Interest Groups

we teach and want to teach! Computer science teachers of all grade levels are welcome!

Cancer: Health and Social Justice Curriculum Information Session

Facilitators: Alia Komsany, Ph.D., and Erica Phillips, M.D.

MONDAY, MAR 13 ONLINE  SCIENCE

Are you passionate about the intersection of public health and social justice? Do you want to empower your students to help reduce and control the uneven distribution of cancer in NYC? Join us in this information session as we introduce our innovative approach to integrating a school-based cancer and social justice curriculum. Designed for middle school science teachers, the curriculum aims to reduce the future onset of cancer in vulnerable youth and the current cancer risk of their families. We’ll share parts of the curriculum and present opportunities to test the lessons in your classroom.

Dr. Alia Komsany is a cancer biologist. In addition to conducting research, she mentors, teaches, and tutors young women in health education. She is also a nationally recognized rower and champion for Muslim women’s rights.

Dr. Erica Phillips is the Jack Fishman Associate Professor of Cancer Prevention at Weill Cornell’s Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center. She is a health services researcher and clinical obesity medicine specialist with extensive experience in conducting community-engaged research.

Computer Science Elective Share Out

Facilitator: MƒA Master Teacher Paige Healy

MONDAY, MAR 13

ONLINE

 COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Are you interested in computer science (CS) curricula? Do you teach a CS elective and wonder what other schools offer or how to vertically align your courses? Join us in this interest group as we discuss the electives

Crafting Through Cricut in the Classroom

Facilitators: Hareem Ahmed-Zia and MƒA Master Teacher Quratul Waqas WEDNESDAY, MAY 24 ONLINE  COMMUNITY

Are you interested in crafting using a Cricut smart cutting machine in your classroom? Join us as we explore a variety of ways to use a Cricut, share ideas, and discuss how to use Cricut design space to create simple projects. Any teachers who have previous knowledge of Cricut design space are welcome!

Hareem Ahmed-Zia is a science teacher at John Adams High School in Queens.

Department Chair Support Group

Facilitator: MƒA Master Teacher Matt Baker WEDNESDAY, MAR 8 ONLINE

 INQUIRY, PRACTICE, AND LEADERSHIP

Are you interested in collaboratively thinking through the challenges of leading a department? Many members of the MƒA Community have moved into leadership roles at their schools, often as chairs of their departments. But coordinating resources, planning meetings, and coaching adults is a different set of skills than we normally use in teaching. This interest group is for those in leadership roles to brainstorm and troubleshoot the challenges teacher leaders face, build a toolbox of resources, and create a community of support.

Earth Science Teacher Meetup

Facilitators: MƒA Master Teachers James Anderson and Jeanne Kopun

THURSDAY, MAY 11 ONLINE  SCIENCE

Are you interested in sharing materials, lesson plans, and ideas with other Earth Science teachers? Would you like to collaborate to discuss the unique challenges that we face? Join us for an informal brainstorming session about best teaching practices in our subject area.

Experiential Educators: Bringing First-Hand Science Fieldwork Into the Classroom

Facilitators: MƒA Master Teachers Jerry Citron, Justin Czarka, and Laura Ralph

WEDNESDAY, MAR 22 ONLINE  SCIENCE

Are you interested in learning how to engage in science fieldwork and bring it back to your classroom? The goal of this interest group is to inspire, encourage, and support each other in doing fieldwork, expanding our content knowledge, and improving our teaching practice. We will highlight stories from our field experiences, share engaging learning activities, and provide resources from partner organizations around fieldwork opportunities and funding.

Fiber Arts Interest Group

Facilitator: MƒA Master Teacher Kate Maschmeyer

TUESDAY, MAR 7 M ƒA  COMMUNITY

Are you interested in learning about and sharing fiber arts skills? Do you knit, crochet, spin, weave, cross stitch, embroider, needle felt, or create other fiber art? Join us as we chat, share, learn, and create fiber art! All skill levels welcome whether new, novice, or expert—we all have the potential to create something beautiful!