WSST 2025 Conference
WISCONSIN SOCIETY OF SCIENCE TEACHERS
67TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE APRIL 3-5, 2025
ThecompletedVendorHallraffle cardswillbedrawnthroughout themeetingforprizesdonatedby oursponsors.MUSTbepresentto win.
President's Message
WelcometoOshkosh! Sogladyoumadetheefforttobehereinpersonat our68thannualWSSTConference!Iinviteyoutoreachbeyondyourhorizonsto fullyexperiencethecollaborativelearningenvironmentourConferencehasto offer! Thankyoutothe2025Conferenceco-chairs,StaceyStrandburgand JamieGroark,andtherestofthecommitteemembersfortheirdiligenceand dedicationinorganizingallourconferencehastooffer.Ifyougetthechance, pleasethankthempersonallyfortheirgreatwork.
YourWSSTBoardofDirectorsandCommitteeChairpeopleareavolunteer groupofhighlymotivatedscienceeducatorsfromacrossWisconsinwhohave beenworkingveryhardtoprovideyouwithhighqualityprofessional developmentopportunitiesthroughouttheyear IliketothinkofWSSTasabig familyofscienceeducatorswholookoutforeachotherandtrytopickeach otheruptohelpinanywaytheycan. Sowelcometoour68thannualWSST familyreunion!
Ifyouarenew,pleasemakeeveryefforttoattendtheNewAttendeessession, oratleastreachouttoanyonefromourConferenceCommitteetohelpyouif youhaveanyquestionsorneedanyassistance Weareallinthistogether,andI remembervividlymyfirstWSSTconferenceinManitowocbackin1991when someonetookmeundertheirwingandmademefeelwelcomeandIwas hookedonreturningtoourconferenceeachyear. Itismyhopethattherewillbe someonewhowillbeyournewwingpersonhereatourconference!
Someofthehighlightsthatyouneedtodo: Goovertheconferenceschedule andfindacouplesessionseachhourthatinterestyou. Haveanopenmindto fullyengulfhowthatpresentationmightfitintoyourteaching Butdon’tfeel offendedtoleaveasessionifitdoesnotfityourinterestsandgojoinanew sessionthathour. Therearealsomanyfieldtripsandworkshopsthatarealso availabletoyou,ifspacestillallowsyoutojoin. TalktotheRegistrationDeskif youarestillinterestedinoneoftheseworkshopsorfieldtrips.
AtsomepointbyFridayafternoon,saveaboutanhourormoretocheckout theVendorHallandtalktothemanyvendorsthatarethere. Thebesttimetodo thisisduringtheVendorSocial,whichwilltakeplaceonThursdayfrom4-6pm withcomplimentaryhorsd'oeuvresandbeveragesavailableforconference attendees. Don’tforgettocheckoutthealmostWorldFamousRockRafflewhich willtakeplaceduringtheVendorSocialwithwinnersannouncedat5:30pm. Also remembertopickupandfillouttheVendorCardwherevendorsstampyour cardfordifferentcategories,youwillthenneedtoturninthiscardattheWSST BoothintheVendorHallby3pmFridayafternoontowinprizes Youliterallycan gohomewithaprizethatisworthmorethanyouroverallcostofyourconference registration!
AftertheVendorSocialonThursday,makeyourwaytotheMember’sSocial whereyouwillfindpizzaandfuntimemeetingnewpeopleandreconnectingwith othersasyoutryyourhandatVegasstylegames,boardgames,ormaybe cribbageismoreyourstyle. TherewillbeDoorprizestobewonattheMember’s Social!
Fridayisanotherfulldayofsessionsstartingat8amandwitnessand interactwithfuturescienceeducatorsastheyshowcaseDiscrepantEventsatthe ExploratoriuminVendorHallat1pm.Thenvisitmoresessionsintheafternoon, andmakesureyouarethenpresentfortheWSSTTownHallMeetingat4pmas thisiswhenthebigvendorprizeswillbeawarded. Youmustbepresenttowin. FridaywillcapoffwithourawardsBanquetandaNightattheMuseum-EAA stylewherebuseswillbeavailabletotakeallofustotheEAAmuseumformore funopportunitiestoconnectwithotherWSSTmembers.
Saturdayhasafullmorningofpresentationsaswell! Andyouaremorethan welcometostickaroundforourWSSTBoardMeetingatnoononSaturday!
