2024 CEA Convention: Full Schedule

10:45am PDT

Exploring God's Creation: Integrating Maple Sugaring for Seasonal Learning

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am PDT

Engage in an immersive maple sugaring sectional to support integrating the great outdoors into your seasonal content. Delve into interdisciplinary learning, emphasizing social studies connections. Learn how to utilize your schoolyard's maple trees for eco-friendly science practice and citizen science projects, aligning with standards. God's wondrous creation inspires a deeper connection to His majesty.

Chairperson

Kelsey Hoffman

Grandville Calvin Christian School

Speakers

Janet Staal

Director of Nature Based and Outdoor Education, West Side Christian School

Janet Staal, BA in K-8 Education and a Master Naturalist Certification. Her journey from childhood explorations in West Michigan's woods to fostering nature-based education at WSCS reflects a lifelong commitment to teaching and glorifying God. Join us as she shares her passion for... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
120 Science Commons, 1st floor

Session

Audience K - 5th Grade
Subject Science
Area Outdoor Education

11:55am PDT

RT - 6 - 12 Science Teachers

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:55am - 12:55pm PDT

120

Round Table for 6th - 12 Science Teachers

Chairperson

Ryan Verver

High School Chemistry Teacher, Chicago Christian High School

Ryan just completed his 25th year of teaching, 20 at Southwest Christian School - Tinley Park, 3 at Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School and 2 at Chicago Christian High School. He has always taught science. He has also coached and been the athletic director over his years... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:55am - 12:55pm PDT
120 Science Commons, 1st floor

Round Table

Audience 6th - 12th
Subject Science

1:50pm PDT

Honey Bee Fidelity

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

113

This session highlights the life cycle and lifestyle of the honey bee while incorporating the ways honey bees exhibit faithfulness to their hives and to each other. Are there lessons we can learn from the humble honey bee?

Chairperson

Clay Lubbers

Middle School Science Teacher, Byron Center Christian School

Clay is an outdoor enthusiast and is working towards integrating more outdoor learning into his middle school science curriculum. He's had a passion for the outdoors as long as he has been alive and he longs for kids to see the story of creation in creation itself.

Speakers

Don Snoeyink

Thornapple Woodlands

Don has a passion for "opening people's eyes" to the awe and wonder of nature; specifically beekeeping, maple syrup, and fishing. His contagious enthusiasm for God's creation is evident in his fun, fast paced and informative speaking style.

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
113 Teacher's Lounge, 1st floor

Session

Audience General
Subject Science
Area Outdoor Education

1:50pm PDT

Planting the Seeds of AgProTech

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

124

Seven years ago the Board of CWC committed to developing what has become known as the AgProTech department. Let us share how God has been working to challenge and bless us as we prepare our students to serve in His Kingdom in the fields of agriculture, technology, and professional trades.

Chairperson

Hanna Marra

West Side Christian School

Speakers

Russ Smies

Central Wisconsin Christian School

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
124 Classroom, 1st floor

Session

Audience 8th - 12th
Subject Science

1:50pm PDT

Science Games - Making the Abstract Fun

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

121

Motivating students to play a game is not very difficult. Meanwhile, getting students to work with abstract science concepts can be tough at times. By turning the abstract concepts you are trying to teach them into rules of an interactive game you can get them to learn and have fun at the same time.

Chairperson

Matt Hofman

Central Wisconsin Christian School

Speakers

Heath Brower

8th Grade Science Teacher, Hudsonville Christian Middle School

Heath Brower is a graduate of Dordt University with a degree in secondary science and currently teaches 8th grade science at Hudsonville Christian School and has been there three years. He is married to his wife Kaylee and has two adorable children. Heath has a passion for... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
121 Art room, 1st floor (VanHaitsma)

Session

Audience 6th - 12th
Subject Science

9:00am PDT

Why Waste? Get Growing and Create a Class or Even a Schoolwide Compost System

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

142

Transform waste into wisdom! Discover the power of student-led composting initiatives. Learn how to integrate composting into the curriculum, engage students in sustainability, and build a supportive community. Empower students to lead with practical implementation guidance. Join in ways to glorify God through caring for His creation.

Chairperson

Elizabeth Cruz

Grandville Calvin Christian School

Speakers

Janet Staal

Director of Nature Based and Outdoor Education, West Side Christian School

Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
142 Band room, 1st floor

Session

Audience K - 8th Grade
Subject Science
Area Outdoor Education