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Everyone agrees—the magic of CAST is found in the variety and quality of its outstanding workshops and featured sessions. STAT is thrilled to showcase well-known science and education thought leaders from across the country as featured speakers at CAST23.
Explore the full schedule of sessions here.
Jim Beasley & Maurie Beasley | AI ExpertsWith a degree in computer engineering, 20 years in the private sector, and 18 years as a technology director, Jim Beasley sees the potential of AI from multiple viewpoints. He believes that AI will revolutionize industries, and those who do not utilize its power will be replaced by those who do. With a master's degree in education and more than 17 years as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and network administrator, Maurie Beasley knows what it is like to feel the stress of not having enough time in the day to complete all the things you must do for tomorrow. She is determined to spread the word about AI to allow teachers to do more of what they love—spend time with the students and not on the paperwork.
Dr. Kate Biberdorf | Chemist ExtraordinaireDr. Kate Biberdorf, also known as Kate the Chemist, is a scientist, a science entertainer, and a professor at the University of Texas. Through her theatrical and hands-on approach to teaching, Dr. Biberdorf is breaking down the image of the stereotypical scientist, while reaching students who might otherwise be intimidated by science. Students' emotional responses, rather than rote memorization of facts, are key to Biberdorf's dynamic approach to her program, as well as science in general. Her exciting and engaging program leaves audiences with a positive, memorable impression of science—all while diminishing the stigma around women in science.
Arlevia Davis | Science Instructional Specialist, TeacherArlevia Davis is a public educator, and her experience includes grades K–12 in the subjects of biology, chemistry, and physics. She has served as a teacher, teacher-mentor, team lead, department chair, and science specialist, and has taught a variety of students with various backgrounds and of various demographics, including at-risk, low socioeconomic, English language learners, and special education. Her teaching methods are the product of her passion to teach science in an engaging yet effective manner; the curriculum and activities she created are research-based and proven to help all learners retain information.
Dr. Tatiana Erukhimova | Physics ProfessorTatiana Erukhimova, Ph.D., is an Instructional Professor of Physics at Texas A&M University and a recipient of numerous awards for teaching and outreach. Tatiana’s videos featuring physics demonstrations attracted over 500 million views on departmental social media. Tatiana appeared with her demonstrations on CBS Mornings, ABC News, and The Jennifer Hudson Show.
Anurupa Ganguly | STEM Education ExpertAnurupa Ganguly, founder and CEO of Prisms, is working to close the STEM participation and achievement gap by rapidly improving engagement, retention, and proficiency in math and science. She will talk about her vision of reforming STEM education by leveraging immersive virtual reality (IVR) to scale a pedagogy we know works for all students: experiential learning—learning through seeing, moving, touching, perceiving, and solving real-world problems.
Dr. Julie Jackson | Science Education ResearcherJulie Jackson, Ph.D., (aka The Science Toolkit) is an associate professor at Texas State University, where she is actively involved in science education research. She has broad classroom teaching experience and has published research articles in international and national peer-reviewed journals. Her main research interest is the seamless integration of research-based practices into day-to-day planning and execution of highly effective, TEKS-aligned science instruction that benefits diverse population. She developed "interactive word walls," which have transformed K–12 science and vocabulary instruction, and has a record of sustained and powerful site-based interventions that have improved teachers' attitudes toward teaching science and teaching practices.
Page Keeley | Author, Speaker, ConsultantPage Keeley is a nationally recognized leader in science formative assessment and understanding of students’ thinking. She is a prolific author of 22 books, including several award-winning titles on uncovering students' ideas, and has authored over 60 journal articles, contributed to several book chapters, and developed formative assessment probes for McGraw-Hill's Inspire Science program. She is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and consults with school districts (including several Texas districts), universities, and organizations to build capacity for science formative assessment and teaching science for conceptual understanding.
Steven Smith | NASA Education SpecialistSteven Smith works with NASA’s Micro-g NExT challenge at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. He came to NASA after 20 years in the classroom. His work supports educators inspiring the next generation from historically disenfranchised groups, helping create culturally responsive lessons that engage students previously left out of the work NASA does.
DeWayne Street | DEI ExpertDeWayne Street, the Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Leander ISD, was a classroom teacher for 17 years and has been a practicing DEI consultant since 2001. He has considerable experience increasing educational access for all students dating back to the beginning of his career in 1991.
Matt Wells | Teacher, Consultant, TrainerMatt Wells is an award-winning teacher, science department chair, AP consultant, GT trainer and workshop presenter based in Houston, Texas. A dynamic speaker and Past President of both the Science Teachers Association of Texas and the Texas Association of Biology Teachers, Matt loves helping teachers apply neuroscience to the classroom.