IhopeyouenjoyouramazingConferenceandIinviteyoutobeawing personforsomeoneelse!
DennisRohr
ConferenceChairs' Message
VivaOshVegas!!!WewelcomeyoutotheOshkoshConventionCenterforthefirstofathree-yearFox Valleyconferencetour Ourcommitteehasdedicateditselftoprovidingopportunitiestoincrease yourstudents'oddsofengagementandfindingtimetosocializewiththeWisconsinScience Teachercommunity
TheconferencestartswithalistoffieldtripsfromEAAtoexploretheircampusandengageinan elementary,middle,orsecondaryhands-onactivitythatyouandyourstudentswillenjoy.Other fieldtripsincludevisitstorenewableenergysites,arealfarm,theUniversityofOshkoshERIClab, andacraftdistillery,brewery,andwinery.ThankyoutoJulieFitzpatrickforprovidinganexcellent breakfastatthefarmeventwithguestspeakersfromtheNaturalResourceConservationService, AudubonSociety,andGlacierlandResourceConservationDevelopment.
ThePaulL.andLeanderChoateHallsshowcaseourvendorexhibits,demonstrations,andresources. OnThursday,from4:00to6:00p.m.,theVendorSocialwillprovidefoodandbeveragessponsored bySavvas,ImagineLearning,FOSS,KEEP,HMH,andtheMadisonAreaBuildersAssociation.The ExhibithallwillalsobeopenonFridayfrom9:00a.m.to3:00p.m.Pleaseperusewhatourvendors offerandthankthemforcontributingtoscienceeducation
Thursdayevening,joinusandoursocialcommitteeintheAthearnBallroom,wherewewillventure toOshvegasforaNightattheCasino Attendeeswillreceivepokerchipstotrytheiroddsat blackjack,craps,androulette,inadditiontomusicbingoandpick-your-gametables Thesocial committeehasdoneafantasticjobplanningandacquiringdonationsfordoorprizes,sojoinyour fellowsciencepeersandincreaseyourodds!
OnFridayatnoon,ourluncheonkeynotespeaker,JesseWilcox,Phd.,currentlyservingasthe DirectorofProfessionalDevelopmentofScienceforNSTAandprofessoratNorthernIowaUniversity, willprovideawealthofknowledgeonthebestpracticesforteachingscienceandhowtoengage ourstudentswithphenomena.
Torounduptheweek,joinusonFridaynightfortheAnnualWSSTbanquetat6p.m.Lightsnacks andbeverageswillbefollowedbydinner.Dressyourbestaswecelebrateandhonorscience educatorsfromacrossthestatewithawardsandgrants.Then,makesureyouhaveyourticketfor thepost-banquetsocial,NightattheMuseum.Shuttleswilldepartthehotellobbyandtakeyouto EAA,wherethemuseumandeducationbuildingwillbeopen,withacashbarservinganexclusive conferencebeverage
WehopeyouenjoytheOshvegasConference Ifyouseeavolunteer,pleasethankthemfortheir helpinmakingourvisionofthe2025WSSTconferenceareality!
