featured Kits/Models: Water Kit©.

9:20 - 10:20am

Session: From Particles to Properties: Chemistry Concepts with Water Models

Presenter: Ruth Hutson, 3DMD

Session Description: Explore how physical models foster an understanding of the structure of water and how their interactions explain the properties of water observed on the bulk scale. Featured Kits/Models: Water Kit©.

10:40 - 11:40am

Session: 3D Models for 3D Instruction: How Models Enhance Storylines

Presenter: Kim Parfitt, 3DMD

Session Description: Explore how phenomenon-driven inquiry is enhanced using rich 3D models that let students figure out answers to their own questions while engaged in science practices. A variety of kits and models will be featured.

1:00 - 2:00pm

Session: Unraveling Multiple Representations of Chromosomes to Reveal Student Thinking

Presenter: Kim Parfitt, 3DMD

Session Description: Bridge the gap between molecular and microscopic representations in genetics. Investigate hands-on 3D models that amplify traditional bio labs for lasting student understanding. Featured Kits/Models: Chromosome Connections Kit©.

2:20 - 3:20pm

Session: Physical Models, Smartphones & Augmented Reality: A Focus Group

Presenter: Kim Parfitt, 3DMD

Session Description: Promising idea or a recipe for disaster? Beta-test a new app that pairs with 3DMD’s physical models. A $50 Thank you gift certificate for the first 20 participants.