Advocate Program Webinars

Learn more about how you can help your students with webinars from our Lead Advocates.

The following webinars were created by the Lead Advocates in the Society’s Advocate Program. These teachers and mentors are experienced in leading underserved students in independent STEM research projects, such as science fair projects. These webinars contains their own strategies and tips on topics of their own choosing related to student research.

Teachers presenting at the Research Teachers Conference

We at Society for Science believe that there is not one specific “correct” way to lead students in STEM research projects because of the diverse student needs and resources available in any given area. We rely upon our experienced teachers and mentors who share their expertise with others and we thank them for their generosity in creating these webinars. We encourage you to adapt their methods to best meet the needs of your students.

Engineering Design

Learn about engineering design and how to scaffold for a wide range of students.

Presented by: Vince Joralemon – Lead Advocate 2020-2021

Exploring Engineering Projects: Abstraction and Needs Statements

A webinar to help teachers guide their students through engineering projects. Topics include the benefits of engineering design projects, common pitfalls, and resources for teachers.

Presented by: Vince Joralemon – Lead Advocate 2019-2020

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Tools For Research

Advocate Webinar: Using Cellphones for Data Collection - Presented by Heather Overkamp

Using Smartphones for Data Collection

Learn how teachers and students can use smartphones to collect and manage data in the field, at home, and in the classroom.

Presented by: Heather Overkamp – Lead Advocate 2020-2021

Virtual Field Trips

Learn how to bring virtual field trips into your classroom.

Presented by: Heather Overkamp – Lead Advocate 2020-2021

Presentation slide titled "Free Tools to Integrate into Labs and Research Process in a Classroom" by Yajaira Torres De Jesus, PhD.

Free Tools for Classroom Research

Learn about free tools that can be used for student research data collection and analysis.

Presented by: Yajaira Torres De Jesus – Lead Advocate 2021-2022

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Level up the Lab

Learn about three strategies to take student research to the next level. Explore opportunities for both students and teachers.

Presented by: Jeremy Jonas – Lead Advocate 2021-2022

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Microbit: A Student Research Tool for Middle Grade Students

Learn about Micro:bit, a tool for student research.

Presented by: Sam Loftus – Lead Advocate 2021-2022

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Keeping Yourself Organized

Gaining Back Your Time

Tools and resources to help keep your organized and use your time more efficiently.

Presented by: Scotti Ann Benton – Lead Advocate 2020-2021

Paperwork Organization with Google Classroom

Learn how to create a paperwork organization system using Google Classroom.

Presented by: Lorrain O’Shea – Lead Advocate 2020-2021

Maintaining Student Lab Spaces for Science Research

A webinar to help teachers create, organize, and maintain lab spaces for student research. Topics include shared supplies, tips for space maintenance, and biological Safety Levels.

Presented by: Jennifer Claudio – Lead Advocate 2018-19, 2019-20

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Research in the Classroom

Facilitating Science Inquiry with Limited Resources

A webinar to help teachers facilitate research with limited physical resources. Topics include online resources for teachers, tips for finding local resources, and less expensive alternatives for the classroom.

Presented by: Charmain Brammer – Lead Advocate 2018-19, 2019-20

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Supporting Student Research in Rural Areas

A webinar to help teachers in rural areas engage their students in research. Topics include the value of supporting student research, building relationships, and finding mentors for students.

Presented by: Debbie Morgan – Lead Advocate 2019-20

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Guiding Students Through Literature Review & the Paper Writing Process

A webinar to help teachers navigate the literature review process and the process of writing a scientific paper. Topics include identifying sources, APA citation format, and competition rules and regulations.

Presented by: Heather Overkamp – Lead Advocate 2019-20

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Scaffolding Student Research Projects

This webinar provides best practices and shares resources for scaffolding student research projects. The resources are targeted at students newer to large research projects but can be adapted to fit your students’ level and needs.

Presented by: Elizabeth Bieri – Lead Advocate 2021-2022

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Culturally Responsive Literacy in STEM

Learn about the impact of reading comprehension on student research and how to design a learning experience that fosters a culture of reading in STEM.

Presented by McKenzie Baecker – Lead Advocate 2021-2022

Download Handout 1, Handout 2

Scientific Literacy

Explore research and best practices for achieving literacy through science education, learn about strategies for the classroom, and reflect on how to incorporate literacy into your strategic plan.

Presented by: Reshawndra Hutchins-Trapp – Lead Advocate 2021-2022

Presentation slide titled "Building Equity in Science" by Reshawndra Hutchins-Trapp

Building Equity in STEM

Explore strategies for promoting equity in science education through student research.

Presented by: Reshawndra Hutchins-Trapp – Lead Advocate 2021-2022

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Getting Students Ready

First Science Fair

Tips and tricks for getting your students through their first science fair and best practices for getting through your first science fair.

Presented by: Sam Loftus – Lead Advocate Apprentice 2020 – 2021

Partnering with Families

Explore how to partner with families to ensure student success.

Presented by: McKenzie Baecker – Lead Advocate 2020-2021

Tips for Applying to Summer STEM Programs

A webinar for students who are interested in applying to summer STEM research programs. Students will learn the benefits in participating in these programs as well as some tips and tricks to help with the application process.

Presented by: Andrea Cobb – Lead Advocate 2019-20

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Presenting at Science Competitions

A webinar to help teachers prepare their students for presenting their projects at competitions. Topics include display guidelines attire, interviews, and where to find additional resources for teachers.

Presented by: Jennifer Claudio – Lead Advocate 2018-2019, 2019-2020

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Ready Set Research! Helping students...

A webinar to help teachers bring scientific research into the classroom. Learn from the experience of a teacher in her attempts to integrate science fair projects into the classroom curriculum. Topics include how to prepare your students, conducting experiments in the classroom, and putting together their presentations.

Presented by: Lorraine O’Shea – Lead Advocate 2019-20

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Mock Science Fair

Learn how to use a mock science fair to help your students prepare for upcoming competitions.

Presented by: Scotti Benton – Lead Advocate 2021-2022

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Competition Specifics

Ecybermission

Learn about the Ecybermission competition and how to bring integrate it into your classroom.

Presented by: Debbie Morgan – Lead Advocate 2020-2021

How Covid Changed Science Fair

Explore how the Covid-19 pandemic changed science fair and how those changes can help us moving forward.

Presented by: Carolyn Walling – Lead Advocate 2020-2021

Presentation slide titled "Understanding the IRB/SCR approval process" by Robin Driver

Understanding the IRB & SRC Approval Process

Learn about Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Scientific Review Committee (SRC) approval processes for student research projects that require pre-approval.

Presented by: Robin Driver – Lead Advocate 2021-2022