JamieGroarkandStaceyStrandberg,2025WSSTConferenceChairs
DennisRohr,President president@wsst.org
Board of Directors
KristinMichalski,RetiringPresident mhsklmichalski@gmail.com
StephanieBaker,Secretary bakeste@wc.k12.wi.us
TammyDymesich,ChiefOperatingOfficer coo@wsst.org
KevinNiemi,ChiefFinancialOfficer kjniemi@wisc.edu
ErikDuhn,District1Director e00drik@gmail.com
TomDavies,District2Director tdavies@dce.k12.wi.us
ChadJanowski,District3Director 21st.sci.edu@gmail.com
JonathanBaker,District4Director bakesjon@wc.k12.wi.us
PatrickMootz,District5Director pmootz@deforestschools.org
TeriDillenberg,District6Director teridillenberg@hasd.org
StaceyStrandberg,District7Director strandbergs@dsha.info
Awards/Recognition
Miranda Dahlke (co-chair)
Laura Ramthum (co-chair)
Tom Davies
Nancy Smith
Stephanie Bartels
Michelle Howe
Karen Messmer
Jennifer Bault
Sue Whitsett
Megan Spague
Document Review
Terry Schwaller (chair)
Dave Bergerson
Sue Whitsett
Chad Janowski
Elementary Education
Shelley Petzold (co-chair)
Leah Alburt (co-chair
Teri Dillenberg
Jenna Jorstad
Riley Terpstra
Foundation
Brian Bartel (President)
Denise McCulley (First Vice President)
Carol Ochsner (Second Vice President)
Dale Basler (Third Vice President)
Tracy Swedlund (Treasurer)
Ray Scolavino (Secretary)
Kevin Anderson (co-chair)
Kevin Niemi (co-chair)
WSST Committees
Equity and Access Finance
Kevin Anderson (co-chair)
Kelly Steiner (co-chair)
Sara Krauskopf
Dennis Rohr
Zach Pratt
Lalitha Murali
Karyl Rosenberg
Karen DeShong
Membership/Public Relations
Michelle Griffen-Wenzel (chair)
Ray Scolavino
Tracy Swedlund
Deanna McClung
Matt Lindsey
WESTA
Shannon Previte (chair)
Dennis Rohr
Chad Wilkinson
Strategic Planning
Kevin Anderson (chair)
Dennis Rohr
Ray Scolavino
Kevin Niemi
Kristin Michalski
New Teacher Network
Jacquelyn Curran
Stephanie Ruder
Megan Spague
Terry Schwaller
Jamie Lauer
Sara Renish
Rebecca McDermid
Sonja Gasper
Kevin Niemi (chair)
Matt Lindsey
Terry Schwaller
Sue Whitsett
Higher Education
Adam Schafer (chair)
Joel Donna
Mark Olson
Ray Scolavino
Nominations
Marsha Gardner (chair)
Mary-Ellen Kanthack
Zach Pratt
Dan Nelson
Publications
Brain Bartel (co-chair)
Julie Fitzpatrick (co-chair)
Tracy Swedlund
Sarah Adumet
Dan Nelson
Karyl Rosenburg
Professional Development
Jamie Groark (chair)
Kevin Anderson
Tom Davies
Shelley Petzoid
Stacey Strandberg
Andrea Chirstianson
Sonja Gasper
Mallory Conlon
Thursday
Conference Highlights
7:00am ConferenceOpens
8am-4:00pm WorkshopsandSessions
12:00-1:00pm Lunch
4:00-6:00pm VendorSocial
4:00-5:30am RockRaffle
6:30-8:30pm MembershipSocial
Friday
7:00am ConferenceOpens
8am-4pm WorkshopsandSessions
9am-3pm ExhibitHallOpen
12:00-1:00pm EdMuellerLuncheonKeynote-JesseWilcox
1:00-2:00pm Exploratorium
4:00-5:00pm TownHallMeeting
5:00-6:00pm Pre-BanquetSocial
6:00-7:30pm Banquet
8:15-10:15pm. EAAEveningPostBanquetSocial
Saturday 7:30am ConferenceOpens
8am-12:00pm WorkshopsandSessions
12:00-2:00pm OpenWSSTBoardMeeting
ThankyoutoourSponsors
FEATURED SPEAKERS
FridayLuncheonKeynote:
JesseWilcox,Ph.D
Dr.WilcoxisanAssistantProfessorinBiologyandScienceEducationatthe UniversityofNorthernIowa.Hewasahighschoolgeneralscienceandbiology teacherpriortobecomingaprofessor.Jessehaswonnumerousteachingawards, haspresentedhundredsoftimesatscienceandSTEMeducationconferences, andhaspublisheddozensofarticlesinscienceandSTEMeducationjournals.
Jesseispassionateaboutworkingwithscienceteachersandhelpingthemstrive towardimprovingtheirpractices.Heistheauthorofgrades6-8TexasExperience Science.
Comeseepracticalwaystohelpstudentsmakesenseofphenomenaandhowto authenticallyintegratephenomenaintoyourcurriculum!Usingphenomenato explorescientificideashasbeenanincreasingtrendinscienceeducation (German,2016;NGSSLeadStates,2013).Whilemanyteachersarefinding phenomenatoengagestudents,helpingstudentsconnectphenomenato sciencecanbemorechallenging.Thiskeynotewillexplorenumerousways teacherscantransitionfromaphenomenonto3Dlearning
This session is sponsored by Savvas Learning Company.
2026 WSST Conference
Appleton
3D Molecular Designs
Activate Learning
Amplify
Anatomy in Clay Learning Systems
BIOZONE Corporation
Camp Anokijig
Capital Microscope Services and Science Supplies
Capstone Publishers
Carolina Biological Supply Co
Civil Air Patrol
College of Natural Resources, UW-Stevens Point
Einstein Project
Engineering Tomorrow
ExploreLearning
Focus on Energy
Gearbox Labs
hand2mind, Inc
Horwitz-DeRemer
Planetarium, SD of Waukesha
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Imagine Learning
KEEP-Wisconsin's K-12
Energy Education Program
LEAF, UW Stevens Point
EXHIBITORS
Learning Blade
Madison Area Builders Association
MiniOne Systems
miniPCR bio
Mosa Mack Science
Nasco Educator
National Geographic Learning / Cengage
Nourish the Future
PASCO Scientific
PBS Wisconsin Education
Printed solid inc
Ripon College
Savvas Learning Company
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
School Specialty FOSS
Seed of Change Research
Snapshot Wisconsin
Studies Weekly
Texas Instruments
Trees for Tomorrow
USDA-NRCS
UWM School of Freshwater Sciences
UW-Madison Sea Grant Program
UW-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
UW-Madison Science Alliance
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Graduate Education
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh CAPP
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Environmental Research and Innovation Center
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Wisconsin Forestry Center
Wards Science
WI Farm Bureau Foundation
Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
Wisconsin Science Festival
WSST
WSST Prize Booth
MiltonO.PellaBanquet
The Milton O Pella Banquet is named in memory of the individual responsible for the birth of the Wisconsin Society of Science teachers during the 19571958 academic year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Not only did Dr Pella bring together enthusiastic, science-minded individuals to start the organization, he cultivated it with people called "Pella Fellas." This was to ensure continued programs designed to "Improve Science Education in Wisconsin." He willed nearly $200,000 to the WSST Foundation to provide grants to individuals for academic pursuits, individual science initiatives, attending professional conferences, purchasing science equipment, special school science programs, and the Front and Center Grants.
Dr. Pella, a native of Wisconsin, was born in Wilmont in 1914 and lived his entire adult life in the Madison area. He attended elementary and high school in Burlington, earned his B.E. Degree at the Milwaukee State College and both his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After completing his Master of Science degree, Dr. Pella spent three years in the military. Starting in 1939, Dr. Pella (known as "Doctor" to his students) taught at Wisconsin High School on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison In 1948, Dr Pella became a member of the university faculty and retired as a full professor in 1980 While teaching at the university, Dr Pella was much sought after as an education consultant and teacher He served as Science Education Consultant to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Mexico, and India. In addition, he was active as a consultant and board member to a variety of federally funded science programs during the 1960s and 1970s.
Milton Pella was an active professional educator involved in many organizations such as the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. He also authored science textbooks and A History of the North Central Association of Math and Science Teachers (also known as The Association of Math and Science Teachers). His many achievements and publications are outlined in different editions of Who's Who. Milton Pella was at the forefront of modern science curricular design; his students were constantly reminded not to embrace change without a critical eye
The Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers was one of Dr Pella's major professional interests After providing the impetus that launched WSST, he provided years of advice and support to the organization. In addition, many of his former students have occupied positions of influence within WSST, keeping it pointed at its goal of improving science education in Wisconsin. We are very proud to celebrate Dr. Pella's devotion to science education and his contributions to WSST by naming our annual spring conference banquet in his memory.
SPECIAL EVENTS
WSST Madison Mallards vs. Lakeshore Chinooks Baseball Game Sponsored by Foss
When: Sunday, July 20th
First pitch: 4:05 p m
Cost: $15 00
Where: Warner Park, Madison See Mallards website for directions
Cost includes:
Seating this year is along the right field in the Busch Light Duck Blind G/A
All-You-Can-Eat Buffet for 3 hours starting when the gates open. BBQ Pulled Pork, Brats, Hotdogs, Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Vegan Black Bean Patties, Watermelon, Boneless Wings, French Fries, Potato Salad and Coleslaw
Bottomless Beverages for 3.5 hours starting when the gates open. Over 25 varieties of Craft and Domestic Beers, Spiked Seltzers and Pepsi products. Need to choose either a beer or soda band
Registration deadline: We have 20 tickets—get them while supplies last!!!!
Please complete the information below Detach and send to:
WSST-Mallards Game
c/o Ray Scolavino
N8876 Townline Rd East Troy, WI 53120
Once received you will be sent a code to purchase your tickets.
For more info contact rscali3@yahoo com or call 414-460-0746 Make checks to WSST
WSST Member Name (s)
Email (please print clearly). Will be used to send link for tickets
Phone
Beer or Soda Band
Number of Tickets Amount Enclosed
WSST Land Acknowledgement (v. 2/25)
We acknowledge that we are meeting today on the traditional homelands and territory of the Menominee and Ho-Chunk Nation. This area and Wisconsin in general continues to be the home to members of the Menominee and Ho-Chunk Nations and 10 other tribal nations.
We have a responsibility to understand and protect our environment, which includes recognizing the sovereign rights of Native peoples and the history of oppression of the peoples of our world
Understanding how Native peoples make sense of the natural world can enhance our science instruction and support work to care for the land, air, and water together
As an organization, this year we commit to:
● Continuing to seek partnerships with First Nations related to science and environmental education
● Using our platform to encourage and invite participation in DPI American Indian Studies circles Please help hold us accountable to follow up our acknowledgement with action and to continue to grow each year
We invite you to take the next few minutes to complete one of these steps to improve your acknowledgement of the peoples whose land, air and water we are occupying right now:
● Sign up for a session that will relate to Indigenous pedagogy or knowledge, such as: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy: Indigenizing your instruction
● Look up the communities for your school and one way to connect to their goals;
● Research one connection to the Indigenous communities represented at your school or on whose territory your school rests that you can tie into one unit this year;
● Find one opportunity to serve the natural environment, land, water or organisms of your community and schedule it into your calendar; or,
● Sign up for a text study circle, course or conference offered by the DPI American Indian Studies Program.
Resources:
https://wisconsinfirstnations org/seats-of-government/ - Wisconsin First Nations map and teacher resources
https://dpi wi gov/amind - DPI American Indian Studies resources
https://nativegov org/news/beyond-land-acknowledgment-guide/ - Beyond land acknowledgements
https://www npr org/2023/03/15/1160204144/indigenous-land-acknowledgments - NPR article on what comes after the land acknowledgment
EdMuellerLuncheon
TheFridaylunchatallWSSTconferenceswillhenceforthbeknownastheEd MuellerLuncheon. TheWSSTBoardinresponsetomanyrequestsand inquiriesfrommembershavechosentohonorourretiredExecutiveDirector, EdMueller,bynamingthisluncheonafterhim. EdtirelesslyservedWSST startingin1970astheNewslettereditor. HewasnamedExecutiveSecretaryin 1971addingtherolesoftreasurerandfallconferenceorganizer. Inthe1990’s WSSTaddedsupportfromAnneMurphyintheUW-OshkoshScienceOutreach Office. EdandAnnehandledallthemembershipandfinancialaffairsof WSST. WhenAnneleftWSSTin2003-04,Edtookoverallthenecessary administrativedutiestokeepWSSTsolventandfunctioning. EdheldWSST togetherforover40years! CongratulationsandthankyouEdforallyour yearsofservicetoWSST!
EXHIBIT HALL
THURS4-6PM
FRI9AM-3PM
NIGHTATTHE MUSEUM
WSST2025FRIDAYNIGHTPOSTBANQUETSOCIAL
APRIL4TH8:15-10:15
Sponsoredby:EAA
TRANSPORTATIONTOMUSEUMPROVIDEDWITHFRIDAYNIGHTBANQUETPURCHASE. ORPAY$10FORTRANSPORTATIONWITHOUTBANQUETPURCHASE.
OPPORTUNITIES THAT DEFY EXPECTATIONS
Ripon College’s New Franzen Science Center
With the new Franzen Science Center, students can discover their unique interests and develop in-demand skills, alongside tenured faculty who want to see them excel.
Introducing:
New Engineering Program
New MSN Direct-Entry Program
Neuroscience
Computer Science
To schedule a classroom presentation about Ripon College STEM & Engineering Programs or for more information, reach out to:
Renee Reszel
STEM Enrollment Coordinator reszelr@ripon edu (920) 748-8189
Encourage
STEM Majors
FLAHHTRON
FLAHHTUOS
